The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-12-29

The suspense in which the citizens of Phila-
dephia have been held for the past two weeks,
with reference to the great reform measure
which had passed both branches OF Councils by
immense majorities abolishing the volunteer
department, which has been in existence since
the earls days of Philadelphia, and creating in
its stead paid organization, is at an end.
Notwithstanding the great pressure which has
been brought to bear upon Mayor Fox to induce
him to return the bill without his signature, he
appended his name to it at about half-past II
o'clock to-day, in the presence of several Couu-
cilmen, among whom were Mr.. George A.
Smith, chairman of the Special Committee on
Fire Department of the Select Councils; Mr. VIM.
b. Hanna, chairman of the general Committee
on Fire Department of Councils, and Mr.. Henry
Marcus, of the Fourth ward, and the representa-
tives of the evening newspapers.
He had been closeted with his Chief for some
time prior to the event, and finally the door of
his private chamber was opened and the above
gentlemen admitted. The party had hardly en-
Tered when the Mayor calculated, ~ have
signed the Fire Bill and there is the message
which intend shall accompany it this after
noon to Councils"
The gentlemen present then congratulated
him, when Mr.. Hanna discovered that the Off
cial signature had not yet been appended to the
ori ginal document. The Mayor Immediately
picked up pen and wrote his name to the last
page OF the ordinance.
He bad hardly laid down the pen, when Mr..
Hanna picked it up, stating that it was trophy
which he appreciated highly, and of which he
other gentlemen interested in the measure
called and congratulated his Honor unon hav-
ing conferred such great benefit upon the
people
The message of the Mayor, which was read in
Councils shortly after O'clock this afternoon,
is as follows:
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF l
PHILADELPHIA, December 30, A. ID. 1870.
TO the Select and Common Councils Of the city o.
PhltGdetph1G;- - o.,,-- -.,.,-,
IAN Ordinance to Create and Organize a Paid Fire
Department for the City OF Philadelphia, and tc
make an Appropriation Therefor"
The establishment Of Paid Fire Department has
become necessity, ana concur with you in the
opinion expressed by your H enactment Of this ord
department should, like all other departments OF
the city, be exclusively under municipal regulation
and control; but there is in this ordinance, though
1 have approved it, an obiectional clause to the
reformation OF which invite your attention, a..
though would not permit my objection TO a lesser
evil to induce me to countenance greater such as
the existence OF Volunteer Fire Department had
The ordinance provides that there shall be elected
by the Select Council three Fire Commissioners
the following expression, to wit:-"The minority In
each chamber shall at all times be represented 10y
one member in said Board of Fire Commissioners
This clause though plain to yourselves, is not free
from doubt In its legal Interpretation, and might bt
very embarrassing in its execution. I assume that
the minority mentioned in the ordinance refers tC
the political minority, although 1t 1s not so eX
nressed II is true that at this time the members OF
councils are divided into two political parties only
but there may come time when there will be three
political parties in one or both chambers OF Councils
and 10 would then be difficut to enforce the terms
OF your ordinance or perhaps to administer then
at all
represented has been recognized by the Legislature
it has been by allowing the votes to be cast for les
than the whole number to be elected, thus securing
to the minority their representation. The only ex
Cepton to this that recolect is to be found in thu
law OF 1869 relating to the general elections In th
city, where the majority of the Board OF Aldermen
are authorized TO make choice for the minority; am
the unfairness Of this seems to be admitted.
Your ordinance provides that all the Commls
siOnerB las well those representing the minority
the others) shall be chosen by the majority, all o
them to be highest in votes-each member OF Coun
It'll very questionable whether, In the legal con
struction OF this clause the minority can be repre-
Sented by any one not OF its own choice. All legis
latiOn should be plan and should be free from am
biguity: it is far better that you should say pOco
minority, if, as have assumed you intended 1t sue
to be- and II would certainly be better that this mi
nority should select its own representative, and t.
such changes as will bring about this result eaI
nestly invite your attention.
The disbandment OF the volunteer systemic
many years our pride, but for the last few years
30 much so-is measure important as to hav
considerable time past Thel organization OF 1t
successor should be such as would command tn
most general confidence, and would leave the leas
room fer cavll or reproach. The new system is al
tended with heavy expense, but any expenditure
the public money will. am sure, be cheerful
borne when found to be necessary to prevent tn
destruction OF property and the decentralization
youth, which were the necessary attendants OF a
insuficienty-governed Fire Department.
Commenting to you this subject as one deservin
your best consideration, and trusting that you wi
endeayor to make the new department satisfactor
cheney, shall unite with you In all proper measure
OF further legislation that you may deem neeessar
DXSIEI NJ. Fox, Mayor of Philadelphia.
FIRE-NARRow EscAPE.-About a quartz
before six o'clock this morning fire broke OF
In fhn fnrr nfchi inn cfn nf A NJ,