Report of the Committee on Credentials

     Worthy State Deputy and members of the convention: We, your Credential Committee beg leave to report that we have carefully examined the credentials of the delegates and find the following state officers and delegates are entitled to a vote in the convention:

State Officers

Delegates

     We also find present the following District Deputies who are entitled to a voice but not a vote in the convention: John J. Hinchey, Parnell Golden, Dr. B. G. Zimmerer, John W.

Guthrie, Dr. F. H. Morrow, W. M. Whalen, W. J. McNichols, John H. O'Malley, and J. Howard Heine.

Respectfully submitted,

J. HOWARD HEINE, Chairman. W. P. ROONEY, C. J. THELEN, H. A. HARSHMAN, P. H. MULLEN

     Brother J. Howard Heine, chairman of the committee, moved the adoption of the report as read.
     Motion carried.

Report of Committee on Audit

     We, your committee on audits, appointed by the Acting State Deputy at the session of the State Council to examine the records of the State Council officers, beg leave to report that we have examined the records and accounts of Mark Burke, State Secretary, and James W. Burke, State Treasurer, and find the same complete and accurate, both as to collections and disbursements of State Council funds.

     Balance of funds as follows:

     Voted: That the report of the Committee on Audit be accepted and adopted as read and the committee discharged.

     Adjourned for lunch--11:55.

Report of Committee on Mileage and Per Diem

     Your Committee on Mileage and Per Diem respectfully report that they have completed the audit of the expense account of the convention delegates and officers in attendance and have reported same to the State Treasurer for payment.
     We recommend that a per capita tax of forty cents per member he assessed to cover the State Council expenses for 1921--1922.

     Reconvened (sic) at 1:39 P. M.

     At this time Brother Hugh Boyle, of Norfolk, asked for permission and was allowed to present the following resolution:

     Whereas, We learned with surprise and sorrow that Count Creighton Council No. 1238 of Creighton, Neb., because of the plea for justice and charity made by it, in behalf of the persecuted and outraged people of Ireland, have been cited to appear before the directors of the National Council at Chicago, to show cause why its charter should not be forfeited;

     And, Whereas, In recognition of its powerful advocacy of so righteous a cause and untiring efforts to convey to every Knight of Columbus Council in America its message of Christianity;
     Therefore, Be It Resolved, That we, the Knights of Columbus of Nebraska, in annual convention assembled, do hereby heartily indorse the exalted purpose that impelled Creighton Council to launch forth so noble a movement;
     And, Be It Further Resolved That we sincerely extend to Count Creighton Council No. 1238, of Creighton, Neb., our earnest support and condemn any movement directed to the forfeiting of its charter, because of its position on the Irish question.

     On motion duly made and seconded the resolution was unanimously adopted.

Report of Committee on Resolutions

     To the officers and delegates of the seventeenth annual State Council of the Knights of Columbus, your Committee on Resolutions beg to submit the following:

I.

     Be It Resolved, That the thanks of State Council he extended to the officers and members of Fitzgerald Council and to the citizens of the city of Lincoln for their cordial and generous entertainment of the delegates and visiting members of the Knights of Columbus at this convention.

II.

     Resolved, That this convention hereby indorse the keeping of Good Friday by semi-religious or devotional exercise from the hours of 12:00 to 3:00, and that the state officers urge the subordinate Councils to help establish this custom wherever possible.

III.

     Resolved, That we urgently recommend to all Councils that they urge the proper observance in their respective communities of the major holidays by appropriate public celebrations, thereby emphasizing their love of country and the republican institutions in this, the land of the free.

IV.

     Resolved, That the State Council here assembled take whatever action that may be necessary to affiliate our Order with the National Catholic Welfare Council in furthering their work.

V.

     Resolved, That, we, the members of the State Council of the State of Nebraska, in convention assembled, protest to the National Council the raising of the dues of members of our Order from $5 to $12 per year, thus keeping many worthy men from joining our ranks and building up our membership, for the reason that we can see no urgent need at this time for the raising of this additional amount of money.

VI.

     Resolved, That we urge upon officers in charge of initiation that they insist upon the proper attention and attendance when conferring the first and second degrees, so that the most beautiful and instructive lessons taught by our Order will have a wholesome and lasting

impression on the minds and hearts of the candidates; and that the degree officers in conferring degrees conform to and follow strictly the ritualistic work as was intended by the founders of this society. That the District Deputies, Grand Knights and Past Grand Knights be admonished by this body to improve the character of the degree work wherever and whenever possible.

