Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1873-10-17
CATHOLIC CONVENTION.
st. Louis Spreadl5g Herself-ExtensiOn
Of All the COurtesies to her Irish
Guests.
The Emigration and Colonization Ques-
tiOns-Sad Condition Of the Irish
In Cities.

the Irish convention were driven around
the city and through the suburbs this
morning and shown all the points and
places of interest.
The convention met soon after twelve
o'clock. Several amendments TO the
constitution were offered, the most i'm
pOrtant of which was one to Establish
an emigration bureau in New York,
with branch in each State, the secre-
tary of the union to reside in New York
and superintend the business of the
bureau. After considerable discussion,
the matter was referred to the commit
tee or emigration, which is now being
appointed.
The convention this evening went into
a committee of the whole on the immi-
grafton question, and there was a very
general opinion expressed in ten-min-
ute speeches. Hogan, of Missouri, be-
lieved the best way to inaugurate the
movement for the benefit of the Irish
immigrant was through the Irish Cath
olic benevolent union, and that that
union should devise plan of opera
ton which would meet the great
need. He vividly pictured the con-
dition of the emigrant in New York and
other large cities, in his struggle for
bare subsistence, and advocated the
establishment of bureau through which
the newly arrived Irishmen, and also
those who had been in this country
some time, could be helped to the cheap
lands of the west, upon which they
could make prosperous and happy
homes for themselves, and take and
maintain rank among the best citizens
Of the nation.
Father Butler, Of Kansas, desired in
formation regarding the soil, climate,
ETC., of the western States. Such in
formation should be collected and
printed in pamphlet form, and distribu-
ted among the Irish in Ireland and
those already here, and means provided
to assist them in obtaining laud and
homes of their own.
Judge Dwyer, of Dayton, proposed 6
standing committee of five on immi-
grafton, to whom all matters touching
immigration shall be referred, and who
shall have full control of the matter,
and obtain from all available
sources in the western States, par
ticularly those through which great
lines of railroads run, all
information relating to climate, produe-
>
price of land, etc. Publishit in available
form for distribution; also consult the
railroad and steamship companies, re-
garding passenger and freight rates;
make the best terms for transportation.
He further proposed that immigrants
should be under the charge of the union
during transit from the seaboard TO the
point of destination, and that the sesl
of rlrnfaafrnV1 nf fhn N7r,fnF, chRa1fA ha
placed round every person under its
charge; and any imposition or nl-treat-
ment practiced by any company upon
the emigranIs should be followed by the
instant withdrawal of patronage.
McDonough, of Missouri, said: at is
not the Irish in Ireland who most need
the aid of this union, but those already
in America who are living in slums of
the great cities; those who are en-
ployed on railroads, canals, public
and private works, and who are
abused, insulted, degraded and in many
Instances treated like dogs by those over
them" He favored some plan by which
the condition Of these people could be
bettered, and by which they could be
assisted in obtaining land and placed
in position where they could become
Judge DAILY, of st. Louis, also pic
tured the sad condition Of large num-
Der of Irish in cities, and said the great
need was some plan to provide means
by which they could be induced to leave
the great centers Of the country and
adopt agricultural pursuits. He favored
the incorporation, under the State laws, of
Irish societies in different cities rais-
ing funds by contribution or assessment,
for the purchase of cheap lands in the
west, the building of houses and provid-
ing necessary means to start the family
in their efforts to make homes for them
selves.
Mr.. Haggarty, OF Indiana, advocated
the formation of q stock company on a
plan similar to the building associations
IN different parts of the country, which
would furnish money for the purchase Of
land, building houses, and partially
stocking farms, for which a moderate
interest will be charged, mortgages on
the land being taken for security.
Whiting, of Philadelphia; Gleman
and O'Conner, of Virginia; Kelly, of
Massachusetts,; Hardy, of PennsyI-
vania, and several priests of st. Louis,
expressed their views, but not differing
essentially from those given above.
About seven O'Clock the committee
arose and the convention adopted the
motion to make the subject special
order for tomorrow, when the commit
tee on emigration, appointed this morn
ing, is expected to report plan of opera
tions.
Committee on constitutional amend
ments made apartial report, recommend
ing some verbal changes in the consti-
tuition, and will fully report tomorrow.
A resolution was adopted for a COM
mittee to wait on bis grace, Archbishop
Kendrick, and Bishop Ran, offering
their homage of the convention, and
asking their blessing upon the pro-
ceedings.
The convention then adjourned.