Chapter M: M. Shannon, Esq., 512 Davis Street, Elmira, N. Y. Proposed by Hon (1)

Alexander C. Eustace.

John M. Connelly, Esq., President Elmira Chamber of Commerce, Elmira, N. Y. Proposed by Hon. Alexander C. Eustace.

Michael J. O’Brien, Esq., Superintendent’s Office, Western Union Building, Day Street and Broadway, New York City. Proposed by Joseph I. C. Clarke.

John L. Linehan, Esq., 165 Broadway, New York City. Proposed by Alfred J. Talley; seconded by Patrick S. MacDwyer.

Patrick H. Harriman, M. D., Norwich, Conn. Proposed by Rev. William Keefe.

John P. S. Mahoney, Esq., Lawrence, Mass. Proposed by Dr. M. F. Sullivan.

W. I. Boland, Esq., Toronto, Canada. Proposed by William H. Delany.

Capt. Daniel P. Foley, Wilmington, N. C. Proposed by Michael J. Corbett.

Michael W. Rayens, Esq., 206 Broadway, New York City. Proposed by Henry L. Joyce.

John W. Kelley, Esq., of Kelley, Harding & Hatch, Exchange Building, Portsmouth, N. H. Proposed by Hon. W. E. Chandler.

Joseph P. Bourke, Esq., World Building, Manhattan, New York City. Proposed by William H. Delany.

James Regan Fitzgerald, Esq., 90 West Broadway, New York City. Proposed by Patrick S. MacDwyer.

Hon. Ernest Harvier, 1193 Broadway, New York City. Proposed by William H. Delany.

John Taaffe, Esq., General Post Office, Yonkers, N. Y. Proposed by William H. Delany.

Charles V. Halley, Jr., Esq., 756 E. 175th Street, Bronx, New York City. Proposed by Charles V. Halley.

Dr. William Streker, Messer Street, Providence, R. I. Proposed by Dr. S. E. Donovan, New Bedford, Mass.

Jeremiah P. Daly, Esq., 1747 Lexington Avenue, New York City. Proposed by John J. Daly.

Paul J. Morrison, Esq., Asst. Chief Clerk, U. S. Immigration Station, Department of Commerce and Labor, Ellis Island, New York. Proposed by John J. Daly.

Peter P. Sherry, Esq., 254 West 14th Street, New York City. Proposed by William H. Delany.

Desmond FitzGerald, Esq., Brookline, Mass. Proposed by John J. Lenehan.

The President-General, at this point, made a most interesting and instructive address upon the work of the Society, pointing out what had been accomplished during the past twelve months and indicating what its general policy would be for the future. A review was made of the work of the different officers of the Society, and recommendations of an appropriate and timely nature were presented. Unfortunately, the text of the President-General’s remarks cannot be given as the stenographic clerk was temporarily absent.

The Secretary-General presented and read the following report, which, by unanimous vote, was accepted and placed on file:

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL.

It is with much pleasure I present the report of my office for 1909, which has been to the Society a year of success, prosperity and great advancement.

At the commencement of my term of office as Acting Secretary-General in September, 1908, there were 538 members enrolled on the books. Many of these had not paid dues for a number of years, and had lost all interest in the Society and its objects, while others had deceased and no record had been kept of them because word had not been communicated to the Secretary-General.

A general house-cleaning took place, and a list of members in arrears for two years and more was prepared and submitted to the Executive Council, which ordered extra notices sent to every delinquent in order that each member in arrears might know the extent of his obligations.

The Committee on Delinquent Members appointed January 16th, 1909, sent out printed notices, through this office, urging the necessity of prompt payment of dues, and in short every reasonable means to stimulate payment and activity was taken. Some responded, but the majority did not and their names have been stricken from the roll of the Society.

January 16th, 1909, the date of the last annual meeting, the Society had 687 members, 149 applicants having been admitted since September, 1908. During the year 1909, 239 members were admitted, largely through the energy and recommendations of the Committee on Membership, of which John J. Lenehan, Esq., is chairman and active head. During the year we lost 7 by death, 13 by resignation, and 23 by order of the Executive Council for non-payment of dues. This leaves the membership of the Society in good standing at present as follows: Life members, 74; annual members, 828; total, 951.

Although the membership is satisfactory in numbers and the Committee on Membership has performed a wonderful work during the past year, the Society is not as large as it should be. Efforts should be made to ascertain the names of those Americans prominent in all walks of life, in whose veins Irish blood flows and who are interested in seeing that the history of our country chronicles and credits the doings of fellow citizens of Irish blood equally with those of other nationalities, and each member should constitute himself a committee to act in conjunction with the Membership Committee and obtain an addition to the Society wherever he can, always assuring himself that the applicant he presents is of good character and intelligence and interested in the work for which the Society is organized.

There are few distinguished families in the United States that are not partially of Irish ancestry, and since our Society has become so well known throughout the country it has stimulated those who have never cared, for reasons best known to themselves, to cause it to be known that Irish blood flowed in their veins, not only to admit the fact but really and truly to assert it, and willingly to accept the credit that comes from such ancestry. Many men whose entire time and energy are devoted to extensive business will take little time to inform themselves of the doings of our Society, unless members in different localities will take it upon themselves to seek out just such men, inform them of the work we are doing, and enlist their hearty coöperation in it.

We are the largest and most prominent society of our kind in the United States, and cover a field that until we were organized had been practically untouched. The influence of our work for the last few years has been marked, and the average chronicler of American history will think twice in recording events before he permits any bigotry or outside influence to prevent him from giving the American of Irish ancestry his share of credit for deeds performed. The magazines and newspapers bear evidence of this, for, as soon as an attack is made upon the American-Irishman or failure to give him his just due is discerned, there are those who, stimulated by the influence of our Society in different parts of the country, will immediately bring the erring party to bar and suggest the proper corrections.

