Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-04-24
R.Sg- THE FIRE UEPARTMENT-l cannot

H. The FIRE DEPARTMENT.-l cannot
think that "the recent action OF the City Coun-
ellis meets with the cordial approval OF nine
tenths Of our citizens" or will, when the
question is properly understood lu the first
place, "the Councils" by very unnecessary
and unwise piece of legislation, vloat an
established regulation OF the Fire Depart
ment, viz: by taking Junior Warden ana
making him the Senior Warden, thereby
creating jealousy among the Nardens, and
engendering feeling of enmity towards 1.-THE
Councils" in the minds of some al the best
Firemen. Not satisfied with that they pass
ed an act which will deprive the members OF
a Fire Company OF their rights as cihzens-
persons not members OF FIRE Company may
stand where they please, but to belong to ii
Fire company, and exercise the same pre-
rogative, is to subject them t. contumcly,
and perhaps arrest This, in the opinion Of
many, is hard, unjust, aud Unnecessary
The strict enforcement of the laws IN exls.
tence previous to this last act, would have
subserved the purpose without creating the
unfortunate feeling which has been raised.
Some, not content with the feeling already
manifested, are eDdeavoring TO continue aud
increase it. Fur Instance, the meeting "snOn-
taneously" assembled thanking the CITY
Councils" &c; agreeing to supply the places
made vacant, and expressing severe ceDsure,
&c. All this, TO say the least, is in very bad
taste, and much more reprehensltle than the
hasty legislation Of the young and lmpuis've
portion of Fire Company, who felt aGgr,ev-
ed at the acts Of the CITY Fathers" The
article signed The citizens OF Alexandra,
has some good parts, which redeems 1t from
the fate il Spontaneously" deserves. The
hearts of all parents" AID master 'mechan-
les" will cordially respond to the wish to
"arrest the growing evils" Sc. Who o. lscts
to the efforts Of the authorities, &c? VINO
has empowered any one or more indi'Iduais
10 order Fire Company "out OF service!
Where are the hundreds who Twill take their
places2 They cannot be seen at tre-f0r
| have seen firemen worn out with eSertion,
and men appealed TO TO assist at the engine
long enough &c allow these much abused
6remen to have a breathing spell, bot they
did not. have seen property on fire, and
the owners standing by, who have actually
refused to assist at the engine. When tins
is known, what must be thought OF the VIII
ter or writer's Of the articles alluded o.
r. fleet gentlemen, and you viii soon see
that such writing is calculated TO do more
harm than good M person condemns the
noisy gatherings at the engine houses, "a,
cling the reels. &;,% more than | do, aud
none has done more to prevent this conduct
than | have. 1t has teen prevented, and
can be again, by gentle means. There IS
right way ADD a wrong way to remedy the
evils complained Of. The Councils have
commenced wrong in this mater. and II the
pride of opinion does not Interfere, hope 10
see some little modification of their views,
believing as | do that a large majority OF
them are free from pr'judice. That The re,
solutions Of the "Sun Fire Company" I call
Names were hasty and ill-tlmcd, must b"
acknowledg cd-bu must this ccmpany be
annhilatcd for thi nasty action? The So
Der second thought will answer no. Then
let the matter rest here. Let the Councils
act Justly and implrtislly, and all will be
well. Reflection will no doubt aliay all
feeling, least such is the Feryent wish OF
AN ACTIVE FIREMAN..