The San Francisco call., 1896-03-04
Delegates of the State Council
Meet at B'nai Birth
Hall.
DELIBERATIONS IN SECRET.
Address of President Hudelson-Suc.
cess of the Order During the
Past Year.


Council of the American Protective Asso-
citation met at B'nai Birth Hall on Eddy
street yesterday at 10 o'clock.
President B. f. Hudelson called the con-
vention to order and appointed the differ
ent working committees. There were 222
councils represented, with 500 delegates,
many OF the lodges sending their full
quota of three delegates.
The utmost secrecy prevailed regarding
the proceedings of the convention, no re-
porters being permitted to penetrate
farther than the door of the building. A
press committe appointed by the preside mt
gave out the meager news of the session.
Following is the address OF President
Hudelson:
To the Officers and Members Of the State Counctl
OF the American Protective Association Of Cali
torntd, Greettng-FRIENDs: Another state Coun-
Gil year OF the A. p A. is closing, in conse-
quence of which we meet to review the work
done and plan for the work to do. An unseen
hand and ell-seeing eye has led and guided us
IN our eHorts and undertakings ana In all OF
the relations we bear our loved American IN
st1tutions until patriotic hearts stand ready to
admit that our Government, in every depart
ment where the influence OF our order has
been felt is more honestly and efhciently ad-
mlnistered. An abiding confidence in what is
to be the result OF the great patriotic uprising
OF our people is more noticeable as the days
go by.
One year ago we were invited to assume
the great trust and responsibility growing out
OF The office of the chief executive OF the
A. T. A. In and for the States OF California and
Nevada We accepted with hesltancy which
ever grows out OF an appreciation OF ones own
inability, and whatever the result OF our labor
may be we have comforting consolation In the
consciousness of having done our whole duty
at all times up to the measure OF our ability as
we saw and understood that duty.
Soon after entering on the discharge OF the
duties of the Office to which l had been pro-
NOTED l recognized danger confronting us
which threatened our overthrow-a danger
which could be averted only by true Amer
and the weight of their responsibilities dan
ger growing out of the.following conditions
State, Congressional and county elections had
resulted in the selection for various political
positions of men who owed their election to the
vote OF our friends. These men were just en-
! tering upon the discharge OF their various Off
clal duties; we were congratulatlng ourselves
on victory; much was expected OF those to whom
we had willingly and gladly given our suffrage,
and many of our friends were to meet disap-
pointm for which they were not prepared-a
disappointment that was occasioned by men
violating their sacred promises to adhere to
the principles and practices OF purity. Others
displayed Willingness to convert our beloved
order into patronage club, hoping Tor per-
sonal gain, while designing political manipu-
lators had seen and learned something of our
strength and were ready to take advantage of
the situation and make the most OF every
point that would assist in the accomplishment
of the disruption of our councils, they realiz-
ing that our success would be their waterloo" f."
This class of individuals were relentless.
We found them in our council meetings, on
the streets and in our committee gatherings.
The time seemed opportune for the accom-
pllshment OF the purposes OF dishonest and de-
signing men. 1t being year when there were
no general elections in our State and nothing
of character which breaks the monotOny OF
routine work, TO hold our friends In solid
phalanx and nerve them for the internal bat
ties which for while seemed inevitable was q
task of no small proportion. Upon my shoul-
ders. as State president, rested responsibility
which all but caused me TO shrink; but bellev-
ing in American patriots and the business OF
our cause and the security OF our principles,
and realizing that / was not alone, l was
nerved TO meet and face the conditions, and
not because of my efforts but because OF the
self-sacrifcing spirit of our friends-because OF
the determination which ever characterizes
men who are lifted above self by the demands
OF great cause-we come together to-day 600
delegates in this State meeting, instead OF $50
as one year ago.
The argument of the great patriotic gather
ing, such as we are permitted 70 witness on
this OCCASION is clear and convincing, proving
beyond cavil and doubt tnat the American
Protective Association has passed the danger
lines OF 1895 and with some victories that en-
courage and assaults that stimulate she comes
into battle trim for the great campaign of
1S96-rested, encouraged and ready and anx-
ious for the ARRAY. We believe that agitation
Wlstiy QirtCieu Will dccOlu pllSl the settlement
OF any political question. Believing this we
have endeavored to force the discussion of the
questions in which we particularly inter-
ested. So successfully has this been done that
the foremost issues confronting the citizens of
California to-day are the ones occasioned by
"boss" and doodle" rule in politics and
Roman Catholic attacks on our American in
stitutions and encroachments on the great I'M
derlying principles of our Government We as
an order occupy the first place among the
States of America In respect to aggressive work
along this line. 1t Is encouraging to our
friends and discouraging to our enemies TO
know that while differing often upon what
may be considered important questions under
other circumstances, and affected locally by
questions and conditions of a peculiar local
character, causing momentary discomfort in
some few councils, we are united every
where and aggressive on the main
and vital issues. The relations that
have existed and are existing between
the State Office and the subordinate councils
have been marked with kindly interest, cor
dlaiity and courtesy. / have visited as many
OF the councils as could owing to the amount
OF work to be done and the time in which
had to do it; have given over 200 addresses,
very many of them being public; have rather
professed to be the forerunner preparing the
way Tor new councils than to be the organizer
bellev1ng that our work as State president was
TO mold sentiment and leave the work of or
ganlzing quite largely TO organizers, being
! persuaded that they were better acquainted
with the men of their localities, respectively,