New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-01-31
NEW ORLEANS REPUBLICAN, SUNDAY JANUARY 81 1875.

Day further stated, at the shove meeting.
that he condemned the action of the board
of underwriters in this matter.
Let Us for moment look at the unpro-
voked resolution of the board OF under
writer's.
In the first place, We establish the fact
that there had been d official application
guishers, and consequently no refusal.
In the second place, that the small ex.
tinguishers had been Running for four years,
without interference or interruption, and
the large one for ten months.
In the third place, that there was no in
tention to interfere with them, and ns legis-
lation had ever been inapgurated having
any such object in view.
In the fourth place, that the assurance
had been given to the committee of the
board of underwriters by gentlemen of
great influence in the fire department I'm
Guiding its president), that at the proper
time. and in the regular way, there would
be no difficulty in obtaining permission to
run additional extnguishers.
Therefore, the condition SO strangely con-
nected with our application for loan for a
very small amount of money, tsaid loan to
be secured TO the insurance companies
making III was unasked for, and purely
gratuitOus.
We can not be considered uncbaritable,
when we arrive at the conclusion that there
is something in this resolution having for
its ultimate object more than now meets
the public eye.
The resolution does not say that if we
comply with its demand that our humble
request wound have been granted. No, it
says that ''this board will take action on the
proposition to effect loanto the fire de-
partment." What action9 to loan the
mn That VI mi ohohl for
to the time of the meeting We learn that
but two insurance companies had signed
the secretary's list. Some had positively
refused to take any part of the loan.
Is it not then reasonable for us to infer
that this issue was forced upon US to cover
up Interior designs!
We await the development of them. If
there are parties to this trouble who desire
q paid fire department let them unmask
themselves; the unpaid fire department. will
be ready to meet them.
1t they are the same parties who, in 1871,
gave positive assurances to the Mayor
that, in the event that the Council would
create paid fire department., the board Of
underwriters would furnish the money to
purchase the machinery, let US know them.
They very circumvented then. They will
meet with the same fate now.
We feel confident that We have faithfully
N1AS OAN WY pooAIJ CApAVS5CC Wude W0
have done) performed our duty in the exc
cutiOn Of the fire contract We have done
so at very great pecuniary sacrifice, Our
direct loss during the last six years has
been $50, 900.
While we have done all this as body of
good citizens, during the most trying period
in the existence OF our city. aiding the in.
surance companies to retain their most
reliable and profitable source OF revenue,
the fire premiums, the managers of these
institutions should have been lat least FROM
interest, if from no other consideration
our best friends; but strange to say, some
OF them have always looked forward hope
fully to the destruction of this organiza.
ton.
Believing that we still possess the sup
port of our fellOw-citizens, we shall con-
tinue to perform our duty impart:ally and
urselishly.
l. N. MARKS. President.