New-York tribune., 1896-09-29
A FIRE BOARD SHAKE UP.
MR. SHEFFIELD SUCCEEDS GENERAL LA
GRANGE IN THE PRESIDENCY.

THE FORMER CASTS A BALLOT FOR HIMSELF Az
PARENTLY AT THE MAYORS REoUEsT-LA
GRANGE VOTES FOR sTURGTs AND
TELLS WHY HE DOES so
There was a reorganization Of the Board OF
Fire Commissioners yesterday. when the nrst
business meeting since the death OF Commis-
sioner Austin F.. Ford was held. General La
Grange resigned the Office OF president. and
Commissioner Sheffield was elected to the place,
while Thomas Sturgis. the new Fire Commis-
sioner was made the treasurer OF the Board
General La Grange took occasion to say tnat re
yielded to the request of the head or the Guy
government in resigning from the presidency OF
the Board but he also declared that Commission
er Sheffield was not At TO hold the office
For some time previous to the death OF Mr.
Ford there had been many signs OF enmity De-
tween General La Grange and Mr. Shefheid ana
their disputes prevented the transaction OF much
important business in the Fire Department.
President La Grange had the support Of Mr.. Ford
in number of the disputes and II was supposeu
that Mr.. Ford Intended to support the effort to
remove ]. Elliott Smith. the superintendent oi
Telegraph. who was tried charges recently
uavor Strong was said to be grieved by the dis
sensions in the Fire Board. and II has been the
general impression that he desired the resigna-
tion Of General La Grange. Politicians familiar
with the situation at Fire Headquarters nave
sunposed that he would appoint a new Comms-
s,oner who would work in harmony with MT
Sheffield.
No surprise was caused by the announcement
Yesterday that the Mayor had asked Tor re-
organization of the Fire Board. When the three
commissioners met and the credentials OF COM
missioner Sturgis had been placed on nie' zen
eral La Grange formally resigned the once oi
president saying that he did so In accordance
with the desire Of the head OF the city govern
ment that there should be a complete reorganiza-
ton Of the Board.
Commissioner Sturgis nominated Comm's-
soner Sheffield for president, and Vo'eo lor MS
nominee Mr. Sheffield voted for himself VIII"
the statement that he did 50 with some dehcacS'
President La Grange then read the toilo"ihs
statement:
7 vote for Commissioner thomas Sturgis ana me, ur
sire to place the records OF tne spsoner James
rea son for declining to vote for CornmisSMo, M ~ rea
u Sheffield for the Office of president LoI , .ne
son that have not found IN ,ntv nun , of purpose
and that sincerity and veracity In dealing h WIN n'1
associates in office and with the PUBIC, nace
consider essential in the occupant OF '"a' o
conaral Ia Grange then retired from the
presidents chair He nominated Commissioner
CamnbeIl attorney for the prosecution IN the
trio, ~ Elliott Smith. intended to SO TO Lon
don soon and wished the Smith case decided
General La Grange moved that w l.. flnuey, ,
attorney for the Fire Department MI H,'''.i, VI
and his attorneys. Messrs Ocott ana Hdii' We
invited to meet the Board to-day with tne oo-
ject of agreeing If possible. that Commissioner
Sturgis might act with President SheIieie an. anu
Commissioner La Grange In deciding the oiIii.it
case thus dong away with the necessity oi
n new trial The motion was carried
President Sheffield asked Commissioner la
Grange after glancng over the statement reau
nv Mr. La Grange early in the meeting when
he declined to vote for the president:
DO YOU wich that letter TO become part Vi
our records? .x
commissioner La Grange answered: yes
think it shou'. go on the records go ,.o
The President dismissed the matter WIN. 30
ordered" ,, ..,
There will be a meeting of the Board this
forenoon to clear up some OF the long-nesiected
business OF the department.