The Form of Government
in
288 American Cities
A Summary of a Questionnaire
Sent Cities Over 30,000 Population
August, 1929
By the
Detroit Bureau of Governmental Research, Inc.
February, 1931
No. 121
-1-
FOREWORD
In the fall election of 1929, a referendum was presented to the electors of
Detroit which, if approved, would have made basic changes in the
existing form of government. This proposal prompted an enquiry into
the form of government in American cities. A questionnaire was sent to
all cities having a population of 30,000 or more at that time, and the
results are summarized herewith.
The form of American municipal government appears to be in constant
flux. These trends can be found by comparison of this report with
reference to the tables carried in the Financial Statistics of Cities (U.S.
Census Bureau) in the volume for the odd numbered years, terminating
with the 1923 volume.
The work of summarizing and classifying this information was done by
Mr. Charlton F. Chute, formerly of the staff of the Detroit Bureau of
Governmental Research, and now research Assistant, President
Hoover’s Commission on Social Trends, The University of Chicago.
-2-
DISCUSSION
The tables following this discussion, indicate trends of the five
population groups into which the charts are divided. These tables are
mostly self-explanatory, but the following information augments them in
some cases.
The four general types of government reported are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Bicameral
Mayor-council type
Commission
City manager
Bicameral Type
This type of government is found to be no longer popular decreasing
from 24 cities reported in 1917 to 13 retaining this form in 1929. it is
said that about one-third of all cities over 25,000 population in 1903 had
this form of government. The cities now operating under this
government are:
Massachusetts
Worcester
Springfield
New Bedford
Brockton
Everett
Rhode Island
Providence
Pawtucket
Woonsocket
Newport
Connecticut
New Britain
Virginia
Richmond
Georgia
Atlanta
Mayor-Council Type
This form is usually divided into the strong-mayor and weak-mayor
type, depending upon the powers delegated to the mayor. It was
impossible in this study to make this distinction.
-3-
The party system of municipal elections is still popular in cities
reporting this type of government. Two-thirds of the cities vote under
the party system, and the balance, non-partisan, although in many cases
this only means that the party emblem is not shown on the ballot.
The two-year tem for councilmen is most popular, being reported by
approximately two-thirds of the cities. The four-year term is reported by
the remaining one-third.
The staggered of overlapping term of office is not usual. Of the 129
mayor-council cities reporting, only 32% have over-lapping terms of
office for councilmen.
Commission Plan
This was the original form of government which was offered as an
improvement on the mayor-council type. However, it is now being
supplanted by the city-manager type. In 1917, 36% of the cities reported
the commission type, but this was decreased to 29% in 1929, a loss of 7%
in twelve years.
Under this plan, the non-partisan election is most popular being
reported by 78% of the cities.
The term of office has been increased under the commission plan, over
that of mayor-council type. Two-thirds of the cities elect the
commissioners for four-year terms, and approximately one-third use the
two-year term.
-4-
The commission plan is of such a nature, that election at large is most
practical. Only 5% of the cities elect their commissioners from wards or
districts.
The overlapping term is used about evenly among the cities reporting,
46% elect for overlapping terms, and 59% do not.
Of the 81 cities under the commission plan, only one does not pay a salary
to the commissioners. The range of salaries is shown in table 7.
The Manager Plan
This plan is the most recent change in government, and is an outgrowth of
the commission type. It has grown rapidly from its inception in 1913 to
about 21% of the cities reported.
The councils under this type range from 3 to 25 members, but the most
usual is 5 members reported by 47% of the cities. Other significant sizes
are: 9 members reported by 18% of the cities, 7 members reported by 17%.
Non-partisan elections predominate, being reported by 85% as contrasted
to 78% of the commission plan and 67% of the mayor-council. The partisan
elections are confined to four states as shown below:
West Virginia
New York
Virginia
Texas
3 cities
3 cities
3 cities
1 city.
-5-
The four-year term is most popular, which is used by 52% of the cities.
35% elect for two-year terms, and the balance of 13% is distributed among
three, five, and six-year terms.
Election at large is reported by 77%, while 15% elect by wards. The
remaining 8% use a combination of the two methods.
Overlapping terms for councilmen are reported by two-thirds of the cities.
This is an outstanding feature of this plan. Only one-third of the mayorcouncil cities reported staggered terms, and the commission plan reports
41%.
-6-
SUMMARY TABLES
Table I.
Comparative Forms of Government in 288 American
Cities of Over 30,000 Population.
Type of
Government
No. of Cities
1929 1917
Mayor and Bicameral
Council.
13
Mayor-Council
Percentage
of Total
1929 1917
24
4%
Percentages
Gain
Loss
11%
7%
129
104
45
48
3
Commission
82
78
29
36
7
Manager
60
12
21
5
16%
Towns & Villages
3
1
1
—
1
Unclassified
1
Total
288
219
Table II.
Distribution of Mayor-Council Form of Government.
Population
Group
No. Cities Under
Mayor-Council Plan
I
II
III
IV
V
12
5
25
37
50
Total
129
Percentage
Cities in Group
86%
42
40
38
50
1
1
2
$
to
to
to
to
to
Table IV.
40,000
11,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
$6,000
5,000
4,000
1,800
300
$10,000
7,500
—
—
3,500
Size and Method of Election of COUNCILMEN in Mayor-Council Cities.
