experience in the United States has shown the wisdom of this plan.1

The sad experience of Minneapolis, whose mayor in 1902 dealt wholesale in permits to violate the law, shows what power for evil may be exercised by a responsible mayor and may well serve as an "horrible example."

Qualities a Mayor Should Possess. That a mayor should be honest is an accepted fact, but it is also equally true that he should possess training for the important duties which belong to his position. A good "business man” will not necessarily have the kind of ability required for an able mayor, and many an honest man has proven a miserable failure in that office.

The ideal mayor must have knowledge along a number of lines. "He must be sufficiently experienced to recognize the interests of the city when selfish and designing men are seeking to enrich themselves at public expense.

"He must especially have large knowledge about all business engaged in furnishing the so-called public utilities so as to know what may be demanded when private corporations are engaged in supplying these utilities, and what is a right standard when they are supplied by the municipality. Especially must the mayor, along with a backbone of iron, have expert knowledge concerning all franchise questions."2 He must have enough knowledge

1

English cities, on the contrary, have had good government with the chief responsibility in the hands of the city councils. mayor, appointed by the council, acts as its agent. Were it possible to elect able and honest men to membership in the city councils, such a plan would doubtless succeed as well in America.

Ely, "The Coming City," pp. 40-41.

along the line of each department of the city's duties to appoint experts as department heads and to hold them to their full duty.

The salary of the mayor should be large enough to attract men of ability. New York pays its mayor $15,000 a year; Boston follows with $10,000 a year.

German cities regard the position of mayor as a profession. The mayor is not chosen because he happens to be a genial man and belongs to the political party then in power, but because of his special training and experience. The city councils appoint mayors for long terms; in Prussia they may be appointed for life. A successful mayor is often called to serve another city at an increased salary. The following translation of an advertisement in the "Berliner Tageblatt" is taken from Dr. Ely's suggestive little book, "The Coming City":

VACANT MAYOR'S POSITION

It is desired to fill at once the position of mayor in this city, to whom are intrusted also the duties of the registration and vital statistics office. The yearly salary is 4,800 marks, and the pension to which the mayor becomes entitled amounts to the same sum.

Candidates who have passed the second examination for the higher judicial or administrative service are respectfully requested to send in their applications with a short sketch of their life, not later than the 30th of August, to the undersigned.

The Chairman of the Municipal Council, Otto. LUCKENWALDE, July 15, 1891.

City Administrative Departments. A city comptroller, or auditor, has charge of the city accounts and must decide upon the legality of all payments. The comptroller is usually elected by the people. Experience has shown that the department of finance should not be under the control of the mayor, but should be independent, and thus serve as a check upon other departments.

Such important departments as those of police, health, fire, street cleaning, parks, etc., are in the hands of a single commissioner or of a commission. Heads of these departments are generally appointed by the mayor, who has also power of removal from office. Sometimes appointments and removals are subject to the approval of the city council.

The department of education is separate from the other departments. The members of the board of education either appointed by the mayor or elected by the people choose the superintendent of schools and have charge of matters relating to the public schools.

The City Legislative Department. Most cities have a single legislative body, usually called the city council. Its members are elected from wards or other districts for a term of from one to four years. In many cities the legislative department is made up of two bodies, the upper and less numerous one being chosen for a longer term than the larger lower chamber. The upper chamber is often called the board of aldermen. In some cities the members of the upper chamber are chosen from the entire city or from large districts. This is done in the hope that abler men will be elected than if they were chosen from wards. Councilmen serve either without pay or for a small salary. New York City pays her aldermen, who serve for a term of two years, a salary of $2,000 a year.

The Duties of the City Legislative Department. — The power of the city councils is strictly limited by the charter. Legislative acts of the council are known as ordinances and cover such local subjects as police regulations, opening of new streets, etc. The power of city councils has been much

limited by the creation of special departments under commissioners responsible to the mayor. Ordinances that have passed the city council must be approved by the mayor before becoming effective, though they may be passed over the mayor's veto by a two-thirds majority.

Among the most important duties of the city council is the granting of permits for the building and operation of street railways, gas and electric light works, and telephone lines.

To the city council financial affairs are usually entrusted; it must provide revenues by taxation or other means and no public money may be expended without this vote. In some cities, including New York, a special board prepares yearly a budget, which is a statement of the amounts to be expended for different purposes, and of plans for taxation. This board is called the board of estimate and apportionment. This report may then be submitted to the council.

The National Municipal League has presented a plan for a model city charter.1 According to this plan there should be:

I. A council of one body. Members to be elected on a general ticket for terms of six years, and to serve without pay. One-third to be elected every two years.

2. The mayor to serve for a term of two years. All heads of departments, except the comptroller, to be appointed by the mayor. Minor officers to be appointed on the basis of a civil service examination.

3. A comptroller to be elected by the city council, who would be the head of the financial department.