The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-10-18

Tire generous Efforts Of its members surpass in all the ee-
ments Of real worth the wealth refinement of
metropolis, while their noble example has infused
their genius and spirit among similar associations in al
most every city village OF our land The Department
has also kept pace With the marvellous progress of
city The various machines used attest the adoption
by them OF all the improvements in the OF mechanism
which tho results Of this scientific inventive age.
Your engines hose carriages and hook and ladder trucks
with their several and necessary appliances for service,
exhlb IN their construction, nh and efficiency tho
dertn advances that city and country have made in
manufactures and all that relates 10 mechanical forma
ton ana art To trace the history Of tho organization
ioin .s Ilst rise 10 the present peiioa-irom tue
time when Fire Wardens first appointed under the
burgomasters of New Amsterdam In 1t56--thc earliest
ordinance on record in relation to nreso examine the
chmnes within the city uris dictionn (Which chimnies
.eh hos.y made OF wood 70 the period when Tue
time than have been able TO give the subject your
patience would permit me te use few facts however,
in relation 10 its early history may be ufnntcrcsng
especially with regard to those who the earliest
nected with it, From an examination of the records, ii
appears that Anthony Lamb the first who hal
mand over the hrcmen. This in 1893. In 1888 an
ordinance was adopted regulating and declaring tho duty
OF remen provision Of which required that they should
"with their utmost diligence manage work and play the
said fire engine, and all other tools and instruments
such fire. with all their power strength skin aud under
stranding" This provision l believe has always been
faithfully observed by the remcn Of New York In 1875
9 9sc Turk gnnsm.h was appointed oyerseer Of
for one whole year, to keep them clean and in
good repair at his own cost for the sum Of ten
were appointed hremen, which constituted the force
at that time, all strong able discreet honest and sober
any chief had been appointed The first chief appears 10
have been Jacobus Stoutenburg in 1862. No further
record IS found OF any other cher until William Els
worth was appointed. After him Thomas Brown, and
then in succession Thomas Franklin Jameson Cox Uzziah
Wenman James Gulck, John Riker, Cornelius " Ander-
son. Alfred Carson, and the present worthy chief Henry
Howard. IN $780, a company was formed, called the
Friendly Fire Company, by one OF the rules Of which
1t was made the duty OF each member provide himself
with two bags made OF sheeting yard wide one
yard and quarter long" company also formed
in 1903, called the g Mutual Assistant Bag Company
M hat
day were members Of these companies The bags were
TO be used 10 save at fires such property could be put
IN them as the Department has them vastly improved in
ITS material organization has 1t also vastly Increased
its efficiency charitable institution The moneys from
INES were however at FIRST the only depended
for the establishment Of fund. In January 1892 the
constitution was adopted and John Stagg appointed
the highest standing The fund at this time was not as it
is now for widows and orphans but only for those who
SUSTAINED nx,d Injuries while performing duty as ,emen
then reached the annual amount Of $780, In 1897 the
nual funds had increased to 81 $780, and in December of
That year special meeting was held at which form Of
charter was agreed upon aud act of Incorporation
subsequently passed by the Legislature the following
March, One OF the provisions of this was that such
surplus funds Gas may be required for use Of dis
abled and INDECENT fremen should be applied to tho pur
poses OF extingushng fires. No of funds how
ever made except in that course Of usefulness as chart
table association which was then entered upon, aud
which am happy to say, has always been conducted
with prudence OF management which has since
characterized the care Of these funds The institution
has now become possessed Of means which renders
The last annual report Of the Trustees shows that
manent fund, including Trust Fund, amounted in January
last TO $50 and that during the past thirteen
the Trustees have expended in various charitable dee Is
$3.50 600 and for the past few years
been annually dsbursed for the support Of disabled fire.
men, the widows and orphans dependent on its chart
ties. Well may citizens be proud Of this organization
whose deeds OF benecence even equal the self sacrificing
devotion Of its members in the protection Of life and pro-
perty in this great city To sustain unmpared the high
reputation which the Department has thus obtained and
to cherish that feeling Of fraternity which its charter in
cucates, should be, as 1t Is the duty OF fireman.
