The Portland daily press., 1885-04-20
THE POLICE EXAMINING HOARD.
The Public Hearing Saturday Evening -
MIR. Thaxter's Suggestions.

MR. Thaxter's Suggestions.
The new police examining board gave a
hearing in the Aldermen's room in the City
Building last Saturday evening to all persons
interested in the manner of making appoint
ments to the police force. The hearing was
given in order that TIE board might obtain an
expression of opinion in regard to their duties
and begin their work with some knowledge OF
the ideas Of the public.
MIR. s. W. Thaxter had been invited to be
present and submitted to the consideration Of
the board series of rules which he had pre-
pared. These rules embody much that is now
in effect in other cities. The following is an
abstract:
cations accompanied by certificates of good moral
character, signed by not less than three nor more
than five citizens of good repute and the city clerk
rules and regulations.
Examinations to take place on the second
Monday OF May and November and at such other
times as the exigencies of the service may REQUIRE
and due notice of them is to be given in the daily
papers and to each applicant individually.
Every applicant must have passed physical ex-
animation OF the city physician before presenting
himself to the board and his physical Qualification
snail be graded upon this examination.
Inc Board is to examine the applicant in writing
from dictation. hand writing, spelling, arithmetic
and experience and acquaintance with police re-
gulaticns.
Each member of the board is to mark the ex-
animation separately, and the average of these
marks shall constitute the Judgment of the board.
Inc relative weight to be given to physical quail
ncatlons, intellectual requirements and experience
are q, and respectively.
The markings on each subject is to be on a scale
OF 100 and the list of eligible men shall be made nm
from those whose general standing does mot fall be-
low 65. 800 w
In case of a vacancy the names of the three
ls~fI.l
certified to the mayor. In case of more than one
vacancy supplementary list lists equal in num-
per TO the vacancies to be filed and composed of
names In the order Of their rank shall be certified
All temporary appointments shall be made from
men on the eligible list and no person shall fill
temporary appointment more than three months,
and the temporary appointee shall not be made in,
eligible to permanent appointment during his
temporary service.
Mr.. Thaxtei's suggestions were we'll received
and ELECTED some questions and discussion. In
regard to the physical examinations, Judge
Goddard asked why, with one physician a
member of the board in accordance with the
provisions of the law, it was necessary to have
the examinations conducted by the city phy-
stefan.
Mr.. Thaxter said that all eligible applicants
were entitled to an examination, and judging
from the number of applications under the
nations would be necessarily long and tedious.
The physician on the board gives his services
gratuitously, and it would be hardly fair to
throw upon him the work of making SO many
examinations. Furthermore, it will be seen
that the city physician has nothing to do with
determining the ranking of the men His
duty consists in filling in the blanks furnished
him for the purpose, and the members Of the
board determine the relative standing of the
men from his returns.
Tn who 49, La al
ton, Mr.. Thaxter said that it was intended to
cover the points of an ordinary common school
education. The writing from dictation was to
be with view to ascertain the character of
the mans handwriting and his ability to spell
correctly. One of patrolman's duties is the
making out in writing of certain reports and
he should have the requisite knowledge TO
make them intel igible.
Considerable discussion followed a question
by Judge Goddard in regard to the working of
tne rules should board OF aldermen refuse to
confirm nominations until the system placed a
man before them to whom they wished to
give the situation. Mr.. Winslow said that
under the old system he had never known the
aldermen to refuse to confirm, although in
some instances they were Of different political
party than the Mayor. In Mr.. Winslow's epin.
ion no board of aldermen would dare artemut
such proceeding.
Mr.. Thomas Hassett confirmed the opinion
OF Mr.. Winslow. Mr.. Hassett knew of but
one case when the aldermen refused to concur
and that was on technical grounds and indi-
Gated no hostile purpose The speaker who has
had considerable experience with the affairs of
the police force, as member OF the CITY gov.
eminent said that he thought that policemen
should be of good disposition and have an
amount of physical development which
should enforce respect. The ability to read
and write should be required but the DISPOSE
ton which will treat with kindness men who
oftentimes sin more against themselves than
against others and the possession of good,
solid muscle are the great things to be oh
tanned.
On motion of Mr.. WINSTON the suggestions
OF MI Thaxter were received with the thanks
OF the board, and the hearing was adjourned.