Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-08-06
FIREMEN DISCUSS A FEAST.
Last Nights BANQUET Pronounced
Great Success - To-Day's Program

Great Success To-Day's Program
Carried Out as Announced.
The proceedings of the state firemen's
convention, after press hour yesterday,
were very brief. Letters were read
from different fire chiefs and citizens
throughout New England expressing
their regret at not being able to attend
the meeting. One from d. I. Moore,
secretary of the Vermont State Fire
mems association stated that his associa-
ton was now in session in Vermont and
he therefore could not attend. A dis
patch of welcome was ordered sent to
the association. A representative of
Samuel Eastman & Co, the inventors of
new nozzle, explained the workings
of the latter and showed how easily one
man could handle it, even on 90 foot
stretch of hose.
Mayor Crandall of Norwich, an active
fireman, was asked for remarks, and he
proved himself an orator of considerable
ability. His remarks, particularly
on the dying chief of the Norwich fire
department, "Old Joe," as he is famili-
arIy called, were given with a feeling
which showed the strong friendship ex-
isting between firemen.
| President Hyatt then called for topics
of discussion. Chief Prowett of Norwalk
started the ball rolling by referring to
the use of rubber-lined hose, and his re-
marks in opposition to the use of that
style of hose brought fourth such an eX-
| preston of contrary opinions, that even
Chief Prowett, fighter though he may
be, was compelled to retire from the
field. Almost everyone who spoke in
favor of rubber lined cotton hose, told
how his company had used such a hose
| imantic Wiley of Middletown, Baker
of South Norwalk, Andrews and
Osborne of Southington, Bradstreet of
Thomaston and Chief Snagg of Water
bury were all supporters Of the rubber
lined cotton hose and it proved to be the
general voice of the convention.
A short parade of the firemen, headed
by the American band, from the ar
mory to City hall, and then was opened
to the eyes of the firemen such a ban
quet hall as has seldom been witnessed.
It is an old saying that when Waterbury
starts out to do anything she does it
well, and last night was no exception.
The long rows of tables loaded down
with an appetizing array of eatables;
the popping of the champagne corks,
and the smiles of the pretty mattresses,
served to form a combination which
even the least hungry must enjoy. Boil
ster, who did the catering, excelied him
self last night. AS for the liquid re-
Ifreshments-well, what Bob McGrath
don't know about catering to the taste
of the thirsty is veTy little.
On the stage had been arranged three
tables which were occupied by the
chiefs of the various fire departments,
the city officials and the respondents to
the toasts. Lying at each plate was a
button hole boquet and a small env elope
containing cigars.
Chief Snagg opened the proceedings
by referring to his selection of the per-
son to deliver the address of welcome
Major L. F. Burpee then stepped to the
front and in words of fitting nature he
welcomed the visiting firemen. His adj
dress was manly one and delivered
with an oratorical effect which carried
the hearts of the members with him.
He spoke of the death of several of the
their spirits received at the battlements
of heaven. In closing the speaker said:
I'm the name of the widows and orphans
of our brave firemen, bid you three
fold welcome"
A selection by Bergin's orchestra was
enthusiastically received. Chief Snagg
then introduced Rev r. w. Micou, who
said prayer. Another selection by the
| orchestra and then at the word of com-
mand the feast began.
After the good things had been dis
posed of Toastmaster E. G. Lewis took
the floor. His remarks were of that hui
| morous nature which have always char
acterized the speaker. Particularly his
funny description of our worthy mayor S
advancement from clerk to a mayor
brought forth rounds of applause.
l. B. Hyatt Of Meriden, president of
the association, responded to the toast,
The Connecticut State Fireman's Asso-
citation" His remarks were brief re-
view of the history of the association
and a description of the worth of a fire.
man.
A song by the Amphion double quar-
tette enthused the audience into giving
| an encore.
Mayor Baldwin has always been
known as Waterbury Chauncey Depew
and last night his witticisms and hui
morous reflections at the expense of the
POSTMASTER We're characteristic of the
man and merited the unbounded APP
plause given.
Nathan Dikeman's response to the
toast, "The Veteran Fireman." was a
careful and entertaining description of
the old methods of the fire department
The speaker mentioned the organization
of the first fire company in Waterbury,
in 1915. At the close of his remarks
Chief Daniels proposed three cheers for
the veteran firemen which were given
with a will.
A piccolo solo by John w. Parsons
was one of the musical treats of the
evening.
Rev Hugh Treanor, who responded to
the toast 1.-THE Clergy" handled his sub
| ject with a master-hand. On introduce
ing him the POSTMASTER said he was
pleased that now a spirit of liberalism
existed between the clergy and civic Or
CARNATIONS. Father Treanor replied to
this remark by saying that that spirit
always existed but the fault lay in the
fact that it was never sought for until
within a short period. He spoke of the
pride he felt in being allowed to respond
to a toast before such an asemblage.
Gradually he drifted from the civic to
the religious and cast about the audience
q religious halo. In conclusion he said {:
eff fitting monument were reared, I
would have inscribed thereon a ladder,
on each round the deeds of the firemen
| written in letters of blood and hioh