New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-12-09
OUR MATTERS WITH Mr.. ALFRED CAR
SON CHIEFENGINEER THE FIRE
DEPARrM

In October 1883 we published certain structures
upon the official course of Mr. arson, and relative to
his accounts as Chief Engineer Of the Fire Depart
ment. That we made the publication with good
motives and for justifable ends will scarcely be
doubted by any who know US. Concurring in opia-
ion with him a. to the existence OF abuses in the
nicipal government and anxious, like himself, for
their REFORM there was necessarily sympathy be-
tween us on one point and having no personal feud
of any kind with him, it may well be supposed that
we obeyed with reluctance sense of duty ia 4kDg
the publication alluded 10. For theae pu bic atoms,
Mr.. Carson brought an action against for libel in
the Superior Court, which was on the calendar of It's
present Term for trial. Since the commencement Of
that suit an investigation Of these and other charges
before committee Of the Common Council, ceDse-
queut upon our publications, resulted in complete
acqutal of Mr.. Careon; and considering thata highly
respectable member of that body signed and con-
CURED in the verdict perhaps we ought to have been
satisfied. We gsve,he report place in our columns,
leaving the public still to judge between u.s. We had
not learned, either from observation or in any
other way, much to respect the opinion Of the Com
mon Council or it. committees, end therefore permit
ted the question to remain open for public inyesti
CATION, although as before stated there was 40 ade-
qaa.e reason for making this report IN exception to
the general dccdit attaching to Whatever emana,ed
from the unreforIned municipal body
Such fuller and, to u.s. more satisfactory ex ANNA
ton of the subject hes taken place 10 our making
preparation for the trial aud personal nyestg
INTO The charges, and at our request, sr. james w.
Gerard acting for the Chief Engineer, and
sci. Mr.. Charles O'Conor, in, as we are confident a
spirit Of cendor ard with good faith tosard US and
tic public, have thoroughly sfed the circumstances
relied upon BY nformants, and they have united
in q result which it gives great pleasure to an-
with our full concurrence II is that in the
Transactions referred 10 Mr.. Carson is not lrgeable
with any act in any degree affecting bis character as
public officer as a citizen. On our dong, there
fore, this act of justice to Mr.. Carson he and his
counsel have Discontinued the suit against u.s. on orr
ipdemnifyng Mr. Carson against the expenses 81 TIE
suit and the invesiig .tion before the Committee.
We published the Report Of the investigating Coni-
mittee at the time it was made, which, We are IN
formed, was adopted by the Board of Assistant Al
dermen by vote Of Is to 4; but for the better un-
derstanoiDg of the subject we now repuoish IL;
1.-THE underlined Committee appointed by the bosre OF
ant Aldermen investigate the charges -
sac Board by puuber the fremen connected wlth the
Fe OF the City New YORK. against Alfred Car
son hef Epsneer CT the Fire Department. respectfully
cou,r,t,,. IL Pursuance Of the duty Assigned to
,b.m me, the Chan this Board the 18th day Of De-
,o st p. and and there announced that they
,rssy 10 roceed with the nyegaon and 20 take such
mony might be offered on the part Of the persons making