Nebraska State Council Proceedings Knights of Columbus 1905-1926

406

PROCEEDINGS OF ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETINGS

     Starting out with the lofty ideal of showing to the world the strength and beauty of the Catholic Church in the lives of its professed members, guiding them to take their places in the front rank of the army of God as selected Catholics, who profess in their public and private lives to be typical sons of the Church; men in whose comings and goings people may see the practical results of Catholic teaching--men who claim to be knights, champions of our holy religion, ready to answer the call of Mother Church whenever it is heard; there is danger enough that we lose sight of our lofty aims and seek rather the glittering attractions of the external qualities of the Order, sociability, fraternity, personal satisfaction, or even what might promise as material advancement.
     The Knights of Columbus are looked upon by the people outside of our church, as a church organization, although there is no foundation for such belief. The mere fact of membership being limited to Catholics does not make the Order a church organization. Its members apparently claim to be all that the Church demands of her children, in their faith and conduct. A duty is imposed upon the members of the Order to observe the highest standard of conduct in their religious practices and in their private and public lives.
     In proclaiming ourselves to the world as Catholics it behooves us first of all to take precautions to protect our priceless heritage, and to show to others the faith that is in us. Just as we nurture our faith and make it show itself in our daily acts, just as we defend it against all attacks and hold it up to the respect of our fellowmen, in just the same proportion are we entitled to profess ourselves practical Catholics and Knights of Columbus. As Catholics we ought to have an intelligent comprehension of our faith, the reason that God gave us, so that we may understand the tenets of religion, and be able to give a reason for the faith that is in us.
      This means that we should make use of our Catholic press, our Catholic literature, and patronize lectures and instructions under Catholic auspices. The names of Knights of Columbus ought ever to be on the subscription lists of Catholic newspapers and periodicals, instead of being remarkable by their absence. In this connection I would recommend that the Knights of Columbus, in their state council, should make some provision for supplying Catholic newspapers and books with a Catholic atmosphere to the different state institutions for the use of the unfortunate inmates. To our shame we must admit that non-Catholic organizations, both secular and religious, show admirable zeal in distributing literature to such institutions, while it is scarcely ever to be found, a Catholic paper, or a book written by a Catholic. This is not because there are none such, because Catholic writers are second to none, either in literary value or in number. There are many such institutions which should be supplied such as those at Lincoln, Kearney, Geneva, York and other places under the jurisdiction of the state.
     The Knights of Columbus have shown their interest in Catholic education in the chairs they have founded in our different Universities; but both local and state organizations can also show their interest by establishing scholarships available for a course in Catholic high schools, thus giving many a deserving young person an opportunity for further advancement, who might not otherwise be able to afford the necessary tuition fees.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS OF NEBRASKA

407

In local civic affairs, and in all matters concerning religion, the members of our Order ought to be among the leaders, men upon whom the priest can depend for encouragement and support in every undertaking.
All of which is respectfully submitted.

The following are the mileage and expense bills checked by the above committee and paid by the State Treasurer:

652	F. P. Matthews	$ 49.78
	Geo. A. Keyser	49.78
	Pat Johnson	47.53
	B. C. Cogan	53.32
701	J. P. Golden	55.14
	H. J. Hammond	55.14
	H. J. Reardon	55.14
	W. H. Harty	55.14
833	John J. Bogen	61.34
	E. G. Zimmerer	60.34
	R. A. Seguin	61.23
	Sam C. Zimmerman	61.23
938	W. J. Gregorious	37.74
	Otto F. Walter	36.69
975	J. W. Guthrie	14.16
	W. H. Buechsenstein	14.46
	John Brennan	14.46
1123	W. M. Whalen	44.93
	Geo. Laughlin	43.43
	W. D. Young	44,68
	P. J. Franey	41.68
1126	Frank M. Colfer	35.90
	J. J. Enders	35.90
1128	E. O. Dugan	23.00
	Parley Hyde	23.00
1159	Leo Phelan	41.42

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS OF NEBRASKA

409

	B. P. Ryan	41.42
	B. F. Hannon	41.42
	W. H. Laughlin	41.42
	G. J. Baumann	41.42
1211	Jas, F. Keefe	22.50
	W. J. Landgraf	22.50
	John J. DeRolf	22.50
1233	C. J. Dendinger	84.28
	P. M. Thies	84.28
	P. H. Gillispie	84.28
1238	Jos. P. Ryan	53.80
	Frank J. Kain	53.80
1295	G. E. Coffey	59.47
	Theo. A. Helmig	59.47
	S. L. Bates	59.47
1309	J. M. Liewer	81.18
	C. V. Dunn	81.18
1312	John H. O'Malley	48.67
	J. M. Lannigan	48.67
	B. A. Kennedy	48.67
1336	J. C. Mullen	72.78
	John Casey	72.78
	C. C. Rowley	72.78
1497	J. Howard Heine	46.09
	H. P. Connerly	43.44
	R. E. Cheney	43.44
	H. J. Barrett	43.44
1666	No Statement.
1708	Geo. F. Corcoran	38.30
	Peter A. Meehan	35.00
	J. E. Friel	35.86
1717	P. A. Tomek	49.32
	Wm. Puetz	48.32
	Joseph Dworek	48.32
1723	Henry G. Long	55.17
	Arthur Woelke	56.52
	E. H. Carroll	57.27
1728	T. A. Costello	26.88
	A. C. Wittera	30.08
	B. A. Patterson	30.08
1737	Lawrence Burns	38.69
	Daniel J. Sullivan	38.69
	John W. Ahern	38.69
1739	J. H. Pieper	41.94
	H. J. Welding	41.94
	James Fox	41.94
1788	Rev. Adam Brass	31.50
	J. H. Tighe	42.25
1793	W. F. Kloke	57.98
	Frank J. Schula	49.75
	J. A. Dolly	49.75
	B. J. Brown	49.75
1794	Charles J. Thielen	47.25
	John E. Hug	47.25

