The Saint Paul globe., 1897-12-06
ON THE BOARD OF PUBLIC
WORKS.
BIRD IN HAND WORTH ETC.
SPECTORSHIP A THREE-HAND-
ED AFFAIR.
HAAS CHANCES SEEM THE BEST.
First Plum to Fall VIII Be That of
Custodian of the City Hall and
Court House.

Col. Kiefer has decided according to
reports, that membership in the board
Of public works at $500 per year would
be a much softer thing than making the
race for mayor in the spring. Mayor
Doran, who is striving for the renom-
ination, has complimented the colonel
on his good judgment in such decision,
and unless the new charter spoils the
programme the ex-congressman will in
March next be appointed a member of
the board Of public works.
Mayor Doran is certain to appoint
three new members of the fire board to
succeed Messrs. Freeman, Prendergast
and Mitsch, whose terms expire the last
of this month. Pressure is being
brought on the mayor to reappoint
President Freeman, but those who
stand close to the Sixth ward states
man, for instance T. Reardon, laugh
when the subject Of F'reeman's reap
pointment is mentioned. One Of the
new commissioners is to be from the
Fifth ward, another from the Eighth,
but this is as far as the mayor has
decided. He even says that he has
given the matter no serious considera-
ton and that it is twenty days before
he is obliged to make public the names.
In the meantime delegation after dele
cation visits the chief executive and
urges the appointment of this and that
one. AS Jailer Harris puts it 'some of
the delegations promise to carry wards
if their candidates appointed, while
others do not stop at wards, but state
positively that they will bring in
townships if their choice for the place
is selected"
With three good Republicans given
places on the fire board an effort will
be made to GUST Chief Jackson when
his term expires in March next. The
mayor has not the kindest feeling for
the present chief and it can be set down
for fact that the new appointees on
the fire board will have to certify in
the strongest kind of language that
they will not vote to retain Jackson
before they get their commission. The
rumor that John 7. Black is to be
brought back as head Of the depart
ment, however, is not at all possible.
Some Of the insurance men in this con-
nection say that, if Jackson is deposed,
a raise in insurance rates will certainly
follow. Besides the very interests that
will work for Jackson's retention here
are equally anxious to see Black re-
main where he is.
There is going to be nice fight over
the building inSpectorship before the
question of a successor to Mr. Kings
lev is settled. Several names have been
mentioned in connection with the place,
but the winner is likely to be chosen
from list made up of A. F. Gauger, AS
semblyman Craig and S. H. Haas. OF
these Haas stands the best show, it is
thought, especially if Gerlich is given
the custodianship. The Eighth ward
Will hardly be allowed everything, and
besides Gauger has had it once, and
it is figured there are others, so that
once ought to be enough for man
when there are a lot of good party men
who have never had it at all and yet
are anxious to fill the office. Assembly,
man Craig has for many months past
cast longing eyes in the direction of
the office. His interest in this branch
of the city has cropped out time and
again, but, while he has long hoped
for it, it is doubtful if he has made as
much headWay in the matter OF secur-
ing pledges as might have been expect
ed. However, the people long ago grew
tired of having the members of the
council use their position for stepping
stones to something higher. In fact
bill was introduced in the last legisla-
ture to head off this very thing, which
at one time seemed epidemic since the
present administration got into power. /
While nothing came of the bill, the
way the public feels about the matter
is known to the members Of the coun-
Gil and may have something to do with
keeping Mr.. Craig just where he is. Be
sides it is no secret that Mr.. Craig is
not as popular among his colleagues as
some of the others. With these condi-
tions, the friends of Mr.. Haas think
his chances are brighter than those Of
any Of the candidates, and it would not
be surprising if he secured the place.
The contest for the office of custodian
of the court house and city hall, rem
dered vacant by the death of F. H.
Dayton, is absorbing the attention of
the members Of the joint court house
and city hall commission, as we'll as
that of the candidates and their fiiends.
The candidates whose names are most
frequently mentioned are George Ger
Itch and John Ames. Gerlichs efforts
to secure the job have been the most
conspicuous from the date of the an
nouncement of Mr.. Dayton's death, but
that his canvass has been the most ef-
fective is not by any means certain.
Ames has a whole lot of friends who
think he is as much, if not more en-
titled to recognition than Gerlich. Ever
since Mr.. Dayton became. unable, some
four or five months ago, by reason of
illness to discharge the duties of his
office Ames has been the acting GUS
todian Of the building. During this
period he has demonstrated his capa-
city to fulfill the duties of the office.
The various city and county officials,
D Mr.. Ames' friends say, will all testf-
fy that they have no fault to find.
Ames has not put himself forward, nor
personally importuned the members of
the joint commission, including the
mayor, to the extent that his rivals
have, but his supporters will, now that
the proper time has arrived, do what
they can in his behalf.
The joint court house and city hall
commission will undoubtedly elect a
custodian some day this week.
SUNDAY AT THE HOTELS.