The Nevada Democrat., 1856-12-03
Fire Department.

NEVADA, DEC lst looOt
Editor Democrat IL see in the Journal of last
issue, a very sensible article in relation to the
Fire Department Of thscity, signed "Observer"
which think all should peruse, and l wish to
say word of reproach to those whose bounden
duty it is, to support that organization, as well
as to let the Mountaineers know that there are
some In this cess-pool Of selishness, who are
willing and able to assist them in stemming the
current.
In the first place, as "Observer" remarks, it
is absurd to think for moment Of water works,
whilst the community is bankrupt-it would De
perfect madness to attempt such an enterprise,
when we know full well that we cannot COM
plete it. Therefore, likewise say, sir, it is I'M
possible to have these works. tl
Quite number of the people run away with
the idea, that Fire Department would be USE
less in this city; they say: What could Fire En-
gines have done towards arresting the late dis
astrous conAagrationf let me ask them, how is
it they are of such service elsewhere Why sir
say, without fear of contradiction, that thous-
ands of dollars worth of property could have
been saved A Fire Engine at the junction of
Pine and Broad streets, could easily have pre-
vented the terrific destroyer from running up
Broad street at any rate. With another, the
Court House and several adjacent buildings
might have been saved BY saving the Court
House alone, the County would have been spar
ed the loss of 900 worth of property, to say
nothing of the Records and public documents,
together with the private property which was
consumed. All this they could have done, and
more-then how can they reconcile it with their
consciences, to say Fire Department would
have been useless 7
In addition to the building Of the clstern at
the junction of Main and Commercial Streets
out of their own pockets, l hear from the very
best authority, that at their last meeting, know
ing that the money for the payment of the first
installment according to bargain) must be forth
coming by the 18th Dec, or they would be un-
able to purchase the Engine they have bargain
ed for, which is the best second hand Engine in
the State, and finding that the people of Neva-
da showed so lukewarm spirit in the cause,
they by vote, imposed o tax of $40, on each
member, to be paid within that time, still fur
ther showing, the disinterested and devoted pat
riotism, and energetic spirit that animates them
oil. l.,f
Are the citizens of Nevada, disposed to await
in apathy, the second advent of the dread rava-
ger? Or, will they rise up. as they ought, like
one man and say, we will support you, not with
words alone, but with material aid. Are these
gallant fellows who are willing to sacrifice time,
life and limb in your service, to be forced into
buying the Engine for themselves? mol it can
not be that you are lost to all sense of that OBJ
legation which one owes to another. 1t grieves
me to the soul to witness the apparent indfcr-
ence, with which this efficient means of render
ing our property secure, is treated. 1t is suici-
dal it is unjust
Citizens of Nevada, think over this. think
without prejudice pro or con, and act up to
what your consciences dictate in this matter,
and do not let that "still small voice. be smoth-
cred by the chimeras of deluded mind.
Pro BoNo PUBLICo.