Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-06
votes Of the taxpaying citizens. these
divided the first

votes of the taXpaying citizens. these
are divided into three classes, the first
class being composed of those who pay
one-third of the tax levy. the second class
third class embraces all the rest of the
taxpayers. Each of these classes elects
one-third of the city assembly. which in
turn chooses the upper branch of the
tracy. composed of the board of mayor
and aldermen" the latter thirty-two in
number. fifteen of whom are salaried
while the other seventeen are honorary
members. who serve without any salary
whatever. The mayor is chosen by the
assembly for a period of twelve years
nominally subject to the approval of the
emperor. The mayors salary is $500
The fifteen salaried aldermen are elected
for twelve years by the municipal coun-
Gil, with especial regard to their quail
fications for administering the depart
ments over which they are to rule, AND
unless they choose to retire they are
usually reelected They consist of the
city treasurer. two school councillors. two
architects and seven aldermen who may
be assigned to any position they are con-
sidered most fit to occupy. These mer
correspond to our heads of departments
and it Is considered a great advanta &c
to have them regular members of the
board of aldermen, where they may take
part in the deliberations.
The two chambers are supplemented
by body of seventy citizen deputies
selected by the assembly from distinguish
ed citizens to serve on committees fol
the administration of special affairs. sucf
as relief Of the poor, the conduct of the
schools. etc, an alderman acting as
chairman of these committees. who serve
gratuitously.
According to the report of Mr.: Coleman
secretary of our legation in 1881, there
were $500 salared and $500 unsalarieC
officials. or as termed there. "otricers OF
honor 1t being considered a great honor
by the best citizens to serve in this ca
pacity.
About 400 serve as heads Of the severa
wards: about 1.475 constitute the poor
committees" OF whom TBS are occupied
| with the care of the orphans. as are also
1858 ladies'; 1875 act as committees of the
| schools. and 24O. of whom 81 are ladies
constitute the supervising school boards
In 1881 the population was 1,122. $50
| Berlin being the fourth city of the world
The total expense of the city then was
| about nine and one-third million dollars
of which about one-twelfth was prof
from the gas works. owned and operated
| by the city.
AS stated by Consul Mason in 1903 TIL.
population had increased to almost =,
| 100000 and the total expenses to $40
| 170.9J7. The tax is based on the income
which is the only just way for improved
property In his statement Secretar,
Coleman says: 1.-The beneficial results o.
the more enlarged government. extended
| to this community from time to time b,
the state and the sovereign. have been
| most Marked" and he explains at Length
| the great improvements which had re
suited from it,
| The fact that under a monarchy thu
citizens of the German capital control thu
municipal affairs, while the citizens of tn,
| capital of our republic have absolutely
no voice in theirs, is indeed most as
founding. To be consistent, Mr.. Rey
nolds should also recommend that oul
citizens should have the same control o.
our municipal affairs that the citizens
fof Berlin and other German cities hav.
| OF theirs. w. c. DODGE.