The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-06-25

probation of his services as their first
President--1905-191
(The blank vii be filled out in
years to Gomez
In presenting the cup Mr.. Saunders
said:
Mr.. Saunders Remarks.
President Behrens:
There is one essential difference
between a soldier and a fireman. The
soldier, patriotic and courageous,
though he may be, gives his services
and maybe his life in an effort to take
life. The fireman, equally courageous
gives his service and maybe his life
in an effort to save life, and this laud-
able service, this sympathetic effort
to save draws one fireman to another
and binds them close, with a tie that
only death can weaken or destroy,
and as soldier loves his captain 80
the fireman loves his chief.
To you, the chief of our Assoca-
ton, we come today with our love
and token of our appreciation.
For many years you have been the
soul of our associated efforts and l
cannot be accused of exaggeration,
when l say that if the firemen Of this
State have one friend above all 9TH
ers, that friend is the man who stands
before me.
You have made our struggles and
trials your own. You have lent unto
us wisdom in our efforts to better our
departments and you have given us
friendship which has been true and
which has been tried.
Your ears have been keen and
your tongue ympathetic-your very
heart itself has been in unison with
our own in making the lot Of the
South Carolina firemen better and
a nobler vocation
We realize that our token can have
no value in your eyes save the value
of the spirit in which it was given.
1t Is but poor recOmpense for your
services in our behalf save that it car
ries sincerest affection and gratitude.
1t will mean little to your intrns-
ically but when you know 1 speak in
truth, In saying that it carries the
love of those under you-you will ap-
preciate 1t in your heart of hearts,
and you will carry it with you
through the years as a possession
without value but unpurchasable in
the marts of men and with our gift
We bid you long life and happy re-
turns for your labors. We ask in
all reverence and humility that Gods
richest blessings may be with you
throughout this life, and into the
eternal city of our God.
In accepting Mr.. Behrens said what
was quite self-evident to those as
sembled, that his gratitude was heart
felt, and that his emotions prevented
him from voicing it. The tremendous
remarks showed how the members
appreciated him.
Commissioner Fitzhugh McMaster
was in the hall, having come over to
meet the firemen. He was called on
by the president for remarks and
spoke at some little length on mat
terS germane to the occasion, the
convention begging him to continue
his remarks when would have short
ened them. He spoke Of license tax
fund legislation, and fire prevention
as exercised in European countries.
The president next read a wire to
the convention from G. w. Garris,
who had been prevented from attend
ing. a letter from j. d. McNeill,
president Of the North Carolina Fire
mems Association said he was a.
vented from being here today.
would he here tomorrow.
Walter James, of Darlington, Harry
Yates, Of Marion, crd Assistant Chief
Grier, Of Union, were then appointed
Credential Committee, and some time
was occupied in getting credential
matters straight and in companies
paying their dues to Secretary Hood.
The reading of the minutes of the
asst meeting in Union was dispensed
with, hut Secretary Hood announced
that since that meeting new members
joining were Kingstree, Laurens,
Charleston No. s, Walterboro No. 2.
ana Timmonsville, and that Bishop
Vile and Camden had reioined.
The presidents report went very
.al!y into the matters Of the Asso-
citation, especially the legislative mat
ters 1t carried many recommended