The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-06-25

adopted:
WHEREAS, The Fire Department OF
the City OF Wheeling being In a sadly
disorganized condition; the result OF
which was great dissatisfaction TO the
citizens and annoyance 10 the nrenen,
insomuch when occasion req utreo tnef
services, having no head or system 70
work under, water was frequently cast
indiscriminAtely upon any or All pro
fire. thereby often destroying much
valuable property not touched by IRE,
which might, In the hands Of a dis
ciplined force have been saved.
Further, The universal and general
rush OF the populace to q fire, invmtng
the burning premises, and mingliDg
with the hremen to suchan extent as to
seriously retard their action and cause
unnecessary confusion, in which the
commands of the officers, when heard
at all, would be indistinctlya 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-
nent danger.
90 70 fire with the fnlI intention OF
making themselves honestly useful In
saving the property OF the sufferers,
and those who go az idle spectators,
will be mingled rogues of every class,
whose eyes are ever on the alert aud
their hands ready TO save property from
destruction to be appropriated 70 their
Ignominy of which, has without scru-
pie. been ever saddled upon the broad
shoulders OF the FiremenI thereby
branding them with disgrace as re-
ward for their voluntary labors-
AND WHEREAS, The Firemen both,
seeing and feeling, the great importance
OF a reform, and finding the subject en-
tirely disregarded, not only by those
whose interests were at stake, but also
by those who by their elective franchise
were placed in position to guard ana
protect their interests in this, as well as
other matters, resolved to put forth 10
effort toTedeem the fire interests of the
city from the chaos and confusion In
which they are enRulfed, and establish
a system of discipline that would at
once insure proficiency in the depart
msnt and safety 10 the city.
With view to this end, in Septem-
Der, 1866, the companies set about es-
tablishing an organization to De 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 a thorough
and satisfactory organization occupied
many mouths.-E Finally, having cnrres-
pended with, and obtained from most
of the principal cities, the constitution
and laws which governed their depart
ments, and the ordinances under which
they worked, we succeeded, by culliDg
from the best, what we supposed to be
the most efficient and practicable code
of laws for our government, and an Or
dfnance whichSWould enforce the same,
give our officers the authority OF the
law, and enable US TO accomplish the
end in view, viz: good order, efficiency
and harmony.
This ordinance was accordingly pre-
sented TO the Council ofthe city for their
action early In March, when 1t was re-
ferred to the Committee on Ordinances,
where II remained until the present
month. There was also presented with
the ordinance a petition from the De-
partment praying the council to adopt
the same, or II IN their iCisdom Mey sdIO
ft to reject IL, that they trouLd prepare
and adopt an ordinance agreeable to
their otsst wishes, asking only that nmi0hf
not conflict tgih ihe lars The Department
already organized and dl5ditiJl0 the &c.
ton Of Tar 10 empower them 20 act 20
This ordinance was passed by the Sec
ond Branch with but two negatives.
The talent of the First, Branch made the
that its passage would in
vOlve the city in an expense Of s45, 600,
and therefore It WINS laid upon The table.
And yet, strange 70 say. where the pow
ers OF penetration were SO great as to
lind the above enormous scarecrow,
they failed to find or fathom what was
plainly written, request to give us
ordinance If this failed 70 meet
their wishes.
AND WHEREAS, We argue from the
favor with which our efforts have been
and the Injustice, contempt,
deTision and Infamous slurs and accu-
satIons against firemeu which charac-
teTiZe the remarks of a JeI1 OF our hon.
orable conncilmen, that there Is no
interest in the matter, save among fire.
men themselves, who, as a GLASS, have
less Mt stake than those who oppose the
reform, and can better afford to dispense
with its saving influence.
Therefore be Il
RESOLVED, That In compiling the ordi-
nance presented TO the City Council in
Marchllast we deny the Intention of
entailiDg any expense whatever upon
the city, On the contrary, the object Of
the article, establishing a committee of
Conference and Inspection was to re-
duce expenses by a system of thorough
investigation 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. aY
That, We deny all knowledge of any
article or section which might be so
construed as to imply any expense
other than such repairs and allowances
as are absolutely necessary, and these
Discretionary irith Council.
That, Our only object of orRaniZa-
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 un-
questionable, and they have power to
enforce their comman DIS.
That when falling 70 meet encourage
ment, and having our very moderate
requests treated with contempt, our
character traduced, and our sincere
Efforts branded as dishonest designs
upon the city treasury, we hold that 10
makeany further effort, or 10 continue
our organization under existing cir
cumstahces, is to compromise our dig
nifty as men. rirfrr4r .l 4
Therefore, be 1t further
ReSolUed, That all authority delegated
by this Department to the officers OF the
That this Department. be. and is here
by dissolYed1 and that when We adj
journ, we adjourn SiHe die. E
That It's not our Intention to advise
the DISCRIMINATION Of companies, but
that they continue their
as heretofore.
That the foregoing preamble and res
be pu 6lishedin the city papers
as an explanation OF our, present ac-
ton to the citizens.
G. Q. TRorBLE, (Guards)
r-.ll Is .1 Chairman.
S. MCVAY, (United), Secretary.
ALPHABETICALLY. 4. COcayne, James
Murry, George Rodenbach, Thomas
Gray. --..-5lo1 10
HoPe.-James Robertson, John No
Ian, :, a. Taylor, II. 81. hall.