The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-10-03
Fire Department. Investigation.

AWeHh WdIu was io,oic, which lnciuueu What
now two wards.
Fire Department Investigation.
THE INQUIRY RESPECTING THE CHARGES oP THE CHIEF
| ENGINEER AGAINST TIE CORPORATION - WITH
DRAwAL OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT COMMITTEE
Aldermen Wood and Chapman and Messrs Mills. Hope
| and Lacour, presiding.
Alderman Wood-We now proceed with the bust
| ness
Mr.. Horace Y. Clark-We propose proceeding with
the charges against the bell ringers.
Alderman Wood-Give me their names.
Mr.. Clark-We have no names in particular; pro-
eeed against the whole Common Council.
Thomas Meigson was then called as witness.
Mr.. Clark-We propose to prove by the witness that
sudden changes removals, protrscted vacancies and
the detail OF incapable and inexperienced policemen
| continually trsnsPred at the bell towers.
Mr. j. I Brady eontended tina. the question of whe-
thtr incompetent policemen were appointed, or not 10
not the charge here The charge is against certain
oficalsi and not to try whether any appoint
| ment Is good, bad, or indifferent
| Alderman Wood-We take that view Of IL, and We do
not feel ourselves authorized to enter into any other
matter.
Mr. Hope one Of the delegates Of the Fire Depart
ment ssid It was clear TO his mind, that Mr. Carson
vas at liberty to produce witnesses to substsntiate
the charges In his report. Those movements must
have been ordered BY the Mayor, Aldermen, or some
did not see what his duty was there
The other two delegates Of the Fire Department
MIR. Hope then said-I hold that this is distinct
charge and that We ought to hear IL
Mr.. ClsIk-Will the Chairman from the Common
CouIcil let me know what members OF tho Common
Council We are q. liberty TO bring charges against
her. psse a son We
Common Council, or judges, or officers.
but the Committee Of the Common Council are the
only responsible party and they would be wanting In
respect TO themselves they consent 70 do more than
n q her Ia ne Anal Of
understanding the construction Of the English Ian
guaee who Will say that you have right 90 60 into
Mr.. Hope to Mr. carson-Is the charge contained in
page I've q your report made against the system or
Mr. csrrOn-against the persons who make the sp-
| roihtmtnts.
Mr. Brady, having read the preamble aud resolution
under whieh the Committee were appointed, then sub
mitted the folosing document which the Commute Of
the Beard Of Aldermen adopted -
The Con mittee Of ths Common Cosneil which was
appointed TO investigate certain charges contained In
the last report OF the present Chief Engineer decide,
that under the preamble aud resolution from which
they derive their authority they invite the most full
and thorough examination Ct all the statements
charges aganst the Courts the Judges the Grand Jury
| the Common Council which, ~ true, the parties
charged deserve the Of their fellow citsens"
But this Committee decide that under the resolution
from which they derive their powers they have no su-
thosity TO inquire whether or not any public system
no. ssistips Affecting the Pre- Department. is, or 10
tho report OF the Chief Engineer, which charge the
Committee by the resolution authorized 90 invss
| tigate.
"The Comntts further nvite the utmo st latitude Of
proof In regard to the sets Of one Of the ocials
ierred to In the preamble which precedes the rssou
tlon for their which that either Of
those ociss has been guilty Of any act In his public
capacity relsiins to the interests Of the Fire Depart
mont, Which according to the statement charges
IN the last Of the present Chief Engineer would
subject him to the een,ure Of his fellow citizens"
Mr. Hoyr and said that the COMMITTEES fthe Fire
Department wished to submit their views, and had
accordingly drawn up the icllosins document =
the Fire De parm.nt holding That the object Of their
appointment was for the purpose of examining into
the truth Of all the statements aud shrg-s csntanst
in the report OF the Chief Engineer understand
ing clearly that ct the preliminary meeting OF tsis
committee with that appointed hy the Board Of Alder
caron should be at liberty TO produce any proof he
might desire for the purpose Of establishing the
tiers contained In his report ans believing further
ths, the allegations that there have been Sudden
changes, removals, yrouas'ed vsean;ies and the de-
tail ofinespsble and inexperienced policemen as bell
ringers are specific charges against the party par
ties BY whom such changes. removals, vacancies aud
appointments have been made or caused and whereas
the committee Of the Board Of Aldermen object to re-
ceivpg proof Of any general charges or statements
and although having decided to hear specas chsrses
against either individuals Of the BOARD
~ yet object TO allow proof Of the charges Of ths
changes, vacancies" ke 10 the bell rigging depart
nsnt-TheI.for. the cowmittee Of the firs Depart
longer 70 act In the matter holding that the course
determined upon BY the COMMITTEE. Of the Board OF
Mr. Carson and not calculated 10 deyslope the truth
/ In the matter. (slgn.d)
zOPIIAR MILLS
GEo T HOPE.
JOHN p. LACoUR
The Committee from the Fire Department then
withdrew.
MT Cl.rr then read the following The Chief I'm.
sireer has before the committee this evening,
With tssmopy to prove the truth OF the charges con
tained in his report relative TO the sudden changes
removals. prs;raotd vacancies, and the detail Of in
espsbl. and xperie policemen which eontinu ay
| trsnspire ct the bell tosers, and which var most
seriously sgsnst the efficiency Of the Fire Department
This subject Of the bell ringers at the preliminary
meeting Of the committee directed to be the hrst sub
,ct Of inquiry, and the testimony taken last evening
| vss in accordance with the direction Of the COM
mittee, confined to the portion Of the repor. Which
have Induced com mittee Of the Common Council TO
exclude this evening testimony Of precisely similar
description it'll that admitted last evening the Chief
Engineer IL at loss to determine. lie was DESTROYS
to complete the production Of the testimony relative
10 that portion Of the report snd to have shovn
| coneiu,fvey than has yet been exhibited the mag,
ntude Of the evils Complained OF In the report The
Con mttee Of the Conmos Council having ed
not 10 permit the Introduction OF further testimony
the Chief Engineer protests against such determine
tion unjust to the public and unjust TO himself
and ers the truth OF the charges relative to the
bell rspssrr and the management Of the bell towers
stated in the report. The Chief Engineer supposed
at time that he entered the In
the committee from the Fire Department we're to be
permitted TO take part 10 the decision OF all questions
a. to the admission or rejection OF the testimony
which tight arise the progress Of the nvestigson
and but fer this impression -ould not have appeared
cusstiors have been directed. He ia disappointed at
finding that the Committee q the Common Council
came 10 sdstermination upon tie question arsng in
the eoures Of the Investigation vithout eonsultaton
With the Comm itt.e % the Fire Department and he,
therefore feels that he IL deprived Of the protection
which he conceived that th- appointment of the Com
usdsr there circumstances, he has TO the con.
sluiou that rnlese the Ocmmittee from the Fire De.