Committee
of the Whole
45.
45.
Beard - 1931 - Questions and Problems in American Government - Syllabus by Erbe
Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 21:09 GMT / http://hdl.
handle.
net/2027/uc1.
$b179792 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www.
hathitrust.
org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAPTER XXXII
(pp. 786-807)
LOCAL RURAL GOVERNMENT
1. Of what importance is the study of local rural government?
2. Is it true that "the foundations of national life rest
essentially on agriculture; if the cities were all destroyed to-
morrow, they could be renewed again; but if the countryside
were ravaged, every city would sink down in ruin"?
3. What is the relation of local rural government to State
Government?
4. What are the classes into which the States fall because
of the type of local government that has been adopted?
5. Explain the essential difference between the various types
of local government used by the American States.
6. Approximately, how many counties are there in the
United States? How do they compare as to size?
7. Describe the organization of the county's government.
8. What officers does a county have, how long do they serve,
how are they selected, and what are the duties of each?
9. What type of county board do you prefer? Explain.
10. Point out the functions of county government.
11. Distinguish between the town and township as units of
local government.
12. How is the work of the town carried on? The township?
13. Name the officers of the township, tell how they are
selected, and give the duties of each.
14. What units of local government are found in counties
where neither the town nor township exist?
15. What is a village and how is it governed?
112
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 21:09 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uc1. $b179792 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? LOCAL RURAL GOVERNMENT
16. In what way has local government been criticized? Do
you think these criticisms are just?
17. What remedies have been offered to perfect the weak-
nesses in local government?
18. Discuss the question of "Home Rule" for counties.
19. How is it suggested that commission government might
be used for the control of the county's affairs?
20. Do you think that there should be more or less super-
vision by the State over local government?
21. What promises are there for the future of local govern-
ment in America, and for those who live in rural areas?
Questions and Problems for Further Study and
Discussion
1. Are systems of local self-government the product of
tradition or the results of political necessity?
2. Is the relationship between the State and county, federal
or unitary in its nature?
3. To what extent should the areas of local government be
given local autonomy?
4. Is there any essential difference between the self-deter-
mination of nations and the self-determination or self-govern-
ment of local communities?
5. Can a system of local government be successfully im-
posed on a community by external authority, or must it grow
out of the experiences of the local community itself?
6. Should systems of local government be designed primarily
for popular control rather than for efficient administration?
7. Is the movement toward a greater degree of centralized
supervision of local areas inevitable?
8. Is it true that local government in Canada is more efficient
than it is in the United States?
9. Point out the difference, if any, between local self-
government and democratic government.
10. What do people desire most, good government or par-
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 21:09 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uc1. $b179792 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? ii4 PROBLEMS IN AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
ticipation in government? Which should they be educated to
desire most?
n. What stands in the way of adopting the merit system in
local government?
12. As a matter of fact, do people take more interest in the
affairs of the local community than in matters of national and
international concern?
13. Are there good reasons for declaring that county govern-
ment is the "worst government in the United States"?
14. Should county supervisors be expected to rely upon the
legal advice of an attorney whom they did not hire and can not
fire?
15. List the arguments for and against a public defender for
every county.
16. Would county assessment of property be an improvement
upon the present system of township assessment and county
equalization?
17. What is the so-called "City-County" problem?
18. What problems arise in connection with City-County
consolidation?
19. Is there any need of county government within the limits
of large cities?
20. How should the problem of the overlapping of the func-
tions of the county and the large city be solved?
21. Make a chart showing the organization of a typical county
government.
22. Make a chart showing how county government ought to
be organized according to your own conception of it.
23. Make a chart showing how county government ought
to be organized according to the recommendations of the leading
authorities in the field of local government. Compare these
charts and explain the differences that exist.
24. From what sources are the suggestions for reform in local
government coming? What are some obstacles in the way of
reform?
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 21:09 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uc1. $b179792 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? LOCAL RURAL GOVERNMENT 115
References
Beard's Readings in American Government and Politics, New and Re-
vised Edition, Chap. XXIX.
