Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-30
C. L. Magee and Chief Elliot Say
They Will See That No City En-
ployes Are Discharged for
VOTING FOR WHOM THEY PLEASE.
Both Gentlemen Speak Warmly on the
Right of Citizen to Exercise
Free Ballot.
CIRCULARS TO REPUBLICAN VOTERS
Big Bets Made that Allegheny viii Not Give Della
mater 1000 Majority.

A considerable comment was excited
among all classes of politicians and voters
generally yesterday and last night about
town over the announcement that Chief
Brown and William Finn had sent out cir
culars to all city officials and employees con-
cerning their action in the coming election.
1t was freely asserted and not denied that
these people had been notified that they
were expected to support the Republican
nominee at the polls on Tuesday next.
The argument attributed to Mr.. Finn
was that these men were employed under
Republican city government and that in
consequence they were expected to support
the party ticket. 1t might look like bull
doing, but in this emergency it was neces-
sary that party principles be adhered to,
and that the full party vote be polled for
Senator Delamater and the balance of the
tiiket Any failure on the part OF the em-
| ploye to comply with this idea would sub
| ject the offender to a blacklist for future
reference.
| WILL STAND BY THE BOYS.
| The general opinion of this order was that
| it meant the victims would either have to
vote for Delamater or lose their heads at the
earliest opportunity. During the evening
representative of this paper met Mr.. G. l..
Magee and asked him what he knew of the
| reported notification. The gentleman re-
piled that he had not seen copy of it, but
in very terse language gave his opinions on
the subject. He said that for years he was
| a member of the old Fire Com
mission, and part of that time Presi-
dent of the same. During this
period he came in contact with many
members of the fire department, and he
knew that as a general rule they were. good
men. He then went on to say that so tar as
his friends were concerned at least there
would be no chopping off OF heads without
good and sufficient cause, no matter in what
channel their political preferences led them,
if he could help it, and that he would stand
by them to finish.
The earnestness and force with which Mr..
Magee made this assertion left no room for
doubt as to where be stood upon the subject.
Chief Elliot, of the Department Of Public
Charities was as fully pronounced in his
views. He said that no man in his depart
ment should suffer In the least for his politi-
cal convictions, and as free moral agents
they were at perfect liberty to do as they saw
fit at the polls.
ELLIOT SPEAKS WARMLY.
He expressed great warmth in talking on
the subject, and clearly indicated that so far
as his department was concerned there would
be no cracking OF the party whip. He de-
clared thai men should be discharged for
cause, and for cause alone.
The fact was recalled last night that about
ten years ago an employe of one of the city
departments was discharged for political
offense. He carried the matter into court,
and upon proving that his discharge was due to
the causes specified, was vindicated and re-
stored to his position.
The attitude in which this little difference OF
opinion between Messrs. Finn and Brown on
the one hand and Magee and Elliott on the
other became interesting topic of conversa-
tion to those who knew of it, and the outcome
will be watched with interest