The evening world., 1902-11-29
THE WAY TO REFORM is TO REFORM.
a IN ONE ACT.

charter. We must make 1t plain that anything that we
do that is not right is to be blamed to the charter. Put
that in your own way in the beginning, James, and then
write on as follows:
II am assured that Chief Croaker had a fair trial.
Commissioner stir-Em-Up has said 80 and 1 am unable
to find a ring Of inslncerity in his voice. Therefore l
am satisfied. The discipline of the department requires
that the trial should proceed in the usual way. II the
Commissioner was accuser. judge and ~jury-blame the
charter.
He would be a bold man indeed who would say that
the Commissioner is not justified in his findings. If he
is not justified let the Court Of Appeals say so. No man
can read the findings Of the Commissioner with an open
mind and not realize that he has tried to bring a candid
judgment to his task. Don't forget that TRIED,
James,.
Il am inclined to believe that the Commissioner
should have power to appoint his. own chief Of the de-
partment. Take Napoleon, for instance. He had the
choice OF his own chiefs Of staff, but. of course, he was
not working under a charter. 1t was the same with
George Washington. In fact. as far back as we care to
go into history we learn that the great chiefs Of war
and effort have always chosen their own men to execute
their desires.
II presume there are few among our citizens who have
not read with interest Of Charles /. and Cromwell. The
King allowed Cromwell to have his own way until
Cromwell became 30 strong that he was enabled to de-
capitate the KlnE-, LS~a tne4vsss Ic makes me Snudder
our Commissioner stir-Em-Up If he had teen given the
chance. By the provisions Of our charter he was In
reality more powerful than the Commissioner himself.
I shall speak to the Legislature about this.
81 think the Commissioner should fill the office Of
Chief at will, precisely as the Secretary Of the Navy for
the time being can appoint any rear-admiral at will to
the charge OF any bureau in his department. The con-
nection between the United States Navy and the Fire
Department OF Suckerville is apparent to the weakest
mind because OF the cdlose association Of each with fire
and water.
ION the other hand. take the Secretary of War. He Is
always having trouble because the Cnmmander-in-Chief
Of the Army ia a permanent official not always in SYM
pathy with the Secretary of War for the time being.
The connection between the Army of the United States
and the Fire Department Of the city of Suckerville is ap-
parent from the ract that both the soldiers and the fire.
men, / am told. wear blue flannel shirts and do not
sleep at home.
And now that 1t is all over I deem 1t my duty to
look into the Fire Department and see If anything else
ought to happen. 1t must be remembered that 1 have
been in Office only eleven months"
! SECRETARY RAINHoLES-I think. Your Honor
that this Is probably the ahest State document since
the talk you made to the public last Thursday.
MAYOR HI HI-Thank you, James. There was one
point I had thought Of Incorporating before we give
out this epistle to the meddlesome, impudent press.
am told that Chief Croaker looks like his uncle. the
Boss of Tammany Hall. But perhaps 1t would be al
we'll not 20 refer to this. Our motives might be mis-
construed. Call my automobile and close the ONCE To-
the night.