The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-30
DEMANDS AN INVESTIGATION.
FIRE CHIEF MAGUIRE's LETTER TO
THE COMMISSION.

Were Invited 10 Take Part in the
investigation by the Committee of
Council and That the Report of the
Latter Is Based UPon EXparte EV-
idencc-A clash Expected should
the Commission Reach Different
Conclusion From the Investigating
Committee.
AS expected, the fire commission will
undertake an investigation Of Fire Chief
Mcguire, based upon the evidence pro-
duced at the investigation 10y the council
committee.
Chief Mcguire yesterday addressed Il
communication TO Chairman Grayson de-
manding an investigation of the charges
against him. The letter is interesting, as
It sets forth clearly his position, 1t is
as follows
July %, 1910 the Honorable Board of
Fire Commissioners, Savannah, Ga: Cen
tlemen-I am advised through the medium
of the newspapers that some weeks since
a committee Of council was appointed for
the purpose of investigating my conduct
as chief of the Savannah fire department.
Through the same medium am advised
that this committee held meetings and
examined certain witnesses, who test-
fed thereto.
beg to submit to your honorable board
that no official notice was ever given to
me by the honorable gentlemen who COM
posed said committee, that they intended
to undertake such an investigation. I'm
der the laws of the city Of Savannah
charges against me must be formulated
in writing and the charges shall not be
heard until / have had five days notice
thereof The committee Of council did not
observe this rule, nor did they extend the
courtesy OF giving me personal or official
notice that they proposed to investigate
my official conduct in any manner what
ever.
For this reason, and for the further
more potent reason that am answerable
for my conduct 10 your honorable body,
only, the city council OF Savannah hav-
ing under the laws governing the city, no
jurisdiction over my conduct or miscon-
duct, thought It wisest to await the
action of council upon the report Of their
said committee, rather than obtrude my
SELF or my defense, upon the said honora-
bic committee without its invitation.
l had judged from my acquaintance with
the laws governing the IRE department,
as well as IRON the course heretofore pur-
sued between the coordinate branches OF
the city government, that council would
report to your honorable body the result
of their findings, and II upon their eX-
parte examination, they found there was
sufficient cause TO justify such a course,
mo r il 10
be done under their direction.
From the action of council as reported
in the city press, l observe 1t has failed
TO adopt this course, but. on the contrary.
has demanded my summary dismissal at
your hands.
From your acquaintance with the opera
ton of the Savannah fire department, and
of my official conduct therein, derived from
a close, patient and personal attention to
it's details, you must know Of your own
knowledge that upon many facts and Incl
dents the testimony submitted to said COM
mittee, was absurdly false and untrue yet
testimony was ELECTED upon many matters,
the very nature of which must have OBJ
scured them from your attention. For
this reason, and for the further reason
that the widest notoriety has been given
the testimony produced before the commit
tee the report Of the committee and the
action Of council thereupon Zone enterpris-
ing journal having put itself to the trouble
of issuing an extra edition, TO publish the
report of the committee and the action of
counciD, I deem 1t but justice 10 myself
as a man and an officer, to my family, to
the Savannah public, whose property
am employed to protect, 70 the fire de-
partment whose integrity and efficiency
has been impeached, and to yourselves,
whose official conduct has been grossly
impugned, that l be accorded a thorough
eFF 90
made against me.
l. therefore, respectfully ask that you,
who alone have authority to act, Will pre-
pare such charges as the premises con-
sidered you deem legal and appoint a
time and place at which they shall. be in
vestigated.
Awaiting your early action, I am with
great respect, very obediently yours,
John e. Mcguire. Fire Chief.
Chairman Grayson replied as follows:
Savannah Fire Department, Office Board
OF Fire Commissioners Savannah, Ga,
July %, lS3-Mr. J. r. Mcguire. Fire
Chief: Dear Strive beg TO acknowledge
receipt OF your communication Of this date
requesting an investigation of the charges
made against your efficiency as chief of
the fire department OF Savannah.
We have been aware, through the same
source that your Information was defiV-
ed. that council was proceeding in the
manner Indicated by you. We will at
once formulate such charges, as the evil
dence reported at the Investigation by the
committee Of council. Sustifes. and serve
you with copy OF the same, together
with notice Of the time and place. which
We shall choose, for bearing OF the charg-
es, and Will undertake at the hearing TO
20 give the matter that careful attention
which We trust and believe we have hith-
erto given 70 all matters appertaininE 70
the welfare Of the Savannah fire depart
ment. Very respectfully yours.
w. l.. Grayson.
Chairman Board Fire Commission.
CHAIRMAN Grayson. when seen hy a
Mornlng News reporter, said that he was
unable TO say upon what date the COM
mission will BEGIN it's investigation. 4
meeting Of the commission viii have 10 Zoe
held first and charges formulated. he said.
Next Tuesday afternoon Us the regular
monthly meeting OF the commission and
the matter will be taken up az that time
unless meeting should be called earlier
for the purpose
As to the report Of the investigating
committee and che action OF council upon
the report Mr. Grayson declined TO saw
anything FOR the present. either as to an,
authority Of council 20 conduct such an