1
1
11
2
8
11
11
44
Mode*
$15,275
7,700
6,348
5,167
3,088
71 —
26 —
33 —
21 —
36 —
9
9
4
4
4
22
—
13
12
9
25.2
15.2
14.2
12.4
10.8
5
3
12
15
21
4
2
3
8
5
3
—
10
14
24
42%
60
48
40
42
33%
40
12
22
10
25%
—
40
38
48
No. of Members
Methods of Electing Councilmen
Composing Council.
Number of Cities
% of Cities in Group
Range Mode* Average Wards At LargeCombination Wards At LargeCombination
1
3
17
23
38
82
Range
Arithmetic
Average
* Mode – The most frequently appearing number – when there is no common number this item omitted.
I
II
III
IV
V
Population
Group
I
II
III
IV
V
Total
Term of Office
Population
in Years:
Group 1
2
3
4
Salary and Term of Office of MAYOR in Mayor-Council Cities.
Table III.
-7-
-8-
Table V.
Yearly Salaries of Councilmen in Mayor-Council Cities.
Population
Group
Salary Range
I
II
III
IV
V
$8,000
3,000
3,000
4,000
3,000
to $1,500
to
600
to None
to None
to None
Mode
$2,500
—
500
1,000
150
Average
$ 3,408
1,452
826
919
457
Table VI.
Salaries of Councilmen in Manager Cities
Population
Group
Salary Range
I
II
III
IV
V
$1,800
5,000
2,000
3,000
1,200
Mode
to
$1,800
to $1,500
—
to
1 1,200
to
100
500
to
100
—
Average
$1,800
2,966
954
655
516
No. Cities
Fee
No Pay
—
—
4
7
3
—
—
—
1
6
Table VII.
Salaries of Commissioners in Commission Cities.
Population
Group
Salary Range
I
II
III
IV
V
$9,000
7,500
7,000
7,000
6,000
to $5,000
to 3,000
to 1,000
to
250
Mode
Average
$9,000
7,500
—
3,000
—
$9,000
6,500
4,447
3,490
2,502
-9-
Table VIII.
Number of Members Composing City Commission
in Commission Governed Cities
Population
Group
I
II
III
IV
V
Total
2
Number of Commissioners
3
4
5
7
10
1
1
1
3
9
2
10
4
4
4
19
10
1
14
16
47
2
1
0
1
3
1
- 10 -
Notes to the Chart of the
Government in 288 American Cities
The cities are arranged according to the population rank as shown by
the 1930 Federal census. It includes all cities above 30,000 population,
with the exception of 21 cities which the 1930 census includes in this
group, but the population estimates in 1928, of the U.S. Bureau of the
Census, did not indicate as above 30,000. Appended to the end of the
chart are five cities which the 1928 estimates showed to be above 30,000
but the 1930 census showed of lesser size.
In the city-manager and commission plan cities, the number of members
of the council, shown in column 6, includes the mayor, who usually acts
as chairman of the legislative body. However, in the mayor-council
cities, the mayor is an additional officer.
The type of election, partisan or non-partisan, as shown in column 4 of
the chart, is reported as the official type of election. Actually, in many
cities reported as non-partisan the elections are conducted on partisan
lines – although there are no party designations on the ballots.
There are special conditions reported in many cities, which do not
respond to tabular treatment. These are covered by the notes following
the charts. As all information was acquired by questionnaire the notes
resulted from data in addition to the form questions. Thus the absence
of notes does not necessarily indicate that the government of a city
conforms to the usually accepted standards.
- 11 FORM OF GOVERNMENT IN 288 AMERICAN CITIES
(Reported in August 1929)
Census
Rank
1930
City
Type
of
Govt.
(1)
Type
of
Elect.
(2)
No. Councilmen
& Election by:
Wards At Large
Term of
Do
Salary of Term of
Council
Terms Councilmen MAYOR
(Years) Overlap?
(3)
(Years)
Term of
MAYOR
(3)
GROUP I - Population 500,000 and over:
1
2
3
4
5
New York, N.Y.
Chicago, Ill.
Philadelphia, Pa.
Detroit, Mich.
Los Angeles, Cal.
MC*
MC
MC
MC
MC
P
NP
P
NP
NP
65
50
22
6
7
8
9
10
Cleveland, Ohio
St. Louis, Mo.
Baltimore, Md.
Boston, Mass.
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Mgr
MC
MC
MC
MC
NP
P
P
NP
P
25*
11
12
13
San Francisco, Sal.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Milwaukee, Wis.
