The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-05-17
TEMPERATE MEN Meet
Concluded from Page

The convention named the followi ug
auditing committee: Neal Sweeney
Plymouth; Andrew Fe'dmsn. Wilkes
Barre; James Pidgeon, CarbOndalc;
NJ W Morris. Pitston; W. F. MeGee
Scranton. After the appointment OF
the committees the body took recess
for dinner.
THE AFTERNOON SESSION.
When the convention reasssmblel in
tho afternoon Secretary Mack sub
mitted his annual report 1t showed
that during the year twelve societies
with an aggregate membership OF
1000 were dropped from the roll Of the
union, but notwithstanding that fact
the membership OF the union increased
22j members. Since the last conyen-
tion five new societies were admitted.
Treasurer, Golfers report showed that
the total receipts during the wear were
81. 641 II expenditures, $10G, Il balance
on hand, SSjl "a Both reports were
referred to the auditing committee aud
then President Devins delivered his
annual address He spoke as follows
Rev. Fathers aud Delegates to the Twelfth
Annual Convention Of the Catholic To-
tai Abstinence Union Of the Diocese OF
Scranton.
About one year ago l was elected as
president u your union and Immediately
aitcrward took the following pledge: II
do solemnly promise that | will faithfully
r-otect, maintain and support the cousti-
tuition and bylaws Of this uniOn.' In my
o.iniOn no man can realize the responsi.
nlity OF such a pledge until he has taken 1t
as president OF your union. But It was not
until had made an official call upon our
right reverend bishop whom you all
know is our spiritual director, not until
had received bis advice and a shor. but
important history Of our union, that | rs-
solved, so far AS human effort might 20.
that no official act Of mine should ever do
any hing or cause 10 be done anything that
would cast the faintest shadow Of doubt
upOn the sublime purpose for which we
are organized.
In glsnCing over the history Of our union
within the past year-a year OF struggles
and trials 10 all organizations requiring
the payment Of monthly dues TO meet cur
rent eXpenses--I am pleased TO b. able %
say, as the secretary's report shows, we
have not only held our own, but under
very difficult circumstances gained, having
organized about twelve new societies. six
Of which are already affiliated with our
union,
QUARTERLY CONVENTIONS VALUABLE.
find that the holding Of quarterly con.
ventions has proved beyond doubt to be-
OF great benefit to our union. While 1t
would be impossible for your officers to
visit every local society in the union,
quarterly conventions have made 1t posi-
BILE to meet your representatives In the
different districts throughout the diocese
The generous assistance Of the public press
In every district Of our union has done
much good.
You will be asked TO pass upon several
important matters including insurance,
which hope you will give careful consid'
GRAFTON, and ], as your president, would
also ask that today you show 10 the world
you can abstain not only from strong
drink, but from anything and everything
that would tend to cast discredit upou our
grand old union.
Let US have Catholic total abstinence In
Oil its simplicity, in all its purity of pur-
pose. Why have we organizedi For
what have we organizedp Let every dele
gate ask himself these questions. 1t IS TO
make men sober, 1t is to lessen and stop, II
possible, all drunkenness and the tempta-
tion TO crime that leads therefrom. How
best to obtain this end should be the work
Of every true total abstainer In
my opinion 1t can never be ac-
compllshed by any spasmodic jumps
from one new.fRngled scheme to an
other. The broad-gauged, generous
minded, never-to- be,coerced people OF this
free republic will never be won TO any
cause that smacks Of crankism or intoler-
ance. We have but to glance at the his.
tory OF our country the past few months
to prove that what | assert is true. We
have seen individuals rise up in different
sections OF the country, apparently to
amelorate the condition Of the unem-
ployed. We have seen these same unem-
ployed, in their thousands, hungry and
disheartened, hold Rloof with nothing but
Bcorn and contempt for such demagogues.
In conclusion let me ask you to adhere
strictly to the lines Of your constitution.
not swerving to the right or left, and il
your laws are not what you would wish,
the remedy is in your own hands, and
when the time comes TO take step for
ward. let it be known that 1t il our union,
undivided and with all its strength, that
has made the move
THAT INSURANCE FEATURE.
a letter was reAd from lev. a. L.
Doyle, OF New York, general secretary
Of the National Union. expressing his
regret at not being able to attend the
convention. The amendments proposed
TO the constitution with a view to hav.
ing an insurance feature in connection
with the union were read by Secretary
Mack. That brought the question,
which has been agitated for years,
squarely, before the body for considera-
tion, and Mr.. Mcdonald, Of Forest
City, moved to lay the whole matter
on the table indefinitely He saiu that
1t was the sentiment Of his society that
tho insurance feature would tend to
distract the societies from pushing for
ward the temperance work to advance
which they we're organized.
The motion to lay on the table did
not win sympathy. and on motion OF
Mr. McCaffrey, Of Jermyn, the body
went into committee of the whole to
consider the insurance question. The
motion carried and President Devine
named Joseph II. Duggan, of Proyi-