The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1896-03-04
KNIGHTSOF COLUMBUS MEET
REPORTS OF OFFICERS MAKE d
COOP SHOWING FOR THE ORDER.

The Gain In Membership for tho Past Year
Very Flaiterins-some Changes Made in
the y-Laws--Ofiic Elected.
The annual session OF the national
was held yesterday in the office OF the
national secretary, Daniel Colwell, in
the Hoadley building on Church street
There were delegates present from all
the New England states, New York
and New Jersey.
The report of Secretary Colwell of this
city shows a membership at the be-
ginning of 1895 of S,47s. During the
year 2,27S members have been added
The loss by death and lapses, 4S6 To-
tai membership December 81, 1895, TO-
$780, During the year there were 81
deaths, which is a rate of less than
to 1000 members.
F. D. Ryan, treasurer, reported cash
on hand January 1, 1890, $3.50. Received
during the year $12l,026, paid out Sllo'-
2S3, cash on hand $40,411.
During the year 1895 $4,000 was paid
in insurance endowments; $10,OlS was
added to the reserve fund, making that
fund on December /, 1895, $2S,45o, which
added to the cash on hand makes
balance on hand of $40, Ali.
Supreme Knight John j. Phelan in
his report yesterday morning, SAID the
success of the order this year was
beyond that attained in any other year
,@,,.,o e. 1IN.Ay><r h
1890 in the insured class and 1855 In
the associate class in 13S councils on
December 81, 1895, he said, showed
gain of % councils and an accession
for the year in the insured class of
1.S42 and in the associate class of 9O6;
of this number 5346 are affiliated as
Insured members in so councils in Con-
necticut, 1921 insured and 999 associate
members in 81 councils in Massachu-
sets, 909 insured and associate mem
bers in IL councils in Rhode Island,
1877 insured and 1853 associate members
in councils in New York, 179 insured
members In councils in New Hamp-
shire, and 1852 insured members in
councils in Maine.
Of the reserve fund of s2s436 existing
in December last $25,0 had been Sc
st. Rose Catholic church corporation
at Meriden. He spoke also Of the great
value of the reserve fund in safe
guarding society solvency.
OF the gross expenditures of the year,
sS6,S66 was paid to beneficiaries of de-
ceased members. The custom of pay
ing adjusted death claims had been in
augurated at the national Office. Re-
gar inp thi0 he kniSht said
that no rule should be made or prece-
dent followed, having only for it's pur-
pose the founding Of a sentimental as
distinguished from a business prestige
for the order by the hasty payment
of ill-considered claims.
He reminded the delegates Of the dis
regard of the laws of the order in the
matter Of the transmission of death as
sessment notices to members and said
that the frequency of the violation
might result in embarrassment to the
order from the consequences of alleged
suspensions based upon notices issued
contrary to rules. He admitted there
was some justification for the practice
in the added labor and expense Of the
present laws bearing upon this point,
for which the existing laws yielded no
compensating advantages. A rnodifca-
ton of the existing law, he submitted,
might be prudently made I'm this re-
gard" he said, II am of the opinion
that a law might be adopted providing
for the monthly payment of members
of regular death assessments, upon the
first day of each month, subject to ex-
isting penalties, without the necessity
of any notice whatever being sent them
as a prerequisite of payment BY
such a system the duties of secretaries
of councils would be diminished. ex-
pense of notices saved and uniformity
Of payment assured.
Relative to proposed legislation to be
discussed by the national council. he
said: 1.-THE question as to the adn,is-
sion of women to the order, will come
before you for action at this meeting.
all the reasons urged in favor of the
admission of women at that meeting
continue with equal force at this time.
it is for you to determine the expedi-
ency of the proposed legislation, keep
ing in view the necessary advantages
sought to be derived by the order from
your acts in the premises"
He suggested the necessity of more
clerical assistance in the office of the
national secretary and that the direct
ors be granted authority to employ
such assistance as they deem necessary.
In conclusion he suggested that sue
cess should not be allowed to beget
oyer-confidence, but greater watchful-
ness and zeal.
The report of the finance committee
also recommended an increase in the
clerical force of the national secretary
and requested that permission be given
the committee to appoint sub-com-
mittee to perform the work of auditing,
subject to the approval of the whole
committee.
The following committees were APP
pointed by Supreme Knight ]. j.
Phelan:
Constitution and laws-NIessrs. Mark
ley, Hayes, Driscoll, OConnor, Della
ney, Hendricks, Cone, Mccarthy, Nc
Gowan and Conley.
Finance committee-Messrs. Hayes,
Delaney, Drury, Hendricks, Kenney,
Quinn, Heam, MCGOWAN, Roach and
Geary.
State councils and petitions-Messrs
Mccarthy, Kenney, kerrigan, Brick
ley, C. f. O'Connor, Mulhald and Bran
nigan.