This is in part the result of rural depopula tion, and itself a large factor in such. Of re cent years the villages have lost in many cases more than their farm districts. The larger towns and nearby cities have drawn trade and residents. 'Village youth have sought oppor tunity elsewhere in the newer farming regions or more so in the cities. Moreover, an abnormally large proportion of villagers are aged (above 45 years), the youths remaining in active farming or seelcing the cities. But conditions are changing so as to favor village growth and prosperity. Retiring farmers now more often seek their neighborhood centre than formerly, and the growth of village business, social activity and demands for farm labor furnish new opportunities. At present the col lective village population is growing only slightly per decade (less titan 10 per cent) but condinons are favorable for a very rapid and large increase as new and cheap lands become unavailable, and more diversified agriculture spreads.
It is the exceptional village that will in future become a town. Seldom will manu factures enter to contribute to their growth. They must depend upon utilizing their opportu nities as business and social centres for their farm districts.
Already the graded village school, with centralization of pupils, is more important in the reorganization of rural schools than is the more noteworthy, but exceptional, movement to consolidation. The village is the natural school centre for most farming communities. And so of the rural church. Already two-thirds of the so-called country churche.s are in the. vil lages. Strictly rural churches decline and decay. The village churches find their best opportunity in serving the farming population..
The average American village, however, presents a duplication, rivalry and waste in its institutional life that is characteristic. Several churches, a large array of business places, fiercely competing for the limited opportunity are typical. There is also a keen nvalry be tween neighboring places. Village life to-day is strenuous. The village that succeeds will be the one that realizes its place and function in local life.
The form and powers of local self-govern ment generally. accorded the village is that of municipalities in general. Incorporation is .by popular vote of the district and formal petition to county authorities. A chief executive officer, variously known as mayor, president, etc.• a limited number of administrative officers, siich as treasurer, assessor, clerk, marshal; and a council are the constituent agencies. These are almost always elected by direct popular vote. Elections take place in general every two years, and usually in the spring. The mayor usually
appoints the marshal, and in general is held responsible for police administration. Most States allow the village community to select its own justices of the peac ,e and often the mayor is a justice ex-offido. Usually he has a 'cast ing vote, but no veto. The council is a small body naturally, of three or five members, selected 'at large, and holding monthly meetings. The officers throughout are unpaid, paid nominally or for specific services. Tbe school board is a separate body, also popularly elected.
The powers accorded the village are limitefl taxing. and financial power, restricted by the necessity- of referendum ; and ordinance powers. The amount of money raised for village ex penses is generally small, and village govern ment exrites but little interest. The regular parties do not function in village elections, local parties being the rule. To consolidate the township and school district with the village vrould lessen the number of necessary officers, making it -possible to pay salaries for regular service and increase the electoral interest in local affairs. Such offices would call out a bet ter class of men for office. The local self-gov ernment ot the village, township and school district is in a chaotic condition, and a great opportunity for training in democracy is thus neglected.
Village Improvement.— Village improve ment is a term coming. into common .use, to designate all forms of civic improvement in small incorporated places. The term just came into use in New England, but may well spread to other parts of the country, as the village. problem becomes a conscious one there.
The term includes both the activities of the corporation and of private enterprise for vil lage betterment. Recently it has come to in clude social and economic improvements other than what are generally known as municipal improvements, such as. fire protection, street lighting, paving, provision of parks. An evi dence ot the widespread effort and attention to village improvement is the publication of a special edition of The American City, devoted almost exclusively to the tpwn and village (since 1913).
In the past much more attention has been devoted to the physical improvement of the more enterprising villages than to other.aspects. The great majority of villages (whether incorpo rated as villages, towns or cities) now have some forrn of municipal water suprolv. They quite often have some portion of the business district paved, and sidewalks quite generally. Municipal ownership and operation of electric light plants is very common. Even very small places have some park area. Public lighting is customary.