Statement of Council Membership, Year Ending March 31, 1916, Showing Increase and Decrease of Membership With Per Capita Tax and Date Same Was Paid

     Net Increase 282

Per Capita Tax, 30c per member.

     This report will, I believe, indicate that conditions in Nebraska as they pertain to our Order, are flourishing and in no small degree is this condition due to the energy and intelligent direction of the various officers of the respective local Councils. Let us hope that this condition may continue without any untoward interruption.
     As State Secretary, my duties have thrown me intimately in contact with the respective Grand Knights and Financial Secretaries of all subordinate Councils. The responses of these officers to my several requests have invariably been prompt and courteous and I take this means of publicly expressing my appreciation for the courtesies extended to me by these officers during the past year.

Respectfully submitted,
FRANK M. COLFER, State Secretary.

     Moved that the Report of the State Secretary be adopted. Carried.

Report of State Treasurer, Knights of Columbus--June 1, 1916

DISBURSEMENTS

Report of Committee on Audit

To the Worthy State Deputy:
     We, your Committee on Audit, herewith submit the following report: We have examined the books and accounts of Frank M. Colfer, State Secretary, and P. J. O'Connell, State Treasurer, and have found the same to be correct.

Respectfully submitted,

     Moved that the report of the Committee on Audit be accepted. Carried.

Remarks of State Chaplain

     Rev. L. A. Dunphy, State Chaplain, stated that he had no formal report to make to the State Council but the members assembled were favored by a brief address from Father Dunphy, which was given in his usual whole-souled and happy manner. Father Dunphy said in part: "When entering the convention hall this morning, I felt a trifle shy as I had been instrumental in conjunction with the Worthy State Deputy in featuring this new departure, one by the way, which I think we are agreed, is worthy of emulation; I refer to opening the day's program with the celebration of Solemn High Mass. When I returned from Mass to the convention, I felt deeply enthused as a result of the high encomiums of the Right Reverend Bishop Tihen of Lincoln, who, as a preacher at the Mass, praised this new move as one truly Catholic and indicative of the high ideals of the Knights of Columbus. Let all know that the object of the Knights is for the betterment of society and the welfare of the individual member as well. To this end, I would suggest a close adherence to the several passwords; they contain a whole sermon in but few words. Practice frequent attendance at the sacraments of the altar. Make yourselves more familiar with our Divine Lord. Eat of the Bread which our Divine Lord gave and drink of the Cup which He prepared for you and then will you have the courage and strength to meet and combat the evils of life. Then will you be better men, stronger Christians, nobler Knights and better citizens."

     Moved that the remarks of the Worthy State Chaplain be reduced to writing and printed in the Minutes of the Convention. Carried.

Report of Resolution Committee

     The Committee on Resolutions, being ready to report, it was moved by Brother L. C. Brian, Chairman of said Committee, that the

convention consider the adoption of the resolutions one at a time. Carried.

     Brother L. G. Brian read the resolutions for the consideration of the Convention as follows:

To the Officers and Delegates of the Twelfth Annual State Council, Knights of Columbus. Brothers:
     Your Committee on Resolutions beg leave to submit the following:

I.

     BE IT RESOLVED, That the thanks of the State Council be extended to the brothers of Phil Sheridan Council and to the citizens of the City of Fremont for their cordial and general entertainment of the delegates and visiting brothers at this convention.
     We congratulate our State Deputy, Hon. George F. Corcoran, on his untiring efforts and success in the upbuilding of our order; and believing that the future success of our order in this state depends upon the bringing of its members closer to their council meetings, we especially endorse his action in establishing new councils whenever and wherever Catholic communities are strong in numbers sufficient to justify his belief In their ability to maintain and support such councils. Carried.

.II.

     Whereas, God, in His infinite wisdom, has seen fit to take from our midst the Right Reverend Richard Scannell and has taken him from the shores touched by that mysterious sea that has never yet borne on any wave the image of a homeward soul. May perfect peace be his. We deplore his loss but find solace in the fact that he lived a life of usefulness and devotion to his fellowmen; therefore,
     Be It Resolved, That the sympathy and condolence of this body in convention assembled be extended to the Omaha dioceses in the death of the Right Reverend Scannell, who, for so many years was a power for good in church and state. Carried by a rising vote of convention.

III.

     Resolved, That this convention extend to Rev. Peter Gannon, editor of the "True Voice," its appreciation of the work he is accomplishing for the Catholic cause in Nebraska and that the Knights of Columbus in Nebraska spare on effort to have the "True Voice" placed in every Catholic home in the state. Carried.

IV.

     Resolved, That the sympathy of our Order be extended to the suffering humanity of European nations now engaged in terrible conflict and that we exert every effort in our power to bring about peace between these warring nations; and
     That we deplore the present conditions in Mexico; and
     Be It Further Resolved, That as Knights of Columbus in convention assembled, we heartily endorse the spirit of our Holy Father for his untiring efforts to bring about peace; and
     Be It Further Resolved, That we give thanks that we have been enabled to remain at peace with all nations.

V.

     Resolved, That we urgently recommend to all councils that they urge the proper observance in their respective communities of the major National Holidays by appropriate public celebrations, thereby emphasizing our love of country and its republican institutions as portrayed by said holidays. Carried.

VI.

     Be It Resolved, That the thanks and most hearty endorsement of the convention be extended to the Committee on Religious Prejudices for the wonderful good they have accomplished in so short a time; and that it is the sense of this convention that this Committee be given every support and encouragement from all councils and members; and
     Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Supreme Secretary with the endorsement of the convention that the National Council will continue the Committee in its good work of overcoming ignorance and prejudice. Carried.

VII.

