National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-06-09
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY.
First Assembly OF the Kind in This
Country for Ten Years.


The fourth general assembly Of thest
Vincent de Paul Society began at Carroll
Hall yesterday. This is the first assembly
Of the kind held in this country for ten
years. The hall was beautifully decorated
the portraits Of Pope Leo XIII and Cardi-
nal Gibbons being at the rear OF the stage,
while In front Of the gallery rested por-
trait OF Pope Plus TX. The 200 representa-
tives comprising the assembly met In the
hall at $3.50 In the morning and attended
mass at ST. Patrlck's Church, which was
celebrated by Father Walter.
Upon returning to the hall after the SER
vice Mr.. j. Mclaughlin, Of New York, vice
president OF the Superior Council OF New
York, called the body to order, Mr.. +. III.
Churchill, OF Brooklyn, secretary Of the
Superior Council, filling the post of secre.
tary. In accordance with the custom of
the order, these gentlemen at once sur
rendered their posts, respectively, TO the
president Of the Particular Council Of
Washington. Mr.. Thomas Il. Waggaman,
and the secretary of the same council, Mr..
John Bingham. Rev. Father Walter and
the clerical representatives occupied seats
upon the platform with the officers. Mr..
Francis McNerhany read the circular Of the
Superior Council OF New York, calling the
assembly to meet in this city at this time,
and circular Of the Particular Council Of
Washington, announcing q programme.
The assembly will consume three days in
Its sessions. Papers will be read on meth
ods of carrying on the charities in which
the councils are engaged.
Among the suggestions made for discus
sions is that of consolidating the four SUI
perior councils in the United States, and
another is a proposition to hold annual
meetings Of the presidents or representa-
tives OF particular societies. It Is sug-
gested, also, In the circular OF the superior
council, that councils should adopt some
special work Of charity In addition TO visit
ing the poor. Among such works the fol-
lowing are mentioned; The promotion OF
temperance; the encouragement Of deposits
In good savings institutions; the teaching of
trades and other occupations to orphans:
the visiting Of the inmates OF prisons,
reformatories, hospitals, almshouses, and
similar establishments, and the providing
and maintaining OF places Of resort for boys
and youths, laboring men, and mechanics.
A cablegram Of greeting from Gen. Ban
don, at Paris, was read, and also a letter
from Carroll Institute extending to the as
sembly the courtesies Of their libraries and
reception rooms.
Papers on aspirant councils making sug-
gestions as to their organizations and work
city, and Vim. j. McAuliffe, of Philadel-
phia. Papers on other topics relating to
the work Of the society were read by f. w.
Dammann, president OF the Particular Coun-
ell Of Baltimore, and other gentlemen.
Cardinal Gibbons arrived at the hall at
1880 o'clock, In company with Rev. Father
Chapelle ana committee Of representa-
tives.
The cardinal made o ten-minute address,
In which he explained the difficulty he had
encountered in meeting his engagement to
be there. He said the Lord was raising up
men to confront the heresies of the time as
he had raised up Loyola and Charles Bor-
romeo. He was raising up men to revive
the dying embers Of charity. This society,
he said, were to the priests what the dea-
cons OF the early church were to the apos-
ties. He urged them to go and cooperate
with the clergy. He thought It q blessing
that in this nineteenth century the laity
were drawing SO closely TO the clergy.
When his eminence ceased speaking
resolution congratulating him upon his
elevation TO the eardinalate In the name OF
the society Of st. Vincent De Paul of North
America was passed. A prayer was then
said by Father Walter, and the assembly
adjourned till tomorrow. After the adj
journment the members proceeded to the
platform and saluted the cardinal.
There are nine conferencesSa five as
pirant conferences of the society in this
city. The officers Of the Particular Council,
which Is the local governing body, are Rev.
j. A. Walter, spiritual director; Thos. E.
Waggaman, president; Alex. Porter Morse !
vice president; John Bingham, secretary;
Michael Manning, treasurer.