The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1902-01-16
Fagan's New Fire Commis-
sioner Scars High and
Gets a Fall.
TRIED TO Be WHOLE BOARD
Wants to Rescind The Resolu-
ton Appointing New En-
CINE Company-Mr.
Nibblet Incensed.

Fire Commissioner f. W. Angel, one OF
Mayor Fagan's new appointees, mad d
run in with President Niblett Of the
Fire Board last night, and from what
was said and done a serious breach Is
likely 10 follow between the two mem
bers who compose the Republican maJor-
ify in the new Board
# was the first business meeting since
the board was reorganized. commis-
sioner Angel began his career as a COM
missioner by taking a stand scleiy py
himself. To begin with he introduced 4
resolution without even intimating ms
plans TO his Republican colleague HIS
conduct not only surprised everybody but
was characterized by President Niblett as
discourteous and insulting.
The resolution which Mr.. Angel intro
duced was to reseind the appointments
and promotions made in connection with
new Engine Company No. II by the re-
cent Democratic Board. 1t read in part
.Tnat the appointments and promotions
a attempted to be made in connection with
the new fire company be and the same
are hereby revoked and annulled and
that the Corporation Counsel and the City
Attorney be and they are hereby directed
to appear on behalf of the city and OF
this Board in the legal proceedings
against this Board and the Mayor and
Aldermen of Jersey Cfty, brought by Sam
uel d. Dickinson, prosecutor, to set aside
the said resolution of December is, lsOi,
ana consent 60 the entry Of judgment on
behalf OF the said prosecutor against the
said city Of Jersey City and the Board o.
Fire Commissioners Of Jersey City, set
f,ng aside the said resolutions so adopted
on December IS. 1901, as aforesaid
the other members of the Board were
NOT aware Of the resolution until Mr.
Angel drew it from his pocket to intro
snee at The meeting. President Niblett,
In particular was surprised. He looked
amazed when the resolution was handed
il him To think that he as president
= fs4e Board and as he believed himself
ia Sc 4 member of the Republican ma
5ority had not been consulted regarding
ne resolution made him extremely angry
lie managed however. TO restrain hls
feelings until after the meeting. The facl
that the matter was at present before
the supreme Court made all action OF
the Board until the court had rendered
a decision, appeare ridiculous to all save
tMr. Angel. In fact it was the general
opinion that the Board might be open TO
a charge of contempt of court If II took
any action in the matter while the certio-
ra4i proceedings were pending But MI.
Angel did not think so. He volunteered
his private opinion, as lawyer, that the
court would decide against the appoint
1nents made by the old Board. The other
Commissioners, however, respectfully de-
clined to recognize Mr.. Angel as their
legal adviser.
Commissioner Angel said that he con-
sidered it his duty to offer the resolution.
He came to the conclusion, he said, that
the old Board in making the appointments
referred to had exceeded its authority.
He declared that the proposed new fire
company for which the appointments
were made was only on paper. He said
that there was no place to put the men
as yet, consequently he thought that their
appointment was Illegal.
Mr.. Angel laid particular stress upon
the solernnity of the oath of Office he had
taken. He concluded with the remark
that he had sworn to perform the duties
OF Fire Commissioner faithfully and hon,
estIy, so help me Cod
President Niblett began to feel a bit
more uneasy at this last remark. He
looked at Commissioner Hennessey and
Commissioner Hennessey looked at him.
Then they both wondered what Mr.. Angel
was driving at or whether they had not
taken the oath of office az well as their
colleague.
IN answer to Mr.. Angels remark that
the new fire company existed only on
r,ane,s Commissioners, E{enuesssey said that