MC
MC
MC
NP
P
NP
9
25
Com*
MC
NP
NP
26
15
18
22
6
5,000
3,000
5,000
5,000
4,800
4
4
4
2
4
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
1,800
1,800
2,500*
1,500
8,000
2
4
4
4
4
4,200
10,000
12,000
20,000
10,000
4
—*
4
Yes
—*
No
2,400
2,500
2,400
4
4
4
6,000
12,000
12,300
3
4
Yes
9,000
1,800
2
11,000*
4
2
4
4
3
No
No
No
No
Yes
6,000
5,000
7,500
2,400
3,000
4
2
4
4
2
10,000*
6,000
8,250
5,000
7,500
4
—*
4
4
2
4
No
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
600
600
1,500
7,500
1,200
5,000
4
4
2
4
4
4
7,500
6,000
6,000
8,000
5,000
6,000
2
2
4
2
No
No
Yes
No
3,600
660
1,000
1,200
2
2
4
4
7,500
7,500
6,000
6,000
5
7
5
3
5
4
2
2
4
2
Yes
No
No
No
No
3,600
4,500
4,000
7,000
6,000
4
2
2
4
2
4,200
5,000
7,500
8,000
8,000
3
5
2
4
2
3
2
No
No
No
No
No
1,000
7,000
—*
4,500
1,200
2
4
2
3
2
7,000
12,000
7,500
5,000
10,000
4
2
Yes
No
1,500
NONE
4
2
1,800
7,500
9
29*
1
9
18
5
2
2
4
2
2
No
No
No
No
No
2
4
4
2
4
$
$
40,000
18,000
18,000
15,000
10,000
GROUP II - Population 300,000 to 500,000:
14
15
Washington, D.C.
Minneapolis, Minn.
16
17
18
19
20
New Orleans, La.
Cincinnati, Ohio
Newark, N.J.
Kansas City, Mo.
Seattle, Wash.
Com
Mgr
Com
Mgr
MC
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
21
22
23
24
25
26
Indianapolis, Ind.
Atlanta, Ga.
Rochester, N.Y.
Jersey City, N.J.
Louisville, Ky.
Portland, Ore.
MC
MC
Mgr
Com
MC
Com
P
NP
NP
P
P
NP
4
9*
26
4
5
9
5
5
9
13*
5
5
12*
5
GROUP III - Population 100,000 to 300,000:
27
28
29
30
Houston, Texas
Toledo, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Denver, Colo.
Com
MC
MC
MC
NP
NP
NP
NP
31
32
33
34
35
Oakland, Cal.
St. Paul, Minn.
Dallas, Texas
Birmingham, Ala.
San Antonio, Texas
Com
Com
Com
Com
Com
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
36
37
38
39
40
Akron, Ohio
Memphis, Tenn.
Providence, R.I.
Omaha, Nebr.
Syracuse, N.Y.
MC
Com
MC
Com
MC
NP
NP
P
NP
P
19
41
42
Dayton, Ohio
Worcester, Mass.
Mgr
MC
NP
P
40*
20
9
10
50*
4
7
7
5
1
Census
Rank
1930
City
Type
of
Govt.
(1)
Type
of
Elect.
(2)
- 12 No. Councilmen
& Election by:
Wards At Large
43
44
45
Oklahoma City, Okla. Mgr
Richmond, Va.
MC
Youngstown, Ohio
MC
NP
P
NP
8
32*
7
46
47
48
49
50
Grand Rapids, Mich.
Hartford, Conn.
New Haven, Conn.
Fort Worth, Texas
Flint, Mich.
Mgr
MC
MC
Mgr
Mgr
NP
P
P
NP
NP
6
15
33
51
52
53
54
55
Nashville, Tenn.
Springfield, Mass.
San Diego, Cal.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Scranton, Pa.
MC
MC
Mgr*
MC
MC
P
P
NP
P
P
27
—*
56
57
58
59
60
Des Moines, Ia.
Com
Long Beach, Cal.
Mgr
Tulsa, Okla.
Com
Salt Lake City, Utah Com
Paterson, N.J.
MC
NP
NP
P
NP
P
61
62
63
64
65
Yonkers, N.Y.
Jacksonville, Fla.
Norfolk, Va.
Albany, N.Y.
Trenton, N.J.
MC
—*
Mgr
Com
Com
P
P
NP
P
NP
66
67
68
69
70
Kansas City, Kan.
Chattanooga, Tenn.
Camden, N.J.
Spokane, Wash.
Erie, Pa.
Com
Com
Com
Com
Com
NP
NP
NP
NP
P
71
72
73
74
75
Fall River, Mass.
Fort Wayne, Ind.
Elizabeth, N.J.
Cambridge, Mass.
New Bedford, Mass.
Mgr
MC
MC
MC
MC
NP
P
P
NP
NP
76
77
78
79
80
Wichita, Kan.
Miami, Fla.
Reading, Pa.
Tacoma, Wash.
Wilmington, Del.
Mgr
Mgr
Com
Com
MC
81
82
83
84
85
Knoxville, Tenn.
Canton, Ohio
Peoria, Ill.
South Bend, Ind.
Somerville, Mass.
86
87
88
89
90
Evansville, Ind.
Utica, N.Y.
Lynn, Mass.
El Paso, Texas
Deluth, Minn.
91
92
93
94
Tampa, Fla.
Waterbury, Conn.
Gary, Ind.
Lowell, Mass.
24
11*
4
1
5
9
9
—*
5
5
5
9*
5
5
2
Yes
Yes
No
10#
NONE
—*
4
4
4
2
2
2
4
3
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
1,200
NONE
NONE
1#
10#
2
2
2
4
1
4
2
4
2
4
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
20#
NONE
2,000
NONE
3,000
4
2
2
2
4
2
3
2
4
2
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
2
Term of
MAYOR
(3)
$
1,000
8,000
7,200
1,500
7,500
7,500
10#
10#
10,000
8,000
8,000
7,500
5,500
3,000
10#*
3,600
3,600
400
2
3
2
4
2
3,500
10#*
7,500
4,200
4,200
No
2,200
2
1,000
5
4
4
4
Yes
No
No
1,200
750
4,500
4
4
4
1,800
6,500
5,000
4*
5
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
4,000
4,000
4,500
3,600
4,500
2
4
4
4
4
4,500
7,500
5,250
3,600
5,250
5
5
No
No
No
No
No
500
900
1#
500
—*
2
4
2
2
2
2,000
6,500
6,500
5,000
7,500
12
19
Term of
Do
Salary of Term of
Council
Terms Councilmen MAYOR
(Years) Overlap?
