New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-26
VIZ. GRTBEP'S BOOMERANG.

IL the opponents OF the present Constitutional
system of competitive examinations FOR puphc
office really want civil service with less
starch" in it. they should get some other
cha mpon than Abraham Gruber. The 'roupi"
with Mr. Gruber is that he knows whole lot
Of things that aren't SO. Mr.. Gruber is dOinS
the best he can 10 back up Governor Black
demand for new brand of reform. but he has
made the mistake of supposing that the Gov-
ernor knew what sort of a service he was de-
scribiny when he outlined his ideal eXamlna-
lions and OF thinking that the present examina-
lions must be- as a matter of course the oppo-
site of those the Governor wants. else he never
would have talked of taking the starch out OF
them.
Accordingly Mr.. Gruber has been trying TO
make up "A case for the Governor ny showing
how the present system outrages Mr. Blacks
ideas He says that an applicant for me-
chanics place in this city. instead of proving
his fitness for the shop. has 10 answer a lot
Of silly questions" He denounces the exam
liners for making questions about geography
-scttle a mans chance of earning living.
He objects TO monarchical life tenures." He
declares that lawyer builder. an architect
and an engineer are the examiners who frame
ouestions without practical application TO the
work required Altogether, he tells story
which if true. would go far 10 JUSTIFY MT
blacks desire TO put the Civil Service in the
wash and have il relaundered with sorter roll.
The ONLY trouble is that Mr.. Gruber's story
IS not true Mr.. McAneny of the civil service
Reform Association. makes statement pub
l;shed in this journal yesterday. which shows
that the examination system in this city IS just
what Mr. Gruber says it is not. and conforms
Uncornmonly closely TO the ideal arrangement
which the Governor dreamed Of and may be
hardened for not knowing about because OF
his unfamliarity with the State ahairs ne was
called upon TO discuss. Mr.. Black in his mes
sage said: Experience. character. tact anu even
..muscle may be OF more importance In some
..cases than a fraction OF per cent IN an exam
.inat,on in geography" That started off Mr..
Gruber and he denounced the academic ann
,,oocranhical character Of the present tests.
But there comes along Mr. McAneny and an
swers that in this city the Examining Board
consists. not Of four, but Of nine persons, and
thar examination papers are prepared by ex-
norris with q special view 10 testing experience
and fitness In an examination Tor meat IN
snecto- the questions were prepared. not, as
NJ Cruber declared by the lawyer OF the
Roard. but by a sanitary expert, and the tests
consisted almost entirely Of practical trials OF
,nou,,edee on samples OF meat. AS 10 the
eilly questions" for mechanics. Mr.. McAnehy
saws the applicants are put in shop ana ieft
70 exhibit their proficiency with the TOOLS they
are TO use and are not required TO write line
III they cannot write their names they make
their crosses and their chances are just as
good. In the Police Department the tests are
mainly physical and athletic. and few candi-
dates fail in the mental examinations. a few
questions in local geography are asked OF pros
,ec,iv. pollcemen who may be expected TO tell
an inourer the way 10 Yonkers and whether
tho Custom House is in Wall or Duane 81.
For all other places except teachers geography.
vhhh Is chief mark for Mr.. Gruber's humor.
has no place in the examination. That awful
"lfe tenure" even Mr.. Gruber himself must