Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-09-11
THE FIRE.
Thoughts Suggested b. the Late Heavy
Fire On Second, Union and
Monroe Streets.
Corrected Statement Of LOsses-TOtal
TO Insurance Companies, S99,2+O.
Insurance Companies who Lose.

EBrroRs APrEAL-The destructive fire Of
saturday night should effectively teach usa
profit With ali respect to our fire depart
ment, which is, no doubt, as efhcieut in its
actual labors on the ground and in its general
management as can be, Il still must be patent
10 the most careless observer that the fire did
not spread "Just because II didn't, rather
han because of its arrest by human 1nstru-
mentality, and that Memphis was saved nom
a Chicago conhagrauon by the facts that 10
had not the material for so big a -
IS less e0mRactiy ouilt, that 2 ASas
blowing, and that at this time the buildings
we're not 50 dry as they have been or as they
VII be again. The city vii inevitably be-
come more and more densely built up, and
each building become, therefore, more de-
pendent upon its more immed1ate
both As 70 dauge from IRE and as 70 % phy-
s~icaTSupport it viii derive TOM mem. MON
present stage 81 quick growth With aiithe
considerations Hberaiity % our proprietors-
the skill OF our architects and the faithfulness
pressing demands, the element OF u~nsafety
4. more likely TO keep pace with the RAPID
stride OF so-called improvement Than 20 be
corrected BY II, and bearing IN MIND ina
however quickly the fullest, best organized,
best manned and best managed nre force,
supplied with the most efficient apparatus,
may reach the fire, and however speedily il
may throw FIRST water, III cannot emcleDt-i
III " fight nre' In less b ten OF ulteen MIN
Utes from the alarm. and that thereafter It's
efforts, enIeebled by scant water, retarded Dy
changing from exhausted cisterns- misdi-
rected by popular clamOr, for fighting the
fire in its already possessed strOnghOlds, and
diverted by confusing calls to pretended
catches can be effectively directed only to
the throwing Of walls and the saturatfOn Of
such buildings as may be selected as base OF
arrest, and that we must look for protection
from nreS by their prevention rather than
their extinction, and that the only means Of
prevention over which we have lndisputable
control are found in material and construc-
When our water works are completed, with
49, E-HH - - - - - - !
the dispensing with the now necessary ex-
Deusive fire apparatus which they are ex-
Pected 70 effect, then with a perfected system
# IRE alarm, and with frequent small de-
chment OF hremen, much Of our present
LANCER may be Obviated by reason Of the
effected more immediate action, for il
must be borne constantly in mind that the
rand opportunity Of the extinguishment OF a
ire, in such buld1ngS Is ours, is found in the
1rst few minutes Of It's peipiencyt and its
~iuosequent arrest even may be hoped for only
IN the adventurous circumstance Of "gOod
.uck" in working the manipulate agencies 4
which tend 10 that effect, and in the mercy Of
The uncomfortable elements, and that the
most perfectye devised system, or future pos
able means Of h~re-hghUng. is, and win be, in
TO the fuue extinction or a fire in fair
or TO its certain restraint, from sufta-
ole material within reach.
The immediafe cause OF city ares lies almost
universally in s0me untraceabie internal care
essnesS, into the degree Of crimiuauty in
rOlved in which, in our prevalent grand idea !
lf the eastella1e sacrednsss Of each mans
VIC ma " W. AAR1EAN ALALA4Es I
And 50 long as our insurance companies con-
use the question Of culpability, and put a
premium on careless by Imdemnifying ii, as IL
{ were unmerited misfortune, and so pit the
-ags and -Shayings, the coa4-Ou and the ne-I
fires Of the reckless burner against
he absolute security whlchutherWisethe care
al householder would by proper attention
-ttain for himself, 50 long viii culpable care
essness wear the martyr-crOwn Of misfortune,
nd be in a burnt-Out Onuit1On Of eligibility ]
or its reward, and unable, As we are, to draw
ne nice line between the crlmlnalty which
hOuid be punishable, and the simple careless
eSs which we are willing 70 accept as a mis-
Jrtune, TO be condOned Tor, We may look for e
safety from IRE as well a. from {
numerous other dangers and disasters in s
10 improper building1 only, in benen- J
ent leglslatiOntn The line Of judicious pre- q
and, as a clear matter Of right and '
lstice, and as promising the greatest good 10 T
ne greatest number We should unQuestiona c
ly legtSlate, and speedily as to the material o
Z our buildings-tbeir Plan and construction I a
their safety or unsafety from fire and from D
1~ling-their facilities for accidents 10 their IS
ccupants-the nests they are likely 10 be- !
ome for melting and propagatlng disease, by n
he accumulation OF NTH, and the want Of a
ood water. Of ventilation and Of Sewerage a
le harb0Es they are to be for stre~et-perYading c
nells and the sinking nuisaDces IN general, p
are 10 become 70 invade our comfort and {
our civilization. And the unwar- n
Lnted Over-Occupancy Of Streetway BY build n
Igs in course Of erection, the needless imped- e
lents Jney ouer 70 travel and 10 business n
al the dangers with which they threaten e
le unsuspecting passer-by, are matters well Il
serving consideration. CITIZEN. q
Memphis, September 9, 1SG2. a
IST OF INSURANCE COMPANIES AND b
OSSES y
We are indebted TO Mr.. Brazier, General I.
gent OF the Mississippi Valley Insurance =
lnlpany, for the following correct statement h
losses sustained BY the too large IRE OF v
W. 5. BRUCE q 70. il
TnE1ranaa ON Gzfoeru Is f1T1ouE. G.