The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1881-11-16
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MIR. EDITOR :-ln your issue of last week,
Nov. 9th, there appears rather strange and
somewhat startling local item in relation to
the Fire Department Committee and the Chief
Engineer. 1t mentions that the Chief received
u scoring by Council at the Council meeting
held CA Monday evening previous, for assum-
ing to take upon himself the responsibility of
shipping the Union Steamer 10 distant place
for repairs, without the consent of Council or
even notifying the Fire Department Commit
tee of the facts, and that the committee should
receive certain censure; also upboldng the
Chief 3 actIou. In regard to the council meet
ing named, the writer happened TO be present
aud supposed that his attention was given to
a II council proceedings. There was no partic-
ular seoiihg given 10 The Chiefly any member
of council heard by the writer; but there was
very large bill for repairs on the Union
Steamer presented by the Chairman of the Fire
Department committee, the same being for
walded TO him by the Chief to be- presented TO
Council for payment. The chairman init
mated that he knew nothing about t--had no
transaction or knowledge in the shipping OF
the Steamer abroad for repairs, at the expense
OF the city, and he further asked in presence
of council another member of the committee
whether he had given sanction or bad knowl-
edge of the facts, who replied that lie knew
nothing about the matter.
Now the facts appear to be that maiorty
of the committee knew nothing about the
affair. 1t was stated that at meeting OF
council in July last, the Chief presented a
communication in relation to the Steamer be-
ing out of repair, and further intimated that
the cost to repair would be about $50. The
repairs were ordered done by council, the Chief
being notified of the fact. The superstition OF
the council at the time was, that this amount
was about what was needed for The repairs, aud
the work To be done at home but it appears
that the Chief, instead Of notifying council on
even the committee, assumed the responsible
ity himself and order tue apparatus away
from the city to be repaired, regardless of the
cost. Now the question is, has the bief any
such powers or authority? If he has, we had
better dispense with the Fire Department
Committee who are elected as councmen and
sworn TO look after the true aud best Interests
of our city affairs, and who alone are respon-
sible for the creating or contracting of all bills
or debts and ia fact you may as well dispense
with the whole council as far as fire matters
and the creating and payment of such bills
are concerned i; but it appears that the Chiei
is not Il sworn officer aud of course cannot
assume such responsibilities as creating bills
aud debts for the city to pay without first
being given the orders by Council to do so
/ By referring to the ordinance to establish and
regulate the Fire Department, we find in
Sec. 10, that sit shall be the duty of the Chief
Engineer, at least once in each month, to ex
anime fire engines and fire apparatus &C.,
and to keep record Of their condition. &C.,
but we do not find any authority to create
bills or debts for the city to pay.
Now the sum and substance Of the whole
matter is, the Chief went iway beyond and
exceeded his duty. If be was severely cen
sured by council for the action il would not
be wondered at, and ii the same offence is re-
peated, he should not find fault if conpci
summarily dismissed him from service. Ii
what has been stated do not mean any dis,
respect personally, to the Chief, nor that the
Steamer should not he properly repaired, but il
does seem, taking all things into consideration
| that the Chief FAR exceeded his duty.
CITIZEN.