Proceedings of Seventh Annual State Council
Held at Omaha, May 9, 1911 State Officers

     The Seventh Annual State Council of the Knights of Columbus of Nebraska convened in accordance with Chapter II, Section 13, of the National Constitution and By-Laws.

     The Council was called to order and opened in due form by State Deputy Arthur F. Mullen at 10:00 a. m.

     The following State Officers answered at roll call: State Deputy Arthur F. Mullen, State Secretary Mark Burke, State Treasurer Jos. Schmidt, State Warden James F. McNulty, State Advocate Frank Real. State Chaplain Rev. William Windolf was called to leave before the opening of the meeting.

     The following committee on credentials were appointed by State Deputy Mullen: John F. Matthews of Grand Island, William Chisholm of Chadron, H. J. Hammond of O'Neill, Chas. Skalla of McCook, and James P. Boler of Greeley.

     While awaiting the report of the committee on credentials the following communications from other State Councils were read:

Maine

     The Maine State Council sends fraternal greetings and best wishes for a harmonious and successful convention.

EDWARD P. DUNN, S. D.

New Hampshire

     In the name of the Old Granite State Council, I extend to the officers and members of your State Council, fraternal greetings and wish you a very harmonious and successful convention.

JAS. B. DUFFEY, S, D.

Vermont

     In the name of the Vermont State Council I extend to the Brothers of your jurisdiction sincere fraternal greetings for a successful and harmonious meeting of your State Council.

P. B. McAULIFFE, S. D.

Massachusetts

     Massachusetts State Council in convention assembled send fraternal greetings.

WM. J. O'BRIEN, S. D.

Rhode Island

     On behalf of the Rhode Island State Council, I extend to the Brothers of your jurisdiction, fraternal greetings and best wishes for a most enthusiastic, successful and harmonious meeting. May your deliberations result in much good for our Order.

CHAS. P. McALVEY, S. D.

Connecticut

     On behalf of Connecticut State Council I extend fraternal greetings and hope that your convention will prove profitable to every member of the order under your jurisdiction.

WM. J. MULLIGAN, S. D.

New York

     In the name of the New York State Council, I extend to you sincere fraternal greetings and best wishes for a most successful convention, may the coming year be a most prosperous one for all.

DANIEL J. GRIFFIN, S. D.

Maryland

     The officers and members of the Maryland State Council, assembled in convention at Frostbrug (sic), send fraternal greetings and best wishes for a very successful convention, to the officers and members of the State Council of Nebraska.

PILLIP C. MULLER, S. D.

West Virginia

     Trusting that the Convention in your Jurisdiction will be not only a most harmonious one, but one that will be most profitable to the order in your state, and redound to the credit of the organization at large.

CLARENCE E. MARTIN, S. D.

Kentucky

     Fraternal greetings from Kentucky State Council; may your deliberations be pleasant and harmonious, resulting in great good to our order.

JAS. C. ROGERS, S. D.

Tennessee

     Tennessee sends greetings, and wishes continued prosperity to the officers and members of the State Council and the Order in your jurisdiction.

W. P. D. MOROSS, S. D.

Georgia

     Georgia State Council sends fraternal greetings and best wishes to Nebraska State Council on the occasion of its annual Convention for 1911.

RICHARD A. MAGILL, S. D.

Texas

     In the name of Texas I send greetings to the officers and delegates of your State Council. That your deliberations be harmonious and productive of much good to the Order is the sincere wish of

EUGENE C. ORRICK, S. D.

Ohio

The members in Ohio extend fraternal greetings to their Brothers in your state on the occasion of the annual meeting of your State Council. We wish you a successful convention and a prosperous year.

T. J. DUFFY, S. D.

Indiana

     By virtue of my office it is my privilege to express to you, and through you, to the brothers of your jurisdiction the fond wishes of every Knight in Hoosierdom and to associate with this greeting the hope that the deliberation of your State Council will be fraught with the beauty of truth and the consolation of promise found in the teachings of Holy Mother Church that brighten the paths of faltering feet with cheer and encouragement by Heaven made sweet, sweet as the mercy of God.

CHAS. R. DUFFIN, S. D.

Illinois

     On behalf of the jurisdiction of Illinois Knights of Columbus, cordial greetings are extended to you and the members of your jurisdiction. May the deliberations of your State Council be pleasant and harmonious, and a guaranty of the Order's future success and prosperity.

