New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-11-15

izing the Administrators of Commerce t.
organize a paid fire department for tn
city of New Orleans; and investing hin
with authority to negotiate for tn
necessary machinery and equipments
1 This resolution passed by vote Of five
l to two at previous meeting, held on tn
seventh of this month. In addition t.
the passage of this resolution, the Council
appointed committee, consisting o.
Mayor Flanders, Administrator Remicl
and Administrator Walton, to make the
necessary arrangements. This action o.
the Council, and its further action prior
to this, at the same meeting, refusing to
enter into new contract with the Fire
mems Charitable Association at an ad-
vance Of twenty thousand dollars year
on their previous contract, and extending
it for ten years, has caused the whole mat
ter to be pretty thoroughly canvassed by
the citizens of New Orleans. We are glad
to observe that this has been done in a
reasonable spirit by the Council, the Fire
mems Charitable Association and the
people.
Though there has been great deal of
| interest manifested on the subject, it has
elected no angry feelings. On the con-
trary, the Council, we are satisfied, felt
that it was right in refusing to increase
the expenses Of the fire department twenty
thousand dollars year, and give con-
tract at that rate for ten years, without
first being assured that the city could not
do better. The attempt of the Council
to replace our present fire department
with one to be controlled by new parties
by department under the control of the
city-has caused this thorough inquiry
into the matter, and the sense of the peo-
pie has been ascertained upon a subject
in which they are deeply interested, and
to this extent it will be admitted that the
attempt of the Council to resist a de-
mand they did not feel authorized to ac-
quiesce in, has resulted bene6cially, for
whatever is done now, will be done by
sanction ofthe people. And the action of
the Firemen's Charitable Association has
been most commendable. Instead of get
ting angry at the course of the Council, its
members have exerted themselves to con-
vince the Council and the public that
they had conducted the fire department
at much less expense to the city than
paid fire departments cost in other cities.
They had an interview with Governor
Warmoth upon the subject long and
interesting one-which resulted in
Strengthening his convictions in favor
of renewing the contract with their asso-
ton. The Governor frankly told them,
however, it was delicate matter for him
to interfere with, but he promised them
he would use what influence he had with
the Council for the continuance of the
fire department under their control.
At the meeting yesterday further COM
munications received upon the subject
were read; among them, one from
Governor Warmoth favoring the con-
tract asked for by the Firemen's
Charitable Association. These COM
temperate in tone, and evinc-
ing desire for the continuance of the
fire department under its present manage
ment, so far influenced the Council as to |
cause it to appoint committee, consist
ing of Administrators Remick, Lewis,
Cockrem, and Mayor Flanders, to confer
with members of the Firemen's Charita-
BILE Association upon the subject of re-
newal of their contract. The previous
authorizing the Administrator
of Commerce to organize paid fire de-
partment, was not rescinded, but as the
Of Commerce, Mr.. Remick,
IS on the committee appointed to confer
with the Firemen's Charitable Associa-
lion, it is believed an arrangement will
be effected obyiating a change in the
Of the fire department.
This, no doubt, will give general satisfac-
ion. The efficiency of our fire depart
nent as at present constituted has never
oeen questioned, and it is believed by
hose who are best qualified to Judge
hat it will be impossible to have an
Efficient fire department for less sum
han is asked by the association now seek
ng to renew its contract.