Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-04
STRONG RESOLUTIONS
CATHOLIC FEDERATION SPEAKS
OUT ON PUBLIC ISSUES.
Publications. Cabled the Pope - En-
phatic Expressions on Schools,
Negro Education and Divorce.

DETROlT, Mich, August 4.-The Amer1-
can Federation Of Catholic Societies today
held the most important business meeting
Of their three days convention. set of
resolutions was adopted and officers were
elected In addition to number Of changes
being made in the examination Of the fed
Grafton.
The most important of these changes Is
one permitting Catholic parishes and insti-
tutions to become members of the fedora
ton as well as Catholic societies. An
amendment was also adopted permitting
officers to hold office for more than two
terms.
The following cablegram was sent to Pope
Plus today THE American Federation
of Catholic Societies. assembled in Detroit
at its fourth annual convention. greets your
holiness on this your first anniversary as
supreme pontin with sentiments of filial az
lection. offers you its best wishes for a
happy and successful reign and humbly
asks for the apostolic blessing" ~
Allegiance to Pope.
The resolutions open with renewal of
the federations declaration of allegiance
to the pope; express satisfaction with the
progress made In the past year by Catholic
societies In Germany toward the removal
of restrictions onerous to Catholics; express
Indignation at the tyranny of the French
government in its recent suppression of re-
ligious orders in France; and lin impeding
free and immediate communication between
the pope and the French bishops and falsely
accusing him Of breaking the concordat:"
express pleasure at the improved condition
Of the Indian. and "reiterate our pledged
policy to make the maintenance of Catholic
Indian schools our first national issue"
The resolutions commend the efforts Of
the men and women who are working to
educate the negro. and urge generous sup
port of the efforts to spread the light Of
Catholic truth" among these people. and
urge further efforts to provide for the
Catholic instruction of immigrants arriv-
ing in this country from foreign lands
The School Question.
On the school question the resolutions
say: I'VE propose this solution of the ed
ucational problem so far as We are con-
cerned. Let no public moneys be paid out
for religious instruction in any schools; let
the education per capita tax be disbursed
for results in purely secular studies only
in our Catholic schools. our teachers re-
ceiving their salaries as other tea chers re-
ceive theirs: to ascertain the results let our
schools be submitted to state or city ex-
aminations. Thus will the great principal
of our government. no public moneys for
sectarian purposes. be preserved intact"
Better observance of the Sabbath is urged,
and qualification is expressed at the out
come of the negotiations for the friars'
lands in the Philippines.
To Restrict Divorce.
On the divorce question the resolutions say:
I'VE call upon all our Catholic and nom
Catholic citizens, especially our state fed
erations. to use all proper necessary in
fiuence in the state legislatures to frame
such laws as will effectively restrict and
reduce the facility of obtaining a divorce
and bring about more uniformity in the
marriage and divorce laws of the different
states" Socialism is condemned and close
study of social questions is urged The res
olutions then say:
I'VE heartily indorse the endeavor of
workingmen to better their material condi-
ton and to promote their temporal pros
per1ty by the formation of trades unions
but at the same time we expect our
Catholic workmen to form special assocja-
tons, the object of which is to provide
also for their religious and moral wants
and TO instruct them properly on the social
question and the practical solution thereof
Corruption in Politics.
Corruption in politics Is deplored. and all
Catholic citizens are urged to use evarv
legitimate influence to check the evil. Eff
forts to secure the placing OF a proper pro-
portion of Catholic books in public libraries
are urged. and 1t is stated that when a
library Is unable to make proper selection
OF catholic books the Catholic citizens COM
mand the appointment of such a Derson
as snail respect the rights Of ALL
Inc louisiana delegation succeeded In
capturing the convention unanimously for
the selection of New Orleans for the newt
annual meeting. Milwaukee, San Francisco
Buffalo and several other cities had heen
mentioned as competing candidates
Officers Elected.
DETROIT. August 4.-The convention ad.
journed sine die after electing the following
officers:
President. T. B. Minahan. New York: vice
president. ]. B. Ooelkers. Newark, N. j.:
Edward Feeney, Brooklyn: George W..
Steiger. Minnesota: treasurer. C. H. Schultz
Detroit: secretary. Anthony Matre. Cincin-
natl: marshal. H. w. A.erwick. Atchison.
Kan: color bearer, Peter Tall. Mandan,
Rosebud agency. S. D.: executive board
Walter George Smith. chairman. PhiladeI.
phia: Nicholas Conner. Dubuque, Iowa.
Thomas H. Cannon. Chicago: J. W. Fowler
Louisville. Ky: F. W. Immekus. Pittsburg:
Peter Waflrath. Evansville, Ind: III. 4
CoulOn. louisiana.