New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-09-23
CITY ITEMS.

Our MopHL CHITT ENGIhEER. -On Monday night
the Committee Fire Department of the Board OF
Ceuncmen submit ed report relative to official mis-
conduct on the part Of MIR. Henry IL. Howard, the
Chief Engineer of the Fire Department Of this city.
The facts are stated at length in the report and they
indicate the manner in which our model Chief En-
pineer makes use Of his Office to subserve the purpose
of REORGANIZATION. 1t that in the early part
Of the present year q petition was sent to the Fire
Commissioners, by various persons, asking that they
be oreanized into a Hook and Ladder Company
in the eastern part Of the city. The petition
was refused. Subsequently second potion,
signed mostly by the same persons, was presented,
and after come delay finally granted by the Com
ssoners But in order TO make the grant valid, the
Common Council mus, confirm the decision OF the
Fire Commissioners; and until that confirmation Is
given the Chief Engineer ia instructed by law OF the
city, passed early 1885, not to receive the returns OF
any persons organized fire company until the con-
papy is provided with the location ard apparatus by
the Common CguI Gil and not to date the returns to
the G. mmon Council for confirmation until the COM
parry is fully tady to perform active fire duty. But
in tie case OF this company, which was organized
arncpg the special friends Of the Cnief Engineer,
who was TO be gloiifed by the adoption OF
the familiar ps.ronynic of their fsvorite, as
the rsme of the Company the end to be gained was
considered sufficient b. Mr.. Howard to &C. in clear
violation of the charter ard laws Of the city On the
Sd Of Jur e. two months before the report of the Fire
Con miss;oners was confirmed by the Common Com
ell. Mr. Howard delivered fiemens badges to tue
members Of the Company, assigned them a temporary
iocston and furnished them with apparatus, ne mis-
representing the facts to the Controller as appears oy
the statement of ttat officer in order to get his con-
cuTence which was necessary to carry ont his design
The result was that Harry Howard Hook and Lad
der Company No. II, entirely irresponsible body
of men were invested with powers Of dremen; aud
Whatever might have been their acts of insubordina-
ton, they could not be held accountable, because of
the ilegsty Of their organisation. Beside which con-
sheraton these irresponsible parties were placed 10
possession Of the property of the city, for the safety
Of which they were no more accountable than ooay
of boys tina. might BY the meanf get hold OF any
of the municipal property. The members OF the Com
mit;es who sign the report, Councimen Baulch, hen.
nard and Brady (slI Of whom old remen), regard
the action Of the Chief Engineer one deserving Oh
severe reprobaon, and in the resolutions appended 70
the report they pronounce his eourse to be disrespsc
FIJI to the Common Council reprehensibe and danger
ous and they instruct the Controller not to make any
expenditures of money for work supplies certiheo
to By the Chief Engineer, unless such expenditures
staIl have been authorized by the Common Councn
ard Known TO be true and correct required oy Tue
chatter
Mr.. Thomas Hunter was on Monday night eiec'eu
Principal Of Ward School No. 81, in the rl'.een'"
Ware by the unanimous vote Of the School om1e'',
This speaks well FOR the Estimation 10 winch he Is neA
a. teacher.
TIE SrAwoRIHIsEss OF The CESTR.L AhtNUA
Notwithstanding the Opinions Ct insurance. inFP'.'
ani he statements Of Nr Webb, tue builder u LUG
s;eaE.r George Law, ~ airst II Iessonssis
fron the acts connected With her lose, toe's ",
very lerera, IquiEy amosg me in'ell se'' 800
sitt Yefsrsnce 20 the sesvorthitess OF 'oa. uuo.
nae steamer AZ Intelligent g.nue9sa u It's
~ Jas of.eI Lad oc 20 .ase Ses 'V!aee'' '"'
.h is faui.ar with the genera sorkicg OF steamer
7,.a pa.ssssc- G. tbe steamer George LsF OF 1e'
~, tii- TON Aso,aEs!. b. fcS-fots ne SIN