JAMES A. WALSH, S. D.

Michigan

     Michigan State Council extends fraternal greetings to yourself and the brothers of your jurisdiction. It is our hope that your Council will have a successful and enthusiastic meeting, and that the accomplishments of the past will operate as an incentive for the greatness of the future.

THOMAS A. LAWLER, S. D.

North Dakota

     North Dakota State Council extends fraternal greetings with best wishes to your Council on the occasion of its 1911 annual convention.

J. E. McKOANE, S. D.

South Dakota

     South Dakota State Council sends greetings to the officers and delegates of your State Council and wishes continued prosperity to the members of your Council and to the Order.

L. J. WELSH, S. D.

Montana

     In behalf of the Knights of Columbus of Montana and the State Officers, I send fraternal greetings and best wishes to the Knights of Columbus of Nebraska and the officers and members of the State Council.

JAMES MAHER, S. D.

Utah

     In behalf of the Utah State Council, I extend to you and the officers and members of Nebraska fraternal greetings and best wishes for a very successful meeting.

GEO. JAY GIBSON, S. D.

Ontario

     May the same spirit which actuated the Great Columbus guide you and your brothers in their deliberations. I hope to meet you at Detroit.

O. K. FRASER, S. D.

Canada

In the name of the Maritime Provinces and Newfoundland State Council, accept our cordial greetings and best wishes for a successful State Council meeting.

W. J. MAHONEY, S. D.

     The Credential Committee presented the following report:

     Upon examination of credentials presented to your commmittee (sic), we find the following delegates and State Officers are entitled to seats in this convention:

     Also the following State Officers: Past State Deputies T. J. Mahoney and C. J. Smyth, State Deputy Arthur F. Mullen, State Secretary Mark Burke, State Treasurer Jos. H. Schmidt, State Warden Jas. F. McNulty, State Advocate Frank Real, State Chaplain Rev. Wm. Windolf and District Deputies James M. Fitzgerald of Omaha, W. E. Straub of Lincoln, B. B. Hirschman of Hartington and D. A. Jones of Hastings.

     Voted that the State Deputy answer by wire all greetings received from other State Councils.

     State Deputy A. F. Mullen then addressed the following message of greeting to the various State Deputies:

     "Nebraska State Council now in session sends fraternal greetings to the brothers in your jurisdiction."

     Voted that the chair proceed with the appointing of any committees necessary and that they meet immediately after lunch.

     State Deputy then appointed the following committees:

     Committee on Resolutions--E. W. Simeral, F. J. Gerharz, P. F. O'Gara, H. A. Copsey, A. E. Evans.

     Auditing Committee--F. R. Uerling, F. T. Redmond, R. A. Coupe.

     Mileage and Assessment--J. P. Murry, Theo. A. Helmig and W. C. Ryan.

     Voted that the reports of the state officers and district deputies be submitted while waiting for the committees.

     State Deputy Arthur F. Mullen then submitted the following report:

Report of Arthur F. Mullen, State Deputy of the Knights of Columbus, for the Year 1910

To the State Convention of the Knights of Columbus of Nebraska:
     Brothers: Complying with the laws of the Order, I submit the following as my annual report:
     This is the eighth time that the Knights of Columbus of Nebraska have assembled in a state convention. On March 4, 1905, the first state convention was held at Omaha at which time a State Council was organized. Since that time we have held seven state conventions. At the present time, we have seventeen Councils in this state with an aggregate membership of nearly 4,000. Attached to this report is Table I, which is a statement of the membership of the various Councils of the state as shown by the records of the National Office on April 1st, 1911. Table II, is a record of the suspensions, deaths and other lapses in the various Councils in the state as reported to me by the financial secretaries.

THE ORDER

     In this jurisdiction, one new council has been organized during the year, being the Phillip Sheridan Council, at Fremont, No. 1497. There has been an increase in the membership in practically all of the Councils of the state. Those Councils that have not initiated a class during the year are making preparations to do so during the present month. While the increase in membership has not been as large this year as it has been during the past two or three years, the Order has been prosperous and healthy. Lack of good material has been the reason for not increasing the membership. The policy has been to be more careful in the selection of the members and to require a high standard of membership. The usefulness of this Order does not depend so much on quantity as it does on quality. The Order had better grow slowly than to accept as members undesirable and unworthy men.
     The attention of the members is again called to the recommendations made in the last annual report regarding the reports of officers, and the rules and regulations governing insurance members. It should be borne in mind at all times that primarily this is an insurance Or-

der, and one that should receive attention and consideration. About one-third of the membership in Nebraska is in the insurance class. A concerted effort should be made by the members to increase the insurance membership. That is the feature that gives this Order stability and will guarantee its perpetuity. In the state of Connecticut, the original home of the Order, the membership is divided as follows:

     Nowhere in the country is the Order stronger or on a more substantial basis than in these three states. The principal reason for this is the fact that the membership is largely in the insurance class. By a litle (sic) effort on the part of the officers and members many associate members could be induced to change to the insurance class, and this should be done.

