ANNUAL MEETING.
The annual meeting of the Society was held this 16th day of January, 1909, in the banquet hall of the Hotel Raleigh, and was called to order at 3.30 p. m. by President-General Quinlan, a large number of members being present.
Reading of records of the previous meeting was omitted.
The first business 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. Each of the general officers were voted upon separately, and the members of the Executive Council and list of State Vice-Presidents as a whole, and all were unanimously elected to serve until the next annual 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. Patrick T. Barry,
Chicago, Ill.
Secretary-General,
Thomas Zanslaur Lee, Esq.,
49 Westminster Street, Providence, R. I.
Treasurer-General,
Michael F. Dooley, Esq.,
President National Exchange Bank, Providence, R. I.
Librarian and Archivist,
Thomas B. Lawler, Esq.,
New York City.
Historiographer,
Hon. James F. Brennan,
Peterborough, N. H.
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
The foregoing and
Hon. John D. Crimmins, New York City.
Hon. William McAdoo, New York City.
Hon. Thomas B. Fitzpatrick, Boston, Mass.
Patrick F. Magrath, Esq., Binghamton, N. Y.
Rev. John J. McCoy, LL. D., Worcester, Mass.
Thomas Addis Emmet, M. D., LL. D., New York City.
Edward J. McGuire, Esq., New York City.
Hon. John F. O’Connell, Providence, R. I.
James L. O’Neil, Esq., Elizabeth, N. J.
Stephen Farrelly, Esq., New York City.
Cyrus Townsend Brady, LL. D., Kansas City, Mo.
Hon. Thomas J. Lynch, Augusta, Me.
Gen. Phelps Montgomery, New Haven, Conn.
Patrick Carter, Esq., Providence, R. I.
Hon. Patrick Garvan, Hartford, Conn.
John J. Lenehan, Esq., New York City.
Col. John McManus, Providence, R. I.
Hon. William Gorman, Philadelphia, Pa.
J. Lawton Hiers, M. D., of Savannah.
John F. Doyle, Esq., New York City.
STATE VICE-PRESIDENTS.
Maine—James Cunningham, Esq., Portland.
New Hampshire—Hon. James F. Brennan, Peterborough.
Vermont—John D. Hanrahan, M. D., Rutland.
Massachusetts—M. J. Jordan, Esq., Boston.
Rhode Island—Hon. Patrick J. McCarthy, Providence.
Connecticut—Dennis H. Tierney, Esq., Waterbury.
New York—Joseph I. C. Clarke, Esq., New York City.
New Jersey—John F. Kenah, Esq., Elizabeth, N. J.
Pennsylvania—Hugh McCaffrey, Esq., Philadelphia.
Delaware—John J. Cassidy, Esq., Wilmington.
Virginia—James W. McCarrick, Esq., Norfolk.
West Virginia—John F. Healy, Esq., Thomas, Tucker County.
North Carolina—Michael J. Corbett, Wilmington.
South Carolina—W. J. O’Hagan, Esq., Charleston.
Georgia—Capt. John Flannery, Savannah.
Ohio—John Lavelle, Esq., Cleveland.
Oklahoma—Joseph F. Swords, Esq., Sulphur.
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.
Mississippi—Dr. R. A. Quin, Vicksburg.
Montana—Rt. Rev. M. C. Lenihan, D. D., Great Falls.
Minnesota—Hon. C. D. O’Brien, St. Paul.
Kentucky—John J. Slattery, Esq., Louisville.
Kansas—Patrick H. Coney, Esq., Topeka.
Utah—Joseph Geoghegan, Esq., Salt Lake City.
Texas—Gen. A. G. Malloy, El Paso.
California—Capt. James Connolly, Esq., Coronado.
OTHER VICE-PRESIDENTS.
District of Columbia—Hon. Edward A. Moseley, Washington.
Ireland—Dr. Michael F. Cox, Dublin.
Germany—Hon. T. St. John Gaffney, Dresden.
Austria—Dr. Thomas F. Kenney, Vienna.
After the election, the Secretary-General stated that several letters of regret had been received by the Society, and they were ordered read. They are as follows:
January 14, 1909.
My dear Doctor Quinlan:
Nothing could have given me greater pleasure than to be able to attend the annual meeting and reception to the American Irish Historical Society by President Roosevelt on Saturday evening, the 16th inst. Unfortunately, I am so tied up with engagements on that evening that it will be impossible for me to leave here, one being a dinner engagement of long standing, which, however, I might be able to break; but, in addition, I am scheduled to speak at the annual meeting and banquet of the field force of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, of which, as you know, I am a director, and which is to be held at Delmonico’s. This arrangement was made prior to the time when the date of the reception to your Society was fixed, and it is incumbent upon me to be present, and while I fully intended going to Washington and attending the reception, and so expressed myself to Judge Dowling, who, I understand, is to deliver an address, yet I now realize the impracticability of being in two places at the same time, and will therefore have to forego the pleasure of being there.
I trust you will appreciate my position, and I assure you that ordinarily I would be only too glad to break any engagement I might have and avail myself of the pleasure of being present on such an occasion, but in reaching a decision I could not do otherwise than give way in favor of the engagement which was prior in point of time.
I deeply appreciate your kind expressions, and the more than attractive manner in which you urge me to be present, all of which would be unnecessary in any matter in which you were concerned, because the mere expression of your wish that you desired my co-operation in any of the good works in which you are interested would always receive from me a prompt response.
With kind regards personally, believe me to be,
Sincerely yours,
Francis J. Quinlan, M. D., Morgan J. O’Brien.
33 West 38th Street, New York City.
Thomas Z. Lee, Esq., Augusta, Me., January 14, 1909.
Secretary-General American Irish Historical Society,
Providence, R. I.
My dear Mr. Lee: I have received your several communications in regard to the meeting and annual dinner on January 16 at Washington, and I planned to go, but things have so shaped themselves that I find it impossible to leave at this time. I certainly regret very much my inability to attend, but do wish you all possible success.
Believe me, Yours respectfully,
Thomas J. Lynch.
Hon. Thomas Z. Lee, New York, January 14, 1909.
Acting Secretary-General,
Providence, R. I.
My dear Judge: I have to thank you for your letter of the 13th inst., but regret that I shall not be able to leave New York on Saturday to attend the meeting of our Society in Washington. Herewith I give you my check for $5 to cover the amount of my dues for the current year.
Wishing you a very delightful trip and a good time at the convention, I remain,
Yours very truly,
Willis B. Dowd.
Salem, Mass., January 14, 1909.
Hon. Thomas Z. Lee, Secretary-General of the American Irish Historical Society, Providence, R. I.
My dear Sir: The Mayor has been sick since Friday of last week, and although he is now out of bed the doctor positively forbids him to make a trip to Washington. He sent a message to me requesting me to notify you of this fact and to express to you his deep regret. I know he was looking forward with very pleasant anticipation to this trip and to his meeting with you again.
I find in the mail two tickets to the banquet and not appreciating the situation fully I am enclosing them to you, thinking that you may be able to make some use of them as long as the Mayor can not go, but if these are sent out and charged to the persons to whom they are sent, you will please advise the Mayor and he will send you the cost of the same.
Yours very respectfully,
Jos. B. Saunders,
Secretary to the Mayor.
House of Representatives,
Washington, January 8, 1909.
Hon. Thomas Z. Lee,
Providence, R. I.
My dear Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of a ticket to the annual banquet of the American Irish Historical Society, to be held at Hotel Raleigh January 16, 1909, at 7 p. m., and sincerely thank you for the favor.
Will endeavor to be present, but on account of business appointments that I have about that time that will take me away from Washington and probably will not allow my return in time, would suggest that you do not figure on my making any remarks at the meeting.
With best wishes for the Society’s success,
Very truly yours,
Bird S. McGuire.
MR. BERNARD J. JOYCE.
Of Boston, Mass.
One of our most earnest and learned members.
January 12, 1909.
Mr. Thomas Zanslaur Lee,
Acting Secretary-General,
49 Westminster Street, Providence, R. I.
My dear Judge Lee: I have deferred writing you on the subject of attending the forthcoming banquet of the American Irish Historical Society in the hope that I might find it possible to be present. However, I am doomed to disappointment. I cannot, much as I regret it, find a way to be with you and our friends to share in the festivities. That you will have an edifying and jolly good time goes without saying and I regret exceedingly my inability to share in it. With cordial best wishes,
Sincerely yours,
A. C. Eustace.
January 7, 1909.
Mr. Thomas Zanslaur Lee,
Providence, Rhode Island.
My dear Mr. Lee: It is with sincere regret that I am compelled to advise you of my inability to participate in the annual exercises of the American Irish Historical Society in Washington, D. C., January 16. I assure you it is a grievous disappointment to me, but conditions are such that it will be impossible for me to leave Utah at the present time.
Please convey to my fellow-members my very best wishes for the continued prosperity of the Society. With my best personal regards to yourself, I remain,
Yours very truly,
Joseph Geoghegan.
Washington, D. C., January 8, 1909.
Thomas Zanslaur Lee, Esq.,
Providence, R. I.
Dear Sir: I regret that an engagement to consecrate an altar at Columbia, S. C., on January the 17th will deprive me of the pleasure of joining you at the reception at the White House January 16.
With best wishes for the New Year, I remain
Very sincerely yours,
D. J. O’Connell.
Elmira, N. Y., January 7, 1909.
Hon. Thomas Z. Lee,
Secretary-General, etc.,
Providence, R. I.
My dear Judge Lee: I am just home from the Appellate Division of our Supreme Court at Albany, and have your kind invitation to attend the dinner of the American Irish Historical Society at Washington on the 16th inst. as the guest of the Society.
I very greatly appreciate the honor of this invitation and I have delayed answer for a day trying to arrange my engagements so that I could have the pleasure of meeting with the Society on that occasion, but I am very sorry to find that it will be impossible for me to reach Washington for the 16th. I cannot tell you how deeply I regret my enforced absence.
With kindest regards to yourself and the many members of the Society to whose hospitality I am so indebted, and with cordial thanks for the honor of the invitation believe me,
Faithfully yours,
D. C. Robinson.
New York, N. Y., January 4, 1909.
Thomas Z. Lee, Esq.,
Dear Sir: Justice Hendrick acknowledges notice of the general meeting at Washington and expresses regret that owing to the pressure of court duties it will be impossible for him to attend.
Very truly yours,
Edward T. McCrystal,
Secretary.
New York, December 31, 1908.
Mr. Thomas Zanslaur Lee,
Acting Secretary-General American Irish Historical Society,
49 Westminster Street, Providence, R. I.
My dear Sir: I regret exceedingly that I cannot go with you and be present at the reception to the American Irish Historical Society by His Excellency President Roosevelt, as I anticipate being away from New York about that time.
I believe you will have a very pleasant time and my best wishes go with you.
With all the compliments of the season, believe me,
Fraternally yours,
Richard Deeves.
New York, December 31, 1908.
Francis J. Quinlan, M. D., 33 W. 38th Street, City.
Dear Sir: Yours with enclosure received. Regret to say I will not have the pleasure of attending the annual meeting of the Historical Society at Washington, as I expect to be in the South at that time.
Trusting you will have the usual good time, I remain
Very respectfully,
John F. Kehoe.
Dubuque, Iowa, January 2, 1909.
Thomas Zanslaur Lee, Esq.,
Dear Sir: I beg to inform you that Archbishop Keane is not home, nor is his return expected for some months. It will therefore be impossible for him to accept the kind invitation of the American Irish Historical Society.
Sincerely yours,
M. Barry,
Secretary.
Boston, January 5, 1909.
T. Z. Lee, Esq., Providence, R. I.
Dear Sir: I am sorry I will be unable to attend the meeting of the Society in Washington. Am very sorry I cannot be there.
Very truly,
F. L. Dunne.
Chicago, January 4, 1909.
Thomas Zanslaur Lee, Esq.,
Acting Secretary-General, American Irish Historical Society,
49 Westminster Street, Providence, R. I.
Dear Sir: Your esteemed favor announcing the forthcoming annual banquet of the Society at the Hotel Raleigh in Washington, and also the reception to be given to the Society by President Roosevelt on January the 16th is received, and for which accept thanks. I regret exceedingly that it will be impossible for me to be present on that occasion. I have been somewhat ailing for several weeks past and am recuperating so slowly that I fear I will be unable to get away from my home at the date of your banquet. Should I feel able to do so, however, it will afford me great pleasure to be present, as I always enjoy the annual dinner of the Society.
With best wishes, Very truly yours,
P. T. Barry.
29 Beacon Street, Boston, January 13, 1909.
Dear Judge Lee: The meeting in Washington comes at the time of our annual firm meeting and I regret exceedingly I shall not be able to be with you. I trust you will have an enthusiastic meeting.
Cordially yours,
Thomas B. Lawler.
Boston, Mass., January 15, 1909.
Mr. Thomas Z. Lee,
Acting Secretary-General, The American Irish Historical Society,
49 Westminster Street, Providence, R. I.
My dear Mr. Lee: Your esteemed favor of the 6th inst. reached me during a trip in the West and I appreciate very much indeed your remembrance of me by your kind invitation to be the guest of your Society at the annual banquet in Washington, D. C., on the evening of January 16, at the Hotel Raleigh, and also to attend with you a reception at the White House by President Roosevelt.
Although it will be impossible for me to accept these courtesies, I beg to express my great appreciation of the same and to assure you that it will always be my pleasure to at any time entertain the Society at my home in Lexington whenever it is their pleasure to visit our good old town.
Very sincerely yours,
Geo. W. Taylor.
Elizabeth, N. J., January 15, 1909.
My dear Judge: My absence this evening I exceedingly regret. I trust the dinner and meeting will be pleasant and interesting. What heart does not dilate with feelings to this night’s occasion, and what a host of interesting recollections spring up in the mind when we reflect upon the time when Irishmen came to the shores of this country in the spirit of holy zeal, leaving the land of their birth, braving the winds of Heaven and the angry wrath of the mighty Atlantic, landing in the wilderness and planting the seeds of a holy religion as well as laying the foundation of the mighty and greatest of all republics.
I am with you in spirit this evening and I hope the effects of our good Society will establish its prestige in every city and town of this country of ours.
Yours fraternally,
James L. O’Neill.
Norfolk, Va., January 15, 1909.
To the American Irish Historical Society,
Hotel Raleigh, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen: Until today it was my intention and hope to be with you in Washington tomorrow. Conditions beyond control will prevent, consequently my greetings must be conveyed by mail.
Fraternally yours,
James W. McCarrick,
Vice-President for Virginia.
Mr. T. Z. Lee,
Acting Secretary-General,
49 Westminster Street, Providence, R. I.
Mr. Patrick M. Keating presented and read the following memorial to the late Hon. Thomas J. Gargan, former President-General of the Society, which was adopted by unanimous vote: