The morning call., 1892-08-28
RAINEY'S GHOST STALKS.
Politics Cause a Row In the
Fire Board.
FOUR: MEN ARE DISMISSED.
Baheadsi Ladies' Claim That An Attempt
!: : Was Made to Force Them 20 Fight For
-. Rainey-Martin's Charges.

-. There e.were some lively tilts during the
:. meeting OF the Board Of Fire Commission
a.. ers yesterday afternoon. All the trouble
grew out of the trial Of four members of
Engine Company 1,who were suspended for
surrendering their badges and refusing 10
..dofurther duty.
II is many months since the board adopted
a resolution declaring that no member Of
the department should actively participate
In politics.
According to the testimony given yester-
=: day, however. this rule has been frequently
Violated and the ghost of Sam Rainey is de-
moTalizing discipline in Engine Company 1.
Charles Hodges. one Of the four men who
: claim that they were forced out of the de-
.partment for failing to obey the behests Of
Sam Rainey and his lieutenants in attend
ing certain Democratic club meetings, sent
in his resignation. The board refused TO
accept it. pTeferring to expei him.
Manuel S0uza pleaded not guilty 70 the
charge OF neglect of dAty, and Foreman
Commit of EBglue Company ! related how
he handed in his badge and walked away.
The trouble began TO brew when Conmis-
si0ner Martin cross-examined COnhlf.
"HAye yOn ordered SOuza 10 attend any
political meetings in the last few m0nths~
was asked as starter.
Chairman Schmitt promptly objected,
saying that Commit was not on trial. Hay-
ing turned in his badge SOuza had closed the
door to any investigation of q political ma
tuTe. MaTtin'S question was declared ont
of order.
Has COnnif ever given you any orders
outside Of Fire Department business?"
asked Martin.
Before the witness could answer Martin
said; "a am satisfied that SOuza had been
ordered TO a meeting 10 take the Fire De-
partmeut end for Sam Rainey against the
ReOrganizers.'
Schmitt volunteered the information that
S0aZa had proper remedy before he turned
In his badge. Martins questions were
again ruled ont of order.
Martin persisted and asked 'Did you
ever order men to attend meetings OF politi-
cal clubs?"
''No, never did"
"Did you ever attend any political meet
ings youfself?"
The question was ruled out and Clerk
Whitehead was called a witness. He said
that since SouZa turned in bis badge, on
August II, he had failed to answer Is alarms
Of fire.
Souza teslIf ed in his own behalf. He said
that out Of u in the company only five were
working members.
Martin-Give your reasons for turning In
yeur badge.
Sehmitt-I object to his airing his griev-
ances here.
Martin-Is It fact that only half of the
company does any work?
Souza-Yes, sir.
Sehmitt-You will have a chance TO prove
that. You can secure an investigation of
Engine Company by filing charges.
MaTtn-The charges are on the table
now.
Schmitt-Well, 1 have not considered them
whats the pleasure of the commission ?"
said Schmitt as he chOked of further dis
cussion.
The case was promptly closed, and the
charges sustained. On motion of Commits
sloner Edwards Savage was dismissed from
the department
John Gately was next 20 be tried He
was charged with neglect Of duty aud in
science to a superior officer.
Commissioner Ames was excused from
participating IN the trial, because be is the
attorney for GatelY in a lawsuit.
Gately pleaded not guilty. District En-
glneer L. ii. Shaughnessy deDosed that dur
Ing IRE on August II he ordered Gately
TO tell the engineer TO turn on the water.
The order was not obeyed. La the evening
Shaughnessy asked Gately if he intended
to obey orders in the future. Gstely said he
did not know whether he would or not
Shaughnessy then told Gately to turn over
his badge, and suspended him,
rs it not a fact that you have ordered
Gately and other members of the depart
ment to attend political meetings?" asked
Martin.
mo, sir" said the district engineer.
Schmtt again objected to questions of
political character and Martin was ruled
out OF order.
Foreman Commit testified that when sus-
pended Gately said that other members
would quit the company, Commit admitted
that he was not at the fire when the trouble
occurred and he did not know that the clerk
had marked him absent
Asked If be desired 10 make a statement
tel col he flfy ~ a xun az fAafa
as the commission.
BE was promptly cautioned to be more
respectful.
a an excuse for his conduct Gately went
on TO say that he had delivered Shaugb-
nessy's order TO the driver Of the engine in
stead Of the engineer.
After the fire." continued Gately," l
met one Of the bonton firemen, who don't
do any work, and told him be would have
TO hustle himself in the future. Shaughnessy
has been after me for some time. He
wanted to make messeDge boy out of me-"
us there any feeling between you and
Shaughuessy ?" asked Martin.
Yes. a political feeling"
did Shaughnessy ever give you any or
deIs outside Of department mattersY'
"Yes, sir."
''What were they?"
political orders"
Chairman Schmitt was determined that
this line OF questioning should cease. He
put the matter TO vote and was sustained
in ruling a.! reference to politics out of or
der.
The charge against Gately was sustained
and the question of punishment considered.
+ Acting Chief Sullivan declared that Gately
was not good fireman.
why did you not put him out of the de-
partment thenP" asked Martin. "There are
whole lot more just like him."
Yes, TetOrted Sullivan; "some of the
men you recommended, for Instance"
Martin and Sullivan were getting very
mad and advancing threatenngly toward
each other. when Schmitt called "time" and
sent them back to their corners.
John Riley, another who took off his
badge, did little growing when placed on
trial. 81 get it In the neck on all PROPOSE
tons." said he. Il don't desire to make any
statement, for my head will be cut off just
the same"
He was right. His head fell
Hodge was called and failing to answer,
he was also dismissed from the department
After the meeting adjourned little docu-
ment filed by Commissioner Martin was
considered Informally. The document con-
tained charges against District Engineer
Shaughnessy. Peter Flemmng, foreman of
truck 2, and John ID. Gonzalez, hOsemau of
engine Il, OF having violated rules of the
department In organizing clubs ito keep up
the Rainey end"
Seamitt politely but firmly refused to
slgh Ine charges, and referred them to act
Ing Chlet Sullivan for Investigation.