(3)
(Years)
5
11
12
11
24*
4
6*
2
4
2
2
2
NP
NP
P
NP
P
12
5
5
5
5
1
4
2
4
4
2
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
100
1#
4,200
4,800
—*
1
2
4
4
2
100
1#
4,800
5,000
4,000
Mgr
MC
MC
MC
MC
NP
P
P
P
P
6
10
20*
8
14
5
3
2
2
2
4
2
No
No
Yes
No
No
300
—*
10#
1,000
300
2
2
2
4
2
300
6,000
6,000
7,500
7,000
MC
MC
MC
MC
Com
P
P
NP
P
NP
8
17
7
4
4
5
4
2
2
2
4
No
No
No
No
Yes
1,000
750
500
2,400
4,000
4
2
2
2
4
7,500
6,500
5,000
4,800
4,000
MC
MC
MC
MC
NP
P
P
P
12
15
5
4
4
2
4
2
Yes
No
No
No
—*
750
1,000
500
4
2
4
2
10,000
7,500
7,500
5,000
2
2
4
4
4
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
—*
5#
4,500
4,500
3,000
2
2
4
4
4
6,500
5#
5,250
5,000
3,500
2
2
2
2
2
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
10#
10#
2,500
200
480
2
3
2
2
2
4,500
6,000
3,500
500
5,000
10
11
4
7
4
GROUP IV - Population 50,000 to 100,000:
95
96
97
98
99
Schenectady, N.Y.
Scramento, Cal.
Allentown, Pa.
Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Bayonne, N.J.
MC
Mgr
Com
Com
Com
P
NP
P
NP
NP
14
100
101
102
103
104
Rockford, Ill.
Savannah, Ga.
Lawrence, Mass.
Charlotte, N.C.
Little Rock, Ark.
MC
MC
Com
Mgr
MC
NP
P
NP
NP
P
16*
18*
1*
9
5
5
5
12
5
5
Census
Rank
1930
City
Type
of
Govt.
(1)
Type
of
Elect.
(2)
105
106
107
108
109
Berkeley, Cal.
Altoona, Pa.
St. Joseph, Mo.
Saginaw, Mich.
Harrisburg, Pa.
Mgr
Com
MC
Com
Com
NP
P
P
NP
P
110
111
112
113
114
Sioux City, Iowa
Lansing, Mich.
Pawtucket, R.I.
Manchester, N.H.
Shreveport, La.
Com
MC
MC
MC
Com
NP
NP
P
P
P
115
116
117
118
119
Binghampton, N.Y.
Lincoln, Neb.
Pasadena, Cal.
Huntington, W. Va.
Niagara Falls, N.Y.
MC
Com
Mgr
Com
Mgr
P
NP
NP
P
P
120
121
122
123
124
Winston-Salem, N.C. MC
East St. Louis, Ill.
Com
Troy, N.Y.
MC
Quincy, Mass.
MC
Springfield, Ill.
Com
NP
NP
P
NP
NP
125
126
127
128
129
Portland, Me.
Lakewood, Ohio
Roanoke, Va.
Springfield, Ohio
Mobile, Ala.
Mgr
MC
Mgr
Mgr
Com
NP
NP
P
NP
P
130
131
132
133
134
East Orange, N.J.
New Britain, Conn.
Racine, Wis.
Johnstown, Pa.
Montgomery, Ala.
MC
MC
MC
Com
Com
P
P
NP
P
P
135
136
137
138
139
Cicero, Ill.
Atlantic City, N.J.
Newton, Mass.
Covington, Ky.
Pontiac, Mich.
Town*
Com
MC
Com
Mgr
P
NP
NP
NP
NP
140
141
142
143
144
Hammond, Ind.
Topeka, Kan.
Oak Park, Ill.
Brockton, Mass.
Evanston, Ill.
MC
Com
Village*
MC
MC
P
NP
NP
P
NP
145
147
148
149
150
Passiac, N.J.
Com
Terre Haute, Ind.
MC
Charleston, S.C.
MC
Wheeling, W. Va.
Mgr*
Mount Vernon, N.Y.
MC
NP
P
P
P
P
151
152
153
154
155
Davenport, Iowa
Lancaster, Pa.
Charleston, W. Va.
Augusta, Cal.
Medford, Mass.
MC
MC
Mgr
MC
MC
P
P
P
P
NP
156
157
158
159
160
Chester, Pa.
Union City, N.J.
Malden, Mass.
Madison, Wis.
Bethlehem, Pa.
Com
MC
MC
MC
MC
P
P
NP
NP
P
161
162
163
164
165
San Jose, Calif.
Decatur, Ill.
Springfield, Mo.
Beaumont, Texas
Irvington, N.J.
Mgr
Com
Com
Mgr
Com
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
166
167
168
169
170
Holyoke, Mass.
Hoboken, N.J.
Hamtramck, Mich.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
York, Pa.
