New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-08
THELEGISLAIURE RESUMING WORK
AMENDMENTS TO THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW.
FIREMEN AND DISCHARGED SOLDIERS AND SAIL
OIs EXEMPTED FROM ITS PROVISIONS.

FIREMEN AND DIsCbhkbfD Hol-DihiN7 A-'D |"''S
oRs EXEMPTED FROM ITS PROVISIONS.
IBY TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUSEL
ALBANY, April THE three State Civil Service
Commissioners John Jay, Augustus Schoonmaker
and Henry A. Richmond came TO the Senate Cham
Der tonight to listen to the debate on the Assem-
bly bill which makes it mandatory, and not op-
tional, with Mayors of cities to enforce the Clvil
Service Reform law The Commissioners did not
have pleasant experience. They saw the senate
under the lead of Senator Murphy, a Democrat
drive "a coach and four through the proposed
law. by vote of 10 TO ;. An amendment was made
to the bill at Senator Murpbys suggestion, exempt
ing fremen from the provisions of the law. Inc
Assembly exempted policemen. Encouraged Oy
this ssuccess other Senators offered amendments 10
further weaken the law. Senator Lansing offered
the following:
Section 1s Honorably disc harSed soldiers and sailors
of the United states Army Navy who snail have served
in the Rebellion Of 15G1 sna not be subject 10 the eA-
aminatOns prescribed by TINS act ana notnlhS nSa III
contained shall he construed to prohibit any pubic ocer
having the power to appoint subordates irom appoint
ing any such hOnOraby discharged sOuier on HdIo
any position without examination, provided the omGer
shall be satisfied that the soldier OF sailor rs inenihy
the position TO which he applies to be appointed.
This act shall take effect immediately.
Senator Gilbert said that the amendment was an
afront to soldiers of the State who did not ask any
exemption from examination under the Civil Service
submit to the same conditions ~as other citizens.
Moreover the amendment would practically destroy
the Civil Service Reform law, there beng suicl-
ent number of discharged soldiers and sailors to MI
all civil positions in State and local governments.
Senators Ellsworth, Coggeshall and Lansing
argued that the amendment ought to be adopted.
Ii was recognition of the services of the soldiers
and sailors that they deserved. 1t was little enough
to ask for them in view of their having offered their
lives for the protection of the country
Senator Thomas sad that he thought that the
Senators were going too far for the sOlders-much
further than the soldiers themselves desired Inc
only thing that the Grand Army OF the Republic
asked was that there should be no discrimination
made against soldiers on account OF age or their
understood were willing that such an anend1nent
shOuld he made. He therefore offered II. Ihe
amendment was rs follows;
Honoraby discharged soldiers shall be preferred for
appointment and employment IN al departments pro,
yded for In this act Age OF limb or other physical
impairment which does not in fact incapactate them
from work shall be deemed to disquay them, pro-
yded persons possess the other requisite qacI-
tions.
The amendment was voted down by vote of IL
to 8. Senator LanSng's amendment was then
adopted by Ura vote. The bill as amended
by Senators Murphy and Lansing was then ordered
TO a third reading.
bill to incorporate tue New-lOrk Free Circulating
Library.
Tie Governor nominated and the Senate con-
firmed tonight as members of the state Board OF
Health the following: Erastus Brooks, Of RlCh-
mond Dr. J. L. Delavan, OF Albany, ndGeOrge W.
Cooke of Ulster County. go,
Senator Campbell, Of New-York. introduced a bill
tonight providing for the addition OI 900 men 10
the police force Of NeW-AOIk.