ABSENT MEMBERS
Is attendance at your local civic club meetings lagging a bit? Would you like a way to assure regular attendance perhaps, even bring in new members?
A workable form is available in “Code of Virginia”, published by William F. Richie, Richmond. Va. by reason of the act of the General Assembly passed on the 15th Day of August 1849. Turn to page 287 in the 800-page tome.
Every town of any consequence throughout the Commonwealth, shall, in time, deem a fire company to be essential, the Code tells us. In order to form such a group “not less than twenty or more than sixty-four persons” residing in that town could form themselves into a company ”for extinguishing fire in buildings”. Note the word reads “:person”,too. Women were not excluded, but there is nothing to suggest that subject even came up. The number suggested assured one that the group would be large enough to share the work load.
The founding group then was to write a document stating their desire to join together.. This formality accomplished, they elected officers and drew up ground rules in keeping with state ordinances.
Within one month he selection of that person to be designated “Commanding Officer”of each regiment who must sent to the Court with a list of all members, plus a written statement the condition of its engine, hose, and other implements. Should the C. O. fail to make this report within thirty days he was subject to a fine of not less than three nor more than ten dollars.
The local fire company became a sort of club.. While still enrolled in the malitia , they were exempt from the performance of military duties, and not subject to fine for missing musters. This applied only so long as they remained members and kept their gear in good condition. If not, they were recalled to military service.
Members were expected to “attend upon any alarm of fire” in the town and to:endeavor to extinguish such fire.” He also had to attend all regular meetings, plus special gatherings held in April and October to :examine the state of the engine.,hose and other equipment. It was a good time for fund raising, I dare say,. And , also a time for practice and demonstration of abilities. The Commanding Officer was to report any absences and members were fined “not less than fifty cents nor more than ten dollars” for their transgressions.
A definite pecking order was prescribed.. The town council named a “Principle Engineer” who, together with the appointed “Fire Wardens”, and the “Commanders” of all fire companies “deemed necessary locally as long as they were not repugnant to the laws of the state”.
Specifics were plainly stated in the Code. ” When a fire shall break out in the town, the Principal Engineer,and his Fire Wardens shall go immediately to the place such fire and carry with them suitable badges of their office. The Principal Engineer was the man in charge. Fire Wardens ,in assigned numerical order, would assume his powers if, for some reason, he could not function.
He had complete authority over all persons present. He appointed the stations at which each member was to work. It was he who decided the details of the operation necessary to extinguish the fire, to remove things from the buildings and to be guardian of the same. And he was there to suppress any disorder if a person at a fire shall refuse or neglect to obey his orders.. The fine for such an offense was set at five dollars.
The Principal Engineer “may direct the pulling down of any fence, house or other things which he judges necessary to stop the spread of the flames, and for this purpose may require such assistance as needed from all persons present as he thinks necessary. ”If it was your house they pulled down, you had a right to enter suit so the town might pay the owner damages. text of he code was. at that point, loaded and pointed out that said suits could not be brought for property “which would have been destroyed by fire if it had not been pulled down”
If any member wished to withdrawn from the club, he faced several problems. He was fined for missed meetings, for not not keeping his equipment in good condition, and he, or they, because entire companies could be so charged, were subject to all military duties.
Mess up on the fire line, Buster, and you're busted back to the barracks, boy!
A.L.M. March 25, 2003 [c764wds]
