of control.
Many of the companies owned their own engines and other apparatus, and
refused to submit to any sort of restraint. There was but one way to
bring good out of this evil, and at length the best men of the city
determined upon abolishing the old system entirely. The demand for a
change grew stronger every day, and at last the Legislature of the State
set on foot measures for the abolition of the volunteer system and the
substitution of a paid force.

In March, 1865, the Legislature passed the bill creating the Metropolitan
Fire Department, and it at once received the Executive signature. The
friends of the old system resolved to resist the attempt to overthrow it.
A case involving the constitutionality of the bill was brought before the
Court of Appeals, which body sustained the law. Efforts were made by the
newly-appointed Commissioners to get the new system at work as soon as
possible; but in the meanwhile the partizans of the old system endeavored
to be revenged by disbanding the old force and leaving the city without
any means of extinguishing fires. The danger was great, but it was
averted by detailing a force from the police to act as firemen in case of
necessity. By November, 1865, the new system was thoroughly organized
and fairly at work. Each succeeding year has witnessed some fresh
improvement, and at present New York has the best appointed and most
efficient Fire Department in the Union.

The force, as at present organized, is under the control of five
commissioners, appointed by the Mayor of the city. They make rules and
regulations for the government of the force, exercise a general
supervision over its affairs, and are responsible to the municipal
government for their acts. The force consists of a chief engineer, an
assistant engineer, ten district engineers, and 587 officers and men.
Each company consists of twelve persons, viz.: a foreman, assistant
foreman, engineer of steamer, a stoker, a driver, and seven firemen.
Each company is provided with a house, with engine room, stables,
quarters for the men, and rooms for study, drill, etc. The basement
contains a furnace, by means of which the building is warmed and the
water in the engine kept hot. Everything is kept in perfect order. The
houses are clean and neat, and the engines and hose-carriages shine like
gold and silver.

The men are all paid by the city. The firemen receive $1000 dollars per
annum, and the officers a higher