The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-05-27
THE EXEMPTS.
Interesting Meeting of the
Old Firemen.
They Speak of Their Treatment
Received at the Hands of
the Public.

The regular monthly meeting of this
much respected, ancient and honorable
body was held at their house on BRENNAN
place on Monday evening, the 2lst inst.
= The old boys were not as hilarious as
usual at their monthly gatherings. Mat
tiers have gone wrong lately and adyer-
sity has come upon them. springing from
causes over which they could exercise no
control.
The reaper has been busy among them.
and succeeded in gathering in five of their
plumber since the advent of the present
year. The rate of mortality is somewhat
. disCOuTaEing, but there are other troubles
THAT augment their sorrows and bring
poignant grief. Their fund is rapidly dis
appearing, which is very dishearteping.
because Of their inability to aid their
needy members with the lberality and
generosity which have rendered the Ex-
empts pToverbial. With a view toward
making the remnant of the charitable fund
last as long as possible the officers have
been compe led to strictly execute the laws
oTthe organization ana enforce rigid econ
omy1 and TO better carry out these objects
the laws have been so amended as 10 pm;
limitations on the amount of cash a sick
or dependent member can draw from the
treasury during any calendar year.
One Of the members having been lately
cut off from the small benefits under these
lronclad laws and having no other re-
source, sought shelter in the AlmshOuse,
where he died. This was the principal
cause of the gloom and dependency that
sent chill TO the hearts of the Old vete-
rams on Monday night, and the fact that
the deceased member was decently IT.
teTred and proper respect paid 10 his re-
mains. funeral expenses paid by the COM
paDy, etc, failed TO bring any relief. The
majority refused to be cOmfOTtsd to them
IT made no difference whether it was an
accident, blunder or a crime, il was at
least a disgrace 10 the company and the
city that a member of the Exempt Fire
Company should have died in the Aims
house.
In the course of the evening the treat
ment the members of the old Voluu-
teer Fire Department of San Francisco re-
CeiYed from the Municipality was discussed
and sOmewh hat severely commented upon.
Major Jack Stratman, well-kuOwn old
veteran Exempt from BTOderick engine !,
who IS a present Oh a visit to the city,
took a lively 10 terest in the proceedings Of
the evening, all agreeing that the city
never did do It's duty toward the old volun-
teeTs in recognition II the vast services by
Them rendered.
One member stated that during four
teen years, from 1852 TO 1866, the city was
10 Inc keeping OF That organization, dur
ing which time they protected Federal,
state and municipal property as well as
the lives and property of the cit liens, and
that, too, at time during a portion of
which there were only thirty policemen
10 watch over The interests of $4,000 in
habitaDts. The property saved by them
during their existence was estimated
at over one hundred millions, and for that
matter 1t was owing to their efforts the
whole city VAS saved from total destruc-
non. while trey saved hundreds of lives
aud sacrificed several of their own mem
bers IN doing 30. The hardships then en-.
-dured by these men. said he, cannot be
well described, for they did duty as men
and horses in those days. having TO drag
their machines through the streets and over
saDdhiHs entirely different from the boule-