Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-09-16
JUNIOR ORDER MEETS.
Politics Touched Upon in State Coun-
cilor Collins Report.
UNITED ACTION URGED BY HIM.
The State Council Is Now in an Almost
Bankrupt Condition.
JNITED ACTION URGED BY HIM.
OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR NOMINATED
rsrEcIAL TELEGRAM TO THE pIsrArcH.l

rsPEcrAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPATcH.l
UNIoNTOwN. PA, Sept 15.-The State
Council of the Jr. .. U. A. NJ. was called
TO order in the Opera House at O'Clock by
State Councillor Stephen Collins. As was
expected, over 600 delegates were present,
Pittsburgers being in the majority from any
one section. A pleasing address of welcome
on behalf of Uniontowp was delivered by
A. F. Cooper, which was responded to by
p. A. Shaner, Superintendent of Public In
struction in McKeesport Nearly 400 new
delegates were admitted.
The reports of officers were read immedi-
ateiy after the noon recess. The report OF
The States Councillor was a lengthy docu-
ment covering the work of the organization
for the past wear. The report says:
WORK OF THE YEAR
After an existence of 32 years this State
Council has again convened for the fourth
time west of the Alleghenies to legislate and
transact business for the membership OF
this great American patriotic order in onr
grand old Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
But never before have such large numbers
come together to represent such an immense
constituency and covering such vast terri
tory. stretching from our Srd0u ClIslutl, OuI
birthplace, on the East, to a solid line OF out
posts along the Ohio frontier on the west
and from our new garrisons on Lake Erle
on the North, to the skirmish lines drawn
up along Mason and Dixon's line in the
South, and dotted over its mountains and
valleys in the interior.
We are here representing over 200 councils
containing membership of more than 6O, ,OOO.
legislation of the most vital importance to
the very existence of our order must be
acted upon. This organization has sprung
during the last few years into one of nation
al prominence. 1t is the foremost American
order. Its objects and principles are the
grandest for whicn men ever organized.
During the year we have organized $50 coun-
ellis 40 OF which have been placed IN ., tne
Eastern district, SO in the Center and 131 in
the Western district. My work of organizing
has been systematic. l found IS counties in
the State in which no council existed. L
wanted to build for the future. l have sue
ceeded in planting councils in Is of these.
Mr.. Collins alludes to the political contro-
versy in Allegheny county last fall as fol-
lows:
THE POLITICAL QUESTION.
This order must meet the practical ques-
tions and issues at once. In our
Declaration of Principles we pub
lish to the world these words:
political organization" I'VE are cognizant
that there are great and powerful enemies
within our midst, requiring the str1ctest
surveillance of all who are at heart, word or
in deed American. We, as members OF TINS
order affirm our allegiance TO the OBJECTS OF
the order as paramount to any party afhlia-
ton etc" Now, is it not time to do more
than affirm and declare? These great, power
ful enemies in our midst nave reao our
declaration, they have also observed our
actions l appeal to all for harmonious,
united and intelligent action" and less dis
Sensions and jealousies within our ranks,
and less cowardice in the face OF the enemy.
After giving hist4ry of the dynamite
package sent to o. S. Marshall, already
published in The DISPATCH, Mr. Collins
continues:
/ claim the right which accede to every
other member OF this organization, viz: TO De
absolute master OF my political ana rellglous
actions so long as they do not interfere with
the freedom of any other man. If am
partisan 1 am above all and beyond al an
American and Protestant, and fully be-
lieve that the only way for this order to &C
Complish its objects which are political, IS
for each and every member to work within
his own party to Americanize 1t. W hlle my
personal political actions may be dlstasteful
TO some few who do not agree with me in my
partisan or Sectarian views l am willing
they should disagree, or Will readily argue
the case with them, but do emphatcally
object to petty persecution because 1 have
always had the courage to express my views
openly and they have been openly expressed
from one end of the State to the Other.
STATE DEPUTIES WANTED.
The State Councillor makes a number of
recommendations, among others one pro-
viding for State deputies, in order that the
board of officers can have more time to lock
after the legislative interests of the organ
ization: another raising the per capita tax
from 80 TO 70 cents At the last session 1t
was estimated that the premium Of $50
IA l. IL /
Instead of that. 24O councils, costing 81, 500
more than was estimated, was the record.
This leaves the State Council in an almost
bankrupt condition,
The report of f. S. Deemer, of Philadel-
phia, the State Council Treasurer, is an in
teresting paper. 1t shows the receipts from
charter fees, per capita tax, ETC., during the
wear to have been S27, $50 IS; total receipts
OF subordinate councils, S402, ,042 81; paid for
benefits and relief, $50, 154; in treasures of
subordinate councils, S454, ,S15 93; in treas
ury of State Council, s., ,94S 81; due National
Council as per capita tax, S5,572 so, which
cannot be paid until the next per capita tax
has been received from the subordinate
councils.
Mr. Deemer makes a comparison of the
membership and financial standing with
other leading orders in the State, which
shows that the Jr. o. U. A. NJ. is only ex-
celled in Pennsylvania by the Odd Fellows.
STATE TREAsURER's REPORT
The report of State Treasurer J. W. Cal
yer is practically repetition of the finan-
cial portion of Secretary Deemer's report.
All of the officers pay a glowing tribute to
Jhe memory of Junior Past State Councillor
J. P. WinOwer, who died during the year,
after spending many years of usefulness to
the organization. A memorial service in
his honor will be held here tomorrow even
ing
Officers for the ensuing term were nomi-
mated as follows: State Councillor, Harry A.
Heissler, Philadelphia; State Vice Coun-
cilor, Charles NJ. Raymond, Middletown;
State Treasurer, John w. Calver. Owing
to the present State Vice Councillor, Hiram
j. Slifcr, having resigned and moved to one
of the Western States, State Councillor for
next year had to be selected from the floor.
William T. Kerr, of Pittsburg, was urgently
pressed by his friends but he declined.
The election will take place tomorrow.
Allegheny City, Easton, New Castle,
Altoona, Philadelphia, West Chester, York,
MeadYille, Chester Allentown, Pottstown,
Punxsutawney, Pittsburg and McKeesport
were nominated for the next place of meet
ing 4 choice will be made tomorrow.
kilograms of greeting were sent to the
State Councils of New Hampshire and