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

without doubt, equip a fire-fghting
organization to qualify for the bene-
fits of the Act, and a short, practical
experience will soon show not only
money saved by reduced losses, but
also that saved by reduced insurance
premiums. At the same time. these
departments can. and by the proper
effort will. ne brought into our Asso-
citation, so that next year, / hope to
see from this source alone. ten or fif
teen new fire departments represent
ed in the South Carolina State Fire
mems Association.
The insurance people have so long
been accustomed to debating to us
as to how, when and what we should
do, and to condemn and criticise us
when we don't do just as they think we
should we should, that they have nat
urally through habit, assumed it as q
right to dictate. That is wrong
policy and brings about an inharmon-
ious state Of affairs, which ought to
be corrected. Our insurance friends
must be persuaded that their business
is absolutely dependent upon the fire.
mans service and that it is right.
fair, equitable and honest for them to
cooperate with us on a business-like
basis, and also be willing to help us
bear the burdens of the dangerous oc-
cupation followed by the fire fighter
more to save the insurance companies
loss than for any other purpose. AS
soon as the insurance people learn
that their interests and our interests
are mutual, we shall have but little
trouble In enacting laws to perfect
our organization upon business-like
| and practical lines.
Now, my comrades, this is the sixth
annual convention of our organiza-
ton. Let us try to make it of more
value than all Of the preceding ones.
We can do it. We must take no
| backward step. Let Forward" be
| our watchword. We have accom-
plished something in the passage of
our bill at the last session of the Gen.
| eral Assembly; but this victory only
opens up the way for broader success.
Let us never rest until we get laws
that will afford the firemen Of South
Carolina the same protection as is
given firemen of other progressive
States in the Union; a protection that
will aid the disabled firemen, hurt
while fighting flames or rescuing life
and property and deserving assist
ance equally with the soldier or the
sailor, who d-stroy. as we'll as pro-
tect life and property, while the fire.
man daily meets an enemy then thou
sand times more dangerous and
dreadful than human foe. Justice,
| falr play and the character Of service
which the South Carolina firemen
render to the people in their respec-
tive communities demand that these
1remen receive same consideration
from our State law as firemen of 9TH
er progressive States in the Union en-
JOY. l merely call these matters to
you attention, SO that they may be
taken care of at the proper time.
1 should be laggard in my duty.
did l not express the obligations that
are due to Chairman May and the
Legislative Committee for their wise
and devoted service for the passage
or our bill. 1 wish also to express my
obligations to our efficient officials.
Secretary Hood, and Treasurer Dib-
BILE, as we'll as other members of our
Association for the invaluable assist
ance rendered ne in all matters per-
cation.
Recommendations.
1 would offer the following recon-
mendations for your careful consider
alton:
First. That a committee consist
ing of five members be appointed as a
legislative committee at every con-
vention, as 1 believe it behooves us to
be ever watchful of our interest.
Second. That the president ap-
point a committee of three members
on topics, the duties of said COM
mittee to be to make inquiry from de-
partments, as to the topics" desired
to be discussed and to make assign
ments OF department to submit same.
In conclusion, my comrades, let
me thank you for the high honors
you have SO generously bestowed up
on me in the past. l have tried to
do my duty by you and the service
IN which we are all engaged. I have
left nothing undone that l thought il
was my duty to do in the interest of
our Association.