New-York tribune., 1867-08-15
sY TELEGRAPH TO TBB TRIBUNE.
THE PAY OF ACTING FIREMEY.

I'm the Metropolitan Board OF EHe COHllls-
soners yesterday Abbe spoke upon his motion made
at previous meeting for the resembling Of the recent ac
ton Of the Board providing that newly appointed fremeu
who 10 he termed acting ilrelnei, should NOT be
paid above 500 per Mr.. Abbe said that he was
in favor Of keeping the salary OF an hreeh AT SVO e
present rate. He embodied his reasons ia the following
remarks: -,
statement of the Committee on the subject sesng for
the reasons ana grounds ltne ptopDseu p in
the of hremen to s. 900 per annun, was IN accord
ance with the general advance in the price OF labor Keep
ing pace with the increased expense OF nNs ~ - t
that this admission is not only alustcston OF the
action Of the Legislature IN directing the increase OF pay
but an unansTorable argument against leucLs w. eNoh
IL authorized TO set aside the peremptoy man
The controIinq idea in creating Paid Department was to
do away with every sembance OF the Volunteer system
or give ground for tOleraton OF the license and immu
nifty for the men who might voluntarily render public
Of citizens and strangers from ro To that end
tos - ,,fd NOT half maid frfmen were nrov1ded for
and we are directed To- look TO il that the letter Of the law
executed in this particular IL is our duty TO inquire
what was the legislative intention IN directing tls m
crease Of pay And ask you II not TO attract 10 the
ranks Of the force superior class Of lnenf Was moi
recognition OF the importance and dignity OF the service
they are called 20 peTfOml This undoubtedly
the purpose Of the Legislature IN directing the
accst % t the 9sy Snd Intention our and G@y aS
minister department in conformity with IL.
protection is upward Of o. 900 O and that in certain
the insurers and cusOdians OF IT, feel the
responsibility Of this great trust ana no duty that am
called upon exercise in connection with II affects Inc
seriously the appointment OF single fireman, not
only with reference 10 the physical control ne may e1er
place him in position where, with npunlty ne may be
the torch-beaer smuggled force that will light
an hundred fires and shield the pilage OF our citizens
The Legislature said 10 in substance III nGnR the
nreseit salary. seen out from the worthes brayest
and best, body OF honorable and faithful your
fire soldiers; let the service suffer decline from the
want Of pecuDary incentive To engage In H." For my
part do feel authorized to lower do any act,
adopt any policy that will diminish or tend 10 diminish
the character OF the service render II less desirable
| a M
Judgment, have that tendency IL will have the effect TO
repel class Of men who would be wirg 10 permanently
connect themselves with the force pursuit for life
and attract and supply IN their places those only who
driven by their necessities to accept service in the
/ ranks for the time being, until more con
genial and lucrative employment is offered them.
We are endeavorng TO supply by discipline, character
experience and pay the place OF numbers ana TO that
formed by 1000 under the old system, and in my judg
ment efforts will succeed fail in proportion 10 the
encOuragement We give TO, and the care We exercise
the chosen few TO whom is cOnhded the hercuean
and perous task of preventing and combating the out
breaks OF the her elements IN this metropolis 1t being
admitted by this Board that q 900 just and fair
pensatOn for the yearly service Of fireman, II az
gument in justification OF reducing that salary say
that there are numerous applicants standing ready TO
engage in the service at 500 If consistent
paid tire department. should be abolished altogether
for was claimed as the crownng feature and especial
merit OF the old department that thousands were
The expenses Of this Department are comparatively
small considering i6e vast amount Of labor performed
to show any time, than did the Volunteer Department
which many citizens have been led to think cost nothing
Let the advocate for retenchment CO. the last first
pleasant day OF the month 10 the City Hall Park where
he will find vibrating between the several public Offices
and the Controllers sanctum from 200 to 800 men, each Of
whOmare receivingyes many OF them double the
the hardwOrked remen receive without any consdera.
ton being returned IN the way Of service their greatest
DAYS labor occurs the days mentioned when they
REQUIRED to receipt for their warrant and in
/ understand they even object 70 that, but send q
messenger ~ collect for them; there, II anywhere,
should rctrenchment and reform commence,
and there is where that ubiquitous indi-
vdual the Taxpayer, requires H., not here.
II salaries 70 be reduced let these officials strike from
the payrO OF the city the hundreds of useless super
numeraIes which upon them; let them cut down
the salaries OF multitude OF useless clerks with which
every bureau and department swarms but let them re-
frain fIOm making war upon our iremen and upon the
divine presept that the abOrer is worthy OF his hire
Mr Able IN closing his remarks questioned the right OF
the Board In creating the position Of Acting Fremen
fixing new standard Of pay when the Legislative act
provides that the salary Of remen shall be 81 600 Per
annum until specie payment Is resumed" He said this
command was all the more imperative because II comes
from Legislature and Governor who have uttered IL
In response 10 the great labor movement which, ike
is sweeping across the continent, bearing
upon ts crest DODlest statesmen. The Legislature
which authorized this increase OF salary TO Temen
IL should be borne IN mind. passed the Eight Hour law
and was deeply mOued with the spirit Of awarding to
labor @ proper dignity and a just remuneration
Mr. Myers briefly replied 70 Mr. Able and the matter
then referred TO tue Committee OF the Whole for de
liberation and action.