The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-03-31
LETTER FROM CINCINNATI.

TO be Indian agent IN Oregon.
LETTER FROM CINCINNATI.
The New Fire Departmcnt-Needof Reform
Nature of the Nep System--Stedm Fire En-
gine-Ths Romanists and the Public Schools
CMcrsNATf, March 10, 1853.
To the Editor of the National Era
me city council of this place have taken a
step which ought to be known abroad, and may
well be commended to some of our sister cities at
the East II is the abolition of the old system
of voluntary fire companies, and the establish
ment of paid department in the place of
it. An act was passed few days since pro-
viding for an entirely new organization, under
the control of the city authorities, which is to
be put into operation Immediately. This meas
urc was, in fact demanded by the necessities
of the city; the lawlessness and mobocratic
spirit of our fire companies having been on the
increase for some years, until we have rivalled
Philadelph ia in the riots and street fights among
our fremen.
Our FIRE department was for many years an
admirable one; as efficient and respectable as
any in the Union; the pride of the city, indeed,
for its energy promptness, and love of order
But for about three years past it has sunk rap
idly in reputation, low and turbulent class of
men have become members, firemen's riots have
increased in frequency, companies have dis
banded at their pleasure, when likely to be dealt
with for riotous conduct; the fire association
has utterly failed to remedy these evils, and
the consequence has been, that the efficiency of
the department has been destroyed, its charac-
ter degraded worthy men have left it and its
influence for some time has been positively de-
moralizing The good men connected with it
have labored to save it from ruin, but they have
long since been outnumbered by those deter
mined upon rowdyism. The disease has for
some time been approaching crisis and it is
a matter for congratulation that just as it had
become to all good citizens intolerable, the
council, with commendable promptness and
unanimity, applied the true remedy. After
full discussion at several meetings, and few
amendments, the new ordinance was passed by
o unanimous vote ). which, in view of the vari-
ETY. of opinion among the members upon poll
ties and every other subject from high conserv-
atism to the lowest radicalism, is remarkable,
and speaks well for the excellence, in theory
at least, of the new system.
The expense of the new system, it is thought
will in the end be less than that of tho old
The latter, for the past three years, has cost
the city nearly $52,0 900 per year. The cost of
the paid system, the first year, will be about
$50, 900, and considerably less afterwards when
it shall be in full operation. The security of
property and life, the decreased risks and rates
of insurance, the good order of the city, and
the diminished temptations to rioting and idle
ness, will more than compensate for an increas-
ed expenditure, should there be any. The SER
x,co f,n will bo MI cd xub - Il L
on the same basis as other duties required bv
the public, and which they are able to pay for.
The new system seems to be good one, and
should be submitted to full and fair trial 1t
is similar to the Boston plan, now in operation
there, with some variations, adapting it to our
locality. The ordinance provides for one chief
engineer, to be chosen annually by the city
council. The city is divided into four districts,
with one assistant engineer in each. There
will be IL companies, each consisting of 25
men, with captain and lieutenant. Five of
the men shall be stationed at each engine-house.
desgnsted as foremen, assistant foremen two
ppemen, and driver-a driver and one pipeman
always to be- on duty; the apparatus to be
hauled by horses to and from fires The insur-
ance companies have agreed to pay the expenses
of establishing fire telegraph over the city,
by which the number Of alarms is expected to
be diminished
The assistant engineers are to be appointed
by the council; the captains by board of su-
pervisors, consisting Of the engineers and the
committee Of council on the fire department
The members of the companies are appointed
by the engineers. The salaries are graded ju-
diciously, according to the amount of time be-
slowed on the Experimentation whose whole
time and services are engaged being paid &C.
cOrdingly.
1t is of the highest Importance that man
of the right stamp should be put at the head of
this organization, and that care be taken to
prevent unworthy men, at the start, from be-
coming members of the new companies. Such
an one We have, with the necessary qualifca-
tons of experience, frmness, independence and
energy; and who though not in need of and
not seeking the office, has consented to serve,
and spend one year in putting the plan into
successful operation. This is Miles Greenwood
whom, by common consent, men Of all parties
look to as the man prominently qualified for
this post. Sustained as the new system is, by
public sentiment, we are sanguine Of its sue
cess.
There is another experiment in progress here,
which promises to be of great utility 1t is
steam fire engine, which has been built at an
expense of some seven or eight thousand dollars
1t has been tried repeatedly in the streets and
1t several fires, and is said to answer the pur-
poses contemplated admirably. Those who
are competent judges are sanguine in the be-
lief that it can be substituted for the common
engine now in use, worked by hand 1t is q
locomotive, but requires horses to assist it, es-
pecially IN cutters and rough places. 1t re-
requires five regular hands to keep it in opera
tion--an engineer, a fireman, driver, and two
hosemen. At the last trial, made in the pres
ence of several hundred people, steam was rails
ed in four minutes after the torch was applied,
and in twelve minutes che was throwing a
stream of water, through Inch nozzle, 23S
feet. She throws six streams of water at one
time, each better than our firemen usually
throw upon fire. This machine can be moved
through the streets rapidly, and can be turn
ed round in the middle Of o square with
ease Another one is to be built and il, with
some improvements contemplated, the steam
fire engines should prove entirely successful, il
is thought that five Of them would answer all
the wants Of the city, and the present hand en-
gines be dispensed with. This is an age of ex.
periments, at all events and should this succeed,
it will be another triumph of inventive genius
minsterng to the protection Of human life and
property.
Our approaching election for city officers is
one OF more than usual Importance, as the new
charter, re-modelling in some important par
ticulars our city Government, goes into opera
ton in April. The creation Of q police court,
the modification of the duties of the Mayor,
some changes in the election OF the City Coun-
GIL and the organization of the Hospital and
City lnfrmary, with proposed changes in the
police, ought if faithfully carried out 10 result
in an Improvement in the government and good
order Of the city.
Besides this, the Romanists, acting in concert
with the Catholic bishops and priests in other
States have forced upon US the consideration
of their claims to an alteration Of the public
school system, so as to give q portion Of the
school fund 70 the support Of schoola under |