THE CITIZEN'S DUTY AT MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS
[TO THE EDITOR OP TELE "SPECTATOR."]
Sin,—To those who are trying to arouse intelligent interest in the matter of municipal administration, and who wish to see men "with clearness and breadth of view and businesslike grip" taking a larger share in the conduct of local affairs, it may be serviceable to mention what is being done in Glasgow by the "Citizens' Union." There the problem was the same as that presented in other large cities, viz. :—(1) Profound apathy on the part of a great portion of the electorate, coupled with a good deal of supercilious contempt and helpless criticism of the efforts of those engaged in managing the city's affairs; and (2) the difficulty of getting men of capacity and position to offer themselves as candidates for the Town Council. In the year 1898 it was felt that the situation had become serious, and to cope with it the "Citizens' Union" was formed, and a large number of citizens of all classes, including many of the leading representative men, at once became members. At the last three municipal elections the Union has exercised an increasing influence in the direction of securing suitable candidates and arousing the interest of the electors. Briefly, the Union, by its constitution, is unsectarian and non-political, and its objects are to secure the election of suitable persons to the Council, and to further the good government of the city. It is managed by an executive of twenty, on which the political parties are equally represented, so that political considerations are entirely excluded in the deliberations, and, as a matter of fact, have never obtruded themselves. Our method of working is to co-operate with the District Ward Committees, by assisting them to bring good candidates into the field. On the eve of the election, and after careful inquiry, the Union selects and publishes in the Press a list of candidates whom they recom- mend. The Union has a lecturer who delivers lectures throughout the city on the work of various departments of the Town Council, illustrated with lantern slides, and dis- tributes a Year-book of statistical information and election results, along with a map showing the ward boundaries for the guidance of voters, besides leaflets bearing on local affairs. We feel that the improvement aimed at must be gradual, but we have every reason to be satisfied with the lines on which we are working, and with the results already achieved. The secretary (71A West Nile Street, Glasgow) will be glad to send information with a copy of our Year- book to any one interested in the subject.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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