The Indianapolis journal., 1891-03-23

Appointees to Succeed Republicans Dropped
by the Board of Public Safety.

A few days ago. while indulging in an
astounding tic of non-partisan enthusiasm.
Sterling II. holt, chairman of the Board of
Public Safety, confided TO q Journal re-
porter sentiments that were very peculiar
for him. He was not in favor of discharG-
ing efficient Republicans from the fire
department, he said, for political rea-
sons. He would not cripple the de-
partment by loading it up with green
hands, was ready to stand the censure or
his party to the utmost before he would do
it. and good deal more of the same tenor.
When Colonel Bilp Hicklin read this in
terview he cooked one eye and stuck his
tongue in his cheek. "Conrse. we're all
non-partisan now." said he. but if you'll
watch the fire department. for year. at the
end of that time there won't be any more
Republicans there than the law allows.
Holt amt fool enough to fire 'em all at
once and swamp the department with green
hands. but you'll see half dozen or so, all
from different houses. go now pretty soon.
and then. as soon as they get settled, you'll
see the operation repeated. Seei Have to
do these things kind o gradual like"
"COl. Biip was good prophet Notwith-
standing Mr.. Hollis beautiful intentions
which have now gone to do service as
good intentions-he and MIR. Sullivan are
following out the programme over Mr.. Cat
terson's head, and the following heads will
roll into the basket this morning: William
Louis Saylors, No. Il William Cochrane.
No. 5; Dick Brown, No. truck, and john
Mountain, No. 9. These men are. of course.
all Repu blicans. Fortunately they do not
have to be discharged ''for cause"
as it might prove embarrassing to the
board to find a cause. Under the new cher
ter all the firemen had to be appointed
anew, and il. or rather the Democratic
members OF 1t, declined to reappOlnt these
men. Nearly all of them are faithful and
efficient men, and some have been in the
service for years.
Their SUCCESSORS. as first announced in
Saturdays Journal, are Timothy Nolan.
who goes to No. 2 truck; John GOODNIGHT,
len, No. 9; Pat Ryan. No. 2 truck; and E.
Keever, No 8. Thomas McOuat is to 60 as
captain of No. truck IN place of Stevens
William Sullivan. of No. 2, is
to follow McOuat on No. l truck:
the department and discharged for excel
lent cause. Goodnecht was also former
fireman, discharged for inefficiency. Keever
was on little while after the Bowen Mer.
f d,sasser tn eqt was unable to stick
those los Democratic applications it Is an en-
phatic comment upon the material of W hich
the party is made up. Hereafter discharges
will have to be made for cause" and 1T
will be interesting to onote what pretext the
board will find for making removals. Mr..
Holt protests that no more changes will be
made for long time. but a week or two is
"a long time" to hungry Democrat.
! The present change still leaves eighteen
more Republicans than Democrats in the
department., but some time ago Chief
Webster asked the Council for fifteen more
men, desiring to put another man at each
house. and he thinks the Board of Public
Safety will probably give him at least
twelve in the near future. The arrange
ment of giving each man one day off in the
week frequently leaves but two men in a
company at meal times an insufficient force
In case of fire. If this change is made, all
the new appontees will. OF course. be Dem
Ocrats. and 1T will only be necessary to
drop three more Republicans to divide the
force equally. The chief is anxious that
all the changes contemplated should be
made as soon as possible as the uncertainty
has demoralizing influence on the force.