Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1873-10-27
FIREMEN'S CONVENTION.
The Work DOne-ImpOrtant Suggestions
The Helly System.

The objects of the national convention
Uf chiefs Of fire departments which lately
assembled in this city must be conceded
10 have been as practical and useful as
any which in ordinary times bring to-
gether national or State conventions.
The purposes Of such assem- blages are
sometimes political, sometimes CONNER
cisl, and at Others for the promotion OF
religious or benevolent purposes, yet
there are none which command, in
cities aud towns at least, such universal
assent and sympathy as an organization
which seeks to devise the best means OF
protecting communities from what
every one feels to be great and con-
slant peril toproperty and life as fire has
proved itself to be, especially TO
this country. The destructive coufla-
gratiOns which have occurred Of late
years in Chicago and Boston, and quite
recently in Baltimore, have impressed
the public mind with the almost ire
sistibie power, under certain conditions,
Of this devastating element, and the
vital importance OF adopting every pre-
caution and ins'~T'rn eutality which wis
dom and eNpel 81 suggest TO diminish
the destructiveuC- Of an ever impend-
ing danger. The loss Of life in several
of these fires, and in the burning Of
hotels in various localities in the last
few years, has called attention to means
of prevention and escape, and various
suggestions and inventions for these Oh
iecfs have been submitted to the public
The whole subject is one which in
teTests not only the general pub
lie but underwriters and insur-
ance companies and hence all will
regard with attention the expires
siOns Of opinion, comparison Of views,
and prudential councils Of such an as
semblage as that of the chiefs of the
fire departments from various parts OF
the country which lately met in this
city. Ii any One ought to und rstand
the subject il Is the heads of those organ
iZatiOns whose lives are passed in the
protection of communities from fire,
and who, in the discharge OF that duty,
have at times shown a degree of intelli-
gence and courageous devotion which
entirle them 10 praise which cannot
always be accorded 10 cOmbatants o.
felds-that Of heroes and public
benefsctOrs. The convention evinced
in its deliberations a business-like and
practical tone, in keeping with the oh
jscts which brought il together. There
was no snpeIfuOus nor impertinent talk,
but the remarks OF speakers and the Tc
ports from committees have been
remarkable for their cOnciseness
and for coming to the point. Among
the reports accepted was one
lrom tie committee on the disuse
OF cOmbustible material IN the structure
Of buildings, etc, recommending that
the consideration Of this important sub
ject be extended TO the next annual con-
vention, the views of architects and
builders obtained, and the attention Of
the national board OF underwriters and
insurance companies called to it and
uniform laws be passed. No means cf
diminishing the destructiveness of fires
is more important than that here sug-
gested, as is shown by the experience Of
European cities, where the soliditv OF
construction renders fires of rare occur
renee and limited in their rayages, as ia
Paris, where the utmost incendiarism OF
the commune failed to spread the fires
they kindled beyond the houses to which
the torch was applied. In regard to fire
escapes, one Of the members read a pa
per making some suggestions, which be
thought might improve the chances Of
safety, hut at the same time the com
mlttee reported that no reliable and
useful Invention TO secure the oil