The Opelousas courier., 1905-06-24
Catholic knights of America. 80
Opelousas, La, June Goth, 1905.


EDITOR COURIER -
| had the honor to represent the local
Branch of the G.. X. of A. at the Con-
vention of the State Federation Of Cath
Ollie Societies held in New Orleans last
Tuesday, and believing the objects and
purposes, as we'll as the work, of the
portion of your readers, | ask the favor
of the publication of this brief commu-
There were SO societies represented at
the State Convention, with 1911 dele
gates, representing a membership of
ALSO members. Nearly every State IN
the Union has a State organization. and
these send delegates to the National
Convention which meets at some city
every year this time the National Fed
Grafton will assemble at New Orleans
on October 10th.
The objects of the Federation as stat
ed in its Constitution are: "Tlie ce-
menting of the bonds of fraternaI union
among the Catholic laity and the Cath
Ollie Societies of the United States; the
fostering and protecting of Catholic in
terests and works of religion, piety, ed
u~cation and charity the study OF con-
ditions in our social life; the dissent
nation Of the truth and the encourage
ment of the spreade ftnGatholic 1itera-
tnre, and of the circnlat1t@sl2f the Cath
Ollie press"
The two sessions of the State Conven-
ton were beld last Tuesday. the first at
/ o'clock, when Right Rev. G.. A. Roux-
ell, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese, de-
| livered the opening prayer. Mayor Behr-
man was introduced by President Men,
willie, and spoke a very earnest address
of welcome. The president replied On
behalf of the Convention. The other
speakers at the afternoon session we're
Very Rev. j. B. Bogaerts; of New Or
leans, Judge Frank McGloin, also OF
| that city, and Rev. Gassler, of lota.
| Their addresses dealt principally with
the educational question and forclbly
| expressed the views of the Federation
on this important matter. The evening
session opened with prayer by Very
Rev. j. NJ. Laval, Vicar General of the
Archdiocese. President MELVILLE de'lv-
cred hiss annual address, showing a
| healthy growth of the m o v e III g n t
throughout the State and urging other
Societies and Congregations to join 10
| the work. Other prominent speakers at
| this session we're Hon. Clarence $. Heb
| ert, of Plaquemine, OF the advlsablIlty
of the adoption of high license in the
city of New Orleans as II means of reg
| ulatiug the liquor traffic and decreasing
its dangers, (the question being up be-
fore the City Council now on final hear
lng), and a mastery address by Rev. ID,
P. LawtoD. S. j., VINO chose as his sub,
| iect THE Confederation of Societies, its
objects and purposes; especially the re.
alization of the Brotherhood of Mar and
the Fatherhood of God, and the necess.
ity of Religious Education"
Excellent, though temperate. resOln'
tons were adopted, the one in regard tC
religious education being as follows:
#"In the terms Of our resolution of las
| year, we observe again with deep salts
faction the gradual growth among o
%noncatii0lic feliow-citizens of the con
viction- that religions instructions Of
some sort in the school is absolutely
necessary for the welfare of our country
| This tendency is evidenced by the dis
| cussions of kthe National Educationa
| Association and of the Religious Educa'
ton Association, both of which fully
Justify the position maintained by Cath
olics for the past half century. We note
with pleasure that while the pupils in
our Catholic schools receive a thorough
religious training, their proficiency il
secular studies is not inferior. but il
many cases superior, to that of public
school children. Convinced that W.
are not called upon to suggest plans TO
the various noncatholic denomina.
tons, we propose this solution of thu
educational problem, SO far as we arr
concerned:
"First-Let no public moneys be pait
out for religious instruction in an!
school.
"Second-Let the educational per cap
tia tax be disbursed for results in pure
ly secular studies only, in our Catholic
schools our teachers receiving their sal
aries as other teachers receive theirs.
"Third-To ascertain these results
let our schools be submitted to State o
city examinations. Thus will the prin
ciple Of our Government, "NO publ,
moneys for sectarian purposes" be pre-
served intact.
The following are the officers for th'
ensuing year President, DR.. F. GaudiD
ice-President: Ell. N. Coulon. Geo. w
Young and Joseph Garcia Secretary
VIM. II. Byrnes; Treasurer, j. j. Dwy
err: and twenty-five members of thu
Advisory Board.
Tt was a most harmonious session AM
will long be remembered by all VIII
were fortunate enough to attend.
WILLIAM, j. SANDOZ.
Rnr--A M