Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1892-06-15
MATTHEW'S VS.. GIBSON
Kinghorn Succeeds in Pre-
venting the Confirmation
of Matthews
The Council Ignores the Ma
jority Rule of the Fire
Department
Gibson Asked to Resign why
Biles Joined in the
Contest

The city council met i'm adjourned
session yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock
for the special purpose Of considering
the charges of irregularities and lille
galities in the recent election for chief
of the fire department. Mayor Me-
Kenzie presided, and all members were
present except Councilmen Donovan
and Ahern. Councilman Griffin was
in attendance for the first time in sew
eral weeks, having returned the pre-
vious day from a trip 10 Bismarck, Da-
kota.
The report Of the committee on fire,
water and tight in the matter of the
contest, and making certain recon-
mendations, was then taken up and
read, and also ordinance No. TO- regu-
lating the manner Of fire department
elections.
G., w. Howard, attorney for Mr..
Matthews, addressed the council in
support of the claims Of his client, aud
asked that the protest Of Messrs. Glib
son and Biles, the defeated candidates,
be read and the parties i'm interest be
given an opportunity TO be heard. The
protest was read and also the report Of
the committee charged with the duty
Of investigating the allegations. But
the council saw fit to take the very un-
usual course Of passing judgment upon
the case after hearing only one side
of IL.
Mr.. Griffin expressed the opinion
that the chief Of the fire department
should be chosen from outside the de-
partment entirely, in order TO avoid
petty contests between factions.
Mr. Kinghorn said it made no differ
ence to him how much preliminary in
vestigation should be had the matter
would resolve itself down to vote on
the confirmation of Mr.. Matthews or
his rejection, and he should vote TO re-
ject
Mr. Aubrey said it seemed clear to
him, from the reading Of the rules Of
the fire department, that the contest, If
investigated at all, should be investi-
gated by the board Of fire delegates,
rather than by the council.
Mr.. Howard agreed with Mr.. Au-
brey except 50 far as the charges af-
fectlng the standing Of his client In the
community were concerned. He
thought that In common justice to Mr.
Matthews those should be inquired
into and an opportunity given to show
their utter falsity.
Mr.. Gibson INDUCED in some inso-
lence toward Mr.. Howard and made
some random statements about what
he understood to have been the inten-
tions of Mr.. Matthews in the event
that he did not receive majority Of
the votes cast.
Mr.. Kingdom, alluding again to the
investigation" and report and 10 the
conclusions which he had reached
from his exhaustive study of the ques-
ton, moved that Mr.. Matthews cleo
tiOn be not confirmed, that the present
chief be asked to resign, and that the
selection Of his successor by the council
be made a special order for the Wednes-
day session. His motion was seconded
by Mr.. Aubrey.
Mr.. Howard again asked that Mr..
Matthews be given an opportunity TO
present his case and appropriately ex-
pressed the sentiments Of nearly every
spectator present when he deprecated
the manifest disposition TO stifle all
attempts at investigation. His appeal
was fruitless. Kinghorn called for the
question and every councilman present
voted to override the department and
set aside its choice.
Once more Mr.. Howard asked as O
matter Of the commonest justice to his
client as a man and citizen that he be
permitted to file his ow n answer, writ
ten by himself and expressed In his
own language, without aid or advice,
In refutation Of the charges of ir-
regularities and the baser charges
brought against him. He further
stated with all due Difference TO the
wisdom Of the council that the action
just taken was plain violation Of one
Of the ordinances Of the city.
Mr.. Gibson's champion then offered
the following resolution, conseDtiDg
afterwards to the addition of clause
permitting the filing Of Mr.. Matthew'S
papers
"That the rejection Of the name
Of j. X. Matthews as chief Of the |
fire department and the request by
this council that the present chief
hand in his resignation forthwith IL
in no way intended to cast any |
reflection either personal or on the |
score Of capability upon either Mr.. |
Matthews or Mr.. Gibson, but Is caused |
by the desire on the part Of the council |
that harmony may be maintained and |
preserved in the fire department And /
II Is the opinion Of the council that Il |
would be unwise 10 place In the posi- |
ton Of chief either Of the contestants in !
this case" The resolution was
adopted.
Matthews answer 10 the unsupported
charges Of Gibson is a clear and explicit
denial Of every allegation, supported
by afIidavits which clearly show the
snimus Of the attacks against him.
There is sworn affidavit from the fire
man whom Gibson alleges received 20 !