Municipal Government History in the United States
Municipal Government History
Introduction to Municipal Government History
The first urban centers in the American colonies were patterned after the English boroughs, with each borough receiving its charter from the king of England or from one of his representatives in the colonies. These colonial boroughs were usually governed by aldermen and councilmen, who were generally elected, and by a mayor and a recorder, the legal adviser to the council, who were appointees of the governor of the colony. During the entire colonial period no more than 24 urban communities sought borough charters. Where chartered boroughs did exist, the colonial assemblies often modified the charters, thus establishing the practice of central legislative regulation and supervision of local government.
The New England townspeople preferred the town meeting, which they considered more democratic, and the Crown never attempted to force the New Englanders to accept written charters for their towns. The more densely populated areas were divided into precincts or wards, and selectmen, representing their constituents, made decisions for the community. Town meetings and representative town meetings are still used in several New England municipalities, but for the most part this method of governing is not practical for large municipalities.
Four major forms of government-weak-mayor-council, strong-mayor-council, commission plan, and council-manager plan-evolved from town meetings. All these local governmental forms make use of an elected body of representatives, called a council, commission, or board. Members of the council are elected either by voters within a particular boundary, called a district, ward, or precinct, or by the voters at large. Some cities incorporate both methods. The forms of government differ in the authority and appointing power of the centrally elected figure.” (1)
Resources
Notes and References
- Information about Municipal Government History in the Encarta Online Encyclopedia
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