The draft was read of a proposed circular to be sent to each member of the Society, inviting financial contributions to assist the organization in its publication work. The Secretary-General was instructed to have copies of the draft made and one submitted to each member of the Council for approval or emendation before the circular is finally issued. After the admission of about forty new members the Council adjourned.
Soon after the adjournment of the Council meeting just recorded, a reception and banquet was given the members thereof under the auspices of the Rhode Island members of the Society. The event took place in the Narragansett Hotel, Providence.
M. J. Harson, of Providence, presided. The line was formed for the banquet shortly after 8 P. M., and proceeded to the dining-room.
Grace was said by Rev. S. Banks Nelson (Presbyterian), of Woonsocket, R. I., a native of Belfast, Ireland.
Among those present, in addition to Mr. Harson and Rev. Mr. Nelson, were:
Hon. Thomas J. Gargan, Boston, Mass., president-general. Hon. John D. Crimmins, New York, vice-president-general. Thomas Hamilton Murray, Woonsocket, R. I., secretary-general. Hon. John C. Linehan, Concord, N. H., treasurer-general. Hon. Edwin D. McGuinness, Providence, R. I. Hon. Charles E. Gorman, Providence, R. I. Stephen J. Geoghegan, New York City. James Jeffrey Roche, Boston, Mass. Joseph Smith, Lowell, Mass. Rev. Frank L. Phalen (Unitarian), Concord, N. H. Col. John McManus, Providence, R. I. Capt. E. O’Meagher Condon, New York City. William H. Grimes, Pawtucket, R. I. Thomas F. O’Malley, Somerville, Mass. Stephen J. Richardson, New York City. Thomas O’Brien, Pawtucket, R. I. Michael Fitzgerald, Providence, R. I. M. E. Hennessy, Boston, Mass. Edmund Reardon, Cambridge, Mass. Capt. John F. Murray, Cambridge, Mass. William J. Feeley, Providence, R. I. Matthew J. Cummings, Providence, R. I. P. J. McCarthy, Providence, R. I. Edmund O’Keefe, New Bedford, Mass. Samuel C. Hunt, New Bedford, Mass. D. D. Donovan, Providence, R. I. T. St. John Gaffney, New York City. Thomas A. O’Gorman, Providence, R. I. Joseph Manning, Providence, R. I.
Mr. Harson opened the post-prandial exercises with a spirited address, and concluded by introducing President-General Gargan, who spoke as follows: