Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-05-22
DUGGAN DECAPITATBD.

The Latter.s Action Ratified by the Fire
Commissioners after Long Debate.
1t is sad to have to say it, but the truth
of history compels the statement that
there is a ruction in the fire department.
Yesterday afternoon the board of commits
| sioners met, all the members present, and
President Deiano presiding, to receive and
act upon charges preferred against Assis-
tant Chief Engineer Duggan by Chief
Black. The following is Chief Blacks
communication:
OFFICE CHIEF ENGINEER FIRE DEPART
MENT, ST.. PAUL, May 81, 1S83.-To the
President and Board Of Fire Commission
ers-Gentlemen: I hereby notify you
that last night suspended Assistant Chief
j. G. Duggan for refusing to obey an order
from me and using unbecoming language,
to-wit: I asked him to sleep in the Office
every night, except his regular nights of,
which is two week nights and every second
Sunday night; his answer was, 81 will
not" then told him I had no further
use for him. He told me I did not hire
him. Yours respectfully,
JOHN T. BLACK,
Chief Engineer Fire Department.
Ks
atthe request of President Delano explain
ed that since he had been in charge of the
| department he had rot made any definite
regulations as to the assistant chief re-
naming in the Office at night, but now
that his family was here he had arranged
that Duggan could be off Monday and
Wednesday nights and every other Sunday
night, while he would be off
- s-l-k
and every other Sunday night,
quired no more of Duggan than he had set
himself to do.
Mr.. Duggan was then called upon for
statement He acknowledged the gen.
eral correctness of Chief Blacks charges.
but excused himself for answering as he
| did, that he had not been appraised of the
! arrangement; that he had been On duty all
day; that the proposition was made to him
| abruptly; and further, that the chief had
not paid a proper consideration to pro-
viding him with means to get to fire,
leaving him to depend on overtaking some
of the apparatus or go afoot. He had been
promised rig, but so far as he could learn
the chief had made no effort to supply him
with one, and he was tired of chasing after
tried to do his duty promptly, and was
ready at all times to obey any reasonable
order, and to require him to remain at
headquarters and then not provide him
with any means fer getting to fire was
not treating him right.
In answer to the direct question of
Commissioner Hughson, Mr.. Duggan &C
knowleded he had refused to obey the order
of q of tot iyo
ton, but for the reasons stated. He reiterat-
ed that he had always stood ready to do
his duty.
Commissioner Hughson said there was
but one thing to do, the board had placed
Mr.. Black in charge of the department. and
proposed to hold him responsible for its
efficiency. The assistant as we'll as all
other subordinates were subject to his
orders. If he issued unjust orders the
board would deal with him, but as long
as he held the position of chief engineer
his orders must be obeyed. He therefore
moved the board confirm the action of
the chief in the suspension of Mr.. Duggan.
Commissioner Schliek seconded the
motion.
Commissioner Prendergast said that he
agreed with Commissioner Hughson that
discipline must he maintained in the
department, but it looked to him in this
case as if suspension was altogether too
severe punishment, and that repri-
mand was all that was demanded. AS an
official of the department, in ability and
faithfulness, he looked upon Mr.. Duggan
as the equal in every respect of Chief
Black, and he did not believe the harsh
treatment provided was justifable.
Commissioner Parker said Mr., Black
had been appointed chief, and for one as
long as he held the position.
he should do all in his
power to sustain him in his position
Mr.. Duggan acknowledged he had disobey-
ed direct order because he did not think
it was right. Thinking so, he should have
obeyed the order and then complained to
the board, when, if Injustice was done him
the board would have seen him righted.
He should vote to sustain the sus-
pension.
Commissioner Prendergast said it looked
as if there was something behind this &C.
cusation. Certainly the act complained of
did not Justify the harsh treatment pro-
posed
general coloquy ensued between Com
missioners Prendergast and Schliek, in
which Mr.. Duggap occasionally Joined
which was finally pat an end to by the
president calling the gentlemen to order
Commissioner Prendergast then asked
Chief Black if Duggan had not been
faithful and efficient assistant, to which the
chief replied he had except in the cases
mentioned.
Commissioner Prendergast then moved
that the suspension of Dnggan be revoked
and he be reprimanded, but the motion
met with no second.
President Delano explained that the
adoption of Hughson's motion would only
sustain the action of the chief, and that
the board would then have to consider
what should be done with Mr.. Duggan, con-
tinue the suspension, restore him to duty,
give him a chance to resign or dismiss
him.
With this explanation Commissioner
Prendergast said he would vote for the
motion to confirm the suspension, and the
vote was called and the motion adopted by
unanimous vote.
Commissioner Parker then moved that
further consideration of the matter be
postponed until Monday night next
Commissioner Prendergast objected to
the postponement. He was ready to take
the bull by the horns and act now. IF it was
determined to get rid of Duggan in
any event it MIGHT as we'll he done now nj