Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-05-26

ships or personal antipathies of anybody.
But, in proceeding to make such changes,
while advising you to look for the best
service possible, free from any opportunities
or influences friendly to the officers and
men of the Fire Bureau, would respectfully
suggest that you should be cautious In ac-
cepting the suggestlons OIL one VINO, wisnln WIFI "a q
Mayor of Pittsburg, requested that you
should permit the return to this city, under
guarantee of immunity from police prosecu-
fion, OF q fugitive from justice whose COM
panions in crime were then, as now, serving
terms in the penitentiary under conviction
for the crime of whichthey were jointly in
dicted with the fugitive forwhom the Mayor
sought safe conduct.
There was reason to believe that insseek-
ing protection for a dangerous criminal
His Honor was not so anxious to serve the
best interests of the city whose chief mag
istrate he is as to further personal ends. HIS
suggestions concerning the management or
the Fire Bureau may be open to the same
''O'O' - &c. L. MAGEE-"
Action Taken on the Letters.
The question of what action should be
taken on the letters caused half an hours
discussion among the members. Mr.. keat-
ing moved that Chief Browns report and
accompanying papers be received and that
the report be made the special order OF busi
ness for consideration and discussion at
o'clock at the next regular meeting.
Mr. Robertson offered substitute in the
form of q resolution providing for joint
committee of five members, three from the
Common and two from the Select branch
together with the Chairmen of both branches
of Councils, whose duty it should be to thor
oughly investigate the questions raised in
relation TO the fire service of the city and
examine into the necessity for new and adci-
tional apparatus and ascertain what style of
machinery would be best adapted as addi-
tional fire protection to this city.
Mr. Observation-Disclosures can gain but little
1Sor1a+ IN iTnnnrtant question ClSCnSS-
ing it at random. NY idea is that a commit
tee appointed according to my resolution
can visit other cities where various appli-
ances for fire protection are in use, and
ascertain their value as applied to Pitts
burg. This committee, after thoroughly
posting itself on the subject, can report in
telligently to Councils which sort of ap-
paratus the city could best invest in.
Mr.. Keating-The substitute is not of much
account, and refuse to withdraw my mo-
tion. 1t would be impossible for the city to
invest in any new fire machinery in the
present fiscal year, as the appropriations
have bsen made and there is no money
provided for buying additional fire ap-
raratus. Select Council can discuss the mat
ter intelligently and then let Common Coun-
Gil discuss it, and if, after thorough discus
sion, Councils desire special committee to
go round the country for the purpose of Sc
curing additional information, there will be
plenty of time to send them and get report.
Next Christmas will be time enough for
that.
Mr. Robertson insist on my substitute,
anG as it will not be accepted offer it as an
amendment.
Superior Prerogatives of Councils.
DR.. Evans-Would not Councils favor the
purchase of a fire boat in preference to any
thing else, if Chief Brown would ask for
and recommend it?
Mr.. Robertson-No, sir.
DR.. Eyans-They would not?
Mr.. Robertson (emphatically)-I for one
would not. Councils have certain rights and
powers above any city Officials and they
should exercise those powers regardless of
anv recommendations unless they are thor
oughIy acquainted with what the recon-
mendations amount to. Councils don't have
to do as the chiefs recommend. If they did,
Councils might as well be abolished.
Dr. Evans-That is just what think All
Councils are good for nowadays is to vote to
spend money, and they could as well be
abolished as not as far as the city is con-
CeTned.
4 general discussion of the merits of the
two motions then followed. President Ford
finally ended discussion byputting Mr.. keat-
ing'S motion in two parts, one to receive and
file the papers accompanying Chief Browns
report and one setting the latter aside for
discussion at o'clock at the next regular
meeting a : special order of business, the
change in the hour being Mr.. Keating's sug-
gestion. The motion was put and carried
but Chairman Ford got tangled up by reason
OF an appeal from Mr.. Robertson and ruled
out the vote. The question was voted on q
second time and Robertson's amendment
was defeated. Then Mr.. keatings motion
was carried.