The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-08-16

One of the principal features of the
coming state fremen's convention will
be the spirited contest which is apt
to materialize for the office of state
president and for the place of meeting
next year.
The two contestants for the office of
state president are Samuel ~. Smith
president of the Humane Engine COM
pany, of Norrstown, and George j.
Stegmier. the we'll known brewer of
Luzerne county. Both these men are
not only popular i'm their respective To-
calities, but are also well known
throughout the state.
New Castle, Danville and Harrisburg
are cities contendng for the 1900 con-
vention and from the present outlook
there will be a very close fight.
Recording Secretary Green and
Financial Secretary w. w. Winder, of
Reading, will probably have no op-
position to their selection to those posi-
tions. A. l.. Reichenbach, Of Allen
town. the successor of the late John
Slinghuff in the Office of state treas
urer will be a candidate before the
convention for that office and up to
the present time no opposition Candi-
date has put in an appearance.
COMMITTEES AT WORK.
The several committees in charge of
the convention are now working har-
moniously and are meeting with re-
markable success. The citizens and
business men Of the city are respond
ing generously to the appeals being
made to them. as the majority of peO-
pie are strongly in sympathy with the
volunteer iremen.
Secretary Winder now states that he
is in communication with over 1000 del
egates from all parts of the state and
that at least that number will posi-
lively be here. Each delegate will be
presented with a particularly hand
some and elaborate souvenir badge,
which is pronounced by all who have
seen ii to- be one of the most artistic
souvenir badges ever gotten up for
such an occasion.
1t consists of a figure of the Goddess
of Liberty standing on pedestal %
anthracite coal and holding i'm her right
hand an arc lamp. typifying the Flee
triC city This is suspended from 4
bar representing a collection of fire.
mems apparatus, with the word Dele
gate" in the centre.
The county commissioners have Of
fered the use of the court house to the
committee and the sessions of the con-
Vention will be held i'm the main court
room. The topics which will be dis
Cussed during the convention will he
along the line Of general Improvement
of the personnel and work of the vol
unteer firemen.
GENERAL INVITATION.
a movement is now on foot to have
a committee from the city department.
headed by Chief John II. Walker, visit
the international convention of firn
chiefs to be held in Syracuse on Aug
ust % and to present an invitation to
the delegates present to attend the con
Nention in this city. An invitation of
this kind will reach the head of the
fire department of every large city in
the country.
IN connection with the convention,
the executive committee will issue an
illustrated souvenir cmbudying the Of
fetal programme Of the proceedings Of
the convention, 1t will also contain
historical sketches Of both the local ana
state associations and also of the Vari-
Gus industries, etc, of the city Of
Scranton.
The convention last yeal was held in
Lebanon and a great deal Of diSsatS-
faction resulted, owing to the lack Of
facilities on the part of that city. Tho
committee are confident that this city
is perfectly capable of satisfactorily
accommodating the delegates and visit
ing firemen and will profit by any