South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-10
THE LIMIT OF PETTY POLL
TICS.


There is talk among the mer-
chants and manufactures Of the
city Of having a petition signed
denouncing the action OF Mayor
Gaylor in so summarily dismiss
ing Albert J. Buysee, chief OF
the fire department The facts
concerning the matter have
come TO light and there is in
tense indignation among all
classes Of society for the appar-
emily unwarranted action Of the
mayor.
Not until he read OF the
changes in the personnel of the
city's employees, as published in
the newspapers. was Mr.. Buysee
aware that he was 10 be let out.
Although he was brought into
daily contact with Mayor Cay
Tor, the latter never even limited
10 anyone that he intended max
ing "A change i'm the depart
ment, and, in fact, the change
was not even limited at around
city hall quarters.
Now that the public is getting
the facts through friends Of the
former chief. Gaylor is being ex-
coriated on all sides, even by his
republican supporters. His aC-
ton in not taking Mr.. Buysee
into his confidence, as he did
former Chief Of Police Krieter,
who was told 10 be on the look
out for another job, has en-
ragged the citizens to such an ex-
tent that it means the withdraw
al of much Of the support prom
ised the mayor when he runs Cor
congress next year.
Mr.. Buysee has been connect
ed with the Mishawaka fire de-
partment for 80 years, or since
he was Is years old. He was a,
prominent member of the vol
unteer fire department when the
city was but in its infancy, and
since that time has been a mem
Der of the local fire brigade. He
has proved himself TO be one of
the most active and painstaking
officials that ever served the
city. His record as a fire fight
er is known among the fire
brigades throughout the state,
and many encomiums have been
heaped upon him by fire insur-
ance journals in all parts of the
country
Only four years ago Mayor
GaylOr pleaded with Mr.. Buysee
to stick to his job, intimating to
the latter that his services were
indispensable to the city. and the
question is now being asked,
Why this change of heart"
1t would seem, however. that
the eX-chief is a democrat, al
though he has never been known
to prominently identify himself
with politics in any way. The
late Mayor Frank, republican.
was sufficiently impressed with
his abilities as a fire-fghter TO
retained him in office; and even
Mayor GaylOr has been heard TO
sing the praises of the chief
while paying visits to other cit
les.
If politics are at the bottom
Of Mr.. Buysee's dismissal from
office. the mayors friends claim
that his action is but a very poor
exhibition of rural statesman
ship. and unworthy a man who
would pretend TO preside over
the destinies of a city like Mish-
awake.
Mr.. Buysee's friends-and they
are legion-are rallying to his
support, although the ex-chiet
has not taken any action in the
matter. He realizes his dismissal
after 80 of his best years in the
city's service. At the age of so
he is thrown on his own re-
sources, and at a time of life
when youth no longer casts it's
glamOr indiscriminately.
His successor is a republican.
and his connection with frater-
nal societies is expected to help
the mayor when he endeavors 10
satisfy his ambition to become a
congressman; but even this fact
will not tend 10 lessen the in
dignation heard on all sides at
what is considered the most I'M
grateful act ever performed by
the executive Of any city. Mans
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