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A.P.A.

1910 New Catholic Dictionary

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(A.P.A.) A secret proscriptive society in the United States, which was a disturbing factor in most Northern States during 1891 to 1897. It was founded by Henry F. Bowers, who established the first council at Clinton, Iowa in 1887, and reached its height in 1894. Members were bound by oath to endeavor to exclude Catholics entirely from public offices. Propaganda was carried on by literature and lectures; forged documents were used, especially an alleged "papal bull" calling for a massacre of Protestants. Capital was made out of the coming of Monsignor Satolli, papal delegate, and also out of the parochial-school question. Few prominent men acknowledged membership. It was associated with the Republican party, and a great source of vexation to it. In failing to prevent the nomination of William McKinley (1896) and also to secure representation in the Republican platform for some principles of the order, its prestige received a blow from which it never recovered.