MC
Com
MC
Com
MC
NP
NP
NP
NP
P
- 13 No. Councilmen
& Election by:
Wards At Large
16
24*
13
13
7*
8*
17
6
3
10
30*
15
7*
13
9
4
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
4
2
2
2
2
4
4
4
2
4
4
No
Yes
No
No
No
3,000
400
—*
200
5,000
2
2
2
2
4
3,500
3,600
2,000
3,000
6,000
4
2
4
3
4
No
No
Yes
No
No
1,000
2,000
10#*
5,000
3,000
4
2
5,500
2,500
3
4
6,000
4,000
2
4
1
2
4
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
NONE
4,000
500
500
3,500
2
4
2
2
4
2,000
4,500
5,500
5,000
4,000
5
2
4
4
6
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
500
600
1,000
500
7,000
2
1
2
—*
6,000
1,200
500
7,000
2
2
2
4
4
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
1,000
NONE
300
3,000
5,500
2
2
2
4
4
6,500
3,000
3,000
3,500
7,500
4
4
—*
2
3
Yes
No
No
Yes
3#
5,200
NONE
3,600
5#
4
2
4
1
—*
7,200
3,000
4,000
5#
5
4
4
2
2
2
2
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
600
2,500
NONE
NONE
10#
4
2
2
2
2
6,000
3,000
NONE
4,000
8,400
5
3
12
4
4
4
2
4
No
No
No
No
No
3,000
1,000
5#
10#
1,500
4
4
4
2
4
3,500
7,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
2
4
4
3
2
No
No
No
No
No
600
4,000
2.50#
300
300
2
4
4
3
2
2,500
5,000
5,000
5,000
3,500
4
2
1
2
4
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
3,000
500
NONE
300
3,600
4
2
1
2
4
3,500
2,000
3,500
4,800
5,000
6
4
4
2
4
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
5*#
3,500
3,000
NONE
2,250
2
4
4
2
4
5#
4,000
3,600
—*
2,700
—*
4
2
2
4
No
No
No
Yes
NONE
4,500
3,500
2,500
2,500
1
4
2
2
4
5,200
5,000
5,000
3,000
3,500
5
4
3
4
5
3
4
5*
5
5
5
5
3
5
14*
4
7
6
17
21
14*
10
21*
20
15
7*
5
2
5
5
7*
4
1
4
7
5
5
5
14*
5
5
5
4
$
Term of
MAYOR
(3)
240
3,000
300
3,000
4,500
28*
14
7
12
12
Term of
Do
Salary of Term of
Council
Terms Councilmen MAYOR
(Years) Overlap?
(3)
(Years)
$
480
3,000
3,600
3,500
5,250
Census
Rank
1930
City
Type
of
Govt.
(1)
Type
of
Elect.
(2)
171
172
173
174
175
Jackson, Mich.
East Chicago, Ind.
McKeesport, Pa.
Kalamazoo, Mich.
New Rochelle, N.Y.
Mgr
MC
Com
Mgr
MC*
NP
P
P
NP
P
176
177
178
179
180
Macon, Ga.
Galvaston, Texas
Greensboro, N.C.
Austin, Texas
Highland Park, Mich.
MC
Com
Mgr
Mgr
Com
NP
P
NP
NP
NP
181
182
183
184
185
Waco, Texas
Fresno, Calif.
Hamilton, Ohio
Durham, N.C.
Kenosha, Wis.
Mgr
Com
Mgr
Mgr
Mgr
NP
NP
NP
NP
NP
186
187
189
190
Columbia, S.C.
Asheville, N.C.
Pueblo, Colo.
Port Arthur, Texas
Com
Com
Com
Com
NP
NP
NP
NP
- 14 No. Councilmen
& Election by:
Wards At Large
7
5
8
12
12
Term of
Do
Salary of Term of
Council
Terms Councilmen MAYOR
(Years) Overlap?
(3)
(Years)
5
3
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
500
1,000
3,000
360
2,000
2
4
4
2
2
No
No
No
No
Yes
300
2,400
200
NONE
1,000
2
2
2
2
2
7,500
3,000
1,200
NONE
2,000
5
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
NONE
—*
300
200
NONE
1
4
2
2
NONE
6,000
900
1,000
—*
4
3
3
3
Yes
No
Yes
No
2,000
6,000
2,700
250
4
4
2
2,500
7,500
—*
4,000
4
4
1*
2
2
4
2
2
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
NONE
—*
3,000
1,800
200
2
2
4
2
2
1,800
3,500
3,600
2,500
3,000
9
5
4
2
No
Yes
4
4
Yes
No
800
500
2
2
7,500
750
5
4
1
2
5
2
2
2
4
2
No
No
No
No
No
3,500
192
—*
250
3,600
4
4
2
2
4
4,000
3,000
2,500
4,200
4,000
5
4
2
2
2
4
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
2,000
600
600
300
500
4
4
2
2
2
2,550
2,400
600
3,500
3,500
5
—*
2
2
2
2
No
No
No
No
Yes
—*
2,000
NONE
250
2
4
2
2
2
3,000
2,500
2,500
3,500
300
4
5
5
3
5
2
2
2
2
4
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
2
2
1
2
4
500
3,000
1,200
5#
1,000
5
2
5
5
5
4
2
4
4
3
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
600
250
2,250
3,500
NONE
2
2
4
4
3
600
2,400
2,700
4,000
NONE
7
3
5
7
4
2
2
2
4
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
360
150
500
400
500
1
2
2
2
4
500
3,500
3,000
3,500
750
5
3
1
2
2
4
4
2
6
4
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
100
3,600
—*
3,500
200
2
2
2
6
4
150
4,200
4,000
4,000
4,000
7
4
7
5
4
5
5
7*
$
Term of
MAYOR
(3)
$
750
6,000
3,500
500*
10,000
GROUP IV - Population 50,000 to 100,000:
192
193
194
195
196
Pittsfield, Mass.
