The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-09-23
Tho city Fire Engines. SO.
TO TIE EDITOR OF THE NEWS.

TO TIE EDITOR OF THE NEWS.
In your issue of the 22d instant, among tho
proceedings OF tho City Council. you state
that Alderman T. j. Mackoy said that the
Board OF Firomasters had, in their mode Of
complying with tho recent ordinance seen tit
to treat the Council with perfect contempt.
This most excellent specimen of aldermanic
greatness sees ft for purposes of his own to
oonstrue matters as he pleases. It may be
thasho was chagrined because tue committee
OF the Board of Firenasters insisted on O pri-
vate interview with the Mayor, and said Alder.
man was requested to leave the Council ROOM
Now, what is tho true state Of the case 2
Council passed this Mackey ordinance, by
which the city has to pay $10,800 additional
for the support of six colored engiuo compa.
nies that cannot earn the sixteenth part of this
amount, and, in doing this, ono company was
disbanded that has beon in the department as
an auxiliary for twenty years. This, however,
was dono suppose, to strengthen this Alder
man-general in his future political career.
Maybe it will. The Council, had the power to
pass the ordinance, and no dtsrespect was ever
intended or offered. Immediately after tho
passage OF tho ordinance, several colored per-
sons, unknown to tho Chief. called ct his rcsi-
dcnce and demanded the two cngincs-one
belonging to No. 2 aud tho other used as re-
servo: These engines, with all the city proper
ty belonging to the Fire Department, have
always been hold by tho board, and not by tho
Chief. Tho demand wns refused on the ground
that no official communication had been given
the board by the proper officer OF tho City
Council: On the following day, the Chief
received Communication from the Mayor, in
forming him of the passage Of the ordinance,
and sending by of the parties the ratified or
dinance. Tho demand was again refused by
tho Chief, and the Mnyor informed he wonId
be waited on the next day, which he was by the
Chief and tho chairman and vico OF the board.
very friendly interview was held; the Msyor
agreeing that what had been done was correct,
and requesting that his communication should
be laid before tho board at it's first meeting as
Official. This was done, aud the board passed
resolution requiring the Chief and clerk to
deliver over to the Mayor and Council all the
engines, hose reels, hose and other articles
neii 4eta by them relating to the city engines.
clerk, and no fault was found by the Mayor.
Appended to the same resolution was one from
the board giving Cos their opinion) the valve
OF tho i've engines and the two thousand .eet
valued at $400 each. the same price paid by the
Stonewall aud Young America Companies, aud
the two thousand feet OF hose at 81 per foot.
NOW. we ask, wero these proceedings i'm any
or the City Council2 Certainly the Mayor did
not think so. The board we're not bound to
receive the Mayors communicat ton "a official.
ont did 30 nom courtesy. 1t has always been
customary Tor all official communications to be
sent to the board from tho clerk of the City
Council. In this case mono has been so sent
even up to tho present time.
SO much for "Ald general Thomas
Jefferson" The resolutions ofthe board which
weIe communicated to tho Mayor will doubt
less be laid before Council, as the same was
directed ITO the Honorable Mayor and Alder
nen' ONE OF THE BOARD.