The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-12-12
CATHOLIC PHAL ANK
cINeINNATI MEETING PERFEcTs
AN ORGANIZATION FOR GEN
ERAL PURPOSES
MINAHAN OF OHIO PREs1DEN,
Politics Is Tabooed by the Constita-
ton, and Very Strict Rule of
Representattons- lis
Adopted.

Adopted.
CINCINNATI, Dec. 1.-THE American
Federation of Catholic societies suggest
ed at conference in New York last win
ter, temporarily organized at Long
Branch last summer and permanently es-
tablished here this week, will hold its
first regular national convention in Chi
cago, July 10, 1902 All of its national
conventions will begin the third Tuesday
in July.
In addition to a membership of over
half a million of the laity represented
here this week this federation has receiv-
ed the endorsement of the pope, the
American cardinal, the archbishop Ct this
province, of half dozen bishops who
have been present and of very many Ill
the priesthood 1t is, however, an. organi-
cation of the laity. All the officers are
laymen and it's objects are for work dis
ti1fctive from that of the hierarchy
The only question regarding member
ship was that of the admission of women
The convention on constitution did not
report in favor of their admission but
the convention took it up and after a
long debate concluded to admit them
CINCINNATI, Ohio, Dec. 11.-At to-
alic societies kilograms were read from
most of the states in the Union, -reresent.
ing different Catholic societies, wishing
success to thetneW organization. Most of
the Catholic papers sent kilograms indors-
ing the federation, including the Irish
World and the Boston Pilot The work
of the day was the adoption of a new
constitution.
Judge Fitzgerald, of Brooklyn present
4on o,.f- oo,Ixy
the constitution was not adopted until to-
night. Among those participating in the
discussion were Bishops Messmer and
McFaul, the presidents of state organia-
lions and the officers of different So
cieties. Among those who spoke in in
dividual capacities were MeSSrs. Alfonso
Koelble, of New York; Miss Hart, of Col
umbus; Judge Shine, of Covington, KY;
Reaus, of Indiana; Andres, of Michigan;
Coyle, of Philadelphia; Fowler, Of Ken
lucky; Elkers, of New Jersey; Davis, of
Philadelphia; Druding, Immekus, Fitz-
gerald and FlNnn.
Provisions of Constitution.
The federation has had "a provisional
constitution the past year and with it as
a basis the leaders of the federation COM
piled the constitution which was adopted
today, which provides for working cen,
the autonomy of any societies that affiii-
ate with it. The basis of representation
is two delegates from each local society
and the same ratio carried on up from
parish to county and from county to
state and from state to the national or
ganization. In state conventions there.
will be one delegate for each LOCO mem>
bers and one for each fraction of 500 or
more. While the local federations of the
larger cities retain their autonomy as
we'll as independent societies, the new
constitution provides plan of organiza-
ton under county declarations directly
and indirectly under state and national
declarations.
Before any county or state federation
can act in matter. affecting ever one
county only, it must have, the indorse-.
ment Of the executive council of the
American Federation While the stand
ing committees on law, Organization, ar
bitration, the press and other matters
have important works assigned them, the
main authority is vested in the national
executive council.
Provision Is made for ample resources
with an initiation fee Of S. for societies
and a per capita tax. No, state is to have
the presidency for more than two sue
eessiYe years.
L
of Catholic societies are declared to be
the eementing of the bonds of fraternal
union among. the Catholic laity and
Catholic societies of the United States
the fostering and protecting and Catholic
interests and works of religion, piery.
education and charity; the study of con-
ditions in our social life and the dis
semination of the truth.
Politics Cut Gut.
Partisan politics are not to be dis
cussed in any meetings of the fedora
ton or of its subordinate bodies nor
shall the federation indorse any candidate
for office. The following resolution was
adopted tonight:
Resolved, That We pledge to our coun-
try that devotion and patriotism which
faithful Catholics, respecting lawfully es-
teblished authority, We desire to give ex-
preston in an especial manner to our
condemnation of the dastardly act by
which the life of the chief executive Of
the nation, President William MCKINLEY,
was brought to so sudden and untimely
an end. On--this occasion we earnestly
wish success happiness and prosperity
Roosevelt and his administration.
A number of addresses followed the
reading Of cablegram from the pope.
the most prominent being by Father
Mackey on Socialism He maintained
by arguments and citations that all an
archists were first socialists
Chicago was selected as the place for
the next national convention, which will
commence on the third Tuesday in July,
1902
Minahan for President.
AT late hour tonight the following
nominations were presented:
President-T. B. Minahan, Ohio.
Vice Presidents. J. Kaufman, New
Jersey; T. H. Cannon, Illinois; T. J. Fitz-
gerald New York.
Seeretary-Nieholas Conner, Dubuque,
Iowa.
Treasurer-H. J. Fries, Pennsylvania
Marshall. J. ORourke, Pennsylvania.
Executive CoHncil-M P. Mooney, Ohio;
P. H. Mcclure. Pennsylvania: T. B. Nc
KeEna, New Jersey: Gabriel Faucier.
New York; F. NJ. Kerst, Minnesota; E.
D. Reardon. Indiana; George W. Gibbons,
Pennsylvania.
As soon as this report was made con-
test was precipitated by John J. Doyle,
of Pennsylvania, chairman of the old
executive board, who presented the
name of Judge Joseph W. Fitzgerald, of
Brooklyn, in opposition to Mr.. Minahan
for president.
After several motions to adjourn had
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