410

PROCEEDINGS OF ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETINGS

	Chas. E. Pfifer	47.25
	E. C. Halm	47.25
1833	J. H. Barry	47.64
	Roy Rochford	47.58
	E. L. Kudrna	47.58
	Geo. F. Bartek	47.58
1861	No Statement
1904	J. M. Burbach	4346
	A. S. McDonald	43.46
	A. J. Burbach	43.46
1906	E. J. Barrett	38.58
	Leo A. Kamazin	38.58
1918	F. T. Shaughnessy	39.77
	Jas. S. Zocholl	3937
	A. Uphoff	40.40
1966	John J. Cloidt	60.25
	Charles J. Wargo	60.00
2040	W. J. McNichols	44.26
	M. H. Delahunty	33.31
	A. J. Kjar	31.06
	Tom Reed	33.31
2272	John J. Gross	57.58
	John A. Penne	57.58
	Wm. A. Stieren	57.58
2292	P. J. Melia	51.55
	Vincent Kokes	51.55
2351	John M. Nolan	38.84
	E. J. Thelin	38.84
	D. D. O'Kane	38.84
2373	W. A. Lememann	44.70
	Edward J. Luther	45.70
2388	Rev. James Hermes	32.14
	P. W. Mullen	41.14
	Frank Kelly	41.14
2391	Thos. A. Engles	64.06
	James Kerns, Jr	64.06
	Gerald Dougherty	64.06
2411	A. C. Pelster	40.24
	Henry Vanderheiden	41.35
	Geo. J. Riedmiller	41.35
	T. C. Gleason, Badges	98.31
	W. J. McNichols, Exp. S. D	150.00
	Mark Burke, State Secretary	363.58

     We, Your Committee on Resolutions, beg leave to submit the following report:
      1. We are gratified with the steady growth and improvement in the membership of the Order, which is due in a large measure to the untiring efforts and efficient supervision of our State Officers, particularly our worthy State Deputy, W. J. McNichols, and we commend them for their untiring, unselfish and efficient labors for our Order.
     2. In view of the fact that we have already expressed ourselves

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS OF NEBRASKA

411

as favorable to the establishment of a national sanitarium for the afflicted members of our Order, and the supreme officers have taken no action on this recommendation. Therefore be it resolved that we again call their attention to this matter and ask that some action be taken by them to dispose of this question at as early a date as possible.
      3. We are proud of the achievements of our forefathers in giving us a Government which protects the liberty, property rights, and happiness of the American people. Therefore be it resolved that we condemn the actions of all persons who attempt to pass laws enroaching (sic) upon our constitutional rights and liberties, particularly the right of every man to train and educate his own child.
      4. Be it resolved that we express our deep appreciation for the splendid hospitality extended to us by the members and officers of Sidney Council, and their ladies, the good people of the city, the Commercial and Country Clubs, and particularly Mr. J. W. Johnson, for the untiring efforts to make our stay in the city pleasant and enjoyable.
      5. Having in mind the fact that any organization will best secure its ideals when its purposes and activities embrace the greatest good for the greatest number, we hereby express the belief that the creation of additional degree work in the Order would be conducive to this end. We believe that the Supreme Officers have at their call the service of men in the Order whose abilities are such as to make the creation of additional degree work a task of comparative simplicity. If additional and higher degrees are added we recommend that in their program of establishment, the supreme officers have due regard for the intellectual and spiritual elements of the work contemplated, it being understood that the establishment of such degree shall in nowise impose on any man the duty of taking said degrees except at his own option. Therefore be it resolved that pursuant to the authority granted to them in Article 1 of Section 37 of the laws and rules of the Supreme Council, the Supreme Council establish forthwith means of establishing additional degrees in the Order. 2. That the Nebraska State Council of the Knights of Columbus endorse the work mentioned and that the members of the Supreme Council from Nebraska be instructed to use their efforts for the passage of this resolution in the Supreme Council.
      6. Recognizing the spiritual element that must of necessity permeate the ideas and activities of this Order, we do hereby endorse the laymen's retreat movement launched in Nebraska in the year 1922 under the direction of the retreat committee for the past year. To the end that said retreat may be effectively conducted in the future; be it resolved. 1. That this State Council formally sponsor and endorse said movement. 2. That the State Deputy before the first day of June of each year shall designate a retreat committee of five members of this Order to make such arrangements for the conducting of one or more annual retreats as they may deem proper. We further recommend that the State Council appropriate the sum of $100.00 for this purpose.
      7. We are very much opposed to the excessive salaries paid to the Supreme Officers of this Order and recommend that their salaries in future be reduced so as not to exceed the following amounts:

412

PROCEEDINGS OF ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETINGS

Supreme Knight, $5,000 per year.
Supreme Secretary, $10,000 per year.
Supreme Treasurer, $5,000 per year.
Supreme Physician, $5,000 per year.

