The Irish standard., 1904-09-03
A.O.H. CONVENTION
Representatives of Montana in
Biennial Session at MisSoula.
Review of Work Done During
Past Two Years.

Fully 100 delegates, representing
every division in the state, attended
the state convention of the Ancient
Order of Hibernians, which convened
in Missoula Thursday morning. This
is the eleventh biennial session and a
number of matters Of Importance to
the order were considered. The meet
ing was called to order at $50 and
Immediately thereafter the delegates
marched to st. Patrick's church in
body, where high mass was celebrated
by Rev. Father De Thoor, who
preached an eloquent and impressive
sermon.
Immediately after the conclusion of
the services at the church the dele
gates again assembled at the meeting
place in the Union theatre, where the
business of the session was begun in
earnest.
The first on the program was the
address of D. J. Hennessy of Butte,
state president of the organization.
The paper, which also embraced the
report of the condition of the order,
was an interesting one, and showed,
among other things, that the member
ship of the organization had doubled
during the past two years, at present
having membership of 1854. Dur
ing the time that had elapsed since the
meeting in Great Falls two years ago,
$2,S54 has been expended in charit
able work, 81 900 of this amount being
donated to the Orphans Home at
Helena. One new county-Chouteau
has been organized during the past
two years, Il strong division having
been established ut Havre. There was
the greatest increase in membership
in Silver Bow county, 700 new men,
bers being added during the last two
years. Division No. 1, in Silver Bow
county, has the largest membership of
any, division in the United States,
numbering 595. There are three div-
sions in Silver Bow, all of them hay
ing most healthy membership.
Following the presidents address
came the regular routine business.
After the various committees were
appointed, the report Of the secretary
and other officers were read. The
treasurer's report showed that the Or
ganizaton was in healthy condition.
The business session lasted from II
o'clock until 3 p. m, when an adjourn
mcnt was taken to allow the different
committees to prepare their reports.
When the convention reassembled ut
) o'clock the committees that were
ready made their reports. The COM
mittees on bylaws and insurance were
not ready and We're given until y
o'clock the next morning to finish their
work. The committee on resolutions,
one of the most important commit
tees. reported as follows, the report
being adopted:
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
TO the memoirs of the Eleventh BIZ
eunial state Convention Of the An
cicnt Order of Hibernians Assembled
-t;rntlencn and BrOthers-YOur COM
mittee On resolutions beg leave to sub
lit tie following:
Resolved. That the Ancient Order of
lTihprnians in Montana in convention
assembled congratulate the order for
the decided progress it has made dur
ing the past two years, and particu-
larly the state officers, to whom the
credit for the increased membership
is largely due.
Resolved, That the Ancient Order Of
lIiberniaus of Montana renews its 10y
atty and answering devotion to the
free institutions Of this country and
state.
Resolved. That we commend the eff
fort nov being made to introduce the
study of Irish history in our paroch-
ial schools, and also the work OF eX-
tending and perpetuating the Gaelic
language.
Resolved, That we greatly appreci,
ate and heartily commend the noble
work that the Thomas Francis Meagll,
er Memorial association has accom-
plished III the matter Of the erection
of Il monument to the memory OF that
illustrious patriot and distinguished
soldier, Thomas Francis Meagher, and
we hereby pledge our undivided sup
port to the successful termination OF
the laudahle work in which the said
association is now engaged.
Resolved. That as Il society com
posed Of lrishmen and descendants OF
Irishman. the A. o. II. of Montana re
joice in the union Of our race In al
parts Of the world, and hope for ant
predict the ultimate and complete i'll
dependence Of Ireland Ill the immc
diate future.
Resolved, That we congratulate tin
people of Ireland and their sterling
supporters the world over for tn
marked advancement they have thu
far attained in becoming individual
owners in fee in their respective farm
and we herein further extend to tin
Irish parliamentary party our sincer'
gratitude for their efficient assistance
in bringing about more equitable legis