Orangeburg times. [volume] (Orangeburg Court House [S.C.]) 1877-1881, 1879-01-24
NUMBER SO

you' P"pci, AZ ieieTeuCe 10 apprOpTia.
tons for the Fire Department, which
We consider one of the most impor-
tant matters with which Council have
to deal.
We do not propose hat any words
we may use should be construed as %
charge of improper conduct against
any who have had or now have til.
honor of representing us in Council,
for we do not intend anything of tho
kind; but we do say that the Fire De-
partment Of O%rangebury has been,and
is truly independently philanthropic.
Using their own engines and appa-
ratus, required to keep them in repair,
find shelter for them, work al fires
and risk their lives and all this for no
pay. If this is not true patriotism
then what is it? We say keep them
i'll repair, and we believe we are cor
rect. True We do not belong to all
the companies forming the depart
mcnt, but of one thing we are certain,
that the one to which We do belon,
has received from Council in the
e ght years of its existence, the sum
of fifty dollars and q set of water
buckets, (and we have no right to
belive We are Disseminated asain.t);
the said sum of fifty dollars was
specifically appropriated, i. e. to
purchase a new ladder, and in
order to make the appropriation Of
use, the company WIS compelled to
expend in further repairs over sixty
dollars, q part of which it had to
borrow.
The Department is admitted to be
in n bad condition, and this can be
traced to the little appa rent interest
taken in it, moi oufy b, the privat-
citizens, but by the officials of the
town. Five or six years ago Orange
burg could boast Of q spirited De-
pa rtment, (even if small.) Then n
fireman had some encouragement, by
the presence and interest of the poo-
pie, if not by approximations, and so
much money was then necessary as
now. Then on their Annual FESTIVE.
ties were to be seer the Council and
Board of Firemasters, encouraging
them by tn eir presence and words to
renewed efforts in their laudable
undertaking. Now, with a few ex-
ceptions, they are never seen, in any
wany, likely to stimulates the FIRE.
men.
Crangeburg has n greet many
young men who should be members
of the Fire Department, and why
are they not? Small salaries are
paid, and they cannot afford to sup
port public institutions from which
they, Of all others, receive the least
benefit. They should pay their share
but should they be expected to pay
all? True, if The business man ID
burnt out he (the young many n,-s c
lose a situation, but does not the
business man sustain a loss as great,
if not greater? And further, it is
often the case that those who do make
the sacrifice, are kept from attendin,
to the necessary duties Of a member
by employers. The consequence is n
fine by the company or discharged
from employment. Can they stand
this? No! We sometimes wonder
if the people desire q Fire Depart.
ment, and if fires are not fought
against the wishes Of the interested
parties. Suppose you hear q drown.
ing man say to the party who would
recue him, Don't use my rope if you
wish to save me, furnish the r,pe
YOURSELF" Would you call that fool.
ishness or a desire to be lost?
That is the position the property
holders Of the town seem to occupy
in reference to maintaining q Firo
Department. "rhe taxes are already
too high" they say. They forget that
a Fire Department, efficient in MI.
chinery and, properly manned would
save them enough in the one item Of
insurance to pay the higher ratio of