The morning call., 1891-05-10
THE DEADLOCK
is BROKEN.
The Delayed Demands of SubSti-
tuteS Are Audited.
Chairman Newman Raked Over the Goals Tor
Mutilating Warrants Charit-
able Fund Scandal.

There were several lively incidents during
the meeting of the Fire Commissioners
yesterday afternoon.
For the first time in a month all the
members of the Board were in attendance,
Commissioner Parsons having returned
from his tour in the East. He joined
Schmitt and Ames in every proposition and
consequently the tie vote that has cogged
the proceedings so often was broken.
Routine business was disposed of with
refreshing rapidity.
Upon recommendation of acting Chief
Engineer Sullivan, William Kelly was
elected permanent fireman of Engine ID.
1t was agreed 10 request that the Board
of Supervisors purchase twenty horses for
the use of the department
Commissioner Martin introduced reso-
luton asking the Board of Supervisors to
investigate the charge that the Fire Depart
ment Charitable Fund is being diverted
from the purposes for which it was in
tended. To the surprise of every one tn Q
resolution was adopted without a dissenting
voice.
"That is the fund.-" remarked Ames,
shat they wanted me to be Treasurer of.
I'm glad declined the honor"
THOSE DELAYED WARRANTS.
Nov that there is a full board present."
suggested Schmitt, :" l ask that the delayed
warrants for the salaries of substitutes be
taken up"
Parsons became greatly interested when
the nature of the delay in approving these
demands was explained.
"Why do you refuse to audit these claims
which are of a class that have heretofore
been paid without question:" he asked of
Chairman Newman.
Because have just found out that the
substitutes are not regular appolntees."
us il possible that you have been signing
these demands for three years and have just
discovered that it was wrong?"
don't propose to be reprimanded by
you," retorted Newman angriiy. 1--WE
been member of this board for six years
and do what believe is right and just"
THEY ARE ALL AUDITED.
"Are these warrants for the salaries of
men appointed by this board? ?" asked
Parsons.
"They are" replied Ames; "they were
all elected by this board"
"Then," continued Parsons, 90 move that
they be audited"
The warrants were taken up one at time
and ordered audited by the votes of Par
sons, Ames aud Schnitt. Newman and
Martin voted In the negative.
Each warrant was adorned by the indorSe-
ment OF Newman, which set forth that he
had refused approval because the men had
not been legally appointed.
II move," said Ames, as he scanned the
back Of one of the demands, that all war
rants mutilated by such Endorsements as
these be cancelled and new ones issued"
Parsons said that Newman had no right
to mutiiate the warrants so as to prejudice
the claims in the eyes of the Auditor. In
his opinion. IL new warrants were issued
they could also be mutilated in a similar
manner.
QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE.
Ames withdrew his motion, " but" said
he "if the President insists on mutilating
the warrants we can instruct the clerk to
communicate with the Auditor and explain
the sitnatOn,
After all the delayed warrants had been
passed upon and ordered audited Schmitt
arose to question of privilege. He called
attention to a statement in morning paper
which set forth that Martin had said the re-
turn OF Parsons would cause several schemes
| to be carried out in the board. Schmitt's