Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-06-05

in Washington could rightly be term- ed a national or international analr, because of its importance to the his tory of the world. The national coun- cil voted last June that a committee should be appointed to revise the r1t- uals so that they will have no ob1ec- tionable features. This is a work pro gress must of necessity be slow. but it is hoped that when the revised forms are presented to the board of order will have ritual unexcelled by any and entirely devoid of even hint of objectionable features. The memor- ial service as at present contained in our ritual, contains. in the judgment of many. critics certain objectionable characteristics. It is the opinion of many that this memorial form should be abolished entirely and so recom- mend to this council, recommending that in lieu of the memorial service, the order shall set apart February p in each year as day upon which all councils shall have requiem masses sung for the repose of the souls of departed brothers.
 The board of directors has referred to this council several designs for an official grave marker. and l hope the convention will not close without talk | ing some positive action. to the end that we may have an official marker | for the graves of our deceased broth- CTS.
 Laxity in ritualistlc work in subordi- nate councils and of district deputies was touched upon by Mir Hearn. Prin- cipally with the officers and councils and with the district deputies in charge the organization of new coun- cils lies the fault of fhe slow ins,rr- ance growth compared with the strides of the associate ranks. With almost no effort to upbuild the insurance we increase rapidly but not in proportion to our associate growth. However, the board of directors have tnken the mat ter in hand and committee of th,N body Is now considering ways and means to effect still greater increases in our insured membership.
 The new memorial headquarters has been built within the contract price of S113.375. This building will stand for years a monument to the care and energy with which the labor CTS of the building committee were completed.
 With your indulgence for few minutes. I will place before you brief ly the history of our progress during the past year. In territory where the order has already secured footing our growth has not Jagged. Every jrr- isdiction has exhibited a gain. the old est state. Connecticut having shown a great re-awakening during 1905. The same was true .of Rhode Island. Mas sachusetts and New York. where 1t would be natural not to look for a large increase as the territory has been we'll covered. Instead of receding we have made a steady advance. In Canada. our progress has been very satisfactory. and now that council have been established in the Canadian northwest it Is not unreasonable to look for rapid increase throughout the entire Dominion. Vancouver in the extreme west. St John Halifax and Antigonish fin the extreme east. are linked together in fraternal bonds. St Johns. Newfoundland. and Calgary in the Province of Alberta. are knocking for admission.
 Mir Hearn dealt at length upon the matter of level system of rates. and quoted largely from the report of the actuary and national physician on the subject.
 While the growth in membership has been very gratifying. the increase in financial strength and integrity has been even more so. The total surplus is si.617.912.15. invested In first class securities. Since our last convention our insured membership has increased from i4.601 to 52.416. and our associates from s3.737 to 102.s60. We have added 10s new councils and have planted the ban ner of Columbisnism in Mexico. Brit ish Columbia. Manitoba. Manila and fin the maritime provinces.
 Tn conclusion MT Hearn said that the growth of the order seemed to point to the advisabllity of forming councils in foreign countries. and so unite in the one fold of Columbians ism the Catholic men of all countries where there exists the need of such an organization.
 This afternoon many of the dele gates attended a drill of the gradu- afing fremen at No 1's engine house. and other diversions were a compIi- mentsry musical recital at St Mary's academy and the ball game between New Haven and Bridgeport on the Ssvfn Rock grounds
 The report of the national secre- tary. Daniel ColuelI. showed an in- cone for the year just ended of s1z7. se0. This>with the balance left over from last year would make a to- tai income of nearly two million dol lars Against this there veer expends- tures of .bout ssee. coo. leaving q