The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-09-07
TOTAL ABSTAINERS
 MEET AT PUTNAM
Fcrtieth Annual Convention of the State (. IA. Union With 200 Delegates
 in Attendance.
SECRETARY'S REPORT
 SHOWS 6,949 MEMBERS

Putnam, Sept. With upwards o1 200 delegates in attendance, and with l many more than that number of vis- tio of the Catholic, Total Abstinence union of the state began two days session here yesterday, the business sessions being held in the Bradley the ater. Preceding the opening meeting the delegates attended high mass at St Mary's church in a. body. The visitors and delegates to the convention were welcomed to the city by Mayor John secretary, William J. CrOnin, of New Haven, covering the period between July 1, 1908 and July 1, 1909, inclusive, showed that the organization has 93 societies in the state, with a total membership of S,949, an increase for the year of 1,155. New societies were added during the year as follows, the summary being by counties: New Haven county, '; Hartford, 1; New London, 4; Fairfield, 3; Litchfeld, I;
 The report continues:
 'The year just closed should be very gratifying to the membership of our union. Every county has added at least one new society to their list. New Haven county leads in largest
 
 in new societies, having added seven to their List during the year. The country directors have been very ac- tive during the year as their efforts have been successful in the organiza- ton of new societies and the building up of the old ones.
 ''The Tierney cadet committee ap- pointed at the last convention held in New Britain has done great work in the organization of the boys during the year. The girls have not been as thoroughly looked after as the boys, We have "A boys societies., member ship 2,375, and but seven girls socie- ties membership 811. The boys at Danbury on the field day were the feature of that parade and we were all proud of them.
 .sThe field day of 1909, held at Dan bury will long be remembered by the societies of the union who attended the same. Every possible detail was looked after and the St. Peters Y. M. T. A. B. of Danbury are to be con- gratulated on the very successful end ing of the field day, and, I am sure that the societies who were in attend ance were fully recompensed for the effort they made to help the Danbury societies to show the people of that city what the c. T. A. U. of Connec- ticut was and what 1t stands for.
 Father Matthews birthday should be celebrated by all the total abstin- ence societies of the union. Delegates should make a special effort when they arrive at their homes, to bring the matter before their respective so- cieties, and do honor to the apostle of temperance. Societies should see that their doings are given wide pulp licity and let the public know what you are doing. There should be a public installation of officers and }fo4 @o will help your society. Frequent vis- it's of county directors and state of f1cers to societies will be productive of much good.
 'I want to say to the officers and delegates assembled that I am not a have been in the office for seven years, and to-day I submit for your consid- eration my sixth annual report. The work of the office requires time, which I have given to the best of my ability, and, trust that have the confidence and good will of all the delegates as- on my retiring from the office of state secretary.
 t'Our union during the past several years has had it's troubles in the way of finance. When I was first elected secretary, the union was in debt for $500, and through the efforts of Broth CT O'Brien of New Haven taking hold of the proceedings, the union netted at least $500 a year, mainly through his efforts. Our treasury to-day will show over $1,200, so that the work ac- so we'll by Brother O'Brien should be continued by him.
 'tIn conclusion, I want to think the officers and members of the union for their kindness to me during my term of office to assure them that my en- ergy in behalf of the total abstinence cause will not cease with my retire ment from office.'