The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-16
IANT A NEW FIRE CHIEF.
Continued from Eighth Page.

rance Company of New Orleans, and
presents the Palantine of England.
Mr.. Dox represents the Norwich Union
England. Mr.. Chaplin represents the
ire Association of Philadelphia, and none
these gentlemen officially represented
e Southeastern Tariff Association when
ey signed this document.
[ submit this information for your con-
Iteration, and with a view of showing
what extremes Mr. Prendergast and
colleagues will go to make it disagree
de for myself and your honorable board
appeal to you, therefore, as my supe-
Or officers, and ask first that the names
the gentlemen comprising the special
mmittee from our local fire insurance
mpanies be made known and that they
lecify and enumerate the charges pre-.
Tred against me.
l am not prepared now, and I can never
lpe to successfully defend myself and this
partment against charges which are
sneral in their character. Whenever spec
fc charges are made I am ready and
Hing to be investigated by this board,
by such expert authority as they may
: pleased to select, and in conclusion 1
ave to say that it is unjust and unchar-
able for any man or party of men to
ljure the reputation of another by issu-
lg and giving publicity to such letters
the one just read, especial
so. when it comes from
ources or authors absolutely and en-
rely ignorant of the subject under dis
ussion. To further illustrate the spirit of
.armony that prevails as between the
MEMBERS of the insurance committee and
our honorable board, l will state that as
write this letter, information comes to
ne that night or two since in a public
larroom Alderman Hull made the state
nent that the commissioners were fools"
or not having so remodeled the new en-
zine station as to provide for residence
or the chief over the station, and contin-
ling further he is said to have stated that
October, he and his board would see
hat the fire commission was abolished
nd the present chief would be fired, and
hat if his influence was worth ANYTHING
ir. Haney from Jacksonville would sue
eed him, or words to that effect. This
hows the feelings of the fire committee,
{hich is presumed and which I under
tand claims to have the interest of the
ity at heart Very respectfully yours,
John E. Mcguire.
The commissioners discussed the com
lunicatipn and Chief Maguires reply at
ONE length. Chief Mcguire stated in re-
ponse to inquiries that he had good au-
hority for all he had stated. The con-
fusion Of the commissioners, after dis
ussing The matter, was that they could
not take any action upon general state
nents, Which conclusion was embodied in
he following resolution offered by Chair
nan Graylon:
Resolved That this board, after careful
consideration of this matter, concludes.
hat with he evidence now before it. the
loard couh not, with justice or fairness
all parts concerned, take any action,
Sat the boSd is ready at any time to in
vtstigate am specific charge that may be
prterred by any individual, or commit
tee from thu local insurance companies.
or rom the : E. T. A. and the board re-
guess from he petitioners the names of
the members Q the special committee who
requested the E. T. A. to ask for the
removal of thefire chief that copy of
these resolution may be forwarded 10
them.
ms matter opposed of, other matters
were taken up. Chairman Grayson said
that neither Alqrman Charlton nor any
other alderman eed have any fear that
the hre commison will ask the council
ior an additionaappropriat The first
halI OF the yea is nearly past he said,
ana the commiiion is safely within its
budget Notwithstanding the fact that II
has purchased pnsiderable new material
for the departmnt.
chairman Grsson submitted an itemiz-
ed statement ofhe cost of improving and
hitting up the NV engine house, showing
the total expenditure on this score to be
$4'9oS.SS. This oes not include the note
for $225O paid Upon the purchase OF the
property in Janary. The note was given
by the city anpaid by the treasurer with
out the COMMISSION being known in the
matter at all.
The chief Wa instructed to order twenty
boxes with nass fronts RI contain 6ra
keys, to be attached to the fire alarm
boxes