Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-09-09
scHULTzE's SATIRE
Launched on Chief EccIes' Devoted
Head.
Interesting Scene in the Fire Committees
Session in Which the Coroner Grew
Quite Indignant.

It is a cold month, as the boys would
say, that passes without row in the Fire
Department. On the LIST OF this month
Chief Eccles discharged Tom Rose, of the
Eighth Ward, and John Houston, OF the
United, alleging drunkenness as the cause.
The REGISTER merely published the fact as
news, not commenting upon the up-oar
which followed, leaving to time to BRING
any reckoning that might come, as well as
any further developments. The latter
came lass light.
A stenogrnphic repert Of what took place
before the Comm ittee on Fire Department
last night would raise the hair Of many OF
our good readers. 1t was regular meet
ing. but it was known there might be
a little irregular proceeding, and that the
discharge OF Roe and Houston. might De
discussed. 1t wa. After the bills had
been audited Squire Schultze, whose pres
ence meant mischie'. leaned over and, IN a
Lawrence Barrett tone, asked Eccles ior
that petition: ,.,,
"Why, that petition asking the reinstate-
ment OF John Houston in the United"
II haven't got it with me"
$50 and get it." said the Squire, author
itatively, using his forefnger as gavel and
Ioudly humping the table. Eccles said
the petition was addressed to him and not
TO the committee. but Schultze insisted it
be brought out. Bumper got that petition
and sheIved IL, and now want it brought
out" Robinson thought the paper VS.
private, but Schultze rose up, arew MS
popderous form to its greatest height, and
declared Eccles belonged to the committee,
and that petition must be forthcoming.
'The right of petition, he grandiloquent-
" acclaimed belongs to the poorest
American citizen. Let it be produced. ]
will stay here all night"
This was discussed at some length, Eccles
fatty refusing to produce, and the Squire
planking the floor and besulphuring the
air, where is the notice to Bowers OF the
suspension?" he finally asked. 1t was then
developed that Eccles, in a fit OF absent
mindedness, had torn it up. 1T was an OF,
fetal document and wanted to file 1t, u"
murmured Clerk Galligan, sadly.
The Coroner had grown more or less e1-
cited during this time, changing frcm MS
easy, banterinT tone, assumed at first, to one
of belligerent hostility. He referred to
Eccles only as Bumper" or "this thin7,s
and said he knew his little game. The
Bumper" said he, wants 10 keep these
appointments back; His time IS short and
he wants 10 hold them beck and put them
in for confirmation when his term expires,
but I'm going to fix that. I've get two lit:
lie resolutions here and want the sense VI
the Committee on them.
Producinga roll OF legal cap he REID the
Two resolutions The first was that no
money shall be paid any appointee to
portion on the fire department until
Council shall have confirmed the appoint
ment. The second one directed the Chic
Marshal to report to Council all appoint
ments. This brought Robinson up, with
the declaration that the ordinance already
covered the resolutions. The ordinance
was produced and in the meantime copy
OF the petition was brought in aud Schultz's
attention went back TO it. With his insin.
ating South Side smile he said he would
stay right with Ecclc" a. long as he did his
duty, but why didn't he keep thin quiet
down in the Eighth ward and why did the
assist ant ma shall have to get up after mid
night 'ar' Friday, and go over to the en-
CINE house to keep the peace, so that peo-
pie could sleep in that neighborhood? Go
down there any night said he, and you
will find the worst sang OF loaters in the
city"
Chairman CriswelI produced erase of
oil and attempted tOpOur it on the troubled
waters. He did not see the necessity OF
this row, as the ordinance gave EccicS the
right to discharge at his pleasure. This
last word caught Schultze and he made 1t
the text for another burst of indignant and
fiery eloquence. "Eccles cannot diGchl-ge
for fun or when he gets even" he declared.
" Ills pleasure means as long as he does
he ,,tNr mud m 70 nj y
think so. When these combinations come
before Council, then well see who is right
and who is wrong. Well see why Bumper
discharged these men,
Il discharged them because they were
drunk said Eccles and going to the tele-
phone he sent message when som
brought Harry Mason, Of the Hook and
Ladder, 10 the scene. Here's mn" n Z
Eccles, who Will tell you both men were
drunk and he saw them
Halter wanted Mason to be heard, but
the others thought it would put him in
uGeleSsly delicate position, while Schultz
avowed muttcred intention TO see Houston
back in thc United.
That man will rever 60 back while l am
chief" said EcclcS.
Which won't be long," answered
Schultze."
The Falstaffian Justice then demanded
The petition be taken up. Robinson OBJ
jected, on the ground that this was merely
an uncertitied copy, and was besides, ad-
dres sed to Eccles, and was his private prop
erty. Schultze insisted on acting upon 1t
and wanted 10 referitt 70 Council for action,
but his motion to that end was lost by a tie
vote He then demanded vote on his reso-
lutiops. The first one was adopted and the
second was ruled out, as being already COW
cred by the ordinance.
This was about the disposition Of the
matter of the discharges. 1t was very
amusing to listen TO the flights of injured
rhetoric Of the Squire, ana TO see him cloce
Eccl2s up, with the remark that he did not
belong TO TIE committee. They threatened
and badgered e2ch Other dd iltiHi Ian and
when the committee adjourned the dispute
was perpetuated, the voices growing fainter
and finally dying out down Market street.
The last heard was SchultZe's pronuncia-
miento, that he would get Bumper dead to
rights and Eccles affirmation that he
would open up on Schultze yet"
And the matter in dispute is in the same
condition and will be until Council meets
on Tuesday, when John Houston will put
in communication and his petition.