Munro's The Government of the United States, Third Edition, Chap.
XLIV.
Ogg and Ray's Introduction to American Government, Fourth Edition,
Chaps. XXXIX-XL, XLVI.
Bates and Field's State Government (1928), Chap. XVI.
Porter's County and Township Government in the United States (1922),
Chaps. XV-XVII.
Mathews and Berdahl's Documents and Readings in American Govern-
ment (1928), Chap. XXVII.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 21:09 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uc1. $b179792 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? ? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 21:09 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uc1. $b179792 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? APPENDIX
POLITICAL TERMS AND EXPRESSIONS WITH WHICH
THE STUDENT SHOULD BECOME FAMILIAR
1. Abatement
2. Absolute pardon
3. Accessory
4. Accessories before the fact
5. Accessories after the fact
6. Accomplice
7. Acquittal
8. Adjective law
9. Adjourn sine die
10. Administration
11. Administrative personnel
12. Administrator
13. Affidavit
14. Alien
15. Amnesty
16. Appellate jurisdiction
17. Aristocracy
18. Arson
19. Assault and battery
20. Attorney-at-law
21. Attorney-in-fact
22. Bail
23. Bailiff
24. Bicameral legislature
25. Bigamy
26. Bill of attainder
27. Bill of rights
28. Bloc
29. Blue sky laws
30. Body politic
31. Bona fide
32. Bribery
33. Budget
34. Burglary
35. Caucus
36. Change of venue
37. Citizen
38. Citizenry
39. Citizenship
40. Civil law
41. Civil service
42. Closed primary
43. Closure rule
44.
Committee of the Whole
45. Commutation
46. Compulsory referendum
47. Constituents
48. Constitution
49. Contempt of court
50. Contract
51. Corporation
52. Counterfeiting
53. Crime
54. Criminal law
55. Cross-examination
56. Dark horse
57. Decree
58. De facto
59. Dejure
60. Democracy
61. Demurrer
62. Deposition
63. Direct government
? ? 117
Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 21:09 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uc1. $b179792 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 1x8
APPENDIX
64. Direct initiative
65. Direct primary
66. Direct tax
67. Due process of law
68. Embezzlement
69. Eminent domain
70. Equity
71. Executor
72. Ex post facto
73. Extradition
74. Federal government
75. Felony
76. Filibustering
77. Forgery
78. Franchise
79. General election
80. Gerrymandering
81. Government
82. Grand jury
83. Habeas corpus
84. Impeach
85. Indict
86. Indictment
87. Indiana ballot
88. Indirect initiative
89. Indirect primary
90. Indirect tax
91. Initiative
92. Injunction
93. Inquest
04. In rem
95. Intestate
96. Intrastate
97. Intervention
98. Judgment
09. Jurisdiction
100. Jury
101. Jus sanguinis
102. Jus soli
103. Kidnaping
104. Larceny
105. Laissez faire
106. Lame duck
107. Law
108. Libel
109. Lien
no. Lobby
in. Log-rolling
112. Majority
113. Mandamus
114. Mandate
115. Manslaughter
116. Massachusetts ballot
117. Mayhem
118. Merit system
119. Misdemeanor
120. Monarchy
121. Murder
122. Murder, First degree
123. Murder, Second degree
124. Nation
125. Naturalization
126. Negligence
127. Non-contiguous territory
128. Nuisance
129. Office
130. Open primary
? ? 131. Optional referendum
Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 21:09 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uc1. $b179792 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? APPENDIX
147. Poll-tax
148. Pork-barrel legislation
149. Posse comitatus
150. Presidential government
151. Presidential primary
152. Primary
153. Primogeniture
154. Probate
:SS. Probation
156. Proportional representation
157. Protectorate
:S8. Public bill
:S9. Quo warranto
[60. Real property
;6i. Reapportionment
62. Recall
:63. Referendum
:64. Representative government
165. Reprieve
66. Rider
:67. Robbery
:68. Secret diplomacy
:69. Senatorial courtesy
70. Short ballot
71. Sovereignty
C72. Split ticket
173. Spoils system
174. Stare decisis
175. State
76. Statute
77. Subpoena
78. Subsidy
79. Suffrage
80. Summons
81. Talesman
:82. Tax
:83. Tort
. 84. Treason
:8s. Treaty
:86. Ultimatum
87. Unitary government
88. Unit rule
:89. Venire facias
go. Venireman
91. Verdict
:92. Veto
:93. Warrant
:94. Writ of certiorari
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 21:09 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uc1. $b179792 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? LIST OF SUGGESTED REFERENCES
Frank G. Bates and Oliver P. Field, State Government (1928).
