The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1929-03-22
On This
Occasion
lust few thoughts by the Editor on things
Material and Immaterial

=.
The Ely Commercial Club at Monday
evenings meeting went on record as
opposed to the St. Louis County civil
service bill introduced in the leglsla-
ture on behest of the Duluth court
house employees. The sentiment was
all against the bill and especially so
after the provisions had been set forth
by County Commissioner Jacob l.
Pete The county commissioners are
not in favor Of tb1 civil service rule
as it would shear them Of the authority
to hire or fi-e help such as foremen.
mechanic, drivers, clerks and all en-
ployes ut common labor.
It is plain to be seen that were the
civil service of any benefit whatever
excepting for employees who would take
advantage Of its provisions to entrench
themselves in positions whether capa-
bic or not, that the large corporations
would long ago have put this system
into practice These corporations have
worked on these matters for years and
failed to find a solution in the civil
service proposition The government,
which has the system in effect, feels
that it is being buncoed but cannot
help itself The government finds that
those in authority pay little attention
insofar as the appointment goes but
it is forced to keep of" afterwards
and no matter what the qualifications
and competency of the appointee, his
superior officer and the one accounta-
bic for the conduct of his official af-
fairs has nothing at all TO say about
il but grin and bear it. The result is
red tape and more red tape.
The opinion however is general, that
as long as we elect County Commits
sioners and these men are forced 70
stand for reelection every four years
it would not be exactly fair to perpet-
uate a job for the employees Of these
commissioners and leave the boss out
in the cold Then there prevails an
opinion. that the same commissioners
were elected to conduct the affairs Of
the county, so why hamper their eff
cheney by perpetuating employees on
them with whom they are not m &C
cord Why a lot Of commissions any
way? The commissioners are fully
capable Of conducting the affairs of the
now have. However, should the conSti-
tuents want commissions for every
thing, the commissioners would not OBJ
ject So far the want has not eX-
pressed itself except in Duluth and
this progressive city at the foot of the
county wants something different all
the time Up in this neck of the woods,
the people are satisfied with the coun-
- 10
commissions
Gilbert is now in the limelight fol-
lowing a report Of the State Public
Examiner into the affairs Of the NUM-
cipality. The same blanket charges
of extravaganza are made in regard to
Gilbert that have been made against
every progressive city in the state.
Particular stress is laid on the pay
ment of dues, legal services and the
emoluments to the city fathers for at
tending hearings in st. Paul and other
places on business pertaining to the
welfare of the city. The beauty Of
these examinations are that they never
come back with a direct charge against
anything or anyone but hint and beat
about the bush of irregularities. For
dIlO
get enormous fees and the more VOL
luminous the report, the more the fees.
On several occasions we have care
fully looked over these reports and
find that paragraph at the latter end
covered everything The books Of the
clerk and treasurer must balance so
why is it necessary to list several thous-
and orders as issued and then list
them again as paid. If there was
crookedness in the issuing and paying
of the orders why not segregate the
crooked ones and get at the real bot
tom of affairs. Every voucher is sworn
to by the deliVerer of goods and serv-
ices and you know that perjury is not
to be charged to The city council but
TO the perjurer. The council pays the
vouchers as sworn to unless techni-
cal error in figures is discovered. Years
ago, when the cities of the state were
not so prosperous the auditing COM
Continued on page FOUR