The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-01-26

PROGRESSIVE c. B. l.
President Rowe's Annual
Report Shows Big Gains
in New Jersey.
NEWS FROM TIE CHURCHES
Resolutions of Regret for George
P. Henry-Father Tighe's
Coming Lecture.
NEWS FROM TIE CHURCHES

The report of the twelfth annual meet
ing of the New Jersey State Council,
Catholic Benevolent Legion, held october
9 last, at Bayonne, contains much that
is of interest to the members of the
popular Catholic order. The Catholic Ben
evolent Legion during the past few
years has been making rapid strides, and
1t viii not be long before it will be in
the front rank of benevolent orders. The
total membership of the Legion at pres
ent is about 81. 500. There are 46S Coun-
ellis, with six State Councils. Councils
nave been established in twenty-three
States of the Union, Canada and Dis
trict of Columbia. The total number of
benefit certificates issued is 1870, and
there has been paid out of the benefit
fund since its organization $5,017, S55.SS,
which amount afforded relief to 2,3lS fam
lilies. Since the establishment of the
order New Jersey has always played a
prominent part, being one of the banner
States. Today New Jersey points to
over ninety Councils, all in sound fnan-
cial condition.
The feature of the report is the report
of State President James A. Rowe, of
Newark. Among other things he says:
"a review of the past may serve to i'm
prove the future. Ten months ago
we held our eleventh annual convention
at Elizabeth. and then had high hopes
of greatly increasing our membership
throughout the state during the succeed
ing term. Never before has the country
experienced such complete prostration
of business and such general lack of en-
ployment for men as during this same
period. Yet our expectations of the in
crease in the Legion have not been en-
tirely disappointed, nor have we cause
to regret any unusual number of suspen-
sions. There have been but few, if any,
above the normal. This would indicate
that the Legion is considered a good or
ganization to adhere to in stormy as
we'll as in placid ~hnancial weather; and
rag efforts, perhaps some sacri-
fees, were made by many to remain in
good standing. That the hard times
checked our growth is evident to all. The
increase in membership is. therefore,
quite satisfactory. The Secretary's re-
port shows a net gain of sos members
from December 81 to October l. 1894.
Seven new councils have been instituted
during the term, viz: Advance No. 443
and Father Corr No. 453. in Jersey City
by D.. S. c. John A, Lane; st. Brendan
No. 446 and Irvington No. AIS, by D.. S. C.
James F. Thornton; st. Leonard's, No.
AS. by D.. S. c. Edward Wicgers; Bishop
O'Farrell Council, by d. S. c. Paul V.
Flynn and O'Farrell of South Amboy, by
Supreme Orator A. v. Harding. The
above named deputies have several other
locations pre-empted for the homes of
new councils. The delay in organizing
them is attributable only to the stringent
times.
Our sincere afsanks shou1d be extend
ed to these earnest workers. and their
good example emulated by a few of the
other Deputy State Chancellors. Efforts
have been made to start new councils
in the following localities, and the work
will meet with success in the near flu
ture:-East Orange, Summit. Milburn,
Hackensack, Red Bank and in two of
the smaller parishes of Newark AS
there are about thirty towns having large
Catholic populations in which the ban
ner of the Legion has not yet been rails
ed, there is still a large field for good
work. The interest shown in our organ
ization by our people whenever and
wherever its objects nave been explain
ed to them proves that a council can
pe lOTIueQ III every locality with even
a mall Catholic population. This is
not mere assertion without practical ex-
perience to uphold it. The many pub
lie meetings held during the term, both
preliminary to the institution of new
councils and in attempting 70 increase
the rolls of established councils, have
shown conclusively hat the Catholic peo-
pie appreciate the C. B. L. and its
work. And while referring to the pub
lie meetings, it is but just to say, and
a. proper pride prompts one to say, that
all these meetings have added a lustre
that shall never fade to the councils
holding them"
Following are the financial transac-
tons of the State Secretary's Office
RECEIPTS.
Per capita tax for term ending
Dec. 81, 1893, 1891 members. 81, 746 IS
June 30, 1884, 5,4QS members. 1892 80
supplies. =. ;. 49,. ....... -. 38 IS
..ss,s7S %
Jan. 81. by cash to State Treas
Feb. II, by cash to State Treas
March 81. by cash to State Treas y ~
Aug. j. by cash to State Treas 10 %
urer.:.... -. ..... LOO 90
urer.. -. !. -. $50. 500 90
Oct 4, by cash to State Treasurer. 81 43
Deilctt Deputy State Chancellor. 10 60
Shortage in Council remittance. So
Total. :. (. ]. .......$3,s 7s %