The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-12-12
American Federation of Catholic
Societies Changing Bylaws to
Render it Acceptable to all Old
Societies, Also to the Hierarchy
CABLEGRAM SENT TO
CARDINAL RAMP0LLA
Many Letters and kilograms
Wishing the Federation a Sue
CeSSfuI Future Read from the
Chancellor of Cardinal Gibbons
RESOLUTIONS Adopted

Cincinnati O., Dec. 11.-Unusual in
terest is apparent in the conference of
the American Federation of Catholic
Societies which began here yesterday.
The interest centres in the framing of
the new constitution and bylaws to
render the federation acceptable to all
the old societies, also to the Hierarchy.
In addition to these societies there are
different conditions in different states
1t is proposed to include all the insular
possessions in the federation. Porto
Rico is represented in the new conven-
ton. The committee on constitution
labored most of the night, and consid-
Grafton of it's report today occupied the
greater part of the session.
This federation is composed Of men of
experience in other organizations, and,
Il is claimed, that it will represent over
a million Catholics. The leaders have
been seeking to secure a constitution
that will not only be acceptable but
also operative, and it has been the
real work of the convention.
Letters and kilograms wishing the
federation successful future were
read today from the chancellor of Car
dinal Gibbons, from Bishop Blenk of
sen Juan. P. R., the California German
catholic League, the American Society
for Visiting Prisoners, and others. The
Following cablegram was sent to Cardi-
nal Rampolla at Rome: THE American
Federation of Catholic Societies, in
convention assembled at Cincinnati,
humbly and lovingly ask for the Papal
benediction."
Al the afternoon session kilograms
were read from many different Catho-
lie societies, wishing success to the
new organization. The work of the day
was the adoption of new constitu-
ton. Judge Fitzgerald of Brooklyn
presented the report early In the morn
ing. and the constitution was not
adopted until tonight. Among those
participating in the discussion were
Bisbops Messner and McFauL
The constitution adopted provides for
G working centralized power without
Interfering with the autonomy of any
societies that affiliate with 1T. The ba-
sis of representation is two delegates
from each local society, and the
same ratio carried on up from parish
- county and from county to state, and
from state to the national organiza-
In state conventions there will be one
delegate for each 1000 members, and
one for each fraction Of 800 or more.
while the local declarations of the larg-
err cities retain their autonomy as wen
as independent societies.
Indenendent societies the new con-
stitl1tion provides a plan Of organiza-
zion under county federation directly
and Indirectly under state and national
federation.
While the standing committees on
law organization, arbitration, the
nress and other matters, have import
ant works assigned them, the main au-
thority is vested in the national ex-
ecutive council.
Provision is made for ample resources
NV an Initiation fee for societies and
ns,-,canita tax. No state is to have the
presidency for more than two sue
cessive years. Ihe following sec'ioils
are given In full:
",Tbe objects of the American Fedora
+ion of Catholic Societies are the
cementinR of the bonds of fraternal
union among the Catholic laity and
Catholic societies Of the United states,
the Fostering and protecting OF Cathohc
interests and works on religion. piety,
education and charity, the study or
conditions in our social life ana the
dissemination Of the truth.
partisan politics shall not be dis
cussed in any meetings Of this fedora
tion or of its subordinate bodies, nor
shall this body or any Of its suoordi-
nate bodies endorse any candidate for
office"
At the night session ex-senator }. J.
Coyle. chairman of the committee on