Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-12-09

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PRESENTATION TO CHIEF ENGINEER HILL
The Cleveland Firemen assembled last night al
the Melodeon, to witness the presentation of 8
massive silver trumpet TO Chief Engineer HILL as
testimonial of their regard and confidence. A more
manly and noble assembage of men is seldom
seen, than was there convened, and could those
who, after the Tournament, applied 10 the Fire
Department Of this city epthets and ISLANDERS, have
been present there they would have found occasion
TO change their notes TO those of praise. The trum-
pet which was presented Of solid silver, ele-
| gantly chased and engraved, encircled with two
| gold bands, and lined with gold. 1t is about two
feet in hight weighs four pounds, and is valued at
$500 Upon it is the following inscription Z" Pre-
sented to Chief Engineer James Hill by the Fire
Department of Cleveland, O., 1855" Upon the
bowl are elevtD shields, upon which are engraved
the names of the present fire companies, while up
on a twelfth is an engine. The trumpet was de.
signed and manufactured by Messrs. Benton &
Mathivet, whose skill and taste in such matters
have heretofore been well proved
The foEemen and engineers of the various com
panies sat upon the stage, together with several
members of the Board of Underwriters, as invited
guests. Mr. Hill was introduced by Mr.. John Fra
zee, the President of the Firemen's Relief Associa-
tion. DIR. F. W. Marseilles, the President Of the
Firemen's General Association, then presented the
trumpet, with the following speech:
CHEF ENGINEER HILL have been deputed
by the Fire Department cf the City Of Cleveland,
to present to you this Trumpet as testimonial to
your worth US Chief Engineer, and token of the
friendly regard entertained toward you by the en-
tire Department. Before doing SO it may not be
inappropriate to refer to the condition of the De-
partment since the commencement of your labors
as its chief officer. The annexation of Ohio
City added two to the number Of our CONS
panies, making the Department to consist of
eleven companies with seven hundred men when
va were elected to the responsible post Of
chief Engineer. We all know that you have been
indeatigable in your efforts to introduce all need
ed reforms into the Department, and that your la
bors have been crowned with unusual degree of
success, until at this time Cleveland boasts of
of the best organized, best disciplined, and most
efficient Fire Departments to be found in the
country. 1t is true you have had the aid and CO.
operation of your associates and subordinates in
carrying forward the good work, but they all
cheerfully unite in stributing to your unwearied,
:
which have resulted.
Your irmness and activity in olcing the rules
and regulations have successfully checked spirit
of insubordinatiOn, whenever it has been manifest
ed For this you are entitled to the thanks of feV-
cry member of the department, and of our citizens
generally.
Among the duties imposed upon you, is that of
preserving and keeping in proper repair the Ea-
gines and other property Of the department. How
well you have discharged this portion of your du
ties, is best known to the active members of the
department For one I am free to say that the
charge could not have been entrusted to safer
hands In this respect as in all others you have
faithfully done your whole duty. And Sir, the
Public officer who is faithful to his trust who does
his duty fully and fearlessy, is sure not only otthe
reward of an approving conscience, but also the
appreciation of the public. The confidence reposed
in you by onr Board of underwriters, your unani-
nous re election to the Office of Chief Engineer, by
the vote of Cleveland, and the hearty approval and
endorsement of the entire Fire Department, must
convince you that your efforts have been appreciat-
ed. And now permit me in conclusion to present
yo1 this trumpet, bearing the names, as 1t IS the
gift of all companies. 1t is one more evidence
of the high esteem and lasting friendship in which
you are held by all, as an officer and citizen;
and allow me to express the hope that your future
career, as our Chief may be as successful and
praiseworthy as if has been in the past.
Mr.. Hill replied as follows: -
GENTLEMEN:-If feel my incompetency to return
thanks for this surprise which you have prepared
for ms l am not conscious that l deserve this
tribute of your respect for if the Fire Department
of this city has performed its duties satisfactorily,
and with fidelity TO the interests of the city, it has
alone been through the efficiency, prOmptness and
courage of its members. It's officers simply reflect
ed the wishes of those acting with them. l can
truly say with much pleasure, and with deep
sense of my obligations to the Firemen generally,
that have received their hearty cooperation,
and that have always found them alive TO the ar
duous duties of their station, active to preserve
property, ready to assuage misery, and sympathet-
&c TO the calls of those requiring their sympathy.
GENTLEMEN:-I shall treasure this memento of
your regard and esteem as dearly as hope TO live
in your kindest remembrances. May the sound
of the trumpet never be heard except in the line of
duty, and with a view to the preservation OfordeI,
and the benefit in common of all cur citizens and
the highest and best interests of our Fire Depart
ment
SarGeant's Band-which by the way contributed
their services to enliven the occasion, and dis
coursed most excellent music-followed his re-
marks with Aud Lang Syne. Messrs. BraytOn
May, Coe and Rouse, members of the Board of Un-
derwliters, were called out and responded briefly
Many of the Fore en- and officers were called for
They spoke, as iren- run, right to the point
Three hearty cheers were given for the worthy
Chief for the Fire Department, for the citizens of
Cleveland, for Sargeant's Band. and for the Fire
mems wives and sweethearts.
The exercises were closed bya few remarks and
some excellent.advice by Mr.. Hill. He paid high
tribute to the members of the department, warned
them of taking ''horn" too much or too often, bu
was sure his wife would not, when he went home
last night, complain Of his taking horn too
much. He could talk ,oud enough st a fire, but
here his heart was too full
Long will the Firemen of Cleveland remember
the night of the sth of December, 1883.