The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-07-13


nate, w. S. Orr.
The reports Of officers being next in
order President Mcneil made his an
nual report.
THE PRESIDENTS REPORT.
President McNeilTs report was as
follows:
To the Officers and Members Of the
North Carolina State Firemen's
Association:
Comrades and Gentlemen:-It is my
pleasant duty as president of your
state organization to render you here
with my annual report Of all transac-
tons, financial and otherwise, that
have occurred since our last annual
meeting, Il Greensboro, in August,
1889. 1t is with pride that l report to
you a continual III increased interest
in the membership Of our association,
as is quite plainly evidenced by the en-
thusiastic attendance upon this, our
twelfth annual meeting.
AT our first meeting in 1888 our rep
reSentatiOn was a mere handful, and
our tournament, at that time, in CON-
pariSon with the n now before US,
would appear ludicrouS. Every year,
since then, has marked an improve
ment. until now our membership prac-
tically includes every department in
the state, and as new departments are
being formed, taking their inspiration
from us, they at once become active,
interested and desirable MEMBERS.
We are to be congratulated, my
friends, upon being the guests at his
time of the noble and generous citizen
ship of this lovely and hospitable City
by the Sea. Our association, with a
people of such intelligence, culture,
push and energy, cannot but rebound
TO our advantage and make US more
fully appreciate our visit to them and
TO the sentiment that inspires such
hospitality to our profession. May we,
my comrades, while enjoying our visit
so impress them with our manhood
and general department that they will
feel that while honoring US they have
also honored themselves in entertain
ing our honored organization. We have
met here, however, my friends, for
something higher and nobler than
merely to crafty our personal pleas
ure. We are here to compare notes, to
exchange views, to tell our experiences
and discuss subjects of Importance to
u profession and to the good of the
general public. We are here to learn
how to more successfully serve the in
terests of our people in protecting their
lives and property from the most de-
structive of elements. This is a day of
progress n advancement, md as
marked as the improvement has been,
since our association was first organ
lied, still there is much more to learn
bclOIc we Cdu AOpe " REACH pcTlScClOn
In our profession. 1t is our duty, there
fore, my friends, to recall every OBJ
Stacle that we may have met with dur
ing n past year, and by giving our
own and by getting the experience of
others, to be able to guard against the
same trouble should it again arise.
Notwithstanding the many advantages
that we now have, over a few years
ago, in handling fires, still the annual
loss in life II property is appalling,
and calls from US u closest atten-
ton to take advantage of everything
that will enable US to successfully re-
duce our fire losses. That our state has
not been called upon during the past
year to record any serious loss of life
or property is a matter of much con-
graduation, and I feel that we nave
the right to claim it as the result of
the organized efforts of our member
ship. During the past year I have aud
tied, approved, and ordered paid 81
claims against our relief fund, amount
ing to 1870. The ~treaSCrer'S report
will show to you to whom n how
much was paid to each claimant. I
have been compelled to disapprove a
few claims, on account of the facts not
justifying payment, and 1 hope that if
any member feels that he has not been
treated fairly and e~quitably that he
will have this body to review my &C
ton and correct any wrong that 1 may
possibly have unintentionally done.
Approaching the most cordial invita-
ton extended to us by our hosts
through their honored mayor to meet
with them this year, and desiring to do
all 1 could to make this a record-break-
ing year for attractions n attend
ance, I suggested n recommended to
the local executive committee the ad-
visibility of adding an interstate fea-
ture to our annual programme, in or
der that We might renew our friendly
association with our brethren from ad-
joining states. The result is that we
have with us quite a number of the
best fellows on earth to join with US
in our festivities and I ask of o my
comrades, to cordially endorse my ac-
ton in this matter, and to extend to
our visiting brethren the right hand OF
fellowship and make them glad that
they are with us. At the same time, my
friends, 1 have kept our state event a
separate and distinct affair, in order
that nc precedent may be made dating
from this occasion, so that other cities
and towns who may hereafter enter
tain our association might be free to
act in such matters as they see proper
The Interstate feature is, therefore
one for which we have the generous
people of Wilmington especially tc
thank, and which is altogether an extra
effort on their part to give us pleasure
AS an additional feature to add tc
the interest anu USEFULNESS Oh the meet
ing His Honor Mayor Waddell Joined
me in an especial invitation to every
mayor and chairman of fire COMMITTEES
in the state to meet with US and tt
take part in our deliberations. We
hope that they will be with us and
| help US to advance our organized
existence in their various departments
1 am pleased to report you financia
condition in good shape, with a bal
ance of S1,724.19 to the credit of your
relief fund and with s245.0S to the
credit of the general fund. Every
claim against the association has beer
carefully audited before payment wa:
made and the business affairs Of thu
organization have been conducted in
clean and buSiness-like manner.
1 refer you to the detailed reports o.
your secretary and of your Treasures
for particulars.
I desire also in this report to es
pecially commend the very hearty CO
operation and support that ave beer
= given to this. our twelfth nnual meet
ing by the local executive m