New Britain herald., 1920-02-14
THE OBSERVER
THE CITY AND ITS PEOPLE.
MAKES RANDOM OBSERVATIONS
MAKES

stead of by political considerations, we would have municipal governments that would be the wonder of the world. But aside from that. let us quit worsbipping Germany.
 A the last m eetjDg of the common council one Of the city fathers recon- mended that the charter be amended to require the appointment of a male clerk of the board of assessors. It is perfectly apparent to those whose du- ties bring them in touch with the population of city hall that the coun- cilman who made the suggestion, MT. King, is not very familiar with the work being performed by the present clerk of the board. who happens to be a young woman. without vote, alas but wait.
 It is the writer's privilege to know the young woman whom Councilman King would depose because of her sex. And it can be said without fear of just contradiction that there is no per son in city hall, male or female, who discharges the duties in connection with public office more thoroughly or more satisfactorily than this same girl clerk. For a. number of years. so long in fact that she is a veteran iu pubhC service. the young woman has flied her post with dignity and ability. She is thoroughly familiar with the work to be done and she does it with will and completeness that has always won the applause of her superiors. It would be a serious mistake to permit her to leave the employ of the city.
 MT. King remarked that it would be more fitting to have male clerk because he. the clerk. could be pre- pairing himself for promotion to the board of assessors. A pretty theory, but only a theory. Men Ire not al WaNs appointed to office because Of their qualifications. They usually find themselves in q municipal berth be- cause they have rendered or will rem der service or services to the man who has the power to appoint them. Ere quently we read Of those in authority selecting len for important positions when we know that others could be found who could discharge the re- responsibilities of office with greater ben eft to the public.
 Let us ina zine that a male clerk has been appointed to the board of assessors. Five years pass. There is & vacancy on the board. Will the per son who has the power to fill the va cancy choose the clerk sim ply because he has had Ave years experience in that nnS. because ne lS qudllHeO IO OC- cupv the vacant chair Perhaps yes. but probably no. The appointing power will scan the horizon to find a man who has been or can be of serv- ice to him. one whom he can control as m ember of his political cabinet. At least this has been customary and unless Nr. King. knows of some method by which human nature can he changed he might do the city fla vor by letting we'll enough alone and allowing a faithful and vigtiant public servant to continue in office. even though she is of the weaker sex.
 Before final passage of the budget should have clear understanding re- garding the collection of garbage. which has become such a hsphazard affair that housewives are thoroughly disgusted. The city is supposed to have contract for the removal Of its waste foodstuffs. It is safe to say. however. that little attention is paid to the stipulatiops in the contra ct. The ximpIe truth is that the taxpayers are spendinG their good money in order to gain & necessary service but are re- ceiving nothing in return. 3
 It may be pleaded in attenuation of the com plete breakdown of the ger- bage removal system during the past two weeks that the collectors have