The New York herald., 1873-10-17
IRISH CONVENTION AT ST. LOUIS

81. LOUIS, Oct. 16, 1879.
The Irish Convention met soon after noon to-day.
Several amendments to the constitution were
offered, the most important OF which was one to
establish an Emigration Bureau in New YORK, with
q branch in each state, the secretary OF the union
to reside in New York and superintend the bust.
ness OF the bureau. After considerable discussion
the matter was referred to the Committee on Immi.
grafton.
The Convention this afternoon went into Com.
mttee Of the Whole on the immigration question,
and there was very general opinion expressed In
ten-minute speeches.
Mr.. HOGAN, OF Missouri, believed the best way to
inaugurate the movement for the benefit OF Irish
immigrants was through the Irish Catholic Benevo-
lent Union, and that that union should devise
plan OF operation which would meet
the great need they were considering
He vividly pictured the condition Of
the emigrant In New York and other large cities
in his struggle for bare subsistence, and advo-
Gated the establishm ent OF Q bureau through
which the newly y-arrived Irishmen and also those
who had been in the country some time could be
helped to cheap lands Ia 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.
Mr.. BUTLER, OF Kansas proposed that informa-
tion regarding the soil. climate, &C. OF the Western
States should be collected and printed for distrbu
here, and tnat means be provided to assist them
In obtaining lands and homes OF their own.
5uds Of d Svs on
whom all matters touching immigration shall be
referred and who shall have full control OF the
the Western States particularly those through
which great lines OF railroads run, all information
sources Of the country. price OF land. &C., and pub
sh 1t available form for distribution. Also con-
s ad; ss ocean
make best terms for transportation, &c.
He further proposed that III, Immigrants
transit rom the seaboard to the point Of destination
and that the seal OF protection Of the Onion should
and any imposition or ili-treatment practised by
any company upon immigrants should be followed
0y Mr. tae McpoSovca Of missouri is not the
Irish In Ireland who most need the aid OF this
union, but those already In America living IN the
streets OF the great cities, those who are employed
on railroads, canals, public and private works, and
who are abused, insulted, degraded and In many
He favored some plan by which the condition Of
these people could be oettered, and by which they
could be assisted In obtaining land and placed In
q position where they could become independent
and useful citizens.
condition OF large numbers OF the Irish in cities,
and said the great need was some plan to provide
means by which they could be Induced TO leave the
raj pursuits. He favored the incorporation under
the state law OF Irish societies in different cities,
raising funds by contribution or assessment for the
purchase OF cheap lands In the West, the building
OF houses, and providing the necessary means to
start the family In their efforts to make homes FOR
themselves.
Mr.. HAGaERrY, OF Indiana, advocated the forma-
tion OF stock companies on plan similar to the
building associations in different parts OF the
try, which would furnish money for the purchase
Of lands, building OF houses, partially stocking OF
farms, for which moderate interest would be
charged, mortgage on the land being taken for
security
Messrs. Whiting Of Philadelphia, eleanor and
UConnor, OF virginia, and several others expressed
views similar to those above mentioned.
matters resolution was adopted for the commit
tee to walt on His Grace Archbishop Kenrck and
Bishop Ryan, Offering them the homage Of the Con-
vention and asking their blessing upon the pro.
ceedings o. the meeting, alter which the ConVen-
uon adjourned.