The Irish standard., 1904-07-16
BIENNIAL MEETING OF
A. 0. II. AND AUXILIARY

convention of the A. o. II. were busy
ones for the national officers. In the
awful disaster at Galveston, suffering
brothers needed the assistance of the
society. On every side was inquiry as
to date Of issue Of the official organ,
which was wisely postponed until
money was on hand to guarantee its
continuous publication, the first issue
appearing in February, 1901. Cor
respondence with Australia resulted
in the agreement of the brothers in
Australia to accept transfers and adj
nit Americans to full membership in
their branch Of the organization. The
members of the ambulance corps, who,
owing to defeat of the Boer forces,
were driven to take refuge in Portu-
guese Territory, were brought back to
the United States by the fund in the
hands of the A. o. H. A new ritual,
including four degrees, was adopted
and distributed among the Divisions,
and similar ceremonial provided for
the Ladies' Auxiliary.
The forty-third national convention
assembled in Denver in July, 1902.
The location was further west than
the Order had ventured with it's
gatherings in former days and gave
evidence Of the growing strength Of
the Order beyond the Missouri river.
Notwithstanding the distance from
the states where the Order was strong
est, the attendance was numerous,
25S members voting at election of ma
tional president after sessions of five
days.
The national presidents report SUBJ
mitted what had been accomplished
in establishing the official organ and
providing the new ritual. He reported
the establishment Of reciprocal rela-
lions with Australia. The attention
of the convention was invited to the
need of higher education under Catho-
lie auspices. 1t was also suggested
to increase the board of directors to
six members and divide the country
into six districts, in each Of which
one Of the directors would be in
charge. The national president also
recommended the donation of liberal
grant for the use Of the Gaelic
League in Ireland. The convention
concurred in the recommendations of
the national president, excepting that
relating to increase Of number of di-
rectors, providing in the place of
same two paid organizers.
Looking back over these reports of
fraternal labor the student of society
work is startled by one peculiar and
regrettable feature in the very inter
csting statistics. Including the re-
ports of 1892 and 1902, or six reports
submitted within the period of ten
| years the total number added to the
membership as initiated or reinstated
reaches total of 209,071 while those
lost. as suspended, resigned or ex-
PEELED amounts to 15O,564, which is in
itself a problem worthy Of the best
thought Of all interested in the growth
Of the Order. On the surface it would
appear that three fourths of those who
join the Order fall away from mem.
bership. Inquiry into the causes un.
derlying this most remarkable defec,
ton seems to point to the successful
competition of endowment societies
against the patriotic and sick benefit
features offered by the Hibernian
organization. The natural conclusion
to arrive at is that 1t be,looves the
Order to meet competitors with sim
liar weapons and provide for its mem.
bership all that can be found in any
other society.
Another remarkable feature of the
reports is the enormous sums OF
money expended for relief of sick and
other charitable purposes. While
other societies can point to millions
paid on endowment policies, I cues
ton If any organization in existence
! whose membership is confined to thu