Woonsocket, R.I.
New Castle, Pa.
Haverill, Mass.
Everett, Mass.
MC
MC
MC
Com
MC
P
P
P
NP
NP
21
20*
197
198
200
201
202
Stockton, Calif.
Phoenix, Ariz.
Brookline, Mass.
Elmira, N.Y.
Bay City, Mich.
Mgr
Mgr
Town*
MC
Mgr
NP
NP
P
NP
12
5
204
205
206
207
208
Aurora, Ill.
Muncie, Ind.
Stamford, Conn.
Waterloo, Iowa
Lexington, Ky.
Com
MC
MC
MC
Com
NP
P
P
NP
NP
9
8
4
209
210
211
212
213
Williamsport, Pa.
Clifton, N.J.
Portsmouth, Va.
Jamestown, N.Y.
Chelsea, Mass.
Com
MC
Mgr
MC
MC
P
P
P
NP
NP
214
215
216
217
218
Lorain, Ohio
Perth Amboy, N.J.
Chicopee, Mass.
Cranston, R.I.
Wichita Falls, Texas
MC
Com
MC
MC
Mgr
P
NP
NP
P
NP
219
220
221
222
223
Battle Creek, Mich.
Salem, Mass.
Columbus, Calif.
Amarillo, Texas
Portsmouth, Ohio
Com
MC
Mgr
Mgr
Mgr
NP
NP
NP
P
NP
224
225
226
227
228
Lima, Ohio
Council Bluffs, Iowa
Montclair, N.J.
Joliet, Ill.
Dubuque, Iowa
Mgr
MC
Com
Com
Mgr
NP
P
NP
NP
NP
229
230
231
232
233
Muskegon, Mich.
Warren, Ohio
Kearney, N.J.
Fitchburg, Mass.
Lynchburg, Va.
Mgr
MC
MC
MC
Mgr
NP
P
P
NP
NP
234
235
236
237
238
East Cleveland, Ohio Mgr
Ogden, Utah
Com
Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
MC
Oshkosh, Wis.
Com
Anderson, Ind.
MC
NP
NP
P
P
P
24*
10
6
5
6
7
16
6
6
6
8
6
16
3
7
6
4
3
5
10
5*#
5#
250
500
1,200
5#
600
4
2
5*#
5#
Census
Rank
1930
City
Type
of
Govt.
(1)
Type
of
Elect.
(2)
- 15 No. Councilmen
& Election by:
Wards At Large
239
240
241
242
243
LaCrosse, Wis.
Butte, Mont.
St. Petersburg, Fla.
Waltham, Mass.
Sheboygan, Wis.
MC
MC
Com
MC
MC
NP
P
NP
NP
NP
21
16
244
245
246
247
249
Quincy, Ill.
Rock Island, Ill.
Hazelton, Pa.
Meriden, Conn.
Cumberland, Md.
MC
MC
MC
MC
Com
P
P
P
P
NP
14
14
4
20
251
252
253
255
256
Raleigh, N.C.
Com
Green Bay, Wis.
MC
Taunton, Mass.
MC
West New York, N.J. Com
Auburn, N.Y.
Mgr
NP
NP
NP
P
P
258
259
260
261
262
Danville, Ill.
Zanesville, Ohio
Superior, Wis.
Norwalk, Conn.
Elgin, Ill.
Com
MC
Com
MC
Com
NP
NP
NP
P
NP
263
264
266
267
268
Norristown, Pa.
Revere, Mass.
Orange, N.J.
Steubenville, Ohio
Lewiston, Me.
MC
MC
Com
MC
MC
P
P
NP
P
P
36
5
269
270
271
272
273
Amsterdam, N.Y.
Plainfield, N.J.
Alameda, Calif.
Easton, Pa.
Newport News, Va.
MC
MC
Mgr
MC
Mgr
P
P
NP
P
NP
8
8
274
278
280
281
282
New Brunswick, N.J. Com
Mansfield, Ohio
MC
Norwood, Ohio
MC
Sioux Falls, S.D.
Com
Colorado Springs, Colo.Mgr
NP
P
P
NP
NP
284
285
287
288
289
Kokomo, Ind.
Richmond, Ind.
Rome, N.Y.
Molina, Ill.
Wilmington, N.C.
MC
MC
MC
MC
Com
P
P
P
P
NP
290
291
294
295
296
Watertown, N.Y.
Muskogee, Okla.
Nashua, N.H.
Fort Smith, Ark.
Newburgh, N.Y.
Mgr
Mgr
MC
Com
Mgr
NP
NP
NP
NP
P
297
298
299
300
302
Port Huron, Mich.
Marion, Ohio
Bloomington, Ill.
Hagerstown, Md.
Newark, Ohio
Com
MC
MC
MC
MC
NP
P
P
P
P
Petersburg, Va.
Newport, R.I.
Middletown, Ohio
Clarksburg, W. Va.
Great Falls, Mont.
Mgr
MC
Mgr
Mgr
MC
NP
P
NP
P
P
7
16
20
2
10
8
6
7
6
4
7
8
7
14
16
9
6
5
6
—*
9
10
Term of
Do
Salary of Term of
Council
Terms Councilmen MAYOR
(Years) Overlap?
(3)
(Years)
2
2
2
2
2
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
2
2
4
4
2
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
5#
5#
1,200
NONE
1,200
2
2
4
2
2
3,000
3,000
1,800
2,500
1,500
2
2
2
2
4
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
4,200
420
500
500
750
2
2
2
2
4
4,500
3,000
3,500
1,000
750
4
4
2
2
4
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
3,000
150
600
300
3,000
4
4
2
2
4
3,500
2,000
3,000
2,500
3,500
—*
2
4
2
1
Yes
No
No
No
No
NONE
300
2,250
150
NONE
4
2
4
2
1
1,200
3,500
2,700
2,800
2,200
3
5
4
5
2
2
4
4
4
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
600
NONE
NONE
3,000
1,200
2
2
2
4
2
3,000
300
—*
3,500
1,500
5
3
3
3
9
4
2
2
5
6
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
2,200
150
150
2,000
NONE
4
2
2
5
1
2,750
4,000
3,500
3,000
NONE
3
4
4
4
2
2
4
No
No
No
Yes
No
4
4
2
2
4
2,000
2,000
3,500
2,500
5,000
4
4
—*
4
4
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
4
4
2
4
4
750
NONE
2,000
3,000
750
2
2
2
4
2
Yes
No
No
No
No
2
2
2
4
2
2,000
2,400
3,600
1,500
2,100
4
2
4
2
2
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
4
2
4
600
2,500
500
6,000
1,800
7
4
4
3
9
1
5
5
7
5
4
5
4
3
4
6
3
5
4
3
14
3
5
5
$
300
5#
20*#
500
450
150
150
300
5#
4,500
750
NONE
NONE
2,700
750
1,200
150
10#
600
150
400
—*
500*
150
5*#
NOTES:
* — An Asterick refers to Notes staring on pages 16 et seq. explaining special conditions concerning this item.
(1) Type of Government: MC Mayor - Council; Mgr - City Manager Plan; Com - Commission Plan
(2) Type of Election: P - Partisan; NP - Non-Partisan
(3) Salaries: # - Amount paid per Meeting, Others, Annual Salaries
2
2
1
2
2
Term of
MAYOR
(3)
2
$
2,400
4,000
3,000
5,000
900
- 16 -
1.
New York, N.Y. – See “The Board of Estimate and Apportionment of
New York City”, by Joseph McGoldrick, National Municipal
Review, Vol. 18, page 125.
6.
Cleveland, Ohio – The mayor is appointed by the council. The 25
councilmen are elected from 4 districts using proportional
representation.
7.
St. Louis, Mo. – Of the 29 councilmen, 28 must reside in the ward they
represent, but are elected at large.
8.
Baltimore, Md. – The president of the council, elected at large, receives
$5,000 a year.
12.
Buffalo, N.Y. – The 2-year term of the 9 district councilmen overlap, but
the 4 year terms of the councilmen-at-large do not overlap.
14.
Washington, D.C. – The governing board of the District is composed of 3
members, 2 of whom are civilians appointed by the President
with confirmation by the Senate and 1 army engineer detailed
for a period of 4 years.
15.
Minneapolis, Minn. – The mayor receives a salary of $6,000 and an
allowance of $5,000 from the contingent fund.
16.
New Orleans, La. – The mayor has an allowance of $2,500 in addition to
his salary.
21.
Indianapolis, Ind. –The candidates for council are nominated by
districts, the voter casting his ballot for 6 candidates – one from
each district.
22.
Atlanta, Ga. – A bicameral council of 26 councilmen with 3-year terms;
and 13 aldermen with 4-year terms, who must live in the ward
they represent, but are elected at large.
25.
Louisville, Ky. – Councilmen are elected at large but must reside in the
ward they represent.
30.
Providence, R.I. – A bicameral council of 40 councilmen receiving $500 a
year, and 10 aldermen receiving $750 a year.
42.
Worcester, Mass. – A bicameral council of 30 councilmen and 10
aldermen elected at large.
43.
Oklahoma City, Okla. – Councilmen’s fees limited to $50 a month.
- 17 -
44.
Richmond, Va. – A bicameral council of 20 councilmen and 12 aldermen,
all elected by wards, an none receives remuneration.
45.
Youngstown, Ohio – The president of the council receives $900 a year
the other members $600.
52.
Springfield, Mass. – A bicameral council of 18 councilmen and 8
aldermen.
53.
San Diego, Calif. – Listed in Public Management for March, 1930, as an
“unofficial” manager plan because its government does not
embrace all essential details of the city-manager plan.
57.
Long Beach, Calif. – The councilmen are nominated by districts, but
election is at large. Limit of councilmen’s fees is $50 a month.
The mayor receives $50 a month additional for entertainment.
66.
Kansas City, Kan. – legally 5 members compose the commission
although there are only 4 members at present.
75.
