The Paducah weekly sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1902-19??, 1906-11-21
OLD LONDON TOWN
AND LORD MAYOR
Pcrogatives. Pay And Duties
OF High Dignitary.
Aldermen Called "WorshipfuI" and
Executive Head Right Wor-
shipful" by Custom.
EARLIEST KNOWN LORD MAYOR

London. Nov. 2l.-A new lord
mayor Of London. Sir William Tre-
loar, has just been inaugurated with
tremendous ceremony and the time
honored pageant which has occur
red annually In the civic history OF
that metropolis for 700 years. There
Is good deal of criticism among
practical people concerning the per-
cost lot OF money. but the diverted
companies" as the guilds of mer-
chants are called would not abandon
them any more than they would de-
ny their brthrlght. The mayor of
London. as you know. rules over a
comparatively small city. with only
few thousand voters. The day pop
nlation Is nearly million: the
night population about 10000. and
his jurisdiction extends only little
way above ST. Paul's Cathedral and
over a mile square in the heart Of
the metropolis.
The remainder OF London Is ruled
by the county council.
Earliest Mayor
The earliest mention OF mayor
In the records OF London appears in
writ issued by King ffenry n. IN
1854. but me history OF that Office
begins in the reign OF Richard !. in
1889. when Henry Fitz- Eylwln was
made lord mayor by the king. and
continued as such to the end OF HIS
life. In 1893 the mayor appears as
the custodian OF King Richards ram
som.
Up to 1915 the mayor was appoln-
ed by the crown, but In that year
King John granted the citizens the
right to choose their own ruler. and
the election has taken place annual
ly ever since on 81. Mlcnaelmas day.
one OF the members of the board of
aldermen being voted for by his col
leagues. There has not been a con-
test for many years. The members of
the board OF aldermen, who are elect
cd for life. take their turns and the
senior In length OF service who has
not already "passed the chair" Is Sc
lected. London aldermen are elected
for life. an arrangement that would
be a source OF great qualification to
the present incumbents of that Office
In New York. Chicago and other cit
les IL the custom could be introduce
ed here. But the property qualifica-
lions might bar them out. No man
Is eligible for alderman in London
unlesa he is worth $4,000 in taxa
BILE property and when elected ne is
compelled 10 serve or pay a fine OF
$500. II a lord mayor-eiect refuse
man receives no salary or perquis-
ties OF any kind. and his duties and
responsibilities are considerable
tax upon his purse. Therefore no
poor man can assume them. The lord
mayor receives a salary OF 100000
a year although he has only 10000
constituents, but he Is required to
spend nearly all OF that money for
charity. and for social and ceremo-
MAJ functions and in maintaining the
Mansion house. which is rent-free.
but costs a great deal to keep up An
idernaA has the title OF worship
fnl" until he has been mayor. when
he is always addressed as "the right
worshipful Sir John Doe"
Right TO Vote.
All free men. that Is, all property
holders In the City of London, have
the right to vote. There are 25 wards
and 20 aldermen and the elections
are conducted by ballot, although
they occur infrequently. Before an
alderman can take HIS seat he must
be approved by his future colleagues.
Should the electors of any ward re-
turn person who Is determined to
be unfit to support the dignity and
discharge the duties of the Office the
other aldermen may reject him and
new candidate must be elected. IL
three candidates are rejected in sue
cacsfon tho hoard of alderman have
the right to select proper man to
fil the Office.
In On rlX iinaa. q ,Llnrmnn had