An illustration of this spirit may be gained from a recent event in Providence. A book called “The Modern City” was published and circulated by Professor Kirk of Brown University, and pretended to be a history of Providence as it was and is, with sufficient general reference to surrounding subjects to make it generally a complete history of that city. Among the contributors were Professor William MacDonald, who occupies the chair of American history and whose work as an historian is highly regarded both here and abroad, Professor Dealey, Professor Poland and others.

It was noticed upon an examination of this book that failure to give credit to whom credit was due among our race was most marked, and immediately the authors of these articles and Professor Kirk himself were called to account by members of our Society, the truth properly exhibited and demonstrated, and the evil effect of the book as a work of history dissipated as far as Rhode Island and the city of Providence were concerned. The members of our Society took hold of this matter with a will, and the articles written and circulated with the purpose of correcting the work of these professors and stating fully and truthfully what they failed fairly to state, are now in the archives of the Society and open to the inspection of those who may be interested.

* * * * *

On several occasions I have suggested to the Society the advisability of having a more complete and less perfunctory business meeting. Until the annual meeting of 1909 it had been the custom to transact all of the business of the Society between the hours of six and seven in the evening, and have all our scientific papers read at a dinner, which, by reason of them, would be prolonged to an unseemly hour. Opportunity to consider and digest excellent papers was lacking, and no time whatever was given for the discussion of them.

At our Washington meeting we transacted all of the Society’s business, with the exception of the reading of certain papers, during the afternoon, so that we had the entire evening for the dinner and the presentation of four important papers. This year the Executive Council decided that the business meeting should commence at two o’clock in the afternoon, and from that hour until five or half past we could present a number of scientific papers, elect our officers, read the monographs on deceased members, and transact the other business of the Society.

This, in my opinion, is a step in the right direction, but not a sufficient one. There should be a session of at least two days, at which members from all over the country would be earnestly solicited to attend and for whom the railroads would give round-trip rates to our place of meeting for one and one-third single fares. The first morning should be devoted to the reading of two or three historical papers, followed by discussion. A luncheon should take place, given by some member of the Society or by some organization affiliated with it or having some connection with it. The afternoon session could be devoted to more historical papers and discussion, and in the evening a lecture should be given by some person of international reputation on subjects connected with our work. The next day could be similarly used, and in the afternoon of the second day the officers of the Society for the ensuing year might be elected; and that night the annual dinner of the Society would take place, which, instead of being carried out with a studied programme filled with scientific literary matter, would be truly “a feast of reason and a flow of soul,” where our members would have an opportunity to pass an evening of real sociability and pleasure, which would be restful after two days’ work.

Such a convention would attract the greatest attention; our doings would be reported in the public press, and our papers, carefully prepared by men of ability, would in all probability be published, in part or in full, thus doing more toward bringing the Society to the attention of the American people in general than any other medium could possibly do. While it might be impossible for all of our members to attend two days, we could have more of them present at some time during the convention than attend the dinner at present.

The movement encouraging the attendance of ladies at our dinner has received hearty congratulations on all sides. There is no reason why women should not be interested in American history equally with men. The other historical societies encourage women to become members, and a step in the right direction has been inaugurated during the past year, when not only were two leading Chicago women admitted as members of the Society, but the Executive Council voted that our members could invite ladies as guests.

DONATIONS.

The Society is very much in need of endowments and donations. A fund should be established, the income of which would be sufficient not only to maintain a proper building of modest proportions, in which the archives of the Society could be kept and the general headquarters maintained, but to compensate historians and writers for work and research on lines that would be dictated by a committee having that branch of our work in charge, as well as to furnish competitive prizes for historical essays.

If a substantial fund for these purposes were at hand we might reduce the dues from five dollars per annum to three dollars, leaving the life membership fee as at present, and place on sale copies of our publications under the direction of a librarian, who would have charge, with his other duties, of this branch.

All of the leading historical societies have substantial sums in their treasury, contributed by interested members. Yet the American-Irish Historical Society, nine-tenths of whose members are men of more or less wealth, has never, as far as I can see from an examination of the Society’s records, received a single dollar for these purposes, and the Society has done its work on its own meagre revenue, with no assistance save the dues of its members.

Contemplating the liberal endowment of other historical and antiquarian associations, the American-Irish Historical Society may justly be proud of its record; but this will not be a sufficient answer to the next thousand members that join our ranks. We must have suitable headquarters, a suitable library and a proper place for our archives; establish an exchange list with other libraries and institutions, and solicit additions not only of books, prints and engravings, but other articles that are of historic interest; and all these should be under the management of a librarian or custodian, by whom the large correspondence now entailed on the Secretary-General should be conducted and fostered.

It will take money to do these things, but not as large an amount as, at first blush, one would think. The Society having been incorporated in Rhode Island, its headquarters must necessarily be there, and it is fitting that the centre of the work of this Society should be somewhere in New England. Massachusetts and Rhode Island have many historical and antiquarian societies, and nowhere in the whole United States is the spirit of historical research and pride of ancestry more strongly developed than in these two states.

It is possible for an investment of less than five thousand dollars to purchase a lot and erect a building sufficient for our needs for many years to come, within the shadow of Brown University on College Hill, which has for so many years been regarded as the seat of learning in Rhode Island. This amount is mentioned after thoughtful consideration of the needs of the Society, and would equip the building to contain a substantial library as well as the entire present equipment, paraphernalia and archives of the Society.

In looking over the newspaper accounts of the wills of various members of the Society who have deceased within the past two years, I have noted no bequest to our Society, yet many bequests to other public and private institutions. I cannot help but believe that if our needs were brought forcibly to the attention of the members, as I am striving to do in this part of my report, it might stimulate a bequest from those of our members who are able and interested enough to make one, for outside of the charitable institutions there is no organization more worthy of staunch support than is the American-Irish Historical Society, nor one which would put a gift to better use.

ADMINISTRATION EXPENSES.

No officer or member of this Society drawls any salary, but each officer does the work allotted to him with a good heart and for love of the cause. We are under no charges for rent and pay nothing for the excellent articles which appear in our annual volume, the writers of these coöperating with the officers and furnishing the time, energy and ability necessary to make the researches entailed without any compensation.

