Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-01-10
(. '. II. \. U.
Elaborate Plans Have Been Made fer
 The Tear 1908.

A1o lear I9vSs
 Arrangements. are, already under way for the thirty-first annual conven- tion of the Catholic Young Mems Ma tional union to be held at Albany, N. Y., in the summer of 1905, and strong sentiment has developed in fla vor of going south of the Mason and Dixon line Ill 1906. The present indi- cations are that either Baltimore or Washington will be chosen as the con vention city. Unusual activity is manifested in the work of the union throughout the Atlantic states. Some eight or ten years ago it was espe- cially active in the Southern states. but during the past four or five years little has been done in that section. Indeed, the Carroll institute of Wash ington was the only organization from the South Atlantic states represented in the convention held in Buffalo in August last.
 The principal work and purpose of the union is the organization of young mems societies throughout the coun- try, and the establishment of libraries and reading rooms. In general scope, its work Is somewhat similar to that of the Young Mems Christian associ- ation, the main distinction between the two being that the '. NJ. C. A. carries out its work through one or more large societies in the several towns and cities of the union, while the purpose of the Catholic Young Mems National union is to organize d large number of smaller societies lat each city, town and village, bringing the clubs to the homes of the boys and young men. instead of requiring them to leave their homes and go long dis tances, sometimes surrounded by grave temptations beyond their years. to reach a club house situated at the opposite end of the city.
 At Il recent meeting held in New York city. which was attended by off cers of the union from Hartford, Brooklyn, New York city, Newark, Philadelphia and Washington. it was decided to make an active canvass. before the Albany convention meets. with d view to increasing the member ship of the union, extending the field of its work. and widening the scope of it's activities. Steps have already been taken for the organization of ac- tive arch-dioccsan. diocesan and local unions in Washington, Baltimore, Will mington. Del. Wheeling. w. Va. and Richmond. Vt. and. it is believed. large delegations from each of thcsc cities will be present at Albany.
 At Buffalo q special program was marked out for the present season. in cluding an extension of the system of lecture courses heretofore inauguratcd by the various societies animated with the union. the establishment of night schools by such societies. the disscm- ination of Catholic literature in penal institutions. hospitals and alms houses, the advancement of the prin ciples of Catholic federation. the intro- duction of Catholic literature in pub lie libraries. and obtaining substantial recognition by the state of the benc- fits bestowed by the parochial school system educating over one million children annually.
 Pursuing this policy. largely extend- cd lecture courses have been or are to he inanguratcd by the societies affil- iated with the union throughout the land. This is especially noticeable in the work of the Carroll institute of Washington. D. C. For some years past it has been the practice of the institute la give an annual course of lectures upon interesting and instr,ic- tive topics. during the lcntcii season. The opening date for the present year, however has been advanced to Janu. ary 19. and the course will continue until about Easter.
 Several night schools have been opencd hy the societies of the union, and in this field of work the Philadel- phia and Washington societies have been especially active. The union an ticipates the inauguration of large number of such schools next fall. and. when the number justities the step. a national educational and examining heard will bc established. for the pur- pose of rating the various schools, and awarding certificates and diplo- mas according to the degree of pro- ticicncy attained by tho students.
 Much has already been done in the line of disseminating literature in civ il institutions of a penal or charitable character. and in the work of intro ducing Catholic literature in public li- brarics. The committee in charge of this work feels assured that it will he able to rcpor; a great improvement in this field when the convention meets at Albany.
 Thc officers of the Union arc: Pre- sidcnt. Rev Walter !. Shanlcy. Hart ford. CCnn.: Nicc-rrcsident. Roy. Thomas l. Leonard. Brooklyn. \. Y.: Second Nice-Prasidcnt.H Hon. John T. Brady. Albany. \. l.: Sccariary- Trea- surer. James II. Fitzgerald. Mechanics Valley. Pa.
 Executive Committee: Rev. r. IT. Wall. D. h.. New York City: Rev. NJ. A. CunniGn. New York City: Rev. W. T. Mc,iuirc. Brooklyn. \. Y.: Charles X. Webbcr. Brooklyn. Y. r.: Rev. Bar nard M. Began. Railway. Newark. \. ].
 National Committee: Rev. T. !. Leonard Brooklyn. \. Y.: W. C. Sul- livan. Washington. D. C.: Rev James I. Murphy. Peabody. Mass: Rev r. IT. Wall. D. D. New York City: Rev. B. I. Mc,;lincbey. Philadelphia. Pa: Hon. John J. Brady. Albany. V. Y.: T. George Fitzpatrick. Newark. \. !.
 Committee on Night Schools: Rev Walter !. SlIanley. Hartford. Conn: