10.  What two grades of town government exist west of the Alleghanies?

11.  What objection exists to large county boards of government?

12.  Why is our country an excellent field for the study of the principles of government?

13.  What unmistakable tendency in the ease of township government is noticeable?

14.  Speak of township government in the South.

15.  What part have women in the affairs of the school district in many states?

16.  What is the historical reason why suffrage has been restricted to men?

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS AND DIRECTIONS.

It may need to be repeated (see page 12) that it is not expected that each pupil shall answer all the miscellaneous questions put, or respond to all the suggestions made in this book.  Indeed, the teacher may be pardoned if now and then he finds it difficult himself to answer a question,—­particularly if it is framed to provoke thought rather than lead to a conclusion, or if it is better fitted for some other community or part of the country than that in which he lives.  Let him therefore divide the questions among his pupils, or assign to them selected questions.  In cases that call for special knowledge, let the topics go to pupils who may have exceptional facilities for information at home.

The important point is not so much the settlement of all the questions proposed as it is the encouragement of the inquiring and thinking spirit on the part of the pupil.

1.  What impression do you get from this chapter about the hold of town government upon popular favour?

2.  What do you regard as the best features of town government?

3.  Is there any tendency anywhere to divide towns into smaller towns?  If it exists, illustrate and explain it.

4.  Is there any tendency anywhere to unite towns into larger towns or into cities?  If it exists, illustrate and explain it.

5.  In every town-meeting there are leaders,—­usually men of character, ability, and means.  Do you understand that these men practically have their own way in town affairs,—­that the voters as a whole do but little more than fall in with the wishes and plans of their leaders?  Or is there considerable independence in thought and action on the side of the voters?

6.  Can a town do what it pleases, or is it limited in its action?  If limited, by whom or by what is it restricted, and where are the restrictions recorded? (Consult the Statutes.)

7.  Why should the majority rule in town-meeting?  Suggest, if possible, a better way.

8.  Is it, on the whole, wise that the vote of the poor man shall count as much as that of the rich, the vote of the ignorant as much as that of the intelligent, the vote of the unprincipled as much as that of the high-toned?

9.  Have the poor, the ignorant, or the unprincipled any interests to be regarded in government?