The evening world., 1888-05-24
DISCIPLINE FOR FIREMEN.
DELINQUENTS MAKING EXCUSE ron
LAPsEs TO THE COMMISSIONERS.

Gen. Porter Present watching the Proceed
ings CloseIy-Capt. short Arraigns Tvv.
Of His Men and Says n Good Word for
Them-FatiGue That Produced the Rsec,
of Intoxication-Two Missing Firemen.
Another squad of delinquent fremen ver.
brought before the Commissioners yester.
day. Gen. Fitz John Porter was present in
his new official capacity, but took no active
part in the trials contenting himself with
watching the proceedings closely.
Fireman John ]. O'Neil. of Hook and
Ladder No. 1. was the first called. He was
charged with being under the influence of
liquor on May IA, He pleaded not guilty
Capt. Short testified that on the day in cues.
ton O'Neil was asleep in his bunk, and when
called to attend to his duties staggered over
the floor and acted in q manner that justified
the charge.
In his own defense O'Neil stated that he
had been at O wake the night before, butt
\ had drank no intoxicating liquor. IL was Al
strictly temperate wake, he said. His|
staggering and other peculiar antics were
caused by fatigue.
When asked by the President what kind Of
a fireman O'Neil was. Capt. Short stated that
he considered him above the average at 4
fire. but that in the company quarters he was
lax in discipline.
AS this was the sixth charge brought
against him, the Commissioners were ina
cllned to dismiss him from the force, but in
considera non of his good reputation he was
fined ten lays pay, and warned that anothe1
charge would be followed by dismissal. \
Fireman John w. Bearman. also of Hook
and Ladder l, was arraigned on q similar
charge. His excuse was that he was suffer-
ing from nervousness and q friend had given
him some medicine which made him drowsd
and stupid.
Capt. Short testified that Bearman wasai
hard drinker, and o the day named in TIL
complaint MAY 1D was unable to get utl
stairs, owing to his condition. He, wasN
good fireman and deserving of clemency, the
Captain said, and his condition was due u
domestic trouble. I
This statement was what saved BearmanI
as he had six charges against him and wei
liable to dismissal. He was lined ten days.
pay and warned. \
Fireman Z. }. Lacey. of Engine CompanJ
8, was charged with failing to pay q bill Of
SO. Upon his promise to settle it next pay
day the charge was laid over.
Fireman Christopher Bruton, of Engin}
Company 33, was charged with failing to rel
spond to two alarms of fire on the night oI
May IL. His excuse was that he had been on
had also been drilling at the School Of In
struction, SO that he was completely tired
out and was not awakened when the alarm
sounded. Bruton is a new man, having beer
on the force only three months. He received
a r%eprimand.
Fireman George McTaggart.. of Engin(
Company No. 10. charged with absence with
out leave for thirteen bours, failed to respond
when his name was called, and Capt. Dwyei
informed the Commissioner that McTagga4
had gone to breakfast that morning and had
sent back word that he was sick. The chargJ
was laid over until the next meeting.
Adam Mesner, of Engine Company 50
charged with absence without leave fo;
twenty three hours, was reported to be unl
der the DOCTORS care. 80 the charge was laid
over.
President Purroy then announced that a
the Board was now full, he would appoin'
Commissioner Croker a Committee on Build
ings and Supplies and Commissioners Porte
The Board adjourned until Tuesday next