Morning journal and courier., 1884-05-23
State Firenren,s Association.

State Firemen,s Association. Gathering Of the Bremen FrOm Dif
 ferent Parts of the State-An Organf-
 zatiOn Formed-Courtes1es Extended
 by Chief Hendrtck-A Presentation.
 Yesterday morning the chief engineers or representatives from nearly every fire de- partment in this State gathered at the cosy quarters of the Veteran Firemen's association in this city for the purpose of forming 8 State organization of firemen without regard to the fact that they were paid or volunteers.
 In the call for the. meeting, issued by A. F. Stevens, chief of the fire department of Oanbury, it was urged that the chief engineers and other representatives of the fire depart ments of the State meet and endeavor to ob- tain from the Legislature the passage of the petition introduced in the last legislature which, though unfavorably reported upon, was finally laid over until next year. The petition asked that the whole or part of the taxes collected from insurance companies be paid over to trustees or other persons for the benefit of the fire departments of the towns in which the taxes are collected.
 Chief Stevens called the meeting to order.
 There were among those present. William B. Thomas (chieO, New London; f. W.
 Wiley (chief), Middletown; James Ahmuty
 (foreman), Baltic; George M Hall
 (chief). Bristol; J. M. Whitlock (chief)
 West Ansonia; J. B. Carrier (chief),
 Norwich; A. E. Blakeslee (foreman of
 Crescent), Thomaston; G. L. Gilbert (hook and ladder), Thomaston; H. Benson Crescent Hose), Thomaston; S. O.
 Suagg (chief), Waterbury; Charles H. Hart
 (chief) Bethel; J. T. Prowitt (chief) Nor. walk; John s. Jones, Westport; Lemuel McGarren, South NorwaIk; M J. Houlihau, Newtown; Charles l.. Daniels, Willimantic; M J. Cavanaugh Chairman of committed, Newtown; R. J. Brown (chisf), Danbury; John W. Wood, Ansonia; Charles A. Gerden- fer (chief), Bridgeport; H. P. Stevens (chief) Danbury; F. w. Curtiss (chief), Shelton. Chief A. c. Hendrick, of New Haven, was called to the chair. He made few remarks. saying that he did not want the word ''poli- tics" to enter into any discussion. He sin cerely hoped that politics would not enter into the project of an association.
 Chief Stevens said that so far he had been able to keep the whole subject free from poli- tics.
 R. J. Brown, of Danbury, was chosen sec retsry.
 H. P. Stevens, of Danbury, briefly ex-
 plained the purpose of the convention.
 Chief H. P. Stevens, of Danbury, called
 the meeting to order. Chief A. c. Hendrick,
 of this city, was unanimously elected chair
 man. In his opening remarks Chief Hen dr1ck said the fremen of Connecticut had
 been slow to seek the benefits which were
 their due, and which were received by those
 in other States, and which could only be ob- tained by concerted action and the formation of such an organization as, thanks to the
 energy of Chief Stevens, of Danbury, there now seemed good prospects of forming.
 Chief Stevens followed with few re-
 marks, in which he told the history of the embryo stage of the society which was now about to be born, and expressed the hope that politicians would never have control in the organization.
 Chief Hendrick rose and said that he hoped
 the word ''politics' would not even be men,
 toned In the discussion of the society. Then one after another all those present whose names appeared on the regis
 ter were called upon to express their views of the scheme of forming an organization and securing the whole or part of the tax on insurance companies for 8 fund for the relief of sick or disabled fremen in the several towns in which the tax is raised. Every expression was favorable to the ob- jects of the meeting. Chief Stevens, of Danbury. moved that 'sWe, the chiefs or representatives of the fire departments of OOuueCGlcuG, u6r0Dy norm ourselves Into 8 State Firemen's association"
 Chiefs Gerdinier of Bridgeport, Carrier of Norwich, Snagg of Waterbury, Stevens of Danbury, Prout of Norwalk, Blakeslee of Thomaston, Wylie of Middletown and Whit lock of Ansonia were appointed committee on permanent organization. After recess of fifteen minutes the following officers were elected:
 President, Charles A. Gerdenier, Bridge port; vice presidents, A. 0. Hendrick, New Haven; W. B. Thomas, New London; Fl. F. Stevens, Danbury; treasuer, s. O. Snagg, Waterbury; secretary, John s. Jones, Vest port; corresponding secretary, J. B. Hyatt, Meriden.
 Power was given the president to appoint a committee of three to draft 8 constitution and bylaws.
 The convention, after an enthusiastic meeting, adjourned to be called at time and place as convenient. The delegate from
 Danbury invited the convention to hold the next meeting there.
 A vote of thanks was passed to the New Haven Veteran Firemen's association for the uss of their headquarters.
 Chief Hendrick invited the gentlemen to
 meet him at the City Hall at o'clock. This | invitation was formally accepted and the con- vention then adjourned.
 The visitors were shown through the City Hall and afterward were invited to Downes' City Hall dining rooms by Chief Hendrick and resident fremen, where they were pro- vided with 8 bountiful repast gotten up in MT. Downes' best style.
 After dinner the Nightingale" and some hacks were brought into requisition from Barker & Ransom's stables and the visitors were escorted to some of the engine houses where they witnessed the admirable working of the New Haven fire department system. Chief Hendrick, with friends, arrived in
 front of the City Hall about o'clock in ad- vance of the visitors. While standing on
 the sidewalk talking with reporters and
 others, the Nightingale, with Sam Langdon
 holding the ribbons, drove up with load
 of visitors and in the barge was very ele- gant easy arm chair and rocker combined. which was lifted out and presented to Chief
 Hendrick. His Honor Mayor Lewis witness
 ed the gratifying scene from his office win
 dow and promptly asked the company to
 bring the chair to his office. This was done,
 honor, after seating himself in the chair,
 arose and made few very appropriate re-
 marks to the visitors in which he congratu-
 lated them on their fine appearance. It had been previously proposed to make
 trip to East Rock Park by way of Farnam
 drive but this was found impracticable, as
 many of the visitors had to leave on early trains. A short drive about the city includ-
 ing Hillhouse avenue was then taken, the
 ride concluding at Union depot. The visi- tors expressed themselves as much pleased
 with this visit and the reception extended to them.
 National Blues.
 The Project of Forming a Veteran or- Sueeass