The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-11-14
The Late Fire Ordinance and Our Work
ing People

The City Council could do good work by
lecOnsidering the action taken immediately
after the fire of July last, extending the fire
limits to the city boundaries.
While it is necessary for the safety and
security Of those who are disposed to embark
n::business in young pOpulous and thriving
city like Chicago, to adopt all reasonable and
plausible means Of protection against the re-
currence of such disastrous cOntagrations as
visited our city in 1871, and again in July Of
the present yesr; yet it must be born IN
mind that while the interests Of capitalists
and Of those using and controlling capital
should receive ample protection, the interests
and well being Of another class of our fellow
citizens, more numerous. though less worthy,
ought To be equally protected and promoted.
We refer to the working classes-many OF
whom previous to the fire had purchased lots
on which they had intended erecting frame
buildings -enlarging and improving those al
ready built, but which by virtue Of the late
" Fire Ordinance" they are prevented from
uOluRs anu many oi NhOih Aoih AhoohAty
put up brick buildings will be Obliged to
sacrifice their investments. There is no reas-
on why liberal and charitable policy should
not be pursued i'll regard to their interests.
1t is not sound policy either in city, State or
national affairs to legislate for one interest
only, the interest of the whole should be care
fully guarded and looked after. This is the
end and aim Of all good government. Why
not the city government of Chicago act on
this principle, Is there anything impolitic
in it Is there anything unjust or unbecom
ing the dignity or official duties of an Alder
manic body,
Hundreds of wOrkingmen bought lots in
tending to erect frame dwellings,, who cannot
afford to build brick structures Hence hun
dreds Of our prairie lots are vacant, ON which
might now have been heard the busy and
harmonious strains of domestic life. These
lots are now useless, and must be sold at half
ther value to real estate spectators Sec
tons that under ordinary cir;umstances would
have become BUSY localities, must now lay
waste.
There Is no encouragement for the work
ingmen to build, for building will be within
the reach OF those Only who have the means,
and lots which should have been the poor
mans, will soon become the property of the
land monopolists and the monocracy
1t is evident to all impartial minds that the
fears of our city fathers after the July fire,
led them to Weld to the unreasonable and
exorbitant demands of INSCRIPTIONS corpor-
tions known as insurance companies" a
class who sought to dictate the Legislation OF
the city. and who because their exacting de-
mands were not complied with, threatened to,
and did withdraw their agencies" from the
city, while others refused to take risks on the
most substantial blocks, only on the most
exorbitant rates through fear, we say, the
Alderman yielded to their demands, and the
| fire limits was one Of the results.
Now, that they have had time to see and
reflect on the effect Of such hasty legislation,
let them remodel and modify the fire ordi.
nance in such manner as will give our work
ingmen a chance to own a small portion Of
this great domain and erect thereon Their
own homes
If our city fathers can enact extra legisla.
Ntion, donating hundreds Of thous ands Of dol
Yrs, IN the shape Of bonuses to dishonest ant
iporant contractors, surely they can do a lit.
tltfor the benefit Of our workingmen. We
hop to see our neg Aldermen give a little at
tentsn to this matter, as they have in nearly
oil 'kances professed to be the friends q
the wdskingmen- By SO doing they will give
employment to hundreds OF industrious me
chanics I'D laborers, aud lessen the demandl
on the Rect and Aid Societies Of this city