     Whereas, By the establishing of October 12th as "Discovery Day" by legislation, great honor has been done our great patron, Christopher Columbus.
     Be It Resolved, That this body urgently recommend the proper celebration of the day by a lecture appropriate to the occasion. Carried.

VIII.

     Resolved, That this council instruct the local councils that all members must present a certificate that they have performed their "Easter Duty," signed by their spiritual advisor annually; and that the Grand Knights send to the State Secretary the list of persons who have not performed their "Easter Duty"; and that the State Secretary include this In his annual report to the State Convention; and
     Be It Further Resolved, That this body heartily recommend, in compliance with the expressed wish of our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XV, that the members of this Order show their appreciation by receiving Holy Communion more frequently than is required by strict law of the Church. Carried.

IX.

     Resolved, That a Committee of five (5), of which the State Deputy, George F. Corcoran, and the Past State Deputy, T. P. Redmond, shall be members, be appointed for the purpose of publishing a state pamphlet and report their findings to the Grand Knights of the various councils of the State of Nebraska, and that said committee be empowered to act in carrying out the publication of the pamphlet. Carried.

X.

     Resolved, That we urge upon the officers in charge of initiations that they insist upon better attendance when conferring the First and Second degrees, so that the most beautiful and instructive lessons taught in those degrees may make a strong Impression on the minds and hearts of the candidates. Carried.

XI.

     Resolved, That, in initiation ceremonies, the District Deputy and Grand Knight shall be considered a censor committee to insist forcibly upon the proper observance of ritualistic work and general council chamber decorum during the exemplification of degrees and that the District Deputies and Grand Knights he earnestly admonished by this body to improve the character of said degree work whenever possible, Carried.

Respectfully submitted,

L. G. BRIAN, Chairman, E. W. SIMERAL, J. W. GUTHRIE, J. E. SULLIVAN, JOHN C. MULLEN, Resolutions Committee

Compliment to Bishop Tihen

     Moved by Brother Hoffman of Omaha that the thanks of the convention be extended to the Right Reverend J. Henry Tihen, for his kindness in preaching the sermon at the Solemn High Mass today and that the congratulations of all Nebraska Knights, represented by the State Council be extended to Bishop Tihen on the anniversary of his coming to Nebraska, said anniversary date being May 12. Carried with rising vote.

Election of Officers

     The next order of business being the election of officers for the ensuing year, the Worthy State Deputy called Past State Deputy Redmond to the Chair.

     Past State Deputy Redmond having announced the order of business, moved that all State Officers be re-elected by acclamation. It appearing that a vacancy now exists in the office of State Advocate, occasioned by the removal of James M. Lanigan, State Advocate from Nebraska, original motion was amended that "All State Officers with the exception of State Advocate be reelected by acclamation," Carried.
      Rev. L. A. Dunphy nominated John H. Barry of Wahoo for the office of State Advocate. Seconded and upon vote of State Council, Brother Barry was elected to said office by acclamation.

Delegates to Supreme Council

     The following Brothers were, on unanimous vote of the convention, elected as Delegates and Alternates to the Supreme Convention at Davenport, Iowa: Insurance Delegate, Luke Mundy, Fremont. Associate Delegates, E. W. Simeral, Omaha; James T. Brady, Albion. Alternates: Dr. F. H. Morrow,. Columbus, Alternate for State Deputy; E. H. Whelan, O'Neill, for Past State Deputy; F. W. Koerber, Norfolk, for E. W. Simeral; and J. J. Hinchey, Omaha, for James T. Brady.

State Chaplain

     At the conclusion of the Election of Officers, in accordance with the laws of the Order, the State Officers selected Rev. L. A. Dunphy of Sutton to succeed himself as State Chaplain.

Selection of Convention City for 1917

     Brothers J. W. Guthrie of Alliance and Bart Kernan of Hastings each urged upon the convention the selection of the respective cities for the 1917 convention. The brothers were most vigorously supported from the floor and after a spirited discussion of some length in which the keynote of good feeling and courtesy predominated, it was moved that the State Council meet in 1917 at Alliance. Carried unanimously.

Report of Mileage and Per Diem Committee

     The meeting place for 1917 having been selected the Committee on Mileage and Per Diem reported as follows:

To the Worthy State Deputy and Delegates:
     We, your Committee on Mileage and Per Diem, recommend that a per capita tax of 50c per member he assessed for the next year.

     Moved that the report of the Committee be adopted. Carried.

Adjournment

     There being no further business to come before the Convention, upon motion, the Convention was closed in due form to meet at Alliance May, 1917.

FRANK M. COLFER, State Secretary.

To the Worthy State Deputy and Delegates to the Twelfth Annual Convention of the Knights of Columbus:
     During the year, classes have been initiated in the four councils of this district. Omaha has initiated two classes, one on December 12, 1915, and one on February 27, 1916. Columbus initiated a class on May 7, 1916, which is not shown in the total membership of this report. Fremont initiated about forty candidates on February 27, 1916, and Humphrey, about the same number on October 17, 1915.
     Omaha Council has at present, 655 members of which 127 are in the insurance class and 528 in the associate class. During the year there have been eight insurance members suspended and one died. In the associate class eighteen members have been suspended, one withdrawn and two died. Cash on hand, $317.24.
     Columbus Council has a total membership of 245, of which forty-three are in the insurance class and 202 in the associate class. During the year, three insurance members and eighteen associate members have been suspended, and one insurance member has died; three insurance members and twenty-four associate members have been transferred. Cash on hand, $27.51. Amount invested in Building & Loan stock, $2,600.00.
     Fremont Council has a membership of 186 of which thirty-five are in the insurance class and 151 in the associate class. On account of loss of records, I have been unable to obtain a report of the suspension, withdrawals and deaths in this council. Has cash on hand, $646.20.: