New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-08-13

04ncy onOol0 Dc niloQ 0y tho nret Demo
cratic disciple of Van Buren, ct hands It
would be sad non seq,situr.
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Firemeu's Charitable Associations.
The REPUBLICAN has received, with the
compliments of the officers and members of
the Firemen's Charitable Association, the
annual reports of that organization for the
years 1874 and 1875.
There are many things particularly COM
mendable in this pamphlet of about $50 OK.
cellently printed pages. It 10 most intelli-
gently compiled, and though every officer
reporting has the strongest incentive to
present the most favorable side, nothing of
partisan nature can be wrenched from its
surroundings as reproof.
President Marks communication refers to
the pitiaole condition Of the finances which
would have ruiaed any organization unsus'
tanned by such selfsaorifce, devotion and
patience a. have been exhibited by all
members of the fire department. The city
does not paw it; still they protect the city.
They are running in debt; yet they protect
their debtors. Daily they save the insur-
ance companies from loss; still almost daily
there is an exhibition of avowed antagonism
from the underwriters. To sustain the de-
partmeut when the city could not pur
chase, the merchants would not aid, oppo-
sition interests combined to destroy, the
fund for the widows and orphans was
pledged sacrificed, and perhaps will nev or
again be such guarantee of honorable aid
az it was four years ago. Yet no one has
heard a complaint.
Mr.. Marks does not refer to these things,
but his report suggests them when state
ments at renewals of contract with the CITY
are considered. In his twentieth annual
consecutive communication, submitted
January l, 1876, he states that it is impossi.
the calls made under the relief fund. more
than $50, 900 being expended in 1875, an in
crease Of over 5000 from 1874 above the
income. The debt of the city At this date
was Sl43,4Ol "a. With reference to other
reports Mr.. Marks concludes with repeti-
ton of his advice for fifteen years that the
association continues exclusively fire and
benevolent organization, and have moth
eng to do with the miserable political
struggles of the day.
The finance committee report $473,3 43 81
of assets, including engines; cemeteries and
the debt of the city, $223,030 81, Of
liabilities, and $35,725 IS of securities on
hand. The committee present mildly but
foroibly the condition of the association,
their assets, composed in part Of almost
worthless city bonds, and insist on retrench.
ment. They also ennumerate q number of
debts which could not be iquidated if de-
mand ed.
The treasurer shows 4779 OF on hand.
The receipts have been $ls6, 029 -. and the
expenditures 4l55, 1850 60 for 1875. The
balance sheet foots up s473.34s "a. In ad.
dition to the debt Of the city this includes
$l45,O3i 81 Of stock, $4,000 OF seven per
cent gold bonds, and $4,000 of the Fire
mems Insurance Company.
In 1875 tho relief committee expended
$l4,63o IS, the widows and orphans com.
mistee 81, 657 80. The cemetery commit
tee present . favorable report, and that of
the sexton shows 943 interments in the
Cypress Grove and Greenwood cemeteries.
The report of Chief Engineer Thomas
O'Conuor occupies nearly one hundred
pages, and reviews every possible detail
under his supervision. Inoendiarism has
eight false, one chimney, and eight general
alarms of fire in 1874. In 1875 there were
lag actual, s;xty-six false, three chin ney,
and four general alarms. In 1874 the re-
port exhibits total loss of $l,146 ,l39; in
1875 Of $7l9.400. These figures are not
strictly accurate. being in many cases based
on the amount of insurance, etc., and m uch
less than the actual loss to the individual
There are also many cases where an esti-
mate is not given. 1t may be con slider ed
certain, however, that these amounts are
within four-ifths of all losses by fire wi thin
the two years comprised in the report of
Chief Engineer O'Connor.
The reports, taken altogether, pres emit q
condition Of affairs of the fire depar TIM emit
which calls at once for praise for its eff.
cheney, devotion Of the members to duty,
fidelity of officers to it's interests and ad-
illustrative ability, as well a. NORTH ca ton
that so noble an organization is forced to
struggle unaided against the combined OBJ
struct:ons Of lack Of funds, consistea t. de-
termined and unremitiug opposition and
internal dissensions. The simple statement
that the average loss of New Orleans by
fire is not more than 81, 900 900 per annum,
or less than one per cent, should be sufficient
to show that in spite Of all disadv antsges
the 6remen of New Orleans protect their
city, without pay, better than the municipal
organizations of other cities.
Communicated
EDITOR REPUBLICAN,:
Seeing the theory advanced by your Con