VII.

     Resolved, That the Grand Knight of each subordinate Council be admonished to call for an audit of the Council books of his respective Council at least every three months, and that said audit be approved in writing by at least two trustees of said Council

VIII.

     Resolved, That the State Secretary be allowed a fee in proportion to memberships of the Order in this state in properly conducting the office of State Secretary.

IX.

     Resolved, That whereas the world has just emerged from a war that has rocked the very foundation of civilization, a fearful struggle, in which America took her place and poured forth her blood and treasure, upon entering therein for the sake of humanity, in every clime and climate our beloved country hurled her declaration:
     "We are fighting for no advantage or selfish object of our own but for the liberation of the people everywhere from aggression of autocratic force; we are fighting for the liberty, the self-government, and undictated development of all people, and every feature of the settlement that concludes this war must be conserved and executed for that purpose; wrongs must be righted and then adequate safeguards must be created to prevent their being committed again.
      "No people must be forced under a sovereignty under which it does not wish to live; we are fighting for self-determination of all small nations."
     To the ears of the oppressed and downtrodden went the wonderful ideal of the land of Old Glory and their hearts bounded with joy when victory came and settled upon the banner of such a nation.
     And, Whereas. Ireland, after 750 years, still lies prostrate at the foot of England, who for centuries has endeavored to either crush her into submission or destroy an innocent people; a people who resented the invader; the destroyer of cities and hamlets; the laying waste and the ruin of their industry and fertile fields; the brutal and unwarranted murdering of their men, women and children, and all because they wanted to be free-impelled by the same aspirations that our forefathers were in 1776;
     And, Whereas, Ireland is by right a free nation and entitled to the blessings of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness;
     Be It Resolved, That we, the Knights of Columbus of Nebraska, in annual convention assembled, hereby extend our heartfelt sympathy to the suffering and tortured people of Ireland and most earnestly affirm and ratify their stand to establish a Republic of Ireland:
     That we earnestly request the National Council to render them the same assistance they rendered to Belgium, France and Italy awl the other countries of Europe in the late war; that we sympathize with them in their aspirations of liberty and pursuit of happiness,

and that every effort be extended by the National Council in alleviating their sufferings until that glorious day when they shall be once again a nation among the nations of the earth.
     We further request the National Council to do everything consistent with American citizenship; and in accordance with the high traditional ideals of America's love of liberty to further and bring about the recognition of the Irish Republic by the government of the United States, so that justice may be done to all men and peace again reign in a war-torn world.

Respectfully submitted,

     On motion of Brother E. F. Shields of Alliance, and duly seconded, the report of the Committee on Resolutions was adopted as read.

     The following resolutions were presented and read by the Financial Secretary's Association.

     No action was taken by the State Council.

     To the State Council of the Knights of Columbus, of Nebraska, in meeting assembled:
     Greetings! Be It Resolved by the Financial Secretaries of the state that we recommend to the delegates to the national convention that they strongly urge that all correspondence of local councils he addressed to the Financial Secretaries.
     Be It Resolved, That the State Secretary be selected from the Financial Secretaries of the state, they being familiar with the workings of the Order and creating a more familiar feeling between the Councils.
     Be It Resolved, That whereas it now takes from one to eight months to get a Benefit Certificate from the Supreme Council after card has been sent;
     Be It Therefore Further Resolved, That at the national convention this matter be brought to the attention of the Supreme officers so that more speedy action can be gotten on this work.
     Be It Resolved, That whereas Nebraska being the only state that has a Financial Secretaries' Association;
     Be It Further Resolved, That the Supreme officers use their best efforts to establish a State Financial Secretaries' Association in each and every state.

To the State Council of the Knights of Columbus, Nebraska, in meeting assembled:
     Greetings! Be It Resolved, That one insurance delegate to the national convention should be elected from the Financial Secretaries' Association;
     Be It Therefore Further Resolved, That Brother J. H. Pieper,

as such delegate, and that Brother ------, be elected as alternate delegate. Respectfully sumbitted (sic),

     Voted: That the report of the committee be adopted as read, and the Chairman be instructed to present a copy of the resolutions to the State Council now in session.

