The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-05-20

Ii 10 llit Ilhol IlhiH i-N - -
YEARS THAT THE ORGANIZATION
HAS HAD a CLERGYMAN ron
Observation-Disclosures WAS a LIVE
l.Y FIGHT FOR THE NATIONAL
DELEGATEsHIP -REsOLUTlONs
ADOPTED WERE VERY PRO
NOUNCED IN FAVOR or WAR.
The spirited convention Of the Catho-
lie Total Abstinence union of the dlo-
cese of Scranton, which opened in
Kingston, Wednesday morning, con-
cluded last evening. During the day
a great deal Of business was trans
acted including the election of ofti-
GERS. An important fact in connection
with the latter was the selection of
Rev, ]. ]. MCCahc of Avoca, as presi-
dent of the diocesan union. He is the
first clergyman who has been selected
for that high office since Rev. r. j.
McManus, Of Green Ridge, refused a
reelection five years ago.
Father McManus refused because, he
said. there was an impression among
some of the members of the union that
a layman would have more time to
devote to the duties of the office and
would make a more successful head
for the union He was so thoroughly
interested in the cause that he wanted
that idea to be thoroughly tested. The
action Of the delegates yesterday in
again asking a clergyman to lead them
shows that they believe the expert
ence of the last five years proves that
n clergyman can do better work as
the official head of the union than a
layman.
Before the organization OF the con-
vention yesterday morning the dele
gates attended mass at 9 o'clock in
the Kingston Catholic church. The
Celebrant of the mass was Rev. J. p,
O'Malley. the parish priest, who also
delivered a short talk to the delegates
about the work they were engaged in
MR.. OHARA'S REPORT.
When the convention reorganized al
10 o'clock John j. OHara, of Wilkes
Barre, eX-president of the diocesan
union, made his report as delegate tc
the national convention in Scranton
last August. Mr.. O'IIara's report was
elaborate and exhaustive and at its
conclusion it was decided to spread q
synopsis of the report on the minutes
of the convention.
President LAWN called the attention
of the delegates TO the necessity Of
taking some action with reference tt
the organization Of wOmen's societies
on motion of ]. c. Gallagher the mat
ter was referred to the incoming board
of government with instructions to or
ganize a board that will have entire
charge of the work of organizing wo
mems societies.
Hugh Boyle, of Harleigh, asked th'
convention for information with ref
erence to admitting Greek Catholics t
membership in societies of the union
After some discussion the opinion o
Rev. r. A. McAndrew on the subjec
was solicited. He was of the opinion
that any Catholic who acknowledge
the nope of Rome as the head Of th
church is entitled to membership il
societies of the Catholic Total Absti
nence union. Schismatic Greeks, h
believes, are not entitled TO member
ship, but he suggested that the opin
ion of the spiritual director he oh
tained before the matter is finall.
acted upon. 1t was decided in thi
case also to refer the matter to tn
incoming board Of government, whicl
will issue an opinion on the subject.
MORE SECRECY.
The following resolution was intro
duCed by NJ. j. OToOle, Of Scranton
and adopted after some debate:
Resolved That tho business affairs o
the societies of this union refer only Il
the societies interested and are of no con
tarn to the general public. The delegate
to this convention dcpreCatc the custom
of gossiping about society business out
side of the meetings and urge that cvec!
society adopt such means as may b.
found necessary to preserve !nviOlatc tn
privacy of business affairs.
j c. Gallagher, of Scranton, sug
gested the adVsablity of having an in
surance feature in connection with tn
Father Mathew societies, membershi
in which would be compulsory. Charlie
Canavan, of Scranton, moved that
committee of three be appointed to con
slider an insurance plan, this committe
to report at the next convention
Michael NcGarry, of Scranton, amend
ed the motion to provide for a commit
tee of nine. NJ j. Walsh felt that III
board of government was the prOpe
body to handle the matter. John L
Mclean was opposed to the insuranC
feature and said that past eXDerienc
proved that it was not practical I
have an insurance feaure in cOnneCtio
with Father Mathew societies. II
moved that the motion to appoint
committee be laid on the table. Thi
prevailed,
A resolution by NJ. j. O'ToOle Pre-
Vided hat the board of goVernmer
should hold stated meetings ever
three months. President LAWN rule
that the resolution was not in order fC
the reason that it attempted to fix tn
times of meeting of the board Of GOV
ernment which was not within its pow
er for the reason that the COnvcntio
has no means of knowing that tn
board viii have business to come befOI
it every three months. The appeal wa
stated by Vice President Gallagher an
the vote was 81 to 81 against sustainin
the chairman Mr.. O'Toole's resolr
tiOn was afterwards adopted.
REV. d. J. BUSTIN'S REMARKS
A recess was taken at this time fc
dinner and when the delcgaes reassen
bled Rev. ID. j. Dustin, of st. Mary
church, Wilkes-Barre, was introduce,
who made a few general remarks wit
reference to the total abstinence move
ment lie advised that literary fea
uros be addeC to the various societi,
10 the end that their members get II
pith of a good, general education.
Wednesday it was decided to hold
general parade ana when the selectiC
Of place came up yesterday afternoC
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