Wilmington daily gazette., 1873-10-22
The firemsn's Convention.

THE MRETING LAST EVENING TO DISCUSS THE
PRoPRIETx or A PAID DRPARTlrKNr.
In accordance to TIE call issued to the several
Fare Companies OF this city, to meet at the Wash
ingtOn Engine House, last evening, to discuss the
proprlety OF q paid department. All the companies
were represented except the Delaware, who, it APP
pears, received ne invitation to participate In the
proceedings OF the Convention. The meeting wns
srganiEed by electing ]. w. Carey, OF the Friend
ship, President, and r. J. Babcock, OF the Wash
ington, Secretary.
The President stated the object Of the meeting
TO boto ascertain the views Of each company upon
the subject of Paid Fire Department
james O'Neill, of the water Witch, stated that
they had nOeeived q Communication from the City
Council requesting them to furnBh that body with
an estimate of the expenses annually incurred by
the apparatus OF the company, &C., rs accurately
~ possible, and that be had been instructed by the
company he represented not to take any active
part In The proceedings Of the Convention, as that
company intended to comply with the request Of
the Council, and communicate with them directly,
regardless of the action of the Convention; there
fore, he could not vote upon the subject for which
the Convention had met
The representatives OF the other companies,
with the exception of the Friendship, stated that
they had received similar communications from
the Council.
On motion, the Water Witch representatives
were excused from voting.
On motion of w. II. Blake, of the Fame, a vote
pany in reference to Paid Fire Department, the
chairman of each delegation casting the vote,
which resulted in unanimous vote IN favor OF a
Volunteer Department.
On molten, the President appointed the follow
ing committee TO draw resolutions 10 be lald be-
fore the Convention, and a copy Of them to lie
sent TO the City Council: Of tie Friendship, d.
A. Schrader; Reliance, J. O'DOnnel. Jr; RhoDiX,
Il. Il. Patterson; Fame, Henry Feldmeicr; WASH
ington, +. J. Babcock; Weccacoe, w. J. Donaghy.
The Convention then took few minutes recess
while the Committee retired 10 an antc-room TO
draw of said resolutions After an absence Of
about twenty minutes the Committee returned and
presented the following preamble and resolutions
TO the Convention, which were unanimously
adopted:
To he President and Members Of the COnreRtion
HOtc assembled
Believing that the present system of our Fire
Department has met with general approval by
the citizens, with but few exceptions, and being
requested by the City Council TO make full
statement TO them of our present condition, the
necessary cost OF maintaining each apparatus per
year, etc, therefore be il
ReSolaed, That each company having a Steam
Fire Engine, it requires, 10 make them efficient,
the sum OF 5000 per annum; aud for each Hose
Company, $1,000 per annum payable quarterly
instead Of semI-aRuually.
ReSoired, That the following companies tender
their services to the citizens, praying that they
will use their united efforts for the passage by
Council of the ordinance for the above named ap-
preparation. Signed,
j. A. SCHRADER. Of the Friendship,
J. O'DoNNEL, JR, a" Reliance,
+. q. PATTERSON, " Phoenix,
HENRY FELDMEIER. Fame,
pJ. BABCoCK, i" Washington,
w. J. DoNA0HY, Weccacoe.
The Convention then adjourned.