R. SEQUIN, Secretary.

Father Flanagan's Home

     Moved that each member in Nebraska be assessed one dollar a year for five years.
     No second.
     It was moved and seconded that the motion be tabled. A count of votes resulted in thirty-nine in favor of the motion and twenty-seven against.

Election of Officers

     The Worthy Past State Deputy then announced that the next order of business to be considered by the convention would be the election of officers for the ensuing year, and appointed John J. Bogan, F. F. Shields, F. L. Vogeltanz and Parnell Golden to act as tellers.

     Nominations were then received for the office of State Deputy, and John H. O'Malley, Greeley, Frank P. Matthews, Omaha, and William J. McNichols, Lexington, were nominated for the office of State Deputy. Ballots were distributed by the tellers, collected, and the following results announced: O'Malley, twenty; Matthews, twenty-nine; McNichols, twenty-six; no election, the tellers again distributed and collected the ballots and the count resulted in O'Malley, twenty; Matthews, twenty-nine; McNichols, twenty-six; no election, the third ballot when announced was, O'Malley, nineteen; Matthews, twenty-nine; McNichols, twenty-six; no election (O'Malley not voting). Fourth ballot resulted in O'Malley, twenty; Matthews, twenty-seven; McNichols, twenty-seven; no election.
      At this time it was voted that we proceed with the election of the State Secretary, and W. J. Gregorious nominated Mark Burke for the office. No other nominations, and the State Deputy was instructed to cast the unanimous vote of the convention for Brother Burke.
     The tellers were instructed to distribute the ballots and the convention would proceed with the election of State Deputy, and the Fifth ballot resulted in: O'Malley, twenty; Matthews, twenty-five; McNichols, twenty-eight; no election. The sixth ballot, O'Malley, twenty-one; Matthews, twenty-six; McNichols, twenty-seven; M. V. Ruddy, one; seventh ballot for state deputy, O'Malley, nineteen; Matthews, thirty-one; McNichols, twenty-four.
     The convention at this time decided to elect a State Treasurer, and Brother James F. Burke of Sutton was nominated to succeed himself, there being no other nominations the State Secretary was instructed to cast the unanimous vote of the convention for James F. Burke for Treasurer

     Nominations were then received for the office of Worthy State Warden, W. H. Laughlin, Grand Island, and Brother Theodore A. Helmig, Beatrice, being nominated. Ballots distributed resulted in the election of Brother W. H. Laughlin to succeed himself as State Warden.

     The Worthy Past State Deputy announced that nominations for the office of State Advocate would be in order, and the name of John H. Barry of Wahoo was presented, with no opposition, and Brother Barry was elected by acclamation.

     The battle for State Deputy was again on and the tellers found the result of the seventh engagement to be: O'Malley, nineteen; Matthews, thirty-one; McNichols, twenty-four; resulting in no election. The eighth round resulted in: O'Malley, sixteen; Matthews, thirty-three; McNichols, twenty-six; no election.

     The Acting State Deputy then announced that a meeting place for the next year would be in order, and John H. Hopkins of Omaha invited the State Council to meet with the Omaha brothers in 1922, but Brother Corcoran, in an appeal to the convention to come over to his house, and that York county and the Capitol City of the said county would all take a great pleasure in furnishing entertainment between the business sessions of the 1922 State Council meeting, so it was voted that the next meeting be held in York, in 1922.

Salary of State Secretary

     At this time Brother Guthrie of Alliance brought up the salary or fee to be paid the State Secretary, and referred to Resolution No. 8, as just passed by the convention: Resolved, that the State Secretary be allowed a fee in proportion to membership of the Order in the state in properly conducting the office of State Secretary; Brother W. J. Gregorious be allowed a salary of $500, with no action taken. It was then moved by Brother Guthrie and duly seconded that the State Secretary be allowed the sum of $300 per year. Unanimously adopted.
     (The State Secretary has been allowed the sum of $100 per year for the past several years; the increase given at this time will place a burden of 2 1/2 cents per year on each member).

Western Missionary Fund

     Moved and seconded that a levy of twenty-five cents per capita be made for the 1921-1922 call in addition to the report of the Committee on Mileage and Per Diem, and the same be applied to the Western Missionary fund; so ordersd (sic).

