Delaware State journal and statesman., 1870-04-19
prnneehInrs or conneII.

1t.
President Bright in the chair. e't
Mr. Lichtenstein, from the Committee on -
Fire Companies, on the question ot the pro w
test Of the Water Witch Fire Company n au
against the election Of the Chief Engineer -"
and Assistant Engineers of the Fire Depart Al,
ment, reported as follows s sn
Your Committee to whom was referred ln ~
the protest of the Water Witch Fire Com al
many, represented by their President, MIR.
James O'Neill, and Secretary, Samuel u. 81
Tazawell. against the granting Of certificates u
of election 10 Samuel w. Springer as Chief :.
Engineer OF the fire department, and 10 u
John F. Braynard as first assistant, and 10 U
John E. Watson as second assistant, on lhe
ground OF ineligiblitY to office, according 70
! first parts of sections and OF the ordi.
nance, recognizing the fire department ol
| the city Of Wilmington on and alter the ISL
Monday in April, 1858, beg leave 10 state;
That they thought ii their duty, to silt the
whole matter thoroughly, with the view oil
getting all the information necessary 10 re-
port upon "evidence" only. Both parties
being represented by altorneys-at-law, all
the light that was possible 10 be had Is In
the possession OF your committee.
In the opinion Of your committee, the hre
department Is of great importance; II is as
it were, public insurance company, foster
ed, cared-for and controlled by this Council. |
The personal and real estate that this de- |
u in its own peculiar way, against the ravages
y Of the flames, will amount to no less than
y | thirty millions OF dollars.
! Large as this amount may seem to You,
U your committee knows from close calcula-
IS tion that it is yet lar below the real value.
To realize the best results lor our cltzens
TO in this very important branch OF our public
le institution, ii is absolutely necessary that
I'd the hest fraternal feeling should pervade the
al whole body; that jealousy and strife should
to be unknown. There should be but one aim,
d. and this aim should be 10 raise the standard
a. of morality, nte lligence, usefulness and eli
ld fcency of this department. Such an aim
has the sanction of ages as ii has the APPROX
!, al Of every intelligent community.
IL Your committee wish you further TO bear
on In mind, that our brothers and sons are
10 members of this department, aud the grow
ne ing youth, sooner or later will join this or
: ganization. Imagine if you please, the In
m NJ, fuence either for good or evil and then bear
~ IN mind our individual responsibility.
IN We may wish 10 shirk this responsibility,
OF but nevertheless "it is ours"
's' lfrivalry is necessarily an essential Tea
ture in this department, 1t ought 10 take
s. step upward, in nobler directioni its aspra
rn- tions ought TO be higher Its rivalry nigh
the consist IN greater efficiency, In being the firs
md 10 the place of danger, in the most eiiectua
red manner combating the devourng element
ssel The spirit of lawlessness and rowdyism a
an exhibited in our public streets last week, th
at threats uttered by rival companies, whic
I'M. might have led to the shedding of huma
ing blood deserves the Just indignation OF ou
citizens; such lamentable state OF ieelin
ought not to be suffered 10 take root in ou
oil midst; IL ought TO be irowned down by pull
leai @ lie opinion.
Jon Your committee express the hope that sue
hre tTansgressions oil the public peace will n
ives occur again. That our firemen will not hay
W, ,tui TO blush again for violent acts committed
ier- our public thoroughiares. Acts altogeth
ioer uniustifable and utterly condemned by Il
MY majority of this useful organization.
ireu Your committee further express the hol
jon- that, should they in future propose measur
con, for the greater efficiency OF this depaItmer
, al and for more satisfactory security of Ill
I,s.iI limb aud property OF our citizens, Coun
zee" will heartily endorse every proper effort
this direction. Your committee has
tive doubt that discerning public regardless
take political creeds will second and sustain eve
the such effort.
ling, Your committee have s1aied no pains
and be put in possession of all the facts beari
the upon the "Protest" of the Water Wit
that Fire Company They have listened att'
1 be lively 10 the testimony as given by swc
cises, Witnesses, they have deliberated upon
gem weight of testimony only; they offer Il
sent report and recommendation, assured that
l ev- is In accordance with truth and justice;
,plied Just such report as you would expect
rking receive from your committee.
ted 10 In relation TO Samuel W. Springer,
d for Chief Engineer elect, We would state:
yes of That though the contestants prove his
asure sence from the city during some months
We go the wear 1866, such absence was only te
titute porary. The contestants do not prove i
Q and Mr.. Springer expected or intended TO char
fur his domicile permanently, while your CO
the mitee has ample proof that Mr.. Springer
Oh 20 no q QOui1 Z
Try. ployment in the shop in which he had bt
employed for years, a fact which is sr
WeIs ciently proven, that after the lapse OF q
non months he did return and was placed in
lounu same position he held before he left the ci
ne A further fact has been shown that the Y
solu of Mr.. Springer did not vacate her roomI
Who this city during Mr. SpringeT's stay In p
llu ol adelphia.
lne In relation to John F. Braynard, as F
hhon, Assistant, the contestants positively pr
u. tne M and to the satisfaction ofyour committee
~ Vlu Mr.. Braynard did live in Brandywine
iouu, , lage within the last five years consequel
@ ullle outside the city limits
assei With all the witnesses on the part OF
uo, Braynard, although all testify TO bellev
I'M VI that the said Mr.. Braynard did live in
q ig city within the last five years. not one of
y WIN witnesses was able 10 locate him at any
NY ny ticular place, or any particular street
nvI III house, a circumstance which could leave
> : Day doubt on the minds of your commtte
uesh not already convinced by the direct proc
SUSSEX the witnesses of the contestants.
In relation 10 John Z. Watson, as Sec
named Assistant, the contestants withdrew
Dover charges, at least they made no effort
IN the proving ;hem the charges against him '
'ces oil wholly gnored.
icnlnrs We would therefore recommend,
+, On First, That s. W. Springer is iully q
on 4 fed for The position as Chief Engine,
in this the Fire Department, for which he has
-etence elected.
), Two Second, That John E. Watson is
3D. in. qualified for the position as Second A,
d gave ant OF the Fire Department for which HI
he suit been elected
VS. and Third, That the charges of the protes
md Tor against s. W. Springer, as Chief Engil
neigh and against John E. Watson as Second
called tistani, he and they are hereby dismi
yas de- Fourth, That John f. BraynaTd hai
crushed the necessary qualification for the pos
/. Mrs as First Assistant, for which he has
away. elected, and that his certificate OF ele
rough be and is hereby revoked; and
/ better Fifth, We recommend that Counc
decent into nomination and election Tor the
burial tion of First Assistant.
pttyille. NJ. L. LICHTENsTEIN,
at the HENRY F. PICKLES,
siyed al II. f. FINEGAN, JR., Comm
ebayior WIN. II. F0ULK,
Of the c. H. GALLAGHER,
pson OF WILMINGTON, April IA, 1870.
prompt On motion of Mr. Lichtenstein, the