The entire expense outlay of the Society is for the printing, binding and circulation of the annual volume, the printing of circulars, stationery, etc., and postage, and a small sum for a stenographer in conducting the correspondence of my office, keeping track of the dues and other details; but I can easily see opportunities for the dissemination of knowledge and an enlarged application of the purposes for which our Society was incorporated if we should have at our disposal the modest sum of money herein mentioned. The members of the Society residing in Rhode Island will gladly contribute in accordance with their means, and I embody this matter in my report at this time for the purpose of bringing it sharply for the first time to the attention of our members.

* * * * *

Although repeated at other times heretofore, I beg to make the following suggestions to our members, not only for their benefit, but for the convenience of the Society’s administration as well:

1. Annual dues should be paid promptly because upon these and the life membership fees we depend for the payment of our obligations.

2. Biographical sketches should be furnished when requested by the Secretary-General, and a member should not permit any feelings of personal modesty to interfere with the desire of the Society to have in its archives as complete a statement of the life and works of each member as he or his friends can give to it.

3. Upon learning of the decease of any member, immediate notice should be sent to the Secretary-General by telegraph, in order that the attention of the President-General may be called and a committee appointed to attend the funeral of the deceased member or to do whatever may be needful or advisable under the circumstances.

4. Current local history is as much part of the work of the Society as is the delving into ancient records, and any newspaper clipping or account of any public or private affair that, in the opinion of any member, is of interest to the Society or its work should be promptly sent to the Secretary-General, who will gladly receive, index and place it in the archives of the Society, where it may be referred to in a convenient form at any time.

5. It is intended that the correct address of every member shall be recorded in our files, and when a member changes his address he is respectfully requested to notify the Secretary-General of that fact, so that future communications may not be misdirected.

6. Suggestions as to the management and improvement of the Society in its membership, line of work or in any other way are most earnestly solicited, and any such suggestions, if sent to this office, wall be brought before the Executive Council, which meets frequently, and carefully considered by it.

7. State Vice-Presidents are strongly urged to recruit in their respective states the ranks of the Society, and to this end they will find active and hearty coöperation. Vice-President Moloney of Illinois set the pace this year in obtaining fifty-one applications for membership, all from persons who have made their mark in life and with whom it is a pleasure for us to associate. Vice-President McCaffrey of Pennsylvania, Vice-President O’Hagan of South Carolina, Vice-President Corbett of North Carolina, Vice-President Connolly of California, and Vice-President McCarrick of Virginia have all done notable work and set a good example, while Georgia, under the guidance of Vice-President Flannery and Dr. J. Lawton Hiers of the Executive Council, proposes to return a significant number of applications within a very short time.

* * * * *

In conclusion, I take this opportunity of paying a heartfelt tribute to the efficiency and earnestness of President-General Quinlan, Treasurer-General Dooley, Chairman Lenehan of the Membership Committee, and the members of the Executive Council, all of whom have the best welfare of the Society continually at heart and whose courtesy and great kindness have rendered my own shortcomings less marked and the work of the Society a pleasure.

Mr. Michael F. Dooley, Treasurer-General of the Society, presented the following report, covering the period from January 15, 1909, to January 1, 1910, and the same was adopted by unanimous vote:

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TREASURER-GENERAL.

PROVIDENCE, R. I., January 1, 1910.

PERMANENT FUND—AMERICAN IRISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

1910.

Jan. 1. Amount of deposit with the
National Exchange Bank,
Providence, R. I. $129.20

AMERICAN IRISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

Balance on hand at last report, January 15, 1909 $2,438.51

RECEIPTS.

1909.

Jan. Balance remaining from 1909
dinner account $47.00

Jan. Membership fees 615.00

Feb. Membership fees 710.00

March Membership fees 820.00

April Membership fees 490.00

May Membership fees 85.00

June Membership fees 180.00

July Membership fees 516.00

Aug. Membership fees 154.80

Sept. Membership fees 265.00

Oct. Membership fees 255.00

Nov. Membership fees 605.00

Dec. Membership fees 250.00

————————— $4,992.80

Dec. From Western News Company for
one Journal 2.00

Exchange and Rebates .57

Interest on Bank Account 69.15

—————————

Total Receipts 5,064.52

—————————

$7,503.03

DISBURSEMENTS.

1909.

Jan. 16. Mrs. Murray, salary and telephones $51.50

Jan. 21. Akerman Co., record book,
Secretary-General 7.85

Jan. 23. Viola Follis, expenses as stenographer 42.20

Jan. 27. Snow & Farnham Co., printing for
Secretary-General 16.25

Jan. 29. Library Bureau, files and cards for
Secretary-General 72.55

Feb. 1. Viola Follis, clerical services,
Secretary-General office 40.00

Feb. 2. John J. Lenehan, expenses, New Members
Committee 78.49

Feb. 5. Mrs. Murray, expenses to Sea View 5.00

Feb. 18. Snow & Farnham Co., postage $40;
Secretary-General office printing
$18.98 58.78

