small neighboring islands; the Bronx, including that part of the old city of New York in Westchester County and some neighboring islands; Brooklyn, including all the County of Kings: Queens, including all of the present county of Queens; and Richmond, including Richmond County (Staten Island).

The Mayor. The mayor is elected by the voters of the entire city for a period of four years. He has very extensive powers of appointment, and responsibility for most executive and administrative departments is, therefore, upon him. In other respects his powers are similar to those usually exercised by a mayor.

Administrative Departments. Over every administrative department there is a single officer. All heads of administrative departments, except the comptroller, or head of the department of finance, and the superintendent of schools, are appointed by the mayor. The comptroller is elected by the voters of the entire city, and the superintendent of schools is chosen by the board of education, the members of which are appointed by the mayor. To the administrative departments are assigned duties similar to those given to executive departments in other cities, except that the water works of the boroughs are chiefly under borough officers.

Borough President.- Each borough has a borough president elected by the voters of the borough for a term of four years. The borough president has general charge of public streets, bridges, tunnels, and most of the public buildings in his borough. He also has charge of local improvements, which are voted by the local boards.

Boards of Local Improvements. The city is divided into twentyfive districts for local improvements. Local improvement boards have power to open streets, construct bridges, and establish parks in cases where the adjacent property bears part of the expense except where the charge on the city as a whole is over $500,000, in which case it must be approved by the board of aldermen. plans for local improvements must, however, be approved by the borough president, and in case the improvement calls for an expenditure of over $2,000 it must be approved by the board of estimate

All

and apportionment. The local improvement boards are composed of the members of the board of aldermen within the district, and the borough president presides over meetings of the board.

Board of Estimate and Apportionment. The board of estimate and apportionment is composed of the mayor, president of the board of aldermen, the comptroller, and the five borough presidents. In the board of estimate and apportionment, the mayor, comptroller, and president of the board of aldermen have three votes each, the presidents of the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn have two votes each, and the presidents of the other boroughs have one vote each. One of its chief duties is to prepare the annual budget, or estimate of expenses, for the succeeding year. The budget then goes to the board of aldermen, and when passed becomes the legal amount to be raised during the year for local purposes. Permits to corporations desiring to operate street railroads, or to supply other public services, are granted by this board.

The Board of Aldermen. -The board of aldermen is the legislative branch of the city government. The board consists of seventy-three members elected from that number of aldermanic districts for a two years' term, of the president of the board, elected by the voters of the entire city, and of the five borough presidents. Each head of an administrative department has a seat in the board, and must attend its meetings when requested by the board. He has no vote, but may take part in debates; he is also required to answer questions relating to his department, provided forty-eight hours' notice is given that a certain question will be asked. The board has power to pass ordinances upon subjects named in the charter. It cannot authorize the expenditure of money for any celebration, procession, funeral, reception, or entertainment, except by a vote of four-fifths of its membership. A bill vetoed by the mayor may be repassed by a two-thirds vote except in case of an ordinance or resolution involving the expenditure of money, or the levying of an assessment, in which case a three-fourths vote is required. The board of aldermen is empowered to fix salaries of all city employees other than day-laborers, teachers, examiners, and members of the supervising staff of the board of education.

This action can, however, only be taken upon recommendation of the board of estimate and apportionment. The board cannot increase any salary, but may reduce salaries; in the latter case, however, the mayor may interpose his veto. The Board meets at the City Hall in Manhattan, and must hold a session at least once a month, except during August and September.

The Board of Education. No city in the world has paid greater attention than New York to public education. It is worthy of note that the largest single item of expense to the city, except interest on the debt, is the maintenance of the public schools. During the year 1912 the enormous sum of $33,849,819 was appropriated for the department of education. The board of education, consisting of forty-six members appointed by the mayor for terms of five years, has general charge of the public schools. Members of the board of education serve the city without pay, and the city has never failed to secure the services of able men and women who have given their best endeavors to forward the interests of the public schools.

QUESTIONS ON THE TEXT

1. Describe the growth and character of the English borough. 2. What influence had English boroughs upon American cities? 3. What is a city? Define a city charter.

4. What has caused the growth of American cities?

5. Why does a city require government different from that of a country district?

6. Describe the duties of a mayor.

7. What is meant by a "responsible mayor?"

8. What powers are possessed by the city legislature?

9. Describe the work of the principal city departments. 10. How do village governments differ from city governments?

QUESTIONS SUGGESTED BY THE TEXT

1. Describe the government of your own city, or the city nearest

you.

2. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a city council of one chamber as compared with a council of two chambers.

3. Do you think that in fifty years the majority of the population of the United States will reside in cities? Give reasons for your opinion.

4. What has led to the establishment and growth of Boston, Chicago, New York, Pittsburg, St. Louis, New Orleans, and San Francisco?

5. Why should persons who have no children in the public schools be taxed for the support of the public schools? What benefits do such people derive from the public schools?

6. Show why it is right for a boy to be compelled to go to school, even though his parents may not care to have him attend.