Thursday, November 27, 2014

STATE FIREMEN'S CONVENTION AT CORTLAND




The Cortland Democrat, Friday, August 24, 1888.

FIREMEN’S CONVENTION.
Proceedings in Full—A Harmonious Meeting and a Very Large Attendance.
   The village of Cortland never presented a more beautiful appearance than on last Tuesday morning, the date fixed for the opening of the Firemen's Convention. Main street through the business portion is literally a mass of bunting and flags and a large number of private residences on the other streets are tastefully and handsomely trimmed. Banners and flags are strung across the street at every few paces.
   At the corner of Main and Clinton Ave., a large arch has been erected which is heavily trimmed with evergreens and bunting and surmounted by colored lights. At the corner of Tompkins is another similar in design to the above. The most elaborate display has been made at the corner of Court and Main streets, where a mammoth double arch has been erected, on the summit of which stands the effigy of a fireman in uniform. The grand stand has been built on West Court street just opposite this from which the grand parade will be reviewed this afternoon by Gov. Hill and staff.
   The business of the Convention was opened at 11:20 o'clock Tuesday, when Chairman T. J. Armstrong called for order and introduced Rev. J. L. Robertson, who offered prayer. J. E. Eggleston, Chairman of the Citizens committee, made the address of welcome. He said:
   Mr. President and Delegates: I consider it a high honor to stand before you—the fighting front of the firemen of the State of New York. I consider it a high honor, on behalf of the citizens of my village, to say, "You are welcome here at this time." You have come from your beautiful homes, your places of business, the advanced guard of the noblest, truest and most loyal men to the world—men who are banded together for the protection of property and life. You have left your homes, your loved ones, your business, yet while you are here you are assured that there are men at your homes who, if the alarm of fire should be given by day or night, will risk their lives and give their lives if necessary to protect your homes and your families. You have met here to discuss what is in the best interest of the volunteer firemen of the state. No man has a higher appreciation of what you what you represent than have I. I know that firemen must have a cool head and a brave heart. I have seen them save lives at the risk of their own and at their personal injury. We honor all firemen for what we know firemen have done. I cannot express in words the welcome with which we greet you. The firemen always have to be on duty. They have an enemy to oppose that is never subdued. It breaks out night or day, and on you and those whom you represent we depend for protection. You are welcome. While here you are our guests and entitled to all the privileges we can give you.
   The president responded:
   Mr. Eggleston and Gentlemen of Cortland—In behalf of the Firemen's Association of the State of New York, it is a duty and a pleasure imposed on me by the order of business adopted by our organization to respond to the words of welcome which you have addressed to us. I do know that the words of hospitality and welcome so warmly uttered by you are expressed even more warmly by the open-hearted evidences of hospitality in decoration and friendly greeting all over the village. The promise made by you, gentlemen, at Troy, was no idle promise. The recently introduced novelty of holding the annual convention in a country village is no cause for regret and there is no evidence of anything to cause regret. We thank you most heartily for your kind words of welcome and are confident when we leave you that you will be glad the firemen of the State of New York have been with you.
   After the addresses, both of which were heartily applauded, the members of the convention settled down to business. A committee of seven was appointed on credentials and as a large number of contesting delegations were present an adjournment was taken till afternoon to enable the committee to hear the claims of the rival companies. At 2:30 P. M. the convention assembled and the report of the committee was received. It stated that the number of delegates in attendance was 123, together with 71 members and 9 life members, making a total of 203.
   After the adoption of the report an address was made by President Armstrong in which the work of the association during the past year was reviewed and which showed that the promises made the year before at Troy, had been fulfilled. The association is now on a solid financial basis and has more members than ever before. During the year two of the bright lights of the association have passed away, viz., ex-Chief Kaess of Poughkeepsie and Robert T. Dick of Buffalo, two of the landmarks of the association.
   As the president ceased, Geo. W. Irish moved that in mark of respect to the departed members, the convention take a recess until 7:30 o'clock, which was adopted by a rising vote
   The evening session was devoted to the reports of the Secretary and Statistician and also in discussing the matter of a home for volunteer firemen who may have become incapacitated for caring for themselves and their families. The convention then adjourned to Wednesday morning at 9 A. M.
WEDNESDAY.
   The convention was called to order by President Armstrong at 9:40 A. M., and the question of amendments to the constitution was taken up and discussed. The subject was finally referred to a committee of three, after which a paper on "Automatic Sprinklers" by Chief Holroid of Watertown, was read by Win. E. Churchill of Mohawk.
   The time had now arrived for selecting a place at which to hold the next convention. Mr. Kirk of Bay Ridge presented the claims of Plattsburg which was warmly seconded by Mr. Patterson of that village. Invitations were also extended to the convention to meet at Coney Island, Round Island and Little Falls. During the discussion all the places except Plattsburg were withdrawn and the secretary was instructed to cast the ballot of the convention for that town.