Charles A. Beard, Readings in American Government and Politics,
New and Revised Edition.
Charles A. Beard and William Beard, The American Leviathan (1930).
Robert C. Brooks, Political Parties and Electoral Problems, Revised
Edition.
James Bryce, The American Commonwealth (1924).
J. A. Fairlie, The National Administration of the United States (1905).
James W. Garner, Political Science and Government (1928).
Raymond G. Gettell, Introduction to Political Science (1910).
F. J. Goodnow, Principles of Administrative Law of the United States
(1905)-
C. G. Haines and B. M. Haines, Principles and Problems of Govern-
ment (1926).
A. B. Hart, Actual Government as Applied under American Conditions,
Fourth Edition.
Arthur N. Holcombe, State Government in the United States (1926).
Jens P. Jensen, Problems in Public Finance (1924).
Howard L. McBain, The Living Constitution (1927).
Emlin McClain, Constitutional Law in the United States (1910).
Charles E. Martin and William H. George, American Government and
Citizenship (1927).
John Mabry Mathews, American State Government (1924).
John Mabry Mathews, Principles of American State Administration
(1917)-
John Mabry Mathews and Clarence A. Berdahl, Documents and
Readings in American Government (1928).
William Starr Myers, The American Government Today (1931).
? CHAPTER XXXII
(pp. 786-807)
LOCAL RURAL GOVERNMENT
1. Of what importance is the study of local rural government?
2. Is it true that "the foundations of national life rest
essentially on agriculture; if the cities were all destroyed to-
morrow, they could be renewed again; but if the countryside
were ravaged, every city would sink down in ruin"?
3. What is the relation of local rural government to State
Government?
4. What are the classes into which the States fall because
of the type of local government that has been adopted?
5. Explain the essential difference between the various types
of local government used by the American States.
6. Approximately, how many counties are there in the
United States? How do they compare as to size?
7. Describe the organization of the county's government.
8. What officers does a county have, how long do they serve,
how are they selected, and what are the duties of each?
9. What type of county board do you prefer? Explain.
10. Point out the functions of county government.
11. Distinguish between the town and township as units of
local government.
12. How is the work of the town carried on? The township?
13. Name the officers of the township, tell how they are
selected, and give the duties of each.
14. What units of local government are found in counties
where neither the town nor township exist?
15. What is a village and how is it governed?
112
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 21:09 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uc1. $b179792 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? LOCAL RURAL GOVERNMENT
16. In what way has local government been criticized? Do
you think these criticisms are just?
17. What remedies have been offered to perfect the weak-
nesses in local government?
18. Discuss the question of "Home Rule" for counties.
19. How is it suggested that commission government might
be used for the control of the county's affairs?
20. Do you think that there should be more or less super-
vision by the State over local government?
21. What promises are there for the future of local govern-
ment in America, and for those who live in rural areas?
Questions and Problems for Further Study and
Discussion
1. Are systems of local self-government the product of
tradition or the results of political necessity?
2. Is the relationship between the State and county, federal
or unitary in its nature?
3. To what extent should the areas of local government be
given local autonomy?
