The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1872-01-19

Shall We Have Protection From
Fires?-This is a question which prudent
men are beginning to consider, especially in
view of the fact that however efficient and
prompt our fire department may be, yet it can
not be effective without the appliances neces-
sary to subdue the destructive element Good
engines good hose, prompt officers and active
men are indispensable to an efficient depart
mems, but all these together are inadequate
without an abundant supply Of sOater. That
we have not, unless the fire should be in the
neighborhood of the river. Nowhere else is
there sufficient water at the present time, to
encourage hope that fire could be checked
through its agency. Nota public cisten in
town contains a particle Of water. They are
entirely dry, and what is worse, the fault of
their construction would make it useless to
attempt to fill them unless the ground was
full of water, otherwise the water would be
absorbed into the ground about as fast as it
could be pumped into the cislerns.
No wonder prudent people begin to ponder
the question which heads this article. Coun-
Gil should have pondered it long ago, and
adopted some effective measures to protect the
city against the ravages of fire. We have
been fortunate in escaping so far, but it would
be vain to hope entire exemption; yet while
we are safe, policy would dictate mea sures to
insure safety. But little can be done, during
the cold weather, except TO canvass the mat
ter, thoroughly, with the view of adopting
such plan as would result in the greatest Sc
curity and most permanent good to our city,
as soon as the season for operations opens.
Cistens, If enough of them are provided,
and built as they should be, and properly ce-
mented and guarded, might possibly meet the
wants Of the community; and yet they are not
reliable in cases Of great emergency, the sup
ply of water being often short when needed
most, unless supplied by a power which
might be found very expensive. The age has
advanced beyond relying upon such uncertain
dependencies, and demands something which
bears evidence of reliability. Cisterns ers
things of the past, the present needs some
thing better.
What is better? A system OF water works
which guarantees a supply of water for all
the needs of family, for man ufacturiDg pur-
poses, and for extinguishing fires, thereby
furnishing the desired security. An adequate
supply of water such as a reliable system of
water works would supply, is not alone valu-
| able for extinguishing fires. 1t has a CONNER
cial value, and it has an insurance value,
which cisterns could not supply. Its CONNER
cial value consists in its being easily attain
able, for manufacturing purposes, anywhere
within the limits of the supply pipes where a
work shop might be located, thus encouraging
manufacturing by opening up territory for oc-
cupancy in any part of the city the operator
might choose. Its insurance value lies in its
being ready for instant use, and supplying all
the force necessary to extinguish fires, rapidly
and effectively.
That is what our city should have, and
have speedily, and Council, now that it has
not much city business on its hands, should
consider this matter with a view to utilizing
the waters If our river, and making them sub
sidiary to our safety, our prosperity and our
convenience; and shey will come short of the
duty they owe the city if they do not give
this matter the attention of which it is worthy.
Something must be done. Let that some
thing be a reliable good. The Holly Water
Works System we believe the best in exist
ence, and wherever introduced it has proven
most satisfactory; yet we would be willing to
accept any other which would secure equal
excellence. Some such system we should
have. Let not the question of expense deter
Council from taking the proper steps Can
vass the matter, and let it be submitted to a
vote of the people at the coming spring cleo
ton.