Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1853-07-27
LOCAL AFFAIRS.

Flax EScISEs rutS CIrr.-We feel fully warranted
in stating. that in city Of the Union Of half the
extent Of Richmond there be see any class Of Fire
Engines. OF miserable calibre or less efficiency
than those in use in this city.
While there exists available force Of Firemen not
surpassed anywhere in noble tes of hazardous daring
promPness and energy their best exertons hwarted
by the entire incapseiy of the Engines at their
There is alwaysa willing appliance of the bone and
snew sgency, but Il Is wocfuy avshed without any cor
responding result
The consequence OF ,his ncapacy of our Engines L.
the unavoidable exposure OF many of our brave and
courageous Hremen who in their zeal save property
venture into positions of dangerous proximity res
order to supply by approach TO the fire scene
the deficiency in their Engines or this we had an in
stance at the burning of Mr. Bosher Factory on Saturday
night last.
To save the Factory by the effective application
Of the Engine power from the ground as the Ere com
menccd its ravages the roof and fourth story Of the
building, became evidently impossible because Of the in
capacity o. the Engines to throw any effective stream at
such height. Hence, il became necessary as an ex
reme resort and the only available under the circun
stances TO ascend by ladders carry the hose along and
at risks which indeed few would be willing encounter
play through a window from which beiimes the flames
gushed upon the hardy, unanehng spirit who directed
the hose.
This a necessity which would undoubtedly be dis
peused with there Engines Of sufficient power to ray
on the fire from underneath.
For more than half AN hour the communication Of the
fire to the Factory continued lingering process fame
at one time sprnging up in faint ickcrng, after
becoming eStngushed without any force. In this doubt
fu condition did it continue for considerable time liable
at any moment to be cdectuay eItiugushed, under a
Fight water pressure. But it not available The
/ Eugines on In hut
tie than would be effected by the natural discharge
OF the water through hose applied to the hydrant The
legitimate force ofthe under its pressure would
tanly lack little in producing result equal to that effect
ed by any OF these Engines.
IL amatter of much surprise to macy why such de-
hciency in Fire Department should have been suffer-
ed to exist long IL is purpose that Ins titu
ton constituted wisely and udiciousy in its other de
tails, and with strict view efficiency as is had
no doubt, while the Engines in use are retained.
The bearings ofevery detail of the Institution re-
ference to its efficiency powerful agent protect pub
lie property, and all easily judge how far such spr
be reconcilAble with the existence of few Peavln
Engines in City embracing several millions of dollar
worth of property while regret it is of late
coming the theatre for the nightly operations Of in
cendiares The best Engine in the City scarcely worth
retaining TO protect hen-house from fire. and taking from
it the aid Ofthe immense pressure in this City, ii
do little better.
In other cities where the stocks Of Fire Companies are
scarcely sufficient their limited expenses sppara
tus Of an effective kind al Ways available.
We do not mean to insinuate that it Is peculiarly the
duty OF the Fire Associations provide suitable engines
That is entirely matter OF expeiiency in regard
which, they possess doubt satisfactory in the pro-
bable Of their dividends for the The c
tizens should certainly take interests in this matter
nv Of for tba
dyts5 in use, place the institution eficen
footing. The Firemen Jealous Enthusiastically so
in their endeayOrs TO render the department what
should bea guarantee against devastation by fire. We
have witnessed within the last monh, marked failures
obvate the extension OF lire from small large and
valuable buildings, because of the defcencyone the
instance OF the burning of Mr. Thomas Factory-the 9th
NJ BOshers Coach Factory. In both these instances
do not hesitate say that with engines Of proper ca
pacity and less exertion the part of Fremon
than iressy rendered occasion particularly
all would have been saved.
II then citizens desire that therpropert shall be
let them provide the render There plen-
y OF bone and sncw and we'll available all times which
crate only xhaus and lavish their otherwise ehec-
tive strength, upon ineffective engines.
Those interested in this ma tier eau see no doubt
the necessity for proper provision in this regard and
whether will be afforded in due time it is for them
say. They may do so when it is too late.
We will state in this connection that the practice which
understand exist, Of giving negroes twelve and a
half hour and grog for their the En-
gnes during fires is anything but favourable the
rty Of public property That of ITSELF would furnish
sufficient incentive to negro to apply the torch to build
ing at first opportunity.
The morbid yearning Of sanbo for 'tolic, knows no
restraint and he would seek crafty upon any
Or
loss to others. lie ot il the entire City was
burned up The froicng and excitement during the fire,
Is all he looks after.
We think it Is practice which should he discontinued
Musrc Of rnE sqUARE-The ArInory Band played on
the Square Monday night last which occasion
unusually large crowd in attendance. This
expected the fact that the entire absence any
amusement for the previous week. owing the badness
Of the weather. must have created longing for such
display. The desire hear the admirable performance
Of that excellent Band had also its attractive charms In
Iced have heard seyera express their admiration o
the superior music afforded by this Band.
>. MAYon's corrr-TresIry J,,,y 25,-ORplSAScE yio
LlrioS-wm Ford, charged With suffering pile Of pa.
wing stones to remain 9th and Byrd streets, ned
81
As on orpExprR.-wm Ros., a free colored man,
brought up charge Of assauIting Levina Martin,
(colored) on Wednesday last.
Levina stated tina, Ross threw brickbit a, her while
on her bed. H. struck her on the hip. The bat was
thrown with such force as to have been broken.
lie was ordered Fifteen"
PrrrY L,RogSY--Ilbslli Harris (e,oredl brousi,
up on charge u stealing shirt aud handkerchief, the
latter b.ug sent by her from the American o;e to Louisa
Payne, Washwom1n.
Louisa stated hI she leit her house lev days ago,
leaving Isabel, in charge of H. and her return found
the shirt gone.
She va, ordered "fheon.'
CoxrIsuEp-feris, SLAVE, tho property OF Mes'r'
Fills aud Pesr, wa brought up On charge Of running
aclrt, which DO, drove ag ins. furniture wagon belong
ing To j. r. H. Mtsureer aud breaking the axle thereof