rganizations ought
not to be lightly condemned. Our American trade unions are among the
most salutary associations that we have. In Chicago, recently, they
incurred the displeasure of the Socialists, because they would not allow
socialism to flaunt itself at one of their demonstrations.

They all tend to promote providence, social union and independence. They
"keep the wolf away from the door" of hundreds.

The case of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers is one in point.
During the twenty years of its existence the Brotherhood has paid out
nearly $2,000,000 in insurance to the families of engineers who have
been killed or permanently disabled. The motto of the brotherhood is:
"Sobriety, Truth, Justice and Morality."

The more stress that is laid upon sobriety in all labor organizations
the better.

It is to be regretted that some trade unions take the form of secret
societies, and thus tempt Catholic workingmen (of whom there are
thousands), to violate dictates of conscience. Labor leaders ought to
reason that this is not right. These organizations need Catholic
artisans, and Catholic workingmen need these organizations, provided
they are honestly, soberly, and candidly conducted.

* * * * *

The number of members of the new House of Commons never before elected
to Parliament is 332. This has had no parallel since the first
Parliament under the Reform Bill of 1832. The ultimate figures of the
election are: Liberals, 334; Conservatives, 250; Parnellites, 86. The
coalition of the last two has thus a majority of two. This, compared
with the last Parliament, will leave the Liberals weaker by 17 votes,
and the Conservatives stronger by 12 votes. The Liberals have gained 80
votes in the counties and lost 91 in the towns. An immense number of
Liberal members of the last Parliament are beaten. The list is over 80,
including 11 Ministers.

* * * * *

AN HEROIC SISTER.--Mgr. Sogara, Bishop of Trapezepolis and
Vicar-Apostolic of Central Africa, telegraphs that a despatch has
reached him from Egypt containing the gratifying intelligence of the
liberation of two sisters who were imprisoned in the Soudan, and whose
freedom has been procured by Abdel Giabbari, Mgr. Sogaro's envoy in the
Soudan. The striking historical spectacle presented by General Gordon's
long and lonely journey on his camel across the desert to Khartoum has
been eclipsed in its sublimity by