The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-01-05
WEDNESDAY. JANUARY 5. 1898.
HANDS OFF !

1t is announced that under the reor-
ganized board Of education the selection
and promotion of teachers in the public
schools, and their retention in service,
will be governed by civil service rules.
"A resolution to this effect has already
been introduced by Mr.. Conrey.
This is a highly commendable posi-
ton for the board to take, the only one,
indeed, from which the best service can
be obtained and justice done the teach
ers. 1t also insures a certain desirable
stability in the system.
But, while The Herald is gratified at
the opportunity to note the progress Of
civil service reform in the public school
system, it deeply regrets that there
should be an apparent tendency in a
scarcely less important department of
the municipality, to proceed, or rather
retreat in the opposite direction. The
public library board has, so it is an
nounced, determined to hold an exami-
nation for all the employees of the
library with the exception of the libra
rian and the first and second assistants.
The real purpose of this examination is,
it is asserted, to furnish an excuse for
removing some of the employees so that
others can be appointed in their places
to satisfy political demonstrating
the livery of the court of heaven to serve
the devil in"
A member of the library board is re-
ported as saying, in effect: MANY of
these girls have been in the library for
several years; they do not get married,
neither do they resign. They ought to
get out of the way and give others a
chance"
To these politicians who would thus
impair the efficiency of the public
library and drag it into the mire of polit-
ical favoritism The Herald would say,
in the name of the people of Los An
geles: Glands off! You shall not do
this despicable thing. For years the
public library has been the one munic-
ipal institution that has been kept free
from political influences and you shall
not use it for your selfish purposes now"
If there are any employees of the pub
lie library who are inefficient or imcom-
petent, let them be discharged. 1t is not
necessary to hold sham civil service
examination in order to do this. 1t is
not at all likely that there are such, or
the proposed Vaccination would not
have been suggested.
How do these young women secure
positions in the public library? They go
through a severe and thorough course
Of training. They are obliged to give
their services free for several months
while they are on trial. Then, if they
prove worthy, they are given regular
positions at small salary with a chance
to work up. 1t is not a. all probable that
these girls are incompetent or inefn-
cient. The longer their period of service
the more valuable they become Then
why require them to pass another Eek
animation" Take any business house
or corporation where the employees
have served for varying periods, from
{ few months to number of years. Do
the managers feel compelled to hold
civil service examination in order to de
termine who is, and who is not etE-
cient? No indeed.
Politics is plainly the African in the
library examination woodpile. The
people of Los Angeles will not tolerate
politics in the management of their pub
tic library and the sooner the directors
recognize the fact the better it will be
for them and for the library. Let us
have one municipal institution that is
free from such influences. There has