The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-07-19
LIVELY CONTEST ON
FOR PRESIDENCY
1t Will Distinguish National
Convention of Ladies Cath.
ole OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

Upwards of 500 delegates arrived
yesterday to attend the eighth national
convention of the Ladies' Catholic
Benevolent association, which will con-
vene at the Peoples church this after
noon.
Some anxiety was caused by the de-
lay of the Officers train," as it was
called; that is, the special train convey
ing the supreme officers and more than
six hundred of the Eastern and South
ern delegates. The cities represented
communities where the association
f1ourishes, such as New York, Buffalo
Pittsburg, Erie and Chicago.
The officers train was due in ST.
Paul at 10 o'clock yesterday morning
1t was delayed four hours a short dis
lance east of Chicago, by a freight
train wreck. The first section of the
special did not reach here until 2:3O
o'clock yesterday afternoon. The sec
ond section entered the Union depot at
3:15.
When the president of the associa-
ton, Mrs. E. B. MCGOWAN. of Buffalo,
arrived at the Hotel Ryan she was
greeted, at the Sixth street entrance,
by number of Detroit delegates wav-
ing American flags. A reception but
little less cordial awaited the other
supreme officers.
Regret was general that the same
train did not bring the supreme spirit
ua1 adviser of the association, the ven
cradle Bishop McQuaid, of Rochester.
He came down from Duluth last night,
having Travelled by way of the lakes.
Badges bearing Mrs. McGowan's
FRO Wa. 1nxy ~ IL
gates. 1t was said that they would
support Mrs. MCGOWAN as candidate
for reelection
Rival Candidate for President
The principal rival candidate will be
who arrived earlier in the day. On the
same train came more than 200 dele
gates from Brooklyn, New Jersey,
Northeastern Pennsylvania, Elmira,
Albany, Utica. Erie and Chicago. The
party stopped at Notre Dame, Ind,
Sunday, Where they were the guests of
Father Zahm, provincial of the Order
of the Holy Cross. After attending
mass in the university chapel, the dele
gates were entertained at breakfast.
They lunched at ST. Mary's convent
with the Sisters of the Holy Cross. At
o'clock they resumed their journey.
They left Chicago Sunday night over
the wisconsin Central road.
Mrs. Costelloe,'' said a delegate, in
explanation, has had ample experience
to fit her for the supreme presidency.
Before entering the association she was
successfully engaged in the work of
fraternal society. When our organiza-
ton began, in 1890, she was made one
of the supreme auditors, and served
as chairman of the auditing board for
two years. Then she was elected SUI
prenle treasurer and remained in office
for six years. Her administration was
most satisfactory. Since the last ma
@tiona1 convention at Detroit, in 1901,
she has filed no official position.
Now, Mrs. MCGOWAN has been our
president since the association was es-
tablished fourteen years ago. Had she
lntimated at the last convention that
she would like to be continued in Of
flee, no opposition, think, would have
at Detroit that she would never again
stand as a candidate for any office in
the gift of the association. She said:
I'm sometimes called the mother of
the association, but after my present
term I'll have to be your grandmother
Will Support Mrs. costeIIoe
.In view of this announcement, 9TH
er members were justified in announc-
ing themselves as candidates for the
presidency, as Mrs. Costelloe has done.
She will receive the support of all the
delegates On her train and of many
women from New York city, Buffalo
and elsewhere.
But now, as it appears, Mrs. Nc
Gowan intends to run again. She gives
it out, we understand, that she was
persuaded to- continue in Office by our
supreme spiritual adviser, Bishop Nc
Quad. am not certain what request
the bishop made. But I do know that
we all have the highest respect and the
Warmest esteem for the bishop, and
am inclined to believe that his Senti-
ments have been misunderstood. He
recognizes, as we all do, the admirable
services that Mrs. MCGOWAN has rem
dered while president, and he has no
doubt expressed a conviction that the
interests of the association would be
safe in her hands. We all agree with
him there.
But it's improbable that he would
even appear to speak with authority
on a question that lies apart from his
responsibilities as our spiritual director.
He has always insisted that each factor
of the association should limit it's ac-
tivity to it's special field, and he has
never displayed the least tendency to-
wards multiplying his own advice. 1t
would seem unjust, I think, to our be-
loved bishop, to take advantage of his
personal popularity for the benefit of
the personal friends of any candidate
Mrs. MCGOWAN Is Popular
Mrs. McGowan's friends are enthu-
| siastic supporters Of her candidacy for
| reelection. She has been the only su-
preme president the association has
| ever known. To her judicious, yet
progressive administration is attribut-
| ed in a large degree the surprising
| growth and the financial prosperity of
| the greatest insurance and fraternal So
| ciety that women have created in
| America.
why" said one of her advocates,
| you can see how popular she is when
| nearly three-fourths of the delegates
were willing to accompany her as
bodyguard, so to speak. They didn't
| have to come on our train, but they
We're glad to do it.
1.-THE fact is the president is Mrs.
Gowan, and Mrs. MCGOWAN is the pres
! ident-We never should be able to sep
arate the two. She has built the asso-
| citation up from its very foundation
| stone. Although she has been ably
aided by other officers that we are
proud of, she is just as much entitled
| to credit for shaping and enforcing
| certain policy.
Not only has she shown exceptional
business tact, taking her administration
| as whole, but she has never forgotten
that the association is more than a
business corporation. She has borne in
4 81