The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-06-25
THE FIREMEN.
A DIVISION OF OPGNION REGARDING
A PAID DEPARTMENT.

For some time past, to our surprise, we
have found among n number of the flremen OF
this city decided disposition to favor q paid
fire department, as soon as the present con-
tract between the city and the Firemen's
Charitable Association shall have expired In
1881, or even sooner with some) if the thing
be practicable. We say to our surprise, be-
cause as the public is well aware, our fire
men have heretofore been strongly united In
their efforts to preserve the integrity of the
Firemen's Charitable Association and this con-
troll Of the fire extinguishing organization
which Is so closely blended with the mutual
benevolent association that in reality they
form one and the same body.
THIS NEW DEPARTURE,
which is not only taeitly entertained, but &C
lively agitated by some of the Oldest and
most efficient members of the fire brigade. is
ascrlbed to many causes.
For several years the city has been unable to
pay to the association more than from five to
nine months in cash for It's services talthough
the terms of the contract are for CASH. the
remainder being paid either In scrip or repre-
sented by transfers" worth, on the average.
about 3316 cents on the dollar The result has
annually, has yielded TO the association less
money in cash than was strictly necessary to
maintain It's working apparatus and
THE CHARITABLE CHARACTER
of this association In that high condition
which every fireman boosted Of, Within the
past few weeks this inability on the part Of
the city to completely meet It's obligations to
the firemen has been the cause OF the affecta-
tion In no small degree Of the pecuniary al
lowanGes made to the widows and orphans of
the deceased fremen, and the firemen them
selves, when distressed by Illness, which
allowances are deemed by many entirely in
sufficient, and not compatible with the spirit
that has distinguished the association during
more than forty years of mutual benevolence
and arduous toiling in behalf of the COM
munity at large.
Such being the case. IT Is argued that It
would be better to relinquish the contract and
either let the city sell it out to other parties
or organize
PAID FIRE DEPARTMENT,
which would give employment to O. goodly
number OF competent, willing and sturdy
men, who might among themselves organize
mutual benevolent association, such as ex-
lists IN other cities where paid fire depart
ments are in operation.
On the other hand, there are many firemen
who believe that the present difficulties can
be overcome and that the day is not far dis
tant when the city will be in condition to
pay AL Cuoh LllS lull bLubuub bblUulHNu Ill the
contract, and that the association will again
flourish as of old.
We have referred to this matter with all the
reserve that it's Importance deserves, for there
are many other serious questions involved In
It besides the mathematics of the Firemens
Charitable Association In it's relation with the
Fire Brigade. There Is one In which the pub
lie at large Is more directly interested. It is
the cost of a paid department as compared
with the existing contract system, and the
relative efficiency of the two systems. On
another occasion we shall endeavor to lay
before our readers such information as we
may gather on the subject.