Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-05-06
100 a l. N H w =.

# the AlcNanurld Iilc DcpaiIincuL WIS heiu
i.s, night in the hall of the Columbia Engine
r,mrauv. There were present, B. Barton,
President, in the chair, D. L. Smoot, Secretary,
rh;rf Engineer E. S. Lcadteater, Fire Ward
,ns Smoot French, Green aud Coleman, and
w. n Stcuart, j. b. johnson and d. n.
Windsor, ...,,,, e.,
lamentations of the Firemcn's Convention
lawn TO section 9th, motion was made to adopt
.b.t which would repeal the l4th section, page
I ~ ot the bylaws adopted July I, 1859.
r Johnson said the section was not in
t,r', and had not been for some time, and it
"as matter to be well considered, for it might
~. ,b,t there may be a change in Council and
;n.,,nnetent persons be elected to ill the po-
' Itons of Fire Wardens. The new council
n;..ht elect, Republicans, her black or white.
lIr thought it best to give 1t careful cousid-
Grafton.
Chief Engineer Lcadbeater said as the Fire
Department was organlz d ne telt 1t his duty
70 offer the following resolution:
Whereas the Friendship and Sun Fire Com
pauics of this city have tailed Tor several
r,"nntbs mast to have in good and serviccable
condition, engines, hose aud other proper I'M.
Whereas, we consider it impraclicablc to cx-
,ond the amount that would be necessary to
make them efficient, therefore 1t becomes our
Lntv to declare such failure, and the Friend
shin and Sun Fire Companies arc hereby de-
clarcd dissolved.
He alsorcad letters from many Of the small and
Iarpe cities, written by the Chief Engineers of
the Fire Departments thereof, stating that the
hand engine system had been abolished entire
ly.
Capt Steuart asked second reading Of the
resolution.
DR.. johnson, President of the Friendship
Fire Company am not ready for the question.
Dissolve the Friendship and Sun! TIE Friend
ship company that was organized Il hundred
years ago, and had the name of George Wash
ington on its rolls! A body like this to talk of
,lissolying u corporation which has as much
power as the Corporation OF Alexandria No,
it is preposterous to talk Of such thing. The
legislature caunot dissolve it without we iu-
fringe 90 the conditions of our charter. How
iuSultcd We feel to think we have been decoycd
into this place to countananee such mean and
base action II the company has been brought
10 this inefficient condition, it was because the
Chief Engineer failed to do his duty as sworn
officer of the Corporation. 10 say they were
inefficient was FALSE he had known when the
Friendship slipped down King street and pre-
vented disastrous conhagratlon. No,lsuch
company was not to be dissolved; they were too
yowerful aud intelligent to be put down, anl
he hoped the resolution would not pass.
Capt d. L. Smoot, President of the SUM
40 not intend to amuSc any OF you to-nlght,and
alter short but howery reference to the late
evil war, he said this was war on small SCALE
NJ something like double edged tool, not to be
!.oIcd With. As for himself, he first recognized
hls God, next the Constitution OF the Uuted
States, next the Constitution of his dear old
State, and the laws Of Alexandria. He said
the laws of the Fire Department. we're made
mprotcct the members from jury and militia
Au,y, and to govern the companies. But
he uust confess that the laws did not provide
VIII, should keep the engines in order or furnish
hose. and all ask is little time, for | think
IN one month my company can have the neces-
Snry hose, &C. | am not here to oppose the
resolution, as the law is plain enough, but to
ask that it be tabled until the companies shall
have time to put their engines in working order.
He then read section Is, page ), OF the by
laws, as follows
SEC IS Whenever the Fire Department of
such town to which any fire company may be-
long or if there be no fire department OF such
town, whenever the regimental court OF inquiry
COMPANY or the greater part thereof may DC
enrolled shall ascertain that such company has
failed, for three months successfully to consist
OF twenty effective members, or ascertain that
1t has failed for the like period OF time to have
or keep 10 good and scrviceable condition, an
engine, hose and other proper implements, such
lire department or court OF enquiry shall de-
clare such failure and dissolve the company,
and the members thereof shall no longer be OK
empt from the performance of militia duty or
Tor fines for not attending musterS.
He said he would vouch for his company
obcying The orders of the Chief Engineer, and
conforming to the laws In every particular. lie
Informed the previous speaker (Dr. Johnson)
that the Legislature could grant a charter, but
acharter to fire company was the same as to
railroad corporation or any corporate body,
and could be repealed. He did not deny that
they had the power to disband the companies,
but first he would suggest that the companies
be granted hearing, and that committee be
appointed for that purpose. lie pleaded very
strongly for little lcniency towards the hand
companies.
Capt j. NJ. Steuart, President of the Relief
Hook and Ladder Company, said always
like to be right, and agree with Capt. Suoot
In some respects wish VIC were able to have
q paid department, but as we are volunteer
companies let us get along quietly. l would
s. suggest that 90 days be given these companies
81 '9tqnp themselves in, and to see it they will
& !!Oey the Chief Engineer If they do not, | am
a 10 favor Of dsbandiug them. They Should pot
d Use their charters as protection to do lawless
q Sc's' and as they please If they do not con,
B lori. .Irm to the laws of the department, disband
u them at once. ~
q ut; j. 3. Johnsou-I never make any apollo
A S.eS lot what think iuht I differ Ith MIR
81 omTCt. Twill stake al rhr money own in the
q , M"'d that the Fire Department cannot dissolve
, ,h, GD9mramcs; make no such concessions as
q L "e M atSlucnt OF the Sun does What power
t"n. ''i ~ uoay to dissolve chartered corpora
q uoni 1t strikes any sensible man that it is ri
rv"IouI 10 think that such malignant, ma
s. msI'cnt and contemplate set of men should
,"" HI itu iattempt to dissolve such an organiza
4 ,on charge on the Chief Eenrineer direlic-