     The tellers again proceeded with the distribution of ballots for the election of State Deputy, and announced the result of the ninth ballot as follows: O'Malley, ten; Matthews, thirty-five; McNichols, twenty-seven; Dr. F. G. Zimmerer, one. No election.

     At this time Brother J. H. O'Malley was allowed the floor and after heartily thanking the delegates of the convention for their support, asked that he be allowed to withdraw in favor of the two highest candidates for the office of State Deputy. So ordered.

     The tellers were again instructed to distribute ballots and the State Deputy announced that the convention would proceed with the selection of the State Deputy from the two highest candidates, Frank

P. Matthews and W. J. McNichols. The vote was then taken by ballot and the State Deputy announced: Matthews, thirty-five; McNichols, thirty-nine. Frank P. Matthews then moved the election of Brother William J. McNichols to the office of State Deputy be made unanimous for the ensuing year.

     On motion duly made and seconded, William J. McNichols was elected to fill the vacancy in the State Deputy office from May 25, 1921, to July 1, 1921.

     At this time it was reported to the convention that Father Shine of Plattsmouth was sick in an Omaha hospital, and that Father McDonald was also sick in a hospital in Seattle, Washington.

     Moved and seconded that the chair appoint a committee of three to draft resolutions and send them to the two sick Fathers. The Acting State Deputy then appointed Dr. E. O. Zimmerer, W. J. Gregorious and W. N. Whelan as the above committee.

     The committee latter stated that they would console the sick Fathers with flowers.

     The Acting State Deputy then announced nominations would be in order for insurance delegates to the Supreme convention, as the reports of the various Councils to the State Secretary show that we have 3,031 Insurance members in the state of Nebraska would be entitled to two insurance delegates.

     The following nominations for insurance delegates to the Supreme convention were then made: Dr. F. H. Morrow, Columbus; P. A. Tomek, David City; J. H. Pieper, Albion; Richard B. Dougherty, Kearney; John O'Malley of Greeley.

     Voted that the two candidates receiving the highest vote be the duly elected delegates the ballots were then passed and Brothers J. H. O'Malley and P. A. Tomek received the largest number of votes were declared elected.

     The Past State Deputy then announced there were to he four associate delegates to the Supreme Council selected.

     Brother W. J. Donaghue of Albion at this time reminded the convention that the State Financial Secretaries had asked for recognition to the Supreme convention in selecting one of their number as insurance delegate, and the candidate selected by the Secretaries not having received recognition by the State Council, Brother Donaghue asked if he might again place the name of Brother J. H. Pieper before the convention as a delegate. It was so ordered.

     The following brothers were then named as delegates to represent the associate membership at the Supreme convention: Dr. E. G. Zimmerer, Lincoln; Hugh Boyle, Norfolk; E. O. Dugan, Chadron; J. J. Helms, Hastings; W. J. Bagan, McCook; John W. Guthrie, Alliance, and J. H. Pieper of Albion.

     Voted: That the four highest candidates be declared elected as delegates to the Supreme convention.

     At the conclusion of the balloting for associate delegates the Past State Deputy announced that the following had been elected as associate delegates: Hugh Boyle, Dr. E. G. Zimmerer, J. H. Pieper, and J. J. Helmes.

     The Acting State Deputy then announced that the next in order

would be the selecting of alternates to the Supreme convention, and that eight in all. were to be selected, one each for the State Deputy and Past State Deputy, one each for insurance delegate, and four for the associate delegates.

     There being no contests for the nominations they were elected as named: Dr. F. H. Morrow, Columbus; R. B. Dougherty, Kearney; J. T. Webster, St. Paul; E. L. Kudrna, Wahoo; W. F. Kloke, Norfolk; Parnell Golden, O'Neill; W. J. Bagan, McCook, and E. O. Dugan of Chadron.

     The state officers held a very brief meeting at this time, and Mons. L. A. Dunphy was unanimously selected for reappointment as State Chaplain for the ensuing year.

     Moved and seconded that the thanks of the convention be extended to the Right Rev. Bishop O'Reilley and Fathers for their kindness, to Governor S. H. McKelvie and Mayor Zehrung for their hearty welcome, and to the officers and members of Lincoln Council, and their good ladies, for the entertainment furnished and to assure them that the Knights of Columbus will long remember the enjoyable time at their seventeenth annual meeting.

