Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 6.djvu/423

 CITY COUNCIL OF BERLIN 40Q

The meaning of the word " independent" in this clause has been the subject of much discussion. The executive council of the city, which is intrusted with the preparation of this eligible list, has always maintained that in order to be independent a person must, either alone or in company with other persons, have the exclusive control of at least one room, by way of ownership or by way of lease. The city council, on the other hand, has always maintained that "independent" meant simply that the person concerned should be earning his own living. It would not seem at first blush as if the matter were of very much importance. But, as a matter of fact, the interpretation of the executive council, which is the one thus far practically in force, and recently enforced by the decision of the courts, excludes from the right to vote the so-called lodging-house population, or those men who, having no definite place of abode, simply hire a sleeping place at night in some one of the numerous lodging-houses of the city. Exactly how many people are excluded by this interpretation nobody seems to know ; but that it is a very considerable number of the very poorest people all seem to agree.

The attempt to collect the tax of 4 marks from people who have incomes between 660 and 900 marks has been connected with so much vexation and trouble, and the yield of the tax has, on the whole, been so small, that the executive council proposed to the city council during the past year to give up the collection of this tax altogether. The sentiment in the city council seemed to be that if by giving up this tax the people who were respon- sible for it could be excluded from voting, it would be a good thing; but inasmuch as the state law prevented the city from exacting a higher income than 660 marks as a condition of the exercise of the right to vote, they felt that everyone who chose to exercise this right ought to be held to some direct share in the burdens of the city.

Exactly how many otherwise qualified persons are excluded from the right to vote by this provision that they should pay a minimum tax of 4 marks no one seems to know. The facts are undoubtedly in the city records, if the city officials could be