Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-10-09
DELEGATES On WATER.
ELECTRICIANS TAKE
yRrp DOWN THE JAMES.
THOMPSON TO BE PRESIDENT.
p,n1Iar superintendent OF the Rich
urond Fire Alarm Slated for the
honorable Po.t-othcr Old OH
Ger. TO DC Retained.

Yesterday was busy day with the
,otrfcians. who put in q. full day. They
.,-o .rcloasod" by the Entertainment
,-,.,,-ni;toe at 1890 last night. to get in a
,5 nights sleep and be prepared for
,,o work of to-day. which will be the
.,e. important Of the whole convention.
nh. election Of officers and appointment
-, committees. with the reports of the
,.~o-cnt committees. will take up the
,,,..or part OF the day, while the after
,,oon will be given up to a trolley ride
10 Lakeside, and the evening to a ban
quot.
Tho election of Superintendent w. II.
Tbonlpson, Of the fire alarm department.
g the next president. is practically as
,,,-o5 while the Offices of secretary and
t-oae,,rer will probably be filled by the
i,,,rnbents. Mr.. Frank p. Foster, and
49, Adam Bosch, both of whom have
,ro,er themselves most capable in their
eespective Offices.
owing TO the resolution passed by the
association that no member who was
80, nrescnt could be elected to Office.
Sa,-aral changes VIII nave " NC AZ
the Executive Committee.
THE MORNING SESSION..
Yesterdays sessio% was called to order
o+ Q o'clock by the president, Mr.. Hatch
caotain William Brophy read a paper on
the Relation of Electrical 1nterdcts to
otber Branches of the Municipality" and
Gas followed by Mr.. Jerry Murphy, with
paper on The Telephone in Connection
with Fire Alarm and Police Telegraph
A general discussion ensued-
Mr. Charles z. Hopewell, Of Cambridge,
Mass, read a paper on the Joint Use of
Conduits' which was discussed at length.
The hohr Of i having then arrived. the
convention adjourned for dinner and to
get ready for a trip down the James.
DOWN THE JAMES.
Al o'clock sharp. the delegates met
# Murphy's Hotel and went in a body to
the wharf. where the steamer Berkeley
was in readiness. Immediately before
starting the ladies grouped themselves
on the decks of the boat and the men on
the wharf below. and picture OF the
convention was taken.
A little before 2 o'clock the steamer.
caiiy decorated with flags, slowly moved
from the wharf and made her way down
the river. The guests, who numbered
several hundred. settled themselves COM
fortably on the decks and took in Rich
TlOnG
slowly moved away. The afternoon was
perfect and never did the country along
the James every inch of which is of MS
,orical interest. look more beautiful. Mr..
Robert Lee TraSlor. who is probably as
1en posted as any man IN the state on
he history of the river. was among the
party, and pointed out the points of in
terest as they came into view.
Iardella'S band proved unpopular instl-
Il ,~v~vr, ,a,1f in
whole party soon becoming so happy that
they did clogs and cake-walks, to the es-
pecial amusement Of the ladies present.
Everybody was in for a good time. and
each member of the party seemed to de-
terrnined to do his or her part
A MAGNIFICENT SPREAD.
Soon after the boat. got under way
luncheon was served. -Four tables were
set and beautifully decorated On one
were two blocks of ice followed out
and filled with delicious raw oysters,
while oysters in every other style were
also served. From two of the tables
The salads and cold meats, with olives,
pickles and celery, We're served Inc
fourth table was the most popular with
The male element, for from it wines and
fancy cakes were served. Later in the
afternoon there were ices and cakes.
HISTORY EN- ROUTE.
Probably the most interesting point on
the river is Dutch Gap. The history of
how it was cut. having been begun by
Ben Butler during the war in hopes OF
getting his boats TO Richmond. without
passing the Confederate forts around the
bend and finished by the United States
government after The war. was told by
Mr. Traylor along with the history of
Henrico, the town which stood on the
Ete and had a hospital, library and col
lege before Plymouth was settled. As
The boat passed through the Gap the ba1id
played Dixie amidst wild cheering.
During the trip, Mr.. G. r Macdonald.
# Ottawa Canada. was called upon for
Epeech He mounted the hurricane deck
and made a bright talk ending with a
glowing tribute to Mr.. Thompson. to
whom he presented the colors of Ottawa.
remarking that it was an honor which
had heretofore been restricted to the no.
bility. Mr.. Thompson accepted the honor
with becoming modesty.
IN THE CLEANING.
The trip back was made in the late af-
ternoon and early evening. and a huShed
stiffness seemed to fall upon the crowd
and was only broken by the soft strains
OF the band as they sat and drank in the
beauty of a. Virginia sunset in early fall
with all its gorgeous coloring.
The saloon was cleared and dancing was
INDUCED in by both old and young. A
troop of negro singers We're in constant
attendance, and were a. source OF mucn
amusement to the delegates from the
Northern States.
At quarter to seven Richmond was
sighted, and with many regrets that the
rip was ended, the guests landed and
FASTENED to the hotels to get supper and
brush up for the next event.
EVENTS LAST NIGHT.
At $50 last night TIA, convention visited