The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1904-04-07

OuOke, Sledm ana COmDuSC1On were
the only things of which 1 had any
technical knowledge and this was
CLEANED principally from what 1 had
picked up while railroading. I secured
the appointment, passed the examina-
ton, and you now behold fuli-fedged
official. Tomorrow, if you have moth
ing better to do, will take you around
and show you how work."
met my friend the next morning
and we started on our tour of inspec-
ton. His duties were not arduous.
l will not bore you by detailing them,
but will mention a single instance.
We called at big steam laundry,
against the proprietor of which COM
plants had been made on account of
the amount of smoke coming from his
stacks. We were greeted very affably by
the engineer who Immediately sent for
the manager. My friend then explained
that complaints had teen received by
the department regarding their plant.
The others expressed their sregret and
apologized. Then they talked of
steam and combustion and other kin
dred topics, all Greek to me. Finally
my friend casually said that much
smoke could be eliminated if the laun-
dry used different coal. Asked to name
the kind, he said that Blank & Go.
handled coal that burned with very
little smoke. The manager thanked
my friend and said he would at once
order 100 tons, which he did over the
telephone in our presence. Then we
departed.
"Now 1 must phone Blank & Co.
about that sale," said my friend,
there's $40 in it for me-"
ais the GOAL all yoa said it WASP"
asked.
POSSIBLY" said my friend. cat
least it'll be a good thing for the laun-
dry people. They won't be prosecuted
while they use it. Under our ordi-
nance before prosecution is started the
smoke inspector must personally lodge
complaint-and that" he said with a
smile, 81 won't do as long as they buy
the right sort of COAL"
AT this juncture my friend was ac-
costed by man whose appearance in
dicated that he was either a bunco
steerer or a ward politician. The lat
ter proved to be the truth. We were
introduced, and, learning that 1 was
from the country and was an old friend
of the inspectors, the stranger threw off
all reserve and began to talk of the
condition and possibilities of my
friends ward. We adjourned to a
convenient saloon, where we we're
greeted by number of gentlemen
whose vocation was also politics. l
learned that one man, whose appear
ance and manners pleased me, was a
candidate for the office of assessor
then an elective position. He informed
me that he had formerly been assessor,
made his pile, squandered it and lost
his office. He now sought to get an
other stake, with the determination to
hold on to it. He told me that the fees
were supposed to amount to about
1926, 900 per year, and that his report
to the council showed about that sum
"but," said he confidentially, "the place
is worth easily million above legiti-
mate expenses and incidentals. Peo-
pie don't want to be assessed for the
full amount of their property. Such
men as" (here be mentioned a list of
wholesale merchants whose names are
household words throughout the coun-
try "are good for $4,000 each, and
others of lesser consequence for a
proportionate amount. 1 came out
today to see if I couldn't find John"
(my friend) "and learn how he stands
regarding me-"
"But," said I, she's under civil SER
vice rules. What can he do?"
"Civil service be hanged!" was the
rejoinder. "He's got his ward, hasn't
hep Pm going to make a bid for it.,
and as we're pretty good friends 1
think I'll get it."
"He may feel very friendly toward
you," answered; "but L can't see why
he should jeopardize his own position
by openly supporting you"
'Don't worry" said my companion.
"He isn't in the civil service or any
other political game for his health.