The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-05-25
TIE CHINESE EOIRD S7EMEED.
Nobody Would Come TO tho Rescue. So
stowcii Held Once Cnmoics,ed.

Albany. May 2l.-1n 1894 the State Railroad
Commissioners found that they needed Il COM
pctcnt bridge engineer TO examine for them
the railroad bridges in the state. After some
dclibcration they selected Charles F. Stowcll
nyounG m Mechanical and civil engineer. who had
made II specially OF bridge engineering. and
was thoroughly qualified for tho post. Hc
was notified by the Commission to como to
Albany ind begin his work. As tho post was
one over which tho Chinese BOARD claimed
jurisdiction it was notified OF the APP
pointmcn.. and Engineer atowel also
notified the mnndnrins TINT he WINS
ready to take their examination Mt any
time or place Ton days elapsed. and the
Railroad Commissioners wrote to Mr.. Stowe!l
asking why he had not reported for duty. Ho
replied that he had not been examined by tho
Civi! Service Commission. and was waiting to
be called before ii. The lni,roa'' Omission
crs at once demanded an explanation. ard
wore informed hv tho Chinese Euard that tho
Board was not quite ready for the examine
ton, ana that the aprointee, might &c to work
ofiice on June 10. 1884. and held Ii until May
last IT, EIGHT ysp rSn thsgI an
from the Chinese Board.
The private records Of that Board show that
the question OF how to examine an expert
bridge engineer without making the Com mis-
sioners appear ridiculous proved too much for
them. They sent letter to the American So
ciety of Civil Engineers asking Tor n set OF
questions on which to examine Mr.. Stowell.
They received reply stating TINT the sOciety's
mission was not to furnish questions for civil
service examinations. Next u like request was
addressed 10 the faculty OF the Rensselaer,
Polytechnic Institute at Troy. and again the
Commissioners were reminded that it was
their own duty TO prepare questions for eX-
animation. state Engineer Elnsthnn Sweet
was next applied to. He fatty told the Board
to go elsewhere. This rebuff discouraged the
Chinese Board. and 1t abandoned the post to
Mr. Stowel.
On May Mr.. Stowell resigned. Rememter-
ing that he hnd never received u certificate OF
ability from the Civil Service Commissioners.
he addressed then this inquiry:
t;E<rLrMr> Since june TO- 1884, The wrer la. been
the empoyot BOARD OF Railroad miss0ners Of the
nneer The position ia one over which your honorable
body exercises supervision 10 the eStent OF demon
siratnH by examination the applicants fitness ti-rr
for. At tue time Of the writer's appointment appica
ton made for such examination. but he was in
formed that II woni be inronvenient to hold at that
time. and he directed to proceed with the work
pending examination. which would he ornrred at SON.
future time The writer's work for the Railroad Com
mission Is now finished and he has not yet been
dersd before your honorable body for examination.
roads whose bridges lie has examined. well as Of
Justice to the Railroad Com mission he asks thar such
examination he now ordered that his illness ar inca
pacttv for the work which he has done may be deter
would be pleased to learn what the result would he
provided 1t il demonstrated by your honorable body
that he unified to perform the duties OF the position
Respectfully, CHARLks Y. ST0wELL