Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1911-07-01
IUNloN ST. JEAN BAPTIST
D'AMERIQUE,

About 200 presidents and past presi-
dents of L'Union St Jean Baptiste
D'Amerique met in convention in Wor-
cester last Sunday, representing a ma
jority of the 1872 councils of the order
in the Southern New England states,
The topic of discussion for the con-
vention was the alleged administration
of the seciety's affairs by the SUI
prene officers. rumors and charges of
which have been disturbing the organ
fzation for about a year.
The convention organized by electlng
DIR. Omer LaRue of Putnam, Conn,
president and w Levi BouSquet Secre
tary. In accepting the office, Mr.,
Bousquet. who is one of the leaders in
the movement for a complete change
of officers of the order at the next
general convention. gave a review OF
what had been done by the present Of
ficials and also repeated for the ben
eft of the delegates some things which
had been told him by Commissioner
Walter B. Chanee, who was appoints
ed by the court of Rhode Island to
investigate the affairs of the society
for the last nine years
Mr. BOuSQuet declared that the report
of Commissioner Chaffee viii show
that more than 1900 false entries
were made in the books of Union St.
Jean Baptiste of America MIR. Bous-
quet declared that the report would
show that the treasury of the society
has suffered to the extent of $40, 600
as a result of the taking.o of money and
the reckless expenditure .of funds. He
gave as his authority for these state
ments. Commissioner Chaffee, with
whom he had 'conversed.
When he had finished speaking, he
was asked if what he said was Off
ciaI: if the commissioner had made
his report to him personally. Mr.,
Bousquet replied that the commission
er had made no report, Whereupon the
friends of the Supreme bureau officials
refused to place any credence IN the
declarations they heard Nothing that
was advanced by the opposition at
the meeting seemed to convince the
friends of the Supreme bureau that the
officials had gone wrong or failed IN
their duties.
G. G. Girard, who was for time re-
ceiver of the society before Commits
sioner Chaffee was appointed, showed
photographs OF questionable checks
and questionable affIdaviFs-
J. b BrindamolIn and Telesphore
Desrosiers of AFoonsocket: f. Y. Tet-
reauIt. DR.. J. O.. GenerezIx and Alexis
Bower of Southbridge; John F.Jand-
ron. W. /. Bousquet, f p Dubois and
G. Edmond Belisle of Worcester and P.
G. Paradis OF Milbury, were among the
speakers.
The meeting has been called by the
opponents of the Supreme bureau Of
ficials, and in the beginning the op
position had its full say, but when
the preventative of young mems
council in Woonsocket, who believes
that Ne supreme officials have been
harshIy and wrongly judged, rose to
criticise the statements that had been
made by W. Levi BoUSquet of Wor
cester concerning the misuse of funds
by supreme officials, he was loudly ap-
plauded by the friends of the Supreme
bureau, who insist that it is too early
to judge who- is guilty and who is not.
Before adjournment, a motion pre-
vailed urging that means be taken to
insure the holding of an extraordinary
convention the day following the con-
ventien which will be held in conform
ity with the decree of the court, at
which extraordinary convention any
h siness in the interest of the society
can be transacted.
The reason for this move is>that the