CHAPTER  IV.

THE FIREMKNS RIADLT OF 1855.

Origin of the Contract Syste.m—Great Services Rendered by the
\'olunteer Companies—Friction with the City Authorities—Pre¬
mature Introduction of the Steam Fire Engine—Arbitrary
Appointment of a Chief Engineer—Laying Pipes for a Paid
Department—The Firemen's Protest 'n> the ^Lvyor—Threats of Dis¬
bandment Fulfilled by the Fire.men—The Apbar.vtus Surrendered:
Ceremonies in Lafayette Siju.vre—An Interregnum and Pis Diffi¬
culties—CoNTR.VGT System Adopted by the City—Award to the
Underwriters Rejected—The Firemen Address the Citizens—Tfie
Firemen's Charitable Association T.vkes the Contract at §70,000
—Adapting the Association to Administrative Duties—Opening of
the New Career.

E have seen how much had been done by the F. C. A. as a
charitable institution, to entitle it to the gratitude and consid¬
eration of all who had at heart the interests of the city. It
had kept hundreds from want and from becoming a charge
upon the public ; it had furnished the city with much-needed cemetery
facilities ; it had spent its money freely among the merchants, and had
added to the festivities of the city in ways that made its life attractive.
Moreover the fire companies, in their official relations to the city and the
public, as defenders of homes and properties against the scourge of fire,
had discharged their duty in a manner that compelled admiration. We
have seen how citizens and city officials had improved their opportunities
to show their appreciation of the deserts of the firemen, whether as
participants in the solemn pageantry of mourning or in the festivities of
a department anniversary. And yet, the present generation in New
Orleans does not  need to be reminded  that all this appreciation may