The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-08-21

general secretary, Rev. A. P. Doyle.
1t was in the nature of a plea for re-
newed effort and an advisory talk on
plans for the coming year. He said the
Scranton convention should result in
the greatest good to the union, and
strive to impress upon the delegates
that they should take home some Of
the enthusiasm born of the convention
and implant it in their local societies.
The holding of open meetings and the
formation of Juvenile societies, sug-
gested in the presidents address, were
two means by which the union could
make the greatest progress, he said.
Many of the old-time societies hold
their meetings behind closed doors and
spend the greater part of their time in
wrangling over parliamentary rules or
discussing the benevolent feature of the
organization to the exclusion of it's
foremost purpose, total abstinence,
and this, he believed, had a tendency
to drive many young men out of the
ranks. He advised them to have their
meetings open and to keep before them
continually the primal object of their
being.
JUVENILE SOCIETIES.
He earnestly urged the delegates to
| work for the formation of juvenile So
cieties and hoped that by the next con-
Yention to enroll 500 of these societies
in the union. 1t is the custom of
| bishops all over the country, now, to
| administer to the children at confir-
nation a pledge that they will abstain
from liquor until after they have
reached the age of twenty-one years
| The societies, he said, should take
| these children in hand and so train
them during the interim that they will
contin ie all their lives in the total alb
| stinence ranks.
Rev. Father Doyle was followed by
the third vice-president, Mrs. Lenora
! NJ. Lake, of st. Louis, who suggested
as helps to the training of the children
| appropriate literature and entertain.
ments. Hygienic temperance, she said
should be taught in all the parochial
schools, as 1t is in Archbishop Ireland S
diocese.
Rev. DIR. Patrick F. McSweeney, o.
St. Bridget's New York, was introduced
TO the convention as an earnest worker
in the cause. In his parish is the mos
densely populated block in the world
containing 1882 people, and he tolC
some entertaining stories of his expert
ence in the densely crowded districts
over which he has charge. His grea
trouble he said was in keeping the boys
societies together. He suggests tha
an effort should be made to get men t
take the pledge during Lent in th
hopes that 1t would lead them to thei
continuing as total abstainers.
MRS. LEGG's TALK.
Mrs. S. a. Legg, of Kansas City, be
ing introduced to the convention b.
Rev. Father Cleary, told Interestingly
of the work in Missouri. Addresse
were also made by Rev. Father Hama
! gan, of Philadelphia; Mrs. Margare
Kelly, of st. Paul, Mimi, and Jane
Jennings, of Avoca. who took tn
: pledge from Father Mathew in lrelan
, more than fifty years ago and sti
wears the badge given him by tn
great apostle Of temperance.
A letter from Archbishop Elder I
, Bishop OHara conveying his blessin
and best wishes was read by Presl
dent Cleary. He had intended to com
! to the convention but thought 1t wa
to be held in September
Adjournment was made to meet o.
the second Wednesday in August, 1S9
and the convention came to a clos
with prayer by Rev. Father Cleary.
t A meeting Of the board of govern
= ment was held at noon, but nothing {
S particular Interest was done, informs
1 discussion of plans for the year bein
r the principal feature.
Many of the delegates will renal
over until Monday in order to take i
the excursion to Farview which is I
be rendered them today.
Last night the members of st. John
;, society, of Pine Brook, entertaine
k some of the visiting delegates at the
hall on Capouse avenue with an Ell
= tertainment and social.