The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-11-25
VIEWPOINTS TOWN. MEETING.
COTTAGE COLONY MIXING 4
POLITICAL EXPERIMENT.
Farly New England Principles On Trial as
Remeds rOr IIs Of Municipal Govern
mem Interest In the Election 10 BE
,ield rs<sS Nnnsh-New City Charter.

rottage colony IL displaying unusual in
'ereet in the canvass preceding the city
election on the first Tuesday in December.
Perhaps it. is he interest attaching to an
experiment. unusual in American municipal
government. hut more probably il is founded
on self-intcrest and a belief that members
ct tho colony will benefit quite as much as
Tho native Newporter by the successful
operation Of the e city charter.
Meanwhile Newport presents the phe-
nonenon OF a general autograph collecting
boo, Voters are being held up in their
Offices and shops. buttonholed on the street
corners and pursued to their homes with
requests that they afix their names to
nomination papers.
In principle the charter adopted last
June by Fashions summer capital provides
FOR New England town meeting methods
in a city government, and as a remedy for
The evils of ordinary municipal govern
ment in this country its trial will attract
attention. In its origin it goes a step be-
yond the town meeting idea, for women
were largely Instrumental in il.
Tor a number of yea rs the feeling has
been growing that a change in the way of
managing the City's business was demanded.
The present system is that common to
'AAAHNA' AAt avn AAAAby ONAt ~ NV
country. The city has been governed by
3 Mayor chosen on a party ticket, a Board
NJ Aldermen representing each ward, and
a Common Council. also picked from the
wards and elected to Office under party
cmblems; and with this system Newport
was neither better nor worse governed than
other municipalities.
4 feeling developed among the wealthy
cottagers that they were being imposed
on for the benefit Of the rest of the city,
and the belief became especially strong
last year when an increased assessment OF
more than SI3, 600 900 on personal property
tell mainly on the c~ottagers. Some
changed their place OF residence, while
others began 10 inquire into the possibility
Of efecting a radical change in city
government.
The latter class found an active and able
sly in the Citizens Municipal Association,
7hich had been organized largely by Miss
Ellen 4. Mason of Boston and Newport,
who had already organized the Civil League
NJ Women. Both organizat ions had for
their object the betteTment OF conditions
in rhe city.
The work Of drawing up a new charte
was coutded 10 a committee Of twenty
seven, about half members of the Citizens
Municipal Association, the remainder po-
Gticsl workers OF all parties. Out of it's
researches developed the idea of a return
IA early New England principles.
The main features Of the plan we're
adopted some time before by Brookline,
Ma SIS, the wealthiest town pro rata in the
United States. Newport committeeman
consulted with the officials and public
spirited men of Brookline, and out of these
' conferences and committee consultations
came the charter which was adopted last
June.
In the preparation of the charter five
fundamental ideas were kept in view. The
maintenance of a pure democracy and COM
plete representation was sought through
'he return to the town meeting type of
government in a manner TO be explained.
Perfect freedom of nomination for Office
vas desirable, and TO this end party eau
Cuses we're abolished entirely, nomination
p pers taking their place.
This brought about the extinction OF
"a craftsmanship. Financial reform was sought
hv = sharp separation of the functions of
gathering and disbursing income. the former
being in the hands Of the representative
council. And finally TO bring city business
close to the people provision was made for
fdll initiative in proposing public measures
aud expenditures, with a referendum under
proUcr restrictions.
NcwpOTt's permanent population to-day
Is about % 900, and the city possesses about
5000 voters. Manifestly it is impossible to
hold mass meetings OF these citizens to pass
upon city matters. but as the rsxt best
thing the charter provides fora representa-
tive body as large as can conveniently be
handled.
Two hundred was fixed upon as about the
proper number, but since it was decided
e. allot membership equally between the
City's five wards and provide for the election
Of a third each year for a three years term,
the exact number of the council is 1876,
which gives thirty-nine members from a
ward.
One meeting a year Of this council IL
prescribed. The council itself will decide
when to hold others. although it is provided
that a session shall be held Upon the re-
quest Of twenty-five members or Of the
Board of Aldermen.
The regular annual meeting is to be held
upon the first Monday OF January Of each
year. when the city government takes
office. At this meeting a finance COM
niittee Of five members from each ward
Is to be appointed to consider the question
Of appropriations for the year.
AL the business OF levying taxes and
making appropriations ia left in the hands
~ the council. 1t Is the intention Of the
charter that appropriations shall be appor-
toned to the different departments for
specific purposes and so definitely as to
leave little opportunity for the executive
department. to transfer accounts. Over
drafts are strictly forbidden.
In addition to the council there 10 to be
= board Of five Aldermen, representing
Yards, but. like the Mayor and the school
committee, elected at large. These officials
assume the purely executive functions
OF city affairs and carry out the instruc-
tions OF the council.
Other city officers are 10 be chosen by
the council, the City Treasurer, clerk,
Judge Of the Probate Court, Tax Collector,
solicitor and Police Commissioners But
the Mayor has the power OF investigating
any department and OF suspending any city