The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1874-01-09

bors; who pay their taxes without
grumbling, not only to support the
fire department but TO furnish gas
for the accommodation Of their more
wealthy fellow citizens, though they
may petition in vain for the exten-
sion Of gas mains in their localities
The rights of these people to con
siierations are quite as worthy Of
recognition as those OF the other
class. But few days ago, on New
Year day, in fact, the home ofa tax
payer, near the Car Works, was en-
veloped in flames, and before an
alarm could be sent down town, the
house was destroyed. What protec-
ton had that taxpayer Several
years ago a FIRE occurred in the same
Locality, and by the time the alarm
reached town and the Steamer got
Up to the railroad crossing, on Gro
ehan Street, the house was in ruins.
What protection had this ax-payer2
And yet either one ofthese, and the
neighbors adjourning, would have
been afforded protection from an en-
CINE located in the neighborhood Of
the depot, and which would have
been within a few minutes call. The
factory of Cloud & Wykes might
even have been partially saved, and
the barn near F. S. Whites, recent
ly burned, might have been saved
from destruction.
These opposers should remember
that there are quite as valuable
dwellings erected in the upper part
of town as in any other part of the
city; that the city is growing main
ly in that direction, and that there
should be some measure of protec-
ton extended to it. That protection
is not ,vanted in the indefinite future,
but nor. 1t is even now late. With
second steamer on hand when the
recent fire occurred which swept off
our apparatus, even that might have
been saved. The accident which hap
pened to the Patterson engine at the
recent trial is a demonstration that
one engine is not enough. With
such an accident as that occurring
and nothing else to fail back on, the
property of these Opposers might be
swept from existance in a night, and
the only consolation left them would
be the realization of their own folly.
Nor are these the only considers
tions which demand recognition, and
demand that a proper regard for the
rights of all the people require that
at least a second engine should be
purchased-one for each Ward would
not be too many. Heavy fires oc-
cur. Once in the past year our engine
was demanded at Clyde, and proper
ly sent; and yet if fire had occur
red in its absence, how these oppOs-
ers would have rallied at the folly of
leaving our town without adequate
protection. while good will for those
in trouble, and every requirement Of
Christian principles demanded that
We seould ''help our neighbors. =
Once Toledo demanded our aid,
and the engine was promptly
sent to the depot to be shipped, and
but fer a telegram announcing that
she was not needed, would have been
sent and our city again left without
protection. We propose TO help our
neighbors whenever we can, but we
also propose to have some means
left with which to help ourselves in
case of need, and we cannot have
that with a single steamer.
We have. been fortunate in escap-
ing any large confagration, and we
hope to be SO fortunate always, but
there is no surety. What show
would we have in FIRE like that
which visited Tifin. None what
ever
Again, it is not common, yet such
things do occur, as fires breaking out
simultaneously in different parts of
a city. Should such a thing occur
here, what shall be done with the
steamer? Will some Solomon cut it
in two and send one part to each fire?
All of these considerations must en-
ter into this question, and more if
we had time to refer to them.
The Council wisely determed, on
the day after the fire to purchase two
Engines, SO as to be prepared for
all exigencies that might arise. The
people expect it of them, and we
trust they will not be swerved from
the plain line of their duty by any
representation which viii require
neglect Of the rights Of any citizen.
equal and exact justice to all, and
chartered privileges to none" is a |
motto as applicable to Fremont as
any other locality, and as full of the |
character Of our insti-
tutions as il well can be. Let it be |
regarded. You have had warning
sufficient, and only by good fortune
have escaped. Do not leave the city
agsin without adequate protection.
The oil springs of Canada appear
10 have proved no better investment
han those of Pennsylvania. From
ihe first discovery of petroleum 10
he present time, says the Toronto
Globe, the history ofits production
md manufacture has been marked
With disaster to those who embarked |