New-York tribune., 1874-12-25
THE FIRE COMMISSIONERS TURN NEX

THE INVESTIGATION NOT YET CONCLrDED-TIIE RE
MovAL or TIE COMMISSIONERS PREDICTED
FAvORITISM TO RELATIVES, ILLEGAL CON1RAC. -,
AND EXCESSIVE EXPENDITURES TIE MAIN
CHARGES
RumOrs prevailed yesterday afternoon that
Mayor Vance had concluded the investigation into the
affairs Of the Fire Commissioners and had decided upon
their removal The Mayor stated to TRIBUNE reporter
that the had not yet been concluded aud would
no: te for some days The removal Of tho Commission
ers at an early day is anticipated however, by all
familiar with the reports o: the commissioners Of Ac
co2ns and the testimony OF G. X. Smith aud othcr d
charged employees of the Department.
The report OF Mr.. Howe, the Commissioner OF Ac-
counts who has been investigating the Fire Department
records will be forthcoming before tho end OF the year
It Will contain many serious charges, among which are
the following. which Mr.. Howe while refusing to give
his report for publication. admits arc embraced In It:
1t was charged months ago by Alderman Reilly, who
presented resolution TO the Board Of Aldermen that
the expenses OF the Fire Department were greatly in
excess Of those Of former years. and that 1t due 10
partality toward relatives in giving oat contracts
This charge evidently based upon the following
facts Section 81 Of the Charter requires that all work
or supplies for departments exceeding value I o0
shall lie advertised for, aud sealed proposals. received
for the same. This section tne Commissioners are
painting This Work given TO man famllary
called "Patscy" Eagan who lorncrIy kept the liquor
wav where 'Reddy the B ksmith" killed James us
gerty, the Philadelphia rnlian Although not painter
he was given the work, and opened s3op IN
University place. This action of the Board
caused considerable surprise 10 outsiders. For
a time few could determine the motive that
tuated Commissioner Van Cott, who II was saii pro-
cured the work for Pagan Politically he Is OF tflc
value TO Van Cott, as he and his followers reside in
another district 1t was finally asserted, and not dc
ned that Of the COmniisoncrs brothers is silent
10 the matter. Commissioner Van COtt SAID that the
work given to Eagan did not amount t. 81 % and there
not necessary 10 advertise tue work This is
doubtless true, and good technical defense as applied
10 one ioD but tue total work no has done IN this way
amounts to many thousands OF dollars.
Under the former administration the Fire Department.
company OF this CITY, After three years service the
Board caused them to be condemned and those
OF q company IN Chicago substituted. The only pana
Of the change adc Is taat brother OF President
Pcrcy Is employed in the New York Office OF the favored
Two other relatives Of the President we're provided
i'll the COmbusblc Bureau and ct the same time he had
the place OF Secretary the Central Park Savings Bank
To this latter institution he divided his time until about
O'Clock IN the afternoon after which hour reported
for duty at tho Cunbusuble Bureau IN time
the closing abors Of tho day He resigned this position
OF Secretary Aug IL, 1873, and In December following
Connor His place In Conbustibe Bureau filled
by man named Lockwood, who is Engaged in the will
lOwware business Not having time 10 attend to the
Bureau business he sent bis nephew to do 1t while he
drew the salary. Lawrence Perley although only short
time In the Department, been promoted to
ship aud Charles Perley, son OF the President ap
81 5O This action or the President ,used much Ad
comment that his son resigned.
Another cOntIac alleged to have been given In viola
ton Of the law IL the feed supply For about months
furnished the feed without any opportunity beng
afforded for competition: That TINS contract nets moro
o. 900 s from the following statement showing
the supplies furnished for q single quarter:
Pounds pobnd