New Bedford, Mass. — A bicameral council of 24 councilmen, 4 from
each of 6 wards, receiving no pay, and 6 aldermen elected at
large but must live one each in a ward. They receive $100 a
year.
80.
Wilmington, Del. – The president of the council (elected at large) and
the chairman of the Finance Committee each receive $800 a year
– the other councilmen receive $500.
82.
Canton, Ohio – The president of the council receives $700 a year, the
other members $600.
83.
Peoria, Ill. – There are 10 wards, 2 councilmen to a ward.
91.
Tampa, Fla. – The council is called the Board of Representatives; the
chairman receives $900 a year, the others $600.
95.
Schenectady, N.Y. – The president of the council, elected at large,
receives $1000 a year. The others $750.
96.
Sacramento, Calif. – Mayor and councilmen’s fees limited to $25 a
month.
100. Rockford, Ill. – There are 8 wards, with 2 councilmen to a ward.
104. Little Rock, Ark. – There are 9 wards, with 2 councilmen to a ward.
- 18 -
112. Pawtucket, R.I. – A bicameral council of 6 aldermen at $300 a year and
18 councilmen at $200 a year.
113. Manchester, N.H. – The mayor receives $600 additional for expenses.
117. Pasadena, Calif. – The 7 “directors” are elected at large, one from each
district with fees limited to $50 a month.
120. Winston-Salem, N.C. – There are 4 wards, with 2 councilmen to a ward.
125. Portland, Me. – One councilman is elected each year. One councilman
is selected chairman each year at no increase in salary. There is
no mayor.
129. Mobile, Ala. – The mayor is selected each year, at no increase in salary.
131. New Britain, Conn. – A bicameral council of 6 aldermen and 24
councilmen – each elected for 2 years, with overlapping terms.
They receive no salary.
135. Cicero, Ill. – A town governed by a president, 3 trustees, the collector,
treasurer and assessor. All elected at large, with overlapping
terms. The president receives $2,000 a year.
137. Newton, Mass. – A bicameral council of 7 aldermen elected by wards for
one year, and 14 aldermen elected at large for two-year terms.
142. Oak Park, Ill. – A village governed by a Board of Trustees of 7 members.
143. Brockton, Mass. – A bicameral council of 7 aldermen and 21
councilmen, all without salary.
149. Wheeling, W. Va. – Listed in Public Management for March, 1930 as an
“unofficial” manager plan city because its government does not
embrace all essential details of the city-manager plan.
155. Medford, Mass. – A bicameral council composed of 2 aldermen from
each ward, and 1 alderman representing the ward but elected at
large. The councilmen are nominated by districts and elected at
large.
158. Malden, Mass. – A bicameral council of 14 councilmen – 7 elected by
wards for one-year terms.
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161. San Jose, Calif. – Mayor and councilmen’s fees limited to $25 a month.
164. Beaumont, Texas – Nine councilmen elected one year, and 6 the
following. Mayor received $25 a month and $10 for each meeting
as councilmen.
166. Holyoke, Mass. – A bicameral council of 7 ward aldermen of one-year
terms, and 14 councilmen with 2-year terms overlapping. The
aldermen are unpaid.
174. Kalamazoo, Mich. – The commissioner receiving the highest number of
votes is mayor.
175. New Rochelle, N.Y. – The city-manager plan scheduled to be put in
effect in January, 1932.
182. Fresno, Calif. – The mayor, as commissioner of public safety and
welfare, receives $6,000; the commissioners of public works and
finance each receive $5,000 – the other 2 legislative
commissioners receive $1,200 each.
183. Hamilton, Ohio – Elections held under proportional representation.
185. Kenosha, Wis. – Reported as having no mayor.
189. Pueblo, Colo. – There is no mayor.
193. Woonsocket, R.I. – A bicameral council of 5 aldermen at $300 a year and
15 councilmen at $200 a year.
196. Everett, Mass. – A bicameral council of 18 councilmen, 3 to a ward,
receiving $200 each, and 7 aldermen, one to each of 6 wards, and
one at large, receiving $400 a year. Elected for 2 years,
overlapping terms.
197. Stockton, Calif. – Mayor and councilmen’s fees limited to $25 a month.
200. Brookline, Mass. – Has a “limited” form of town meeting government.
206. Stamford, Conn. – Ward councilmen receive $500 a year. The
councilman-at-large receives $750.
214. Lorain, Ohio – The salary of the councilmen is reported to average
about $1,000 a year.
216. Chicopee, Mass. – The aldermen from wards serve for one year, those
elected at large, for 2 years.
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236. Poughkeepsie, N.Y. – The ward aldermen receive $750 a year, the
aldermen at large receive $2,000.
241. St. Petersburg, Fla. – Commissioners are not paid for more than 5
meetings a month.
263. Norristown, Pa. – One-half the council sere for 4 years, the other half
for 2-year terms.
271. Alameda, Calif. – The mayor has an allowance of $600 a year.
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Newport, R.I. – A bicameral council. The councilmen are not paid, the
aldermen receive $1,000 a year.
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Middletown, Ohio – The commissioners receive $500 a year, but are fine
$10 for each meeting not attended.
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Great Falls, Mont. – Councilmen’s fees limited to $25 a month.
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Nashua, N.H. – The ward aldermen serve for 2 years, the aldermen-atlarge for 4 years.