Feb. 18. Postage, Treasurer-General 1.00

Feb. 25. Reynolds Stamp Works, stamps,
Secretary-General 2.30

March 2. John J. Lenehan, expenses New Members
Committee 41.75

March 4. Library Bureau cards, Secretary-General 5.50

March 4. Snow & Farnham Company, stamped
Envelopes, Secretary-General 22.99

March 4. Snow & Farnham, general printing,
Secretary-General 12.50

March 4. Reynolds Stamp Works, Secretary-General
office 2.00

March 8. Mrs. Murray, expenses to Sea View and
postage 6.00

March 10. Viola Follis, clerical help,
Secretary-General office 20.00

March 10. Stenographer’s services, Committee on
Revision of Constitution 4.00

March 10. Expenses of Secretary-General office 56.22

March 12. Remington Printing Company, printing,
Secretary-General’s office 5.75

March 15. E. L. Freeman Company, books,
Secretary-General’s office 1.30

March 29. John J. Lenehan, expense New Members
Committee 132.50

March 29. John J. Lenehan, expense New Members
Committee 66.00

April 6. Library Bureau cards, Secretary-General 3.00

April 15. Providence Linotype Composing Company,
printing by-laws 20.00

April 16. Expenses, Secretary-General office 127.45

April 20. Viola Follis, clerical help,
Secretary-General office 20.00

April 29. Howard W. Damon, expressing 20.00

May 3. John J. Lenehan, expenses New Members
Committee 84.00

May 4. A. J. Tally, publication of death notice 9.20

May 3. John J. Lenehan, expenses New Members
Committee 61.00

June 16. Viola Follis, clerical help, Secretary’s
office 50.14

June 19. Sun Printing Co., stamped envelopes and
printing same 24.99

June 29. General Treasurer, state of R. I.,
articles of association 5.00

June 30. Secretary of State of Rhode Island,
articles of association 1.00

July 1. John J. Lenehan, expenses New Members
Committee 57.75

July 24. Kinsley-DeFelice studio, 200 parchment
life membership certificates 262.71

July 24. Remington Printing Company, printing,
Secretary-General’s office 7.50

July 26. Rumford Printing Company, printing and
shipping 1500 Journals 1,550.19

Aug. 2. Expenses, Secretary-General’s office 41.31

Aug. 9. Viola Follis, clerical help,
Secretary-General’s office 45.00

Aug. 12. Transportation for Executive Committee 20.00

Sept. 11. T. C. Marceau 2.50

Sept. 18. Kinsley-DeFelici studio .75

Sept. 21. John J. Lenehan, expenses New Members
Committee 18.00

Sept. 27. Expenses, Secretary-General’s office 16.44

Sept. 27. Viola Follis, clerical help,
Secretary-General’s office 20.00

Oct. 15. Snow & Farnham Printing, Secretary’s
office 5.00

Oct. 16. Remington Printing Company, stamped
envelopes 47.50

Nov. 1. John J. Lenehan 194.11

Nov. 10. Dr. Quinlan, newspaper notice 4.40

Nov. 23. Expenses, Secretary-General’s office 41.06

Nov. 27. Viola Follis, clerical help,
Secretary-General office 45.00

Dec. 10. John J. Lenehan, expense Committee on New
Members 32.98

Dec. 31. Remington Printing Company, printing for
Secretary-General 46.00

—————

Total Disbursements $3,636.41

Balance on hand Jan. 1st, 1910 3,866.62

—————

$7,503.03

SUMMARY OF RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS.

From January 15, 1909, to January 1, 1910.

Balance on hand, January 15, 1909 $2,438.51

RECEIPTS.

Membership fees from old members $2,736.00

Annual fees from 236 new members 1,189.80

Life membership fees from old members 220.00

Life membership fees from 16 new members 800.00

Balance remaining from 1909 dinner
account 47.00

For one Journal 2.00

Exchange and rebates .57

Interest from bank 69.15

—————————

Total receipts $ 5,064.52

—————————

$7,503.03

DISBURSEMENTS.

Mrs. Murray, salary and expenses $62.50

Printing Journal and shipping charges 1,550.19

Expenses of Committee on New Members 766.58

Expenses of Treasurer-General, postage 1.00

Expenses of Secretary-General’s Office:

Books $9.15

Cards and files 81.05

Printing 127.46

Clerical 282.34

Postage 120.00

General and incidental expenses 289.08

————————— $909.08

Stenographers for Committee on Revising
Constitution $4.00

Printing by-laws 20.00

Expressing 20.00

Publication of death notices 13.60

Expense of articles of association 6.00

Life membership certificates 263.46

Executive Committee transportation 20.00

—————————

Total disbursements $3,636.41

Balance in National Exchange Bank of Providence, R. I.,

January 1, 1910 $3,866.62

—————————

$7,503.03

MICHAEL F. DOOLEY,
_Treasurer-General_.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MEMBERSHIP.

The following report was presented by Chairman John J. Lenehan in behalf of the Membership Committee, and was accepted by unanimous vote:

MR. LENEHAN: Mr. President, I did not expect to be called upon for any report, and therefore am quite unprepared, and this particularly so because my work is necessarily confined to action rather than expression. We have an eloquent President-General, and a Secretary-General who is surpassed by no one, either in eloquence or in ability; wherefore it behooves those of us who labor behind the machinery to work hard and say little.

I may, however, say briefly that when we took up the work of the Membership Committee in October a year ago, we found the roll contained about 545 members, of whom perhaps 100 were somewhat inactive, being remiss in their dues and not taking all the interest they might have taken in the affairs of our Society; so that substantially the active membership was about 450.

Inside of fourteen months we have brought the membership up to nearly 1,000, including many life members. We introduced them into our circle from all over the United States and even further, for they included members from such far distant points as the Hon. Thomas J. O’Brien, American Ambassador to Japan, and Richard Bradshaw of Fort Pickens, Florida. United States Senators, Congressmen, generals, bankers, merchants—the best men throughout the land have joined our ranks.

It required hard work; but, as the Treasurer-General has pointed out, we brought in about 400 members and nearly $2,000 in money at a cost of approximately $700, which, as a business venture, has the endorsement of a bank president, our Treasurer-General.

The great advantage of this increase is that, if we have 500 new members and they pay us $2,500 a year, while there is no further expense in connection with those members, they return each year an annual dividend of $2,500, which will readily equal the dividends paid by any good, working trust. So much for the genius of the race.

