Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-07-09

Perhaps the worst exhibition Of polit-
zeal wolfshness ever seen in this city
was given at last evenings session OF
the Council Committee on Fire Depart
ment.
A pre-arranged programme, having for
its immediate purpose the installing OF
a number of hungry Republican ward
workers in the fire department, over the
head Of Chief Healy, and for its ultimate
result, the removal of the present fire
men despite the protests OF the Chlef,
was put through by FIVE Of the eight
members of the committee, which stands
six Republicans and two Democrats.
The result was achieved under the lead
ership of a member of the body,
whose conduct was so Objectionable
that another Republican member, who
aided in voting through the conspiracy,
volunteered the information that MS
leader Ought 70 have a roast" meaning
that the truth ought to be told about
him.
That last evening sactiOn will result IN
the humiliation of everything like dis
cipline and that it will seriously cripple
the efficiency Of this most important de-
partment. is probable As long as mem
bers owed their position TO the Chief,
they could reasonably be expected to
obey his orders; but now that the Com
mittee, by voting down nomination by
the Chief, and putting in another man,
has served notice upon the tlremen
that he is no longer a power, and Is not
even to be consulted as TO appointments,
the power originally held by the lawful
head of the department will be divided
between the members Of the Fire Com
mittee from the several wards, and a
state of affairs will be inaugurated
which may lead to disastrous results.
Last nights exhibition Of political
greed at the expense of the great public
interest in this department was fore
Swallowed before the Committee met.
The Republicans had knowledge that
the resignation of Robert D. Cline, of
the chemical company, would probably
be presented, he having left the depart
ment to engage in business, and put
man temporarily in his place. 1t was
resolved by the Republican majority
that no Democrat should have the place,
and that any nomination made by the
Chief i'm accordance with custom, must
he knocked out and a different man pu5
in. But to do this something like a pre-
cedent must be had, and the session Of
the Committee was delayed while eX-
Fire Chief Cunning was summoned to
the City Hall, and he could be asked
whether he ever knew of case where
the committee had selected man. Mr..
Dunning arrived, and being consulted,
said there was an instance, when he was
Chief, seven years ago, where the COM
mittee had made a selection, and the
record book of the department being
searched. a case was discovered, on the
Island. where A. A. Everett, having re-
signed. two nominations were made IN
committee and V. Herbert was elected.
This was held by the hungry Republic
cans to be a good and sufficient justihca-
ton for what they proposed to do, the
scores of appointments before and since
that time cutting no figure with them,
and after the committee had met and
while it was in the midst OF its business,
Mr. Zwicker interrupted the session
balf-a-dozen times TO get up the matter
which lay nearest his heart, carrying on
a disiointed and garrulous controversy
with ANYBODY who would listen to him,
"y'understand" being a conspicuous fea-
ture of his remarks.
Finally a point was reached where
Chief Healy was asked If he had the
resignation of a member Of the depart
ment in his possession. He replied that
he had no such paper. This disconcert-
ed the conspirators for time; but thew
soon returned to the charge and asked
whether or not Robert g. Kline had
not left the department. The CHIEF
said he had left, and had man tenn
porarily in his place. Whether he
would remain away permanently or not
even Mr.. Cline did not know. Mr..
Cline had. the Chief thought, penned a
resignation. but if so, he still had it in
his possession.
After a good deal of talk, the Com
mittee determined that there was a
vacancy at the Chemical. and then
Chief Healy said he would name Joseph
Daum for the place, endorsing him as
good and capable man. Mr.. Zwicker
promptly called attention to a sealed
envelope lying on the table, which was
found to contain an application from
Robert Bowman. Mr.. Zwicker at once
began to crack the party whip in favor
of Mr.. Bowman, and although both
Captain Otto and Mr.. Hahne announced
their opposition to thus slapping the
Chief IN the face, Mr.. Zwicker was very
active. worked his "d'understand" for
all it was worth. held whispered con-
ferences with Chairman Britt, and
Messrs Clator and Hahne, and finally
got everybody in line except Capt. Otto
who fatty announced his opposition to
any such lob. The Democratic mem
hers of the Committee. Messrs. Water
house and Irwin, made as big a fight
as was possible, but the Republican
scheme was forced along, Mr.. Zwicker
threatening to have Bowman confirm
cd in Council if he was not recommend
ed in Committee. and Mr.. Bowman was
endorsed by a vote of FIVE Republicans
| as opposed TO two Democrats and Capt.
Otto. Mr.. Hahne, before casting his
vote. humor0usly enquired of Chair
man Britt if the Chair would be re-
sponsible for Mr.. Bowman, and the
Chair Immediately responded that he
would. Mr.. Hahne then voted for
Bowman. Mr. Irwin at once called at
tention to this outcropping Of ten
dencytOhave many irresponsible bosses
in the department instead of one real
| head. but his warning voice was
drowned by Mr.. Zwicker's "d'under-
stand.
Mr. Irwin then asked that his protest