   The hour of 11 had now arrived and under the rules the election of officers was next in order. Hon. J. E. Eggleston requested President Armstrong to call Mr. Fitzgerald to the chair. Mr. Eggleston in a brief speech which routed the convention to a wild state of enthusiasm presented the name of T. J. Armstrong for president for the ensuing year. The nomination was warmly seconded and a motion was made that the secretary cast one ballot for Mr. Armstrong, That gentleman thanked the convention briefly for the honor but said that under no circumstances could he accept the presidency again.
   Mr. Hull of Fort Edward, in a short, well received speech, presented the name of Frank B. Merrill of Canandaigua, which was warmly seconded by Mr. O'Brien of Canandaigua.
   Mr. Churchill of Mohawk thought it was bad policy to change horses while crossing a stream. The association was now in a critical state and needed careful management. He would name a man who was thoroughly acquainted with every detail of the associations affairs and whose honesty and probity were above question. He referred to the present efficient secretary Geo. W. Irish of Cazenovia. The nomination was seconded by Mr. Brown of Bay Ridge and President Armstrong. A ballot was taken with the following result:
   Whole number of votes cast 189.
   Geo, W. Irish, of Cazenovia 140.
   Frank B. Merrill, of Canandaigua 49.
   President Armstrong declared Mr. Irish duly elected and on motion of Mr. Merrill, his election was made unanimous. The chair appointed Mr. Merrill and Mr. Hull committee to conduct Mr. Irish to the chair. As he came on the stage amid a tumult of applause Mr. Armstrong said:
   Mr. President: I desire in transferring to you the gavel of this Association to express to you my extreme gratification that a man whom I believe to be as honest, straight-forward and upright as yourself has been chosen to preside over the largest organization of its kind in the United States. I bespeak for you the same kind of consideration that has always been me by this association during the year that is past. I congratulate you, sir, on your unanimous election to the office of president of the State Firemen’s Association.
   Mr. Irish replied as follows:
   I really don’t know what to say. I never knew that I would be a candidate until after some of my friends came to me upon the platform after Mr. Churchill had presented my name and asked me to accept the nomination. I had started to decline and made the move to do so. The result you all know. If I can perform the duties of this office to your satisfaction it will be the greatest of all my desires.
   An adjournment till 2 P. M. was taken soon after.
   President Irish called the convention to order and announced the committees on organization after which Mr. Daniel E. Engel of Lyons was elected secretary. A telegram from the secretary of the National Association was then read, sending greetings to the association and expressing wishes for a large and successful meeting. The telegram was on motion accepted and a reply sent informing the sender of the election of Mr. Irish to the presidency. A ballot for secretary was then taken which resulted in the election of Mr. L. H. Groat, of Oneonta. A resolution offered by Judge Courtney of Brooklyn, in reference to the two per cent tax for the benefit of widows and orphans of volunteer firemen was passed after which the convention adjourned till 8 P. M.
   The evening session was called to order by President Irish. The report of the committee appointed to examine the books of F. M. Baker, late a secretary of the association and in whose accounts there was alleged deficit was received and showed that Mr. Baker’s accounts were absolutely correct and that he stood before the convention without a stain on his character. The report was received with stupendous applause and on motion unanimously adopted. An adjournment was then taken to the banquet at Taylor Hall.
THURSDAY.
   Thursday morning every one knew that the convention had come. Early in the morning the streets were filled with marching companies headed by fine bands that made the air resonant with their music. During the previous evening the Fairport Hook and Ladder Co., accompanied by the famous DeLand Cornet band had arrived in town and also the Wilber hose of Oneonta who brought with them Brown's band of that village. A short farewell session was held at the Opera House after which the delegates dispersed to greet their friends in the different companies who were now pouring a steady throng through the crowd. As we go to press the races are being held at the park. The program is as follows:
HOSE RACE.
First Prize $250.00
Second Prize. 150.00
Third Prize 100.00
Fourth Prize, Presented by the Cortland Wagon Co., Silver Trumpet.
Fifth Prize, Presented by the Cortland Mfg. Co. (Lim.,) Portland Cutter.
HOOK AND LADDER RACE, 4 P. M.
First Prize $100.00
Second Prize 50.00
Third Prize, Presented by the Howe Stove Company, Howe Stove.
GRAND AND EXCITING ROMAN CHARIOT RACES,
   With four horses attached to each chariot, from the great International Fair of Buffalo, N. Y. will be run at the driving park Thursday afternoon, Aug. 23. Heat best two in three.
   The order of exercises for Friday is given below:
PRIZE DRILL AT 9 A. M.
First Prize , $250.00
Second Prize, 150.00
Third Prize, Presented by F. D. Smith, Red Cross stove.
Fourth Prize, Presented by Cortland Desk Co. (Lim.) Economy Wall Desk.
HAND ENGINE CONTEST AT 10 A. M.
First Prize $100.00
Second Prize 50.00
Third Prize, Presented by the Homer Mfg. Co. of Cortland. N. Y. [??]
Fourth Prize, Presented by the Cortland Harness Co. Riding outfit.
   The grand stand has been erected on Court street, where at 8 P. M. to-day the grand parade will he reviewed by Governor Hill, Lieutenant Governor Jones, General Porter, Hon. Frederick Cook. Secretary of State; Hon. L. J. Fitzgerald, State Treasurer; Hon. Chas. Tabor, Attorney General; Hon. Edward Wemple, Comptroller; Hon. James Shannahan, Supt. of Works, and Hon. Elliott Danforth, Deputy State Treasurer. It is confidently expected that the parade will be the finest ever seen in the state.
 

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