Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-09-20
I. &. e.. a..

ICorrcspoudcncc Of the Alexandria Gaz2ttc. |
RICHMOND, Sept. 10, lS77.-Thc convention
of the Catholic Benevolent Union met al The
Cathedral Hall this morning at i clock, with
53 delegates present.
Before tic opening oI The convention the
various Catholic societies, with the delegates,
attended High Mass at The Cathedral where
an interesting and able address Of wccoma was
delivered by Bishop Gibbons.
After these services the strangers and sccio
ties marched TO the Governors mansion and
were warmly welcomed by Gov. kcmper IN an
address of nccuiiar lituess for the occasion.
Mr.. Il. j. RELY, President Of the hchuond
Catholic Beneficial Society, delivered the al
dress of welcome to the convention, and miro
duccd at the conclusion or his remarks acting
Mayor Judge John a. Meredith, who rxteud-
cd The hospitality Of the cry to 'hc visiting
delegates.
Ex-Mayor A. NJ Kelly, the President o: the
National Union, responded Gu tho part OF the
Union TO the addresses Of welcome that had
been extended TO them 10y The speakers who
had preceded him.
The session Of The convention was opened
with prayer by Father 4. a. Entncr, Of st.
Louis.
Convention took a recess at . U clock Ior.an
hour.
| The convention rcasscmbIcd nj 4 clock in
the afternoon.
The committees on credentials and constiiu.
tional amendments retired.
| During their absence letters were rGad from
various societies in lhc United States aud Can
ada, in which they wished the convention Gad
speed, and promised to abide by their decisions.
Such portions as related to Ic insurance. and
colonization were referred 20 The c0mHittcCs On
those subjects.
Mr. jno. a. Weber was, on moton elected
assistant secretary OF the convention.
Tho committee Oil credentials reported -
delegates present. The report n! the Commit.
tee was adopted.
The convcnlion then adjourned anti! Ia l1ur
row morning at . o. clock.
J. o. o. F-Ycsterday's acssiou Of tho
Grand Lodge Of Odd Fellows in Baltimore vas
principally occupied in the reception Of reports
from committees, which arc laid over Tor one
day under existing rules.
The committee on foreign relations reported
q recommendation that John w. Stokes, Grand
Z,
Australia and New Zealand and in tho exercise
of the authority vested in him as HE head Of
the order, strive TO effect All adjustment Of the
present complications there existing.
a special committee appointed to consider al
appropriate dress for members Of the order ior
street parades reported that caps Worn On such
occasions should be uniform 10 design, plan
white gloves Jewel collar, two and half inch
cs wide at the widest part, uniting at q pnlat in
front, 10 be made Of light blue elk, edged With
silver lace or braid; medal to be worn hang
ing from the collar bearing on ono face the three
links of the order, and on the other the all
seeing eye. The clothes to be plain black.
The steamer Grand Republic, the largest ana
finest steamboat on the Western waters, took
fire at ST. Louis about - o'clock, last night,
and burned nearly TO the waters edge. The
flames communicated to the steamer Carondo'
let, lying alongside, and all her upper works
were destroyed. Her hull is OF iron, and there
fore will be saved, but her machinery will, 10
doubt, be badly damaged Both boats we're
lying up at the foot Of temperance street, about
. miles from the centre Of The city.