Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1875-10-16
ANOTHER LESSON.

= ECONOMICAL. Inc people sometimes
grow sluggish and careful. A gen.
eral apathy frequently pervades
communities, and when all seems
/ most careless and most secure, there
comes u sudden, sharp awakening,
a seeming punishment for want of
| prudence and watchfulness, in the
shape of daring burglary, a horri-
bic murder, or rs was the case yes
terday morning, destruction OF prop
erty by Gre. There are only two
ways Of over coming or of meeting
these things properly. One is by an
efficient police force to prevent them
if possible, and when impossible to
give speedy alarm of impending
danger. The other, is to have all
proper and the most improved means
and appliances to over come and con-
quer speedily any and every emer-
gency. In other words, ii behooves
every community to be like the good
for death, viz: always ready. TAX
ing it for granted that no person can
controvert these positions, we now
consider the condition Of our town.
We have eighty thousand dollars in
water works, and we have one man
in charge who sleeps nearly a mile
from the motive power. Can we re-
alize safety by depending upon an
arrangement of that kind. VIII not
the investment Of that sum justify
the taxpayers and their representa-
tives, the town council in the use of
the security it ought to give, by hav-
ing a man on duty all night, ready to
start into action the immense powers
of the Holly machinery. 1t is the
early blows which tell in fighting
fire. We have two policemen, one of
them a tax gatherer, and the other
or both are allowed to go off duty at
twelve O'Clock at night. This is a
direct bid to burglarism, incendiar-
ism, and all other offences. The evil
minded know this. They know that
the seven thousand people of our
town, are sleeping with their lives
and property unguarded. Their taxes
are paid out in wages to officials for
day duty, when all persons are
| perfectly able to take care of them
selves. This is surely wrong. Cease
less unsleeping vigilence through the
| night is what is needed, and strict
discipline with those who engage to
do it should be enforced. Who is re-
sponsible for this condition of affairs.
Plainly and unequivocally the town
council. They are risking our lives
and property at time when we are
unable to watch over them. Is it
ordinary prudence as citizens. Is it
economy as taxpayers when every
thing can be swept away in an hours
conhagration If not, then is it, or
can it be wisdom in officials, to
permit such a suicidal policy. Will
the people allow its continuance )?
| We passed through last summer
without an epidemic but it was not
because the council had the filth and
garbage removed, but through the
kindness of the Universal Ruler OF
all things. That we have not had
more burglaries, fires and crimes is
not the result of the precautionary
means adopted, and rigidly main.
tanned by the council, but through
the same loving kindness of the Su,
preme Being. When we get too care.
less we get warning, and learn pru
dence and caution, through bitter
experience. The fire yesterday morn
is but another lesson. If the council
will not heed it, let the people act
and act promptly.
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