The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-09-17
ABSTINENCE UNION MEETING.
State Convention of Connecticut Held
 Yesterday at Stamford.

Yesterday at Stamford.
 Stamford, Sept. 16.-The celebration of high mass in St. Johns Roman Cath ollie church preceded the formal open ing of the annual convention of the Catholic Total Abstinence Union of Connecticut here to-day. The delegates marched to the church in body, the mass being celebrated by Rev. Walter J. ShanIey, of Hartford, president of the union. Rev. J. c. O'Brien, pastor of the church, extended welcome to the delegates. When the business session was called to order at il o'clock in St. Joseph's hall there were 151 delegates present. Mayor Homer S. Cummings welcomed the delegates to the city, after which President Shanley delivered the annual address. The report of the treasurer, Charles Fitzgerald, of Middletown, showed the receipts for the year to have been 1 $46932 and expenses S427.95, leaving a balance of $41.S7., u#
 John J. Corbett, of New Haven, sec- retary of the union, made his annual report. Reports from various counties were given, after which, at 12:45, the con vention adjourned. until o'clock. The election of officers will not take place probably until late this afternoon. In addition to the election there are vari- ous changes in the constitution and by 1 laws to be discussed,
 The report of the treasurer, Charles Fitzgerald of Middletown, showed the receipts for the year to have been $469.32, and the expenses $427. 7.95, leaving 8 balance of $41.37.
 John J. Corbett of New Haven, secre- tary of the union, made his report, which was in part as follows:
 At the last state convention held in Derby, September 10 1901, the union was reported to be composed of eighty two societies with 6,4S4 members. Dur ing the year one society resigned and four were reported out of existence with a membership of 449. We admitted Ii new societies with membership of 709. The present membership being S7 soci- cities with 7,047 members shows an &C., l Ludl SdtlI OFCE ldSL ySStl Ol 1lNC ~EOSASGiCS and SIS members. #7 s@ s,.rff,
 The membership is divided as fol- lows:
 New Haven county, 29 societies, 2,7SS members; Hartford county, 19 societies, 1906 members; New London county, 13 societies, 701 members; Litchfield coun- ty, societies, 51S members; Fairfield county, il societies, 649 members; Mid- dlesex county, societies, 370 members; Windham county, two societies, 97 members.
 The largest mems society in the state is the Y. M. T. A. B. society of New Britain, with a membership of $50. The St. Roses Ladies' T. A. B. of Meriden, with membership of 26O, Is the larg- est women's society. The St. Mary S Cadets of New Britain with 180 mem bers Is the largest cadet society in the state.
 Seventeen societies own buildings and real estate, the total value of which is $166,900
 During the year the mems societies disbursed $2, 1884 for sick benefits and $1,017.50 for death claims The ladies' societies paid out $6os for sick benefits and $250 for death claims.
 There Is loss in membership in some of the large societies, three societies losing over 50 members each since the last report. This with the loss of the Young Mems T. A. B. society of Meri- den, with a membership of S62, and the dropping of members in bad standing, makes our report not as large as it should be at this time.