, in good laws, in respect
to law, which for generation after generation were submitted to the
people.

61. THE GOVERNMENT OF THE CITY.

PART II.

Since all these things do not grow of their own accord, by whom were
they first introduced, planted, and developed? By whom are they now
maintained? By the collection of powers and authorities which we call
the Government of the City and County of London.

Thus order reigns in the streets: in the rare cases where disorder
breaks out the policeman is present to stop it. His presence stops it.
Not because he is a strong man, but because he is irresistible: he is
the servant of the Law: he represents Authority. Formerly the Alderman
of the Ward walked about his own streets followed by two bailiffs. If
any one dared to resist the Alderman he was liable to have his hand
struck off by an axe. In this way people were taught to respect the Law.
By such sharp lessons it was forced upon them that the Law must be
obeyed. Thus there gradually grew up among them a desire for Order. The
policeman appointed by the Chief Police Officer stands for a symbol and
reminder of the Law.

You have seen how the people of London had their Folks' Mote, their Ward
Mote, and their Hustings. From the first of these has sprung the Common
Council, which rules over the City of London within the old boundaries.
The Folks' Mote was a Parliament of the People--a rude and tumultuous
assembly, no doubt, but a free assembly. When the City grew great such a
Parliament became impossible. It therefore became an elective
Parliament. The election was--and is still--conducted at the Ward Motes,
each Ward returning so many members in proportion to its population, for
the Common Council. The Councillors are elected for one year only. If
there is a vacancy an Alderman is also elected, but that is for life.

Formerly every man in London followed a trade: he therefore belonged to
a Company. And as the commonalty, all the men of London together
assembled, i.e. all the members of all the companies, elected the Mayor,
so to this day the electors of the Lord Mayor are the members of the
Companies. None others have any voice in the election. The Companies no
longer include all the citizens, and the craftsmen have nearly all left
the City. But the power remains.

The Lord Mayor is the chief magistrate. With him is the Court of
Aldermen, also magistrates. He has with him the great officers of the
City: the Recorder