The work progresses splendidly. This morning’s receipts, for example, consisted of five names. I have just handed them to the Secretary-General in the form we always pursue, but it will give you an idea of the membership we get and the way they come in if I read them to you:

Mr. John P. Donohoe, a director of the Barclay-Westmoreland Trust Company of Greensburg, Pa.; Major George W. McNulty, a civil engineer and a man very highly regarded in constructive work in this city of New York; Mr. John J. Powers, cashier of the Exchange Bank of Savannah, Georgia, and President of the Knights of Columbus Investment company; John G. Butler of Savannah, Lieutenant-Colonel of the 1st Infantry National Guard of Georgia, proposed by Colonel O’Leary, who is Colonel of the First Regiment of Infantry of Savannah; Mr. Butler is president of the J. G. Butler Supply Company, a director of the Citizens Trust Company, and Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus; Mr. Thomas M. Blake of this City, proposed by Mr. Danvers; and Mr. Desmond FitzGerald of Brookline, Mass., past President of the American Society of Civil Engineers and consulting Hydraulic Engineer.

The committee would urge that each one bring in at least one new member this year, so that we may have 2,000 members before the close of 1910.

I trust the work of the Membership Committee meets with your approbation.

DR. QUINLAN: The next order of business will be the report of the Constitutional Committee. I will ask Mr. O’Brien to report in behalf of that committee.

MR. JOHN E. O’BRIEN: Mr. President and Fellow Members, the committee appointed at the last annual meeting were called together shortly after their appointment and decided that it was important that the constitution should be amended in several matters. The present constitution is somewhat antiquated, and that applies equally to the by-laws because of changed conditions and changes in policy. For example, under the present by-laws the dues are only two or three dollars a year, whereas we have been charging five dollars; and the officers provided for are somewhat different than those that have been elected for years. The committee, therefore, have determined upon and beg to submit the following constitution. I hesitate to read this, Mr. President, because it is rather long.

DR. QUINLAN: Could you not read it in abstract? Then we shall get the essence of it. Will it come before the meeting for action?

WILLIAM H. DELANEY, ESQ.,

Of New York City.

A Member of the Society.
]

MR. LENEHAN: Mr. President, I would suggest that a constitution which covers so many points ought more properly to be printed and possibly submitted to the Executive Council for consideration, and later may be submitted to the Society for other suggestions.

DR. QUINLAN: That is a splendid suggestion and if the reader will accept the same and incorporate it in his report, I think it will be very wise. As you say, Mr. O’Brien, it is rather lengthy.

MR. O’BRIEN: I think it is a very good suggestion. The present constitution provides it may be amended at any regular meeting, so it seems unnecessary to give notice. I second the recommendation and hope, when this comes before the members of the Society, they will compare it carefully with the constitution now printed in the Journal, and recommendations of any changes will be very gladly received. Therefore I move that this be referred to the Executive Council, and that they be instructed to provide for the printing and distribution of the same among the members of the Society.

DR. QUINLAN: I will ask, however, that Mr. O’Brien give in a brief way an abstract of it, alluding to the salient changes.

MR. JOHN J. ROONEY: I will make a further suggestion. We are all of us more or less familiar with the present constitution, and, instead of an abstract, he might indicate the changes.

DR. QUINLAN: Very good. Mr. O’Brien, will you proceed?

MR. O’BRIEN: In the first place, we say the object of the Society is “to make better known the Irish chapter in American history,” substituting that in the place of about two pages.

Under Article II, entitled “Membership,” we provide for three classes of members, life, annual and honorary. We see no necessity for corresponding members, and, in fact, I believe there are none such in the Society.

The provisions in regard to applications for membership are about the same as at present. Election shall be by the Executive Council or at the annual meetings of the Society. Dues are fixed at $5.00 for annual membership, and are made payable on the first day of January in each year in advance. The life membership fee remains the same.

To the officers we have added a Vice-President-General, there being no provision for such an officer in the present constitution.

The duties of the Executive Council we have defined somewhat more clearly, generally to manage and conduct the affairs of the Society. We have provided that six members thereof shall be a quorum.

We have defined the duties of the officers a little more definitely than in the present constitution. There is one thing in particular that I would say in this regard: In the present constitution it is provided that the duties of the Historiographer shall be the usual duties of that office. That was rather indefinite, so we substitute this instead: “The Historiographer shall write such histories or historical articles as the Executive Council may from time to time require; assist in the preparation of the annual journal and other historical works of the society; and perform the other duties usually pertaining to his office.”

We provide for an annual meeting to be held in the month of January in each year, the day and place to be determined by the Society in general meeting, or by the Executive Council in case the Society fails to do so. Special meetings of the Society may be called at any time by the Executive Council. A quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of the Society is fixed at thirty-five, instead of ten, as at present.

State Chapters: We have provided that ten or more members of good standing in this Society may organize a subsidiary chapter by obtaining a charter from the Executive Council; that the Vice-President of this Society for the particular state shall, by virtue of that office, be President of that chapter, and such chapter may elect from their own number a Vice-Chairman, a Secretary, a Treasurer and such other officers as may be necessary to manage its affairs; and that membership in such chapters shall be limited to members of this Society in good standing.

Those are the principal points, Mr. President.

DR. QUINLAN: You have heard this report. What is your pleasure in the matter?

MR. MARTIN I. J. GRIFFIN: Mr. President, why should it be referred to the Executive Council? It will be another year before it comes before the Society again. We have been without the revision for a whole year, and now it is proposed to be postponed again. I believe it should be acted upon here. I move that the report be read and acted upon.

DR. QUINLAN: That would consume more time than possibly the afternoon session would permit, and I am afraid it would take away from the scientific part of our programme.

MR. GRIFFIN: The same would apply next year.

DR. QUINLAN: We will take it up as a whole next year.

MR. CRIMMINS: I concur with the last speaker. It seems to me eminently proper that we should act upon the matter at this time. I fully agree with the remark of the last gentleman that possibly this might be postponed for another year. It seemed to me very clear and concise language was used, and covered all the situations that might arise in the administration of the Society, and I move now, in general, that the suggestion made by the gentlemen who proposed these amendments be adopted.

