The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-10-26
IRISH CATHOLIC BENEVOLENT UNION.

J.J.C.
IRlsK CATHOLIC BENEVOLENT UNION.
The fifth annual Convention of this Union
was held In st. Louis. on the 10th, 18th and
18th insts.
The Inauguration ceremonies consisted Of .
ties of the Union in st. Louis with grand
parade, followed by devotional exercises in st.
Patrickas church, at which Bishop Ryan ofti.
ciated.
After these services, the line was reformed
and the column marched through the princi-
pal streets of the city passing the court houss,
where the procession was reviewed by the city
officials.
At the opening of the Convention On address
of Welcome was delivered by Hon. Joseph
Brown, Mayor of the city and responded to by
Hon. Francis McNerhaney Of Washington, D.
c.
Tho Convention was then called TO order by
the President, Judge Dryer and the regular
order of business proceeded with.
Dnring the second day's session, o resolution
was adopted offering the homage Of the Con-
vention to His Grace, Archbishop Ksnriok, and
asking his blessing upon the proceedings Of
that body. The name Of Bishop Ryan was
also included il this resolution. The commit
tee appointed to wait upon their Lordships re-
ported through their chairman, Father Ora
ham, that they had called upon Archbishop
Kenrick, and he had expressed bis sympathy
with the objects Of the Union and wished the
Convention success ; and, that Bishop Ryan
promised to be present at the Convention.
The following resolutions were also offered
and favorable action taken upon them.
The object Of this Union 10:
First. To create and foster feeling Of fra
ternity and fellowship among the various
Irish Catholic benevolent societies within the
Union.
Second To secure to its members when
travelling or absent from their homes, all the
benefits in cases of sickness or distress to
which they would be entitled were they at
home with their respective societies.
Third. To establish and maintain 8 central
Immigration bureau with branches in every
State whore State unions exist.
Fourth. To encourage and assist immiera nts
arriving in seaport towns, and those living in
crowded cities desiring to enigrate, to settle
on farms in some favorable locality and to pro-
mote the general welfare Of Catholics through
out the continent of America.
Delegate d. a. Phelan also proposed the fol
lowing amendment:
Article 3 section 1. The executive commit.
| tee shall, az soon rs practicable, establish q
general immigration bureau in New York to
be the headquarters of the secretary of this
! Union.
Section 6. Committees on Immigration
At the annual meetings of the Convention
there should be a committee on Immigration
selected in the manner prescribed for the elec-
seven members, who shall have the power to
| select q president and secretary. It shall he
| the duty of the committee to consider and pro
| pose measures relating to the subject OF immi
| Ia. ~vtf h hn Rtn EIs
Committees on Immigration appointed by the
State or local organizations, collect all neces-
sary statistics and information that will tend
| to the welfare and protection of the immigrant
| The committee shall be empowered to elect
general agents at the ports Of New York, Phil
| adelphia, Baltimore, Norfolk, Boston, Provi-
dence and New Orleans, Whose duty 1t shall be
| in conjunction with the immigration committee
| of the societies at the above mentioned ports
| TO take charge of the immigrants and to give
| all possible assistance in forwarding them to
cred to make such arrangements with the We
rious steamship and railroad lines 80 will Sc
| cure TO the societies Of the Union the priv
| leges of agents, and the fund derived as com
| missions from the sale Of tickets shall be
equally divided between the national commit
| tee and the various societies to be Ppropri
| ated for the furtherance Of the purposes above
| Get forth. A report Of the same and all otheK
| matters affecting the subject of immigration
shall be made at the annual meetings OF thu
tUuion. The travelling expenses OF the com
mittee to and from the places OF meetipg 8, shal
be paid from the general fund Of the Union.
By Delegate Buckles, OF Maryland:
Resolred, That the Union sympathizeS heart
ily with the afflicted people Of Memphis ant
Shreveport in their great distress.
ResoIre6, That q collection be taken up anon
the mem bers of this Union for the relief Of tn
suffering people Of these cities, and that th
| amount collected be turned over to BIsho
Ryan to be for arded to st. Vincent'S confer
enee in each of the cities named.
| ResoIred, That the delegates hOEo present b
4 requested to recommend this charity to thei
respective societies upon their return to thei
| homes,