Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-02-17

HE UNINERsALIsT CHURCH FIRE-ABOUT
FIRES -jNTERFERENcE OF LOCKERS On
We make the following extracts, says the
Columbus Gazette, from the communi-
cation of Col. Marrow, Chief Engi-
neer-received some days since-in refer
ence to the fire in the Universalist Church.
AS to why the fire was not sooner arrested,
he says.
'.The same question might be asked why
Pixies Opera House, at Cincinnati, the Acad-
enIy OF Music. at New York, with their
numerous engines (>tean) and never
failing supply of water. were allowed to
burn to the ground; and in our own CITY,
| the German Lutheran Church, corner of
High and Mound streetsP l could give
numerous instances of buildings that not
one was ever saved. where the fire Origiua-
ted between the ceiling and root. All that
have any fire experience, well know it is
the worst place fire can possibly break
out, for the firemen to manage with success
| at the start.
"But the Universalist Church was not
burned down. Nothing but the roof and
its timbers with the wood work Of the up
per part of the tower was burned. Not
window or door, not floor or stairway or
gallery. The organ and the pews of the
church are unburnt. Some pews were de-
by Over-excited persons against the orders
of the Chief and members of the Depart
ment, who did stop them in their work of
destruction. 1
.,Bat do not wish to be understood as
saying chat this Department., or its officers
or members. are infallible, and never err in
their judgment, while in performance of
their duty But do mean to say that from
our long and active service as firemen, we
are the better judges of our own acts than
! the idle locker on for if the opinion of each
looker-On at fire were complied with, it
| would require at least thousand streams
of water. But the Department knows far
| better than all the idle lookers-on.
"fauitfinders and crOakers, l pay no
heed to. have met them, and have heard
OF them before, at almost every fire for the
past five years. Men who have no fire ex-
perience are the first to suggest, and then
to order. If they cannot have their way,
| then all is wrong, and they are the first to
| find fault with the Department. If the
citizens wish the Department to be useful,
they should not interfere with the firemen
| in the discharge of their duties. Our force
is small, but when we wish aid we will call
for it.
.sAgain: at almost every fire we find
worthless men, who have been dismissed
from the Department, lettering around the
fire and giving their opinions about what
should be done. Such characters should
be driven off by the good citizen.
II have heard it said that the employees
were on the river skating at the time of the
| fire. 1t is untrue; every man was at his
post before and at the time the alarm was
given. Let those who have made this
charge prove it. The department did its
duty, and. in my judgment, did it well. l
have taken upon myself to investigate all
charges made against my men, as well as
the tardipess OF giving the alarm on that
day; and am ready with the proof to meet
any accusations made against the Depart
ment. L have asked for an Investigation.
AS long as 1 occupy the position of Chief
OF this Department, no man shall charge
them falsely when know that my men
are at their post, and ready to risk lite for
the protection of the property of this city.
"In conclusion, 1 have but one request to
make: That at all future fires, let the locker
on attend to his own business, and the
members of the Fire Department to theirs,
and in the end the citizens will be the
| gainers."