The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-05-27

wards Of to-day. When mustered ont in
1876 the members numbered about 11O0
but the past twenty-eight years have sadly
declmated its ranks, the death rate hayinG
Oeen remarkably severe, owing princj-
pally TO the inroads made on their consti
tuiions by the hardships and pxposnres m
which men were subjected in the discharge
OF tner arduous self-imposed public duty.
night aud day. through rain and sunshine
fire and water
no would have then thought" said
me speaker, that we were working for
Any az such endlng as death in an almsbouse?
We never received any consideration or
compensation from the city for those SER
wees Inc charitable fund under our con-
trol dld not come from the CITY, Not one
cent OF IL was derived from the treasury
or the taxpayers. No; the foundation Of
mat 1nnd was laid in 1852 by local and
loteign merchants and capitalists and was
inleDoeq TO help injured fremen aud in
case OF ueath from casualty while in the
discharge Of duty to assist The widows and
orphans oil deceased flremeu, should il so
happen that they had been married men.
There were additions made TO il from time
10 time In the shape of donations bestowed
Dy individuals and corporations for
prompt, active service efficiently rendered
in saving valuable private residences.
hotels, stores, warehouses, ships and
steamboats, from the deyouring element
Sometimes for acts of heroism displayed
al terrible risk in Tescuing human lives
and snatching women and children from
the very jaws of the file fiend we received
benefits from theatrical managers, the pro-
ceeds OF which went into the fund. The
State exempted US from military and Jury
duty and when legislated ont of existence
as a Fire Department the municipal gov
eminent gave US a lease of the house
wherein to hold our meetings and store
mi ~ tnn five
paTatuS and other old cuTiOsitieS.
These are the only favors, concessions
or rewards that the old volunteers ever re-
celved from the city and county OF San
Francisco or the millionaire residents
I'VE have burial plat in Laurel Hi
Cemetery, which cost US about $4,000
apart from the cost of tom bstoues and MON
uments. 1t is The resting place of many Of
our comrades, aud DTOspectively 30 of our
selves in the near future. During the past
thlrty-tWo years we paid out Of our own
funds the sum of S11, 200 TO keep the ground
III decent condition. and the grass green
over the graves OF our deceased brethren,
being at the rate Of $3.50 per annnm. In
all fairness this item of expense should
nave been borne by the city and county
But no, our city fathers are too busy to
give US thought; doubtless they are op-
posed 10 the demands and eXactions of
corporate mOnopOlies, while unfortunately
Tor Us we are corporation.
Our mllilODalres, too, when making
their wills and requests lose all recOllec-
uon OF any services rendered them IN the
past aud the security We guaranteed them
while accommodating their millions One
of them established an astronomical OBJ
ServatoTy and furnished il with powerful
telescope through which to watch the man
IN the moon aud discover stray asteroids
10 the space between Mars and Jupiter :
another founded and endowed 4 univer-
sily for educating future statesmen; sew
eral have erected mansions which are
ished kindeTgartens but strange TO say,
they never for a moment bestowed a
thought upon the widows and orphans Of
the Exempt tiTemen, notwithstanding the
sacrifices made by Us in their interest aud
to promote their welfare in the past.
Death in an almshouse Is good enough for
the old volunteer. at least we fear that it
so appears to our nabOos
Several other mem bers spoke feslingly,
and set forth that The eXempts never IS ked
for any favoTs heretofore. and intimated
the pr0priety Of appealing TO the law
making power for such relief IS would
make ii impossible to have rep tjtion of
the recent sad occurrence. The city had
made ample provisions for disa bIed and
superannuated police men and members Of
the present paid Fire Department and
there could be no doubt but that the
old volunteers who might &c overtaken by
poverty would be looked after.
Before the close OF the meeting, which
was quite an interesting one, it was on
motion unanimously voted that there be a