New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-10-27
GOOD ELECTION OFFICIALS.
THE MEASURES TAKEN TO SECURE THEM
IN BROOKLYN.

|
MAYOR scHIERENs ELECTION COMMISSION
ERs-How THE CANDIDATES FOR AP-
PoINTMENT WERE EXAMINED-A
SAVING OF $4,000.
The members OF the Board OF Elections in Brook
lyn have undertaken a task this year which none OF
their predecessors attempted and by their devo
ton to duty and the best interests OF the people
| have justified the good Judgment displayed by
| Mayor Scheren when he appointed them to succeed
| the Commissioners selected by Mayor Chaplin five
years before. The Board now constituted consists
of George T. Mouion, president Benjamin F. Blair,
vice president; Jacob W. Errege-, treasurer and
! Charles j. Edwards. secretary. Mr.. Blair was APP
pointed to succeed the lamented William II. Will
iams and has been in Office less than two months
His associates assumed their duties last May.
! The offices OF the Board OF Elections are In
brownstone building formerly used a dwelling
house. at No. 10 Smth-st.. only few doors from
Fulton-st. The purpose OF the Commissioners. who
have worked in entire harmony, although two OF
them Republicans ana two Democrats. as re-
quired by law. has been TO manage the department
as efficiently and at the same time as economically
as possible one OF the first things which they de-
termned TO cut down the number OF election
districts while OF course, placing in any one
district people than the law permits There
a natural reluctance to interfere with the cleo
ton district boundaries, since In both political par
ties the election district is the political unit.
| and any change would make Necessary some recast-
ing OF party machinery.
CUTTING DOWN THE NUMBER OF DISTRICTS.
Still the Commissioners felt that there were more
! districts than were necessary, and It was FOUND
practicable TO dispense with fiftyeight The total
number last year $685. II has now been cut
down to 625. The actual money saving thus effected
Is considerable The rent Of a polling-p!ace alone
As least $40. Then for each district there must
be provided four canvassers registers. two poll
| clerks two inspectors and two ballot clerks VINO
receive all told $40. Various other items OF expense
are involved IN books. stationery, carriage. etc. so
that the cost for each district is fully 500 BY cut
ting off ffty-eght districts, therefore, saving OF
sl.6o effected. BY dilisent efforts the Com
mssioners have been able TO find a polling place IN
some building in every district. and the Twenty-Five
houses erected for this purpose last year have been
dispensed with At s2N for each one, there Is
further direct saving OF $500.
Last year the item OF carriage, which includes the
transportation OF voting booths. balot-boxes, bal
lots etc. amounted to more than 1850; this year
the work was not given out by favor. but competi-
ton was introduced with the result that the Dill
will be reduced below $1,000 As single Illustration
it may be noted that item in the carriage &C
count which last year cost $50 Is now TO cost no
more than SIS. There will be considerable saving
probably SSOO0-in the OF printing ballots this
year, but for that, OF course, the Commissioners
take credit
The total reduction in expenses will reach about
$1,000 by far the greater part OF which is directly
due 10 the action OF the Commissioners.
SELECTING THE ELECTION OFFICERS.
But this is by all they have accom-
plished. They have taken pains to provide for
BROOKLYN a better class OF election officers than the
city has ever had before. This has entaied vast
of labor. and ii has been performed IN spite
OF the fact that special restrictions were placed
on the action OF the Commissioners in selecting
these officials by the Abel act. The passage OF
that law resisted by the best sentiment In the
CITY, but nevertheless 1t pushed through. and
the Governor signed IT, In spite OF strenuous protests
This law provides that lists OF candidates for ap-
pointment to the places in question snail be fur-
nished 10 the Commissioners by the chairman OK
the Executive Committee OF each OF the leading
parties from which the appointments shall be MADE
Bat there is nothing in the law TO prevent the
Commissioners from rejecting any OF the men whose
names presented TO them, provided reason ior
so doing exists. Accordingly the Commissioners de-
ternined to subJec; all candidates TO an examina-
tion 70 learn whether they were properly qualified
for performing their duties. Essentially this was a
Civil Service examination. The questions asked
were Few IN humber and they related directly 10
! the duties TO be performed.
Before the candidates for appointment were ex-
au1ined a copy OF a little book called Book o. IN
structions for the Election officials OF the City OF
/ BROOKLYN" was sent 10 each one, and all were
cautioned study 1t carefully and famliarize them
! selves with the provisions OF the laws. This
| book has been carefully compiled by c. V. {. Van
| Deusen who has been clerk in the department FOR
several years and IS thoroughly familiar with the
! subject in all its details owing the ballot
law and other changes in legislation. 1t Is obvious
| that even a man who had served as an election
officer for years might not be entirely FAMILIAR with
his duties IN existing conditions. and several cases
| occurred III which such men failed TO pass on the
first trial because they had neglected to study the
Book OF Instructions"
THE QUESTIONS ASKED.
The questions submitted were the same in every
| case but they were printed In different order.
so as to make 1t impossible for one man TO pass by
merely copying the answers Of another. Some as
tonishng OF ignorance came to Light, but on
! the whole the result surprisingly good. The
percentage Of reflections has not been accurateyl
| worked out but II IS small. comparatively. NOT a
| few Of the answers 10 questions were exceedingly
amusing. and d number OF coHiicaI lhcluen's nap
pened. e.,
Of the Board Of Elections towering rage, want
out" He felt that some man OF influence mad
opposed his appointment ana succeeded IN preSe en
mssioners, 10 whom he, much IN wrath tod MS
Now will look up your papers" said the Com
missioner soothingly; but OF one thing you may
be certain: pulls and influence have no effect in
The mans paper got out and IT was seen at
once tina; he had answered less than half Of the
questions and so had failed to pass
Ibid you read your Book Of Instructions" asked
| the Commissioner, and the man answered no. he
| had not, because he thought he was familiar with
the duties OF the place. Another chance given
! him, and ne passed without difficulty.
The papers OF all the candidates were carefully
examined and marked by the Commissioners. When
rejected word was sent to the chairman
OF the Executive Committee of his party. and also
| 10 the head 4 the ward organization whereupon
another would be submitted and the man
suggested would be examined These examinations
still in progress In the case OF individuals from
day TO day In order complete the lists.
II should perhaps be added that the election off,
GERS for each district two registrars, who also
act as inspectors Election Day, and who receive
s35 each inspectors at s. EACH two poll clerks.
so each, ballot clerks, s. each. and four can
vassers s. each. The hardest places TO I'LL those