Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-06-11
COMMUNICATED.

lCOMMC NICATED.
THE LAWN chapter j5 Code Of Er-
ginia, p. $780, the following sections appear
as part of the law of the Commonwealth
SEC g. The principal engineer, fire war
dens and commanders Of uny fire companicsul
| tonn, shall Constitute the fire department there
OF; and the Councl may empower the hire de-
partment to make bylaws ito promote ITS OBJ
jectS consistent with the laws Of the State and
the ordinances Of the town.
SEC TO- The Council may maxi such ordl
nances in relation to the powers and duties OF
fire companies, ire wardens and principal en-
gineer. as it may deem proper, lror,,'@t M"Y
jenot r,rugnont to the lars Of this STATE.
Has not the law of the State. in regard to the
fire department been almost entirely violated
during the last five years, aud are not the acts
of the o-callcd fire department, thereby null
aud void Is there not a persistent effort on
the part of the fire department" OF this city
to array the two younger fire companies III
jealousy against the two older ones? Did not
the department erect fire company at cash
cost of, ut least, IL thousand dollars, without
the slightest excuse therefor, and that too,
when an engine house had been offered Tree OF
cost? Has the department recognized one
single law created for the government Of the
true fire department? Has not this depart
meut' acted in preiudiced manner and con
stantIy refused to entertain any plan whereby
all the fire companies 10 town might be made
harmonious and efficient? Has not the lire
department lavishly spent money ior taVorlte
fire companies, and perslstently refused to allow
a cent to be spent in behalf OF the others! Is
the City Council willing to allow i've men, IRE
sponsiblc because their acts are not secured oy
oath or boud of office, 10 appropriate at their
4 =, trpF ~
four thousand dollars year without providing
some check against extravaganza A bond with
security is required OF the measurer OF lumber,
aud six years ago, the chief eng ncer was not
allowed TO spend over twenty dollars without
the consent of Council. One hundred and nifty
tunes this amount is now spent without let or
hindrancc, and that too, without the consent or
knowledge of Council Will any sensible clti-
izen say that this is right, or that such loose
way of conducting public business is either safe
or discreet? Honesty among meu is rather
forced than expected, and the law trusts no
man with the use of money belonging to another
without ampIe security; and the Law has no
protection or remedy for that man who Is lost
to the paramount Importance of guarding by
every legal restraint, his pecuniary interest 1t
is impossible to tell WHO will be honest or DIS
honest, and men, like everything else that can
be bought by money, are purchasaole. n WISE
man does not pause TO make distinction, anu
he is not to be turned from his vindication OF
law and Justice, by misrepresentation OF his
intentions. 1t is the duty of each citizen to see
that all lust laws are faithfully and impartlally
executed and let the fire wardeus manifest
due regard for laws that were in existence DC
fore they were men, aud they will not only be
presenting good example, but will receive the
a"r,, snnnort of MORE ANON.