The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1902-10-03
CONVENTION OVER
Roman Catholics to Meet At
Wabasha Next.
Pope's Policy Regarding Philippine
Settlement Endorsed---Secret
Societies Considered.

The German Catholic Benevolent
society Of the state closed it's con-
vention in this city Wednesday and
adjourned. The delegates were nearly
all able to leave the city on the
afternoon trains.
It was decided to hold the next
meeting at Wabasha, that city being
chosen by reclamation, although
New Richmond and Jordan were ap-
plicants.
The old officers were reelected, as
follows: President, George N. Ger
ZACH of st. Paul vice president, Martin
Walser, Mankato; secretary, J. @.
Juenemann of st. Paul; treasurer,
Peter M. Kerst of ST. Paul.
The following executive committee
was chosen: w. Eibner of New Ulm,
John 8. Grote of st. Paul, William
Brost of Sleepy Eye. Matt Gross of
Minneapolis, and Paul Kemp of Wi
mona.
Henry Schreiner of Jordan was cleo
ted member of the auditing commit
tee for three years.
A collection was taken for the
Catholic Indian schools and the Ger
man immigration station in NewYork
City, and $110 was raised.
The report of the secretary showed
that there are 1873 mems branch So
cieties in the state, with membership
of about 5000, and SO women's branch
societies with a membership Of over
| 1, 200. The increase in the member
ship of men during the year was 273,
and the increase of women about 300.
There were 56 deaths among the men
members, carrying 500, 500 of insur-
ance, and one death among the women
members, carrying $500 insurance.
Four new women's lodges were or
ganized in September, at Little Falls,
st. Augusta, Collegeville and Belle
Plaine The state organizer was des
pensed with the past year, and no
new mems societies were oragnized.
It was decided to reinstate the or
ganizer, and this was done Sept. 1st,
aud the four new women's societies is
the result.
The state society has reserve fund
of 81, 900. and is on a strong basis.
Heretofore no members Of secret
societies have been admitted to the in
surance society, but an amendment to
the constitution was adopted at today's
session admitting to membership the
members of all secret societies except
the Free Masons, Odd Fellows,
Knights of Pythias and Sons of Tenn
perance.
Another amendment to the consti-
tuition establishes new insurance
rate. The scale is according to the age
of the applicant. by years. The old
plan graduated the scale by five year
groups.
1t was voted to place twenty per
cent of the income of the society in
the reserve Iuuu.
Resolutions were adopted, thanking
the local clergy, the city officials, the
local Catholic societies and the ladies
for their kindness toward the society.
This morning, pontifical requiem
mass was held at eight O'Clock, con-
Quoted by Father Neustich. with two
assisting priestr.
The committee on resolutions of the
state convention of church societies,
held Monday, dio not complete it's
work before the adjournment of the
convention; therefore it presented it's
report TO the state convention of the
insurance society yesterday after
noon, and it was adopted by that
body.
This report endorses the policy of
Pope Leo in settling the religions
matter that has arisen in the Philip
pines; denounces the columnies that
have been heaped upon the clergy in
the Philippines; calls on the members
to support the parochlal schools in
Minnesota and to aid in preserving
the use of the German language; calls
on the members to induce young men
to join the societies, and thanks Rev.
Bishop Cotter, the local Jesuit fathers,
the speakers, Messrs. Nachbar and
Sickle, Mayor Petersen, the arrange
ments committee, the ladies of st.
Peters and Paul's parish, and the citi-
zens in general, irrespective of re-
ligion, for favors shown.
The ITALIA club repeated the play,
'sThe Maid of Orleans, at the Ger
man Catholic school hall last night
The hall was packed, and the play
was presented in even better manner
than on Sunday evening. All taking
part won deserved applause. This play
has been pleasant feature of the con-
vention period.
The outside delegates and directors
are loud in their praise of the treat
ment accorded them while in Mankato
and take away, they say. only the
most pleasant thoughts of their So
journ in the city. Great credit is due
the local. society and its committees
1 S-~.. r. L.