Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-07-02
1862
TOLUNTEER FIRE FIGHTERS FU-
NERAL.
Parade. Speeches., Banquet and Reorgani-
xat'on of II New Department-Chief En-
queer Brackets Remarks.


xat'on of n New Department-Chief En-
queer Brackets Remarks.
The last annual parade and disbandment
of the volunteer fire department. took place
yesterday. At an early hour the streets we're
filled with spectators, and when the various
companies, headed by the grand marshal,
entered Bridge square tho crowd lined the
sidewalks in all directions
At the east end of city hall platform had
been erected, and the procession formed in
front of the platform with the apparatus
in the rear. George A. Bracket, grand mar
shall, stepping to the front, presented the
volunteer fire department to Mayor Rand in
few appropriate remarks.
Chief Engineer Bracket then addrt ssed
the tiremen as follows:
CHIEF ENGINEER BRACKETS REMARKS,
To THE OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE MINNIE
APoLIs VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT.:
Having been connected with your depart
ment since it's organization in the West Div
ision in 1868, and having been honored and
placed by your votes at it's head as your execu-
tive officer since 1872, looking back over the
many pleasant il 'sociations connected with our
service as fremen, forgetting for the time the
many trying situations you have been placed
In In your line of duty as fremen; forgetting
the burden you have voluntarily and cheerfully
assumed and carried out to completion, can
not but express at this time my regrets at part
ing with the volunteer department. You NAV
now be styled volunteer veterans in fire service,
retiring with laurels won at many successful
and hard-fought battle with our common
enemy-the lire hend, and retiring with honor
with the respect, good will and appreciation of
every citizen.
In the coming year you can look back to
your service as volunteers with commendable
degree OF pride to a record that is not marred
by any dishOnorable act on your part. The
More and Sy ksey' element OF the earlier DAYS,
so prominent in Eastern cities, has never been
allowed in your ranks, and l think it is the
universal expression of our citizens that your
record as fremeu is one that none would be
ashamed of and any gentleman would be proud
OF. Many of you are aware that the Office
with which you have honored me for the past
seven years has been no sinecure, and in part
ing desire 10 say that have to the best of nv
ability endeavored to perform it's duties, to the
satisfaction of not only the department but
the city which we represent. We are all liable
to mistakes and it is very probable that
have made mistakes in the administration of
youc affairs, but they have been mistakes of
the head not of the heart, and what differ
ences of opinion may have exist
myself has called forth no angry discussion, no
order given has ever been directly disobeyed
nor have in my line of duty as your chief
ever received an unkind word. This fact not
only consider remark able in body of men
numbering, az they have since my first cleo
ton, some sou but is proof of your gentle
manly bearing on all occasions, and will be
cherished by me through life as the most pleas
ant "reminiscences Of our association as volun.
teer iremen. Tho new organization which as
sumes to take your place to-day has been select
ed from your ranks. We ask you kindly to
be as mild a. possible in your criticism of it's
work. and always give us your moral and mus
cular support when required Gentlemen, 1
desire at this time to express my most heart
felt thanks for the very many courteses ex-
tended to me as your chief officer; for your
able and prompt support at all
maintaining the efficiency of the fire DEPART.
ment for the alacrity and cheerfuiness
shown in carrying out all orders, displaying
OF all. Allow me to express the wish that when
through with the troubles and cares Of this
world, that you may retire from this life as
honorably as you to-day retire from the ranks
of volunteer fremen, to meet in that other
world where neither alarms or CONGREGATIONS
Will DISTURB your repOse, and where volunteer
or paid fire departments have no labor to per-
form.
Honorable Mayor and Gentlemen of the CITY
Council: 1t becomes my duty as the executive
officer OF the fire department of this city, to
present them to your honorable body to day,
Tor the last time volunteer oreanization
they having turned over into my hands. a,
designated by you, all of the apparatus and
equipments belonging to the city in their
possession as fremen, having determined that
there exists good and sufficient reasons for this
action on their part, and your honorable BODY
-.
views. The causes leading to this, which it is
unnecessary at this time to detail. have been
apparent to the officers and members of the
department for som time and has at last Gull
minated in their asking for a change, feeling
that they can now step down and out without
dishonor, with the full and hearty approval of
the citizens for whom they have 50
faithfully served, and with record
OF efficiency second to none in this country. 1
desire to say few words with regard to our
new organization, which to-day assumes to
take the place which has been so ably filled by
the volunteer fire department.. fully realize
the immense responsibility resting upon me in
this trying hour and in making the selection
for the new organization have endeavored to
choose from the applicants such men as in nv
Judgment, without regard to frienpship, po-
litical or religious belief, would best fill the
position to which they are assigned. The posi-
ton in which 1 have been placed in is neither
enviable or agreeable, for 1T is human nature
for persons to believe that they are las 90 I'd a.
any other man, if not a little BETTER" and
naturally tho disappointed ones, al
cants have not been numerous, will be-
lieve, and their friends will believe, that we
have greatly erred in our judgment; and it is
possible that we have in some cases. but time
and service will best prove these errors, and
when discovered it will be our aim to apply
the remedy at once.
We expect that the workings of the new mr.
ganizatiOn Will receive the most severe crit-
cism, not only from our old fremen, but from
the citizens generally; and we ask that you
may at first, while in our infancy, deal kindly
and handle us gently; throw no stumbling
blocks in the way of our advancement to eff
fciency. We hope to so conduct ourselves as
to merit your approval and support at all
during our younger days at least, take the
place and az successfully fulfil the duties az
this army of veterans who have to-day retired
from active service.
The feremen of the several companies
then came forward and formally turned the
company effects over to the city.
Mayor Rand then addressed few words
to the men, in which he thanked the depart
ment on behalf Of the citizens for their
services during the past eleven years, and
closed by saying that in the years to come
Minneapolis would always have occasion to
thank the volunteer fire department for the
gratutous services which they had rendered
the city.
Ex-Mayors DeLaittre, Merriman, Wilson,
Ames and Bracket made short addresses
appropriate to the occasion.
Three cheers and "tiger'' were given for
the volunteer department., and a committee
of three ladies then stepped forward and