The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-02-25
M'CARTHY'S BUGGY.
It's Empty Seat Precipitates a
Very Lively Row.
a Secret Meeting Of the Fire Commission
John DOughsrty Finds a Broken Safe.
The Fight Still On.

The Fire Commission has distinguished
itself again, and this time it is over the
election or q successor to John Mccarthy,
the district engineer who was deposed
few days ago on account Of charges of
bribery preferred against him.
Tie story is one that is calculated to re-
veal The inner workings Of local politics
and the methods employed by the local
bosses for the purpose Of carrying the
primaries.
When Mccarthy wns removed the ques-
ton Of his successor was raised at once, and
it was seen that pretty battle was sure to
! be the outcome. Martin Kelly, who aids
Phil Crimmins in the management Of local
politics at present from a Republican stand
point, and who has Il weakness for steam
beer and pretzels, had a candidate for the
position. his candidate was Phil Rea
and Kelly m his position OF aTcA-dictdtOr in
all affairs relating to the management OF the
Fire Department insisted that he be given
the vacant red buggy. He demanded this,
in fact, as a reward for his faithful ser
vices IN days gone by, and it was supposed
that he would be able to carry tie day,
he FORGOT SOMETHING.
As the result proved, however, he was not
the master OF the situation. He forgot 10
take CoguZaEee Of the fact that two Of the
commission were members Of the Democratic
marty, and that one was a follower Of an
opposing faction. lie went into the fight
regardless Of this, and now be IS cOnsOiug
hin self in the back room Of 16 Third street
on bls favorite beverage and relieving the
moEot0ny Of his "bO0Z" by an occasional
oath.
The truth Of the matter is that on Satur-
day evening last a secret meeting Of the
commission was held ~ the old City Hall.
and the question Of a successor TO John
afy4f~r D.
is in all things friendly TO Kelly, proposed
the name Of Phil Rea, and asked that he be
appointed as foreman OF Englue 3. This
was done in order to evade the rule adopted
some time ago, providing that all appoint
ments in the department must be made by
promotion. The plan was to keep him for
week as foreman before promoting him to
the high and responsible position OF Dis
trict Engineer.
SOMETHING DROPPED.
Thus far all had worked out well, but
when Fisher Ames arose and proposed the
name Of John D0ugheIty a hush iell upon
the commission. 1t was realized that
struggle was imminent and everybody took
a long breath and held it. Ames and
Schmitt stToye to look pleasant and Par
sons and Brown assumed an air OF indtfeT-
ence. Not so Martin, however. who merely
leaned back in his high back chair and
smiled a smile that was ominOus.
When the vote was taken a moment later
the smile Of Martin was understood. He
refused to vote, and the ballot stood two
for Dougherty and two for Rea. Ballot
after ballot was taken with the same result,
and when an adjournment was taken no re-
suit had been reached.
THE LATEST PLAN.
Now it is proposed to Dust Mr.. Parsons
under the ruling Of the Supreme Court,
and put In his place Frank G. Edwards,
who Is pledged TO vote for .DOngherty.
This Of course would cut the Gordian knot
and land Buckley's OLD lieutenant back in
his former place.
Dougherty was seen last night and ad-
mitted that he had been slated for the va
cant place, but asserted that he had made
up his mind to abandon the fight
After the row yesterday in the conyen-
ton Of clubs" he said. 81 have made up nv
mind TO keep out of the department and
battle the outfit Cn Suffer street.