Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-06-16

Of the Opening Session.
Pittsburg. Pa, June 15.-The 29th
annual session of the National Council,
Junior Order American Mechanics be-
gan in Elks Hall, shortly after ten
o'clock this morning. When Rev. w.
D. Lichliter, State Councillor, called the
convention to order there were about
2C0 delegates and visitors present.
Mr.. Lichliter introduced Mayor Ford,
who welcomed the delegates in happy
address. The respone was made by
Rev. H. r. Slaughter, State Councillor
of Missouri, after which National
Councillor Shanor took charge and re-
quested all but members of the Ma
tional Council to retire. The Council
then went into executive session and
National Councillor Perry A. Shanor
delivered his annual address.
Mr.. Shanor reviewed the progress Of
the order during the year and reported
that nearly every jurisdiction of the
order, is in a more promising condi-
tion than it was a year ago.
A case in the courts of West Vir-
ginia of special interest to members of
the Jr. 0. U. A. NJ. is discussed at some
length by the National Councillor. A
citizen of the State secured from the
Supreme Court of Appeals mandamus
causing the school board of a certain
district to stop the reading Of the
Bible in the schools. The executive
board Of the Jr. o. U. A. NJ. assumed
the entire cost and responsibility OF
fighting the case to the highest court.
The case is now progressing in the
Supreme Court of Appeals, and the
National Councillor gives assurances
that it will be fought TO the last.
The order in politics is discussed by
Mr.. Shanor in these words:
"While this is unduestionably po
litical order in the broad sense of ad-
vocating those men and measures that
will secure the enactment on the
statute books of the nation and of the
State these principles that constitute
the corner stone of our profession and
the prompt and effective enforcement
of such laws as now exist or may be
adopted hereafter, yet in this same
line lies the great danger that con-
fronts our order. Upon this political
rock many another organization has
foundered. Nowhere else is there more
danger than in an unguar1ed partici-
patton in political matters. By it an
tagonisms are created in places where
we should have friends, and II not
members. at least sympathj2er5. Fre-
ouently during the last year my atten-
ton has been called to this danger
In closing he makes these recommen-
Jdations for legislation to the national
council:
That a law be provided preventing
councils from loaning their funds to
roamber. that more stringent regUia-
tions he provided for the bonding Oh
officers of State and subordinate coun-
oils and all State councils be incor-
norated; that laws be provided prevent
ing any council from issuing and cir-
culating any circulars or petitions thaV
have not received the approval ana IN
dorsement of the proper officers Oh the
State council. and that the approprla-
tions for periodicals be continued
National Vice Councillor Joseph Pow
oil of Colorado, followed with his an
nual report. after which National Sec
retarv Edward S. Deewar, of Philadel-
mia presented his report for the year
T. was as follows: Receipts, S96,S1O.H;
now councils. 1O6; new members, lO'-
500: paid out in benefits and relleIs'
s55o S6Op9. a gain of $50, ,722.19. In
treasury of sub-councl.s" Sl'o-f'o1o''''
an increase of $192,21O.42. National
Treasurer ]. Adams Sohl, of Baltimore
reported that he had paid out S4S,S99.-
9S leaving a balance of S6,9S1.22 in the
treasury.
The finance committee recommended
per capita tax of twelve cents, and
that the laws be so amended to make
the same payable semi-annualiy IN
March and September. 1t is also rec
commended that the services Of ma
tional organizer be dispensed with and
an appropriation of $4,000 made for
the use of the board of directors for
special organizers.
The report of the committee on laws
recommended a number of amend
ments and additions to the constitu-
ton and bylaws, and the committee on
national legislation suggested that the
same plans and arrangements in force
during the past year be continued.
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