4. Is there any essential difference between the self-deter-
mination of nations and the self-determination or self-govern-
ment of local communities?
5. Can a system of local government be successfully im-
posed on a community by external authority, or must it grow
out of the experiences of the local community itself?
6. Should systems of local government be designed primarily
for popular control rather than for efficient administration?
7. Is the movement toward a greater degree of centralized
supervision of local areas inevitable?
8. Is it true that local government in Canada is more efficient
than it is in the United States?
9. Point out the difference, if any, between local self-
government and democratic government.
10. What do people desire most, good government or par-
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 21:09 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uc1. $b179792 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? ii4 PROBLEMS IN AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
ticipation in government? Which should they be educated to
desire most?
n. What stands in the way of adopting the merit system in
local government?
12. As a matter of fact, do people take more interest in the
affairs of the local community than in matters of national and
international concern?
13. Are there good reasons for declaring that county govern-
ment is the "worst government in the United States"?
14. Should county supervisors be expected to rely upon the
legal advice of an attorney whom they did not hire and can not
fire?
15. List the arguments for and against a public defender for
every county.
16. Would county assessment of property be an improvement
upon the present system of township assessment and county
equalization?
17. What is the so-called "City-County" problem?
18. What problems arise in connection with City-County
consolidation?
19. Is there any need of county government within the limits
of large cities?
20. How should the problem of the overlapping of the func-
tions of the county and the large city be solved?
21. Make a chart showing the organization of a typical county
government.
22. Make a chart showing how county government ought to
be organized according to your own conception of it.
23. Make a chart showing how county government ought
to be organized according to the recommendations of the leading
authorities in the field of local government. Compare these
charts and explain the differences that exist.
24. From what sources are the suggestions for reform in local
government coming? What are some obstacles in the way of
reform?
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 21:09 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uc1. $b179792 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? LOCAL RURAL GOVERNMENT 115
References
Beard's Readings in American Government and Politics, New and Re-
vised Edition, Chap. XXIX.
Munro's The Government of the United States, Third Edition, Chap.
XLIV.
Ogg and Ray's Introduction to American Government, Fourth Edition,
Chaps. XXXIX-XL, XLVI.
Bates and Field's State Government (1928), Chap. XVI.
Porter's County and Township Government in the United States (1922),
Chaps. XV-XVII.
Mathews and Berdahl's Documents and Readings in American Govern-
ment (1928), Chap. XXVII.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 21:09 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uc1. $b179792 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? ? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 21:09 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uc1. $b179792 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? APPENDIX
POLITICAL TERMS AND EXPRESSIONS WITH WHICH
THE STUDENT SHOULD BECOME FAMILIAR
1. Abatement
2. Absolute pardon
3. Accessory
4. Accessories before the fact
5. Accessories after the fact
6. Accomplice
7. Acquittal
8. Adjective law
9. Adjourn sine die
10. Administration
11. Administrative personnel
12. Administrator
13. Affidavit
14. Alien
15. Amnesty
16. Appellate jurisdiction
17. Aristocracy
18. Arson
19. Assault and battery
20. Attorney-at-law
21. Attorney-in-fact
22. Bail
23. Bailiff
24. Bicameral legislature
25. Bigamy
26. Bill of attainder
27. Bill of rights
28. Bloc
29. Blue sky laws
30. Body politic
31. Bona fide
32. Bribery
33. Budget
34. Burglary
35. Caucus
36. Change of venue
37. Citizen
38. Citizenry
39. Citizenship
40. Civil law
41. Civil service
42. Closed primary
43. Closure rule
44.
