The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-05-18
German Benevolent Association.

CINCINNATI, May 1.-THE German Ro,
man Catholic Benevolent Association held
its first meeting to-day, about 200 dele,
gates being present. But little business
was transacted and that chiefly Of an un.
important character.
Atthe morning session Bishop Tqbbe,
OF COyingtOn, made m address TO the Con.
yeRtion. He spoke Of the necessity Of
founding the union upon good and firm
basis, which he claimed could only be that
Of the Church. This alone would guaran.
tee It prosperity. All human institutions
had fallen within the last eighteen centu-
ries. The Church alone remained intact
and unchanged. II the union separated
itself from the Church It would surely go
the way Of all political Institutions.
Speaking OF the proposed new ConStitu-
ton, he put in plea for the various sec
tions in which the priesthood figures.
In the afternoon session Rev. A.
Schweninger, Of Cincinnati, on behalf Of
the Executive Committee, read draft Of
the proposed constitution for local So
Cieties belonging to the Union, inteFlard-
ing the reading with the reasons OF the
committee for drawing up this constitu-
tion, He said in April last constitution
was prepared and sent out 10 the various
local societies. OF these sixty.GVe had
reported in favor OF It and twOnty-eight
suggested amendments, which, after con-
sideration, had been incorporated in the
paper now submitted. He cautioned the
members against permitting certain del
egates who had been instructed 10 oppose
the constitution to exert an undue inau-
ence upon them, and asked all to think
and act for themselves individually, and
those delegates who had received instruc-
tiOns from their societies be instructed as
to how they could disregard those instruG-
tions, provided they became convinced
differently. The most prominent points
in the new constitution are as follows;
Each society Is to bo governed by n priest,
except where the members arc from differ.
ent parishes; then the members will be
under the guidance Of such person as the
Bishop OF the Diocese may select. The
priests shall be given the right to the
floor whenever they appear In a meeting
and wish to address it The names Of all
persons proposed as members shall be
submitted to the priest for his approval,
and II he objects the name must be with
drawn. II member fails to observe
Lent, or to send his children to Roman
Catholic school II 1t Is possible, or be.
comes drunkard, or be guilty Of other
public offences, and the Society should
fail to expel him, the priest shall have
the right to move such expulsion, The
names OF all elected officers must be COM
municated to the priest. The minutes Of
all meetings shall be open to the inSpec.
tiOn Of the priest when he requests 1t, and
must not contain any resolutions which
are opposed to the Catholic Church. This
constitution, VI Tue prescriptions Ol INC |
diocese, provides that no picnlcs or balls
shall be given without the consent OF the
priest, II is expected that stubborn
opposition to this constitution will mani
fest itself when the various sections are
voted upon; but strong efforts will be
made by the priesthood to secure It's
as it virtually places the whole
association in their hands. -
The Gazette tomorrow morning will
announce that o prominent gentleman Of
this city offers to give Sl2j,0 900 toward the
erection Of n capacious music hall in this
city.