The morning news., 1899-04-15
POLITICS BACK OF 1T ALL.
POLITICIANS MOVING SPIRITS IN
PLUMBING ORDINANCE FIGHT.

They Want Inspector Ccsgrove
Ousted, and DO Not Hesitate to
say so-"Cosgrove's Got to Go,
That's All" Said One-superintend-
ent Kinsey Says Water Office Only
Has Four Attaches Besides His
CIerk-Present Ordinance an APP
Darent Issue Between Politicians
and property Owners.
There is no secret now that the fight on
Plumbing Inspector Cosgrove is wholly a
political one. The practical services of the
plumbing department have been TO large
extent lost sight of in the effort to land
the plumbing inspector in the water de-
partment That the fight is individually on
Cosgrove was clearly demonstrated at
the recent publ.e meeting when the joint
committee heard what purported to be
proof favoring the proposed consolidation
of the office with that of inspector in the
water department.
"Cosgrove has got to go, that's ALL" re-
marked a politician, who argued
before the joint committee the advisa-
bHity of consolidating the offices because
OF the saving TO the city.
An alderman intimated that several OF
the board realized the real turn things
had taken and that the politicians were
intending to fix matters TO suit themselves
in the city exchange. The public seemed
loath TO believe that any of the previous
changes at the exchange were the result
of political influence or prejudice, as the
administration strongly denied everything
which looked like an accusation of making
removals for political reasons. On this ac-
count many are wondering what conclusion
the people will reach If Cosgrove who is
said to have taken no hand in politics is
removed because he is not in touch with
those who propose to see him ousted''
While no evidence of his inability or unfit
ness for the position have been offered,
go far as the City Council knows, the posi-
tion the people take is not that he sbaH
be retained, but that the Independence of
the plumbing department. as the main ele-
ment of its usefulness should be maintain
ed.If the object of the present ordinance is
10 get Cosgrove out, it is asserted a quicker
way would be to prefer charges, declare
the office vacant, and put an administra-
tion man in This would at least give the
people the plumbing department. for which
they nave MED petition including the
names of some of the largest taxpayers in
the city.
supt. Kinsey of the water department
stated yesterday, in connection with the
number of inspectors in his department,
that Mr.. Campos was the only one. The
superintendent said there is an assistant.
plumber and a turn-cock, making four
in the department besides the superintend-
ents clerk, who has been in the depart
ment several years. During the cold
weather Mr.. Kinsey said the entire force
made inspections, as the damage to pipes
was so general it was impossible for one
man to do the work.
Alderman Doyle's vote is claimed by the
advocates of the ordinance to consolidate
the plumbing and water departments. AL
derman Doyle has not expressed himself
positively, but the friends of the plumbing
department are claiming his vote. Like
all the contests in which the public and
the politicians engage, the public relies
implicitly upon its representatives, while
the politicians sleep with one eye open. o.