The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-11-03

NEw YORK. November 1.-The fol-
lowing correspondence will be published
tomorrow:
CHICAGO, October %, 1874.
To General Aler. HaLer, Ne,c York:
The Board of Fire Commissioners of
Chicago have communicated to the Git
liens Association, to be transmitted
through the association to you. the reso-
luton that | now enclose. The Board
seeks to employ your services in the reor-
ganization and disciplining of our fire
department. 1t is with great pleasure
that the Citizens Association now con-
veys to you the action of the Fire Com
missioners, and asks you TO accept the
position rendered Allow me to say, in
behalf of the Board Of Fire
Commissioners and Citizens Asso-
citation, that under the charter
Of our city it was entirely impracticsble
to establish for you position with inde-
pendent powers. 1t is almost needless to
tell YOU that our people would have been
glad to COnfde to you the amplest legal
powers, rcposing, as they do, entire
confidence in your great ability and pru-
dence. but the Citizens Association did
not suggest to the Fire Commissioners
any measures going beyond that which
they adopted, knowing that the Com
missioncrs had done all of the formal ac-
tion in this direction Of their wishes and
ours, that the law would in
any manner permit. The Board
of Fire Commissioners, the Citi-
zcns Association and the people of
Chicago are fully and clearly aware of
the important distinction as to your re-
>ponSibilitics between position clothed
with compile independent authority, such
as We should have been pleased to confer
upon you, andthc position now rendered,
which is necessarily without independent
authority, and success in which Is subject
to the cooperation and support of the
Board of Fire Commissioners, in whom
legal powers do and must reside. In this
connection permit me to say that the Fire
Commissioners are aware that the end
sought by themselves and the city ut
large in inviting your services could not
be- attained withou. according those SER
vices free opportunity to have cordially
assured us that, while their formal action
at this time is hampered by limitations
of their powers and restrictions Of char
ter. their sincere wish to forward the
work YOU ar" now called to do, shall find
an effective expression in the facilities
readily and gladly afforded you. You
will observe that the endorsement of His
Honor, the Mayor of Chicago, accom-
panies the resolution of the Com
missioncrs. Wo believe that all
the departments OF tho city
government cordially approve the action
of the fire board, and our citizens endorse
it heartily, while you are doubtless aware
of the unusual interest in your coming
to Chicago is felt by the entire insurance
interest of the country. You should also
be informed of the special participation
of the Chicago Board of Fire Under !
writers in the invitation now extended .
to YOU. The unanimity of the invitation !
tn you 10 come ~ Chicago Is ur rc-
markablc character, and while it must
assure YOU Of the widespread apprecia-
tion of your success in applying new and
higher methods in fire affairs, it
must also convince Won that You can
have on your work in Chicago, notwith-
standing the absence Of any formal au-
thority and responsibility, II support
such us is proflcrcd very rarely to men
called to public service.
Very respectfully,
[Signcd.l FRANKLIN MAcNETGH,
President Of tie Citizens dissertation Of