Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-08-07
CATHOLIC TOTAL ABsTAINERs.
National Organizers Accused of Neglect
ing Their Work-Miss Francis Willard
Makes an Address.

National Organizers Accused OF Neyiect-
ing Their Work-Miss Francis Willard
Makes an Address.
WASHING TON, d. c., August 5.-The
twenty-trst annual convention OF the
Catholic Total Abstinence Union OF
America was formally opened at $50
this morning at the Academy OF Music.
Right Rev. Bishop Cotter, of Winona,
Mimi, President of the Union, called
the convention to order and Cardinal
Gibbons welcomed the delegates to the
archdiocese of Baltimore. At the con-
clusion of the Cardinals address, Com
missioner Ross, on. behalf OF the district
government welcomed the convention
TO Washington.
Bishop COtter, the President, read his
report on the state of the union, which
showed that during the year, gratifying
progress had been made in the temper
ance cause.
After recess the convention heard the
report of the Committee on Credentials,
which showed that there was present
17s regular delegates, representing
eighteen of the twenty-three unions in
the country. The total membership of
the union as shown by the reports OF
subordinate unions was something over
5000, exclusive of large number of
detached societies, including those OF
New York, Chicago and Washington.
Rev. Father Egan, Of New York,
spoke Of the situation in New York and
the opposition that the priests had en-
countered in the excise board, and said
the principal opposition came from the
one Catholic member Of the Board.
Father Cleary then read a communi-
cation from the w. c. I. u, appointing
delegates to this convention, which
was received with prolonged cheers.
The delegates, Miss Frances Willard
and Miss s. A. La Fereta, were invited
to seats in the convention as its frater-
nal guests, and in response to numerous
calls Miss Willard stepped to the plat
form and made short address, during
which she was frequently interrupted
by enthusiastic applause.
The reading of the secretaries report
invited a short but vigorous speech
from Delegate Campbell, of Phlladel-
phia. He protested against the further
employment of national organizers.
Year after year he had attended these
national conventions and had heard the
reports of the representatives OF the
subordinate secretaries. 1t was always
the same story. We are doing mod
erately well, but we expect to do great
things during the coming year, and
what had the present year shown? 1t
had shown there was an actual loss n
all along the line. This
had been repeated year after year and
the larger cities, including New York
auu Ohtvuso, 1id not have q single vote
in the convention. He had become
convinced of the usefulness
OF the method, and he asked the con-
ventiOn 70 60 into a committee OF the
whole to discuss this and other
vital questions. This was done, but at
the request of the president the re-
port was read before any other bust
ness was taken up. The order proceeded
for two hours or more. Some feeling
developed during the discussion, and
finally the matter was referred to COM
mittee OF five, consisting of Rev. Egan,
of New York, Rev. Clark, Of Columbus,
Mr.. Judge, of Pennsylvania, Mr.. Man
ming, of Ohio, and Mr.. Mahoney, OF
Boston. The convention then adjourned
until tomorrow.
The first vice-president of the society
is Rev. Morgan M. Sheedy, who is rec
tor Of st. Mary of Mercy's Church,
Pittsburg, Pa.
Father Sheedy has charge and direc-
ton Of the organizing department OF the
Catholic Temperance Association Union
and has by his we'll directed efforts
added largely to the strength OF the body
during his term of Office.