The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-12
HIBERNTANS TO REUN1TE.
BISHOP MIA VI, AS ARBITRATOR,
Announces his DECISION.
Rna Or tho Ten Years FiRht between Rival
Orrahisntions OF the A. o. H., onrcrees
Accept n Plan or HeorEaniEntisn-Persons
OF Irish Descent By Etiher Parent Ritr,bte.

Orrahiuations Of the A. q. H., onrcrers
Accept n Pisa or ReorEanirntlsn-Persons
OF Irish Descent By Eiiher Parent Rliuib,e.
TRENTON. n. j., Dec. l1,-Late this afternoon
Bishop McFau arbitrator between tho rival
organizations OF the Ancient ordor Of Hiber-
mans, announced TO tho members OF tho Joint
committee his decision and q plan of reorganiza-
tion to carry 1t into effect.
Bishop Mcfaul met the members Of tho com.
mittee at 2 o'clock. and the conference con.
tinued until after B O'Clock, when tho commit.
teemen signed the decision and plan. The
former had been printed and copies were given
to the signers. The plan of reorganization
was amended by the conference. and will be
printed and distributed within a few days.
The comnitteomcn present at the conference
wcre p. J. O'Connor. National President;
Maurice Wilhcre. and John L. Murphy. Ma
tional Directors; James O'Sullivan, National
Secretary; and tho ltov. William +. McLaugh-
lin, representing the Ancient Order of Hiber-
mans OF Amcrica;" the Rev. L. s. Phillips.
National Delegate; L. Il. Hayes, National Sec
rotary; John p. Quinnan. Joseph Mclaughlin.
Miles McPartlan I, and James II. Murphy. rep.
rcsenting tho Ancient Order OF Hibernians of
tho United States OF America in Afiliation with
the Board Of Erin National vice-President
John G. Weadock of the organization first
named was absent, but had sent u power of at
torney. and the acceptance is therefore unani.
nous on the part OF the two committees which
were appointed at q national convention Of the
two ORGANIZATIONS, held at Atlantic City last
August.
The organization split in 1888, the chief diff
ferences between the two factions being as to
whether the American organization should BIO
whether the privilege or mcmbership should ex.
tend to those or Irish descent through one
parent or only to persons OF Irish descent
th Mn nth Arnnta
Bishop McFaul's decision is as follows:
y. Inc name by which the reunited organiza:
Hibernians;' the words in America shall DO
added only TO designate the country wherein
the organization is located.
80. The constitution in use previous to dis
union, and adopted Mt the National Convention
held in Cleveland, o.: May 10, lsS4, shall be
sary amendments shall be made.
At the National Convention. held by virtue
OF this decision. amendments shall be recon-
mended by "a committee of five members, APP.
pointed BY the permanent Chairman. and said
amend ments may be adopted by the convention
after they shall have received the approval OF
%. The qualifications for membership in tho
order are enumerated in Article y. of tho above
mentioned constitutions. Among Others, the
t come "a Member mt5s OF Of t lSSn order HS %b psf rs no, s irisb, Dr. Or
OF Irish descent through either parent, &C.
This qualification has been. the cause of
nevertheless, that its retention is necessary for
the continuance, growth, and prosperity OF the
olBAliiLdlloHl II lilb III ~ V
qualification may. perhaps. be better in Europe:
but in America 1t would be suicidal. owing to
descendants with other nationalities.
1t mas been asserted that this qualification
opens ms, the fon WAY i, TO tS Objectionable Si.S i mSs hen Hn,e 4, 4
candidate Is received or rejected, and. rs this is
n sufficient safeguard. an additional means
need MOI lie selected; and one that Will lead.
sooner or later, to the extinction OF the order in
America must re condemned by every member
who has the welfare OF the organization NJ heart.
Moreover. rs the Irish have always been
justly proud Of the part taken by their heroic
land dur ny the dark ages of persecution. this
organization will only be true to its best traii-
lions when It Gnltty.tes and encourages the
cula.es a single Grop Of Irish blood.
Il. The quarterly communications. after the
this decision, shnll be manufactured and issued.
subject 10 the approval of the national chap
in America, until the European branches OF
the order or s5o shall hr, have united, end a mem.
ned t. The ,Sntionai chapiain thar the united
body Is in harmony, with the teachings OF the
where in this decision. the question of receiving
the quarterly communications from Europe
may be considered.
You have como together like truc and honor
able men, wiling to make any sacrifice for
mat Shn,iy al fpd at hsG%o%y; s iSq h be- td 5ssSlySa
and you are determined to net for the
best Interests Of your Church. yoGr race
ton. Your brothers in Europe, are, equally
m~aGnanimous. ana will. no doubt, chcrr!u!ly
follow your example. | suggest, therefore, that
the new chief executive officer, elected at the
national convention. held by virtue Of this Gu-
ci~ion. communicate with the chief executive
' officers OF the European branches of the order,
and advise them to unite by some such feasible
means as you lave selected.
IS. A bond Of friendship. unity. and Christian
charity shall still exist netween the American
and European codes. This bond shall be the
transfer card from either European branch,
which shall be duly honOrcd. as hereinafter pro-
vidcd. by the order in America,
IS. The plan of reorganization which is
hereto attached. is n part OF this decision, and
embraces all matters appcrtaining TO represcn-
tRtion, conventions, credentials. property,
transfer card. constitution. ritual, government
o: organization, &c"
The quarterly communications referred to in
the decision are the passwords.
The plan of reorganization referred to pro-
vices. in bric:, that all the divisions now COM
posing the minor orgRniEati lions of the American
branch aud OF tho Board of Erin shall remain
prise the units OF the reunited organization Of
the Ancient Order OF II hcruiaEs. Where there
nre TWO subordinate lodges claiming tho same
number, provision is maze for REMEMBERING.
In counties where there are two county boards
they are TO be superseded by a single county
organization 10 be composed of an equal number
OF delegates chosen from each OF the rival divi-
sions in that county. Where there are two
state ORGANIZATIONS in existence they are to be
superseded by a single one to he orsa lied by
de legntcs from The new county boards. After
the State boards are reorg 'nizcd a national con
rcntion is TO be called BY Bishop McFaul and n
single national organization formed TO succeed
the two present organizations. The convention
Will be held in June or July OF next year and IL
is probahlet that Trenton will be fixed upon for
the place of meeting.