The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-11-27

CONVENTION OF FIRRMEE-Iast evening a con-
eaoS oi sd OF two delegates
the Phoenix Hose House, Filbert street, above Se-
venth The object of the same was to take action
upon the ordinance OF City Councils, creating a
Board Of Commissioners for the management of
the Fire Department VIM. ID. Kendlick, of the
Columbia Engine, presided, and Jacob S. Stah of
the Humane Hose, acted as Secretary. The COM
mittee OF seven on resolutions, appointed at the
last meeting, reported as follows:
To the Honorable the Members of Select and Com
mon Councils OF the city of Philadelphia:
We, the undersigned, on behalf of convention
OF hremen from the several fire districts of Phila-
delphia, respectfully represent
That the fremen of Philadelphia cannot fail to
see, in the proposed action of your honorable
bodies, the design ultimately to su6vert the youn-
teer system, which has made and still maintains
the character and efficiency of the Philadelphia
of any other city in the world. Therefore, and in
defence of that character, and in support of this
system, which has proved so useful in the past,
we protest against any action of the municipal
government tending to change or destroy it. or to
Philadelphia
We do, in the name and in behalf of the fremen
of Philadelphia, enter our solemn protest against
any action by your honorable bodies which shall
tend to supeIsede or destroy the volunteer sys-
tenn. We would further respectfully suggest that
in adopting measures for the government of the
men in the Fire Department the hremen them
selves ought to be consulted. The same manliness
that prompts to sacrifice our lives flremen
"spring up the bells' of a Just and natural pride
to govern within ourselves our own department.
On behalf Of the department we tender the CO.
TO properly regulate and control its action If such
can be shown as now necessary. We would more
especially deprecate any hastY action of the kind
now proposed, as uncalled for by present emer-
gencies, and we believe that all the objections
which said to exist arising out OF local causes
can be removed by strict and impartial enforce
ment of the rules now established.
We would ask leave TO suggest that hasty or ILL
Judged action by Select and Common Councils
would in all probability create more cause for
public discomfort than now is said to prompt the
proposed action of City Councils.
]. GORDON SHowAKRR, Ohm,
THOMAS MCCULLOUGH,
WIN. S. MANN
MATTHEW CLIFTON.
JAMES H. OoRNLRY.
JAMES Young,
OHAs. ii. MIsKRY.
The report was accepted, and the committee in
structed 70 submit the same to Councils on We'd
nesday.
Mr. Showaker said that he did not think the
posed to it on the ground that If Board of Com
missioners were appointed politics would be
brought into the Department.
A motion that when the meeting adjourn it ad-
lourn to meet at the call OF the officers was then
agreed to-
Mr. Cook said that it would be well for the Pre-
sidents of the different fire companies 10 call the
attention OF the firemen to the necessity Of con-
meeting.
gentleman present suggested that the reporters
present If they desired, be allowed the privilege OF
making copy OF the report of the committee.
ground, as he stated, that If the report was pub
lished the Oouncilmen would have time to consider
the same, and be prepared on Wednesday to speak
on the subject.
A motion was made and agreed to that the COM
mitee retain the report and not allow it to be pub.
lished until presented in Councils.
The report referred TO Is that given above.
On motion, adjourned.