The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-04
ASSIGNED TO POLITICAL WORK
FIREMAN FOGARTY's NIGHT OUT
MAY RESULT IN INVESTIGATION.

Was Reported absent From Sick
ness" by Foreman Connolly the
NIGHT Before the Election, hut
Was Seen at Political Meeting.
1t Is said Fogarty Was Ordered by
ex-Chief HanIy to "A Meeting Of
sturtevant Hall-An Investigation
May Bring to Light Interesting
Campaign DOings.
one wing Of the fire department seems
to have dipped into the recent municipal
fight. The fact came out through entries
made on the journal sent Supt. Maguife
the other day from engine hOuse No. 4.
TIE record shows one fireman 10 have
been excused on account Of sickness" the
night before the election when it is claim
ed he was engaged in political work. The
matter was common talk around the city
exchange yesterday, and the probabilities
are an investigation by the fire committee
of Council will follow evidence which Is
now being taken by Supt. Mcguire.
Assistant Foreman Fogarty Is the fire
man who attended a meeting the night be
fore the election. said to have been for
the purpose of doing political work The
circumstances under which ne left the sta
tion, however. win doubtless be considered
mitigating. Should the matter go before
the fire committee. The foreman left in
response to orders from ex-Chief Hanly.
1t Is stated, who had him aroused about u
o'clock the night before the election and
directed him 10 report at Sturtevant hall,
on Liberty street. where the McDonough
bnll
Is said to have been rather timid about
leaving the station when first notified. but
wien the order was later acuulesced in
by Foreman j. j. Connolly. who seems 10
be the mark the investigation will be aim
ed at, II was obeyed.
superintendent Mcguire has the matter
In his hands, and is cndeavOring To oef
all facts in connection with what Is claim,
ed TO be violation of the department
rules. AS the matter has not vet been
officially presented to Mayor Myers to
whom il is understood the evidence will
be submitted when taken, Superintendent
Mcguire declines TO discuss the matter
other than TO admit that he has received
orders to investigate the matter and re-
port. The result of this Investigation NAV
be the presentation of charges against
Foreman Connolly for reporting Fogarty
sick, when 1t is claimed that lie was in
good spirits. Nothing of an absolutely
uennite character will likely be develop
ed until all the evidence is taken, and the
real facts concerning Fogarty's absence
are known.
The story, which was partially confirm
ed yesterday by all the interested persons
approached by a Morning News reporter
is mat Mr.. Jack Hanly son of ex-Chief
Hanly, went to engine house No 4 the
night before the election for Fogartv who
was aroused and told that he was wanted
at Sturtevant Hall. After expressing some
unwtllingness to go on mission of this
Kind, II is said he was urged by the Young
man 10 communicate with the chief who
was then said 10 be at fire Headquarters
and have the orders confirmed. An effort
was made to do this, but for some reason
the effort failed.
1t is claimed Fogarty still felt he should
not leave his station, unless positive and
unmistakable orders were received from
MS superior officer. IL is said he consulted
with Foreman Connolly, who was in
charge, and asked him what action he
would advise. Connolly told Fogartv there
was no doubt about the orders coming
from eX-Chief Hanly, and he is further
reported as saying he thought the hest
policy was 10 obey them. Under the con-
viction that he was doing the proper thing
Fogarty proceeded to the hall, where he
remained from / until about O'clock
election morning. During the day he re-
manned around the poles some time, but
IS not understood to have done much hus-
Ting.
1t seems everything went along accord
ing to regulations up to this time, so far
as the subordinates We're concerned when
Foreman Connolly is said to have direct
ed Fireman Jerry O'Leary to enter Fogar-
" on the slate as absent from sickness.
This was done, and the following day this
entry went from the slate to the journal.
which Is part of a daily report of the do
tngs at each engine house. II is not an
parent why such an entry as this was
made, when one to the effect that Fogartv
had been excused by orders Of the chief
would have fitted the case much better
and would not have given rise to The
matters which may soon become the sub
jects of an Investigation.
Nothing seems to have come of the on
try however, until Superintendent Ma.
guire sent for 1t shortly after his re-elec.
ton. 1t is said his attention was soon
drawn 10 that part OF the report concern.
ing Fogarty, who had been marked absent
on sick leave while there was a vivid rec
objection of his presence at the polls on
election day. When this irregularitv was
discovered 1t is said Superintendent Ma.
guire sent for FOgarty and questioned him
Later on the matter got to the ears of city
officials, and especially those on the Myers
side, who thought the best thing was te
~, tnGl
submit the case either to Mayor Myers
or the fire committee.
Alderman James NJ. Dixon, acting chair.
man of the fire committee in the place OF
Mr.. /. G. Haas stated that he had order.
ed fun investigation by Superintendent
Mcguire.
Assistant Foreman Fogarty was kept in
a stew during the election. The politicians
look upon him az a strong worker on
election day, and one whose Influence il
worth having. 1t is stated he did not come
out bold enough in the recent fight ID
suit some, who criticised him without re-
serve. In order TO place himself right be-
fore his friends, he wrote card expressing
h his preference in the mayoralty race but
Ut for some reason 1t was not published. The
workers seemed to be hotter after Fogsrtv
"a Lhan any other hrannan and Tor tl,ie - -.