Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1858-01-23
To the Public of Davenport.
Davenport. January ola, /,


In presenting to you our views in relation
to'he ordinance passed by the City Council
OF this city as members of the Independent
File Engine d Hose Company. No /, we
wish fair and candid opinion of all citizens,
especially those who are cognizant, either
by experience or observation, in Fire De-
partrnent rules and regulations.
From our first organization to the present
date, it will be seen by reference to the An
nual Report Of our President, lately publish
ed, that We have iabored under many d.ad-
vansages. II is needless to state them here.
as they would be merely re iteration. at
the present time We have an efficient Com
pany. Our department, as We believe, is i'm
proving, and III or endeavcrs to promote q
iurther degree of efficiency and general
improvement, We are frustrated by the re.
cent action Of greater portion of the city
Council
We are aware there are many objections
which are raised hy portion of our citizens
in reIard L. cur moy yelnents, but We would
here state. that with the numerous other
more important duties attendant upon q
new organization, these exceptions have
been beyond our control. Our aim Is always
TO merit the public favor, and any derelic
ton from the duties Of our office, We con.
demn rs heartily as any one.
In submitting our objections to the Ordi-
nances. We do not profess to direct any
individual or body of indiy duals, but mere
~ to state what we believe to be Justly and
fairly our rights as Firemen We are will
ing to run under laws enacted by our Mu-
niclpal authorities, and We contend our
rights as an Independent Volunteer Com
pany, in the performance OF our duties IS
our reward, which will be seen, in our opin
ion upon these Ordinances
We make to the citizens Of this city. the
property holders and tax payers particular
ly, an earnest appeal, to examine these Or
dinances. and our objections, and weigh
carefully the difference between us and the
greater portion Of the city Council. Then
We ask If our grievances are net lust. and a
regard for our opinion noticeable
The Ordinances which have been passed
are co;'ied from those of other cities, one of
which was enacted in 1886, under cir,um-
stances entirely uacalled for in this place.
at the present state Of our organization and
arother from paid Fire Department, which
will be realty seen is no: the fact in the
Davenport Department
In regard to the passing of these resolu
tions, We respectfully appeal to the Board
of Aldermen, if it would not have been at
least fair and equitable proceeding. TO
have caused to be present in the reconside-
ration of their vote. in laying these ordin-
ances upon the table. those Of our compa
MES who were our spokesmen in this mat
ter.
In conclusion of this statement, we. a.
Companies. present our sincere thanks to all
friends OF the Department, many OF whom
We are under obligations and respectfully
state that as the ordinances now stand. We.
unanimously, will no longer run with the
apparatus, and relinquish all right to the
city property under our control
SEC l. We object to the CITY Council an
pointing our Chief Engineer and Assistants.
or any other member of The Fire Depart
ment, and accept the balance of this sec
tion.
SEC. 9. We ereject this section, and main
tain the right of an election of our own Off
GERS as heretofore, by said Department
SEc 3. Rejected.
SIC T. We object to the Council filing
vacancies. and ask the right of our electo, al
franchise.
SIC. s. Accepted.
SEC. 6. We reject this section in toto. and
ask instead, to receive and expel members
at our discretion, honestly believing tha:
our organization is competent for such du.
ties.
SEC. 50, 10. IL, IL, l3, IA, Is, accepted.
SEC. Is. We object to the power OF the
City Council, in removing officers Of our
Company at their pleasure, and accept tue
balance Of this section
SEC II, Is, ,9, 90, 81, 90, %, "a, IS, ac.
cepted. And in addition we propose that
the watchmen may be chosen by the City
Council out of the Company.
SEC. &c. In case Of these Ordinances being
adopted. We accept this section
| SEn "a. We object to this section, - We
believe it conflicts with Sec. II.
SEQ %. Unimportant to the Department
All Of which we resi- pectfuIly submit
X. III. LrrrLEs, A. c. ABsLT,
c. G. NoBLE, D. MooRE,
Committee.
a. This matter was drawn up for public
preeentation. before the Era on the noon OF