Looking for a new job at the Mint….in 1898?
RogerB
Posts: 8,852 ✭✭✭✭✭
Maybe you’d like to be a Melter, surrounded all day by tons of gold and silver? Here are six questions on your written examination. You must answer all six correctly. Good Luck!
Civil Service Examination Questions
Position: Melter
1. Have you weakness of vision, rupture or any physical or mental disability disqualifying you for continuous exposure to high heat, the lifting of heavy weights, and the effective discharge of duties requiring activity and physical endurance?
2. What are the chief objects sought in the melting of gold and silver bullion?
3. How are these results to be obtained?
4. How are crucibles tested and prepared for use?
5. How should oxidation and loss of metal in casting be guarded against?
6. What flux may appropriately be used for the fire-refining of metal (removing base elements)?
Comments
Where was OSHA. Just kidding
Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb, Ricko
Bad transactions with : nobody to date
Can you operate a flux capacitor?
Sounds like a good job upgrade for the assistant melter who likely did more lifting!
Sounds pretty miserable in the summer with no A/C. No thanks!
A friend of mine makes dental prosthetics. He's surrounded by gold all day. He sees gold as work. I presume it would be no different at the mint.
Cheers
Bob
RE: "Sounds pretty miserable in the summer with no A/C."
Until the 1890s there were no fans, either. There are a few letters from superintendents who shut down M&R on really hot days. Pity the men working in New Orleans!
PS: Can anyone here answer the test questions?
1. Have you weakness of vision, rupture or any physical or mental disability disqualifying you for continuous exposure to high heat, the lifting of heavy weights, and the effective discharge of duties requiring activity and physical endurance?
Just on Mondays.
2. What are the chief objects sought in the melting of gold and silver bullion?
Pure refined gold, and pure refined silver.
3. How are these results to be obtained?
You must melt them separately.
4. How are crucibles tested and prepared for use?
You inspect for cracks, similar to the foremen's when he bends over but not as sightly.
5. How should oxidation and loss of metal in casting be guarded against?
Arm the mint guards heavily, and tell them to shoot on sight.
6. What flux may appropriately be used for the fire-refining of metal (removing base elements)?
The kind that doesn't stick to your shoe?
Am I hired????
In all seriousness, interesting post Roger!
"I know how to save 15% on my car insurance!" Am I hired?
Awwww...and soooo close, too! Maybe there'll be an opening for making coffee?
I'll say no.
Purity, weight
Follow written procedure
Follow written procedure
Pour it fast and accurately, don't spill
Wasn't it Borax?
Was there also a cheater's guide for "favored" applicants??
They only used that question on the application in 1884 for some reason
I would have just used my smartphone to Google the answers in lobby while I was filling out the application
Well... those are good questions, though not too difficult. If I were applying for such a position, I would be certain to have prepped for such things - either through research or experience.... Cheers, RickO
According to the letter, here are the correct answers.
1. Have you weakness of vision, rupture or any physical or mental disability disqualifying you for continuous exposure to high heat, the lifting of heavy weights, and the effective discharge of duties requiring activity and physical endurance?
A: No.
2. What are the chief objects sought in the melting of gold and silver bullion?
A: Homogeneity of the metal, and the formation of bars of the desired size and weight.
3. How are these results to be obtained?
A: By proper heat, effective stirring of the molten mass, and the careful casting of the metal.
4. How are crucibles tested and prepared for use?
A: By scouring and careful annealing.
5. How should oxidation and loss of metal in casting be guarded against?
A: by the use of a protective flux such as charcoal or borax.
6. What flux may appropriately be used for the fire-refining of metal (removing base elements)?
A: Nitrate of soda. It should be applied frequently to the surface of the melted metal, and the absorbed oxides skimmed off.
Everyone here with the correct answers, should report to the New York Assay Office April 1, 1898 for your new employee orientation, asbestos gloves and apron. Hours are 5am to 3:30pm M-F and 5am to 1pm Saturday. Half-hour off for lunch, but you cannot leave the building.
I would suspect that these positions were open to men only.
The Mysterious Egyptian Magic Coin
Coins in Movies
Coins on Television
I love the smell of melting silver in the morning, it smells like ... victory!
That was about the time a disgruntled job applicant with the McKinley administration took out his anger on the President. Not sure why he was rejected or what the job was.
I couldn't get past question one.
Oh...almost forgot -- your pay will be 30-cents per hour. There are 4 -- count 'em, "4" - paid holidays, plus you get 30 days paid vacation per year after one year. No retirement. No sick leave. No "snow days." Plus, you can be fired without notice.
Rents as well as basic necessities of food, clothing, fuel, and transportation were cheap. So its all relative.
A good job like money doesn't grow on trees.
I was out at the poor vision.
Like wise, darn eyes.
Thanks for sharing RogerB, some interesting stuff you dig up with all this historical research.
You have to respect how hard people worked back then.