MR. LENEHAN: The constitution is the most important document which this Society could possibly pass upon. If the committee who were entrusted with the charge of this matter had had it printed and distributed among the members we would have come here today prepared to vote on it in an intelligent manner. If we vote on the constitution as proposed now, we are voting upon something about which we know little, for it has not been read. I, for one, will not vote on a paper I have not read. If we are going to vote intelligently we must take it up section by section, have each read and voted upon separately.

We have struggled along for twelve years with our present constitution, and I do not see that the Society will suffer any injury if we are obliged to continue the work under the present constitution for twelve months longer. In the meantime the committee can print its report and distribute the same among the members and if there should be any need for expedition it could be referred to the Executive Council with power to consider the matter and adopt such constitution as they deem wise. In that way the constitution could be adopted in three or four months’ time, and in the meantime, if we are furnished with copies, we shall have the benefit of careful consideration of the same. If we vote now it may be for something we shall regret later. Safety lies in thorough consideration of the subject, and I therefore hope, Mr. President, that the motion to adopt this constitution unread, unseen, unheard, will be either withdrawn or defeated.

MR. THOMAS S. LONERGAN: How soon does the Executive Council of the Society meet?

DR. QUINLAN: Subject to the chair. We meet four or five times a year.

MR. LONERGAN: I move an amendment to the last motion that the committee on the revision of the constitution submit its report to the Executive Council, and that the Executive Council print that report and distribute same among the members.

MR. CRIMMINS: Mr. President, where will that leave us?

MR. LONERGAN: You will have it in three months.

MR. CRIMMINS: It seems to me, after listening to the suggestions made, that the proposed constitution, in a few concise words, states our annual dues and also fixes the number of members constituting a quorum for the transaction of business. It makes another provision which I think very important, that in relation to state chapters. I don’t like to differ with Mr. Lenehan because there is no other member who has any more interest in the Society than he has, and no more effective work has been done by anyone than by him. Still I see no reason why we should not take action on this matter today.

The salient points in the constitution are very well put, and it seems to me we would get along a little faster if we adopted it in general. There might be a few corrections to be made, and they could be referred to the Executive Council, which could complete the work and then send out printed copies to the members of the Society. You know yourself, Mr. President, how difficult it is to get any great number together, and we probably would not, within a year, get as large a number of members at a meeting as today. That is my idea; I am not at all alarmed with the haste to be made by action today.

MR. T. VINCENT BUTLER: I heartily endorse the statement of the last speaker. I think this entire constitution could be read and passed on intelligently inside of a space of three-quarters of an hour. It is eminently proper that it should be brought up before this meeting. The committee who brings this constitution, or simply an amendment in a few features of something already existing, has done so with care and deliberation. It will be absolutely impossible to have the excellent results come from the same unless it is immediately adopted, and there should be no delay in passing promptly upon the various changes suggested. I therefore move, Mr. Chairman, as the sense of this meeting, that we proceed to pass upon the constitution with the various amendments outlined immediately.

DR. QUINLAN: You have heard the motion before the house. Was Mr. Lonergan’s amendment previously made seconded?

MR. ROONEY: Yes.

MR. DELANY: Mr. Chairman, I think Mr. Lonergan is more or less reconciled by the suggestion of Mr. Crimmins that the constitution be referred to the Executive Council with power to act.

MR. LENEHAN: Mr. Chairman, if this committee had prepared a copy of the constitution and sent it to the members asking for suggestions, if the committee had discharged its duty in an orderly manner as I consider, it would have prepared and sent this document around to the members, and we would thereby have been prepared today to act intelligently upon the subject.

Take, for example, the chopping off of the first paragraph of our present constitution, and restating the purpose of this Society in two or three lines. The purposes of this Society as expressed in the constitution as it now stands are most beautifully expressed. It is such an eloquent exposition of our ideas that under no circumstances should it be erased from the constitution. I have a copy of it here, and I ask it to be read so that we may contrast it with this proposed amendment which puts in two or three lines the purpose of this Society. It is splendidly, eloquently, magnificently expressed in our present constitution by a master of the English language, and I ask any man to read it, put it side by side with this proposed amendment, and note the eloquence with which the purpose of our Society is expressed.

MR. T. V. BUTLER: I claim the gentleman is not in order. There is a motion before the house.

DR. QUINLAN: This is a debatable subject.

MR. LONERGAN: My amendment, Mr. President, is to Mr. Crimmins’ motion, that this revised constitution by the committee be sent to the Executive body, and I wish to say here that the Executive body is more representative of this Society than this gathering here today; and why, because there are a thousand members in the Society, and we have less than a hundred here today. I therefore move that this revised constitution be sent to the Executive Council, with power to amend and revise, and that a copy thereof be sent forward to every member within three months’ time.

MR. O’BRIEN: This proposed constitution has been signed and approved by Judge Lee, Mr. Joseph T. Ryan, Mr. Patrick J. McCarthy and John E. O’Brien. It has had considerable study, and its provisions are very simple. We think it is more businesslike and a little more artistic, perhaps, than the present one. It has not been submitted in writing to the members of the Society for two reasons: first, the present constitution does not require any such submission; and in the second place, it would take time and there would be considerable expense.

Now, these terms are very plain and simple. They are drawn in a businesslike way rather than in beautiful language; there is no attempt at that. And since the statement of the purpose of the Society has been particularly spoken of, I will say that the matter was brought to our attention by former officers of the Society, who thought the present statement, while couched in beautiful language, was rather out of place in a businesslike constitution.

I do believe, now, after considering the matter and talking with Judge Lee, that this might be passed upon. He has approved it, it has been in effect approved by the Executive Council, and I don’t think it should be delayed for another year. If necessary, it might be read; I can read it in ten minutes, perhaps.

DR. QUINLAN: The amendment of Mr. Lonergan is before the house. All who are in favor of the same signify by saying “aye.”

MR. LONERGAN: It seems to me before the question is put everybody should have a chance to speak, so that when we vote we can do so intelligently.

