The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1913-05-13
State Convention is Being
Held in BrattlebOrO
Today
MASS THIS MORNING
IN CATHOLIC CHURCH
Business Session in Leo Councils Hall
Interesting Reports of Officers
Small Gain in Membership-open
House in Council Rooms Tonight.


House in Council Rooms Tonight.
The 14th annual state convention of
the Knights of Columbus opened in
BrattIeboro this morning, being the
first state convention Of the order to
be held in this town, following the
celebration of solemn high mass at st.
Michael's Roman Catholic church at
o clock. All of the visiting delegates
and many members of the order met at
the rooms OF Leo council at $50
o clock and marched to the church i'll
a body.
Leo council gave an cat home last
evening in the council rooms for the
visiting members and delegates and a
pleasing concert of an hour by Lett
singer s orchestra was followed by
dancing until midnight. The rooms
were decorated prettily in purple and
white, lilacs and white flowers being
used in profusion. \ buffet luncheon
was served during the evening.
The procession to the church to at
tend mass was led by State Deputy
James Cosgrove and Past State Depu-
ty p f. McAuliffe. Solemn high mass
was sung by Rev. NJ. J. Carmody, pas
tor of the church, assisted by Rev. w
n. Lonergan of Rutland, chaplain of
the order in Vermont, deacon, and Rev
Bernard w. McMahon, sub deacon, the
choir singing special music.
Rev. Father Carmody alluded to the
fact that, whether by accident or de
sign, the convention was held during
this octave which was Pentecost, Pen
teeost signifying the lowering of the
Holy Ghost upon 1870 that gathered in
the upper chamber at Jerusalem after
which they became strong in the faith
He eXtOrted the members of Knights
of Columbus to be true to the princi-
pies of the religion for which the
apostles and pioneer Catholics of this
country made sacrifice. He condemned
the unseemly attacks made upon the
Knights of Columbus by higots and
certain publications, which are not be
lieved by the vast majority of Catho-
lies and non-Catholics. He then called
upon the chaplain, Rev. Father Loner-
gan, to welcome the delegates.
Rev. Father Lonergan, after formally
extending the welcome, spoke of the
spirit which animated the knights of
Columbus all over the country, LAYING
stress on the high appreciation of the
necessity for the preservation of the
liberties of citizens without regard 10
creed
On returning to the Knights of Col,
umbus hall some business was transact
ed before the convention adjourned for
dinner
Action on the reports of the state
deputy, state chaplain, state treasurer
and state secretary were among the
hrst items of business transacted, and
they were approved as read.
The report of the state deputy
James Cosgrove of st. Johnsburv.
showed that Vermont made a net gain
OF - members of the order during the
last year while the total increase in
the country was 9,16O. The total
membership of the order April l. 1913,
was 29l ,O50, of whom 94,98S are mem.
bers of the insurance branch.
lie strongly urged renewed efforts
to increase the membership in the
state, saying that if the grand knights
would give this phase of the work the
attention it deserved the result,
would be satisfactory to all concerned
The growth should be of the sound and
permanent kind.
He suggested that every counci
should begin to furnish itself with ;
library Of good works, and recommend
ed to the delegates the wisdom OF
bringing the suggestion before thei
councils. He also recommended to thu
attention of the delegates the desira
bllity of establishing a state leetur,
bureau, similar to that established b,
the order IN Wisconsin. Every council
IN the jurisdiction should have at leas
one or two lectures during the winter
A course of lectures should be arrano
ed by committee composed of dele
gates to the state council or by tn
lecturers Of the various councils,
plan that has been found the mos
effective in other states. He reporte
that Vermont had completed the paw
ment of its portion to the Catholi
university fund.
Mr. Cosgrove reported that the con
mittee in charge of the erection of
memorial to Orestes F. Brownson. tn
greatest convert IN America to til
Catholic faith, had completed all a.
engagements for the dedication of til
granite shaft on Memorial day q
Stockbridge. The committee has 81
cured Rev. D. J. o Sullivan, one G
the best students of Brownson in We
mont, to deliver the dedicatory az
dress. He appealed to all to plan tn
holiday that at least 500 members {
the order could be present at the ded
cation.
He asked for a large attendance 6
the supreme convention to be held i
Boston in August and suggested I'll
appointment of committee to NAL
hotel arrangement, arrange railroa
rates and suggested that the state cou
gil provide itself with flags to be use
upon such occasions and that cor
mittee consider the advisability
badges for such as intend to after
the supreme convention. He said !
had the assurance Of the master
the fourth degree that the degr
would be exemplifed at least on
during the year, in the state and urg,