The daily morning journal and courier., 1894-08-29
25TH ANNUAL CONVENTION.
CONNECTICUT TOTAL dBsTIyEyCE
 CONTENTION Sr HdRTFORD.

Major Walter Fitmauric Of New London Rs-Kiscted President of the Union-An Istsrsstins AdArsss Before the c. T. 4. U, Hartford. Aug. 2s,-The twenty-nfth annual convention Of the Catholic Total Abstinence union of conncetieu, was held in Columbus hall to-day. with io3 delegates in attendance. including several women delegates. Major Wal. ter Fitzrnaurics Of New London. presi. dent of ths union. presided. Be. fore proceeding to business the dele gates marched to St. Joseph's cathedral. where pontihcal high mass was cele. brated by Bishop Tierney and n sermon was preached by the Rev. Walter Shan. ley. rector Of the cathedral. The delegates returned to the hall and re. ports were presented by the various county delegates. Secretary Gnffney's . report showed that the union comprised sixty-ons societies with 5?Il members,
 
 a galn Of twelve societies and 4ls mem bers during the year. Two societies. the St. Aloyslus T. A. B. society of Meri. den and the St. Francis cadets of New Haven, withdrew the past year. Treas. urer Charles Fitzgerald reported a balance on hand of s236.6S. J. Washing ton Lodge of Philadelphia. vice presi- dent of the National union. made an address. in which he said. referring to the duties of citizenship: Give me a Catholic with half knowledge of law, 6 sober Catholic and one who is true to the church, and will show you the highest type of an American ciu. gen." Bishop Tierney. the first bishop to attend a convention in the history of the union. and other clergymen also made addresses. Major Fitzmaurce was unanimously elected president of the union.
 Other officers were elected as follows: :: First vice presidenty Hugh F. Haggerty. Meriden: second vice president. Miss Maria Moran. New Haven; secretary William Gaffney. Ansonia treasurer. Charles Fitzgerald. Middletown: state editor. John G. McGowan. New Haven. County directors New Haven county, James Freeney, Waterbury; Hartford county. John Kelley. New Britain; Fairfield county, Thomas Sheedy. Bridgeport: Litchfeld county, Edmund Wall. Torrington; Holland county, James Sullivan. Rockville: Middlesex county, William Walsh. Middletown; New London county. Felix Callahan, Norwich; Windham county, Rev. Arthur O'Keefe, Wauregan.'
 The principal address was by the president of the hunion. Hon. Walter Fftzmaurice of New London. In his address he spoketas follows:
 There have been obstacles to the growth of our organiza ton, nd the gen. eral depression has affected our so- ciety, as we'll as others. One great en- eouragement has been Bishop Tierney's zeal in our behalf. '
 One of the first official acts of his right reverence was the approval of the state and national unions, which I have the honor to submit to this honor able body:
 St. Joseph's Cathedral.
 Hartford. Conn.,, March 1, 1894, Walter Fitzmaurice. President Catholic
 Total Abstinence Union of Connec-
 ticut:
 Dear Sir: At your request I hereby endorse the Catholic Total Abstinence union of America and the Catholic Total Abstinence union of ofIConnecticut.
 Hope both will live and work toeether until the practice, of temperance be comes the rule of all the people of this, our broad, beautiful and free land.
 Would that all our people join the temperance movement.
 Goo bless all who labor in the holy cause of temperance. Respectfully.
 M. TIERNEY,
 Bishop of Hartford.
 "Ihis was an elixer. The immense good such strong and inspiring note could do in 8 community having such profound respect for holy church as has ours was not to be measured. But not content with mere approval, his lordship set to work in filling the minds of the young with appreciation of the value and holiness of life of total abstinence. We all know how wise is this plan of training the child in the right way. To each person to whom he administered confirmation his Lordship gave the pledge. and It was taken in understanding and sincere good faith. He has labored zealously in the work, and has done so much good 1t will be impossible to gather up the details. Only in the hereafter can it be measured even though we of this life can gratefully return thanks for the vast return in good results visible to our finite vision. 's,1'" Tn the name of the Catholic Total Abstinence union of Connecticut, the pioneer in the grand work, thank Bishop Tterney for the co-operatlon that aAs done so much to enable us to pre- lent this stimulating report to this gathering of noble strivers and la borers n the holy cause. In less than half year he has administered the total ab- 'tihence pledge to over 5000 souls. The 5000 and more men and women Tho have the honor to form this body lre really not actuated by selfish mo. i've; it may be declared in all humility ,f spirit that they have the spirit of 3od in them. =. |.-'-. Another thing which cannot fail to impress everyone is the happy blending ,f the two symbols 50 dear to us, the emblem of our society and the grand md ever and always glorious flag of ,ur country, the beautiful stars and