The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1879-05-03
Steam Fire Engine.

II other matter. The suggestion
made is IN, excellent one and com
nen,ls itself to the appreciation
Dfeeary good citizen and proper
g huldtr in this community.
We ii add nothing to the pop
Mar verdict as to the gallantry
and zeal and efficiency OF our fire
department. To praise It's mein-,
brrs is as supel.iuons as TO gid
refined GOLD ant! paint the lily.
While entertaining this very
high estimate OF our bremen let
us not disregard the fact that the
!d-faStioned hand engines which
we row possess are imperfect
and nnsuited 10 the work OF ar
resting an extensive uontiagra.
ton. A calamity OF this charac-
ter has happily been averted
from Us siucr the organization OF
our present fire department, but
are W. not sleeping Oh a volcano!
WHO can assure us that III the
next week, or the next month, or
the next year Te n;ay not g the
greater part Of this town laid In
ashes? Cod grant that S"ch a
misfortune may never visit this
people. Bat while hoping for
the best, let Us prepare sor the
worst.
In our Judgment, the presence
in our midst of u steam fire en-
giue would so very far towards
diminishing the danger Of an
extensive conhagration in our
town. Lin view OF the rapid growth
of the suburbs in every direction
and of the many improvements
that are continually going on III
side the corporation limits. the
possession of Il steam fire engine
IL, an early day might almost be
termed a necessity.
Although an engine of this
kind would be OF paramount I'M
portance in ease of fire, yet there
is another use to which il could
be placed and prove of i%acalcnls-
bic benefit to the people. |, could
be used in dry weather to flush
the bitches OF the corporation,
aud thus serve the same purpose
in a sanitary point Of view AS the
Waterworks of New OfleauS now
10 under the direction and hy the
advice of the Board Of Health.
In orr very dry spells such us we
have mad bat recently. how much
we would have enjoyed seeing q
constant stream OF fresh water
flowing through the bitches and
drains of the tow. Not only
would this water have ministeresi
to our enjoyment but our comfort
would have been promoted d.
we'll. With water SO convenient
it would not have required muei
time for all the boys III town t
arm themselves with scoops fol
the purpose ct sprinkilnS Tx
streets and thus laying the dust
La this way one OF III creates
discumfortS wonld be ohviate.i
BY this means, the merchants
Woalu have no occasion III Close
their doors against the invaslo!
OF clouds of dust upon their cout
tiers ana. shelves and the saving
which they would make of Their
goods in one year would almos
pay tor d Steaiu fire engine. 4;
All instance. We are informed TIA
d drv-@oGds merchant Of thi
town set down his loss from Ga;l
age to his goods by the late dus
Ety streets we have Rad, at full,
two hundred dollars. We doub
not that other merchants in tn,
same line ct business would corr.
borate this statement from
their own experience.
Tt wouId seem, therefore. tina
while every class in the comnu
nifty is interested in the acgui>i
ton to this town Of steamer We
the mercantile portion is more di
rectiy concerned in the matter
Not only is their property of th'
greatest value and requiring th'
greatest protection against fire
but we have Showa that the lay
ing oil the dust in the street:
would save them a great deal o
money in the way OF goods no'
damaged by the dust. 1t hehoo,
es them consequently to take thu
initiative and never relax thei
efforts unit! the town shall have
secured Il steam fire engine.
1t has been usual with some t,
disparage the public spirit an'
enterprise ofonr merchants. ",
do not share this opinion, and ",
have no doubt that when tlli'
subject Of d steam t~ire-engine j!
broaght 10 their attention, tllt
merchants of ThihodauS vii
show that they appreciate Their
own interests and are willing tt
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