The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-01-29

which was adopted without change.
Then Secretary Innis proceeded to
read the chapter on the civil service
commission, and action was taken
thereon, section by section. The first,
second and third sections were adopt
ed without discussion, except that day
laborers were not included in section
In order to make it consistent
with section 5, which was made to
exempt them from the classified service.
The amendment to section 4, provid-
ing that, so far as practicable, appli-
cants for offices, places or employments
in the classified service of the city gov
eminent shall be given the preference
II they are citizens of st. Paul, was
offered by Col. Clough. Mr.. Lightner
remarked in this connection that while
citizens should be preferred, other
things being equal there should be no
compulsion brought to bear. Secretary
Innis accepted Col. Coughs amend
ment and the section was adopted as
follows:
All applicants for Offices, places or en-
Payments in said classified service, except
those mentioned in section five o., shall be
subject to examination, which shall be pub
lie. competitive and free to all citizens of the
United States, with specified limitations as to
residence, age. health habits, and moral char
acter. So far as is practicable in all city
employment preference will be given to appli-
cantS who are citizens of St. Paul Such ex-
aminations shall be practical in their char
acter, and shall relate to those matters which
fairly test the relative capacity of the per-
sons examined to discharge the duties Of the
positions to which they seek to be ap
pointed, and shall include tests of physical
qualifications and health, and, when appropri-
ate. manual skill. No question in any exam
nation shall relate to political or religious
opinions or affiliations and no appointment or
selection to an office or for employment
within the scope of these rules established as
aforesaid shall be in any manner affected or
influenced by such opinions or affiliations.
After Secretary Innis had finished reading
section five, which eXempts certain officials
from the operation Of the civil service rule,
Mr. Alness said:
81 move day laborers be added in that Sec
ton
Mr.. Murray second the motion
Mr.. lnnfs opposed the motion. Day laborers
were not. he said, to possess other than phys
ical qualifications, but they should be able
to perform their work. He had seen crews
of men working on the streets in Hamline,
pecially during periods closely preceding
elections, who were manifestly incapactated
for doing effective work They were not
pable and it was plain they were given their
jobs for political purposes. To employ such
men was. so Mr.. Innis declared. to pauperize
them, while 1t ruined laborers able to do
work.
Then Mr.. Lightner expressed his view of the
question. 81 am in favor of civil service
FORM said Mr.. Lghtner, 'but want to see
it properly inaugurated. II It's such a good
thing begin by applying to one class of en-
ployes. If civil service reform works effect
lively when applied, 1t will be eX-
tended so as to be applied to day laborers
But we should not make failure by adopt
ing top drastic rule. The Prohibitionists
will testify that this is not wise. When they
tried to force their doctrine on the entire city,
and establish universal prohibition here. they
failed. Then they went at the question in a
more sensible way and the result Is that
nearly three-fourths of territory Is
within a prohibited district"
Mr.. Murray declared that he would never
vote for civil service as applied to day la
borers.
Col. Clough took issue with Mr.. Murray
He favored the application Of the policy to
day laborers. It had been tried with sue
cess IN New Work city, 1t was longer
an experiment. In Col. Clough's opinion it
was good economy. especially in a city like
st. Paul. which expended considerably more
than 100000 a year for day labor.
Mr.. Murray, replying. said that he agreed
with Mr.. Lightner in opposing the ado. ton
of too drastic measure at the outset.
Il want to see this charter adopted" sa
Mr.. Murray, land 1t won't be II you allow
this section to stand as proposed"
Mr.. Lghtner offered as another amend
ment that the exemption from the applca-
ton of the civil service rule also inc,Ude the
second and third assistant corporation at
tGrneys, who are obliged, as lawyers. to pass
the regular examination for adm IS on to tee
bar. The amendment was accepted and the
section as twice amended and adopted 1t
now reads as follows
who are elected by the city council pursuant
to the city charter. judges and clerks of
election. members and the secretary of city
boards or commissions the superintendent,
principals and teachers schools the city
librarian, the city comptroller's chief clerk
the city treasurers chief clerk and ais cash
Ter. the city engineer, his first assistant and
chief clerk. the city clerk and his first as
slstant, the corporation attorney and his first
second and third assistants, the chief en-
gineer of the fire department. the chief of
police. the commissioner of health and his
first assistant. the superintendent of the
workhouse, the superintendent of parks, the
private secretary of the mayor special watch
men. whose salaries not paid by the city,
and day aborers, shall not be Included In
such classified service
The remaining sections from to 10 inc,u-
s1ve, were then adopted without extended dis
cussion. Section 10 gives the civil service
commissioner power to appropriate from the
c1ty's general fund not to exceed the sum Of
$1,000 year to pay its expenses. Col. Cough
doubted the power of the charter commits
sion under the enabling act to adopt such
section but the section was adopted
Col. Clough referred to the provision Civ
ing the power to every head Of department
to remove any subordinate for cause and
providing that the action of such head of a
department shall not be subject to revision.
You might as well not have any civil
service, II that's the CASE said Mr.. Muir
ray.
But you couldn't appoint whom you
pleased remarked Mr.. Fetter.
Mr.. Murray-Well I'd manage to get the
men l wanted. under that law
Just before the commission adjourned
Moritz Helm handed the secretary written
communication inviting the commission to at
tend the mass meeting to be held at Market
hall. on Monday night to discuss franchises
but as Mr.. Helm inadvertently omitted to
sign the communication 1t was not read
The commission would have declined the in
yitatfon In any event. as 1t will meet in regu-
lar session Monday night when chapters
vi: and VII ON the board of public works
and public improvements and local assess
ments will be finally considered and adopted
BRASS AND COPPER.