The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-12-13

tue HIRE department OF this city TO be
well regulated and governed II frequent
changes be made by the Council in the
laws governing tho fire department..
and hey call attention to the fact that
by section S, of an ordinance apprc we'd
by tho City Council August s. 1891,
certain qualifications wore laid down to
constitute any one eligible TO tho Office
OF chief engineer of tho fire depart
ment, 60 wit: That no should DO at least
thirty years Of age ADD p, leas: four
years an active member OF ono of the
fire companies OF this city. In this
connection they call attention to sec
ton /, of article 4, of tho constitution,
whi;h was approved by the FIRE and
water com mittee, under tho sanction
OF your honorable body, on November
ID, 1891. In this last mentioned sec
ton it is distinctly stated that when
any law is proposed for the government
of the fire department, copy shall be
sent to each company and at the follow
ing regular meeting of tho board shall
become law by two thirds vo:e of
the board.
Notwith landing this, it now appears
that the City Council has altered sec
ton 5 of the said ordinance, striking
out the qualifications as to age, which
was one of the main Safeguards that
the fire board, fire and water committee,
City Council and the committee of the
com panies had thrown around the Office
of chief engineer, when the rules
governing the fire department OF this
city were first adopted, and contrary to
the rules governing the fire department
board OF this city. AS this company
constructs the law, there has been
recommended by the fire board of this
f. nv {O ~1N k.I l. 4 L..
Council. gentleman as chief engineer
of the fire department of this city, who
does not possess the requisite qualiica-
tions as originally agreed upon; and
inasmuch as this change In the law was
made without the concurrence of tn o
fire board Of this city, without Motif
cation to the fire companies consti III e.
ing the FIRE department., this company
considers that the election of said chief
engineer is not in accordance with
law. Respectfully,
VIGILANT FIRE COMPANY, No. l.
BY c. Il. Whaling, President.
Copy-Attest: Thos. l.. Engleby,
Secretary Pro Ten.
The matter of driver was referred
back TO the public property committee,
who we're requested to confer with tho
fire board and bring in a repori tina
"Ouio bhi tiOhI%c
The ordinances and regulations gov
erning the fire department were referred
to the committee on ordinances, with
instruc tons to confer with the fire
board.
A petition from the Roanoke Light
Infantry, asking that Council appro-
pirate $50 per month to pay rent for the
armory, was referred to the finance
committee.
An account of DR.. s. g. Staples, cor
oner, for SIS for holding an inq uest, was
referred TO the committee on accoun ts
with instructions to obtain written in
structions from the city solicitor for q
future guide in such matters.
The congregation of st. Paul's Re-
formed Church sent in u petition to
have Tazewell street widened at point
where they propose to erect church,
which was referred to the street com
mittee.
After ordering several street cross
ings to be- placed Council adjourned.