St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-02-26

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tender you in this manner. | do not
take this step without full appreciation
OF your position, and not the slightest
disposition to criticise your motives.
The views given mere purely
a definition of my own position,
and one which l have always main
tanned. As through ISLANDERS l Lave
been placed in false position Ie1Ore
the public, | desire to have this letter
made public now, that it may be under
stood that the issue is not one regarding
my official character but one relating TO
the best methods of discipline To ne
used in controlling the most important
department in this city. Yours respect
fully, JOHN t. BLACK,
Chief Engineer.
William Pitt Murray, city attorney,
mas been a regular attendant at the
meetings in the interests OF the board
since the Kelliher matter came up. The
communication serving to soap his gey-
ser, he arose to his feet and feid forth
at considerable length in his peculiar
style OF oratury, II desire to say right
here" he said, ''that there was not a
word said Fat that meeting regarding the
reinstatement of Kelliher; nor was the
matter even urged at any other meeting.
Friday that we discussed the matter,and
it was
AGREED UPON AS ADVISABLE"
president Warner came to me-" said
the Chief, ''and informed me that it WAS
the unanimous decision of the board"
After some further discussion, Presi-
dent Warner asked for expressions of
opinion on the communication, calling
hrSt upon Commissioner Freeman. as
the oldest member. II have read the
communication" he said, land have
given it great deal of thought. Two
questions come up in my mind. Was it
sent here for action tonight, or was it
to be meant as repOrtp / take it
to mean that the chief says that IF
you reinState Kelliher, you can't have
me- | say he acted wrong. say fur
ther, that 10 man of the department
can dictate to me. If it was intended
to influence the board, am ready to
act now. think the chief has antici-
pated our action In assuming the rein
statement of kelliher. but if he wants
to dare any member of this board, am
willing to say he can't do it with me-"
Commissioner Prendergast was called
upon by the president and said: "Mr.
freeman has expressed my opinion
SAuSUlys IL lliC Cdll
be explained satisfactorily, l am willing
to vote Oh his suspension at once. it
looks to me as if threat musl be i'm
Piled"
mo threat is intended" replied the
chief, land there is none in it, as | can
see. The members said after that meet
ing that [ should think it over, and |
have done so and reported. [ have
never intended any disrespect to the
board. and only say that if it is their
wish that Kelliher be reinstated |
cannot reinstate him.
That is the way / look upon it"
added Commissioner Martin: ''tHat the
matter was referred to MIN and tnat it
is his report. don't think the chief
Intended to do anything further than to
report upon ii"
And 1 can not see where Ihave fore
stalled any action of the board" said
the chief; Il simply say that if you do
reinstate him you
MUST ACCEPT MY RESIGN ALTON,
and was asked to think the matter over
and report"
President Warner said: 81 went in
and had talk with the chief and told
him that for the best interests Of the
department., and the public and all con-
cerned he should let the trouble go, see
Keliiher and learn il the matter couldn't
told me that he had thought it over and
would do as suggested" MIR. Presi-
dent, we would like to hear your opin-
ion Oh the communication, said Com
missioner Freeman.
Il think it unWise and that the chief
acted very unwisely. | think it is an
implied threat. [ am ready, with the
rest of you gentlemen, to vote upon this
matter tonight. As to Kelliher, | don't
think he would have been reinstated
without the sanction of the chief, and
don't think there was any reason for
this action. l don't like the idea of
being driven, thought Sin my judy
ment," added Commissioner Prender-
CAST, II think the best thing for the
department and the city is that the
designations OF these two gentlemen be
accepted. We may as well fix it tonight
asaneXt Friday night"
President Warner-I would like to
hear every member express himself.
Il feel that the department has cost
great deal of money" said Mr.. Free
man, land the citizens have sustained
us in all we have ever done. l for one
feel that we have chief who is one of
the best in the country. but feel that
HE HAS MADE A MISTAKE.
in his action here, but am ready to act
if we have to let both OF these men go.''
Commissioner Martini really don't
know what to think about it, but think
the board is looking at in in different
light'than | have. Still there are some
things in the letter that oughtn't to be
there; but really don't want to express
myself upon it."
Commissioner Mitsch had read the
communication and was ready to act
upon it, but kept his opinion to him
self.
MIR. Freeman asked: "Do you under
stand. Mr.. Murray, that we are asked
to act upon the KelIiher matter to-
night?"
Il think the letter literally does not
ask it, but that it was intended to bias
the board. But don't know why we
should go on with the Kelliher investi-
cation. We might as well settle the
whole thing tonight. What's the use
of the hearing, anyway"
To settle the matter Commissioner
Prendergast said: IL will go further
and will move that the resignation Of
both be accepted. This communication
is a threat.o
President Warner-As 1 look at it.
the chief tendere his resignation believ-
ing that Kelliher would be relnstated.
don't know as it was so intended, but
if it was am willing to accept it. AS
to Mr.. kelliher, his resignation cannot
be accepted until it is rendered, but we
might ask for it.
None of the commissioners except
Mr.. Prendergrast seemed ready TO act,
and as a compromise Mr.. Martin re-
quested that the chief
WITHDRAW HIS COMMUNICATION.
Chief Black complied with the re-
quest. saying: Il will withdraw it, but
will say that l cannot and will not act
with KeIliher in the department, and
that my action is because members of
the board seem to think there are threats
implied in it. but Idon't think So" On