he bought an ungraded piece of land in a good residential district of the city he was warned by experts that the grading would be an extremely expensive business; but he went on unheeding well-meant advice. Having built a rather pretentious house on this lot, he proceeds to take all the loam lying next the street to grade that portion of the lot next the house; thereby leaving a drop of ten or twelve feet next to the sidewalk, unprotected by wall or fence. Having done this, he loses no time in presenting the above mentioned petition to the city. But while the bill goes through the usual processes of legislation, the expected happens. More than one unwary pedestrian has measured his length in this ditch, which Styles has thoughtfully kept muddy. No great damage has been incurred except in tailor's bills for cleansing and pressing, but one neighbor went in with two dozen eggs at one dollar a dozen, and another spilled therein a large bag of beans. It is suggested that Styles be under the expense of filling the ditch himself, as he is known to be abundantly able to do so. A third alderman regrets the mishap occasioned by the delay of the bill in passing the board of Aldermen ; but feels that the city should do the same service in Styles's case as it has been accustomed to do in other cases. It is referred by vote to a public hearing. SUGGESTION ON BILL 708 The crossing at the junction of First and Last Streets has grown to be a grave menace to the public safety. Although not in the business section of the city, it has become since the advent of the automobile, a much frequented corner. The houses abutting upon the street on all four corners obstructing the view, adds much to the danger to automobilists. There is a school house near, etc., etc. SUGGESTIONS ON ROOSTER BILL Some one in the congested part of the city is raising roosters for exhibition purposes and thus the night is made hideous by their crowing. The alderman from that ward has been persuaded to present a bill for their suppression. It develops that one member of the board raises chickens for diversion and he also has a brood of bantam roosters. He proves very inflammable on the subject and stoutly maintains that he has as much right to raise bantams for his pleasure as his colleagues to drink and smoke. Some one points out that cats likewise make the night hideous, but no one objects to their being maintained within the city limits. The president makes the distinction that whereas, cats may be shot or poisoned with impunity, hens, being property, are protected by the law. The suggestion is made that to put the roosters down cellar at night, or to cover the coop to insure perfect darkness, will silence them. In the end the vote goes in favor of Mr. Rooster, who may still legally crow within this city. CITY OF MELROSE CALENDAR OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN Regular Meeting No. 711 December 23, 1919 Nomination of Aaron Poor to Charity Board No. 712 Daily Garbage Collection in Wards 3, 4 & 5 Recommended No. 713 Petition that Oriole Place be accepted by City Recommended No. 704 Park Ave. construction $5000 additional Inexpedient to Legislate No. 716 Hole filled on estate of John Styles Recommended No. 708 Traffic officer at the junction of First & Last Streets Recommended No. 700 Increase in teachers' salaries No. 705 Recommended by Mayor Inexpedient to Legislate 1 Protest of ministers against Sunday sports. Placed on file 1 Protests and reports are placed on file by a vote. CHAPTER V STATE GOVERNMENT Every state in the United States derives its powers from its constitution, and these powers are second only to those of the National Constitution. The state constitutions were each framed by the people themselves, acting through chosen delegates who assembled in convention; and in a majority of states the constitution as prepared by this convention was ratified by the people. One of the main parts of each constitution is the Bill of Rights, which emphatically states the rights of the people, and to what extent laws may be made without infringing upon these rights. Each state government is divided into three distinct branches the legislative, executive and judicial. Because of the greater importance of the law making body in state government it is best that the legislature come first in the order of discussion. In all states it is made up of two houses, the upper called the Senate, and the lower known as the House of Representatives, and when each is in session they are known in some states as the General Court, while in others the General Assembly. It is customary for the legislature to convene at a time fixed by statute or by the state constitution, but special sessions may be called by the governor if necessity demands it. Members of the legislature are chosen by popular vote for a term which varies in the different states, and the qualifications for office are determined by law. Members must reside in the district from which they are elected. In some states the senators and representatives receive either an annual salary or so much compensation per day, according to the length of the session. The House of Representatives is presided over by a Speaker, elected from among its members; while the lieutenantgovernor is nearly always the presiding officer of the Senate (in Massachusetts the Senate elects its own president), and each house determines its own rules of procedure. The power of making laws is limited only by the Federal Constitution and the state constitution; each act that originates in one house must also be passed by the other and then accepted by the governor before it becomes a law. Then again in a number of states the people have a direct voice in the enactment of laws by means of the referendum. The initiative, which is becoming more and more popular in connection with the referendum, provides that after a petition asking for a certain legislation has been signed by a definite percentage of the legal voters of the state, this legislation must be submitted to popular vote. By means of the referendum and initiative the people keep a check upon the law making activities of the legis lature and help to curb any attempts by their representatives to place upon the statutes laws that would not coincide with their own belief of what is good for the public. The executive branch of the state government differs from that of the Federal in that the latter finds its execu |