New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-09-19

AID levy contributions or rum and food, wsyliy
and rob citizens and Strangers and perPetrate
three forrths ofthe outrages that disgrace Civ'
These creature. bring the Department into ua-
deserved odum and bring the red SHIRT ana sne
fire cap. which are reslly badges OF nobility in''
public contempt. These are homely aud perhaps
unpslatable statements: but they are literally anl
strictly true, as every fireman knows.
But one thing is wanting to rid the Department
of tbjs evil and that is the active exertions OF the
fremen themselves. They have tolerated 'nese
rufians until the public scarcely know the aus
tinction between runners and real mem ers, ana
consequently hold the companies responsible io'
acts which every fireman abhors. Now let tue
latter take the offensive and make vigorous war
unon these kuaves: seize aud send to the lock-
I'D the first one who presumes to venture inside
of an engine house, or to lay hold OF drag rope
hunt the gangs away from the vicinity OF their
houses; hand over to the Police, and prosecute 10
the utmost penalty, every one caught raising
false alarm. or stealing or attempting to steal al
fire: let them do this vigorously and generally
throughout the City for one year, and We shan
kindred unintentional SANDERS, and once more
the Fire Department Of New-York will stand as
il should stand in public affection noble monu-
meut of selfdevo,ion to the public good.
These remarks have been suggested principally
by the Annual Report of the Chief Engineer
which We publish in another column THIS docu'
ment is one always of interest, and on this occa-
sion quite different from most OF the commu-
nics,ions of the present Chief. We learn from
il that there are thirty-three engines, iorty-
three hose carriages and nine hook and ladder
trucks in good order, seven engines, seven nose
carriages with two hook and ladder trucks under
repairs, and eight engines, seven hose carriages
and one hook and ladder truck building. There
are AZ. $50 feet of good and IL, $50 feet OF ord'
nary hose. There are forty-eight fire, nifty seven
hose fourteen hook and ladder and four hydrant
companies, comprising $500 men; if full there
would be twice as many members. During the
year there were 3s5 fires, with loss OF S52',-
OI2 in buildings and 81, ,212 on goods; and
there were 22l other alarms either false or for
very trifiDg causes. The Chief thinks half the
fires in the City are set by incendiaries, and
quarter the result of carees,ness. He advises,
also, that the Board Of Engineers should be FIRE
Wardens-a very good suggestion, since they
are generally much better acquainted with the
duties of that Office than any other citizens can be-
The careful exclusion of improper persons from
fires by the police, and by imposing heavy pen
atty for falsely wearing the badges of sremen, is
suggested. With regard to rOwdyism Mr. Car
son holds substantially the views we have above
expressed, adding that the expulsion OF ruifians
from the Department would silence the demand
for paid force-a very unpopular idea with hre-
men. The report also fayors an increased sup
ply of water by additional pipes over the High
Bridge, and a fair trial Of the Cincinnati steam
fire. engines, which might be placed on boats to
operate on fires near the rivers. The running OF
engines out of their districts is another abuse
mentioned; and the great number of minors and
aliens who have crept into the Department, leads
him to suggest measures to keep these classes out
These are the leading features of this very brief
and busisess.ke report, and we hope there will
be no delay in trying the efficacy of the recon-
mendations: but whatever the Common Council
may do or omit TO do, the only way to crush out
rufianism is as we have above indicated, for the
fremen themselves to wage uurelenting war
upon these parasites by every legal means in
their power. 1t is a prest Mt and pressing duty,
AID if the Department is to continue what it has
been. the Pride of New-York, that duty must be
done.