New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-06-08

properly aided by TIE police they may soon detect the
ringleaders in the conspiracy TO Durn our CITY.
We know there are men among Us so base, so far below
all the instincts Of manhood that they would rejoice to
see half the Metropolis in Games-nay, would even
Themselves apply the torch and would then make
merry like Nero at the burning of ROme-if in such
event they were assured Of the restoration OF the ola
Volunteer Fire Department. But they mistake the
temper of our people. NewYork is firm in the con-
vction that the paid system for the best interests oil
all concerned. and will not abandon 1t Tor the
wrong error, and vice of the old system under which
we so long and SO patiently suffered.
The men who now belong to the Department have
been selected with reference to the special work to be
performed. That they are not wanting in zeal and
energy, is seen at every fre-and do we need any
better evidence that they possess that noble sesac-
rifcing spirit at time conspicuous character
stic Of the New-York Firemen than the charred re-
mains of the two gallant men to whom the Academy
Of Music so lately proved funeral pile
The Paid Fire Department as system is liked
fact. No step backward There is now no rowdy-
ism at fres-the engine.house is no longer the
resort of politicians-and most of the loaer6 and
thieves who belonged to the Old Department are either
in the poor-house or in the penitentiary.
We do rot see, however, why the police are not
more active on their posts in keeping close watch
upon suspicious characters, and in detecting the
ncendiaries among US. We would wish the Commas
sioners to understand that the management oil the
police is science; and the sooner they realize it, and
make themselves masters Of that science, the better
for themselves and for our people. Our police cost
very much, and it is their duty to be ygllant. we
think it very strange that so many heaVy
robberies should be committed almost uhuer
their very noses-millions Of dollars SPIRITED
away, and safes blown open and their contents
secured-and yet that the police should bring so few
criminals to Justice. Why should the sufferers be
unable to recover their property save by compoundng
felony! This will not do. Why is it that our clti-
gems feel so insecure, when they lie down at night
that they employ the services Of private Waterman
DO they feel assured that the patrolmen is upon his
post doing his dutyl This is not as it should BE-
The Commissioners must realize that, although they
may not catch the thieves, yet our people demand
that they catch the incendares.
Whatever fault there is in the Paid Fire Depart
ment is not in the system but in its manage
ment We understand that the Fire CommS-
sioners are anxious and ready to receive and
adopt suggestions that may improve the efficiency oil
the Department. We look to the Insurance Com
panies who have large interests at stake to take the
matter in hand and to suggest and press the proper
remedies We look also to the Citizens Association,
which took such prominent part in inaugurang the
new system, and whose able and distinguished coun-
sci framed the law creating it, to extend to it its fos-
tering care and to see that it does not lack that
support from good men to which it is entitled. We
know that the Association by reason Of the capacity
and experience Of the eminent connected with IT,
must be possessed of very many valuable suggestions
Which, if acted upon would tend greatly to bring the
Fire Department to Perfection and to make the con-
troll of fires what it ought to be-a science.
The Association would DO well MOTTO wait for the ac-
ton Of the Insurance Companies, for these latter seem
to move very slowly Better that there should be coop
eration but if the Insurance Companies will not act
promptly out ofregard to their own interests, then let
the Association for the sake of the community at large,
for whose welfare they have always acted so promptly
and enectualy, take the matter in hand alone, and
suggest the remedies for whatever defects may be IN
the management of our Paid Fire Department