     There being no further business to come before the state convention it was moved and seconded that the convention adjourn; there being no objections the convention was closed in due form.

MARK BURKE,
State Secretary.

Report of State Secretary

Worthy State Deputy and Members of the State Council:
     As State Secretary for the Knights of Columbus of Nebraska, I submit the following report:
     At this, the seventeenth annual meeting of the State Council, I deem it appropriate to give a short history of the Order in the state.
     The institution of Omaha Council No. 652 on the 16th day of March, 1902, marked the beginning of the Knights of Columbus in the state of Nebraska, since which time the growth of the Order in the state has been steady and in keeping with the principles for which the organization stands. The second Council was instituted at O'Neill in April, 1903, the third at Lincoln in February, 1904, and the fourth at Columbus on January 8, 1905.
     There being Councils enough to form a state Council, Territorial Deputy, T. J. Mahoney (the grandest Knight that Knighthood ever knew) called a meeting of the officers of the Councils of the state at his office in Omaha on March 4, 1905, and there it was decided that the first state Council would meet at Lincoln on the first Tuesday in May, 1905.
     On May 2, 1905, the first state Council met in the essembly (sic) hall of the Lindell hotel in Lincoln, four Councils being represented with a total membership of 610 members. There is a saying that the Knights of Columbus are a "Grand Knights" organization, and I will say that at the first state meeting of the Knights of Columbus of Nebraska they were a meeting of Grand Knights. Listen and I will name them for you:
     State Deputy. T. J. Mahoney; State Secretary, E. D. Fitzpatrick;

State Treasurer, P. J. O'Donnell; State Advocate, A. V. Johnson; State Warden, W. P. McDevott, and the following delegates: C. J. Smyth, J. H. Schmidt, John A. Maguire, John Ledwith, Frank J. Gerharz, Dr. M. T. McMahon, Arthur F. Mullen, and Edw. H. Whalen, J. A. C. Kennedy and Paul Fitzgerald. Alternates were also allowed a seat in the meeting.
     And this, the seventeenth annual meeting, is being held in Lincoln, the Fitzgerald Council is again entertaining the delegates at their first two-day state meeting, we are assembled in the council chamber of the beautiful Knights of Columbus building, and the delegates are representing thirty-six Councils with a membership of nearly 12,000 members. Nebraska has grown in membership with the order in general as at the time of the first state meeting in Nebraska the total membership of the Order was 128,347, and today we are nearly 1,000,000 strong.
     Since the last meeting there have been new Councils instituted at West Point and Ord, making a total of thirty-six Councils now in the state.
     The reports from the Financila (sic) Secretaries show that there are 11,182 members In good standing; this is an increase of 620 members during the year; there are 3,031 insurance members and 8,151 associate; there was a loss during the year of 534 members, thirty-nine having died and 495 having been suspended, withdrew or transferred; eleven of the Councils show a decrease in membership, while twenty-three have increased, the two new Councils organized during the last month being West Point, with forty-two members, and Ord with fifty-five, which no doubt caused a decrease in some neighbor's memberships.
     A forty cent per capita tax collected from the 11,182 members was collected, which amounted to $4,472.80, and has been turned in to the State Treasurer.
     Most of the Councils were prompt in their reports, but the fastest Council In the state are the fellows out at McCook. My notices were mailed April 22, and McCook showed up on the 27th with a draft and report, with Sutton second on the 28th and York third on the 29th, and the rest have been coming along since leaving only one or two to report at the state meeting.
     As the District Deputy of each district in his report usually covers the membership table that we have been printing, I am not including that in my report this year.
     In closing, and for the benefit of the prosperous Councils in the state, I do wish to mention the "hard luck" council of the state; this title is now held by Wymore Council, No. 1295, as they have just had their third fire, resulting in a total loss of their effects.

Respectfully submitted,
MARK BURKE,
State Secretary.

Lincoln, Neb., May 25, 1921.

     Received of Mark Burke the sum of $4,472.80 for per capita tax collected for 11,182 members, as reported by the Financial Secretaries on their collection of a forty-cent tax.

JAMES F. BURKE,
State Treasurer.

Report of State Treasurer

Worthy Past State Deputy and Brother Knights:

General Fund

Disbursements from General Fund as follows:

© 2003 for the NEGenWeb Project by Pam Rietsch, Ted & Carole Miller