The English method of selecting a mayor by the council is followed for the corresponding functionaries in France (except Paris), the more important cities of Italy, and in Germany, where, however, the central government must confirm the choice of the council. Direct appointment by the central government exists in Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the smaller towns of Italy and Spain. In France election is for four years, in Holland for six, in Belgium for an indefinite period, and in Germany usually for 12 years, but in some cases for life. In France the moire, and his "adjuncts" are elected directly by the municipal council from among their own number.
See also A. Shaw, Municipal Government in Continental Europe 0900, J. A. Fairlie, Municipal Administration (1901) ; J. Redlich, Local Government in England, trans. and ed. F. W. Hirst (19o3) ; S. and B. Webb, English Local Government (ioo6, etc.) ; A. L. Lowell, The Government of England (1920). (X.: H. CA.) The office of mayor in the United States has passed through an interesting evolution. In Colonial days, the mayor was ap pointed by the provincial or colonial governor, except in Eliza beth, N.J., and in the close corporations of Annapolis, Norfolk and Philadelphia, where the mayor was selected by the local governing body. The duties and powers of the colonial mayor, fashioned in part after those of the contemporary English mayor, were to preside at meetings of the council, to serve as the ceremonial head of the city, to discharge important local judicial functions and to represent the colony in local affairs.
Popular election of the mayor was introduced as early as 18°6 (Nashville), but it was not generally adopted until 20 years later (e.g., Boston, St. Louis, 1822; Detroit, 1824; Philadelphia, 1826; Baltimore, 1833; New York, Pittsburgh, 1834; Buffalo, Rochester, Brooklyn, 1840; Milwaukee, 1846; San Francisco, 185o). By the middle of the century practically every mayor was elected. Except in Boston (Josiah Quincy, mayor, six terms, 1823-29), and in a few other cities, the change to an elected mayor resulted in no immediate increase in the influence of the office. Within the next generation, however, due to the increasing complexity of city administration, the corruption and incom petence of councils, the vantage point of publicity and leadership accorded an elected mayor in a complex Government, and, finally the application in city organization of the principle of the separa tion of powers, which had been for 6o years a fetish in American national and State Government, there was brought about a gradual increase in the powers of the mayor at the expense of the council. The mayor gradually became the centre of the administrative power of the city; this came about through the power to appoint council committees, to appoint and remove administrative officials and to investigate city departments. Though the mayor was frequently deprived of his seat in the council, as his new isolation developed, his influence in legislation was augmented through the veto power (first granted in New York, 183o), through the power to recommend legislation and through his strategic ad vantage in marshalling public opinion behind his programme.
By 190o the mayor had thus become the dominating influence and centre of authority in American city government. The wide spread introduction of executive budget systems in the cities (1907-15) and the spread of municipal home rule, have served still further to augment the powers of the mayor.
In legislative matters, though generally not a member of the council, the mayor tends to dominate the situation through his power to recommend legislation, his limited veto, his special prerogatives in fiscal legislation and his general prestige. The mayor as a chief executive is always popularly elected. He must be a local resident and elector, though in a few cases a higher age limit is set than for voters (e.g., Philadelphia, Baltimore, Charles ton, Montana, etc.), and in some jurisdictions the payment of taxes is a prerequisite (e.g., Baltimore, Seattle, etc.). The posi tion is universally open to women. Elections are usually held in November with other local, State and national elections, though there has been a tendency in recent years to bring about a segregation of elections.
The term of office is now generally two or four years, the longer term being almost universal in the largest cities. The mayor is subject to removal in all jurisdictions, generally by court action, though in some cases by the recall (e.g., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Boston, etc.), or by the State governor (New York and Ohio). Removals are, however, extremely rare and except where the recall is used, are known only for gross mis feasance. The mayor, except in the smallest cities, is generally a salaried official; compensation thus ranges to $25,000 a year in New York. Re-election of the mayor is common except in a few cities where successive terms are prohibited. Because of his posi tion and powers, the mayor is the official spokesman and cere monial head of the city and during his term of office, at least, holds a unique position in the community.
There are in the United States some 2,000 cities. In about 1,450 of these cities the chief executive officer is the mayor. In some 35o cities which are governed and administered by a small elected commission, and in 30o cities governed by a small elected commission and administered through a city manager appointed by the commission, though the office of mayor generally exists, the duties are restricted to serving as the presiding officer of the council and acting as ceremonial head of the municipality.