The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-10
FoGARTY AND CONNOLLY FINED
MAYOR SAYS ANIMOSITIEs IN FIRE
DEPARTMENT MUST CEASE.

COnnOIly's Long Service and the Cir
oumstances of His ORense All That
cOmpanied by a Reprimand-FO-
garty Fined 50 and Reprimanded.
COnnOIIy's Entry on the journal of
Engine Co., NO. 4 Ordered Marked
"FaIse'' and the Circumstances of
FOgarty's Absense Put ON Record.
Mayor Myers gave his decision
yesterday in the charges preferred
against Foreman j. ]. Connolly and Fire
man Fogarty of Engine Company No. 4.
Connolly was fined $40 and Fogarty So,
and each was reprimanded in a letter May
or Myers ordered posted in all the engine
houses.
The circular at some length says that
there is reason to believe there are i'm
fortunate personal differences in the de-
partment, sometimes approaching closely
personal antagonisms. With this feeling
existing, the department cannot be prop
ery directed the Mayor says, and sug-
gests the cultivation of a better feeling.
- 10 vi 5So Nlldl pO4itlCdl luminosity De Grad
icated.
II is not the desire or intention of this
administration TO permit politics to control
the department" it is stated. "An that is
asked, and all that will be required, is
faithful and efficient service on the part
of its employees. Any parties seeking to
create discord and to impair the service
n min I,
employees will be protected in their rights.
and at the same time the right of the
city to their best efforts will be expected"
The following is Mayor Myers opinion in
the case of Connolly and Fogarty:
In the trial of the above case, the fact
having been clearly proved that the rec
ords of the department were falsifed by
the accused and the accused having ad-
mitied the correctness of the charge. a
me OF $40 is hereby imposed, the same to
be collected by the superintendent of the
department as usual in such cases.
The offense committed by Foreman Con-
molly was of an extremely grave nature
ana merlted a more severe punishment
Dismissal from the department would
probably have been none 100 severe and
in the event of repetition of this offense.
either by him or any other employee of
the department, such a sentence would in
all probability be imposed. In this in
stance, the long service of the accused,
fifteen years and the fact that during that
period he has heretofore, as far as known,
had no charge of as serious a character
preferred against him, has led to the ex-
ercise of clemency and the imposition of
the fine specified.
Owing TO the mitigating clrcumst ances
fine of but So is imposed on the charge
of permitting an employee of the depart
ment, under his control to leave the SER
vice to engage in political work The
rule of the department was well known to
the accused. The evidence, though,
shows that it was not at the instance or
desire of Foreman Connolly that Fireman
Fogarty was excused from duty for this
purpose. Foreman Connolly, it appears
from the testimony of all witnesses exam
ined, was acting under what he, seeming
~ with good reasons, accepted as orders
from his superior officer, the chief of the
department.. AT the same time 1t is ne
cessory to severely reprimand the ac-
cused for the lack of judgment displayed
by him in failing to require a written, or
personal, order from his superior officer
before giving the necessary permission for
Fireman Fogarty 10 go off duty, the cir
cumstances being such as to clearly indi-
cate that il was the intention to use this
fireman for political purposes.
1T must be understood that there is no
condoning of this offense on the part of
Fore man Connolly, and it is only on ac-
count of his long service and the circum-
stances briefly referred TO, that heavy
fine or dismissal Is not imposed for this
violation of the rules.
The entries on the journal in this case
will be marked al false" and the follow
ing entry made on the proper dates: Fire
man Fogarty excused from duty on APP
parent orders from the chief to engage in
political work.
ION the trial of the above case, Fireman
Forgarty. the Mayor says. the evidence
showing that the accused had not of his
own accord secured leave of absence to
engage in political work, but had acted
under what was apparently an order from
the chief OF the department, and against
his own wishes in the matter, a fine of but
S. is imposed for the violation of the rule,
which the accused acknowledges he was
acquainted with"
GEORGE VI. GADsDEN APPOINTED.