The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1901-02-11
FIRE DEPARTMENT..


two engineers W no had been removed By
the committee on Fire Department, upon
charges made by the chief engineer,
made the CHIEF illogical candidate
for retirement, although his appearances
ref ore the legislature indicates that be
regards himself as o Logical candidate
for Advancement. The aldermen, having
administered Iehuke to both the chief
and committee on fire department, follow
it by the presentation to the legislature
Of n bill to re-organize the department In
such way as to increase the power OF
the chief. The need OF the hasty action
which made IT impossible to allow time
for the common. council to consider the
bill WAS not apparent and. under the
circumstances. the appearance OF the chief
in support OF the bill was surprising.
Tbs action of the legislative committee
oompels a more careful consideration Of
the matter In all its bearings. IL appears
that the words "for cause" restricting
the mayors power OF removal. are in
tended 90 save the chief from removal
by a mayor of other political faith. That
is a most unsatisfactory reason. 1t is
based on the insulting assumption that
a Democratic mayor could have 90 little
rsrard for the interests committed 20
his care, by a majority OF the voters, that
he would remove an efficient chief
merely because he was Republican. At
the hearing before the legislative COM
mittes, Mr.. Wilson was asked by Sena.
tor Weeks, "Do you think Demodratie
Rhtaf n 0faCr-
edP'' MIR. Wilson replied: II don't think
the gentleman Just nominated by the
Portland Democrats would. some might
do SOL
As a voluntary expression of general
appreciation OF the honorable character
OF the Democratic nominee, we iully
approve, even though we appear to be
eiectiopeerinR In his behalf. 1t cannot
be taken as evidence of an understand
ing with Mr.. Merrill, committing him
to retention of the chisf. IL IL could, the
necessity OF hasty action would be even
less apparent.
One Of the reasons for the passage OF
the bill was 'the desire to get the de-
partnent out of politics" followed by
the remarkable statement: Now the
chief must 20 every year to the city coun-
oil and the result has been that every
year there has been pull hauling, and
there is four months OF turmoil II. the
II hlo dChGAtthDhe 10 w 10
taken out OF politics as far as possible
he should be relieved from this necessi-
ty." The City OF Portland appears be-
fore the legislature requesting the pas
sage OF bill TO relieve the chief engineer
from the necessity OF yearly creating
-four months OF turmoil In the depart
ment." IL would seem that the city
might give relief without appealing to
the Legislature. Can the department he
taken out OF politics by giving absolute
control to those who put it inY Are the
insurance companies to treat risks In
Portland as extra hazardous during
four months OF each year In answer TO
the question by Senator Virgin, "lf
there were anything In the bill to pre-
vent the chief from making q tremen-
dous political power OF the office MIR.
Wilson replied that 'he did not know Of
any way TO provide against such q CON-
tingency arising" II the reply related
only TO the provisions OF the bill, 1t
should kill the bill. If It related to the
general question. the remedy of removal
for offensive partisanship" prescribed
by President Cleveland, II faithfully APP
piled, would be sure cure. Let 1t be
that public offics IL pub
lilo trust" ana that any abuses OF the
trust Is one of the best reasons for re-
moval. Let II be understood that tour
months OF conscientious attention to the
public service 10 TO be substituted for
four months of "pull hauling" Let
It be understood that whatever latitude
is allowable In the pursuit OF office,
there Is no latitude after the aspirant
enters public service. The moment a
citizen accepts public office or employ
ment, he accepts a trust covering the
welfare OF the whole community, and
active party work, either In his own be-
half, or in behalf OF others, is sufficient
cause for removal. The Maintenance
of party Supremacy" through partisan
work by persons In city employment Is
repreh enable abuse OF trust. IL the
words for cause can he construed as
this abuses. 1t would be much
letter for the general welfare to make
such alteration In the bill as Will make
1t q specified cause TO- removal 10 the
statement made by me in a previous com
that the city government,
to whom we entruft our public affairs
for one year are our Immediate represen-
tatives. i would add that no Legislature
should deprive us OF such direct control,
by putting any subordinate department
out OF our reach. During the considera-
ton OF the proposed police bill BY the
common council, MIR. Moodside, who IA
in behalf of the proposition to entrust
the control OF the polics TO commission
OF three rather than to the mayor, that
II .he mayor could not select three men
out of "a who would act In accordance
with his wishes, there must be some-
thing the matter with the mayor. The
idea of reformation In the police depart
ment is recalled by the suggestion now
made that the fire department should
be put under the control of a committee
OF three.
the thought that the four months
period OF turmoil may be infectious and
may invalidate every department., is
very depressing to taxpayers, who I'LL
the pubic crib from which the invalids
feed.
As an illustration OF the Importance
OF the trust accepted by the members OF
the city government, may use, without
suggestion OF personality, figures which
appear in the Portland Directory of last
year, in the list OF nersons whose taxes
exceed $780,. The aldermen and council
men number 50. Nine OF them appear
In the list with a total tax of S., l67.
or that amount one councilman pays
81, 74b, the remaining 81. 4s2 representing
tine other 30 members. In the same list
the name of one woman appears rs pay
ing tax of 81, LAG. She cannot vote. Can
any man, OF any party, fall to see the
duty resting on him to use his best efforts