The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-02-24

His Resignation March 25-No
Charges Made Against Him-The
Nen Appointed to Gust Him Do So.
Chief John Jackson, of the fire de-
partment, was formally notified last
night at a meeting of the board of fire
commissioners that his services would
not be required from and after March
25
The resolution was introduced by
Commissioner Vanish, seconded iInme-
diately by Commissioner Walther, and
these two, reinforced by President
Arosin, voted for the adoption of the
discharge of the chief.
1t was a spike team" meeting, the
three members appointed to the board
by Mayor Doran for the express pur-
pose of ousting Jackson being the only
ones present.
Commissioners Clark and Warner, the
other members of tke board, were, ac
cording to President Arosin, out of the
city.
Routine business had been disposed
of and President Arosin had announced
that motion to adjourn would be in
order when Commiss oner Vanish toss
ed to the secretary the following reso
luton:
Resolved That Chief Engineer John Jack
son be and is hereby notified that from and
after March 25, 1898, his services as chief
engineer of the St. Paul fire department will
no longer be required; and
Resolved, further, That the secretary OF
this board is hereby instructed to deliver
copy Of this resolution TO said chief en-
gfneer John Jackson, Immediately after its
passage.
Commissioner Vanish moved that the
resolution be adopted and Commission
er Walther seconded the motion.
President Arosin said there was an
opinion from the corporation attorney
attached to the resolution which should
be read before action was taken.
The secretary accordingly read an
opinion from Corporation Attorney
Markham addressed to President Aro-
sin, under date of Jan. 26, which quoted
the law as to the authority of the board
of fire commissioners over various en-
pIoyes and appointive officers of the
department.. Sections of the charter
were given and the opinion concluded
with the following:
1 have the honor to advise you that, un-
der these provisions, the duration of the
term of any member of the fire depart
ment including the chief or any of his
assistants. is practically subject to the pleas
ure OF the board of fire commissioners,
with this limitation:
That in case the board decides TO dis
pense with the services of any officers or
employees, it is required, a preliminary,
p that the person so to be removed be given
thirty days notice to the effect that his
services viii not be required after the ex-
piration of that time, and such removal
may be made by the board without the pre-
ferment of charges and without trial.
In case it Is desired to remove an officer
emplOye for cause, the provision provid-
ing for thirty days notice is not applica-
bic, but the person so to be removed would
be entitled TO be served with specifications
of the charges. and would be entitled to a
trial before the board.
There was a slight pause following
the reading OF the opinion and Presi-
dent Arosin broke he silence by di-
recting the secretary to call the roll on
the resolution.
Chief Jackson arose and addressing
the board asked: Are there any
charges made against me?"
The chief looked directly at Commits
sioner Vanish as he asked the question,
and that gentleman replied:
LAS far as I am personally concerned
I did not deem it advisable to make
any charges or look for any"
That's all have to say, gentlemen" :"
remarked the chief as he resumed his
seat and gazed intently out of the win
dow.
President Arosin and Commissioners
Walther and Vanish voted aye when
the roll was called, and the resolution
was declared adopted.
Chief Jackson declined to talk about
his discharge last evening, and said he
had nothing to say.
None of the commissioners cared to
discuss the matter. and none of the trio
would say as TO who would succeed to
the position. Friends of Third Assist
ant Hart n. Cook claim that he will
be elected as chief of the department
to succeed Jackson.
John T. Black, formerly chief of the
department. has been making numerous
visits to the city from Duluth, where
he now has charge of the fire depart
ment, and it was reported that he would
be given charge of the department.
Mayor Doran, several days ago, stat