The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-07-16
HOTFIGHTONIN
CONVENTION
OF c. B.
1000 Women Members March
Through Streets Contest
for Presidency.
[sneeiah to the Evening start

A1R[1
SPRINGFIELD, Mass, July 16.-Al-
most 1000 women delegates to h third
national ~triennial convention of the
adde's Catholic Benevolent Assoeia-
ton marched through Springfield's
streets today to st. Michael's Cathedral,
where they attended a pontihcal high
mass. celebrated by Bishop 3. J.. Nc
QUAD, of Rochester. N. Y. After h
mass the delegates proceeded to the
Springfield High School. where they
assembled in the hall for the opening
session of the convention.
More thar one thousand delegates
from twenty-eight different States of
the Union were present and filed the
Convention Hall to overlooking. Mayor
William E. Sanderson extended to the
women a cordial welcome and Bishop
Bernard d. McQuaid, bishop of Roch-
ester, N. Y, responded for the as
ISOLATION.
The largest groups of delegates are
from New York, Pennsylvania and
New Jersey. The first boom of any
sort % be launched on the convention
| floor v started this morning by Mrs.
Isadore Dolan, of Milwaukee, in an
effort to secure the convention in Its
next triennial for her city.
The report of Mrs. Elizabeth b. Nc
Gowan, of Buffalo. supreme president
of the order, opened the business of the
convection. Other reports disposed Of
were the %triennial accounts OF the re-
| corder, treasurer, board of trustees and
board of auditors.
While not admitting that the contest for
the presidency is likely to cause more
than a slight fiutter in the events OF the
week, no stone is being left unturned by
the members of the council to bring about
the reelection of Mrs. Elizabeth B. Nc
Gowan, supreme president.
At Cooley's Hotel, the headquarters, the
members of the council have spent the
last two days in lining up the delegates
as they arrived In Springfield. Each dele
CATION has been met by a member or
the council or its representative and taken
To HEADQUARTERS where i~ntroductions were
made. The scene has been somewhat
similar to a political convention with the
exception that where politicians have met
with q handshake the women greeted each
other with n sisterly kiss.
Mrs, MCGOWAN speaks confidently OF
her reelection. The charges of graft that
have been made against her and her SIS
ter officers she answers with a smile.
In a statement which was given out yes
terday afternoon she said: ~
1.-THE charges that lave been brought
| against us are really too absurd TO talk
| about. The letter that was sent to tne
several branches was, as you know an
| ANONYMOUS communication, and 1t Is be-
meath our dignity to pay any attention
to 1t. They are absolutely false. and the
statements that have/been made are I'M
warranted. The constitution allows only
lust those expenses as are absolutely
necessary.
should the. situation reach such an acute
stage IL is said tina charges against Mrs
Mary A.. Costello. Of Brooklyn, which is
aimed to bring about her suspension IN
the organization will be brought on the
convention floor. Mrs. Costello has become
Mrs. McGowan's bitter opponent In the
presidential fight. She said yesterday ait
ernoon that the presidency had been In the
hands CT one group long enough.
Give of the members Of the supreme
council are residents of Buffalo, N. "
she added. 1.-THE editor of the official
paper, Miss Alicia Blaney, of Buffalo, Is a
sister of Mrs. MCGOWAN. / am fighting for
q rotation In office. Three years ago | was
the only one that dared fight the supreme
president and was defeated. For the pres
| pIti i DTGitT HOt " tam VII tht 6ANiN
| charges, but l assure you that they will
be fully aired on the convention floor. The
organization is a national one and should
be more representative than 1t Is. A feel
ing of unrest among !1e branches has been
| growing for many years. but In the past
three years it has assumed large proper
tier s. This will be the biggest fight that
has ever been held in an association con-
vention."
A third candidate In the person of Mrs.
Kate Mahoney, of Troy, N. Y, has caused
considerable comment. Mrs. Mahoney,'
Mrs. Costello declared, is a known SYM
pathizer of Mrs. MCGOWAN and she has
been entered in the field to break UP my
following If possible
j. Watson Flannery, the Springfield at
torney who is taking charge Of affairs for
the convention, said today that the reason
Of Mrs. Costello's fight lies in the fact that
six years ago she was ousted from the
supreme treasurership because at that time
It was charged she sent out inside reports
from the convention. He added that the
charges which may be brought against
Mrs. Costello are that she has preferred
false and malicious charges against the
heads Of the order and is therefore a fit