Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-01-15
CITIZENS COMMITTEE AND PRE- COM.
MISSIONERS

Last night a special meeting OF the Board
of Fire Commissioners was held to confer
with the committee appointed by the Citizens
organization, consisting of 7. B. Hall, K.
Wittenbrook and G. w. Carey. The object
of the conference was stated by Mr.. Carey to
consider the powers of the Board to establish
another engine-house and company in the
eastern portion of tie city City Attorney
w. A. Anderson was called upon by the
President of the Board for his opinion regard
ing the powers of the Fire Commissioners in
the premises. Mr.. Anderson stated that, IN.
der the Act of 1872 Fire Department Act,
the Board is limited to two engines and
equipments, and has no authority to exceed
that number that it was certainly the
intention of the Trainer of the Act
to repeal all other laws relating to the
government of the Fire Department, but,
upon close examination, the peculiar wording
of the Act declares the fact that such is not
the case only those provisions inconsist-
ent" with that Act being repealed. Nearly
every provision of that Act closed with these
words, "as constituted by this Act, showing
that the matters legislated upon are confined
to that Act alone. Under the charter We find
=,
Trustees are empowered to establish and
regulate fire companies and a fire department;
and in Section &c of the charter there is q
provision for the spportionment Of seven
cents of each one hundred cents of the gen.
ersl tax, into Fire Department Fund.
While it was intended doubtless to abrogate
these provisions and place the Fire Depart
ment entirely under the control of the Fire
Commissioners, it seems the Act has failed
to do this.
Mr.. Carey asked Mr.. Anderson if the
Board of Trustees would not have power TO
submit the question, Whether a new engine
house and equipments should be con-
strucsed - to the vote of the people. He
answered that under Sections 20. 81 and %
of the charter whenever the interest, good
health or safety of the city required any out
lay, and there was no money on hand to meet
the obligation, the Trustees would have the
power to submit the question Of mourning the
obligation to vote of the people, and if
two-thrds voted in favor, the debt could be
created and the city could levy tax to pay
the same.
The Citizens Committee being satisfied that
the Fire Commissioners had 10 power in tha
matter, concluded to wait upon the Trustees,
and, If possible, get that body to act in the
matter. 1t was suggested, however, that
some legal steps be taken by way of an agreed
case to determine whether the seven per cent.
tax appOrtionInent would be legal. There
was considerable discussion of various mat
tiers and plans by the committee and Com
missiorees, also by Trustee Nelson, who
was present il behalf of the Trustees. No
definite action was taken but it was evident
that the interested parties intend to "push
things in the direction Of securing another
Z" machine in the eastern part OF the city.
1t was deemed imprscticable to use any part
Of the new exposition building. for the reason
that during fair time. when it might be most
likely to use the engine, it would have to be
removed. All agreed that new house and
another company is a necessity.