The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-03-01
HUNT ON A GRIDIRON.
Formal Charges Preferred
Against the Fire Chief.
LAID OVER FOR FOUR MONTHS.
CommissioneS Kahaley Files . vigoroul
ulent Naturalixatiea
Chasgsd-sQuelehing Inquiry.

el0ner JOhn IL. kanatey. All Iour "a VIC
commissioners were present and waited
nearly an hour for Mayor Ronald TO put
in IN appearance. When that gentleman
finally came in the board got down to
business very quickly. One or two routine
matters were disposed Of when Commits
sioner KahaleY said he had little matter
that he wanted to bring before the board
in the shape of charges against Chief
Hunt. He handed his document to the
clerk, who read As follows:
To the Honorable Mayor and Board Of Fire
Commissiouers-GeNleme n:
wnHREAs, Grave charges have been published
in the daily papers OF this city against A. B.
Hunt, tho present chief Of the IRE department,
concerning his citizenship and his right TO hold
once under our city government, said charges
alleging fraud and deception on the part OF the
said A. B. Hunt 1t Tacoma on the oath day OF
October last whereby he, the said A. b Hunt.
did obtain . certificate OF naturalization, ana
for other good and sufncicnt reasons, i, John L.
Kahaley, one OF the board Of fire commissioners
Of the city of Seattle, duly elected and qualified.
do hereby formally prefer charges against A. B.
Hunt, chief of the fire department OF this city
- follows. to-wit:
Firxt-That the statement made to ex-Chief
Gardner kellogg In the fall of the year 1889,
wherein the said A. B. Hunt gave his nativity
- Grand Rapids, Mich. was fraudulent and un-
true.
second-rhat the said A. B. Hunt violated the
rules of the fire department by leaving the city
on the I'D, 24th and 18th days OF October last,
when he left the city without permission OF the
chief of the nre department, this being the time
he went to Tacoma to get his naturalization
certificate.
Third-That the certificate of naturalization
Of the said A. B. Hunt, issued from the superior
court Of Pierce county. Judge Beverly presiding.
was fraudulently obtained. inasmuch q, the
ssid A. b. Hunt did before such court, or BY
witnesses, aver that he had resided in the
United states three years previous to arriving
1t the age Of q years, and has resided herein to
the present time, all of which II VIGOROUSLY
untrue and deception and fraud.
Fourth-That the said A. b. Hunt, during the
whole of his connection with the fire depart
ment OF this city. has claimed American citizen
ship. has registered and voted in the city.
county and state elections prior to his obtaining
his naturalization papers, and has exercised AL
OF the functions of q full fedged American citi-
Sen. which 10 against the peace and dignity OF
the city OF Seattle, county OF King, and state OF
Washington. and 10 fraud and crime.
Believing all these charges to be true, would
therefore request this board to suspend said A.
B. Hunt pending IN investigation of the charges
herein set forth and his rights to hold office
under the city government, and that pending
such investigation he be enioined from drawing
any salary whatever by virtue of his office or ex-
srciss any of the functions of such office.
And do further request that day 30 named
When such investtg alton shall be held, and that
hereafter Be designated a. witnesses, requiring
them under oath to testify a. to their knowledge
Of the questions propounded to them. Very re-
spcctfuily submitted. j. l. kAHALEY.
When the clerk had finished reading the
charges, there was a long pause, during
which Mayor Ronald intentiy studied one
cory and Commissioner Foster another.
Each member seemed to be waiting for
some one else to begin the battle. Finally
Mr. Foster remarked that he did not think
the commissioners should set themselves
up to investigate the question of natural
ization, and this seemed to set things in
motion, and the discussion proceeded
about af follows:
Mr. Jones--I think these are very serious
charges and cannot be ignored. II they are
true. the chief is unworthy OF his position: If
untrue, he should have a chance to exonerate
himself I would not like to work under a
board one OF whom had made such charges
against me. II l were chief. should want
them Investigated.
Mr.. Kahaley Tho charges are brought with
the best of feelings toward Mr. Hunt But
heard 10 much about these things in print that
felt IL my duty 10 present the charges. have
got evidence that l think will substan;iate
them No one has seen these charges, for did
not intend to have them published brosdcas,
unit they were presented here.
Here Mayor Ronald said that there was
no motion before the board, and Mr.. Jones
spoke of the difficulty in framing q motion
to suit the case. But it seemed to make
no difference whether a motion existed
for the discus sion continued.
Mr. Foster-These charges seem to Rave been
In Mr. Kahaley's pocket for some time. and are
now brought on the eve OF Mayor Ronald's de.
parture from the city.
Mr.. Masel--Does not rule l97 require all
charges against a member of the fire department,
10 be fled within thirty days of the time the
offense 10 committed.
Mr.. kshalcy-That rule does not apply to the
commissioners who were an elective body. Ii
the mayor is going away there will be actius
mayor who can do In bis absence anything the
mayor himself could do.
Mr.. Maset-The charges ought to be presented
Within thirty DAYS after the oheuse
at. kahsiey-t WAS not obliged TO hle the
charges till got ready.
MAYOR Ronald think il Mr.. Hunt IL guilty o
the charges he 10 unworthy 10 be chief The
charges admit that he has a certificate of citi
ssnship. but sliege that he go, II irsudu.eniiy
II the commss iouers remove h m fer this cause
he would continue to draw his salary. q
course, he can be dismissed without stating any
cause Nobody but court can denaturalixe
man I am satisfied We ough, to so al this In q
legal way We cant denaturslize him. When
the propcr tribunal does tina, we must take
notice o' IL. ] am going away tomorrow. | am
tired aud worn out and need rest The peopls
ere not suffering. Fires are being ru; on. liz
i.aeood chief ] have had FIVE or six men
--neu who objected To Hunts appoint
nent and who pay sSooo or $500 take.
come 10 mo within a week and say
they were satisfied with the way the Il re depart
nens was being carried on. These same meu
did not want me- 10 east tho deciding vote fol
his annointment Se ore voted for him saw
his certificate oi natural sstion. There are lot.
OF Others Ia town with fraudulent certificates
and ! don't see why you should pick ont the
chief and 10, the others go. Then who is goins
20 decide this question OF citizen sh;pg
Mr.. kahaley-I think the commissioner
should decide the question of citxenship II
had wanted 20 take II into court / could have
done II long age aud Chief Hunt would now h
I'm the penfiantiary, but had reason TO ia
N I do not want to wrong MIR Hunt or hi.
family.
aome time was spent in discussing wha,
should he done with the charges. Mr.
Homes wanted them referred 10 q commit
zee 10 consist OF the whole board. bat Mr.
Foster thought Mr.. kshaley was disquaIi
fed from serving on such committee. ant
wanted a ommi;tee of three with the lat
ter gentleman Jeff ont. Mr.. kahaley said
Nhe were counted out he should lay ih'
.hole matter before the United States dis
tyict attorney.
Mr.. Fosters motion 10 refer to COM
mi,tee consisting of Messrs. Jones. Mase
IN Aafo tad ~