, 1879-07-13

tax-levy. We admit that. When my friend from
the Sixth arraigped Aid. Thompson aud ill the
others for wiping out engtne-houses and school
houses, etc, / should like to ask him If the
Mayor isn't doing the same thinga Isn't that
portion of the 25 per cent he wanted Mr.. Ben
ncr to save? OF course it Is, aud the question
OF Is Der cent is the residue 1hat has cot to be
raised in some way. The Mayor is in thorough
accord with the Aldermen in not building en-
gine-houses and scho0l-houses il re Tan heip it.
so that comes to aught- It Tas thrown against
our Chairman Of he Committee on. Fire
stroke, but it didn't do much good. # it is
only per cent required from the Fire Depart-
meut, why didn't the Mayor instruct Mr.. Ben
ner to raise 1t the same way he instructed the
Marshal at the head Of the Department now:
He told Mr.. Beuner he wanted the Der cent to
COME voluntarily. In his message be speaks OF
Mr.. Benuer enforcing the reduction. Mr..
Ben2er knew that this Council had passed m
appropriation bill which fixed the salaries OF
these men, and be knew he had no right to
change them7
AID. Cullerton-suppose you couldn't pay
thcma
Aid. Everett-Tbat is another question. We
have fixed these appropriations, and We are Inc
only power that can change them.
Aid. Cullerton-Well let i re " pay them.
Aid. Eycrett-The Corporation Counsel rem
dered his opinion on the subject, and what docs
he saY2 He says there are only TWO ways pv
which this reduction can be brought about
ordinance or by dischareing the men. Ho
enforcement. That is what the Mayors
communication reads. What should have
been done with this matter was to
have laid it before this Council and let it, by
ordinance, arrange the matter ot reaucnon:
Now NC come to the final point. he wanted
Mr.. Benner to see the men in his Department
Mr.. Benner carried out the order to the letter.
lie called every Captain and Lieutenant to-
gether at Engine-House No. IS, as has always
been the custom, and explained the necessity o.
each Individual engine house. aud IN SO doing
have stepped over the rights of the Captains and
Licutenants, he would have bred insubordtna-
ton By that act. He wanted to- make
this thing voluntary, as, under inc mayors
the Captains and Licuteuants, and explained 1t
to them, he left it for them to put it to a vote
Of the men. The result WIS that 544 we're op-
posed to it, and three we're for it.
Aid. Cullcrten-suppose that the Word
"names" +" was put in in lieu Of "Dunbers."
Aid. Everett-That is an assumption on your
own part, sir, which is entirely irrelevant.
AID. Cullerton-I Gm asking you question
Aid. Dixon-I hope the Alderman will not be
interrupted. [Laughter.l
Aid Eycrett-If Tie thing is going to be olun-
tarr, it must be the voluntary act OF each mans
mind. There must be no coercion about it. II
the Marshal had gone thero and held the im-
p1i.d threat of discharge over the heads OF these
rmen, they would have accepted the per cent
reduction under protest, and could have collect
ed it, as the Law Department tells u.s. But, In
order to make it voluntary, be allowed the men
to vote on it,
+. Aid. Cullerton-What do you think ought to
be done with those three felloWEa
Aid. .Rawle:gh-Promoted. [Laughter.l
AID. Eve.ett-alr. Benner performed bis duty
to the letter. The question for US to decide: is
this: Do the interests OF, Chicago require that
re try any more experimental We hare Chief
OF the Fire Department in whom everybody has
confidence No man can raise his finger mud
point out single time when he dinchsd from
duty. He has been at his work early and late,
at all times. Now We find the Mayor out OF
humor with the Marshal because, he didn't
possible that tho City of Chicago, or the Alder
men here, will vote to discontinue this man in
office simply because he thought he was doing
his dntya
Go what he couldn't do:
Aid. Smyth-The other Marshal had q specific
aid I'D. Dixon-1 hope that Aid. Collerton will
not interrupt. [a1orc laughter.l
Aid. Cullerton-Oh! ..--
The Alderman proves he has got bad case.
That's all there is about it. When We we're
trying to save this fght, what did the
Mayor say? II told Mr. Swenie it necessary,
to 60 and discharge txo companies Of FRENCH"
Aid. Everett-Thrce. Iaccept the correction.
He told him to discharge three companies Of
firemenand then hire them over again at a re-
duced salary. Why didn't be eiye the same
order to Mr.. Benner? Instead Of doing so, he
left him at sea, not wanting to take the rcspon-
sibility, rs he. has not wanted to take
the responsibility In several other questions.
Now, think the members OF this Council
arc au. intelligent set Of men, and that
&3.1 ts@f 1tA ft%11Y iS1fA