ordinance is voted
for by a majority of the members of the council present at any meeting, it
is presented to the mayor. If he approves it, he signs it, and it becomes
an ordinance. But if he does not approve it, he returns it, through the
recorder, to the council, together with his objections. [Footnote: This is
called _vetoing_ it, from a Latin word _veto_, meaning _I forbid_.]The
council, then reconsiders the proposed ordinance in the light of the
mayor's objections. If, after such reconsideration, two-thirds of the
members elected vote for it, it becomes an ordinance, just as if approved
by the mayor. "If an ordinance or resolution shall not be returned by the
mayor within five days, Sundays excepted, after it shall have been
presented to him," it shall have the same effect as if approved by him.

Publication of Ordinances.--The ordinances and by-laws of the council are
published in a newspaper of the city, selected by the council as the
official means of publication, and are posted in three conspicuous places
in each ward for two weeks, before they become operative.

Council Powers.--The city council has about the same powers as a village
council in regard to streets, the prevention and extinguishment of fires,
etc.--the same in kind but somewhat more extensive. But it can also levy
taxes for public purposes, as has before been said. It usually elects the
assessor, the city attorney, the street commissioner, and a city surveyor,
and in some states other officers.

The recorder, treasurer, assessor, justices of the peace, and police
constables, have duties similar to those of the corresponding officers in
a village or a town.

_Some Pertinent Questions_.

If two persons should claim the same seat in the city council, who would
decide the matter?

State three ways in which a proposed ordinance may become an ordinance.
Two ways in which it may fail. How can persons living in a city find out
what ordinances the council passes? How far are the ordinances of any city
operative?

Compare the government of a village with that of a city.

Are school affairs managed by the city council? How is it in a village? In
a town.

If a new school-house is needed in a city, and there is not money enough
in the treasury to build it, what can be done?

If you live in a city having a special charter, borrow a copy of it from a
lawyer or from the city recorder, and find out what powers and privileges
are granted to the corpo