The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-12-12
A MESSAGE
 FROM POPE + He Sends Blessings to Gin
 cinnati Convention. NATIONAL BODY FORMED
First Meeting to Be Held July
 Next in Chicago.
In Resolutions Adopted Yesterday the Aims of the Organization
 are Outlined - Pledge of Allegiance to the Nation.

Cincinnati, Dec. 1.-The American Federation of Catholic Societies will hold it's first regular national convention in Chicago July 15, 1902. The only question regarding membership was that of the addition of women. The Committee on Constitution did not report In favor of their admission but the convention took it up and after long and animated dis cuss ion decided to admit them. The con- vention will conclude tomorrow. At the afternoon session today tele- grams were read from most of the States | in the Union, representing different Cath olic societies. wishing success to the new organization. Most of the Catholic pa- pers sent telegrams endorsing the Feder- ation. including The Irish World and The Bos ton Pilot.
 The work of the day was the adoption of new constitution, which provides more fully for a working centralized power without interfering with the au- tonomy of any societies that affiliate 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 organization. In State conventions, there will be one delegate for each 1000 members, and one for each fraction of five hundred or more. While the local federations of the larger cities retain their autonomy as well as in- depsndent societies, the new constitution provides a plan of organization under county federations directly and indi- rectly under State and national federal tions. 4
 Before any county or State federation can act in d ma tier affecting even, one county only, il must have the endorse ment of the Executive Council of the American Federation. Provision is made for ample resources with an initiation fee of $5 for societies and a per capita tax.
 At the night session the following resolutions were adopted:
 Resolved, That this organization has for it's object the spread of fraternal rela- tions amongst the various Catholic socie- ties throughout the United States in the hope that throughout the larger experi- ence and knowledge acquired from mutual contact each and all may increase in membership, improve In organization and
  more effective as instruments for the in- culcation of practical Catholic faith and morality, with the consequent sound citizenship-thus doing better work than ever before for God, for country and for truth.
 Resolved, That we declare our filial devotion and loyalty to our Holy mother the church, and to the representative of her Divine founder the Pope; and that
 nI rtn efforts in the carrying out of their bene- ficent mission We recognize in the SC .ereign pontlff, Pope Leo XIII, the one who enlightened by Divine grace, has in his various encyclicalS extended to the work teachings which. If accepted and faithfully observed, will uplift mankind to higher place of contentment and happiness. We. therefore. sincerely recommend to the faithful and those out side of the communion of our church, the study of the lucid explanations of Christian teaching contained in the several letters of the Holy Father and to urge them to carry out the advice, which is given us so lovably and forcibly there in.
 Resolved, That we also pledge to our country that devotion and patriotism which is incumbent upon good citizens. As faithful Catholics, respecting lawfully established authority. we desire to give expression in an especial manner to oiE condemnation of the dastardly act. by which the life of the chief executive of the nation. President William Mckinley | was brought to a sudden and untimely | end On this occasion, we earnestly | wish success. happiness and prosperity to his successor President Theodore Roose- | welt. and his administration.
 Resolved. That we pledge ourselves to endorse those who are laboring in the interest of sound Catholic press | literature and education. and that we | urge our members to cordially support | and protect the same.
 During the evening session the Latin | version of the following cablegram was read by Bishop McFaul and received l with three cheers followed by continuous demonstrations:
 Rome. Dec Il. ITO the Most Rev. Elder. Archbishop of
 Cincinnati
 His Holiness most lovingly grants his apostolic benediction to the American Federation of Catholic Societies in na- tional convention at Cincinnati.
 M. Cardinal Rampolla."
 A number of addresses followed, the most prominent being by Father Mackey. on socialism He maintained by argu- mentS and CltdtIoIS tIdl all dIdTCHlSlS l were first socialists.
 The next annual convention will be held on the third Tuesday in July at Chicago At,a late hour tonight the Committee on Nominations reported the following nom- nations:
 President. T. B. Mlnahan. Ohio; Vice Presidents, l.. J. Kaufman. New Jersey; C H. Cannon. Illinois; T. w. Fitzgerald, New York; Secretary. Nicholas Conner, Dubuoue: Treasurer, IT. J. Fries. Penn svlvania; Marshal. J. J. O'Rourke, Penn svlvania; Executive Council, M P. Mooney Ohio; P. H. Mcclure. Pennsyl- vania. r. B. McKenna, New Jersey; Gabriel Fancier, New York; R. M. Kerst, Minnesota: k. D. Reardon. Indiana; George w. Gibbons. Pennsylvania.
 shortly after midnight Minahan was elected over Judge Fitzgerald of Brook Ivn who had been nominated by John J. Coyle. by a vote of l43 to 42 The con vention then adjourned until g o'clock to- morrow morning when the other officers will be elected.