That the expenses of no national officer shall exceed the sum of $3,000 per annum; that the per diem and expenses of the Supreme Advocate shall not exceed the sum of $5,000.00 per annum; that the per diem and expenses of the Deputy Supreme Knight shall not exceed the sum of $5,000.00 per annum. And that the present practices in the offices of the Supreme Officers, in the reckless and useless expenditure of money, must be stopped.
8.. We condemn the actions of the Supreme Officers in the following respects:

1. In using the funds of the Order for personal benefits.
2. In creating and maintaining needless offices and jobs.
3. In keeping and maintaining the present so-called publicity office in New York.
4. In failing to give detailed information of the proceedings of the Supreme Council to persons entitled thereto.
5. In failing to publish a report of the Supreme Treasurer in the Columbia.

     9. While the Knights of Columbus Order is composed of Catholic men, it is distinctly a fraternal order and does not pretend to speak for all Catholics. For that reason we do not favor the attitude taken by the Supreme Officers and Columbia, in proposing to speak for all Catholics, thus usurping the prerogatives of the Heirarchy.
     10. We demand an itemized statement of the Supreme Treasurer annually; that copies of this report and also an itemized statement of all Supreme Officers and all Supreme Council proceedings be sent to all delegates and all local councils at least twenty days prior to the date set for the National Convention.
      11. We believe that it would be conducive to the best interests of the Order to limit the tenure of office of the Supreme Officers except that of Supreme Secretary, to two terms of two years each.
     12. We believe this Order should continue its policy of not permitting politics to enter into its council chambers, and to that end we recommend that none of the following officers shall hold political office of any kind during their tenure In office: Supreme Knight, Supreme Secretary, Supreme Advocate, Supreme Treasurer and Supreme Physician.
     13. We believe that no National or State Officer or employee, drawing a salary from this Order, should be eligible as a delegate to either the State or National Conventions.
     14. We disapprove of any attempt on the part of a National Officer to influence the organization, the conduct of business, or the selection of delegates at a State Convention.
     15. We believe that each State Deputy should have full authority at all times to call meetings of the district deputies of his state. and recommend that such meeting be called at least once a year.
     16. We recommend that the order of business of the Supreme Council be amended to put the election of officers on the last day of the Convention.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS OF NEBRASKA

413

     17. We believe that as to the deputy Supreme Knight of Canada, his election should be optional with the delegates to the National Convention from Canada, and that their recommendation in the matter should be accepted.
     18. We recommend that an organization be formed for the young men who are not eligible to enter our Order. We believe that boys of this age, who will be the members of tomorrow, are just as worthy of attention as the older men, and should have an organization of their own, which will be a stepping stone to membership in this, our beloved Order.
      19. We believe the present form of application for membership not appropriate for the use of the clergy. Therefore be it resolved that a special form be prepared for them leaving out the very objectionable features of the present form of application, when used by them.
     20. For the first time in many years, Mons. L. A. Dunphy, our beloved chaplain, is not able to be with us, to guide, advise and cheer us in our deliberations.
     No truer friend has ever existed than he has been to our Order, and we miss his smiling face and kindly word more than we can tell.
     Therefore, be it resolved that we extend to him a message of good cheer, of kindly remembrance, and assurance of our love and esteem, and a prayer that a kind Providence may permit him to again be with us in our yearly meeting.
     21. In the death of Reverend Father Robert F. Moran, of Lincoln, which resulted from injuries received in an automobile accident, the church lost a priest of great piety and spiritual devotion and the state one of its most useful and patriotic citizens. His constructive capacity and missionary spirit was strong and he loved to do the work of a pioneer and church builder. He was past Grand Knight of Fitzgerald Council of Lincoln, and at the time of his death was chaplain and degree officer In the Fourth Degree Assembly of Nebraska, and contributed in a large measure to the upbuilding of the Order in this state.
     22. It is with deep sorrow and profound regret that we record the death of the Right Reverend Charles J. O'Reilly, Bishop of Lincoln. For some thirty years he was a member and whole hearted supporter of our Order. He was a builder of many churches, parochial schools, hospitals, orphanages and other institutions which had to do with the welfare of the church. Bishop O'Reilly was an intensely religious man and loved to follow the teachings and in the footsteps of the Savior. The church in this State has been deprived of a pious, wise, courageous spiritual director and bishop.
     Be it further Resolved that copies of these resolutions be forwarded by the State Secretary, to the Supreme Officer, and to the Supreme Board of Directors, the Supreme Council and that our delegates to the National Convention be directed and instructed to take active steps to have the principles set out therein made effective.