ASSISTANT CHIEF McCABE RESTORED.

ASSISTANT CHIEF McCABE RESTORED.

周二最后上诉法院传下来decision dismissing the appeal in the case of the fire commissioners against Assistant Chief John McCabe. It will be remembered that Assistant Chief McCabe was dismissed from the department by Commissioner Purroy, for having sent out the “three sixes” for a fire that occurred in Harlem on July 5 of last year. This was a very extensive fire, burning over a large area of ground, and Chief McCabe, who was in command, fearful that it would sweep away several blocks, sent out the special call for additional apparatus. This brought to the scene most of the apparatus above Fourteenth street, and it was claimed that in doing so he left a large portion of the city unnecessarily exposed. It was understood, however, from the first that his offense was a political one and that President Purroy had long been seeking an excuse to take his scalp, McCabe being a Republican and Purroy a factional Democrat. It was scarcely thought at the time, in the face of the evidence taken, that Commissioner Purroy would dare to dismiss a zealous officer of long experience when his error, if any had been committed, was on the side of safety, but there are no lengths to which politicians of the Purroy stripe will not go when an opponent’s place is wanted. He accordingly dismissed McCabe, w’ho at once appealed to the courts for reinstatement, and after the facts had all been heard his reinstatement was ordered. The court clearly intimated that his dismissal was arbitrary, unjust and without cause. Appeal was then taken to the General Term, which sustained the decision of the lower court, and in terms even more emphatic denounced the action of Commissioner Purroy in dismissing McCabe. From this decision, appeal was taken to the Court of Appeals, and that court now dismisses the appeal with costs, which the city will have to pay. McCabe is thus reinstated as assistant chief of the department, and the several officers who have been promoted to fill the vacancies occasioned by his removal will have lo retire to their ordinary positions and restore the increase of salary which they have received by reason of their illegal promotion.

This decision is one full of interest, not only to all the firemen of the country, but to every officer in municipal employ. It says to them, virtually, that they cannot be removed on political grounds on trumped up charges, and that so long as they do their duty promptly and efficiently, their positions are secured to them. Commissioner Purroy dismissed McCabe on the ground that he had blundered, but as the highest courts have now decided that* he did not blunder, but that his dismissal by Purroy was a blunder, the question is, should not Mr. Purroy be called upon by the Mayor to resign his position as commissioner ? A more egregious or demoralizing blunder was never made by a department officer, for it was an intimation to the entire force that unless they are in accord with the president of the board in politics, excuse would be sought to secure their removal The result of this decision has been most demoralizing to the force, as we have pointed out in previous articles in these columns. The press and the general sentiment of the public were opposed to Commissioner Purroy in this matter and the following, extracted from an editorial article in The Tribune, thoroughly expresses the public sentiment: