The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1860-02-04
Our Fire Department..

worth mentioning. Through some misun-
derstanding, or an inability to get horses in
time, she did not reach the fire when she
was needed. At the second fire, near her
engine house, she was hauled by hand, and
was ready for efficient service if she had
been needed. Had the FIRE occurred at q
long distance from the engine house, and
been a severe one, the probability is that
the machine would not have been on hand
in time to do any good. At the fire on
Wednesday, down in Lamasco, the steamer
was there and did some service in the way
of Disappearing down the ruins of the small
building that burned. The Lamasco en-
CINE beat her there, yet the hand engine
was located close to the FIRE, and had much
the advantage. We counted at one time
serenity men who were tugging along at a
moderate walk, with the heavy steamer,
through the snow. Had there been, say
four well broken horses attached to her, as
soon as the alarm was given, she would
have been the first machine on the ground.
Al the fourth FIRE, within two squares of
the engine house, the steamer was hauled
there over the frozen ground by something
like hundred men and boys, and when she
got there stood idle full five minutes before
steam was up sufficiently to start the stream
of water When it did start, however,
about ten minutes from the time the match
was applied to the kindling, the machine
did good execution.
From these circumstances and other facts,
we draw the following arguments:
The city is now without an efficient fire
organization. She needs and must hare one,
or she will be in danger of severe losses
continually She is not able to support a
full paid department, and yet she can not get
along with only the steam fire engine. The
volunteer system must still continue to be
the main reliance in the outskirts ard re-
mote corners of the city. Those who former
ly took an interest in the hand engines,
should awaken their sleeping zeal and public
spirit, re-organize where necessary, and re-
sumo active service. There is plenty of
work for them to do.
The steam FIRE engine we believed to be
an unwige purchase at the time it was
brought here, for various reasons, chief
amongst which were the large cost Of pur-
chase and of keeping it up, the bad condi-
ton of our streets, and the fewness of fires
But a steam fire engine is an excellent ar
ticle when circumstances are favorable to
its purchase. That is beyond doubt. We
have it now on our hands, and must make
the best of it. 1t can be made to do first
rate service. 1t throws large, steady, I'M
ceasing stream. and is death on fire. But
the present halfway system will not answer
our wants. There must be three heavy
draft horses, kept ready harnessed, night
and day-two for the engine and one for
the hose-carriage. When the ground is solid.
two horses will draw the engine to fire
very readily, and one the hose. When there
is snow or mud, either three horses can be
attached to the engine, and citizens can
draw the hose-carriage; or, two horses can
be put to the former and one to the latter,
and citizens can assist at each, as may be
necessary.
With these arrangements, and careful
keeping up of hose and cisterns, and the
utmost haste in getting up steam-the city
would be comparatively safe from the rava-
ges of FIRE.
Now for another consideration: 1t was
understood, we believe, when the steam fire
engine was purchased, that the Insurance
Companies were to pay something handsome
towards her cost. Their interests, by max.
ing her efficient, would be much promoted
Therefore, we argue that they ought to buy
three horses and present them to the city
for the purpose of drawing the steamer and
her hose. This would be very cheap re-
insurance of their risks for it would amour
to that), and a profitable investment tc
them.
We urge these views upon the considera
ton of our city officers, Council, people
and the Insurance Companies. Something
ought to be-must be--done soon, or we
shall have disastrous fires to warn Us of oul
insecurity.
Our citizens want sufficient protection
against the dangers of fire, and are willing tt
pay for it. But they want the best possible
service for their money. They are at con
siderable expense now, with little protec
ton, but will consent to slight additional
burden in order. to put the department on {
substantial footing. But they deman'
that something be done soon, to render thei
property safe. Will the authorities besti
themselves? 3t-s--
REF The session of the House of Repre-
sentatives in Congress on Wednesday morn