The daily morning journal and courier., 1903-08-05

Au Exceptionally Large Number of DeIegates-RepOrts of Various Officers -Banquet Last Night-AthIetic Events To-day. .s
 The opening session of the twentieth annual meeting of the State Volunteer Firemen's association was held in Branford yesterday afternoon al o'clock. The entire morning was con- stunned in registering the delegates who arrived in large numbers and 1t is thought that this meeting will be the largest yet held. ~... The Rev. Henry W. Winkley, rector of Trinity church, Branford, opened the exercises with prayer. The welcoming address was given by Luke Quinn, warden of the borough. This was re- sponded to by President Gotsell of Thomaston, who will preside at all ses- sions. John F. Jones of Westport, the veteran secretary, was at his post.
 All reports of the officers were very gratifying and showed that the past year has been successful one, in the history of the association. Treasurer Samuel C.. Snagg reported that there was a balance in the treasury of $4,S42.- 45. The total receipts were $7,070.05 and the expenditures $2.227.50.
 Late in the afternoon the folloWins officers were elected: " President Edward o. Goodwin, ot Hast Hartford. First vice. president John F. Downey of Wallingford.
 Secretary-Jo John F. Jones, Of West port .s&
 Treasurer Samuel c. snagg, of Wa. terbury. sa r county, Horton B. Norton, of Bristol New Haven county, Thomas R. O'Con- nell, of Hamden; New London county Edward F. Peed, of Stonington; Fair field county, George F. Beardsley, oi Bridgeport; Litchfield county, Thoma: A Gotsell, of Thomaston; Windhan county, Archie Macdonald, of Putnam Holland county, Joseph Forster, o, Rockville; Middlesex county, George s Pitt of Middletown.
 The business session will be resumed at g o'clock this morning.
 It is expected that the parade to-day will be one of the finest in the history of the association, as an unusually large number of the delegations brough their apparatus with them and havt them gaily decked for the occasion
 Last evening the annual banquet wa held in Pythian hall. It was an en joyable event and at the conclusion O the feasting a number of speeches wer, made by men prominent in the affairI of the association
 The athletic events, which consists O racing with the apparatus, making Q quick connections and preparations t fight fires, as we'll as foot races of nu merous distances, will be held to-day These contests are always unique anC interesting and it is quite likely tha there will be a very large attendance The report of the secretary is in ful as follows:
 THE SECRETARIES REPORT. To the Officers and Members of tn,
 Connecticut State Firemen's Associa ton:
 The year just closed has not been al eventful one, but our organization i still on the increase The number 0 companies in good standing at presen is 227; department members, 112; ant life members, IT; making the tota membership. 356, an increase of sever since my last report
 At the beginning of the year Presi dent GotseI decided that in order t keep the running expenses of the asso citation at its lowest minimum figure that he would call the executive boar together, only when actually necessary and consequently the present executiv committee have been assembled bu twice during the year.
 The first meeting was at West Haven August 13, 1902, immediately after tn close of the convention.
 The object was to consider the case of Wilbur F. Peck and Mrs. Ami Smith, both of New Haven, which ha, been referred back to the committee b. vote of the convention. On motion i was voted to lay both cases on the ta ble, until the next meeting of the exec utive committee.
 The second meeting of the executiv committee was held at the office o Chief Coffin, in Bridgeport, on Novem Der 12, 1902 vtM sT
 At the meeting the claim of John J
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