Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-04-20
TIE PIUS NINTH ROW.
The Courts VIII Now Take Turn at the
Rumpus,

About two weeks ago it was announced that
division of sentiment had occurred among
the members of the Plus Ninth Benevolent so
ciety, and it was intimated that the breach
would in all probability result in a permanent
split to the society. The trouble originated
from an unwillingness on the part of certain
recalcitraut members to recognize the rulings
of the president of the society, and with the
view of having their own way several of the
members, including the secretary and treas
urer, and chairman of the board of directors,
rented new hall and proceeded to conduct
business a separate organization.
The inconvenience of this procedure, to say
nothing about the constitutiOnality of the ac-
ton, may easily be imagined, particularly as
the officers named were the custodians of the
books, moneys, papers, etc., of the society and
refused to give them up at the request of the
regularly constituted president. The
affair reached crisis yesterday afternoon,
when an application was filed in the district
court by Messrs. VIM. Louis Kelly and @. ID.
O'Brien for a writ of mandamus compelling
the officers to surrender the property OF the So
ciety in their possession.
The suit is brought in the name of the State
ex rel. the Plus Ninth Catholic Benevolent So
cety, of the city of st. Paul, against r. W.
Bell, late secretary, Thomas Conway, treasurer,
and P. II. Drumm, late chairman of the board
of directors of said society. The complaint al.
leges that the society has occupied the hall
corner of Third and Cedar streets for more than
one year past, and that Patrick McManus has
officiated as the duly elected president.
The complaint sets forth that Irregular meet
ing of the society was held on the first Thurs
day In April, at which respondents failed to
put in an appearance. 1t is also alleged that
they not only refused to attend the meetings
themselves, but that they influenced other
members of the society to separate and keep
away from the meetings. In direct opposition
to the spirit of the laws of the society, it is
alleged that the recalcitrant and disaffected
members wrongfully held separate meeting
in another part of the city.
At the regular meeting alluded to a resolu-
tion was passed inviting the recalcitrants to be
present at adjourned meeting held on the
Sd inst. The meeting was duly held, but the
disaffected members refused to put in an ap-
pearance, whereupon the society proceeded to
elect other officers in their place, resulting in
the choice of James OGrady, secretary; p. 81.
Smith, treasurer, and Martin Tobin, chairman
of the board of directors. The president of
the society then made formal demand for the
property of the society, which the respondents
refused to give up.
1t is also alleged that Mr.. Drumm, former
chairman of the board of directors, loaned the
collection of certain certificates of deposit, in
Dawson & Co. IS bank, and had new certificates
issued to himself In the name of what he called
the society. In conclusion the relator prays
that writ of mandamus be issued compelling
r. W. Bellto surrender the books, records, etc.,
Thomas ConYayto turn over the stocks, certif-
Gates of deposit and cash, and P. 81. Drumm
to surrender the certificates of deposit on
Dawson & Co. g bank, all of which property,
it is alleged is wrongfully withheld from the
society.
The application was read to Judge Wilkin
Yesterday afternoon and an alternative
writ of mandamus was issued returnable at 10
o'clock next Friday morning.