The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-07-20
A FIRE CHIEF AT LAST
Ralph Cook Is Elected and at
Once Confirmed.
CHOSEN FROM THE DEPARTMENT
KahaIey and Meek Vote for A. VI. Gil
man, but Accept the Result
Confirmation Unanimous.

The fire department sauabble was
brought 10 a close last evening by the
election o. Ralph Cook. captain Of en-
CINE company No. l. By the fire commits
stoners and his unanimous confirmation
by the city council In joint session.
The fire commissioners were unusually
prompt in reaching the city hall. and Al
o'clock all we're seated comfortably In
Mayor Phelps Office. After the mayor
had stated why they met although every
one knew. Collins stated that he believed
from what he had been able 20 learn and
from what had passed that the city eoun-
Gil preferred that the chief of the fire de-
partment be chosen from the department
itself Bearing this in mind. he took
pleasure in nominating Ralph Cook. cap
tain OF engine company No. !, for the po-
estfon, and believed Mr. Cook would make
a good and efficient chief.
The nomination was Immediately Sec
onded by Jones. who said: 81 have had
talk with Mr.. Cook about this matter
have questioned him about his ability 20
MI the position. He told me that he had
rather remain as captain Of a company
than be promoted 10 the position Of chief
of the department. but II 1t was the de-
sire or the commissioners that he accept
the position, he would abide by their de-
cision and do his best 20 put out fires. /
second the nomination"
Kafaley Names Gilman.
The moment that Kahaiey arose and
began his speech IL was evident that the
election was not 10 be unanimous. He
said he desired 60 place In nomination A
". Gilman. ex-hre commissioner. one OF
the best and most able citizens OF this
city. He said that ne believed the people
or the city would be satisfied 10 have such
a man ar the head OF the department.
Mr.. Gilman was a good citizen. a voIun-
teer fireman. a man 81 uLagestioned abil-
ity. ono who could unite al the factions
81 the department and DO work that woulo
call for universal APPRECIATION.
Meek seconded the nomination. and made
few remarks very complimentary 20 Mr..
Gilman.
Mayor Phelps remarked that the name
OF Mr.. Gilman had not come before him
until within the past hour. He knew OF
the gentleman's worth as a citizen, and
did not doubt he was an able man, but a.
matters stood he. the mayor. had taken
the ground that the future chief should
come from the department. Under the
circumstances he would vote for
Cook. At this point the mayor paid Ka-
haley a compliment by saying that while
at times he had criticised him for his
actions. yet he must say that II there was
a quality In a man that should be admired
II was consistency 10 his friends.
II sincerely admire Mr.. KahaIey." con-
tinued the mayor. for the loyalty he
has ever shoga 10 Gardner Kellogg, ex-
chief Of the fire department"
Jones and Collins stated that fhey had
the highest respect for Mr.. Gilman and.
had they not decided upon Mr. Cook.
would have been perfectly willing 10 vote
Tor him.
The Vote That Decided,
Al the roll cali on the nominations the
record stood as follows: Jones. Collins
and the mayor IN favor OF Ralph Cook.
Kanaley and Meek In favor of A. NJ.
Gilman.
Cook having been declared elected. May
or Phelps stated that while the commits
sioners had not come TO a unanimous
agreement on the chiefship. yet all ought
10 agree that the man who had been Sc
lected should receive the full support of
every commissioner. In closing. the
mayor said that ne should expect the
commissioners TO assist Mr.. Cook so far
as II lay In their power
Meek and Jones were instructed to
draw up set Of resolutions expressing
the thanks OF he commissioners to Act
ing Chief Clark for his services under
an emergency. Mr.. Clark thanked the
commissioners one and all. for the cour-
teous treatment and assistance he had
ency.
Confirmed I'm short Order.
Clerk Coryeii was instructed TO imme-
dlately forward 10 the council he mont
nation OF Cook for chief The matter FIRST
came up In the house of delegates, and
on motion OF Vogt the aldermen were
asked TO meet the delegates In joint ses-
sion TO act on the confirmation. The al
dermen answered the call Immediately,
g.. ~
raped for order and stated the object Of
the meeting.
IL move to proceed with the confrma-
tlon," said ia mes.
Second the notion" was answered by
n number Of voices.
call the roii.' added President Daal-
ton
Clerk Coryeii commenced reading with
tie following result Ayes-Anderson.
Ctiss, Compton. I.ovejoy Miller. Swee-
nev. Chapman, Gieeson. Goodhue. Hurd
Jares. kistler. Little. Nolgt. Crichton.
Daulton, Nays-e.
Brewer and Jordan were not present.
After the election was over some one re-
marked that the very idea OF a unanimous
vote by the city council in joint session
was something unheard OF.
WIN Give Cook "a Fair Chance.
Alderman Miller. who Is not even ac-
qnainted wsrh Cock had me following 10
say about the election. Cook has been
elected and confirmed Now I think the
man who does not give him a show % see
what he can 10 ought 70 be banshed from
tha town"
Mayor Phelps spoke as follows: cor
course. every ore knew that my personal
choice was ex-Chief Alien. but as for Mr.
cook. all can say ls that he Is perfectly
satisfactory 70 me / have always heard
good reports of him. and believe he is an
excellent fireman. | shall give him my
FUN support"
Ex-Azststant chief Sullivan was asked
for a few remarks about the new chief
lie said ''r cannot say ANYTHING but good
~ Ralph Cook He is one ~ the best Gre
men IN the department aud think he =
n man who VIII have discipline"
The Career or the New Chfct.
Ralph Cook. the new FIRE CHIEF &c ~
years old but wears his years lightly. al
though he has seen many hard DAYS
work lu the Pennsylvania coal mines ri.
parents were 100 poor 60 give him an e.ig-
cation. So ne taught himself AZ home
nights. after working on the coal Means
all day. Ia appea rance he Is i've feet sfx
or seven inches talt. bvoa ouldere,f ard
very muscular He has blue eyes that
rght up What Is usaallv termed an omen
face. lie wears a rather llEht brown mus
iache
lie was born October Is lSss. ~ 1va'7as-
hurry. Sta0oe3Shlre England ami came n
fhjz country when wears cd v.tfh bis
parents, The family settled AT Nahanov
CITY. Pa. a place ~ about Hsoa0 tnhahi
tamtS When 9 wears old yoanE cook wen,
- work as coal picker Al the tuukers
i n,,I,r.