The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-04-24

THE Law ON FIRE DEPART
MENT AND IMPEACHMENT
We sais Last night that Gordon was
promising things already either pro-
vided fer ky law or things which
would +. in violation Of the law. We
quoted the sist-here 10 the law which
covers our statement.
Mr.. Gordon claims credit for things
which ne cannot do and which he
abuses other candidates for not adopt
Ing.
We rsser to the firemen's plank and
the guarantee.
Here 10 the law:
Burns Annotated Statutes. Section
$751;. Every member OF the fire and
OF the commissioners of public safety,
shall hold office until they are remov-
ed by the board. They may be remov-
ed for any cause OTHER THAN
POLITICS, after an opportunity for q
hearing Is given. IL demanded, and tie
written reasons for such removal
shall be entered upon records Of such
board. On conviction Of a member OF
the said fire or police force of any
criminal offense or neglect OF duty. or
Of the violation OF rules. or neglect or
dlsobediance Of orders. OF incapacity.
or absence without leave. or immoral
conduct, or conduct injurious to the
public peace or welfare. or conduct
m officer. or other
breach Of discipline. such commission
ers shall have power to punish the Of
tending party by reprimand. forfeit
ture. suspension without pay. dismis-
sal. or by reducing him to lower
grade and pay. Upon any investiga-
ton Of the conduct OF any member of
the fire or police forces or upon the
trial Of any charge preferred against
any member Of eithe- Of such forces.
such board of commissioners shall
have power to compel the attendance
OF Witnesses, and the production OF
books. papers and other evidences, at
any meeting Of such board, and for
that purpose may issue subpoenas and
cause the same to be served and ex-
ecuted In any part Of the county
where such city is located. The pro-
visions Of section fifty-four of this act,
In respect to any witness who shall
refuse to testify. or to produce books
or papers in his possession or under
his control. In Investigation and i'm
parchment proceedings before the
common council, or any committee
thereof, so far as applicable. shall
govern In like cases before such board
Of public safety, and the proper court
may compel by attachment. commit
ment or other punishment in compli-
ance with its orders"
Section SITS provides that in cities
of the fourth class Ito which Rich
mond belongs) The Board OF Public
Works. in addition to its powers and
duties as such board. shall exercise
all the powers and perform all the
duties In this act assigned to and re-
quired Of the board OF public safety"
Acts 1909. Chapter 1SS. page Ago.
Whenever any written charges have
been adopted by the common council
or by any committee thereof, against
any officer. employees or department
OF the corporation except members OF
the council. such charge shall be
heard BY the council under such reg
ulation as may be prescribed by the
ordinance. Should such charge be
sustained, the common council shall
take action thereon and. may remove
any officers or emplOye against whom
such charges are sustained. subject
to the right Of appeal hereinafter pro-
vided Tor: but It shall take q two
thirds vote to impeacA or remove an
officer or smploye. and such vote or,
order Of removal shall become effec-
tive after three days provided that
any city official or employee against
whom the common council has made
or voted an order Of impeachment or
removal may ~ (by) petition filed
within three days thereafter appeal
from such order to the circuit or su-
perior court In the county in which
such city Is located. which appeal
shall b granted on filing cost bond to
the approval Of such court or the
judeo thereof ii vacation. While such
appeal Il pendjng. said order Of Inn
peachmcnt ~ removal shall Is sus-
pended. Upun the filing of such bond.
thA clerk ~ s0cA cossft shall immad-