The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-11-12
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
The Fire Department

70 the Editor Of the Indianapolis Journal
great interest is being taken in the cleo
ton Of chief fire engineer, Monday night, not
only by the assistant Democratic organ, the
News. but by some misinformed Republicans as
well. A few facts in the matter may not be
amiss, and new that the election is ever. GER
tainly cannot be charged with having injured
the party if point to an abuse that may be
reformed in the public interest
few years back Mr. Sherwood was chief en-
gineer. He was q good fireman and an honest
man, but his administration not being salts
factory he was succeeded by John. g. Pendergast.
However little Mr.. PenGergsst may have known
about fires, he established discipline that was,
if anything too rigid He systematized the
business, and had things in regular
army shape. King Stork was too much
for the fire department and King
Log was elected. Mr.. Webster succeeded
and found a well-disciplined departments; and
he has done nothing since but TO relax that dis
cipline, until to-day the fire department runs
itself, ard Webster receives the credit due
Psndergast. With the "boysn whom he Is easy
with. he is known as "Web" He has policy for
So 600 insurance on headquarters and for varying
sums on all the other engne-houses in the CITY,
He runs a.salvage corps at the expense of the
city, whereas in other cities the insurance COM
psnies pay for it themselves He is. conse-
quently good man for the insurance compaD-
les. notwithstanding that our insurance rates
are not less than in any other city in the State,
and no less than they have been for years.
Mr.. Pendergast trisd to make the water COM
pany live up to its contract, and at various
times tried them to ascertain their ability. Mr..
Webster has never done this. and when the tees
was made by the fire company some weeks
ago he appeared as the friend OF the water
| company The water company is for him. and
Messrs. Davis aud Hickman have worked
earnestly for his reelection. he has the ex-
| penditure of large sums Of money, and the men
| with whom he trades are friendly to him
naturally. In no instance has be shown
| his capacity to manage fire. and
| the Meridian street fire should he
enough to call for change Of itself.
He is not Republican, and one-haif of his
| force are Democrats II the Republican party
ton. as il should be. the fire department should
be within tho control of the Council, instead of
| the News.
The expenditures of the department are now,
| in round numbers for fire protection, Sl00 900
| per year. nearly one-fourth Of the entire reve-
nue., and the Mayor has twice called the atten-
| ton OF the Council to the natter but with this
man in charge and the News running the town,
working for the candidates OF the Democratic
party and debating Republican policy, no change
for the better be made
| Mr.. +. L. Daugherty, who Is candidate also for
the place, is fireman of eighteen years expert
| ence, and has all the qualifications Mr. Webster
has and many that he lacks With Mr.. Daugh-
| erty responsible to the Republican majority in
| Council instead of Mr.. Webster, responsible
| only to the News, the fire committee will guar
| antee to the citizens o saving OF several thou
sands OF dollars annually. Will Republicans
| who don't know any more about this than what
| they learn from the News please keep hands of,
| and oblge p. G. TRUsLER,
| Chairman Fire Committee