Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1871-10-21
Our Fire Department.
u this . City or . Village

Well, the steam Ere engine has been sent
away, and the city nov affords tempting
opportunity for thieves and incendiaries to
get up . 6rss-class oonAagra,ion without
any very serious outlay of energy. We
have two hand-eneipes which none Of the
bremen will have anything to do with, and
one steamer. The water-works will not
even be able to afford MS protection unit
next May. We are to pass through long
winter with lite clustering gales and peril
ous accidents, almost completely N the
mercy of the elements. A most eff cient
organization, which has for thirteen years
served us without dollar of reward, will
probably be disbsnded in disgust, feeling
that it's wishes have been disregsrded. and
u" lsoors unspprecisted. All of this is
emineDtly credi.able to the sagsci.y of our
Foisy fathers. They have resolved on q mas
ter stroke Of public economy, but We o no.
hesitate in making the assertion that if our
Fire Department remains in its presen,
condition until next spring, property enough
will be destroyed to pay for three such on
zines as We have declined to purchase
perhaps enough to pay for ten of them.
And oil this for the purpose Of saving FIVE
or six thousand dollars The responsibility
of preserving ell the wealth Of Rock Island
rests upon solitary FIRE company. Our
hotels are to be jeOpardised our merchant,
are to be compelled TO maintain a lsrgt
force Of extra wstchmen insurance rstet
A.e to be increased; everyb body is to fee
uneasy and insecure; possibly valuable
blocks are TO be swept sway-sud ell u
save Eve or six thouand dollars.
n So far, The City Council has taken refuge be
:. hind very convenient ;eohnicality. Its mem
bers aver that they never ordered the engine
. that is was forwarded to the Fire Departmen
. on the responsibility of other parties tbs
The question Of purchase has never yet bee
fairly brought before them. Hence. tbs
3 action on their part has not been practicable
This will do to tell 10 the Horse Marines
q II the engine came here without their dire'
orders, it Gndou btedly came on the mos
substantial grounds of encouragement. Th
6remen would never have received it il the
bad not had every reason TO believe hat II
city intended to buy it. If the question
;, . ,rchase has never yet been fairly befol
, she City Council; if municipal etiquette b,
positively forbidden the handling of the 50
o., jsct 10 its present shaps-some subtle al
intricate circumgyrstion might have be,
devised to have carried it there. 1t is o.
d opinion that the Council originally intend'
G, TO purchase the engine, but that some Gu
IL s-quent circumstance led to . change
be mind about the matter. We do not kno
g.. how each particular member stsnds on q
oh ubjecI, but have learned enough to salts
,i- Us that no desire has existed to have g
to matter brought to the issue of . vote.
IN. We are not among those who advise 4
Rescue company to keep cool and not d
band. If We belonged to that orgsnizstio
VI aud the city OF Rock Island was too pen
ny rIous to buy decent engine for it, We voc
" let the one horse hand engines rot on th'
wheels before We would ever pull brake
l.. one of them. At the next meeting of I
Am Council. We trust its members will ofhois
=; IufDrm the public whether Rock Island is
-, city or an impecunious country village.