The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-10-18

created by ex-Mayor Denny may be
spoken Of as the Late lamented." as it
is the custom to speak of the dead and
gone. During its brief existence it at
tracted considerable attention. It's men,
bers served without pay. Mr.. Herrick's
compensation was made $500 more be-
cause he was the clerk of the board. The
printed rules, the blanks and other para
phernalia Of the departed might we'll be
parceled out to its surviving friends.
but, doubtless, the late clerk of the civil
service board will make a bonfire of them
to make himself solid with the boys.
Street Commissioners Fisher, who. has
been called to account because he has
now and then employed a street laborer
who a not been certified to him by
the civil-service board. is no longer in
called to account. for with the outgoing
OF the offending Fisher the arraigning
board came to its end. The board will
have no successor as it had no prede-
cessor. 1t can claim the epitaph. 1.-The
good die young" very, very young when
the good" civil-service reform is over
taken by Democracy. And now the
lists of the civil-service board certifying
that such and such persons are able
bodied and deserving men and must be
employed when new men are wanted.
Now the mandate. Make a place for
this mani. t." will be Needed by the
street commissioner ever If this man.
is unable I do a mans work. One by
regime will come back to the city en-
gineer's department because they claim
for themselves the same treatment as
has come to Mr.. Mansfield. No board
will be asked TO certify to their fitness.
No board could conscientiously do ii il
asked, hence there can be no board. The
Journal hopes that the excellent Demo-
crat who served on the late board will
not be blacklisted for such un-Demo-
cratic conduct as participation in the
work Of a civil-service board implies.
So far as the civil-service BOARD is con-
cerned the Journal believes that Ii was
scarcely warranted by the charter, and
1t said so at the time. 1t still believes
that ascertained fitness should be the
requisite for employment in the depart
ments Of the city service. but in a city
the size Of Indianapolis the Journal does
not believe that a special board is neces-
sary. If 1t is necessary IL should be
created by the charter as are other
boards. Offices like city engineer and
city sanitarian, requiring special profess
sional attainments. should, like the SUI
p~erintendent of schools. be put where
their term OF employment will depend
upon efficiency and faithfulness. 1t must
AXE a new man. IL he were qualified, a
large part Of a term of two years TO
familiarize himself with the engineering
| or the sanitary needs of the city. IL the
appointees are not qualified by special
study and brains they must be a posi-.
tive injury to the city. Railroad man
ayers do not make men civil engineers
because they are Republicans or Demo-
Gratis, but because. upon test. they find
men capable. When they have alleged
engineers who are not capable they
recommend them TO cities where. when
needed. the incompetents can be of use
TO the railroads. A man may be a skill
full physician in general practice. and
yet be no better qualified for a san
tartan than a dentist would be for a
surgeon. Indianapolis will not get tht
best service in these specialties until
like other cities. men are employed be
cause OF their ascertained fitness Ths
present engineer was appointed In spite