The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-19
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
WHY WAS CHIEF MONROE REDUCED TO FORE
MAN?-THE FIREMEN's PAY.

WHY WAS CHIEF MONROE REDUCED TO FORE
MAN?-THE FrREMEN's PAY.
reporter called on ex- Chief James II. Monroe,
oil the Fire Department, yesterday. in reference to
his reduction from Chief OF Battalion to foreman,
and to ascertain his views relative TO the payment
OF the members or the department.. Mr.. Monroe
was found in the quarters OF the hook and ladder
company, at NO. 1875 Elizabeth street. The follow
ing questions were put TO hint
MISUNDERSTANDING heard rumors regarding
your being reduced, i have called TO know the
cause.
MT. MoSRoE.-I 90 not know why was reduced.
/ was Chief OF the First Battalion. from the Bat
terry to canal street; my headquarters were at No.
Al Murray street. AS I was going TO bed one even
ing received letter stating that was reduced.
l 90 not know why, as mad always done my duty
as Chief OF Battalion and had not heard OF any
complaints against me; in fact, knew there could
be none.
REpoHrER-Have you NOT been notified why it
was done
Mr. MoSRoE-No sir. Some OF my good friends
say was q candidate for Commissioner and also
a candidate for Chief or the Department; but this
was NOT SO. Again, | was told that had been
spreading rumors about one OF the Commissioners,
which was also untrue.
RsPoRrER-Tnen you did not aspire to be COM
missioner or chielf
III.
made Cniei. A better man than he could not be
found Tor the positions but at that time. when
for Cnlei, and believe received one vote against
two Ter Bates. Alterward. npon another vote,
Bates was unanimously elected Chief.
REPoRTER-How did you bear tnat you received
o vote
late Police Commissioner Henry Smith told me So.
REPoRTER-Ihen you know OF no cause why you
should nave been reduced 7
Mr.. MONROE do not know the cause, and II
an no told Commissioners ANYTHING
about my talking against them or being can
didate Tor any other place than Chef OF Battalion.
he has tolu a wiliul lie; and, OF course, you
will find this department., as well as any other,
lot OF jealous men running here and there, tell
ing stories IN order 10 obtain favor.
RERoRTER-Have you ever asked the Commits
sioners why you were removedgs
yised 70 let the mater work itsefout, ana IN time
the commissioners would see Tor themselves that
] am liant.
once Is see ans Honor relative to a promotion
Mr. MoSRoE-I have heard 1t said that went
Mayors once IN three years, and l have not
spoken to Mayor Wlcknam since ne went into
KEpoRrER-who voted to reduce your
Mr. Observation-Disclosures Hatcn and Van
Colt. President Perley voted no.
REPoRTER-wclI, then, tue President was your
Irieudg
under President Perley when he was made CHEZ.
ana | am happy 10 say ne always gave me nigh
recommendation 10 presidents OF Insurance CON-
pAnles aud others, ana was the nrsl to congrat-
was great day lor Us, and we thanked Mayor
hayemeyer Tor making commissioner OF man
VINO thoroughly understood the business.
REPoKTER- DO you not tnInk change Is needed
In tue department
Mr. MoSEOE-No the department is being very
well managed. ! nave experienced very bad
personal change. that Is Al.
the FIgEMEN's PAT.
REPoETER-HOw 40 the 1remen feel regarding
Mr.. MoSRoE-well, they are all very much In
need OF their money. and II they do not get IL
yeIy soon they Will nave to 20 10 the
brokers and sell their hard earned money at
a great discount. would personally excuse any
that he miaht have some money 70 take nome To
his family. Nov there Is months paw due and
nearlY three weeks extra-ln all seven weeks
and every body won't trust the men. our grocer.
butcher 10, bills and rent Tor SIX or seven weeks
have got be paid out OF the fl00, which will not
leave mueh; and ii We are PAID again promptly in
July there is money on hand, which Is hard 70
RFroRrER-Cannot the members OF the depart
ment get some brokers 10 advance part OF their
pay without charging so large percentage as ten
Mr. MoERoE-I do not know anything about the
brokers; have never dealt with them.
REPoRTER-How are you paid
Mr. MosRoE-we nave been paid for the last
three months IN cash, by Paymaster Corning.
here at the mouse. so that tue lndVidual warrants
notice system. 1 think that each foreman Ought to
give $4,000 bonds and sign payroll At the comp
troller's once, then get MS mems money ana pay
on nj the house. eacn man signing two payrOls,
one TO be sent TO the Fire Commissioners. aud
she foreman keep the other for MS own Drotec-
ton.
REPoRIER-How long nave you been fireman.
Mr.. hoSEoE-rwenty-on years. ! served
eleven years In the old Volunteer Department and
nearly ten years In the present department
REPoRTER-HoW old are your
Sir. MoSRoE-I AN thirty years OF age, al
though / am told look 0nly TO be about twenty
three or twenty 1--WE years old. was born IN the
FIfth ward and have never nved out OF II, and to-
dav am one OF the Oldest residents IN That ward.
III / have offended, would IKE 70 go 70 trlal and
see what is the matter. when ! was chief "
battalion saved tRirty girls lives AZ the Centre
strcet IRE nearly three years ago. ola my duty,
and way was reduced cannot say, but would
IKE TO know.
CENSUS ADVISERS.