The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-10-12
Sixteenth Annual Convention
Yesterday in St. Nicholas
School Hall, Passaic.
PRESIDENT YHORNTOE'S REPORT
Increase in Membership and
Funds Election of
Officers.
Special 10 .The Jersey city News

3 tCS ! =
by the time for opening the convention
they were numerous in the central por-
ton of the city. They were met on their
arrival by delegates from Emerald Coun-
ell No. 11s. while President Roster and
Secretary Flynn, assisted by all the local
members. were busy as bees looking
after the comfort of the visitors and ex-
tending a hearty welcome to Passaic-
The convention met in st. Nicholas
school hall at 1890 and was called to
order by State President James r. Thorn
ton, of Newark. Prayer was offered by
Spiritual Director McManus and the roll
was called by State Secretary Ghegan
All of the State officers and ninety rep
resentatives were present.
The following committees were appoint
ed by President Thornton
Credentials-Dr. Richmond and H. Nor
oney. Newark; NJ. ]. Queeney, Freehold,
M~ileage-John A. Lane, Jersey City; An
drew Farley and Joseph Jenney. Newark
New Business-W. Flaherty, Paterson;
James Smyth, Trenton; P. Hickey, Hobo
ken.
Immediately after the appointment of
the committees President Thornton was
agreeably surprised by Representative
Joseph Walker. who. on behalf Of the
Regina Outing Club of Paterson, pre-
tented him with a handsome gavel. The
gavel is made from the red cedar of which
their clubhouse is built and bore this in
scription ON a silver plate: Presented 10
James #. Thornton, President State Coun-
ell, G. B. L., by the Regina Outing Club
of Paterson, October II, 1898" The out
ing club is composed Of members of Re
gina Council No. 2s5, Of Paterson.
The next session was given over to rou-
tine business, and at half-past one O'clock
a recess was taken for dinner. Covers
were laid for 1856 people INC the decora-
lions of the dining room were very effec-
tive.
The afternoon session began at 2:30 and
was devoted to reports of committees and
officers.
The report of Treasurer wiegers shows
the order to be in a fourishing condition
financially.
The most important document present.
ed to the convention was the report of
State President Thornton. In part it was
as follows
rhe most effective %hindrance to a large
increase in membership was undoubted-
ly the great war cloud which early in the
year -overshadowed our nation only to be
rapidly dispelled by the glorious victory
which soon crowned our arms on land and
sea. 1t seems to me that with the other
great blessings it has brought to us as a
nation, it must also rebound to the ulti-
mate advantage of cooperative insir-
ance. Brave men who are suddenly
called to face hardships and death must
realize the obligations resting upon them
to secure for their loved ones, before leav-
ing them perhaps forever, protection from
want and misery in case their patriotism
to Countrywide it may result in glory
to the fiag-may also entail deprivations
and need upon the family. Many mem
bers of the Catholic Benevolent Legion
were mustered into the service and gladly
went to the front. What a source of
pleasure and confidence they must have
felt from the fact that their membership
in the Legion was secure and sacred from
jeopardy. The Supreme, and all Sub
ordinate Councils. Joined in making It
so by promising to pay the assessments
and dues of those who enlisted and the
promise was kept.
or October ]. 1897, there were S,S02 com
rades in this State, since then 1874 new
members have been initiated, 9s have died,
2S9 have been suspended. 8 took permanent
withdrawal cards and 8 were dropped
from the roll for misstatement in their
applications for membership. Twenty
two Of the suspended members were re-
instated. leaving the membership on De-
tober ], 1893, SIPS, which is a net increase
Of 424 members.
Twelve new councils were Instituted
l,u;,rr 49, x-ao-. ana onoh 1ot Torcoy Cifu
Raritan, vineland, Cape May. vailsburg,
MiIlburn. East Orange. westneld, Syres-
vile. Netcong and two at Paterson.
Councils win be Instituted in the near fu-
ture at Riverside. Elizabeth, Ridgewood,
Newton. Mount Hope, Summit and New
ark. We now have in New Jersey 105
Councils. One Council was disbanded in
Cape May.
During the year ninety-eight of our
comrades nave been called to their heav-
enly reward and the mantle of the G.. B..
L. has in sweet charity protected ninety
eight more homes by the distribution of
$145,0 900 to their dependents. And as
proof that in the Legion you do not al
ways have to Idle to win it may be
stated that two disability claims of $1,000
each have recently been paid to members
OF ST. Aloysius Council Of Newark.
"An innovation established during the
year was the very gratifying and success
full one of Legion Nights, consisting of
musical vespers at the parish church,
and a sermon on the 'sProtection of the
Catholic Home" Every Council should
set apart one Sunday night in each year
as LEGION Night, and 1t will be found
one Of the best methods Of bringing the
~oonE4e - am 7 .ooion 10 thu affopffap nF