Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-10-27
CHATS WITH CITIZENS
Mr.. J. W. McCleary Upon the Jr. o.
.. A. N. Nomenclature.
ABOUT ILLIBERAL CHRISTIANS.
A Sage Little Remark of Senator Quay's
Anent Vim. Finn.
CRONINs PROSECUTOR sKETCHED

J.W. McCleary, of the Southside, one of
the oldest members on that side of the river,
who has attended six sessions of the State
Council of the Jr. o. q. A. NJ, and who
was grand marshal of the Washington Birth
day parade two years ago, was seen last
night. He was asked for his views as to
the reasons assigned by the National Coun-
Gil of the order for asking for the change of
name, the results change would entail and
the effect that a defeat of the present measure
will have on the future actions Of the Ma
tional Council. In substance, he said:
my candid opinion is that the change OF
name is wanted for the benefit OF few
Eastern people, and not because the present
name is not good enough, or that the order
has not prospered under it. The truth of
this matter is that the National Council
does not want the subordinate councils to
gain any power, and if the people in the
last can bring about the change they will
draw the lines still little closer than they
are now. Several of the councils now have
charters from the courts. The National
Council doesn't like that, and has tried to
prevent it.
'sThe great general objection to the change
is the cost it would necessitate. There is not
council in the order that would pull
through the change with less than 500 ex-
pense, and there are some councils that
would be nearly $1,000 worse of by the
change. Rituals, books, badges, seals, con-
stitutions and general laws, charters and
everything bearing the present name would
have to be changed to conform with the
name Councils that had court or State
oh hot fv 0r he h0ndS
and mortgages, and many of them do, would
need to go through certain legal proceedings
to set themselves right. Nearly all of the
work that would need to be done would go
to few men in Philadelphia. Out of the
$4,000 or S100,O0 that it would cost to
change the name, 80 per cent of the amount
would go into few hands. It is not hard
to see who will be benefited by the change.
at is argued that the present name is
misnomer and hindrance to the furthering
of the order in the West. People think we
are a labor organization. There was time
when the order was unknown in Pennsylva-
MIA. In 1865 there were but nine councils.
To-day there are nearly 400, with
an aggregate membership of more
than $4,000. What organizers have
the West. And if the National Council
Woulu senu OrSanlZeIS W VIC "ess "na
South, as they ought to do, it would not
take them very long to let the people know
what the Mechanics are.
A little more work among the people and
not quite so much talk in the councils,
where none but members of the order can
hear, would be benefit to the order.
"a change of name will not add to the
interest in the order. And the name
American LEGION" as proposed, is even
worse than the present one, so far as imply
ing the objects of the order is concerened.
The National Council is anxious for the
change, and if defeated this time, which
they surely will be, will no doubt make an
other effort in a few years"