The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-06-25
pRES'T BEupENS HONORED.
PRESENTED LOVING CUP BY
MEMBERS OF ASSOCIATION.
Flrcmcn Are Welcomed by Mayor
Jennings, Who Warns Them to
Avoid the Three Bs-Rcsponsc by
Members OF Association.

From The Daily Item. June 21.
The sixth Annua, Convention and
Tournament of the South Carolina
Firemen's Association was called to
order this morning by President Beh-
rens. Rev. ]. =. Marion opened the
convention with prayer. after which
Mayor Jennings made
The Address OF Welcome.
on behalf OF the city. extend TO
all visiting firemen and all visitors.
a hearty welcome. and hope that your
stay among us will be both enjoyed
and profitable. IL is this rivalry
among volunteer firemen that keeps
mp the fire companies. 1t is very
necessary. not only to the cities rep
resented here, but to all cities. to
have we'll equipped and well man
ned fire companies. Not only do such
companies protect property. hut a
city with good fire protection has
lower insurance rates. which helps
every one who owns property. be-
cause II is very necessary to have
some protected by insurance and a
reduction Of rates by reason of good
fire protection. helps all, and a little
help to each when added together.
amounts to a great deal, so that all
cities should In every way. where It
L. 49,
panles. In every way encourage them,
provide them with good equipment,
literally support occasions Of this
kind. Not only do the firemen de-
serve our support and good will in
meetings OF this kind. but the COM
panies should be well housed. up-to-
date equipments provided. and In do
ing so. we not only add to their eftic-
iency but encourage them In their
undertakings. and by encouraging
them. We get more efficient protec-
tion. our insurance rates are thereby
reduced and we. as a whole get more
than an ordinary dividend on our out
not help in an enterprise of this kind
I'm fact. there are always some who
will not help I'm any kind of enter
prise, but Will share in its benefits.
but such has always been the case
and will always be until the end Of
time. No one has any patience with
those who are always willing to re-
ceive and never give. feel satisfied
that no city that Is represented here
today. could by having a paid fire de-
partment. have one with as much eff
iciency as they now have, because, a
paid fire department would not be
moved TO their duties with that en-
thusiasm. that spirit OF rivalry, that
heroic desire as volunteer fire de-
Dartment. whose only pay is our
commendatlon. especially the COM
mendation OF the ladies' Not only
that, but a paid fire department
would not only have 10 be equipped
with as much cost and expense as a
volunteer fire department. but all OF
these men would have TO be paid.
they would do only what they were
paid 10 do. and II Is human nature to
do as little as possible when you are
only receiving I fixed amount. But
with spirit OF rivalry. and working
not for a monetary consideration, but
moved with ambition. with a desire TO
be as efficient as possible TO protect
the property of others, to save human
lives. you firemen. without hesitation
rush In dangerous places. forgetting
at the time your safety. but with the
sole purpose OF protecting others,
moved by such a spirit. who would
say that paid fire department would
ever be more efficient. or attentive to
duty. or ready 20 tread In dangerous
places or fire department moved by
such motives. What has brought you
together today? IL Is that same spirit
Of rivalry. that same spirit one to
outstrip the other; a spirit, not Of en-
w. not OF Jealousy but spirit Of
trying In a friendly way. in friend
ly contest 20 outdo the other. Tho
successful will be praised by his de-
Seated competitor. This is but proper
IL Is not my purpose TO prolong my
remarks. but will again say TO you.
we are glad TO have each and every
one Of you, and extend TO you the
warmest welcome that we possibly
can. and even the elements now join
with the city In extending 10 you a
warm. warm welcome. We would
like To Sc you all successful but of
course. that is impossible. I now turn
the city over Co your Keeping, and I
present 10 YOU the keY which not only