Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-02-12
AN INVESTIGATION
INTO TIE STATUS OF AFFAIRS AT TIE
EIGHTH WARD ENGINE HOUSE
VIII Be Made by the Committee on Fir, Depart
msnt-Ths Matter Brought to the Front
Last Night II Peculiar Bill.
Routine Business.

A good of deal interest conferred in last
evenings session OF the Council Com
mittee on Fire Department because OF
the general understanding that the
presentation o. the name OF Thomas
Butler, by Chief Healy, for confirmation
as foreman OF engine company No. 4, in
the Eighth ward, would result in some
developments regarding the general
conduct OF the men attached to that
Company.
After the transaction Of some routine
business the Chief presented Mr..
Buffers name, vice Thomas Rose, re-
moved, and the ball was opened by an
objection by Mr.. Hahne.
The Chair-There is no motion before
the Committee.
Mr.. Waterhouse-Pll move to con firm,
and you can adopt II or vote II down.
Mr.. Hahne-I object to the confrma-
tion for the reason Mr.. Rose thinks he
has not been fairly dealt with, and some
OF mis- friends thinks SO, too. think
some witnesses ought to be present TO
testify.
Chief Healy-What testimony do you
want?
Mr.. Hahue-Wel, Mr.. Rose thinks
he has not been squarely dealt with, and
he would like TO come before the Com
mittee TO make statement.
Capt. Otto-I don't think the Com
mittee should do anything to hamper
the Chief in his management OF the de-
partmeDt, but | also think That the man
now recommended was at one time
member Of the department, and was re-
moved or discharged. The Committee
ought TO scrutinize these things, but at
the same time it should not hamper the
Chief or tie his hands.
The Chief-I did discharge him
be drank little once-but that was a
year ago. He was good firem an, and
has promised TO do better and has taken
an oath. I'll ask Mr.. Hahne II that is
not so.
Mr.. Hahne-Ths only reason do this
is that Mr.. Rose thinks he was not just
ly dealt with-or. If he is guilty, others
are equally so. Rose claims he has not
had fair treatment in the house. At
the same time / do not wish TO hamper
the Chief.
Tho Chief-Mr. Rose was foreman Of
the. house. II he was imposed on, it
must have been his fault. He was In
charge, and ought to have come TO me.
At the Holiday fire Rose, as foreman OF
the company, made no report TO me as
10 yvh ar nix NJ md did
not see him until after the fire was over.
Then his clothes were as dry as any
mans in this room. | asked him where
he had been, and he said he had been
at his engine. The idea OF a foreman
OF an engine sending his stoker TO the
fire and staying at the engine himself.
The discussion ran on for quite a
while, during which it was developed
that several members Of the COMMITTEE
had bee down In the Eighth ward
looking up street talk and rumors about
the general conduct OF the men 10 the
engine house, and IL seemed to be the
general opinion that there was large
screw loose down there. II was also
developed that Mr.. Rose and several
witnesses were down stairs, hoping for
an opportunity 10 be called before the
Committee.
The motion to confirm Mr. Butler |
having been Withdrawn, Mr.. Clator |
moved to Investigate the whole house" /
but Mr.. Irwin at once pointed out that |
that could not DO done, as there were no |
charges against any one. Mr. Irwin |
added that he was willing to go into the /
case of Mr. Rose, and then, If that de
veloued anything as TO the other fire. |
men, he would go on. Mr.. Otto and |
others said that was the proper course |
TO pursue, and finally Mr.. Clator with
drew his motion. BY general consent !
the Rose Butter case was set for next !
night, Mr.. Rose and the Chief |
to have their evidence ready for presen-
.atlon.
Bills to the total amount OF S244. ~
were presented for examination, and /
were recommended paid.
a funny aud unusual episode was the
by John SigmOnd, OF No.
l237 Market street. OF bill OF $50 40 |
Tor damage TO carpets and bedding,
and Gloss OF four steady boariers" for
several weeks, az n result OF the fire at
he Atlantic Tea Company's store, on
he night OF Der 2Sth last. There
vas no statement az TO how the damage
occurred, or that 1t was in any way the
ault OF the city. and the bill was re
ected amid considerable laughter, as 10
vas apparent II it had not been for the
iremen Mr.. Sigmond's house would
rave burned, together with good deal
# other property.
Az application was received from the
Wheeling Corrugating Company for
ire alarm box at their works. The box
vas recommended 20 Council favorably.