The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-09
Reorganization OF the Fare Department.

1t was long since perfectly clear to every
one except the members of the Fire Depart
ment that the volunteer system had had its
day, and would soon give place to system of
paid fire brigades. Blind to this impending
change, and unwilling to anticipate their own
dissolution, the fire companies have steadily
refused to institute an inquiry into the charac-
ter of their members; and have thus lost, with
out deriving any benefit from the act, all the
advantage which they would have drawn from
taking the initiative in needful and important
reform. 1t was in their power, at the time
when the recent disaster in Broadway disclosed
the nefarious practices committed under the
cloak OF the department, to have redeemed
their fair fame at least in a partial degree, by
exculpating themselves and fastening the odium
of these offences on Others. Had the depart
ment done any thing Of this kind-had we been
shown that the sins charged upon it were really
chargeable on the runners and vagabonds who
attach themselves to fire engines--had the OBJ
jectons urged by the Chief Engineer been met
and some system proposed by which incen-
darism and robbery might be checked-had
the frcmen in short come forward in frank
manly way and called upon the citizens to
effect such changes in their organization as
the public necessities and the growth Of the
city required-the act would have .atoned
for many faults, and would have heightened
the gratitude with which we still remember
their many noble services We are truly sorry
TO say that nothing of the kind has been said or
done; that the Fire Department, instead of adj
hitting what every one else knew to be true.
has angrily denied the faults laid to its charge:
and so far as its sentiment has been made pub.
lie, has vehemently opposed its reorganization
on paid basis. We foresaw that this would
be the case when the Jennings controversy first
arose, and we then cautioned the nremen
against believing that they could stay the re-
quired reform by protesting against its neces-
sity. Other counsels have prevailed, it seems;
the hremcn refuse to act and as was obvious,
the City Council has opened the movement by
appointing committee to devise measures for
the reorganization Of the Fire Department.
The subject has been SO thoroughly discussed
in the columns of the press of late that the
committee can hardly need further instruc.
tons. Among the public there seems to be
but one opinion with regard TO the comparative
efficiency Of volunteer and paid iremen. The
advantage Of superior discipline and order,
greater skin and more perfect subordnation to
their officers is erSrely on the side Of the lat
ter; and these ale points whose Importance
cennot be exaggerated. In truth, the present
system has not fault which would not
be obviated, or merit which would not be
preserved under the paid plan. Thieves could
not obtain admission into the latter, nor runners
set fire to houses or lend hand at engines for the
purpose of plundering, No two companies of the
brigade would desecrate the Sabbath afternoon
by fighting in the street as some Of the Gre com.