The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-09-14

The Convention OF the National Associa-
tlon OF Fire Engineers met In ninth annual
session in the hall OF the House OF Dele
gates yesterday at IL o'cloek-Presldent
Green, OF Boston, in The chair.
Mayor CarrinRton was introduced TO the
Convention by President Green, and de-
| lvered a cordial welcome to our healthy
city. He spoke very handsomely about fire.
men generally, and about our Department
particularly.
President Green responded in ft terms.
CREDENTIALS.
Secretary Hills called the roll Of delegates,
after which the President appointed the
/ following. named delegates as a cOmmittee
on credentials: Chiefs Benedict, ONeil,
and Paige.
On motion, Mr. w. L. Cowardip, vice
president Of the Board Of Underwriters OF
Virginia, was invited TO a seat on the floor
with all tie privileges Of a member.
Mr.. Cowardn also presented his creden-
iials az representative OF the National
Board OF Underwriters. These were refer
red 10 the Committee on Credentials.
NEW MEMBERS.
At 1:10 the Committee on Credentials sub
mitted their report, aud the new members
came forward and signed the roll, as fol-
| lows: James Clary, Memphis, Tenn; w.
r. Collins, president Fire Association, Dis
trct OF Columbis; j. f. Wingfeld, assist
ant engineer, Richmond; A. SaIizman,
/ Pialn6eld, n. j.; William l.. Cowardin,
| Fire Underwriters, Richmond; Joseph
Bunker, chief engineer, Cincinnati; ID. NJ.
Young, chief, Augusta, Ca; ID. ID. Tres
wilder, chief, Columbus, o.. ID. =. Christie,
Dakota, ILL.,; William ID. Close. Covington,
KY; A. l.. Lane, chief, Troy, n. Y; John
II. Herrick. chief, Baltimore; 3. +. Bige-
low, chief, Holyoke, Mass. !; A. r. CahlIl.
chief, Bath, M'ine; James II. l.. Lloyd,
Waterford, n. Y; A. Swan, chief, Everett,
Mass.
f. p. StalIman, Fire Commissioner OF
Rochester, n. Y, was invited to seat on
the floor, with the privileges Of the same.
LETTERS READ.
Letter. from a number OF members re-
GREETING their inability TO be present were
handed in by Chief g. W. Taylor and
others, and read.
COMMITTEE on NOMINATIONS.
The Chair appointed Messrs. Jefrors,
Avery, Lewis, Hill, and McCool commit
tee to nominate officers for the ensuing
term. The committee retired.
On motion OF ex-Chief Bennett, Of Cleve-
land, ii was
ReSolued. That Thursday the 18Th, at ~
NJ, be designated as the time for exhibitors
TO display their various articles and i'm
prOyements.
Address OF Mr.. w. T.. COwardin.
There being DO business before the Asso.
cfation the President called upon Mr.. W. L..
Cowardin to make an address, which he did
as follows:
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen Chiefs,-I
desire simply 10 read you paper. have
been asked to spesk, but It will be saving
your time 10 limit myself to few written
remarks. AS delegate to this Association
from the United Fire Underwriters Of
America, have the duty OF reporting TO
that body the matters OF interest that shall
engsge your attention. AS intelligent,
practical men you are here 10 investigate
questions about the best means and methods
of exiinguishiDg fires, and you have, | am
sure, no need OF suggestions from insurance
men. Strangely enough the underwriters
are supposed to have relation to or connec-
ton with the fire departments. This delu-
sion is very popular. Even city councimen
tall into the error, as some OF them would
| have us to think. Such is lne force Of this
impression that we are called on when an
emergency from defective water supply
occurs TO buy thousands OF feet Of hose TO
increase the
FACILITIES FOR EXTINGUfsHING FIRES,
and many such matters are regarded as
highly appropriate for underwriters to do.
Such, however, Is not, we are satisfied, your
view OF our obligations. We are certainly
| ii har off Ia
cess OF your labors; and besides the plea
sure 1t afford. us, from having great know
ledge OF the destructive nature OF fire, to be
near to you on all occasions, we are bene-
| flied, like they are, by whatever you may
do TO increase the efficiency OF your depart
ments, and we rejoice in occasions which
bring you together for these objects. We
are happy TO perceive that You are animated
] by deep desire 10 accomplish the greatest
possible perfection in the art OF extinguish-
| ing fires, and TO such OF us as know that
city legislation has been INDECENT in its en-
couragement and support OF the fire depart
meuts, it is a subject Of the sincerest con-
graduation that we witness in your move
ments purpose Of making your organiZa-
tions better understood and respected. As
to
INSURANCE COMPANIES,
| il IS their province TO charge a premium
proportioned to the risk TO be run, and they
have therefore no spch immediate or dis
| tlnct interest IS they are often supposed TO
have In the fire departments, beyond the
duty OF good citizenship, which includes
always encouragement OF those works
which secure to the public the least mini
MUM Of danger and loss in all things.
| This being secured, insurance as tax on
| industry and business Is lessened, and
though insurers would receive less pre-
MUM for less risk, the tendency OF i'm
proved fire departments TO give uniform
results would give insurance greater con-
sistency and dignity, though resulting pro-
fits should remain the same. Possibly In
this light we have some additional reason
for taking interest in your movements, and
the
UNITED UNDERWRITERS OF AMERICA,
and indeed all Underwriters, are regarding
with much interest and favor your delibe-
rations and experiments.
Yours is a great arm OF public safety, OF
national importance and dignity, and the
blessings Of your labors are dispensed to
the whole people. You protect the toiling
millions in their peaceful slumbers, and
res cue from danger the sfrighied maidens
aud matrons when the hre-tiend in the dead
hour OF night has entered their abodes.
You save from destruction vast treasures
and property OF the country, and return to
your homes, after imperiling your lives in
the performance OF such arduous duties,
content with the usually meagre compensa-
tion OF fremen, and that greatest OF all re-
wards-tbe consciousness OF having done
noble work for your ielIow-citizens. HIS
tory records
Inc1nRNra OF HRR0Ign