The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-06-16
National Councillor Shaner Delivers
an Address.
Nearly Every Jurisdiction of the
Order Reported to be i'm a More
Flourishing Condition Than 1t Was
AGAR Ago-Grave Danger Which
Lies i'm Participation i'm Politics
Without Intelligent Direction.

PITTSBURG, June 15-The twenty
ninth annual session of the National
Council Junior Order American Me-
chanics began in Elks' Hall this morn
ing. Rev. DR.. Lichliter, State Council
lor, called the convention to order There
We're about 200 delegates and visitors
present. DR.. Lichliter introduced Mayor
Welsford, who welcomed the delegates.
Response was made by Rev. H. H.
Slaughter, State Councillor of Missouri,
after which National Councillor Shaner
took charge and requested all but mem
bers of the National Council to retire.
The council then went into executive
session and National Councillor Shaner
delivered his annual address.
Mr.. Shaner reviewed the progress of
the order during the year and reported
that nearly every jurisdiction of the or
der is in more flourishing condition
than it was a year ago.
A case in the courts of West Virginia
of especial interest to the Junior Order
United American Mechanics was dis
cussed at some length. A citizen of the
State secured from the Supreme Court
of Appeals mandamus causing the
school of a certain district to stop the
reading of the Bible in the school. The
Executive Board of the Junior Order
United American Mechanics stood the
entire cost and liability of fighting the
case to the highest court. The case is
now progressing in the Supreme Court
of Appeals and the National Councillor
no IN
the last.
Mr.. Shaner said: while this is I'M
questionably a political order, in the
broad sense of advocating those men
and measures that will secure the en-
actment on the statute books of the
nation and of the States of those prin-
ciples which constitute the cornerstone
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 dan
ger that confronts our order. Upon this
political rock many another organiza-
ton has foundered. Nowhere else is
there more danger than in an unguard-
ed participation in political matters"
He made these recommendations for
legislation to the National Council:
That a law be provided preventing
councils from lending their funds to a
member; that more stringent regula-
tions be provided for the bonding of
officers of State and subordinate coun-
ellis; that all State councils be incorpor-
ated; that laws be provided preventing
the council from issuing and circulating
any circulars or petitions that have not
received the approval and Endorsement
of the proper officer of the State council;
and that the appropriations for period
icals be continued.
National Secretary Edward S. Deem
err of Philadelphia presented his report
for the year, as follows: Receipts, $780,,
SO II; councils 106; new members,
1O.S99: paid out in benefits and reliefs,
S55O. $50 20. a gain of $50, 122 10; in
treasures of sub councils, 81 ,624 SAG, an
increase of 1892 1O.
National Treasurer J. A. Sohl of Bal
timore reported that he had paid out
$40, 1913 SO, leaving balance of S6931 in
the treasury.
The Finance Committee recommended
a per capita tax of II cents and that
the laws be so amended as to make the
same PAYABLE semi-annually in March
and September. 1t also recommended
that the services of a national organizer
de dispensed with, and that an appro-
priation of $4,000 be made for the use of
the Board of Directors for special organ
izers. The report of the Committee on
Laws recommended a number of amend
ments and additions to the constitution
and bylaws, and the Committee on Ma
tional Legislation suggested that the
plans and arrangements in force during
the past year be continued.
The first fight of the session was just
before the adjournment this CIV ening.
1t was on the appropriation for the
periodical of the order. The Finance
Committee recommended that 81 800 be
set aside for the appropriation. One
of the delegates wanted to amend the
amount by making it 81 900, and then
A. D. Wilkin of Pittsburg, who is affll-
lated with the administration, moved
to make it 81, 900, and on roll call this
amendment went through by a vote of
100 to 90.
The afternoon session was taken up
with the consideration of reports. The
National Councillors report was acted
on first. One decision made by Mr..
Sanor during the year was not APP
proved. 1t was to the effect that sub
ordinate councils could not make a law
providing for the payment of benefits
on the death of members.
The total number of councils is 9, 1897
or a gain of 107 over last year. The
total number of members is 177,137, or
a gain of 10SS9. The receipts of sub
ordinate councils during the year We're
81 $50, oS1 or a gain of over 1854, 600
The amount paid for benefits and re-
lief was $3.50, $50, and the amount in
the treasures of subordinate councils
is now 81 ,624, SIG.
The report of the National Treasurer
showed balance of S6,931 on hand af-
ter all expenses of the year were paid.
UNION PACIFIC ROAD.