Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-06-07
The Committees Report.

The Committees Report.
The most intense excitement has prevail.
ed in the city over the two steam fire en-
gines since their trial, which occurred last
week, Monday and Tuesday. Two parties
have arisen, one SilsbY and the other
Ahrens, nd elimination and recrimination
have been the order Of the day. Like other
questions in which people take deep in
terest, this has become more or less per.
sonal warfare, aud we are sorry to say
that there has teen some clash betw cen the
different natonaities which compose the
inhabitants of this city. Many quick and
hasty words have been spoken which had
better been left unuttered, and many false
stories regarding citizens and engines have
been circulated which ought not to have
found listeners In fact great noise has
been raised about nothing, and the impress
ion has gone abroad that Watertown is in
habted by pack of fools.
The friends of the Silsby claim that she
did her work satisfactorily without break
ing down, and is in all respects equal to the
Ahrens. Although the Ahrens was dis
abled in three successive trials by the
breaking of her valves, many think that
this is nothing but what can be easily
remedied, and are anxious that the city
10 botb Of Dotitinpc Ia
been circulated recommending the purchase
of both, and also counter ones protesting
against t. Both petitions received many
signatures
The gentlemen who were selected by the
Fire Committee OF the Board of Street
Commissioners to decide which engine is
best adapted to our wants, are practical
men--men who have run machinery for
years, and perhaps the very best the city
affords. The following is their first report,
the entire committee voting for the Silsby
on the first ballot:
Meeting of the Examining Commit ttee
at the City Clerks room, May 3lst, 1876.
at half-pass eight o'clock Am.
Present-Messrs. J. Stone, Z. Wood, j.
B. Bennett, T. Chorus, b. B. Quick, G. ".
Chappell, j. H. Sleeper.
On motion, j Stone was elected CHAIR
man, and c. W. Chappell, Secretary.
Moved that this committee express their
opinion by ballot on the engine that has
proved most satisfactory at the trial, and
in their opinion the most desirable one to
recommend to the city for purchase. The
Silsby received the entire vote--se ven in
favor.
Moved that this committee recommend
to the city the purchase of the Si.sby en-
gine Carried unanimously.
G. W. CHAPEL, Sec'y.
The Board of Street Commissioners not
being satisfied with this report, called fol-
one in detail The committee met again
and una nimously adopted the following in
detail which also is in favor of the Silsby:
To the Board of Street Commissioners of
the City of Watertown.
Your committee appointed to witness
and repor! on the relative merits and work
ngs of the Ahrens & Silsby engines on
test made for your benefit beg leave to re-
port in detail:
Test No. l, Ahrens loot in 6m 25sec.
Z" '' Silsby loot in I'm l0sec.
Test Ne. 2. Ahrens l50ft in I'm 35sec
g &c Silsby 150ft in I'm assoc.
Test No. 8. Ahrens 200ft in lin 35sec.
" Silsby 200ft in lin 55sec.
Test No. not performed.
Test No. 5, at this juncture the Ahrens
became disabled by breaking of valves and
was taken from the grounds for repairs.
Test performed by Silsby.
Test No. 6 not performed.
Test No. 7 Ahrens ahead.
Test No. Ahrens ahead.
Test No. 9, the engines were moved to
Main street bridge, and dropped their sue
ton II feet TO water; the Ahrens failed to
take water and did not perform, and was
withdrawn for examination; when it was
found that the valves had again given out
Silsby performed the test. Silsby ahead.
Test No. 10 performed by Silsby, not by
the Ahrens for reasons stated above.
Test No. IL, draw.
IL, draw.
6 50 - Silsby ahead