The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1859-08-17
Our Fire Department..

Although we are satisfied that the insinu-
atoms Of our correspondent against those
men who we're the active and leading spirits
of our late Fire Companies are grossly up
just and unwarranted, we give his commu-
nication place, in order that none shall be
able to say he was denied the opportunity OF
being heard through our columns. We be-
! lieve no city ever had more disinterested
and public spirited set of fremen, than Ev-
ansville had before the recent troubles. The
law exempts every fireman from poll taxes,
and from all taxes on personal property to
the amount of $500. 1t was found, on in
yestigation, that the taxes assessed by this
city on the firemen and released by this law,
would exceed $1,000. The exemption was
intended to be partial compensation to the
men for their public services. But as the
law was unequal in its operation-for part
got only the benefit Of release from poll
tax-while others got release from poll
tax and an assessment of ! or per cent. on
S5O0,-it was agreed by all the iremen not
to avail themselves of the exemption, but to
pay their taxes as other citizens, and in lieu
thereof ask for a direct appropriation from the
city to the funds of the companies in which
every fireman would share alike. This was
the origin of the appropriations by the city
to the fire companies, as we understand the
history of the matter. The city, in its an
nual appropriations to the hremen, has only
been paying back to them the taxes from
which they could by law have claimed ex-
emption; and the amount refunded has new
er. equalled that collected. The firemen
have never asked the city for gift or
gratuity; they only demanded what had
been illegally taken from them.
For Tie Journal.
Mr.. EDITOR: 1t is time something was done
by our citizens to organize themselves into
associations for mutual protection against
fire and the impositions of those who, from
mercenary motives insinuated themselves
into the leadcrships of our old companies
1t was impossible to have sustained our late
fire organization; the affairs of the different
companies were managed i'm way TO ex-
clude the most respectable portions of the
citizens from uniting themselves with the
companies; the course of things was de-
basing our fremen down to the level of the
rowdies that form the rank and file of the
Baltimore and Philadelphia iiremcn. Who
are they that were most clamorouS to extort
money from the city, and busy in creating
the mischief and disorganization which fol-
lowed? Are they not the men who have
had the control Of the companies funds, and
used them for balls, excursions, and turn
outs, without ever having been brought to
a very strict accountability for the use of
them2 II you investigate the matter, it
will be found good portion of the money
received and expended was for objects that
were of no essential benefit to the companies
or the public. Many members of the old
companies have been induced by these lead
ers to join thOughtlessly in the proceedings
for disbanding the companies; who, if con-
suited, would, on reflection, return to the
service and unite in forming new COM
panies under new leaders, in whom they
had confidence. Let the citizens meet and
consult with the respectable, independent
portion of the old organizations, and come
to some arrangements for protection against
fire, as well rs impositions. Y.