The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-27
MAGUIRE WON'T COME DOWN.
HE DECLINES THE FIRE MARSHAL
SHIP PROPOSITION.

Chief and Accept That of Fire Mar
shaI-Docs Not Care TO Accept n
Sinecure, But Says He Would Re-
sign Outright if He Thought the
Good of the Service Demanded 1t.
Fire Chief Mcguire has declined the
proposition submitted to him by Alderman
Krouskoff to resign his position as fire
chief and accept that of fire marshal in
order that another chief might be elected,
who would be satisfactory to Council and
the insurance people.
Alderman Krouskoff's proposition was
submitted verbally with the understanding
that it was supported by a majority of the
board of aldermen. Chief Mcguire re-
piled that he would consider the PROPOSE
ton and reply in writing. This he did
yesterday. The reply was delivered at
Alderman Kfouskoff's Office at O'Clock
last night. In it Chief Mcguire says:
Il have to decline the proposition to re-
sign my Office as fire chief made by ma
Jority Of the members of Council through
yourself and decline it for the following:
Il have been elected by the duly qualified
piring on the first Monday In January,
1900 This election took place after the
expiration of a year. memorable because
the fire loss in Savannah during that per-
iod. was smaller than during any similar
period in the history of the fire depart
ment. 1t took place after a most rigid
investigation had been made into my char
acter habits. efficiency and competence,
and as result of that investigation it has
been judicially determined that I am EN-
inently qualified to fill the position.
Il feel, therefore, that I have substan-
tial reasons for believing that / am a com
petent and capable fire chief, and that it
would be unwise for me to resign my Of
flee and allow it to be filed by an untried
person whose capabihty is purely specula-
tive and whose experience must yet be OBJ
tanned
'"rhe proposition to create the Office of
fire marshal does not merit my favor at
this time. / believe l have such patriot
ism, and such interest in the welfare of
Savannah, that, should it be demonstrate
ed to me that I am incompetent, and that
more competent person could be secured
in my stead, would resign the office with
| out provision being made for me by the
creation of an Office which would cost the
taxpayers $1,000 year.
Il know that you and your collea CUES,
In making this offer to me, are actuated
by motives which to you seem good but
I do not think the city of Savannah owes
| me a pension, and l know | am too good
citizen to accept one cent of her money
| for which do not honestly believe that I
! have given value received" A fire chief
| can, with his assistant, perform all the
! duties necessary to the proper regulation
and superintendent of the department
! The Office of fire marshal is, therefore,
useless and unnecessary. il created and
conducted as 1t has been suggested; would
only add another to the many burdens
already borne by the Taxpayers of the
city, and I cannot bring myself to accept
such position.
81 appreciate your very kind interest in
my welfare, but, so long as l am young,
active, vigorous and in full possession of
ell my faculties, 1 win not permit a sine
cure to be made for me. I had rather do
my duty to the city in that position to
which 1t has pleased her honored officials
to call me-
Alderman Krouskoff was called to his
home early last night by the illness of
| his wife, and was unable to give the let
ter his attention. When seen by Morn
ing News reporter he stated that he would
be unable 70 give any consideration 10
| -
ferred 70 say nothing about it,
Chief Mcguire said that his reply ex-
| pressed his position fully, and that IL was
not necessary 70 discuss the matter fur
ther.
81 am glad to dispose of the matter"
he said. Il have not been able to walk
the streets since 1t was published without
my friends stopping me at every corner
to discuss the subject and urge upon me
not to accept the proposition. Those who
were unable to see me have written me,
protesting in the strongest terms against
it's acceptance, My own judgment was
against it, and have acted accordingly
Alderman Krouskuffs proposition, -
said Chief Mcguire was made in the
kndliest manner possible and I am salts
fled that he wished to do what he thought
was for the best interest of all concerned.
l regret for his sake that l could not
see the matter in the same light that he
seemed to see It,"
Thus ends the effort to harmonic the
differences which have existed between the
administration and the Fire Commission
since the incoming of the present admins
tration. Chief Mcguire and the question
of his ability as a fire chief have been
the chief causes of dissension between the
two bodies. Alderman Krouskoff's propo-
sition has been the only friendly plan
proposed by which a solution of the situa
ton which would be acceptable to all in
terested was possible. He secured a con-
ference of several members of the board
of aldermen with two of the three men,
bers of the Fire Commission at the city
exchange His plan, after some discus
sion, was agreed to by the members of
the board of aldermen. The fire commits
sioners declined to make the request upon
Chief Mcguire that he resign the office
of fire chief and accept another position
90 be created for him, but agreed to leave
the matter entirely to Chief Mcguire 9
decision. II was evident that the commits
sioners did not think at the time that the
proposition would he accepted
That any further negotiations will be un-
dertaken on this line is very doubtful
Chief Mcguire, having served a term OF
two years as fire chief was reelected last
January by the commission for a further
term of two years. Under the act creating
the commission his salary cannot be re-
duced during the term for which he is
elected nor can he be removed from Office
except after a regular hearing before the
commission, upon charges preferred before
that body. This has already been tried with