The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-01-05
THE BOSTON PLAN.
Mr.. Arthur Lord Explains How Laborers
Are Hired in Massachusetts, Cities-A
Plan That is Popular

There was fair attendance of citizens
in the common council room last evening
when Mr.. Arthur Lord, one of the Boston
commissioners, spoke to the city govern
ment OF the Boston civil service plan.
Besides the members of the city gov
eminent and other city officials, there
were present a considera bic number OF
citizens, among them ex-Mayors J ohm W.
Deering and Holman S. Melcher, and
Messrs. IS. Dana, George S. Hunt, Chas.
S.Fobes. VIC. Wilson, J j. Gerrish, Benz.
Webster, S. "A. True, E. G. Jordan, E, ?.
Chase, f. Lowell VIM. Sargent, E. B.
Denison and Others
Mr.. Lord, after being introduced by
Mr.. Baxter, began by speaking generally
of the pernicious effects Of the spoils
system. In 1884, the Massachusetts
legislature passed it's civil service law,
and established its commission of three
members. The service was. divided into
for police, firemen, etc. bout 5000
persons have been examined, and it is
believed that hals of the public servants
in the service of the state and cities of
Massachusetts have come to their posi-
lions Though being certified as COM
potent after q civil service examination,
and without regard to politics. The
'janitors of school buildings, policemen
and firemen are all examined by civil
service rules. OF course they are not ex-
amined solely or principally for book
learning. A janitor must be, informed
about the care of steam boilers and
steam heating apparatus, and the general
facts about good ventilation; a police
man is examined as to his physi cal
soundness and character; SO also the fire.
men. Neither political nor religious
creeds are considered.
The labor service OF the city of Boston
presented some difficulties not found in
classifying the higher branches of employ
ment. Formal examinations are not
practicable. There must be some simple
tests. The first test is citizenship. The
applicant must be an American citizen;
a citizen of the state and city: of good
moral habits; experience in the work
which he is wanted to do. Also if a man
is a Union veteran or has large family
dependent upon him, he has preference
on such accounts
| The commissioners, having satisfied
themselves as TO GneSe pOlnGS OF qualluca-
| ton, keep the men on list, and when
| any of the heads Of departments make
acquisitions for help the commissioner
sends twice as many as called for, and
| the head of department. selects.
| In his crews SO given him the head of
| the department. has the absolute right of
| discharge. But very few are discharged
| for any other reason than the completion
of the work for which they are hired. In
! 1887 only. ten out of a thousand were dis
charged for incompeJency or viciousness,
and last year only two out of the
| thousand.
| This system is very popular with the
| Massachusetts cities, which of their own
accord have generally adopted it.
| The laborers and the heads of depart
ments also believe thoroughly in the
| system. The laborers feel that their man.
hood is preserved better where they do
| not have to cringe to some political boss.
| So also are the heads Of departments re-
| lieved.
| After Mr.. Lord had concluded, Mayor
Baxter called uponFMr. E. g. Jordan who
| spoke of introducing the system into
Portland, and Of the. objection which is
urged against it. viz, the need of en-
I ploying some old men who otherwise
| would come with their families upon the
CITY, He thought their number was ex-
aggerated and that such as there were
could be employed in special depart
ment.
| A vote of thanks was extended to Mr..
Lord in conclusion.