The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1900-05-19

, the order, who responded to the sent
:. ment "The Ancient Order of Hibernian
OF America" Hon. Joseph H. O'Nei
whose speech dealt with "The Irish
American Citizen" Mayor Thomas N
Hart, who spoke for "The City of Bos
ton" Rev. John F. Cummins, stat
. chaplain of Massachusetts,, who spok
on "The Catholic Church," the ex-na
tional president OF the order, P. ]
lO'Connor of Georgia, who responde
to the expressed hope ireland Ma
tion," James Jeffrey Roche, who repre-
sented "The Press" John ]. Roger:
. the county president OF Worceste,
whose sentiment was "Hibernia,
Knights" Representative John 7
Douglass, whose toast was "The Ladies
Auxiliary" and DR.. James T. Gallagher
vino read an original poem.
The third day was busy one. Ate
the morning session a trip down TIL
harbor was enjoyed, and again in tn
evening the convention assembled, re
naming until midnight.
The harbor trip was decided success
both for the number that participated
and enthusiasm displayed.
At the morning session the first busi
ness was the assigning of matters te
committees.
! The reports OF officers, as submitted
by the national secretary, James O'Sul
livan of Philadelphia, show that thu
past two years have been prosperous
All over the country the gains have beer
large, and though the war with Spair
did much to decrease the membership
the gains were such as to result in a
large net increase.
The gains in the ladies' auxiliary have
also been great, but in no state has the
increase been larger than in Massacllu-
sets.
According to the national secretary's
report the membership two years ago
was o7,214 and the present membership
is 1o4,S6o.
The total receipts OF the order from
dues, fines and assessments were $780,
5o2.1o and from interest and other
sources $212,241.44, The balance on
hand Dec. 81, 1899, was $681, 381.17,
while the total receipts were $1,754,-
The military companies in line, and
222.2o. The total amount paid for sick
benefits and death claims was $780,
oo2.S7, and for charitable and other pur-
poses $5o7, 24o.oS, or total of $1,o63,-
oSo.7o, while the balance on hand in the
local divisions OF the order throughout
the country at the present time is $780,
o54.3S.
This is the greatest record ever pre-
sented by the organization, and it shows
what it is doing for the members and
families of deceased members through
out the country.
There were during the two years just
closed 1892 deaths, large number Of
whom died while fighting for the flag
of the United States.
The evening session was taken up in
consideration OF matters pertaining to
changes in the ritual of the order. Sew
eral radical amendments offered were
laid over.
The question of the next convention
brought out great deal of oratory.
The contest was between Denver and
Milwaukee. Rev. Father Byrne, for
Denver, was backed up by Massachu-
sets and New York, and finally won the
day.
1t was voted that the time of holding
the national convention be changed
from May to July.
The fourth day of the convention was
opened Friday morning with National
President Heating in the chair.
The first business of the convention
was the consideration of communica-
tons from Right Rev. DR.. Conaty Of
Washington, D. c., and Bishop McFaul
of Trenton, N. J.
According to the members of the Or
der who spoke in regard to the matter,
the bishops letter is one of the most
| important communications ever re
ceived by the organization. 1t follows:
To Hon. John T. Heating, President,
and Hon. Delegates A. o. H., Faneuil
Hall, Boston, Mass:
/
Gentcmen-Permit me to express my
great regret at being unable to be pres
ent at the national convention. The
ceremonies incident to the death of two
priests OF the diocese take place on
Wednesday and Thursday, so that it is
impossible for me to be with you at
any time during the meetings. Hence
my interest in the organization, and the
pleasant rccollections of the national
convention held in this city, prompt me
to write and assure you that have the
same love for the cause and the same
earnest desire to see you increase in
numbers and prosperity.
After the noble sentiments in favor
of unity expressed by the delegates to
the last convention, it is quite unneces-
sary to emphasize the great Importance
of united effort for strength and prog
ress. l shall, therefore, direct your at
tention to another question which 1 be-
lieve should be taken up and prosecuted
1