The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-03-22
ST. PATRICK,S DAY.
1he Hibern:an Benevolent Society Cele-
brates IL in a Most Benefitting Way-The
Society Elects Officers and Attends Ser
yIces-A Splendid Programme Last Night

Society Elects Officers and Attends Ser
yices-A Splendid Programme Last Nigh,
Yesterday was St. Patrick's Day and
the shamrock was displayed on the lape,
Of many a coat. 1t is a day when the
hearts of all true Irishmen are inspired
with the memory of the patron saint OF
the Emerald Isle, and accordingly the
day was appropriately celebrated by the
Hibernian Benevolent Society, of Will
mington.
The society on yesterday held its an
nual meeting At 9 O'Clock the member
assembled at Hibernian Hall, with Mr..
Martin OBrien, the president, in the
chair, and Mr.. William Flanagan, the
secretary, at his post.
President O'Brien read his annual re-
port, which was as follows:
Brother Members:
1T is a great pleasure to US to see so
many members present at this, our thir-
ty-second annual meeting. 1t is a fair
indication that you have the welfare OF
the society at heart, and that you have
realized the great amount of good it has
accomplished among US.
Il am pleased to say that your society
is in a most fiourishing condition. both
financially and socially. The receipts for
the past year will exceed that of any in
the history of your association. You
have added to your roll Of membership
the names of new members, notably
among them are the Rev. Fathers Crit
fin and Quinn, who are most acceptable
to US. We have lost by the hand of
highly esteemed members-J. w. Fur
long-whose bright countenance and
genial manner we sadly miss from our
midst. Your total receipts for the year
amount to S1 1Ef % Your 1ichIIrcarnpntC
for the year amount to $S16. %. leaving a
balance on hand of $780, "a. This report
speaks well for the good management Of
your association.
Fellow members, I will call your at
tention to the fact that not a week has
past since our last annual meeting, that
we have not had one or more members
on the sick list, which accounts for the
large disbursements in sick benefits, 800.
Your sick committee deserves the thanks
of this society for the verey satisfactory
manner in which they have performed
their duty. and in particular the chair
man, DR.. T.. B. Carroll. He is the right
man in the right place,
Under the supervision of your able
executive committee your hall has been
renovated and furnished at a very rea-
agree with me in saying that the new
lights put in the hall by Superintendent
Reilly is a decided improvement.
w are very much indebted to our
Iduy IIlCIluS II nave 81 Z htlluiy dS-
sisted US, and we pray that God bless
them.
And to you, by brother officers, am
under grateful and lasting obligations for
your untiring efforts in assisting me in
steering the society to successfully in
every respect during the past year.
I'm conclusion, brother members, L beg
to call your attention to the fact that
this is my sixth term as president of
your honorable body, and beg to thank
you for the confidence you nave seen fit
70 nj 90 In mr. nv n1notinr ~ 70 tho htrL
est position in the society, which 1 nave
ever felt proud Of. At the last annual
meeting you agreed to my retirement as
president at this meeting if 1 would
serve you during the past year. This I
consented to do, and have endeavOred to
do my duty to the best of my ability. At
this meeting you will elect my successor
and allow me to retire to the ranks,
where it will ever be my aim to work
for the best interest of the society and
it's individual members"
The report was received with applause.
Colonel F. w. Kerchner was elected an
honorary member of the society.
The election of officers being in or
der. Mr.. O'Brien declined reelection as
president. The following officers were
then elected.
President-John w. Reilly. .
Vice President-Dr. T. B. Carroll.
Treasurer-William Sheehan, Jr.
Secretary-WilMam Flanagan.
Assistant Secretary-Frank P. Donlan.
Standard Bearer-Robert Green:
Messrs. Jno. Dyer and M: OBrien were
appointed to represent the HIbernlan
Society at the centennial celebration of
the Irish rebellion of 1898, to be held in
County Waxford, Ireland, June Sth, 1898.
On motion of Mr.. James Madden, the
society adopted a resolution of thanks
to President O'Brien for his faithful SER
vices and expressing the reluctance that
all felt in allowing him to decline a re-
election.
Mr.. Tom Quinlivan, the vice president,
would also have been reelected, but he
also declined. Secretary Flanagan, who
has served so efficiently and faithfully,
also declined reelection, but the society
would not let him go.
AT ST. THOMAS CHURCH.
the members of the society formed, and
with Major D. O'Connor as chief mar
shall and Captain Robert Green as assist
ant marshal, moved down Third street
to Dock and thence to st. Thomas Pro-
Cathedral, on Dock street. between Sec
ond and Third streets. At the church
there was special services and a pro-
gramme OF fine music. The Rev. Father
Dennen delivered a beautiful sermon on
the sanctity and patriotism of st. Pat
rick, and in the course of mis- remarks
edited his audience by referring to the
ancient civilization of Ireland.
At the conclusion of the services, the
choir rendered ST. Patrick's Day and as
the congregation moved out, The Wear
Ing OF the Green was pldy1u.
After leaving the church, the society
moved down Dock street to Second, up
Second to Market, down Market to
Front, up Front to Chestnut, out Chest
nut to Third and thence to the hall.
After returning to the hall, Mr.. Tim
Donlan, in we'll made remarks, present.
ed the society. in behalf of Mrs. John
Dyer, a very fine portrait of her hus-
band, Mr.. John Dyer, a venerable and
highly esteemed member of the society.
Mrs. Dyer also presented through Mr..
Madden, a very large design of the Harp
of Erin.
Mr.. James Madden accepted the pres
ents in behalf of the society, and feel
ingly expressed their high appreciation
of the presents. A vote of ank was
extended to Mrs. Dyer for the gifts.
After remarks by several of the mem
bers. the society adjourned until last
night at s o'clock.
A SPLENDID PROGRAMME.
Last night at s o'clock the society ard