gislatures and contend that the ultimate solution of the
difficulty lies in greater municipal home rule. They are correct,
Honorable Judges! The state legislature has interfered. But why?
Simply because the city council has proved itself inefficient. New
York City's council was in full possession of its powers when the
state legislature began to interfere. Legislation by somebody was
necessary. The council failed, and now the negative say, give back
to the city its powers and let the council try again.

According to the gentlemen themselves, the end to be achieved is
less interference of state legislatures and more home rule. It is
obvious, however, that this can be accomplished only when the city
itself can put forth a capable and efficient legislative body.
Honorable Judges, in our second speech we proved to you, that the
commission provides a small but efficient legislative body, far
superior to that of an isolated council. If you want municipal home
rule, establish a form of government which makes it possible.

Mr. Charles Briggs replied for the Negative:

My colleague has proved that whatever the form of government, there
must be a body capable of wise legislation, in fact, that there must
be a body that is primarily legislative in character no matter what
its connection or relation with the other departments of government.
That a small commission, burdened with administrative and judicial
functions, is not a proper legislative body is at once apparent. My
colleague has demonstrated that this confusion of powers must result
in inefficiency. But further than this, it is our contention that a
body such as is the commission, without respect to the confusion of
powers, without regard to the administrative duties weighing upon
it, that this commission, of itself, is not suited to legislation.

There is no more reason for placing the legislation of the city of
Chicago in the hands of five men than that the state legislature of
Minnesota should be reduced to five members. It is true that, in
many respects, the legislation of a city differs from that of a
state, but it is, nevertheless, legislation, and in the larger
cities particularly it is necessary that there be a representative
legislative body. Five men no more constitute a proper legislative
body for 800,000 or a million people of