National Republican., 1876-02-23
BANQUET AND PARADE OF FIRENEN
g2W TEE DAY WAS SPBNf At TIE TOMB

WIthout much flourish OF tTumeets, but with
quiet enthusiasm, the residents Of the District
yesterday celebrated the liI!h anniversary Of the
birth Of Washington. !: would probably have
been more in keeping with the patriotism SUP
posed 20 possess them il the people OF the city
which bears his honored name rad united 10 a
grand public display 10 honor the day which Con-
sress in its wisdom has appropriately added totEo
List OF national holidays; but as they did not, II
left for individuals and few associations to do
something The day was holiday in every re-
spect. By order Of the President all the Execu-
tive offices were closed, as were the banks and a
majority of the private business houses, ami this
OF c0urse gave all an opportunity OF promenading.
Mature, too, dealt kindly with them. The stoady
rain and lowering clouds Of the preceding evening
gave place to a dawn Of promise which was fol-
lowed by day Of sunshine and brightness. The
thoyoughfares were crowded with throngs OF we'll
dressed lsdies, gentlemen and children, and from
early morning until late in the afternoon they
ssunteFed from street 10 street. enjoying the beau
tiful spring day, and adniring and being admired
In tne morning, when the 5:h Maryland regI-
ment arrived, they were followed on their route
by an immense crowd, as was the are departmen!
~ a later hour in the day; The National Aona,
ment Association and the Oldest lnha bitauts held
meetings, reports Of which are furnished below.
90 all the public bUildtngs aud from msnS promi-
pent places OF busiEesS the American flag was
displayed; and taken all in all, the day was we'll
and probably spent By majority Of citizens.
TIE FIEENEN s PARADE.
In accordance with an order OF the Board OF
FIre Commissioners the members OF the several
sompxn4es composing the fire department of the
District have for several days been engaged in
preparing for a paTase yesterday. As result.
the apparatus was in excellent condition and
IRs:eIDily decorated, anu the uniforms and ae.
euGtrentnts OF the men and horses polished mp
the highest standard. The order required all the
COMPANIES TO assemble at No. engine house at
L u, and promptly a. The appointed hour taey
were on hand. After reporting, the IOremeu oil the
several companies were assembled in the nall
where they met President Morgan, Chief Engi-
neer tNronin and Assistant Eugiueer Drew, WHO
KRye the recessRry instruction as to the line o.
march, ard tie course 70 oe pursued 10 case OF an
alarm. These preiininaries settled, the line OF
march was formed as follows: Squad Of mounted
police. u1der command Of Sergeant Redwsy;
Chief CrOnin and Assistant Drew, mounted; No.
Iergire. with Foreman Joseph Paris, took the
lead With his full force OF Line men. toIlowed by
Nc. =, WIN. Shecd. foreman: No. 8, James Lowe;
So.4 Vim. S"rrell, and No. s. Louis r. Live,
trneE. Thomas II. Robinson, in the order named.
Tie line OF Dsrch was direct 70 the truck house
by wEyOf street and Massachusetts, avenue,
and as the procession moved II received the
hearty applause Of the large crowd OF enthusiastic
spectators who lined the sidewalk. Arrived q:
the truck house, the apparatus was parked on the
Tefrective drivers. while the men formed in
GVUEle ME Gnd marched into the house.
TIE ElSQuET.
AS had been PIoVIUusIy aunUunced, the home
insurance companies Of the District had rendered
70 the members OF the department banquet,
which had been spread in the pretty room Of the
truck house. The hosts were: J. Wesley Boteler,
Mutual: II. III. Beeble, Potomac; T. Edward
CLARK and Thomas Parker. Fircmens: q. W.
Naury, Arlington; Major Halstead, German
American; Charles Bradley, FranEliu; II. Clay
also present OF the commissioners, President
Morgan and Messrs. TAFT, Reed and Bacon, and
Superintendent Miles Of the alarm telegraph.
NeEErs. Harvey * Holden had been selected as
caterers, and the banquet was certainly OF the
best ever served by these famous caterers. The
tables were arranged on three sides OF the room.
and had seats for eighty persons. Mr. Geo. ".
Harvey, OF the nrm, was present and acced as
with choice pot and cut flowers, aud presented a
handsome and inviting appearance.
The bill OF fare embraced raw oysters, oyster
sCup 6roiled halibut with egg sauce, baked ham
roaft turkey, roast beef salads Of various kinds
1rish and sweet potatoes, corn, tomatoes, greens,
celery, &c winding up with dessert ef pudding
and pies and coffee. The service was as plentiful
as IL was substantial, and both the frenen and
the detail Of police who accompanied them
enjoyed a good cigar wkiie the hosts and board
tCCK turn at the good things. Before leaving
tie hall short and appropriate speeches were
made by President Morgan, Mr.. J. T. Dyer and
others.
CHEF ENGINEER CEoNIN
being called on, said:
tfeEtlemen OF tine Home Insurance Companies
EIt RFmbtr. ". the Fire Department: The fire
take Of the hospital tendereu Sem by the Home
Insurance Companies OF this District N s22nor oil
tie birthday Of the Father OF our great country
testimonial CT their regard for The efficiency and
worth OF the tre department, as we'll as to bring
about that coed understanding which should
exist between the department and between all
and the community whose property it is our duty
&c protect, RnG whose lives sometimes we are
called upon to save. For me to speak at this
time and under these cirGp instances tl regard
tQ the prCgreEE which has hen male 10 the Or
gsn:ZatiOn and equipment OF the fire department
would far exceed the limits OF the lew remarks
so seasCnable for az occasion Of this Kind How
ever, look upon this testimonial as an incentive
10 the Ctfcers and men TO Skill further increase
the efficiency Of the department, and 20 be w0r-
thy, as far as we are able to merit the goOi will
and esteem Of the community that has reg ulSrly
compensated Us Tor or services.
After the dinner the line was reformed, and
proceeded over the following route Slassachu
Eetts avenue 10 Fourth street. to Indiana avenue,
TO Louisiana avenue, to Seventh street, to Flt
teenth street, 20 Pennsylvania avenue pass in
review around the Presidents Mansion, to
Seventeenth street. to i street. to No, el.tnc-
BCuEe where tbe dnnartmens Was ii-.aissed.
While tie Procession vas cOunterm arching at
LoUiEiRns avenue an alarm was turned in by
Superintendent Mles, in order TO give the gentle
men Of tire insurance companies an opportunity
Al witnessing the workings OF the tire-alarm ap
p6rstus, which he explained 10 them.
Willie the bauquet was in progress Capt. Han.
rsnaD. OF the Washington artillery, arrived, and
alter lImseII and the on cers had partakeu OF a
lunch he company Joined IL the procession, and
where they nred national salute.