National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-09-10
PRESIDENT cRoNIN's ADDRESS.

GESTLENES OF THE CONVENTION: In accordance
with a practice of this association | lind myself
called upon To preside over your seventh annual
convention. Many OF US now here were present al
the birth OF this organization seven years nro.
many have joined us since but II is desirable that
the representatives of oil the departments of the
country should be enrolled In Our membership
thus securing the unity of action and purpose
necessary to make our labOrs perfect success I
am sure all will agree that thus far II has been con.
ducive of good results. During that period. in
most Of the fire departments of the country there
have been innovations and changes and hi nearly
every case they have been for The BETTER This i
as 1t should be, for the public beginning % un-
defstand that men charged as we are with the
great responsibility of protecting life and property
against all enemy whose approach can never be
forCscen, and whose terrible raynges have not vet
been resisted with mathematical or scientific Ger.
taiuty-men who are expected AZ all times and in
all seasons TO conquer, are of Natures mightiest
forces without regard TO collateral conditions
should at least have tho benefit of I'LL the light that
knowledge In every sense and way can bestow
upon the subject.
Much has been done in the past, more remains
to be done in the mlure toward developing and
utilizing the best methods and appliances FOR the
saving OF lie and property Let MS counsel to.
iiremen may in the future be as much of a Ger.
tnnty any Of the exact sciences: for until that
is accomplished there is work for us to do and
plenty Of IT, The topics 20 be discussed embrace
some OF the most important subjects In our profess
sion, and know that due and careful cousidera-
ton will be given them a but we must do r-Ore
than discusS-wc must resolve that upon certain
leading ana prominent points we will act, and act
promptly. In other words, there are implements
and times and occasions IN which uniformity of
system and action are desirable, and II should bu
duty to urge upon the respective authorities
the necessity for such changes rs either to compel
them TO be nude OF relieve us from the response.
blty Of failure. II is needless to enuncTatc these
they arc known 10 every member present. and
hope thGt before we adjourn II shall have been de.
Cidcd TO act in these essential matters. now de.
clare the convention open for business.
The new president then put the question
on resolution offered by Mr. Leshure, of
Springfield, Mass, inviting the Fire Depart.
mcnt Of Washington, ID. C., TO exhibit its APP
parutus and give public trial of the engines.
Tho motion was carried.
The report of Secretary Hin was then sub
mitted. 1t showed that up to the meeting Of
the present convention the association mum.
bered siXly-,ix members. Its aflairs were in
very prosperous condition. there bong no
debts against II. The report also recommended
that Hon. ~ f.. Groom, president OF the West
crn Union Telegraph Company, be made an
honorary member of the association for his
kindness in allowing all its kilograms to be
transmitted free. Tho report and recommen.
dations were unanimously adopted. No other
business being ready, u recess was taken ut
lido p, m. until 1880 D. m.
EVENING SESSION.
The convention reassembled at 7:30 D. IN.
Mr.. n. Bennett, of Hartford, Conn. delivered
tho annual address, taking for his subject
"Fires-thtir Causes, Remedies and Effects"
Ills address occupied about three quarters OF
an hour aud was brimful Of interest. He
cuimed that high insurance was the cause Of
many fires, for it WAS great temptation for
man with $4,000 worth Of insurance on
S. 900 house 10 burn it down aud get the In.
surance. This crime underwriters labored 10
prevent aud had been materially assisted by
tho Arson award fuld," established in 1873,
aud now amounting to about $4,000. During
the past six years oightyacyen inccndiarcs
lad been convicted, and sl2 rewards offered.
The adulte@tion Of Kerosene, next to
fires. A law should be passed making
all oils stand a tcst Of 100 degrees Faron
hoit, aud any violation should DO punished
by imprisonment in tho penitontiary. Tho
speaker also favored fire PATROL for 1t was as
important to save property during fire us it