Norwich bulletin., 1914-08-25
TOTAL ABSTINENCE SOCIETIES IN ANNUAL CONVENTION. Loss of 4o5 Members Rsportsd-Rsv.
 ]. J. Fitzgerald Presiding.

About 15o delegates to the convan- ton of the Connecticut Total Absp hence union attended a solemn high mass at the Hartford cathedral at 3 Rev. John T. Winters of New Britain was celebrant, the Rev. William O'Shea deacon, and the Rev. Clement Martin sub-deacon. Mfshop Milan as- sisted in the sanctuary. and the deA- cons of honor were the Rev. Dr. M. A. Sullivan and the Rev. J. J. Fitzgerald. state president.
 After the mass the convention held business meeting at Conway's hall, No. 460 Main street
 The meeting was opened by prayer by Bishop Milan. who also gave a short address of welcome to the visiting delegates. He outlined the real prob lem or abstinence union as the preven- ton rather than the cure of the drink evil. The work among the children he considered particularly important. William F. McCue of New Britain presented a banner to be contested for by the various companies of the Tier ney cadets of Connecticut in memory or his mother. It was accepted by the Rev J. J. Fitzgerald. state president, who next introduced the Rev. John F. Winters. president of the union from 1909 to 1912.
 The Rev. Dr. M. A. Sullivan urged the practice of charity upon the menn- bers in their business dealings of the | convention.
 In his off1cial annual report Frank | J. Kinney of Branford the secretary. showed that the 102 societies had a mem oership of 10,0S1, and that in- terest in the cause of total abstin-
 ence continued, unabated Had so- | ciettes reported their membership ngures as of July l, instead of Jan
 uary 1, the secretary believed the growth of the union would have been Tn -fr-f. Lr
 annual report being for the period
 between August l, 1913. and August
 l. of this year The thirty-six mems
 societies have 3.149 members, and the
 ladies societies 1,6S0; the thirty-twc
 boys societies, 3,313; the nine girls
 societies, 1.29S. one mixed society G4s By counties the figures are: New Haven mems societies, 764
 eight ladies, 905: eight boys 1.074
 New London, three mems, 253;
 girls, 202; total. twelve societies witt
 SOP.
 Holland. four societies and 25' |, members.
 windham. two societies and s
 members.
 During the year Father Matthew , of Norwich and St. Francis of Thom
 aston disbanded, and St. Patrick
 Tierney league and St. Patrici's
 Tierney cadets of Mystic, and St , | MaryS TlerneY cadets Of StOningtOl . applied for admission. The onl places where the Tierney cadet move ment has progressed are in New Lon don and Hartford counties. Muc
 credit Is given to James McDonal of New London for his work there 1. The lack of progress, Secretary Kin ney ascrioed to lack of interest b
 adult members in the boys organi
 zations.
 The union opened its conventio . Sunday evening with a public raill, 2 The Rev. John J. Fitzgerald. presi : dent of the state organization, presid 2 ed and delivered an address. The societies from this part of tn ' state had representation at the conver j. tion through delegates as follows:
 St. Patricks Tierney cadets of NoI ' wich. James Shea; alternate. Thoms Il O'Neil.
 St. Mary's Star of the Sea Total Al ' stinence society of New London, Mat 5 rice V. Fitzgerald and James P. RyaT 7 alternates, John Sheedy and James t Ryan.
 St. Xavier's Ladies' T. A. s. of Ne . London. Miss Grace Harrington; alter T nate. Miss Mary McEnany. T T St. Mary's Tierney cadets of Ne . London, James A. Mcdonald, Davi . Quinn. Jr.. James Dwyer. Jr., and Joh r Mallon; alternateS. Harry May, ES 2 ward Devine, Thomas Sullivan. St Patrick's cadets of Mystic, Her ry onderdohnen; alternate, Jam
 Hopwood.
 St. Mary's Tierney cadets of Sto1
 ington, William J. Farnum; alte c nate, James Gilmore.