Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-10-22
The RIremen 10 Council.


I hENT-THE WATER WITCH EoN-CoMAuTFAL-REs-
4 oLuTIoNs, ETC.
In response to g call issued by the Washington
Fire Company, delegates from the respective
Companies in the city. except tho Delaware, as
sembled, last evening, in the hall of the WASH
ington Steam Fire Engine 90, to take action on
the resolution passed at the last meeting Of the
City Council, and to have an expression Of opin-
ion relative to paid Fire Department.
The meeting. on motion OF Mr.. Hanna was
organized by calling j. W. Carey, Of the Rriend-
snip, TO the chair and electiBg p. ]. Babcock, Of
the Washington. as Secretary.
On motion OF Mr.. Hanna, the representatives
OF the press were invited to seats in the conven-
ton.
Mr.. Donahoe asked IL the whole Fire Depart-
ment had been aAked to send delegates to this
meeting.
MIR. Hanna stated all had been invited except
the Delaware, and as that company had already
decided Its course of action it was thought use-
less TO ask them to participate In this meeting.
ALI the companies answered affirmatiyely to
receiving notice from the City Council in refer
ence to detailed statement as to how much
would be required to pay the expenses for the
coming year, except the Friendship.
MIR. Carey stated that the Friendship not hav-
ing received the official notice from the City
Council they had acted and elected delegates in
response to the published proceedings Of the
City Council
At the suggestion Of a delegate the official no.
tice from the City Council was read
On motion OF MIR. Babcock the following COM
mlttee OF one from each company was appoint
ed to draft resolutions to lay before the meet-
ing and also before the City Council Friend
shlp, j. Ii Schrager Reliance, John O'Donnell;
Ph9nix, Edward Patterson Water Witch, Ex-
cnsed Fame, Harry Feldmeier Washington,
p. ]. BabcOck Weccacoe, w. j. Donaghy
When the Water Witch was called MIR O'Neil
stated that the delegation from that company
we're instructed to vote neither way on the
question of Paid Fire Department, and there
tore could not be consistently represented in
the committee. He thought the question OF a
Paid Department. belonged more to the citi-
lzens than to the tiremen. The Water Witch
wac in the hands of the people il they did not
want their services they wouli say 30.
The President said as MIR U Neil had declined
TO serve would excuse him and appoint MIR.
McGlinchey in his place.
MIR. McGliDchey stated that tho committee
acted as one man under the instruction of the
company, and therefore he could not act as
member OF the committee.
Mr. Donohoe, thought that the Water Witch
could consistently be represented upoA the COM
mittee without sanctioning all the measures ad-
vocated,
Mr. oNe stated that it was evident that the
subject OF Paid Fire Department was one which
would come before the committee conseuuent-
ly. however much the committee from the Water
Witch might symnathize with volunteer de-
partment. 1t would be acting in bad fai to the
company lie represented to dlsobey their instruc-
tions.
Mr. Hanna said that when the Washington
Company took the initiative steps in this matter
i was for the purpose OF Ascertainipg how the
department stood on the question OF Paid De-
partment, and out Of 40 odd members present at
the preliminary meeting only one voted in favor
OF Pad Department.
On motion Of Mr.. Blake, it was decided to
take vote on the question of Paid Depart
tIl nl.utR ,s.r., i. 4 Il
ting.
Ihe roll was called and the following mega
tive votes were recnrded Mr. Causey for the
Friendship, Mr.. ODonnell for the Reliance.
mr. PATTERSON for the Phoenix, Mr.. Feldmeier
for the Fame, Mr. Hanna for the Washington,
and Mr Donahoe for the Wecacoe.
The above votes were all cast under nstruc-
tions from the companies
The Water Witch was excused from voting
The committee on resolutions then retired
and after a brief absence returned and present.
cd the following preamble and resolutions:
TO the President and Members Of he Commit
tee nor assembled:
Believing that tile present system of our Fire
Department has met the approval of the citi-
zens with pnt few exceptions and having been
| requested by the City Council to make full
statement to them OF our present condition, and
| what will be the necessary cost, &c, of main
tanning each apparatus per year, therefore be it
| ReSOiced, That for each Co having a Steam
| efficient, the sum uf 81 900 each, and for each
| Hose Company, II 900 each, per annum. paya-
BILE quarterly instead Of semi-annually, as at
| present.
| Aes0leed That the following companies ten
| der their services to the citizens, PRAYING that
| they will use their united efforts for the pas
sage, by council of the ordinance for the above
named appropriation: Friendship, ] W. Car
| ey Reiance. John O'Donnell PHOENIX e, G.
Patterson; Fame. Harry Feldmeier Washing
ton, ?. j, BlbcOck Weccacoe W. j. Donahoe. On
| motion of Mr.. Cloud the preamble and resolu-
Tons we're UNANIMOUSLY adopted.
MIR Fedmeier appealed to the chairman OF
the Water Witch delegation, to know whether
he could not join with the other companies, in
the request set forth in the resolutions, as the
question of Paid Department had not been re-
/ ieTTed to.
| MIR. ONeill thought the appropriation asked
for was none too large, but as the Water Witch
| delegation had been instructed to vote neither
/ way upon this question: and as his company had
| already agreed TO lay before Council an itemiz-
ed estimate of the expenses incurred in the
maintenance Of the company, he felt in duty
bonhd to decline signing the resolutions.
| On motion of Mr. Schrader the Secretary was
Instructed to lay the preamble and resolutions
| Just passed before the City Council.