The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-07-23
TO BE A PRISON KEEPER.
NOW 4 MAN rs TESTED AS TO MS
FITNESS FOR The POsT.


EITNhSS rum fHb IVSIs
,,, Thtns- He IL Called UPON 20 10 with
uia Muscles aud Hts Brnin--A TIne Lot
Of Applicants ut the rnst Examination.
Probably most persons have not stopped to
.onsidcr tho many advantages attaching to
thc most OF keeper In ono OF the city's prisons
Tho very uncertainty that surrounds new
sppoutce to such a place Ia ono ofits delights
Ue NAV he sent to the Toinhs. whose thick
walls exclude the fiercest July suns; or he may
be detailed to one OF tho islands. where the
surply Of stiff breezes and salt water lie I'M
failing. Wherever II be. even in one OF the
district prisons. the keeper Is reasonably sure
NJ finding In the morning the friends he left
behind the previous night. II there lie n single
drawback to such q cheerful and concenial
life It is the constant danger OF intrusion: for
even the thick walls and heavy bars do not
always prevent thieves from getting into the
New ork prisons
When SUN reporter read In tho CitD Record.
sfew days ago. a brief notice to the effect that
applicants for the place Of keeper in the city
prisons might apply to the Civil Service Ex-
aminers in tho Cooper Union on certain day
and at certain hour. he determined instantly
TO nut in an application. The salary named
vas not large only 5000 a year. and possibly
he might not have the qualifications neces-
ssry but even in the event OF failure he would
learn what manner OF man prison keeper in
this town must be- md in the end he would
have a useful knowledge Of what q municipal
civil service examination in New York means.
Twenty or thirty. more or less robust men
Of various nationnlties were gathered In front
Of Chief Clerk Fitzpstrick's glass screen at the
hour named all waiting to put In an applica-
ton for something: not necessarily desiring.
ali Of them, to become prison keepers. for ex-
aminations for all sorts OF places are nearly
always in progress When the reporter
reached the Chief Clerks window:
what position ?" the chief clerk asked
Keeper in tho city prisons" was the mod
est answer.
The chief clerk passed through the window
ponderous blank form covering three pages
Of large legal cap.
"Pill that out" said he. mail It to me. and
present yourself here next Tuesday morning
at 10 o'clock"
That began to look favorable: and as tho
day Of application was Saturday the interval
was Just about long enough to fill in all the
blank lines. To print the form entire would
exclude much valuable foreign and domestic
news from this morning Sun. 1t was headed
application Paper for tho New York City
Civil Service" Il make and swear to this
application" it began. with the pur-
pose OF taking the first examination
out delay upon the duties Of the place for
which am an applicant" What is your full
name; your residence: where were you born:
where was your education received: what has
been your occupation: were you in the army or
navy in the late war: were you ever in the cty's
service before. or ever before examined for q
position; by whom have you been employed;
have you been discharged by anybody within
three years: have you ever been arrested:
ever been convicted OF crime: what crime; do
you drink liquor: are you in good health:
have you any defect Of sight hearing. speech.
or limb are you ready to stand physical ex-
animation" were q few OF til" .u"stons
asked in the form. Then foil" blank
recommendations to be filled in nsn. worn to
by four reputable citizens: and last OF all an
affidavit to be made before a notary. testitying
that everything in the paper was true.
tn Tuesday morning q little private inquiry
in four years. and that the alluring prospect
mad er rIn OF
be eligible. some being too Old. some too
young. some too tough. some too defective
ard he was ushered with the others into a long
narrow schoolroom fitted with benches with a
nastio appliances that will Introduce them
selves in due order.
sentea there we're Just "t two va
cancies among the prison keepers. so zach
sh was only t Rse physea the
later for such Is were physically pnssaLle;
stood IN the middle of tie door and Chief cISrt
Titzpatrick sat at the hssk to take notes. Tho
appliances Before the real work could begin.
g. dnae Raa t" e his ppe
and sent him to the Civil Service Board.
age nationatS fe1 Srnpacs
Cork" He could speak no English, but said
in German that he could do his work through |
Then John Brosnan. whose blank was num-
bered one. was called IN to the doctor bynum-
ostSrS q IaJ I'll H va, sS9rt ,h
doctor ordered. John took them off and laid
Nov gnii yourself up tq 6, the chin on this
giye il: 60 again: Ave; that'ildc. Now mount
:. John looked inauiringly about for the horse:
IN tn the se five
Arms sim" the doctor ordered, Lower
yourself foot and raise up again sont give
Tho doctor Produced small machine with
sh s. s the 'd Doctor " l%s
John evidently did not know that he had any
TRACTION. He looked around the room for 1t. |
and while he looked the doctor brought for
ward another small machine. with handle on |
each aide.
Pull the handles apart. straight in front OF
you: pull. man don't be afraid OF breaking It
That your hest?, Very well. give him 80. Now
Tor your pectorals."
John looked about for his pectorals. while
the doctor put new handles In the machine.
Now push the handles together" the doc
s sat hs rusa for sGr @ NON y0pTs
between your knees and push: 80: very good.
Get up On this table. please"
The table that John mounted was low and
strong one. with heavy handle protruding
through the top. The handle was attached to
back and knees.
Pull your best now" and John tried to