Morning journal and courier., 1881-09-22
LOCAL NEWS.
Total Abstinence Convention.

Annual Meeting of the C. T. A. Union in Birmingham. The twelfth annual convention of the Catholic Total Abstinence Union of Connec- ticut was held in Birmingham Tuesday. Union was represented. The president, Capt. Thomas O'Brien, of New Haven, called the convention to order and the proceedings opened with prayer. After the roll call of the delegates, Mir. Andrew Smith, of Hart ford, arose and spoke feelingly upon the leath of President Garfield, and the conven- tion as has been announced, postponed the parade to Oct. 10th. Father Matthew's birth day. Societies were ordered notified. The president read his annual report, which was approved.
 The committee on resolutions was as fol lows: John F. Conroy of Hartford, James Wilson of New Haven, George Kelly of Bridgeport, W. J. Coughlin of Middletown William Higgins of New London, J. J. Req gan of Rockville.
 special committee of five was selected to 1raft resolutions of respect on the deceased President. The committee consisted of Pat rick Meighan of Middletown, John R. Mead @ I Haven Capt. Thomas O'Brien of New Ha- ven and Rev. P. M. Kennedy of Birming- ham.
 Short addresses were made by the Revs. P. P. Labor of New Haven, John Quinn of Farifville, P. M. Kennedy of Birmin gham, and MT. Dennis Mccarthy of Willimantic.
 The secretary, Walter Fitzmaurice nual report. His last years report showed net loss during the year of two societies and 165 members. One year ago there were 43 societies on the roll of the uniod with 6 membership of 2,277. At present there are 46 societies with 8 membership of 2, 646 a net gain during the year of three societies and 359 members. During the first six the six months ending July 31 92 members were gained. Total, net gain of 359, against a net loss of 1G5 last year.
 Since the last convention the following changes have been made in the roll of the Union: The St. Miehaers society of Stoning- ton, St. Thomas of Thomaston. and St. Mary's of Norfolk have dissolved, and conse- quently been dropped from the roll. The following societies have been admitted to the Union: The new St. Thomas society of Thom- aston, St. Mary's of New Hartford, Young Men's society of Middletown, and St. Alloy sius cadets of Willimantic.
 The county reports were received showing progress
 Captain O'Brien, one of the delegates to the national convention held in Boston last month, made an interesting report of the work of the Connecticut delegates at that convention.
 A delegate suggested that some steps should be taken toward having a life insu- rance organization attached to the Union Andrew Smith, of Hartford, explained the plan upon which the St. Joseph's Life Insu- rance association, of Willimantic, was con ducted. This organization insured none but good members of the Catholic Total Absti- hence Union of Connecticut, and, upon the death of 8 member, per capita tax of $I is collected, all of which is presented to the beneficiary. Of late years the membership of the insurance branch has greatly fallen off. but, judging from sentiments expressed, the insurance system will be adopted by most of the societies.
 County directors were appointed for the year ensuing as follows:
 Hartford county, Lawrence Lowe, of Hartford New Haven, Michael Luby, of Meriden- Fairfield, Thomas E. Hearn. of East Bridgeport. Middesex, Thomas c. Ross, of Middletown. New London, John Lyon, of Norwich.
 Windham, D. F. Frederick, of Willimantic
 Holland. F. J. Reagan, of Rockville.
 Litchfeld, William Denaher of Winsted.
 Resolutions of sorrow and mourning for the death of the President were passed and it was voted to drape the halls of the Union for 30 days.
 The following were elected officers for the ensuing year: President, Rev. Father Cole man, of New Haven; vice presidents, John H, Griffin, of Middletown, and Andrew Smith, of Hartford; secretary, Walter Fitz- maurice, of New London; treasurer, Michael F. Skelly, of Waterbury. Rev. P. Kennedy, of Birmingham, was elected delegate to the national convention to be held in St. Paul, Minn., next August. It was voted that the d. legates present be fha fr,gr7 nm tion for consideration at the next meeting of | their respective societies, and, if the plan of the St. Joseph association was approved, to l form divisions and forward the names to the I secretary.
 The convention then adjourned to meet ir
 tember, 1882.