The New York herald., 1874-12-20
CHRISTMAS DISMISSALS.

euuueluJ ulSuilS6luk Qultc uuLuDcI VI AiCLuCu oA
account OF their Illegal business transactions with
salary brokers ito whom they mad sold their saa-
ries) and other matters has provoked consider
able criticism in 0fficial circles. few days ago
several OF the fremen in question went before the
Mayor and complained bitterly OF the manner in
IN which they had been treated ny the Commis-
sloners. They frankly admitted that they had
violated the rules or the Fire Department in
selling their salaries to the brokers. but claimed
that many others who were quite as guilty
as they had been spared by the commissioners,
who had most unjustly selected them as the pub
lie scapegoats. Some Of these men had been serv-
Ing faithfully In the department for . number OF
years, and they claimed that they were entitled
to some consideration and that they should have
had chance OF retrieving their past errors by
their good conduct in the future. The Mayor lis
tened very kindly TO their recital OF grievances
and promised to investigate the matter at once
He wrote o terse letter TO the Fire commissioners
requesting them in plain, straightforward terms
to explain their proceedings in this matter and TO
let him know the reasons which prompted their
action.
THE POPULAR IMPRESSION.
In o1icial circles this was regarded as the first
step toward the removal OF the Commissioners.
"Wny should the Mayor take the trouble 10 demand
an oflcial explanaton?n said prominent ONCE
holder IN the City Hall yesterday, "uness he Is dis
pleased with the action OF the Fire Commissioners
II Is certainly not usual Tor the Mayor TO inquire
into every petty dismissal which occurs IN any
ish il he had 0fricialy demanded an explanation
without having any strong reasons for doing so.o
This view found general acceptance yesterday. the
impression 0epg prevalent that Mayor Vance
aid not ike the Fire Commissioners. way Of
doing business, and that the peculiar hardship
OF these cases had enlisted his sympathy.
II VIII not be forgotten that these dlsmissals
q hnptnn1nn
ises to be an exceptionally severe one for the
poor. Most OF these fremen have large iamilies
to support, and their wives and children are thus
suddenly deprived OF their means o! subsistence.
1T is a hard case, was the opinion generally ex-
ers dtd not wait at least until after Christmas
New Year, more especially as these transactions
them but to the heads also of every other depart
menI in this city. IL was limited at the same time
nss in in this instance was to be found in Their de-
sire TO make room for other applicants for places,
who were strongly backed by politicians OF IN.
were desrous OF conciatlng
A FIREMAN'S STORY.
One OF the dismissed flremen, VINO stands yet in
such awe OF the Fire Commissioners that lie
begged tnat his name might not be published. ex-
pressed his feelings Yesterday IN the following
the public believe that the Fire Commission
were prompted by their regard for the best in ter
ests OF the department am convinced that they
wanted to have our places because they were pes
tered to death by politicians who desired them for
their lfenuS NOW bheSe SaieS OIL salaries az us
count nave always been matter Of common noto-
riety. We were not the only ones VINO mad to OBJ
tain our salaries In advance from the brok-
ers. p will tell you or many others who
are still in the department ana have done the
same thing over and over again. and the Commits.
sioners know il, too. But they had political
friends to back them and we had not, and so on
went our heads. For my cwn part. have large
family, who are now wanting the very necessaries
OF life, and can see no prospect OF obtaining any
other employment others OF the discharged
iremen made similar statements and 1t was
4 tbnH mad fn1u nrlp had
been bitterly punished. and also that they keenly
ieit the consequences OF their misconduct.
LEGAL QUESTION.
The fremen IL will be remembered, were dis
missed on the complaint OF several brokers' VINO
had advanced them money on account OF tneir
saiarles and who claimed that these liabilities
had not been settled. One important considera-
tion III this matter was whether these contracts
with usurers ana salary brokers were not VOID
and whether In that case the commissioners
should not nave refused to entertain any com.
plants coming from them. A prominent lawyer
who was questioned in regard to this point said
this was undoubtedly the case, according TO re-
cent decision Of the Court o. ARpeais r ne ADDED
tnortles always declined TO listen to any CON-
plants OF these brokers.
Mayor Vance, who Was also called upon IN rela-
ton to this subject, said, with nls wonted courty
dignity that he could not disclose, 0r the present,
his action beyond she iaGs snas ne naa aemanaea
declared that he was making no oniclai investRa-
ton, but that che was simply gathering lniorma-
tion.n When asked whether he intended to re-
move the Fire commissioners, he replied, WIKI his
pleasantest smile, tnat this was "a leading ques-
tion,n and that for the present ne wished TO be
excused rom answering II.
THE FIREMEN's OFFENCE
The Fire Commissioners were sought at their
oflce, which, however, seemed to be deserted by
every one OF them. Mr.. White, the secretary,
stated that a lew OF the discharged hremen had
sold their salaries to two or three brokers at the
same time and were thus guilty OF gross iraud
Others had up heavy bills at various groceries
70 pa a ny G 'ns U s
taxpayers who mad been swinded Dy the nyemcn
declared they were not ut to be IN the department.
ants) would warn the citizens TO LOOK out for their
goods, for II they were swlndlers they might
also be thieves Tney were all tried In Two
days and dismissed Colonel Charles $. Spencer
defended them, but most OF them pleaded guilty
whlch should be entertained for the department
and curtaiing Its efficiency as WE'LL their conduct
made IL incumbent upon tne FIRE commissioners
missais had most salutary effect IN breaking up
TINS system OF selling salaries. The reply OF the
Vance simply gave the Official proceedings in the
case, and stated that their conduct In incurring
liabilities under iaisc representations was lnJurl-
Gus TO the best interests OF the depar tment so
that IL was necessary to remove them. MIR. White
admitted that the nremen had right 70 run Int into
thev had right to do so ION the strength OF their
uniforms"
| men aud those appointed In their places:
| NAMES OF THE DIsMIssED.
Wisnap Enane No. D. jaes Gooda oo OF No
27 John $. Craft, OF No. 80; James L. Shut, OF No.
| Il; Thomas Gras, OF Hook and Ladder No. 1; John
N. ward, ot the same; James 8. Baliantyne, Of No.
8; William Wogan, also OF No. @: John Brown o
/ Engine No. %; Patrick Doyle, OF No. 80; Luxe
Gleason, OF NO. ~; John /. Cassidy, OF No: u John
). Beechinor. OF No. 0; John Lake, OF Hook and
Ladder No. 8; Francis McGney, Of No. o; David
/ Glossy. OF No. 80; George w. Town, OF Hook and
| Ladder No. 10; Foreman George Mclaughlin, o.
No. 10, and Assistant Foreman William Hudson
/ OF No. I3.
NAMES or THE SUCCESSORS.
/ Phtllp HILTON, Engine No. 20. John j. Golden. O
/ No. AZ; Martin Grill, OF Hook and Ladder No. 8
George Wheeler, OF Engine No. A.; Alexander
hcKeever. 0l Book aud Ladder NO. .; ROBERT y