The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-12-22
Reply Of Captain Joseph Duggan.

Editor of The Tribune
Sir: In your issue of the Goth inst, the
following communication appeared:
"Sr: The Father Witty Society of
North Scranton desires to contradict the
statement made by Joseph H. Duggan
before the anthracite commission today
to the effect that he was u member of
the society for twelve years and was eX-
PEELED therefrom because he worked dur.
ing the recent strike.
'"rhe facts are as follows: Mr.. Duggan
was q member but six weeks and was
expelled from the society because he Nio-
lated his pledge OF total abstinence. We
PEELED from this society for the reason
given by Mr.. Duggan.
"Signed-P. j. Mulherin, president; Geo.
J. LOTUS, NJ. j. Coleman. secretaries.
Scranton, Dec. 10, 1902
l desire to state in the interests of truth
and justice that the officers of the Father
Witty society must be either blinded by
prejudice or sadly deficient in the records
OF the aforesaid society. The truth and
the fact is. that l became a member of
the Father Whitty society some time in
the month Of April, 1887. My own due
books and the records of the society will
prove this assertion; therefore my evil
dence before the commission. given from
memory, was well within the lines of
truth, and l have been a member, with
some short periods of non-member-
ship, since that date. 1 may remind them
and jog their memory with the fact that
l commanded the Father Witty society
in the parade OF Oct. 10, 1855 the day of
the fateful Mud Run disaster. In all, |
have been a member of total abstinence
societies for over twenty-eight years.
Whatever the newspaper reports have
been, the official record will show that
| never said the Father Witty society
expelled me because Of working during
the recent strike.
did testify that the Father Witty
society instructed its executive committee
by unanimous vote to demand the resig-
nation OF myself and every other member
of the society who We're working during
the late strike: Tor G.. j. Lotus. record
ing secretary, and one of the signers of
the above communication. officially in
formed me of the fact. This l considered
to be such Il monstrous act of ingratitude
from u society for which had worked so
earnestly for many of the best years of
my life, and had written on their BAN
ners SO many proud victories in the arena
of drill competitions and military science,
as a means to the end OF the good cause
of Total Abstinence, in which we We're
engaged, wounded my soul like the dag
ger of Brutus in the body of Caesar, and
any obligation whatever to a society that
could so cruelty treat me for no just
cause.
If the Father Witty society had any
charge of violation of the pledge at the
time they say the charge was preferred
against me, l never had any knowledge
OF the fact until informed OF it by the
newspapers under the alleged testimony
Of =. j. Mulherin, president of the society,
before the coal strike commission, the
10th inst, nor was L ever summoned be-
fore the executive committee to answer
any such charge, nor was l ever informed
of the findings of said committee.
1t is an easy matter for Il set of men
under the conditions that existed during
the recent strike to trump ND q charge
against a man In his absence. and then
flare it before a public body without his
knowledge, and without Il fair chance to
refute it. But l submit that it is neither
right, just or consistent with the prin-
ciples of a society organized for the
propagation of the holy principles
OF Catholic Total Abstinence to bear
false witness against its neighbor,
and / will endeavor in the very near
future to place all the facts in their true
light before the proper tribunal for
searching investigation and Just de-
cislon, Very respectfully yours,
Joseph TI. Duggan.
Scranton, Pa, Dec. %. 1902.
-
The members of the Masonic fratern-
ity are requested to meet at Masonic
hall, 422 Spruce street, Monday, De-
cember %, at p. m. sharp, to attend
the funeral of Brother Richard Nape
of Rescue lodge, No, 7I2 Free and Ac-