The Portland daily press., 1901-02-08

Continued from Ftrht rage.
which the boat should have responded,
but the captain remarked, 10 nell,
with the department. I'm sick oil IL.
1 suspended him, said the ohisf, but l got
orders TO restore him TO duty lie re-
signed Afterwards. have no doubt be-
oanse n. knew he would not be reap
pointed.
Councilman Ernest True appeared to
oppose the bill. He said:
"The members of the common council
were ignored. We almost unanimously
voted that it be submitted TO us. We
have the beat department in New Eng
land today, but we have had little
trouble. hope the Legislature will return
this bin so that the common council may
consider in fairly. This talK about poll
tics is all bosh and evsrybody knows that.
My opinion Is that no man should be re-
moved except for cause. In fact the coun-
oil has had NO opportunity to study the
bill and am not prepared to say whether
we approve of 1t or not. We simply ASK
that we have 4 returned to us. 1 think
the sentiment OF the people of the city oil
Portland Is that there is but one change
necessary In the present system and that
is that engineermen be chosen In the
same manner as drivers, by the board OF
engineers"
Edgar L Hounds also spoke In opposi-
ton. Mr.. Rounds said In substance: ~
served as chairman OF the fire committee
| in one Of tha notorious years and we had
5000 OF our appropriation left. The nre
committee was the only one In that no.
| torious year with any monsy thae~wasn't
spent l served the year when the Custom
House wharf fire occurred, and 1 heard
| the evidence. Ii came up at that hearing
| that the weather was so bad that the cap
tain showed good Judgment In not going
ont, SO we voted to reinstate him. The
| gentlemen who spoke for this bill have
paid attorneys and we have not paid at
torneys. The lawyer says that the bill
gives the chief $500 to buy horses with.
was coming down on the boat one night
j and heard that the city Of Portland had
bought a pair Of horses and they were 30
| good that they sold them to fellow out
| in Gorham. Wewanted to buy some
horse that year. We had the money left
| and i was called to the City building but
1 found they had bought the horse over
the telephone. I'm told it's no good now.
just mention these things to show how
they do business. This bill is not the bin
reported by the committee. We had
number OF cases of complaint and the
chief was always backed up In the case OF
any man delinque MT in duty or who had
disobeyed him. Ii haven't got mind
strong enough to do IA sec Mt, then Ii
get out I've got q mind to say what l
believe. think this ons man power Ia
too much. You give me two years as
chief with that bill and I'LL carry the city
any way l want to and elect any man for
mayor. and II you'll sxcuss me for saying
SO In a few years I'll be the Dick Croker
of Portland. Now as to the suspension
Of the two men who have besn referred
to. First they were suspended for drusk-
enness and then it was for something
else. for one say it's time TO put man
back when they can't DO anything In four
years Last year they had an ordinance
passed to put the captain OF another COM
pany In charge of the engine house Of one
OF these men. don't know as there was
any feeling In 1t. but there may have
been. i don't think it necessary to pass
bill like this just TO fire out few men.
MIR. Wilson said ii was evident that the
council felt slighted but their vote was
not one In opposition to the bill. MIR.
Wilson said he could assure the commit
Tee that the gentleman who had spoken
would never have the opportunity to be-
come the Dick Croker of Portland under
the proposed law.
The bill was then tabled for two weeks
to give the Portland city council chance
to consider 1t.
Alderman Moulton, Councilman True
and MIR. Rounds told the committee that
the bill to Rohange the beginning OF the
municipal year in the city OF Portland to
the first OF January, TO provide for cleo
tions In December and to permit the
mayor to veto specific items in appropria
tion bills was endorsed by the city gov
srnment and supported by tie sentiment
Of the people.
Hon. Herbert NJ. Heath explained the
bill in relation to the csssion of land tor
the National Soldiers home at rogus.
Land has been bought In addition to the
original cession and 1t is desired that this
additional land may also be cedsd.
George +. West appeared before the
committee to ask for extension OF powers
for the Portland Gas Light company.
III. M. Heath appsared for the bill ratify-
ing the purchase BY the Sagadahoo Light
and Power company OF the franchise
and uropersy OF other companies. On