New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1858-03-05

Here the important fact u exhibited--despite al
that has heretofore been said upon the snbjecthat
our Insurance Companies contribute to the support of
the City Government sum small in proportion to
their nett earnings their capital that II may be
safely asserted that the tax would not be one miI
less II no Fire Department existed, or II the FIRE
organization was supported entirely by the Board Of
Underwriters, as 1t ia in the city Of London The
amount Of capital as developed by this statement is
sngulary small that il must naturally awaken the
inquiries Of every one who examines it Why, there
are tsco companies In the list alone, whose capital
amounts TO more than the asssssmenf of he rhoie.
little two millions Of dollars the entire capital
OF ten home companies Nine agencies returning
capital Is Il any wonder that the private citizen is
taxed so heavily on his profession his business bis
capital when associated capital escapes so cheapIy
Let us hear no more Of the amount that Insurance.
Companies contribute to the support OF the Fire De
partment. / contend, taking into consideration the
honest and positive amount OF their capital, their
large earnings from fire, river. marine and life risks
that they do not contribute directly single dollar to
the support Of the Department; that the amount Of
taxes received from them is but just tribute to the
support Of that government whose protection il in
ntely necessary to them, from the very nature
OF their business, than it Is to any other class OF
citizens. A code Of good laws; an efficient system
of police with faithful body Of officers TO give IT
execution; streets well lighted are almost neces-
sary safeguards to the underwater fire department
The arrests the the ncendary parslyzes bis
criminal designs and drags him to ustice thus deter
rngothers from the commission OF similar crime.
I Il
power, without pausing to enquire whether accident
or design called him into being.
\ Justice has never been done the Fire Department
In this matter as well as IN other things connected
! with its welfare, and am determined now as have
ever been, that SO long stand at the head OF the
organization, receiving its unanimous support that
I will place il In such light before this community
\ that Justice shall be exacted for IT, euen om those
who Indifferent TO its success who are eyer ready
TO condemn it, though they have grown rich upon ID
labors.
/ Brother firemen another matter of high impor
tanee which wish to touch upon, even at the risk
OBTAINING you here longer than you DESIRE is your
emption from jury duty. propose to examine this mat
ter carefully, correct the false opinions which have
been formed in connection with and place it befors
4 the people in its proper light.
You are aware that for three or four years past {
few interested citizens whose personal comfort, In
their estimation, far superior to the publis
good, have made very great exertions TO induce the
Legislature TO take away from you the only prieieg
! You enjoy a return reward for your importan
and sefsacrifcing labors-your exemption from jur,
duty. Such an attempt is now being made, bill
having beenintroduced in our Legislature (and passet
the Senate) for the purpose. measure Of this kns
ID unwise, unnecessary and sngularly UNJUST and al
examination of the subject will bear me out in thes
assertions. llflt g-s.8
The number Of persons exempt from jury dut,
from their present and past connection with the Fir
4 Department is by those who desire this privilege re
moved, uery greatly exaggerated. In order to shoy
the exact condition OF things l have prepared
tabular statement taken from the official returns
each company, showing the name and number
each company, date Of its organization, number
active members in October last and total number
, living resident exempts which will now read: