THE NORTHAMPTON CONVENTION.

THE NORTHAMPTON CONVENTION.

The convention of Massachusetts firemen, which occurs next week in the beautiful city of Northampton, is the thirteenth in the history of the State association. To the men selected to attend these meetings there is more than the noisy revelings of a junketing trip, The conventions have always been characterized by business that was intended to ameliorate the condition of the firemen, improve the service and extend the usefulness of the departments. To this end strict attention is given by the executive committee to the topics selected for discussion, and ample preparations are made weeks and months in advance. The result is that when the association meets a formulated line of work is laid out, and without any delay or confusion, the convention is prepared to go on with the business of the association where the former convention left it. All this is very pleasant, and it is not to be wondered that the number of members is steadily on the increase.

To show the powerful influence of successful organization, it may only be necessary to refer to the creation of the Massachusetts Firemen’s Relief Fund. By enactment of the legislature of 1890 ten thousand dollars were paid from the treasury of the State to the treasurer of the State Firemen’s Association, to be distributed by a board of commissioners, for the relief of firemen injured in the discharge of their duty, and for the widows and children of firemen.