DR. QUINLAN: We have so much business on hand this afternoon that my idea was to get this question disposed of, not that we wish to curtail anything; but these matters take up so much time and there is so much scientific matter, our programme is so lengthy, that I simply want to be fair and just to everybody.

GENERAL COLLINS: I have no desire to take up the time unnecessarily, but it seems to me we do not make a constitution every day in the week, and I am heartily in accord with the suggestion made by Mr. Lenehan that it should be left over. I do not think, as a matter of fact, we have any right to adopt a constitution. It is a question to me why every member of the Society ought not to be notified. Where members are living in all parts of the country and it is practically impossible for some of them to attend the meetings, it seems to me every member should be notified or a copy of the new constitution should be served on them. We do not make a constitution every day in the week, and the matter can very well wait over. It seems to me no detriment would be incurred by reason of holding over.

DR. QUINLAN: You have heard the motion that this constitution be referred to the Executive Council for revision.

MR. CRIMMINS: You mean by that the Executive Council would have to report back to the Society?

MR. LONERGAN: I want to be as brief as possible. I take it the Executive Council is more representative of the Society at large than this gathering is, and I therefore move that this revised constitution be submitted to the Executive Council, with power to amend and revise, and that a copy thereof be sent forward to every member.

GENERAL COLLINS: Can this Society delegate the power of adopting a constitution to the Executive Council?

DR. QUINLAN: The Executive Council would have to report back to the Society.

GENERAL COLLINS: The gentleman’s motion does not concur with that idea. His idea is that we submit it to the Executive Council with power to adopt, and it shall then stand.

DR. QUINLAN: I don’t think that would be constitutional. It must be voted upon by the Society at large. Mr. Lonergan’s amendment is before the house. All in favor signify by saying “aye.” It seems to be carried; it is carried.

All who are in favor of Mr. Lonergan’s motion will stand until counted. Forty-three.

All who are opposed to Mr. Lonergan’s motion will stand until counted. Twenty-seven.

These voices must have stentorian tones, if not a re-echo. The chair reverses its decision, and the verdict is that Mr. Lonergan’s amendment stands.

JUDGE LEE: That was your decision in the first place.

GENERAL COLLINS: I understand the decision, as interpreted by the chair, to be that the Executive Council report back to another meeting of the Society.

DR. QUINLAN: That was the interpretation.

The next business in order being the election of officers for the ensuing year, the Secretary-General read the following list of nominees selected by the Executive Council to be voted upon at this meeting, and the same were elected by unanimous vote to serve until the next meeting and until others are chosen in their stead:

_President-General_,

FRANCIS J. QUINLAN, M. D., LL. D.,
33 West 38th Street, New York City.

————

_Vice-President-General_,

HON. THOMAS B. FITZPATRICK.
Essex Street, Boston, Mass.

————

_Secretary-General_,

THOMAS ZANSLAUR LEE, ESQ.,
49 Westminster Street, Providence, R. I.

————

_Treasurer-General_,

HON. MICHAEL F. DOOLEY,
President National Exchange Bank, Providence, R. I.

————

_Librarian and Archivist_,

THOMAS B. LAWLER, ESQ.,
70 5th Avenue, New York City.

————

_Historiographer_,

HON. JAMES F. BRENNAN,
Peterborough, N. H.

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.

The foregoing and

Hon. JOHN D. CRIMMINS, 624 Madison Avenue, New York City.
Hon. WILLIAM MCADOO, 30 Broad Street, New York City.
PATRICK F. MAGRATH, Esq., Binghamton, N. Y.
Rev. JOHN J. MCCOY, LL. D., St. Ann’s Church, Worcester, Mass.
THOMAS ADDIS EMMETT, M. D., LL. D., 89 Madison Avenue, New York City.
Hon. EDWARD J. MCGUIRE, 52 Wall Street, New York City.
Hon. JOHN F. O’CONNELL, 377 Westminster Street, Providence, R. I.
JAMES L. O’NEILL, Esq., Elizabeth, N. J.
STEPHEN FARRELLY, Esq., 39 Chambers Street, New York City.
Rev. CYRUS TOWNSEND BRADY, LL. D., Haddon Hall, Kansas City, Mo.
Hon. THOMAS J. LYNCH, Augusta, Me.
Gen. PHELPS MONTGOMERY, 48 Church Street, New Haven, Conn.
PATRICK CARTER, Esq., 32 Westminster Street, Providence, R. I.
Hon. PATRICK GARVAN, 236 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, Conn.
JOHN J. LENEHAN, Esq., 71 Nassau Street, New York City.
Col. JOHN MCMANUS, 87 Dorrance Street, Providence, R. I.
Hon. WILLIAM GORMAN, Stephen Girard Bldg., Philadelphia, Pa.
J. LAWTON HIERS, M. D., Savannah, Ga.
JOHN F. DOYLE, Esq., 45 William Street, New York City.

STATE VICE-PRESIDENTS.

