The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-08

From the Sunday Mercury, May II
ABUSES IN THE FIRY DEP ARTMENT.

(From the Sunday Mercury, Nay IL
ABUSES IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT..
Some months since commenced crusade
against many OF the evils then and now existing in
the Fire Department. We published several articles
all tending to show that great and enormous abuses
had crept into the department, and presented num-
Der OF cases that Ind either come under our own
personal observation had been told TO us by per-
sons in whose statements we placed fun reliance.
There was not one man in hundred but knew
were right; not one in hundred who did not know
OF his own knowledge, that such occurrences as those
related by US were all too frequent. We therefore
expected that in our crusade against these frauds
we should have the aid and countenance OF every
wellwisher of the department, from the Chief Engi-
neer down TO the humblest private. Such expec-
tation was natural on our part, but 1t was doomed
not to be realized.
Let us see how we were treated in that matter
We first find one of Mr.. Carsons confreyes and warm
est supporters offering resolution calling for the
appointment of committee to investigate the mat
ter. This committee of the board of the foremen
and engineers, was appointed; they had some twenty
or thirty sessions-and they finally presented re-
port. They seemed to imagine that it was their
particular province, not so much to correct any
abuse that might exist, as to prove that what we
said had no foundation. Consequently, every scrap
| of evidence was scrutinzed and peered into with
Argus eyes; afidavits were demanded on every tri-
vial point, and we were debarred from being pre-
sent and crossexamnng the witnesses brought to
prove the contrary OF what we had asserted and in
the sustaining Of which we were the only really in
terested parties When the report came to light, it
without point effect and totally valueess so far
as efecting any reform was concerned. Seeing that
il was such milk-and-water affair, did not even
deem it worth making reference to, although many
of its points could have been contradcted or over
ruled.
And now what has been the result of all this agi
tation on our parf So far as providing remedy
through the means Of the department ITSELF (Which
was our avowed and acknowledged objectO our eff
forts have been ab0rtive, and this mainly from the
opposition we had to encounter from men OF inhu-
81 ~. H.
and were positive that public exposure of the
abuses practised would take place, the effects Of
which would be felt with terrible weight all through
our organization. That exposure has come, and
what its consequences will be time only can deter
mine Certain we are that public confidence in the
department has been staggered, and If be not al
together withdrawn we shall have occasion for re-
joicing.
We allude, of course, when we speak of the expo
sure that has taken place, to the evidence intro.
duced on the coroners jury engaged in the investi-
CATION of the recent Broadway calamity. 1t was
there proved that some OF the clothing taken from
the bodies had Mr.. Jennings trade mark on it, and
must have been taken from the stock in his estab-
lslment at the time of the fire. True, the evidence
adduced has satisfied us that our deceased
brethren no imputation of fraud can rest.
Men Of character and standing in the department
men who, although of an opposite way Of think
ing to us in matters relating to the government of
our organiZaton-are yet above suspicion, and
whose word we should receive with unhesitating
confdence-have come forward and testified that
they themselves saw clothing placed on the bodies
after they had been disinterred from the ruins that
they themselves, in number Of instances helped
to place these articles on the charred and naked re-
mains of those who forfeited their lives in the dis
charge of duty; and that in their judgment, not
single one of all those now lying in deaths en-
brace can be justly charged with fraud. We are
glad of this--nay, we are proud of IL. Every name
placed on the monument in Greenwood should be
such an all could point to with satisfaction,
and not even shadow Of suspicion should dim the
lustre that surrounds those who testified their love
for the Fire Department-its dangers and its excite
ments-with their lfe's blood. They have been
stricken down in our midst, while manfully fulfilling
their duty, and henceforward their memory Is
sacred.
But the worst feature of the whole affair is that
member Of the Departments member wearing the
distinctive dress and characteristics of the fremen
of New York-has been arrested with stolen pro-
perry in his possession or at least If not altogether
in his possession yet subject to his order. We may
briefly recapitulate the facts here 80 that all
/ deIstand them. BY the testimony Of the police Of
fcer it appears that he was aware OF the fact that
member Of Hook and Ladder Company II had left
coat with the barkeeper OF the saloon in the base
ment corner OF Broadway and Park place, which he
requested to be kept until he (the said freman)
should call fori it, The officer told the barkeeper not
to surrender the coat but to retain It until further
notice; On calling In to ascertain whether the
| stated that he had just that moment gone out
of the door. Following him up, the officer
accosted him, and desired to know whether he was
/
| below. On being answered in the affirmative he
rested the man, took him to the Third ward station
house, and from thence to the police court at the
Tombs Here Justice B0gart took cognizance of the
matter and as we understand by advice of and con-
ference with Alderman Howard, discharged him, on
the ground that he did not think him thief! The
story told (and which story Alderman Howard has
been kind enough to retail to us, with the assertion
that he implicitly believes in its TRUTH was that the
man put the coat the bartenders possession for safe
keeping with the intention Of returning it to the own
er Mr.. Howard may believe such story, as he I'M
hesitatingy asserts that he does believe but it
somewhat staggers the credulity Of Others 1t is the
first instance have known of firemen taking such
pains to preserve stranger still that the
article named should be a piece Of wearing apparel
We have Mr.. Carson's testimony that he has
known thieves in the fire department-men who
have been convicted of stealing, and expelled from
1 the ranks It would be strange, indeed If among
our four thousand men wearing caps, there should
not be some bad characters. And now, we ask
what is to be done In order to save ourselves from
being further disgracedl We tried our hands at
knew of, and received therefor nothing but harsh
words from those who should have upheld us in our
course. Mr.. Carson then did not state that he be-
leved there were such characters in the depart
ment; he was rather more interested in travelling
about with the committee Qor what purpose we
must not say, shall have another affair, d Ia
Tribune, on hands), than in helping us to stay
the torrents of abuse fast permeating our depart
ment. But we have now the sorry satisfaction Of
knowing that had our warning been needed, and
such prompt measures as we were willing to recon-
mend, been adopted, the HERALD could not to-day
have gloaed over the transactions above alluded to-
and made them the basis Of column after column Of
senseless trash in favor Of paid fire department
We have fulfilled our duty in the past by pointing
out these "abuses, and we leave the correction,
for the present. in other hands. We have had re-
ward enough for our pains to satisfy us fully.
From the Sunday Attlas]
Thewhole verdict we consider highly credtable to
the intelligence and honesty OF the gentlemen who
composed the jury, every sentiment Of which we
most heartily endorse. We never for moment
| doubted that the building was set on fire for the
purposes of robbery; but that the thieves and inccn
diaries belonged to the Fire OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
members thereof-has not yet been proven, in our
| opinion. That reckless and unprincipled gang of
rowdies have for years infested the department for
other purpose than to steal at fires, do not for
a moment hesitate tn believe Int IL ia probablo that