Whatever Their fore encourages spirit Of INSTRUMENTATION
tends TO demoralize its members, should be sedu.
lousy guarded against l would be a poor exchange
boast of propness at hres finely lifted finished
of in the worth excellence Of the Department The
men of the last generation afforded many bright
shining instances that may be good fireman, and
at the time solid and enterprsing merchant or
skiiul and industrious mechanic do not believe that
the real standard Of population in virtue ntei
gence has refrigerated after three fourhs Of century
der popular Institutions and fifty years trial. in city,
CT system of free and universal education. We,
doubt can supply material good in intrinsic quality
the Department enjoyed for its recruits in the times of its
earlier history and all that wanting is the application
of the necessary restraint and discipline for its regulation
and guidance. | am aware that some of the warmcs
friends Of the Department view with dissatisfaction the
practice which has been generally adopted Of what is
termed bunkng in the houses of the Department They
believe that the tendency is to demoralize the mem
discipline and efficiency which it has long and de-
servedly maintained. would call your attention to this
subject fully convinced that your good sense and earnest
devotion to the welbeing OF the organization will
move whatever may be deemed by you preudcal to its
members. KNOW
too wen the fiery impulse OF its free and warm hearted
members, but would not have you sink every obligation
N be- 81 rshng Of a. e the sonna a. M
bell, to the of duy-tbat duty performed, Is in
the pursuit Of his business and in tho sphere of his home
associations that he best becomes the good citizen and
faithful fireman 1t is for you to decide upon the future
of the Department Your organization is to great
tent self governed, and sure that the discipline
thus sefimposed must operate benehciay. The
sentative influence of the Fire Commissioners has,
satisfied, been most saluary one and reflects great
credit on the good sense and proper feeling OF the
members of the Department. Cultivate, therefore,
ton which has such noble ends-they will make it
worthy Of the respect which has hitherto been paid
it both mass and TO the individual members In con.
cluson accept this honor behalf of the municipal
horites Of New York. 1t is given by them testimo
NAL Of their high appreciation of the good order excellent
discipline and great efficiency Of the New York Fire De-
partment May you always rally under il in union and
harmony, and with the desire for usefulness and fra
ternal Obligations to do good TO your fellow citizens and
each other, which has always far signazed you. AL
low no strife to come beneath its folds except that with
the destructive element which is your pride and chosen
duty to combat, and against the ravagcs OF which cmua
ton IS now as ever, praiseworthy. Remember that
the officers Of the Department. we'll all who direct
its energies and in the performance Of its duties
on those who have charge Of its finances and control its
large and influential body of men, whom the lives and
property OF whole community are entrusted as guar
dams The ne, 1esponsi b great and ISst as have
! PRESIDENT MIIIKKS's REPLY
Mr. David R. Mlliken, President Of the Department,
accepted the banner in the following TERMS
Through the kindness Of partial friends becomes my
pleasant duty TO receive at your hands from the corporate
authorities Of the city Of New York. this splendid esti.
monial Of the appreciation Of its generous citizens and to
convey through you, to them, the sincere thanks or
those whom have the honor 10 represent the dsn-
guished evidence Of their appreciation interest
they have always manifested in the Fire Department. and
to you also for the many expressions OF personal
regard which you have been pleased TO convey This
city, we are aware, may occasionally expose itself the
of its enemies and perhaps sometimes receive the
criticisms Of censorous friends but long as compre
hensve philanthropy shall win applause, New York will
remain the Empire City Of our continent. We have from
year year been the recipients Of her bounty her
contributions to charitable fund-thus enabling us
| to minister to tho wants Of the widow and the
orphan Whatever may be her errors, the his
tory Of the hospitals Of New Orleans and Norfolk
of thousand generous charities expended upon the
inhabitants Of cities and the people Of foreign
Chimes will perpetualy attest her unbounded benevoence
is not strange therefore, that reared among such in.