ORDER AT LARGE

     During the year, the Order has continued to make progress and has made a substantial growth. On April 10, 1911, the total membership at large was 253,346, distributed in 1,506 Councils. The Order is now in operation in the United States, Canada, Newfoundland Islands, Panama, Mexico, Cuba and Porto Rico.

     The following is taken from a report of the National Secretary and, no doubt, will be of interest to all members:

     The insurance commissioner of Connecticut says in his report in 1909:

     "As for the Order, the conclusions of the report are self-evident--a healthy financial condition prevails, investments are well selected, death claims are promptly settled, and the affairs of the order carefully and scientifically administered,"

DISCIPLINE

     As the Order increases in membership and influence, it becomes more arid more important that its rules and regulations be strictly adhered to. No organization can long endure if those in authority in it do not enforce its rules and regulations. For a number of reasons our officers find it difficult to do this. Prominent among these reasons is the lack of discipline on the part of members. A part of our membership pay no attention at all to the rules. They assume that the rules and regulations were made for use in some other state. Catholics, as a rule, have not had much experience in lodge work, so it is not to be expected that our discipline will be as perfect as those who have had years of training along that line. Every member ought to follow the rules of the Order and obey the commands of the officers. If a member cannot do this, it is his duty to withdraw and the sooner he withdraws, the better it will be for all concerned. He should keep in mind that when he joined this Order, he agreed to follow the rules and obey orders. By keeping that in mind much annoyance and trouble will be averted. There will be no room for conflict and disorder.

COLUMBUS DAY

     In April of this year, an act, making October 12th, a legal holiday under the name of "Columbus Day," became a law. The fact that this act passed both branches of the legislature without serious opposition tells of the high regard that the public have for the Catholic people of the state. This action is another evidence of the liberty and broadminded spirit of the age in which we live. It shows that narrow-mindness and bigotry have neither a home or a resting place in Nebraska. The public generally appreciates the importance of the Catholic population of our country. We have been accorded such kindly consideration and have been treated so justly by our fellow-countrymen that we ought to be both thankful and grateful. We must show our appreciation by being fair, broadminded and liberal with those around us. The government, under which we live, has done so much for us that it is our bounden duty to aid by act, word and example in all things that will improve social and civic life. Our influence, at all times and under all circumstances, should be on the side of right and justice.

CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY

     At the different state conventions, we have unanimously declared in favor of the plan of raising $500,000 for the Catholic University of America. The various state deputies and other officers have asked the Councils to take favorable action in this matter. While some progress has been made during the current year, it is to be regretted that some of the councils have failed to act, and the Councils that rejected this proposition have failed to reconsider the action taken. Only two Councils in the state have taken adverse action, The Charles Carroll of Carrollton Council, at O'Neill, No. 701 and The Count Creighton Council, at Creighton, No. 1238. It is reported that a movement is on foot to reconsider the action taken, but nothing definite in either of these Councils has yet been done.
     The National Office reported on April 24, 1911, that Chadron Council, No. 1128, St. Patrick's Council, of North Platte, No. 1211, and Emerson Council No. 1309 had taken no action either for or against the proposition. All other councils in the state have taken favorable action: Some of them have paid the amount in full and none of them

