The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-06-25

adopted y q, a. lEr gr~ sE.
WHEREAS, The Fire Department of
the City Of Wheeling being in sadly
disorganized condition, the result of
which was great dissatisfaction to the
citizens and annoyance to the firemen,
insOmuch when occasion required their
services, having no head or system to
work under, water was frequently cast
indiscriminately upon any or all proper
ty in the immediate vicinity of the fire,
thereby often destroying much valuable
property not touched by fire, which
might, in the hands of q disciplined
force, have been saved.
Further, The universal and general
rush Of the populace to fire, invading
the burning premises, and mingling
seriously retard their actions and cause
unnecessary confusion. in which the
commands of the officers, when heard at
all, would be indistinctly and imper-
fectly understood, and consequently
could not be obeyed with that prompt
ness necessary when valuable property
is being destroyed and more in immi-
net danger.
Again, among the many citizens who
90 to q fire with the full intention Of
making themselves honestly useful in
saving the property of the sufferers;
and those who 10 as idle spectators,
will be mingled rOgues of every class,
whose eyes are ever OH the alert and
their hands ready to save property from
destruction to be appropriated to their
own Individual use. The blame and
ignominy of which, has without scruple,
been ever saddled upon the broad
shoulders of the Firemen, thereby brand
ing them with disgrace as reward for
their voluntary labors.
AND WHEREAS, The Firemen, both
seeing and feeling the great Importance
of u reform, and finding the subject en-
tirely disregarded, not only by those
whose interests were at stake, but also
by those who by the elective franchise
were placed in position to guard and
protect their interests in this, as well as
others matters, resolved to put forth All
effort to redeem the fire interests of the
city from the chaos and confusion i'll
which they were engulfed, and establish
system of discipline that would at
once insure proficiency in the depart
ment and safety to the city.
With q view to this end, in Septem-
Der, 1866, the companies set about es-
tablishing an organization to be COM
posed of delegates from each of the diff
ferent companies. Their first meeting
was held at Hope Hall, October 4, 1866,
and the labor of establishing Thorough
and salts factsry organization occupied
many months. Finally, having CORES
ponded with, and obtained from most
of the principal cities, the constitutions
and laws which governed their depart
ments, and the ordinances under which
they worked, We succeeded, by cRlling
from the best, what we supposed to
be the most efficient and practicable
code of laws for our government, and
an ordinance which would endorse the
same, give our officers the authority of
the law, and enable us to accomplish
the end in view, viz: good order, eff
cheney and harmony.
This Ordinance was accordingly pre-
sented to the Council of the city for
their action early in March, when 1t
was referred to the committee on Ordi-
nances, where it remained until the
present month. There was also pre-
scnted with the Ordinance Il petition
from the Department praying the coun.
ell to adopt the same, or in their tcis-
dom they sar fit to reject it, that they ronid
prepare and adopt an Ordinance agreeable
TO their own ,pishes, asking only that ii
might not con aict with the laws OF the Depart
ment already organized and awaiting the
sanction of idw to emporer them to act.
This ordinance was passed by the Sec
ond Branch with but two negatives,
The talent of the First Branch made the
discovery that its passage would in
vOlve the city IN an expense of 900,
and therefore it was laid upon the table.
And vet, strange to say, where the
powers of penetration were so great
as to find the above enormous scare.
crow, they failed to find or fathom
what was plainly written, a request to
gire as another ordinance II this failed to
meet their wishes. .....
AND WHEREAS, We argue from the
favor with which our efforts have been
received, and the injustice, contempt
derision, and infamous slurs and accu-
sations against firemen, which charac-
terized the remarks Cf fer of our hon
orable councilmen, that thereis noin-
terest in the matter, save among fire.
men themselves, who, rs q class, have
less at stake than those who oppose the
reform, and can better afford to dispense
with its saving influence. -
Therefore be it IL. sy:
Resolred, That in compiling the ordi-
nance presented to the City Council in
March last we deny the intention of en-
failing any expense whatever upon the
city. On the contrary, the object OF the
article establishing committee of Con-
ference and Inspection was to reduce
expenses by a system of thorough in
vestigation and discipline, by which
each company would be compelled to
take proper care OF such apparatus as
might be entrusted to their keeping,
thereby preventing the loss or decay of
hose or machinery when in use or lying
idle in the houses.
That, We deny all knowledge of any
article or section which might be- 80
construed as to imply any expense
other than such repairs and allowances
as are absolutely necessary, aud these
discretionary With C0Hacil.
That, Our only object of organiza-
ton was to establish discipline and
efficiency, without any other object.
That, The only design of the Ordi-
nance presented to Council was for the
purpose Of legalizing our actions, that
our officers, authority might be unques-
tionable, and they have power to en-
force their commands.
That, when failing to meet encour-
agement, and having our very moder-
ate requests treated with contempt,
our character traduced, and our sincere
efforts branded as dishonest designs up
on the city treasury, we hold that to
make any further effort, or to continue
our organization unf sr existing circum-
stances, is to compromise our dignity
as men.
Therefore, be it further
Resolved, That all authority delegated
by this Department to the officers OF
the same, is hereby revoked.
That this Department be, and is here
by dissolved, and that when we adjourn,
we adjourn sine die.
That it is not our intention to advise
the disorganization of companies, but
recommend that they continue their Or
ganizat ions rs heretofore.
That the foregoing preamble and res
olutions be published in the city papers