St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-09-08
THE JOLLY UNDERTAKINGS.
They Begin Their Annual Conven-
ton in Window Hall.

They Begin Their Annual Conven.
ton in Window Hall.
The annual session of the Funeral
Directors Association Of the North
west began yesterday forenoon IN Win
dom hall. There were sixty members
present when the meeting was called to
order by President N. F. Warner, and
none of them looked particularly fu-
nereal; i'll fact, the majority of the I'M
dertakarS who belong to the association
are a jolly set. The meeting was opened
with prayer by Rev. j. J. Faude.
rector OF the GethSemane Episcopal
church. Mayor Winston followed with
brief address of welcome. which was
responded to by j. I'll. Stewart, of Du-
luth. Mr.. Stewart remarked during
his discourse:
Il must say that have never attended a
meeting of one OF these associations but I
have learned something. l thought at the
time we dispensed with ice-boxes there was
nothing more to learn. When learned en-
banning of Prof. Renovant, of Rochester n
Y, in 1881. l thought all bodies could be
treated in the same manner and kept lust as
well, but gentlemen, soon found nv mis-
take. found that the study and experience.
both OF myself and Others, was needed and
that is the reason have to go to undertakers'
conventions-not alone for the purpose of
becoming acquainted with each other.''
The committee on credentials was
appointed, including William Dampier,
of st. Paul; n. L. Hume. of Minneapo-
lis, and John A. Willwerschied, of ST.
Paul. After this committee had per-
formed its duties, President Warner de-
livered his annual address. Ii was re-
plete with practical suggestions and
advice to undertakers who are just
starting out in the business. Mr.. War
ner has been in the business for MANY
years, and his experience renders him
capable of giving good advice to the
neophyte. N. Il. Hume next read a
paper on funeral LEGISLATION. He adj
vanced several new ideas for the pro-
lection of the legitimate undertaken
which will probably be adopted by the
association. He said:
I'VE want a law enacted compelling every
person before engaging in our business to be-
come proficient and fitted to give character
to our profession. We need (in conjunction
with the public legislation that will give
character to our calling. When this is &C
ccmplished the people will no longer be i'm
posed upon by persons who should be styled
coffin sellers and not funeral directors. In
my opinion this can only be done by the
passage OF an act i'll our legislature reouir-
ing those wishing to engage in our business
to submit to strict examination of their
| QUALIFICATIONS Tor the calling. He should
| be required TO show proficiency In
| the art of embalming, which is now
| properly classed as distinct sci
| ence. He should be well informed in nv
| giene and sanitary measures, which. | think.
| should become foremost in our petition, as it
| would certainly attract the attention and call
| TO our assistance boards of health, lawmakers
| and public men.
| II believe we should make sanitary science
a speciality in the bill presented to the legis-
| lature, and convince the public that we do
! not ask assistance in a financial way, but in
| scientific way. When we can show these
| gentlemen high in authority that we. as
| funeral directors, are capable of DESTROYING
every yestsge of infectious and contagious
diseases which we are SO often thrown in
contact with, l believe we will find nc
trouble in securing such legislation as we de-
| sire
The undertakers held no meeting in
the afternoon, for it was agreed on all
hands that the trotting of Nancy Hanks
at the State Fair was too big an attrac-
ton to allow to pass. The members ac-
| cOrdingly went in a body to the Fair
grounds, and in the evening attended
the Lyceum theater. The progromme
of today'S session will be an interesting
one. and will include practical illus
tration of embalming dead bodies.