New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-03-15
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT..

The friends of good order in New-Y0rk have
cause to be thankful for the passage of the scs
for the better regulation of our Fire Department.
This law takes tho control of the Department.
entirely out of the hands of the Common
Council. That this was not done too soon, tho
disgraceful scenes Of strife and blsodsbed BE-
tween rival companies, during the past year. too
plainly testify. On the evening of the ID OF July
last. under the windows Of TIE TRIBUNE office. .
fight occurred, in which pistols and other deadly
weapons were freely used, to the great peril, not
only of the combatants, but Of the law'aoidins
citizens, who then crowded the street. On that
occasion one man was fatally wounded aud scv-
eral Others fingered long weeks aud months IN
the Hospital. from the injuries which they 10
ceived. The belligerent companies were dis
banded by the Fire Commissioners, but tteas
political influence with the Common Council en-.
abled them to render nugatOry the action OF The
Commissioners
The deadly feuds eugcndered between rival
6remen know no curb nor limit but break oat
into acts Of sanguinary violence on the most ~
cred and solemn occasions. IL is no unc0mraoo
occurrence for such men, after following tho re-
mains Of deceased comrade TO the grave, with
all the outward signs Of grief, to sigaalize their
return to their respective quarters By fearful
conflicts between each other. Such acts have on
several occasions marked the Sabbatb-day obse-
quies of deceased fremen. But, perhaps, tts
most fragrant outbreak Of which We have kncw!.
edge was that which followed the fire in Forfeit
l.. and ulnf
with their FIVE children, were sufocated within
twenty-five feet Of the sidewalk, without assist
auce, and the removal of their disfgured remains
to the police station, instead Of awakening among
these men the feelings Of common humanity, was
followed by fight, in which Engine Conlpani'
/ and Is fought with knives, wrcnehes and pis-
tolls tlsthe police intereTed, and subsequently they
renewed the combat while on their way home
Such desperate rufFans as these have broughs
our volunteer fremen into the worst repute, and
mona know this better than the respectable mem
bers of the Depsr.ules--t Under the fostering
care of the Common Council, J~'' suFn 'ce.'r
these have become common, because sSsI unsns
be enacted with impunity.
But we are glad TO learn that a change hsl
been effected for the better. The law passed By
the present Legislature gives the Board of Fire
Commissioners supreme control Of the 6remea
until june next, wnsn the 6remen will elect .
Board of Appeals. Henceforh the decisions d
the Fire Commissioners viii not be subject to
revision and reversal BY the Common Council
The Commissioners on Monday last investigated
the Fortieth street Outrage, and promptly dis
banded the two companies, expelng every man
engaged in it from the Department. This action
the Common Council cannot annul. The french
are thus left to control their Department within
Themselves. The result confidently looked for ID
that the rowdy element, which has so long
brought it into Disgrace, will be ignominioudy
expelled. 1t remains 10 be seen how far this
confidence is merited. Tho Volunteer System 10
now on trial. 1t has grown to be most costly
and cumbersome, and productive Of much noe
and decentralization. There are many who be-
Geye that nothing but Paid Department, nndes
military discipline, will correct the abuses wh'es
have crept into it, Let the Volunteers, now leiS
20 govern themselves, demonstrate the contrary
s-ss.--@e