The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-11-17
CITY INTELLIGENCE.

MEETING OF THE BALTIMORE FIRE DEPARTMENT
This body convened yesterday evening at the old
City Hall, and the following business was trans
acted
Mr. John P. Cummins, of the Monumental, pre-
sented report embodying proposed ordinance
creating Fire Department for the city. This doc
ument was drawn up by the Presidents of ten COM
panles, without being authorized appointed as
a committee for such purpose by the Department.
Considerable discussion ensued in regard to the pro-
priety of such action, and several of the members
denounced the movement as the action of clique.
On motion portion of the report embodying the
proposed ordinance ordered to be read.
After the reading of the proposed ordinance, Mr..
Geo. M. Blensnger, of the Mount Vernon, moved
its adoption as meeting the views of the Depart
ment.
Previous to the vote being taken, Mr.. Starr, of
the United States Hose, denounced the report as
the offspring of an irresponsible caucus, which had
been sprung upon the Department, and he did not
care whether it the bantling of ten Presidents
whether it emanated from the Associated Firemen's
Insurance office, or whether it from the
Mayors office, he pronounced it labored work of
well earned infamv.
Mr.. A. C. Matthews, of the Union, said he would
vote against it. He looked upon it as the work os
a self-appointed committee, who had not consulted
the entire Department. and was only intended for
the benefit of certain parties deeply Interested
The question was put and the motion agreed to
by the following vote: Yeas-Friendship, Deptford,
Independent, New Market, Columbian, United,
Franklin. Watchman, Lafayette, Pioneer, Mount
Nays-Union, Patapsco, Howard, and United
States Hose-4.
Divided Liberty and Washington.
Mr.. John W. Davis, of the Watchman, stated
that this Company voted in the affirmative for the
purpose of moving reconsideration, and he there
fore moved that the vote be re-considered. He
said he not one of those who would not be salts
fed unless bill entirely meeting his views were
proposed, but he had some serious objections to this
one. The most prominent fault was that it made a
part paid department-paid the engineer, but said
nothing OF compensation for the men, who really do
the labor; he objected to this feature and hoped
that the vote would be re-considered, as he could
not possibly believe that majority of the Depart
ment would give their sanction to such an nvduous
principle.
Mr.. Blensnger moved, as substitute for the mo.
tion of Mr.. Davis, that committee be appointed,
consisting of one from each Company to present to
the City Councils and Mayor a copy of the proposed
ordinance.
The question being put the substitute was adopted
and the Committee was appointed by the Presi-
dent.
On motion the meeting adjourned.
The following is the ordinance as adopted:
SEC. l. Be enacted By the Mayor and City Council
That the Fire Department of Baltimore shall consist of
Chief Engineer four Assistant Engineers many engine
hose and hook and ladder men, who shall be citizens and
legal voters of the City of Baltimore, may from
70 tme be elected by their respective Companies and
confirmed by the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore
Sec. Andbe it enacted That the election of Chief En-
gineer and Assistant Engineers be made by the active
remen only, by ballot, from among the entire body Of
fremen, (actiye or eXempt at such time the Mayor
may appoint, each company being entitled to vote
said election to be confirmed by the Mayor and City
Council and continue for the space year unless
election be ordered by both branches of the City Coun
Gill; the receiving the greatest number of
the respective offices to be entitled the nomination
the Mayor and City Council.
SEC g. And be it enacted That at such time as the
Mayor shall appoint for the election Chief and Assist
Engineers each company shall assemble at their re
spectye places of meeting and vote by ballot for said
officers and that the Standing Committee Baltimore
| United Fire Department shall assemble at Fireman.:
fha
| the returns from the Secretary of the companies.
SEC 4. And be at enacted, That whenever a vacancy
shall occur in the office of either of the Chief Assistant
Engineers the Mayor shall have power to call special
election and designate the time for holding the same
the end that nomination be made Mayor and CITY
| Council to supply such vacancy.
SEC And be it enacted That the several fire compa
nies now organized, many of them shall accept
provisions ofthis ordinance shall or before the
day Oft next, certify to the Mayor and City Coun
Gil in writing their acceptance, thereof signed by
President and Secretary and at the time furnish
the names of who be members the respec
tive companies from said period the that they ma,
be appointed fremen by the Mayor and City Council
SEC. 6. And be enacted That Secretary of eacI
company shall have roll of members of their respective
companies which shall be called after fires or alarms ant
keep record of all fires, to the end that correct quar-
terly report may be rendered to the Chief Engineer
SEC T. And be it enacted That all fremen who have
served as such period of five years prior to the
day of-next, and who may any time hereafter serv
for like period shall be classed as exempt remen
| shall not be limited in number.
SEC. 5. And be it enacted, That nomination activ
emen be made by the respective companies to the May
|
that the number in hook and ladder companies shall
exceed 40 and in other companies so and steam
| engine 40 men.
SEC g. And be IL enacted, That the department be dvi
ed into four districts that the companies located here
snail conne their operations districts unless other
wise ordered by the Chief Engineer Assistant Eng
neer acting as chief for the time being That the frs
district comprise all that part of the city lying south
the centre of Baltimore street. of Charles street be
tween Baltimore and Lombard streets Lombar
street between Charles and Light streets and of g
street between Lombard and Pratt streets and north
the water from Light wharf west to the city limit
east The fourth district of all that part of the city B
ing south of the centre of Lombard street west of tn
boundary prescribed for the first district and
city limits west The third district of all that part
city north OF the centre of Lombard street, west of tn
centre of Charles street and the city limits The secon
district a that part of the city lying north of the
tire of Baltimore street and east of the centre Of Charlie
| street.
Sec. 10. And be i enacted. That the department sha
be controlled and directed by the Chief Engineer who
hereby made oeio marshal of police for all fires wit
sole command over all other Engineers members of tn
department. and all other persons who may be present
fires; he shall take all proper for the exnguisl
ment of fires and the protection Of property preservao