The daily gazette., 1880-03-30
Agreed ss Agree.

For the first time in the history of
the Fire Department, q convention of
a majority of the companies have
agreed upon a Chief Engineer, First
and Second Assistants. Since the
passage of the ordinance regulating
the Fire Department, and creating the
Office of Chief Engineer and assistants,
passed February 9th, 1868, there has
been but three elections by the De-
partment, those being the first election
held under the new ordinance, on the
first Monday in April, 1868, the result
being the election Of Henry w. Perk-
ins, Of the Delaware. In 1870 Samuel
Springer, of the Friendship; in 1872,
Geo. Mccall, of the Fame. In 1874,
the Department failed to elect, and
Council elected Geo. Mccall. In 1875,
the Department again failed to elect,
and Council elected William Hanna,
of the Washington. At the election in
1878, Samuel G. Tazwell, of the Water
Witch, succeeded in carrying four
companies of the Department, failing
within one of being elected. The cleo
tion went to Council, and after hard
struggle, and considerable wire pull
ing, Council elected William McCrea,
of the Fame Hose.
This year the Department determin-
ed, if possible, to prevent the election
from going to Council, SO about two
weeks ago the Washington Fire Com
pany issued an invitation to each of
the companies to send three delegates
to a convention to be held at their
house. The convention was held, but
after short session failed to agree
and adjourned. The Weccacoe next
took the matter up and called con-
vention at their house ON last Wednes-
day night. After meeting the con-
vention adjourned to meet last
evening at the Reliance Engine
House. f'i1'
Pursuant 10 adjournment the conven-
ton nj, t, delegates being present from
the Friendship, Reliance, Delaware,
Water Witch, Fame Hose, Washington
and Weccac0e. l,.a sf.
After the Diru'es of the meeting at
the Weccacoe house, had been read and
approved, the chairman OF the Friend
ship delega es stated that they did not
re- eive notice in time to attend the last
convention, but they came to the present
one 10 act and abide by the decision of
majority OF the companies represented.
The Reliance had also received similar
instructions; the Delaware came without
instructions, and the Washington came
with instructions to withdraw, which
they accordingly did. I...
On motion the chairman of each COM
mlttee was IL siructed 10 cast the vote
for his company. On further motion
the roll was called and the Friendship,
Reliance, Water Witch, Fame Hose and
Weccacoe reported tina. they were in-
stlucled to abide BY the decision of the
convention.
The convention then went into a
nomination and election for Chief En-
gineer. Messrs. p. F. Murphy, of the
Reliance; Samuel g. Tazewell, of the
Water Witch, and William McCrea, of
the Fame House, were placed In nomi-
| nation. Four ballots were taken, the
fourth resulting unanimously in favor OF
Mr.. Tazewell. Nominations for First
Assistant were next in order. Thomas
j. Donahoe of the Fame Hose was
nominated but declined. Charles Luz
kens of the Weccacoe, the present ef
fcient incumbent, was nominated and
elected on the third ballot. For second
assistant, John Huber, Of the Fame
Hose, was the only nominee, and he
was unanimously elected.
The Secretary was instructed TO no
tify the gentlemen of their nomination,
and also TO furnish the chairman of each
committee with copy Of the proceed
ings of the convention.
The following agreement was drawn
up, submitted to the convention, and
adopted as read
WILMINGTON, DEL, March 20, 1880.
We, the following fire companies, in
convention, held on the aboYe date, at
the Reliance Engine House, represented
by the Friendship, Reliance, Water
Witch, Fame Hose, and Weccacoe Fire
| Companies, nominated the following
officers of the department: Fol Chief
Engineer, Samuel G. Tazewell, of the
Water Witch; First Assistant, Charles
II. Lukens, of the Weccacoe; and John
Huber, of the Fame Hose, for Second
| Assistant.
Signed by all the members of the con-
| vention as follows:
FRIENDsHIP.
John A. Schr der. John mcAledr.
Thomas Starr, Jr.,
RELIANCE, WATER WITCH.
| ID. A. McCullin. Edward f.; Kane.
| Hugh Duffy, Walter 3. Leibrandt,
Joseph Cash. John b. Ginder.
William Ii. Blake, DAVID 8. reader,
p. f. Housman, A. l.. Carmichael,
Thomas +. Donahoe. G. w. Sollaway,
And by william ii. Blake as chairman.
| ami John b. Ginder, as secretary.
On motion, the Secretary was instruc-
ted to furnish the representatives OF the
press with full report of the conven-
| tion, A vote of thanks was rendered to
the Chairman and Secretary of the con-
vention.
The convention then adjourned.
WHO THE NOMINEES ARE.
Samnel &. Tazwell, the nominee for
CHI Engineer, is well known in this
citv, not only by firemen, but among the
citizens. He is a pattern maker by
tarde, and Is now member OF the e. g.
Stotsenburg Foundry Company.
He has long been an active fireman,
for a number of years past President
of the Water Witch Fire Company,
and is very highly respected by MEM
bers of the Department.
Charles Lukens, for First Assistant,
and at present holding that position,
is a young and active fireman. he
has been a member of the Weccacoe
Fire Company since its organization.
He has occupied the position of First
Assistant during the past Two years
with credit to himself and to the whole
|