Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-01-05
POLICE AND FIRE DEPART
MENTS.
The Proposed ConsOlidas1on-Ac-
ton Again Postponed BY the Pre-
sentatfOn of an Unexpected sub
stfautes

1t had been generally anticipated that the
ordinance presented in Council some time
since by Alderman Roberts, in reference to
a consolidation of the Police and
Fire Departments in one brigade (the
features Of which are familiar to our read
ers, the ordinance having been published In
full), and which was to come up for final
action at the meeting of Council last night,
would be passed. In this expectation, how
ever, the public were mistaken, as will be
noticed by the account Of the proceedings
elsewhere. After the ordinance was read
by title, according to the rules, prior to be-
ing put upon its passage, Alderman SchWarZ
offered the following substitute:
An ordinance to repeal fire ordinance OF
May 26, 1875, to provide an adequate force
for fire duties and for other purposes
connected Herewith.
SECTION l. The Mayor and Aldermen of
the city Of Savannah, in Council assembled,
do hereby ordain that the Fire Department
shall be under the command of Chief and
Assistant, who shall be elected by Council
after the passage of this ordinance, and
shall hold his respective Office for three
years, unless sooner removed for inef1ciency
or improper conduct.
SEC. 2. And It is hereby further ordained
by the authority aforesaid, that the appara-
tus for regular fire service shall consist of
three steam fire engines, three hose carts,
one hook and ladder truck, eleven horses,
with harness, hose and all other necessary
appliances for effective operations.
SEC. 3. Aud 1t is hereby further Or
dained by the authority aforesaid that
the men TO serve with the above de-
scribed apparatus shall be one Chief
Engineer, with pay of $500 per an
mum; one Assistant Chief Engineer, with
pay Of $1,000 per annum; three engineers
who shall be practical machinists. and
whose pay shall be at the rate of 5000 a
year each; and one tillerman, seven drivers
and one extra driver, whose pay shall be at
the rate of $50 per month each; and eighteen
firemen, whose pay shall be at the rate of
$50 per month each. All the men above
mentioned shall be chosen in like manner
as the police, subject to the rules and
regulations Of the Fire Department.
SEC. 4. And It is hereby further ordained
by the authority aforesaid, that the eighteen
iremen shall be arranged in suitable re-
liefs, and shall perform such duty as may
be assigned them by the Mayor.
SEC. 5. And it ia hereby further ordained
by the authority aforesaid that as an auxili-
aTy force one steam engine shall be kept
in reserve, with engineer to serve when
specially called out, who shall be paid at
the rate OF five dollars per day when actu-
ally employed.
SEC. g. And it is hereby further ordained
by the authority aforesaid, that the several
companies of volunteers at present in ser
vice, viz: Barlow, Washington and Waiver
Engine companies, Cleburne and Mutual
Protection Hose companies, and Werner
Hook and Ladder Company may remain in
service, subject to the orders Of the Chief
or other officer in command.
SEC. z. And 1t is hereby further ordained
by the authority aforesaid, that all ordi-
nances and parts Of ordinances in conflict
with this ordinance be and the same are
hereby repealed SO far as they so conflict.
The presentation of this substitute, which
to several of the Aldermen seemed a sur
prise, excited considerable discussion, Al
derman Roberts advocating the adoption of
his ordinance as best calculated to promote
the interests of the city, and as having been
prepared after a thorough and careful in
VestigatiOn into the matter. He stated that
the subject had been under the considera-
ton of Council for the past nine
months, and the ordinance had
been recommended by the joint committee,
who had given both systems their careful
thought, and he could not understand why
an effort should be made to stave off action.
He was perfectly willing for his ordinance
to go before the Council on its merits.
Alderman SchwaTZ stated that he had at
first been in favor of the proposed change,
but since the ordinance had been introduce
ed in Council he had carefully investigated
the matter, and was satisfied that it would
not work, hence had presented this substi-
tute.
Some further discussion followed, when
Alderman Byck moved that the entire mat
ter be referred to a special meeting of
Council.
The motion was seconded, and the ayes
and nays were called for with the following
result:
Ayes-Aldermen schwarz, Abrams, BYck,
O'Connor, Aylsworth, Doyle. Fireman..
Nays-Aldermen Guerard, Roberts, Ham
ilton, Duncan, Hardwick-5.
The reference was therefore made, and
It will be seen that by subsequent action OF
Council this special meeting was assigned
for not later than Monday next, and until
then the public viii be in ignorance as to
whether the consolidation scheme will sue
coed or not.