The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-07-21
PROPOSE A HIGHER
RATE OF INSURANCE
Ladies Catholic BeneyolentAs-
soeiation Not to Reduce
Number of Delegates

The annual report of the supreme
president, Mrs. E. B. MCGOWAN, was
adopted by a large majority toward
the close of yesterdays mornings ses-
sion of the Ladies' Catholic Benevolent
association.
The greater part of the morning was
devoted to discussion of the report
and its acceptance by so large ma
friends as an indication that her can
didacy for the highest office will again
be successful.
The other important piece of work
accomplished by the convention yes
terday was the agreement reached in
regard to representation at general
meetings of the association. The mat
ter was brought before the. convention
by proposed amendment to the con-
stitution. This amendment provides
that all branches of one hundred or
more members Gnstead of fifty or
more) shall be represented at the con-
vention
Bishop McQuaid spoke on the sub
ject. He said that undoubtedly the
convention was becoming an unwieldy
affair because SO many delegates were
present, but he added. that since the
majority of the delegates seemed OPP
posed to cutting down the representa-
ton it might be just as well to let
the matter rest until the next triennial.
He said that in the meantime the mem
berS- could seriously consider the ques-
ton of representation and he had no
doubt that by the time the next con-
yention met the delegates would see the
wisdom of limiting the number of dele
gates.
No Change in Representation
The amendment was voted upon and
lost. For the next three years, as here
tofore, the basis of representation will
be one delegate for every fifty mem
bers. In voting down the seventh
amendment the delegates also voted
down all amendments that had to do
with this matter of representation
Inc morning session began promptly
at o'clock. A partial report of the
committee on credentials was heard,
and printed reports of all the supreme
ofhcers, with the exception of ff1e
presidents, were distributed. Action on
these will be deferred until the COM
mlttee has had time to peruse them
carefully
When the presidents report was TAX
en- up. every delegate was in her seat
and the discussion of it was always
animated and sometimes sharp. Bishop
MeQuaid spoke soothingly, reminding
the delegates that they were bound not
to let personal prejudice blind them to
what was manifestly right. Whatever
i'll feeling there was seemed to disap-
pear, and when the report was finally
voted upon and passed by rousing
majority, Mrs. MCGOWAN was loudly
cheered
The afternoon session was taken up
entirely with discussion of the pro-
posed amendments to the constitution.
Six besides the one dealing with repre-
Sentation were acted upon. These six
concerned the conduct of the private
business of the association. There are,
in all, eighty-five of these amendments
and the delegates think that it will
take the greater part of the week to
act upon them.
Higher Rate Is Proposed
The most important amendments
that will probably come UP for discus
sion today is one that concerns the
rates. A new rate table is proposed in
this amendment. It is the one reeog-
n1zed by the national fraternal con-
gress and the insurance departments
of the various states, and while it is
higher than the one now in vogue it
will in all probability be adopted
THE association holds no evening
~
dinner is practically their own. Much
electioneering is going on. The fiercest
contest is being waged for the office of
supreme president. Mrs. McGowan's
opponent is Mrs. Mary E. Costelloe, of
Brooklyn. Although an Eastern wom-
an, she appears to be the choice of the
Western delegates. Much caucusing
has been done in her behalf. But there
are other presidential candidates.
Mrs. Theresa Lutz desires the office
and her friends are working for her
1t is probable, however, that the next
president will be either Mrs. MCGOWAN
or Mrs. Costelloe.
A number of local clergymen visited
the sessions yesterday. All members
of the Catholic clergy are admitted to
the sessions and have the privilege of
occupying seats on the rostrum. Yes
terday the association sent a number
of congratulatory kilograms to other
benevolent orders now in session and
listened to the reading of number
received from these.
rvHyr