Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-02-27

bency OF Senator Moore as Mayor, who
was ably assisted by DR.. E. S. DashielI
as Secretary and Treasurer, whom it was
my honor to succeed as Mayor. de-
sire also to give credit to all past and
present members of the City Council,
for the interest that they have taken.
1t was through the efforts of the Hon.
Robley ID. Jones that we secured an
act of Assembly at the last session,
providing for the issuing of bonds for
the improvement of our water system
and the building of this structure.
To me, the badge Of volunteer fire.
man IS an emblem of good citizenship.
| am not unmindful of the sacrifices he
is called upon to make, and the danger
that attends the performance Of his self
imposed duty.
During my incumbency as Mayor of
Snow Hill. three things have been very
near to my heart The improvement Of
our streets, and the consequent better
ment of our private property; the per-
fecting of our water works system, and
the consequent enhancement Of its
value for the purpose for which it was
intended. And, the proper recognition
of our Volunteer Fire Department.
You watched the improvement of our
streets and the corresponding better
ments in our private property, and
feeling of pride came into your breast
that you never felt before. 1t was
civic pride-the same sort that converts
novels into comfortable homes.
If you will pardon the depression.
want to say, that our street improve
ment is to continue. AS soon as the
weather will permit, we will begin the
macadamizing of Bay Street from Mar
ket Street to the railroad station: and
will connect Market Street with the
Berlin road, and continue Washington
Street to Powell Street. The funds
for this work we now have in hand.
The question of street improvement and
road building is commanding the at
tention of the people of this county and
State as it never did before, and the
day is not far distant when from one
end of this county to the other we will
have good roads. We are proud of our
streets. Yes, it delights my heart to
know that / have had something to do
with their marked Improvement.
Our water works system has been
made more effective by the installation
of new pump and boiler, thus giving
US a duplicate pumping plant.
The primary object of system of
water works is the protection of prop
erty against fire and the consequent
reduction in the cost of fire insurance.
| want to say here, that in Snow Hill
we are able to secure insurance on our
property at rate from 25 per cent. to
80 per cent. less than we could obtain
if our property was unprotected, and
that the saving in insurance premium
alone, more than pays the interest on
the cost of our water works system. |
know that our water system contributes
much to health and comfort, and that
we would not be without it for more
than it cost, nevertheless, this is by
accident and not by design. If il is
true. that our system of water works
was installed primarily as protection
against fire, and for private use in
cidentally, would it not appear that the
organization and maintenance of Fire
Department is co-equal in Importance
with the installation and maintenance
of the water works system itself?
think so, and for that reason and others
/ have previously mentioned, have at
all times appreciated the services of
our Volunteer Firemen. Wv
know that voice the sentiments of
all the good people of this community
when say to you, Mr.. President. that
the services of your department have
been duly appreciated. / grant that
our people are not at all times as demon
strative as they should be, but / sub
nit, that sympathy does not feed the
hungry or clothe the poor. This splen-
did building which is to be your future
home. the keys of which will presently
hand to your President, is the most
substantial evidence that the taxpayers
of this town could present to you of
their appreciation. You are already
acquainted with the building. and know
for what purpose it was being con-
structed, and it only remains for me to
say on behalf of the Mayor and Council.
that it is now completed and ready for
your occupancy.
This building and the ground sur
rounding it represents an outlay of ap-
proximately 81, 900. 90 of the taxpayers
money of this town. The Mayor and
Council of the town are their legal GUS
todians, and as such the building will
be under their supervision. They will
at their next meeting adopt certain
rules for the use and care of the same,
a copy of which will be sent you.
now, as the representative of the
people of Snow Hill. present to you the
KEYS of your new home-ycur Equip
ment Room and Social Hall.
Mayor Corddry then handed over to
President Kerbin of the Fire Depart
ment, the keys of the new building.
after which Judge Jones introduced
Mr.. Kerbin as the enthusiastic head of
the Fire Department. Mr.. Kerbin said
he was proud to receive the keys Of this
new building for the Firemen, and he
was pleased to say that the good people
of Snow Hill had always given a ready
response to any call for assistance they
had made, and the Firemen were ready
at the midnoon hour or the midnight
hour to fight fire for them. He said
the men were loyal to the interests of
the people of Snow Hill. and he was
glad that the taxpayers had so cheer
fully furnished them with this mag
nificent home. MIR. Kerbin said he was
proud to be a member of the Fire n
partment. and he had endeavored any.
times to do his duty. He then VIZ