The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1891-08-26
THE NATIONAL FIREMEN's CoNvEN-
TON.
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In the City Hall are the various smaller
exhibits of the many manufacturers
throughout the United States. Catalogues
are sent out TO every department and pic
J lures representing the machines and de-
vices given to show how they work but an
exemplifcation with your ow hands gives
more information In five minutes than
book knowledge would ever give. The
exhibition was the largest ever presented
at the National Convention and was of an
interesting nature. While all had their
use, there were some that were OF little
value, while others were of great value to
firemen. The alarm telegraphs were up
in action and the large gong aud eight
hundred pound bell were continually
sounding the alarm.
Outside the building on Tuesday and
Wednesday afternoons, exhibitions ard
trials of engines, hose carriages, aerial
trucks, fire escapes, various kinds Of muz-
zles and hose, in fact everything that
could tend to aid in fighting fire, and the
interest manifested on the part of the fire.
men, as we'll as the citizens generally,
showed that the efforts of the committee
to have such full exhibits had been ap-
preciated.
In this connection we remark that the
principal newspapers OF Sprinaeld were
interchangeable in their efforts to give fair
and unlimited report of all transactions,
without that gilt-edged spread which Of
ten predominates on such occasions. The
Springfield Republican aud the Spring
field Onion were conspicuously so and
to these two papers hundreds of friends
throughout the United States were iudebt
ed for reports of the Convention from del
egates who had not time to write.
Between the entertainments, exhibit
lions, &C., the Convention would put In
its work and there topics were read and
discussed and the very nature OF them
caused the Chiefs to be present to hear, IL
net to take active part in discussion.
Chief Engineers are not ell speech makers
but they are actors and can do their part
when duty calls, up to perfection, yet
seldom get an encore after having put out
large confagration.
| On Wednesday evening, an exhibition
was given in City Hall of electrical ex-
perimcnts by William Brophy, Esq, of
Boston. This entertainment was particu-
| larly interesting and consisted OF expert
ments with the arc and incandescent sys-
TENS. The proper manner OF conducting
wires into building, how to prevent fires
and how they originated were demonstra-
ted. 1t was the most practical demon
stration OF the effects of electricity that
many Of the visitors had ever witnessed
and at the close of the lecture q rising
vote Of thanks was given the distinguish
cd visitor
]. b. Barrett, of Chicago, Superintend
ent of the fire alarm and head of the
Worlds Fire Electrical Board spoke brief
ly on underground wires, demonstrating
that when underground the fluid had no
chance to do harm.
Thursday morning was devoted to a
carriage ride around Springfield. At
o'clock the delegates and ladies were load
ed in coaches, fifty being necessary to ac-
commodate the number. The first place
TO visit was the U. S. Armory. Here halt
was made and tour of inspection taken
through the various shops. Those who
desired were shown to the top OF the tow
er and had u view OF the surrounding
country. To those of military nature
this was very interesting place, and here
we might say that many OF the Chiefs
wore in the lapel of their coat the button
of the G.. A. II. and several OF the south
ern members had borne arms In the Con-
federate army during the war. tits pleas
ant to record the fact, that the use OF wa
ter through the branch pipe had cemented |
the bonds of friendship which few years |
ago might have been little distant. A |
description of the intricate machinery |
found in the armory would require more
experienced mechanic than your cores
pondent, yet 1t nevertheless was intensely
interesting To see breech loader such
as is used by members OF Company z, Of
this city. constructed piece by piece and
finally packed ready for shipment, was
treat. Tho latest invention and one cal.
culated to tighten the traps of an ordinary
militia man is the bayonet and ramrod
combined. By simple movement Of
spring at the muzzle the ramrod Ia drawn
out about 10 inches and the same spring
fastens 1t then, when bayonet Is ready
for use aud quite as formidable as the old
one now In use. There are many curiosi.
ties and collections OF birds and insects to
be seen In the armory also the grounds
are spacious and well kept. A large steam
engine for fire purposes is owned by the
government and is only used in the city at
times of large CONGREGATIONS. From the
armory ride around Armory Hill was
next taken. This is new portion of the
city and is laid out beautifully. No two
houses stand together most Of them
stand back some twenty five feet from the
street and as far between each other. In
this portion of the city nearly all the build
ings are frame and artisticslly painted,
the predominating color being a very
light buff or canary. A more pleasant To-
cality for residences would be hard to
find and the universal opinion was,
Springfield will be hard to beat.
We then went to Forest Park. This
park has only been laid out for the past
year and half, yet 1t is already a favor
lite drive and resort for the residents. Ma
ture has done much OF the work, still a
vast amount Of money will have to be ex-
pended to complete intended improye-