Arizona—ROBERT DICKSON, Esq., Parker.
California—Capt. JAMES CONNOLLY, Coronado.
Colorado—Hon. THOMAS F. WALSH, Denver.
Connecticut—DENNIS H. TIERNEY, Esq., Waterbury.
Delaware—JOHN J. CASSIDY, Esq., Wilmington.
Florida—JAMES MCHUGH, Esq., Pensacola.
Georgia—Capt. JOHN FLANNERY, Savannah.
Illinois—Hon. MAURICE T. MOLONEY, Ottawa.
Indiana—Very Rev. ANDREW MORRISSEY, C. S. C., Notre Dame.
Iowa—Rt. Rev. PHILIP J. GARRIGAN, D. D., Sioux City.
Kansas—PATRICK H. CONEY, Esq., Topeka.
Kentucky—JAMES THOMPSON, Esq., Louisville.
Louisiana—JOHN T. GIBBONS, New Orleans.
Maine—JAMES CUNNINGHAM, Esq., Portland.
Maryland—MICHAEL P. KEHOE, Esq., Baltimore.
Massachusetts—Hon. JOSEPH F. O’CONNELL, Boston.
Michigan—HOWARD W. CAVANAUGH, Homer.
Minnesota—Hon. C. D. O’BRIEN, St. Paul.
Mississippi—Dr. R. A. QUIN, Vicksburg.
Missouri—Hon. JOHN BAPTISTE O’MEARA, St. Louis.
Nebraska—Rev. M. A. SHINE, Plattsburg.
New Hampshire—Hon. WILLIAM E. CHANDLER, Concord.
New Jersey—Gen. DENNIS F. COLLINS, Elizabeth, N. J.
New York—JOSEPH I. C. CLARKE, Esq., New York City.
North Carolina—MICHAEL J. CORBETT, Esq., Wilmington.
Ohio—JOHN LAVELLE, Esq., Cleveland.
Oklahoma—JOSEPH F. SWORDS, Esq., Sulphur.
Oregon—J. P. O’BRIEN, Esq., Portland.
Pennsylvania—HUGH MCCAFFREY, Esq., Philadelphia.
Rhode Island—Hon. CHARLES ALEXANDER, Providence.
South Carolina—W. J. O’HAGAN, Esq., Charleston.
South Dakota—Hon. ROBERT J. GAMBLE, Yankton.
Texas—JAMES MORONEY, Dallas.
Utah—JOSEPH GEOGHEGAN, Esq., Salt Lake City.
Vermont—Capt. WILLIAM CRONIN, Rutland.
Virginia—Capt. JAMES W. MCCARRICK, Norfolk.
Washington—DANIEL KELLEHER, Esq., Seattle.
West Virginia—JOHN F. HEALY, Esq., Thomas, Tucker County.

OTHER VICE-PRESIDENTS.

District of Columbia—Hon. EDWARD A. MOSELEY, Washington.
Australia—FRANK COFFEY, Sydney.
Ireland—MICHAEL F. COX, M. D., M. R. I. A., Dublin.
Germany—Hon. T. ST. JOHN GAFFNEY, Dresden.
Japan—Hon. THOMAS J. O’BRIEN, Tokyo.

* * * * *

MR. HENRY L. JOYCE: I ask that the report of the nominating committee be amended by inserting under Vice-Presidents, “Australia, Mr. Frank Coffey.” Mr. Coffey is a native of New York, who emigrated to Australia thirty-five years ago and makes a pilgrimage here every two years. He is one of the leading merchants of Australia, and I proposed him at his own request. Since his election, he has sent in the names of two others, accompanied by his check for their dues. I think a man who takes an interest of that kind is entitled to some recognition of it.

DR. QUINLAN: Vice-Presidents are provided for in the different States of the Union. May I ask if the constitution provides for or permits a Vice-President in the country suggested? I think, if the constitution does not so provide, it ought to. Mr. O’Brien, will you kindly inform us?

MR. O’BRIEN: I believe it is only so provided in the cases of Canada and Ireland.

DR. QUINLAN: The motion of Mr. Joyce is in order and has been duly seconded. All in favor of the same signify by saying “aye,” those opposed “no.” It is carried.

MR. T. VINCENT BUTLER: Before we proceed, Mr. President, to the intellectual treat, may I be permitted to relieve myself of a very perplexing pecuniary situation. As the treasurer of the New York State Chapter of the American-Irish Historical Society, in connection with the Hudson-Fulton Celebration, I would like to make my final report to somebody.

Question as to whether or not the speaker was in order was raised and discussed, whereupon Dr. Quinlan remarked:

The chair will listen to Mr. Butler, but we will ask him to come to the point quickly because our time is short.

MR. BUTLER: Gentlemen, this is simply a brief report of what became of a contribution of $126 from twenty-seven of our members.

At a special meeting held in Delmonico’s in May, 1909, the suggestion was made that the American-Irish Historical Society should interest themselves by coöperating with the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick in properly celebrating the Hudson-Fulton celebration. As an evidence of the appreciation of our members in that direction we received at that meeting contributions of five dollars each from the following gentlemen:

J. I. C. Clarke $5.00
Dr. Quinlan 5.00
J. O’Sullivan 5.00
Mr. McKenna 5.00
F. X. Curry 5.00
F. X. Butler 5.00
E. J. McGuire 5.00
Richard Donovan 5.00
M. J. Mulqueen 5.00
Patrick McGowan 5.00
William J. Delany 5.00
Mr. Joyce 5.00
William J. Farrell 5.00
Philip Kearns 5.00
William M. Byrne 5.00
A. J. Talley 5.00
J. J. Boyle 5.00
Dr. Mooney 5.00
Mr. O. J. Brady 5.00
Mr. O’Brien 5.00
T. V. Butler 5.00
J. J. Falahee 5.00

BY CHECK.

J. J. Rooney 5.00
D. Healy 5.00
D. Spellisy 5.00
———————
$125.00
Contribution 1.00
———————
$126.00

And $1.00 from some modest individual who didn’t give his name, making a total of $126.00.

The disbursements are:

May 10. For printing $14.49

Delmonico’s 21.50

June 11. Delmonico’s 7.33

Oct. 6. By check to President of the State Chapter, 75.00
Mr. Clarke, for pamphlets distributed on
boat

—————— $118.32

Leaving a balance of $7.68 in the treasury for your action.

DR. QUINLAN: This is really a part of the business of the State Chapter, and the report should be accepted through the Vice-President. I will ask Mr. Clarke to receive the same.

MR. BUTLER: Mr. President, I think it is also eminently proper that we recognize our obligation to the members of our Society who guaranteed fifty dollars each towards expenses. The amount is small, but let it be recognized as a liability.

MR. JOSEPH I. C. CLARKE: The matter that Mr. Butler has brought before the meeting is really a matter belonging to the New York Chapter, and I don’t think it is pertinent with this meeting at all. I shall be very glad at a subsequent meeting of the chapter to take up this matter. The money that was collected has been expended, and I believe there is still a balance. I would like to see the meeting proceed to the literary end of it.