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Show i-wrm & . a m mmmnm I The Utah auxiliary of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Ireland's great patriotic organization, held its sixth biennial convention in Salt Lake Tuesday, Tues-day, and the showing made in attendance attend-ance and general interest presages for the order a more rapid growth than ever, and all the accompanying success. suc-cess. Tuesday's meeting was held at the residence of Bishop Scanlan, the delegates dele-gates from all over the state having the big house thrown open to their entertainment. en-tertainment. Besides the regular work of a secret nature, a great deal of business busi-ness was transacted. Bv unanimous vote Rev. Father Cushnahan of Ogden was chosen state president for the ensuing two s'ears, and Tim O'Keeffe of Park City was elected secretary. The treasurership fell to Timothy Donovan of Park City, and Father Kiely was again installed as chaplain. A graceful compliment was paid Patrick L. Ferris of Ogden, the retiring re-tiring president, for his good work during dur-ing the past two years, and Mr. O'Keeffe's re-election for a third term rightfully attested his popularity. One of the most important acts of the convention was the adoption of a resolution of sympathy for the "noble Boers in their heroic struggle for liberty lib-erty and human rights." The resolution resolu-tion was presented by J. F. Callahan and seconded by Peter Clark, and was adopted unanimouslj. Father Cushnahan was selected as the delegate from Utah to the national convention of Hibernians, which convenes con-venes in Boston on May 8 next. The reports of the division presidents, who are located at Salt Lake, Ogden and Park Citj. showed that all are flourishing, and the number of applications appli-cations for membership is great enough to keep the officers busy passing upon them for six months to come. it was almost 11 o clock at night before be-fore the business session was over, and the delegates adjourned to the Kens'on, where an excellent banquet had been prepared. Father Cushnahan, who was accorded the seat of honor at the table, made a short address in appreciation of the hospitality of the Salt Lake members, and thanking all for their keen Interest in the work. He expressed his belief that great things were in store for the Utah auxiliary, and he hoped it would continue to grow and prosper. Owing to the lateness of the hour no other speeches were made, but the guests fell to in hearty style and did justice to the good things set before them. Those who sat down "to the banquet Included Father Cushnahan, P. J. Fer-ris Fer-ris J. Callahan. M. McKeyes, J. J. O'Conner, J. J. Kenney and B. Dean of Ogden; Timothy O'Keeffe, Peter Clark and William Donovan of Park City; T. B. O'Reilly, John Kellett, J. J. Montgomery Mont-gomery and C. O'Donnell of Salt Lake. All day Wednesday the delegates were busy visiting points of interest, the Holy Cross hospital and Kearns St. Ann's Orphanage being among them. "Progress" has been the slogan of the A. O. II. in this state, and its growth is considered remarkable. In 1SS4 the first division was established at Park City, with Thomas O'Conner, who has always been a faithful worker, as the first etate president. It had then only sixteen members, and now, in its fifteenth fif-teenth s'ear, there are about 150, and probably that many more waiting to get in. The Hibernians need no praise through the columns of the Catholic. Their work is too well known. With the I chief object of the oider, that of caring j for the sick and needy, in view, it ap- peals to all native sons and daughters as the greatest representative body on this side of the water. It was founded by true sons of Erin in very early days, and was flourishing in America under the title of "The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick" in the period covered by the American revolution. George Washington; Washing-ton; wao an honorary member of the order, or-der, and remained such until his death. His memory is still associated with the society. Later it became the A. O. H., I and only those who could -trace Irish I blood in their veins were eligible to membership. In America at the present time there are no less than 120,000 members, and Australia has about 30,000. At the national na-tional convention next month it i3 expected ex-pected that the reports of membership rolls will show an increase of all of 20,000 over the year preceding. The order has not been without Its troubles, however. The factional split of 18S4 over a dispute as to the constitution consti-tution Is "still fresh in the minds- of many, and the arbitration ot me uim-culty uim-culty and grand reunion of the opposing oppos-ing factions in 1S9S at Trenton, N. J., brought about by Bishop McFalls and others of that state, mark epochs in the history of the association. The dispute dis-pute arose between the board of Erin and the board of Amenca, aa to which had precedence in the matter of government. govern-ment. Conctflsiionia were made on both sides in settling the trouble, and since that time matters have moved on har-moniousls, har-moniousls, bringing the deserved success. suc-cess. The Park City division met with severe-reverses in the big fire of two years ago. All their belongings were swept awaj, but a little energy and good fortune in securing funds has placed the branch on its former footing, foot-ing, and the bundling of a home Is looked look-ed upon as an event in the near future. |