The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1896-06-13
Maryland state Firemen.s Association.

maryland State Firemen'S Association.
The Maryland State Firemen's Association
/ held Its third annual convention at Cnmber-
iana on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday,
ana Westminster was much in evidence. The
westminster Fire Department, or % mem
1ers thereof, accompanied by the Carroll
county Band, 80 pieces, Prof, A. Bailey
Moreiock, leader, left here at $40 on We'd
nesday morning, and took part in the great
convention assembled. The delegates were
welcomed by Mayor Mellinger, Of Cumber-
land, and City Attorney Gordon President
b ); Lawyer and Roger Mcsherry responded
for the fireman.
PRESIDENTS ADDksss
After the preliminary addresses President
Il. J: Lawyer delivered the annual address
as follows:
FELLOW FIREMAS:
We meet today in annual convention for
the fourth time. and we should be proud of
the occasion for several reasons:
LIST. Because we have been fortunate enough
to meet and be welcomed to city where,
from every direction, hospitable hands stretch
forth to receive us, and where fireman, no
matter where he halls from, is appreciated.
Ind. We have reason to be proud because
we are permitted TO meet with so many repre-
sentative 6remen of Maryland, whom we love
to honor, men whose faces we are always glad
to see, and whose opinions upon fire matters
are golden; men whose company it is pleas
ure to keep.
1t is said that in multitude of councillors
there is safety, and am sure, from the large
number of representatives present tonight
our business will be wisely and safely con-
Quoted. We are proud because the depart
ments which have visited officially during
the past year, though few in number, were in
first class condition and second to none IN the
United States
Out of the % companies comprising the
Maryland State Firemen's Association have
visited II during the year and very much re-
greet not being able to visit all.
We do not come here simply to have an
enjoyable time together socially, or to watch
or participate in the physical contests. All
having an abiding interest in the general good
are here to learn something of how best to
control fires; to properly care for various APP
paratus; to ascertain what apparatus or APP
pliance will most nearly answer our needs and
means; to properly equip and maintain an
efficient fire department. No one of us is au-
thority for all these subjects, but there are
those among rs who are capable of giving very
valuable information to the majority of the
fremen; information that will improve the
morale and methods of many localities. A
discussion of questions, an exchange of ex-
periences and ideas are surely among the
prime objects we seek TO accomplish by
these meetings of the fremen of Mary
land The greatest benefits OF the annual
conventions are that they broaden, elevate,
enlarge and better firemen to attend to the
routine of their daily duties. Tomorrows
contests will prove to the multitude that FIRE
men, besides having brains, have muscle, and
can iutelliqently combine both.
| am glad to report, comrades, that the
spirit and tone of our association are still ad-
vancing. The firery experience of our peo-
pie is rapidly rendering necessary an increase
of FIRE organizations while our old companies
are preserving their organizations in useful
ness and vigor. The necessities Of our small
est villages and towns will become so conspic-
nous that their citizens will see that proper
apparatus and equipment for conilagratons
cannot be dispensed with. Recall the fire
which destroyed the town of Berlin, August
1885, and many other towns whose fire waste
in dollars alone, would have equipped and
maintained for them first class paid fire de-
partment. Therefore, we may look in the
future for an access of men and powerful
companies, which will greatly add to our pros
perity and influence in our State. Our APP
preparation by the last Legislature has been
renewed for the benefit of the members. Our
association, abiding in the confidence Of the
firemen OF Maryland, grows greater as the
years go by. 1t is born of the progress of the
century, and would not have been possible in
any other. So far as my observation goes,
the benefcent effects of the association are
being shown. Greater interest is manifest in
the different companies, more pride is taken
by the members in the numerous features in i.
cident to the life of volunteer fireman.
More care has been taken of fire apparatus
and hose, and greater regard given to making
the different headquarters attractive and
pleasant.
There has been widespread desire to pur
chase the latest and best apparatus and to
secure the many modern appliances necessary
to be used in the equipment of a model de-
partment. And in a word, splendid results
have been accomplished by our organizations
in the efforts to attain perfection, results that
we are all proud OF. These are few of the
visible results of our four years existence.
We are especially indebted to the press for
kindly mention made of our association at all
times.
In closing want to thank every fireman
for the kindness shown me in many ways. l
feel it to be great honor to have been chosen
your president, and my only regret is that l
could not have done more for our grand or
ganization.
The fire loss in Maryland in 1895, was
1859, 804.
MaidenSville Items.