Waterbury Democrat., 1902-09-16
WATERBURY REPRESENTED
At the Total Abstin nence Con-
 venLion in Stamlopd.

The Union Has Made Gigantic Strides
 The Past Year-It Now Has 37 So
 cieties With a Membership of 613-
 New Britain Leads With the Largest
 Male Society And The Largest
 Cadet Society Meriden Has the
 Largest Women's Society.
 The thirty fourth annual convention of the Connecticut Total Abstinence Union is belng he'd in Stamford to-day. The tollowing oeIegates are attending from tnIs city: St Joseph T. A. society, J. J. McDonald,, James Dolan, James Mcknight, James Hreney, Wilialn Cadets. John Gafrney, KeVin tnz patrick; Waterbury Roman Catholic Temperance and Beneyolent society, Henry Byrnes; st Mary's T. A. society, Miss Jennie ONeil, Miss Julia Larkin; St Antnony's T. A. society, 4Miss Anne McLoughlln. H. A. Hayden of the St Joseph -. A. society is present at the meeLlng in his otncIal capacity of coun- sty director.
 The celebration of high mass in St Johns Roman Catholic chuBch pre- ceded the formal opening of the con- vention. The delegates marched to the church in a body and Rev Walter ]. enanley of Hartford celebrated the mass. 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 is St Joseph's hall 151 delegates were pres ent. Mayor Cummings welcomed the delegates after which Father Shanley addressed the convention.
 The report of the treasurer, Charles Fitzgerald of Middletown showed that the receipts were $469.32 and the ex- penditures $427 .95, leaving a balance of $41.37 in the treasury.
 The following is the report of the State Secretary, J. J. Corbett of New Haven.
 ''Since the thirty first annual conven- ton at Derby, September 10, 1901, eleven new societies have been ad- mitted to the state union with total membership of 709.
 Hartford county shows the largest increase, four new societies being formed with total mbership of 300, Fairfield county is second with gain of five societies with total mem bership of $40. No new societies were formed in Litch cid, Middlesex, Holland or Windnam counties.
 The state union lost five societies during the past year, one resigned and four reported out of existence
 At lne last state convention held in Derby, September i, 1901, the union was reported to be composed of B socle- ties with CARA members. During the yypa o+r, were reported out of existence with q new societies with a membership of 709. The present membership being 37 societies and SIS members. The net gain since January 1. 1901 is 10 societies and S45 memuers. New Haven county shows a loss of 330 for the year and LlLchneld county a loss of 3.
 The membership is divided as fol lows: New Haven county, % societies, 2,7S2 members; Hartford county. 19 so- cieties, 1,S06 members New London county, 13 societies, 701 members; Ldtchfeld county, societies, 51S llem- bers: Fairfield county, Il societies. 649 members; Middlesex county, 8 societies oio me bers; Holland county, 2 socie- ties, 123 members; Windham county. 2 societies, 97 members.
 The largest mems society in the state is the F. M. T.. A. B. society of New Britain with membership of $50. The St hoses Ladies T. A. B. of aIeriden with membership of 260 is the largest Women's society. The St Mary's Ca dets of New Britain with 16O members is the largest cadet society in the state.
 Seventeen societies own buildings and real estate, the total value of which is $166DOO.
 'Luring the year the mems societies d-sbursed y2,193.64 for sick benefits and $1,017.50 for death claims. The ladies societies paid out $6O6 for sick benefits and $250 for death claims.
 There is loss in membership in some of the large societies, three socie- ties losing over 30 members each since the last report. This with the loss of the Young Mems T. .. B. society of Merfden with membership of 362. and the dropping of members in bad stand ing makes our report not as large as if should be at this time.
 II would ask the delegates at the next meeting of their respective so. clet1es to urge upon the members the work and let all unite in this grand and noble cause that the Total Abstin- ance movement may show a big in. crease 1n every county of our state SC When our delegates report at the next national convention, our President Rev Father Stanley will feel proud of the work done by the Connecticut Union.'
 Reports were then heard from the various counties and at 12:45 the con- vention adjourned until 200. The election of officers will not take place until late this afternoon. There are various changes in the constitution and bylaws to be discussed also.
 ILL WITH PNEUMONIA