The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-11
HE APPEALS TO TIE COUNCIL.
Chief Webster Protests Against the Dismissal
of Firemen for Political Reasons Oaly.

The committee on fire department, appointed by
the new Council has intimated that the expenses
of the department to be reduced by dismiss
ing Democrats from the payroll, and the move
ment is being vigorously opposed by Chief Web
ster and many Republicans. The committee
held it's first meeting on Sunday, at fire head
quarters, and consulted with Chief Webster re-
garding some proposed reforms. twas suggest
ed to the chief that in filing the vacant places
recently created by the death of some members
he should promote the substitute, and Mr..
Webster agreed with the suggestion. Some
other reforms were then discussed, and finally
it was suggested that Mike Slayen. Of the No.
company, should be dismissed. Mr.. Webster
said he had received some complaint about Mr
Slaven not taking enough interest IN the de-
partment and said IL anyone was to go he
would be willing for it to be Slaven According
to the instructions OF the committee
that his services would not be needed after the
10Th inst. AS a member Of the committee
went home be stopped at the No
enGinehOuss and M potlhea MI I'D c nc
tain of the company, that his services would not
be desired after the 18th. Mr. McGinnis has al
ways been Repu blca1. bnt at the last eiectlon
he voted for Edenhartef. Chief webster did
not hear of the notice being served on McGln-
mis- until yesterday morning, and he was very
indignant at the committee assuming authority
Smarting under the wrong that he believed had
been done him, he at once hunted up Slavln
and reinstated him in the departments,
and he also gave McGinnis notice that he
should not quit until the Council said So The
result will be appeal to the Council at the
next meeting to determine whether men shall be
dismissed against the will of the chief.
"My action may cost me my place" said Chief
Webster TO a Journal reporter last night, but
l am doing what believe is right. and will
ing to abide by the consequences AS long as |
am chief l shall protest against the best men
have being dismissed simply on account OF
politics am willing to consult
with the committee, as told them.
with reference to the best method
of reducing expenses, but the department. shall
not be cut to pieces for political purposes with
out the committee hearing from me- A dozen
letters came to me from prominent South Me-
ridian-street merchants to-day, with reference
to the contemplated action OF the committee.
and urging me to protest against it. Whenever
the department. is turned into political ma
chine, the money that is spent in keeping it mp
will be thrown away. The Evansville depart
ment is an example. By introducing politics
into it it has been made wholly worthless,
and result the city has had
one fire after another which burned un til every
thing in sight was destroyed. Say the Repub-
hcans remove all the Democrats from the force
now. AT the next election the Democrats might
get majority in the Council; then all the Re-
publicans would go. That would make force
of raw men, and then the city will have no de-
partment at all. know am right in the con-
troversy. and am going to stand or fall by the
Councils action"