Committee of the Whole
45. Commutation
46. Compulsory referendum
47. Constituents
48. Constitution
49. Contempt of court
50. Contract
51. Corporation
52. Counterfeiting
53. Crime
54. Criminal law
55. Cross-examination
56. Dark horse
57. Decree
58. De facto
59. Dejure
60. Democracy
61. Demurrer
62. Deposition
63. Direct government
? ? 117
Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 21:09 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uc1. $b179792 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 1x8
APPENDIX
64. Direct initiative
65. Direct primary
66. Direct tax
67. Due process of law
68. Embezzlement
69. Eminent domain
70. Equity
71. Executor
72. Ex post facto
73. Extradition
74. Federal government
75. Felony
76. Filibustering
77. Forgery
78. Franchise
79. General election
80. Gerrymandering
81. Government
82. Grand jury
83. Habeas corpus
84. Impeach
85. Indict
86. Indictment
87. Indiana ballot
88. Indirect initiative
89. Indirect primary
90. Indirect tax
91. Initiative
92. Injunction
93. Inquest
04. In rem
95. Intestate
96. Intrastate
97. Intervention
98. Judgment
09. Jurisdiction
100. Jury
101. Jus sanguinis
102. Jus soli
103. Kidnaping
104. Larceny
105. Laissez faire
106. Lame duck
107. Law
108. Libel
109. Lien
no. Lobby
in. Log-rolling
112. Majority
113. Mandamus
114. Mandate
115. Manslaughter
116. Massachusetts ballot
117. Mayhem
118. Merit system
119. Misdemeanor
120. Monarchy
121. Murder
122. Murder, First degree
123. Murder, Second degree
124. Nation
125. Naturalization
126. Negligence
127. Non-contiguous territory
128. Nuisance
129. Office
130. Open primary
? ? 131. Optional referendum
Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 21:09 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uc1. $b179792 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? APPENDIX
147. Poll-tax
148. Pork-barrel legislation
149. Posse comitatus
150. Presidential government
151. Presidential primary
152. Primary
153. Primogeniture
154. Probate
:SS. Probation
156. Proportional representation
157. Protectorate
:S8. Public bill
:S9. Quo warranto
[60. Real property
;6i. Reapportionment
62. Recall
:63. Referendum
:64. Representative government
165. Reprieve
66. Rider
:67. Robbery
:68. Secret diplomacy
:69. Senatorial courtesy
70. Short ballot
71. Sovereignty
C72. Split ticket
173. Spoils system
174. Stare decisis
175. State
76. Statute
77. Subpoena
78. Subsidy
79. Suffrage
80. Summons
81. Talesman
:82. Tax
:83. Tort
. 84. Treason
:8s. Treaty
:86. Ultimatum
87. Unitary government
88. Unit rule
:89. Venire facias
go. Venireman
91. Verdict
:92. Veto
:93. Warrant
:94. Writ of certiorari
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-08-20 21:09 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/uc1. $b179792 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? LIST OF SUGGESTED REFERENCES
Frank G. Bates and Oliver P. Field, State Government (1928).
Charles A. Beard, Readings in American Government and Politics,
New and Revised Edition.
Charles A. Beard and William Beard, The American Leviathan (1930).
Robert C. Brooks, Political Parties and Electoral Problems, Revised
Edition.
James Bryce, The American Commonwealth (1924).
J. A. Fairlie, The National Administration of the United States (1905).
James W. Garner, Political Science and Government (1928).
Raymond G. Gettell, Introduction to Political Science (1910).
F. J. Goodnow, Principles of Administrative Law of the United States
(1905)-
C. G. Haines and B. M. Haines, Principles and Problems of Govern-
ment (1926).
A. B. Hart, Actual Government as Applied under American Conditions,
Fourth Edition.
Arthur N. Holcombe, State Government in the United States (1926).
Jens P. Jensen, Problems in Public Finance (1924).
Howard L. McBain, The Living Constitution (1927).
Emlin McClain, Constitutional Law in the United States (1910).
Charles E. Martin and William H. George, American Government and
Citizenship (1927).
John Mabry Mathews, American State Government (1924).
John Mabry Mathews, Principles of American State Administration
(1917)-
John Mabry Mathews and Clarence A. Berdahl, Documents and
Readings in American Government (1928).
William Starr Myers, The American Government Today (1931).
