The Dispatch. [volume] (Provo City, Utah) 1891-1895, 1891-04-18
THE FIREHEH MEET.
Assistant Chief Hill Accuses
the Numbers Of Jealousy.
a Petition, the Signers of
Which do Anything But
Support.
Councillor Maioen Thinks the
FIremen Acted Dishonora-
Die in the Matter.
Notice.

ton presented to the Council by
Knight Bros. and others, praying II
the reconsideration of the appoiE,
ment of John a. Brown, as chief, and
William Hill, as assistant chief, Cf
Provo Volunteer Fire Department.
BY order of the City Council.
H. j. MAIBEN,-
Chairman of Committee on Fire
Department.
This was the notice that succeeded
in packing the Council chamber on
Wednesday night with firemen, eX-fre-
men, city officers, merchants and citi-
zens generally. The City Council
committee on fire department, Henry
Maiben, r. I. Thomas, Jr., and
Samuel Liddiard, presided by their
chairman, Mr.. Henry Maiben.
Chairman Maiben, in opening the
meeting, stated the object of the call,
VIZ: to consider the petition presented
to the City Council, by Knight Bros.
ct al, asking for the removal of John
A Brown and VIM. Hill, as chief and
assistant chief of fire department. He
requested the city recorder to read
said petition.
The petition, as published in We'd
nesday's issue Of THE DISPATCH, was
then read.
Felix Bachman read a communica-
ton from F. w. c. Hathenbruck, ex-
pressing lis opinion of the petition,
stating that he did not think it right
to put too many duties on any officer,
not but that the police and fire depart
ment could work hand in hand, but
that their duties were decidedly diff
ferent in the protection of property,
and he thought that other officers
ought to be appointed and the present
incumbents released.
\ communication from J r.. Boshard
was read, asking that his name be
striker from the petition, giving, as
his reasons, that he did not understand
the situation fully at the time of sign
ing He was fully satisfied with the
present chief and assistant.
d. O. Clark asked that his name be
taken off the petition.
Chairman Maiben asked if any one
knew where the petition originated,
and was answered by Heber Booth
that it originated with the members of
the fire department.
Heber Booth took the floor and said:
One of the causes that led TO the origin
of the petition was the fact that Chief
Brown had stated at one of tie meet
ings of the department, that if an as
sistant chief was needed he would lei
the department select their own man.
This promise he had not kept.
The minutes of the meeting at which
Chief Brown made this alleged
promise was read, but no such promise
could be found there The minutes OF
the last meeting of the department
were then read. These showed that
the resignation Of some of the officers
of the department was because of the
chief breaking his promise, and not
giving the department the opportunity
of saying who should be their officers
Mr.. Kershaw asked that Chief
Brown state what he did say in the
meeting of the City Council, but the
chief said he could not remember il
all.
Recorder Jensen then read from the
minutes Of the Council the particulars
of the chiefs speech.
Mayor Booth stated the only reason
given in the petition for the removal
of the chief and his assistant, was thai
they were policem en-. He wanted tC
know whether there W as any othel
reason for wishing their removal. Il
there was no other reason than thai
set forth in the petition the Council
could very readily adjust matters.
Mr.. Kershaw slated that the reason
for his resignation as member of the
fire department was because the chic
had broken his promise III the matter
of giving the department the privilege
of choosing an assistant,
/ Mayor Booth again took the aoor
He said the city needed the services Of
a volunteer fire department., and ht
would like to see the whole matter
amicably adjusted The engine was
no more good without men than tht
men were without the engine. | an
: decidedly a Democrat in the matter O
choosing officers, and believe that eacl
man ought to have a voice in tie mat
ter of who should be their officers. Bu
before saving anything further,
think it would be best to hear from Mr.
Hill and give him chance to bt
; heard in his own defense.
Mr.. Hill replied that the reason h,
was present at the meeting was be
cause he ha d been sent for, so far a
being heard in his own defense wa
concerned lie did not know OF what III
was accused. If some one would en-
tighten him in the premises he woul,
try and answer.
Mayor Booth-Well, | don't know
either: this case is very much like tin
case of the Irishman | Fave heart
about, who, when the judge asked hin
if he was guilty or not guilty, replied
: ''Be jabers, that's just plwat we'v,
come here to find out a" BIT thinl
1t right that Mr.. IliIl should be hgar
from.
Nj Hnl again took the floor, an,
said: In The matterof the efficiency q
q policeman being fit for . !iremau