Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-16

the proceedings would be able to get in.
That very thing did happen few years
ago, SO this solution was devised.
The hall is provided with registering
turnstiles II town meeting Is attended
by less than 700 voters, as shown by these
turnstiles. its acts are hnal, the inference
being that there was ample opportunity for
the citizens TO enter the hall and to take
part in the discussion and voting. II they
did mot do so, II was equivalent to con-
sent to the action OF the meeting.
But II the turnstiles register 100 or more.
II s assumed that there may have been
citizens unable, owing TO the size of the
meeting, TO participate in the discussion.
The acts of such a meeting therefore do
not become operative until Ave days after
Il has taken place.
II within those five days petition signed
by at least 100 voters Is filed with the town
clerk, requesting that any one or more OF
the votes taken at the meeting be sub
mitted 70 the voters at large, It must be
done This, OF course, does not include
votes Tor town officers or any vote required
by tine general law to be taken by ballot
The candidates for town offices are all
nominated at a citizens caucus held about
ten days before the annual town meeting,
which means the annual election, and are
selected from among what are called pre-
llminary suggestions. Each Of these pre-
lirninary suggestions must be made iE
writing. signed by at least ten voters and
accompanied by the written assent OF the
person named. These suggestions are hled
with the town clerk six days before the
caucus and the list is published in the LOCAL
papers
Party Lines Abolished.
In local politics there is comparatively
little reference TO ordinary party lines
| there being more Of a desire to see the best
man for the place get II regardless of par
| tisan success Women vote for members
/ Of the school committee.
! SO far at least there has been no cry
Of graft % disturb the good old fashioned
government Of Brookline. In spite OF the
big sums which the town annually spends
It Is claimed that the citizens get better
| return for their money than In any othel
I place with the same expenditure.
There are a good many things in the
survival OF the old form Of government
there which seem strange today. The
/ moderator the sesler OF weights and meas
: uros. the fence viewers, the field drivers
! the pound keeper, the selectmen-somehoW
/ they seem by their titles, at least, echoes
/ of another generation.
/ But they do their work well. BrOo6lins
/ Is satisfied to remain. In her form Of gov
ornment, like the smallest cross roads VII
/ lagc.
! Twice her citizens have voted on the
! question of annexation to Boston and each
time they have rejected the idea with th'
emphasis OF a big majority. Meanwhile
the place grows steadily I'm population
while its wealth increases by leaps and
bounds.
Pittsheld, Mass, is about the same siz'
as Brookline In 1904 Pittsneld had $50
polls. while Brookline had SS less. Te
the assessed valuation of Pittsheld Wal
only about &ls.O0O,OO0 while that Of Brook
line. was over sssOoO.oOO.
As things are at present Tue total wealth
OF the town averages over $500 for even
man. woman and CHILD included In tn
population Philadelphia North American