Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-09-22

itors-citizens and fremen. Considerable anx-
iety was manifested with regard to the action
of the Council in the case of Red Jacket En-
gine Company. Ominous whispers were in
dulged in to the effect that in case the Compa-
ny were disbanded, they would destroy their
engine. A large number of the members of the
Company were present.
After the transaction of some .unimportant
business, Mr. THAYER submitted the Report of
the Special Committee, consisting of himself,
Mr. WNsLow and Mr.. CRAWFORD, appointed to
investigate the charges After recounting the
evidence elected in the examination before
Judge VAL, the Committee report their conclu-
sIons and recommendations as follows:
This examination resulted in the acquittal
10 the individuals charged, because Of the fail
ure to identify them as the persons who made
the assault. But from the testimony elected
we DO not think there were any present who
/ doubted that the assault was made by firemen
belonging to No. G. We are of the opinion that
members of No. Engine Company were in
the affray, and that the guilty parties are known
to the Company. We DO net find that any steps
have been taken by No 6 Company TO bring
Il
1 pei them from their Company. In the opinion
of your Committee the assault was without the
| slightest Justification, no provocation whatever
having been given by tse DaytOn party, and if
allowed TO pass unnOticed by this Council will
rebound in disgrace to the fire department of
this city-the guests whom the assaulted party
were at the time of the outrage. We further
find that No 6 Company is composed in part
of restless and turbulent spints-unfit to oc-
cupy the responsible position of firemen-the
conduct of whom heretofore has been such as
to disturb the harmony of the depOrlment-and
on repeated occasions in utter insubordina-
ton to the authority of its Chief Engineer
Your Committee would further report that in
their opinion Company located on Ontario
street is not needed, there being sufficient force
in that immediate vicinity to meet any emer-
gency that may arise. An additional COmpa-
ny if not now will soon be required on the
west side ofthe river; and should this Company
be disbanded, its engine and apparatus could be
furnished to such Company.
In view of the whole ease We are of the
opinion that said Company ought to be disban&-
ed and recommend the passage of the accom-
panying resolution
All Of which is respectfully submitted
Cleveland, Sept. 22d, 1858.
ResolUed, That Engine Company No. be
and tie same is hereby disbanded, and the City
Marshal is hereby required to take immediate
possession Of the Engine, Hose and other ap-
paratus of said Company.
Before this resolution put to vote, Mr.. HER
RICK offered another directing the Chief En-
gineer to grant fremen's certificates to such of
the Company as had served five years. Mr..
RIDER objected to the passage of either of the
] II n
their report had traveed out of this Jurisdiction
in excusing the Company of insubOrdinatiOn-
they had no authority to make any inquiries in
that direction. They had reported, too, that
the assaulting party were members of No. Six,
when the testimony in the case did not warrant
them in that conclusion. The evidence was not
conclusive upon that point, and was not suffi-
cient to convince him that members of No. Six
were the guilty men. The testimony of good
and reliable citizens Of Cleveland went 10 show
that the assailants were dressed in citizens
clothing, and not in firemen's uniforms. The
report further declared that no engine company
was needed in the vicinity of where Red Jack
ct stood-he thought the contrary. The past
services of the Company demonstrated that a
Company tras needed in that neIghborhoOd
and if they were to be disbaqded upon the plea
of not being useful, be hoped they would he
permitted TO resign. They were ready and
willing to resign when informed by the City
Council that their services were no longer ne
cesssary to the protection Of the property of our
citizens He was authorized by the Company
to say this much for them and in their behalf
Mr. Rider further said that the report assumed
that the members of No. Six had made no ef-
foh to discover whether any Of their number
were guilty of the assault, which he did not
hesitate TO pronounce outrageous and cowardly.
If the Committee were not aware that such an
effort had been made, it was culpable neglect
which left them in ignorance. Such an effort
had been made IN the presence of Marshal Gal
lagher and officer Odel at a regular meeting Of
the Company-and no pains had been spared to
discover whether the guilty parties were or
were not its members. He said that the Com
plny had not yet been heard in their own be-
half-they were entitled to the privilege of max
ing defence He hoped the judgment of dhe
Council might be delayed until their statement
could be had, and then, in view of all the facts,
decision be made.
Mr. THAYER, in reply to Col. RIDER, said that
the Company had been allowed abundant time
in which to relieve themselves, Il innocent, of
the grave charges resting upon them. Two
weeks had nearly elapsed since the commission
of the disgraceful outrage laid to their charge
the evidence was conclusive and irresistible that
the guilty parties lCers members of No. Six
vet they had made no public endeavor to ferret
out the offenders He believed that the assail-
ants were known to the Company, and that they
were resolved to screen them from justice and
the deserved consequences of their own outrage
GUS actions This was not the first time that
members Of Red jacket were accused of out
RACES of a simi4r character-they were known
20 have among them turbulent and restless
spirits who delighted in such disgraeeful scenes.
Members of other Companies were intimidated
| by them, and made afraid to pass their engine
house on their way to their homes at night, for
fear of being outraged and beaten. He had the
authority of the Chief Engineer, Mr.. HILL, for
saying th.t the Company had been guilty of re-
peated acts Of insubordnation to constituted
authority-and that large proportion Of the
Fire Department Of the city would not turn out
unless No. Six was disbanded. These facts
called for prompt and determined setiOn on the
part of the Council-and that action ought TO
L j