The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-08-10
CITY HALL POLITICS.

From the number of delegations which
are daily visiting the mayor and newly
elected city engineer in the interests of
this one and that one for street commits
sloner and the interest taken in the
matter by leading politicians it would
seem That the question of who shall fill
the half dozen street commissioner jobs
was of as much Importance as the selec-
ton Of a United States senator.
From early morning until o'clock the
corridors of the, city hall are comfortably
HIled by groups of ward politicians either
awaiting to see the mayor or returning
from a visit to him or City Engineer
ClausSen relative to the appointment of
one OF the street commission positions.
Cnoer the charter there are six of these
ofnc1als and each one is paid $500 per
year Thelsalary is not very large, but
as each ofEthe commissioners has the APP
Pontment of about 100 men at $1.50 per
cay, each month in the year, the desira-
plllty OF the position becomes apparent
at least from political standpoint
The aldermen of the several wards
Know how much help 100 men who can be
depended upon to vote solidly at the
primaries for any given set of delegates
can give one and consequently they are
interested in seeing that men qualified for
organization and getting all the votes
Posslole are chosen as commissioners.
ms undoubtedly accounts for the inter-
est taken by the aldermen in having the
right men appointed for the positions.
city Engineer Claussen who has been
nuch annoyed by the numerous delega-
tlons recommending men for the places,
none OF which are at this time vacant,
mas made a new rule which requires that
candidates file applications for street
coinmsSionerships in writing, setting
forth their qualifications for the position
ana that the applications also contain the
names Of those who favor the appoint
ments By this plan the city engineer
expects to he able to size up the arpH-
cants and if any change is to be made
decide who should be appointed.
The rivalry between the First and
second ward as to the appointment of
commissioner is still at a fever heat The
FIRST warGers argue that fer the past
hFe years the commissioner who has in
charge the First and Second ward streets
| mas been chosen from the Second ward.
some two months ago City Engineer
Rundlett received the resignation of
street Commissioner Sandeen, who re-
sized in the Second ward. He appointed
to the vacancy P. J. Ekborg, of the First
ward The board of public works refused
TO confirm the appointment OF Ekberg
and 1t was not until City Engineer Claus
| sen was elected to succeed Mr.. RundIett
Ihat the board approved of the appoint
| 1hent of Ekherg. There IS some question
! whether Ekberg will be allowed to serve
| as street commissioner as John O. Lin
! gen, also from the First ward, and a
| political hustler for Mayor Kiefer wants
the position. The Second ward politicians
! backed by w. L. Anes. of the board OF
pubic works are iE favor of J. H.
bothen to- succeed Ekberg. The First
ward crowd do not care so much about
EEoerS' but they do insist that if
| chahge Is to be made owing to Ekberg
pelhS an appointee Of Mr. Rundlett. that
! Lllden be chosen rather than anv one
from the Second ward
! I have noticed in the Globe that G.
| Is. SEarood has been mentioned as a nos
slble candidate for mayor on the Repub-
| Hcan ticket, said President Clark. of
| the fire board, yesterday. 81 can assure
| you that there is nothing to the statement
! and that under no consideration would
! Mr. Sharood accept the nomination, even
/ II 1t We're rendered to him by unanimous
| vote Mr.. Sharood is a business man and
! the interests which he represents would
! not and could not afford to have him ac-
cept the nomination or the election to the
| office. Speaking as a friend of MIR. Sha-
! rood, and one who is well acquainted with
! his Ideas, [ wish you would say that he
| Is not q candidate under any circum-
! stances"