Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1853-02-04
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Fire Society.
BURLINGTON, w.
FRIDAY MORNING FEB /, 1873.

1t will be seen by notice in another col
umn, that tho Burlington Fire Society have
called a meeting for the purpose Of disbandng,
and terminating their organization. 1t is stat
ed as reason, that they can no longer afford
to pay the expenses Of tho organization; that
the association has been reduced from 200
members to about 10 an the consequent ex-
penses coming upon so few, cannot longer be
borne by them This is certainly "A Legitimate
md proper conclusion to come to- and we can
not blame the members for so doing, for it is
not for them to support and keep alive an ex
pensivs association, when their interest in the
matter is much less than the interest of tho
community at large. 1t is a kind Of phllunthro
by which tires with the practice, and which no
set Of men for any length Of time will submit
to. 1t cannot be expected that an efficient Fire
department can or will be sustained by its
members alone; if they give their work, the
community ought to pay It's expenses, and 1t IS
not fair, right, or proper that the members of
an Engine Company, should be called upon to
contribute one mill for expenses which mus,
necessarily accrue from time to time, IN their
hard and pcrlIous duty. The voluntary system
is well enough while it lass, hut experience
teaches us that, sudden deAth Is surc to cnsue.
by the second or at least the third year; such
support for any length Of ,ilnc is prccarous and
upeer,an
The question a4ev IL: Is the Yrs Depart.
afrSt nprt l. z r.
OF the eswn' Is IT important that 1t shonld he
susNined,an It's various departments filled with
cfllciont and active men? IF 80, then there
can be no question as to the duty Of the com
tnunlty, and the town IN the premises Tn,
Board, upon whom devovcs the duty Of rcru
lating the expenditures of the town, ia bound t,
look to this, as being one Of the IN st mpor
Safeguards to our welfare and it is absurc
to suppose that men who arc wiling to turn
OFT night after night, if necessity requires, t.
p'otect and save our property from conhlrra
ton are willing or able at the same time To
pay handsomely for the privilege It is askin.
more than we have any business to ask. an,
we fancy more than tho efficient and workip,
m1n will submit 10.
II the proper feeling existed with refcrcac,
to this department., If the interest which W,
ought to feel for matter so important to OIL
safety, were to manifest itself 1t would be ga
s'ly supported on the voluntary system bu
wncn no danger Is apparent, we are ant to fee
secure, and that sccur ty often results in care
lessness, not only Of our interests, bat the in
terest Of others.
Upon the whole, we regret that the Fire
Department should nave come To III
decision VIC would advised thst tl,e,
continue as they are until the next Marcel
meeting, and present the matter in all IFS de-
tails to the consideration of the town and if nc
action IS taken, which will alleviate the pres.
ent condition, it will then be time to disband
and separate. But on the contrary, Should
there be an interest shown for the better main.
tenance of this department, by dsbandinC now
1t only subjects us TO the necessity of forming
another organ z,tion, which wouli require
much time and expense to effect. The meet
ing Is called at the American, on Monday eve
ming next, and We trust 1t will be fully at
tended,