The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-04-21

not of commencing fight against anything
or anybody, bat solely for the purpose OF
protecting our rights and effectng an adj
jusrment Of orr difficulties.
| The resolutions presented for the consid-
GRAFTON of the Board Of Delegates this even
ing concern subjects ofsuch vital importance
to the companies composing this association
that l trust the members will indulge me in
trespassing upon their time in order that
may explain the views and motives inducing
their presentation.
| feel that the citizens of this community
do not fully understand the pecuniary sacri-
fees being required at the hands of this
| association i'll our efforts TO perform public
duty, and | feel that the members of the
asso. iation itself do not comprehend the
grave financial disasters that threaten the
organization.
We have become so accustomed TO stand
ing as suppliants, scarce daring to breathe
above a whisper, modest request for just
ice, accepting without mlirmnr a moiety
OF the compensation faithfully earned until
the unpaid balances have reach. Il amounts
SO large as to render their payment by the
city impracticabe We have then been
forced to receive in settlements Of The I'M
paid balances deprecated city paper. Con
tinued failure thereafter on the part of the
city to pay subsequent earnings has forced
MS to sell these securities at a ruinOus loss,
to meet the demands of our contract.
We must not forget that the present con
tract with the city of New Orleans was ell
tered into upon cash basis.
Contractors for supplies furnished the
city of New Orleans have generally guarded
against loss by placing the price of articles
furnished at figures sufficiently high to
cover the depreciation III city scrip, and it
is "A fact well known that scarcely any pur
chase is made for the city wherein this
principle is not recognized. When the
present contract was entered into with the
city OF New Orleans, 1t was through a
great struggle which threatened the exist
ence Of the Department, and in fixing the
contract price we were deferred from insist
ing upon price for our services that would
cover depreciation Of city paper by the re-
Election that even this just demand would
be used against us with the authorities.
Measures Of retrenchment and reform in
the administration of the affairs of the
Commonwealth were SO freely prophecied
that we hoped for relief, and, sanguine that
the city would keep her faith, we had no
sooner closed the contract than measures
were taken to comply with our part OF the
agreement in good faith
New apparatus and hose of the most ap-
proved patterns have been furnished almost
every company in the department, and to-
day we stand splendidly equipped, with the
grateful voices of an entire community bear
ing testimony to the faithful manner III
which this department has complied with
their part of the contract. To accomplish
tins great work, the credit and finances OF
this association have been fearfnlly taxed
Bonds and securities have been hypothe-
Gated or sold at rninous loss, until all of the
securities or cash assets of the association. if
now realized upon would not pay It's debts
How long can this state of affairs continue,
is the question for you to ponder over to-
night When the flames leap high and the
binding smoke betokens danger to your
neighbors' property, no thought OF self bids
you pause and take thought Of danger, but
a time has arrived when the inevitable logic
of loss, with its slow but sure accompani-
ments Of bankruptcy, will, if not arrested at
once, not only cause stoppage OF your fire
labors, but prove productive Of results mo.
painful. As glorious as may be the record
of your fire victories, proud as you may re-
main of the magnificent personnel Of your
organization, it must not be lost sight of
that the noblest virtue of them all is that
broad and loving tenderness that provides
with scrupulous care for the widows and
fatherless of our deceased brothers. Here is
where the danger is most menacing; a con-
tinuance of this contract without financial
relief will be to rob the widows and orphans
Of this association of their very bread, and
what will become Of our proud boast that
no member Of fireman's family ever be-
comes a burden upon the community"
Appeals to the authorities have brought
but limited relief, the Administrators of the
city claimed to be so embarrassed by special
legislative enactments and compartment Of
taxes, that beyond extraordinary but I'M
awaiting exertiOns to continue prompt pay
ments began by the present Administrators
they could not aid us.
Unofficial representation. Of the facts Of
our situation was made to the last Legisla-
ture and the result is the passage of bill
intended to secure our prompt payment.
The first clause of this bill was drawn
after repeated conversations with under
writer's of this city and the trainers of the
bill were assured that its provisions met
their approval; Notwithstanding this fact it
was found that parties were engaged in pro-
curing the passage of an act intended to
relieve the insurance companies from the
payment of the very funds provided for our
de partment.
| stood upon the floor OF the House with
at least twenty-five of our friends, and
heard and saw this bill killed but by
species of modern legislation it came to life
after the adjournment of the Legislature,
and through it we are kept ont Of moneys
justly due and provided for our relief.
The constitutonality of this act 81 will
be tested. when cases in point can be heard
before the Supreme Court. The cases of the
Louisiana and the Union Insurance Com
panies come up for trial. but inasmuch as
the act 81 was not pleaded in the lower
court the Supreme Court may not decide
upon the merits of the act. In that case our
chances of relief from this source would
then depend upon a hearing Of the cases of
the Germania and Peoples Insurance Com
panies, decided in the Superior Court against
the insurance companies and returnable to
the Supreme Court to-day. 1t is SO late in
the session that we may not be sanguine OF
a decision at this term.
The Mayor has urged the matter upon
the City Attorney, who is much pressed
with legal labors, and it is yet to be seen if
he will claim the privilege or right of the