are in arrears. The total amount paid in by the Councils in this state up to April 24, 1911, was $3,357.50. The Councils that have failed to act should do so at once. All our Councils should have taken favorable action months ago. The members of the two Councils that have rejected the proposition ought to see the justice and the necessity of reconsideration and favorable action. All councils should bear a part of this burden. It is unfair for a part of the Councils to evade their share of the responsibility. Those who have been urging favorable action in this matter have no interest other than the general welfare of the Order in the raising of this fund. As the head of the Order, I appealed to the membership a year ago to take prompt action in this matter. Most of the Councils responded, and I here and now appeal again to the membership of every Council in the state to take favorable action and report the same to the National Office at once. Are we going to keep on endorsing this proposition in every state convention without dissent and continue to repudiate the endorsements made here as soon as we return home? Any contribution for an educational purpose is worthy, but especially it is worthy for a Catholic to make a contribution that will go to build up a great Catholic center of learning in the capitol of the nation.
     On February 1, 1911, the Councils of the United States had paid into this fund $213,312. Those in charge expect to have the $500,000 raised by January 1, 1912. This is a great work. It will be one of this Order's contributions to Catholic education in America. A contribution to Catholic education by the rank and file is not only worthy, but it is absolutely necessary to properly sustain Catholic education. If the Catholic University is to be properly maintained and is to keep abreast with the times and the environments in which it exists, it is absolutely essential that the Catholic people of America contribute to its support. I ask you again and for the last time to take this matter up when you go home and see to it that Nebraska contributes its share to the carrying out of the most laudable work that this Order has ever undertaken.

SECRET WORK

     You are reminded that this is a secret Order; that the acts and doings of the various Councils are secret; that no member under any circumstances is permitted to report or communicate anything that transpires in the lodge room while the council is in session to any one not absolutely known to him to be an equally qualified member in good standing.
     During the year, two or three incidents have been reported where it is absolutely certain that some member divulged a part of the secret work. It is to be regreted (sic) that we have any member in the Order low enough or mean enough to violate his obligation as a Catholic gentleman.
     The information given out causes me to speak thus strongly, for its nature was such that it must have been given out deliberately. Officers in charge of the degrees are admonished to carefully instruct all members regarding the secrecy of the work and to see to it that every member takes all the obligations of secrecy. All members in talking in private with their brothers should impress upon the other the absolute necessity of secrecy. Members should be more careful in talking about the degree work even with each other and, under no circumstances, should any member talk with a stranger regarding it.

RESOLUTIONS PASSED BY LAST CONVENTION

     The resolution passed by the last State Convention instructing the delegates to the National Convention to favor a change in the By-Laws which would prohibit the sale of intoxicating liquors in clubs controlled by the Knights of Columbus, was taken up by the national delegates at the National Convention held at Quebec in August, 1910. Two other states had taken action similar to Nebraska. The friends of the movement concluded to present the resolution passed by the State Council of Pennsylvania. We succeeded in having the National Convention take favorable action on the proposed amendment, but in an amended form. The resolution, as passed, prevents clubs controlled by the Knights of Columbus from maintaining a bar or serving intoxicating liquors in these clubs. The Supreme Knight, in his annual report, recommended this. During the debate, which lasted most of an afternoon, it developed that a prominent Archbishop threatened to suppress the Order under his jurisdiction if it did not cease serving intoxicating liquors in a Knights of Columbus Club, After three attempts, the resolution passed by this state a number of years ago was in effect incorporated in and made a part of the By-Laws of the Order. The other resolutions passed by the last State Convention were presented and were rejected by the Committee on Laws.

RECOMMENDATIONS

     The following are suggesed (sic) for your consideration:
     1, That a resolution be passed endorsing the plan of raising $500,000 for the Catholic University of America by this Order.
     2. That provision be made to defray the expenses of District Deputies who attend the State Convention.
     3. That a committee be appointed to investigate and report to the next State Convention on the feasibility and advisability of creating and maintaining a fund to support free beds in some of the Catholic Hospitals for unfortunate members of this Order.
     4. That a By-Law be passed prohibiting the exemplification of the third degree during the months of June, July, August and September.
     5. That a committee be appointed to investigate and report to the next State Convention the standing. and condition of Catholic literature in the various public libraries of the state.
     6. That a committee be appointed, with power to act, for the purpose of outlining and preparing a plan for the proper observation of Columbus Day by the various councils in this jurisdiction.
     7. That action be taken for the creation and maintenance of a permanent fund, the income of which is to be used in buying a medal each year for the student in Creighton University that writes the best essay on some phase of the work of this Order, the subject to be selected by the faculty of the University.

CONCLUSION

     Brothers, in conclusion, allow me to express my appreciation of the kind treatment that you have accorded me; permitted by your kindness and generosity to be twice elected to the position of State Deputy, I am indeed grateful. You have honored me far beyond my merits. During the past eight years, it has been my constant effort to render service in every way possible. My time and energy have

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