The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-07-16


the next general election to be held for such
time, either under their charters or any
general law Of the State, and until their
succes.ors 80 elected shall have qualified.
4. This act shall be in force from its pas
sage.
shocitoe HID Division, No. "a, Sons OF
Temperance.
RICHMOND, Va, July l, 1870.
Worthy Patriarch and Brothers, " our
committee, appointed for TINS purpose,
respectfully submit the suhioincd resume OF
the history of Shockoe Hill Division, No.
81, Sons of Temperance, for the six months
ending June 80, 1870, in IL r :, and r.
NJ. =. HANDY,
w. w. CHILDs.
49,. EXPORT.
One year ago the quarterly report rem
dered by the K. S. exhibited the condition
of Shockoe Hill Division to be as fol-
lows: During the quarter there had been
seven (7) limitations, which were nearly
balanced by four (D Withdrawals and two
~ expulsions for the same period. 1t was
then stated that the membership was "sup-
posed to be" about one hundred and one
U01). The fact is, however, that though
there were that many names still upon the
roll there were but small number Of
brothers who attended the meetings, paid
their dues, and otherwise performed their
duty as good Sons of Temperance. Indeed,
it was a rare occasion when the Division
had enough Of its own members present to
ill the offices, and the members Of other
Divisions sometimes occupied, pro ten1pore,
more than half the official positions in
Shockoe Hill. There was woful lack Of
zeal among the brethren, and the cause
,k,x in, at (rrl "A
the hearts Of its friends.
This or q worse state of feelings and
affairs continued to exist in the Division
through the succeeding term, ending Sep
TENDER 80, 1869, for which the report of the
Il. S. gives eight (S) limitations, with Il
melancholy per contra OF seven ~ With
drawals, four a. eXpulsions, and twelve
(l2) suSpensionsl The membership accord
ingly was estimated at the reduced figure Of
lightweight (SS).
The next quarter, and the concluding one,
of the year 1869 witnessed the dawn OF a
better spirit, foreshadowing better things.
The members of the Division seemed to be
aroused 20 q new sense OF their duties and
responsibilities. The attendance on the
weekly meetings began to increase, and the
proceedings exhibited heartfelt and an
intelligent interest in the cause. Ways and
means were discussed, much was projected,
and something was done, but the quarter
closed with one member less for the Dlvl-
sion. The limitations had been four az, but
the Withdrawals had been five ~, leaving
Shockoe Hill with only eighty-seyen lSi)
members ut the end of the year 1869.
This preliminary review of the Division
in the latter half of 1859 is here given be-
cause it is so essential 60 q proper compre-
hension and appreciation Of what has been
done in the first half of this the year 1870.
In the dark period to which we have adj
verted the finances of the Division became
so low that the trustees We're compelled to
sell two-tifths Of the $500 invested in city
bonds to raise money to pay pressing debts.
Some of the best friends of ShockOe Hill
expressed the bitter belief that its DAYS
were numbered, and that its charter would
have to be surrendered or would be for
feited. 4~
But, Us has been seen, better spirit had
begun to be manifested towards the close of
1861. The ilisi fruits of this were full meet
lngs, followed speedily by limitations that
steadily Increased from week TO week till,
at the end Ut the first quarter OF this year,
NOBODY Was surprised TO learn Of the en-
largement of the Division by thirty (3O) new
members-twenty-eight (28) by initiation
and two (.) by card. These accessons We're
offset by one o. expulsion, one ~ resigna-
ton, and tour (4) Withdrawals, leaving u
net gain for the quarter of twenty-four CA,
and raising the membership from eighty
seven 81 to one hundred and eleven (lll).
During that term the Division originated
the idea Of a grand temperance demon>tra-
ton to take place on the I'D OF February and,
all the temperance organizations OF the city
cbeerfully adopting 1t, the plan was sue
cessfully carried out ut the First Baptist
church, where Bishop Doggett, Rev. Drs.
Burrows, Peterkin, aud Edwards, (repre-
sentatives Of the leading religious denOmi-
nations here,) united cordially in making
able and eloquent temperance addresses to
vast and attentive audience. This un-
doubleday had u good effect for the general
cause, and shockoe Hill certainly expert
enced its reward for its share in bringing
about the demonstration. .<...,.
About the end Of that quarter, too, the
Division adopted "The Roll Of Honor" on
the suggestion of one. OF its members, as
proper method of giving due acknowledge
ments to those who had eXertcd themselves
to increase the membership, and as an in
cCntiye TO future eXertions in the same
direction. This roll is u list of those who
within the quarter have proposed accept
able candidates, and the names are arranged
in the order of merit-that is, according to
the number Of propositions that they have
made, the highest first. This roll is sent to
Tue UTanu DIVISION as supplement- 10 every
quarterly report, and the first one for
warded drew expressions Officially commu-
nicated) of high compliment from the Grand
Scribe OF the etate. There is no doubt that
this roll is effectively answering the pur-
DOSES for which it was instituted.
The quarter which has just terminated
opened with cheering prospects, which
have not been disappointed by results,
Every week proposals for membership and
limitations crowd upon each other. Soon
the old hall on Broad street became toe
small to comfortably hold the fresh converts
ari the revived old ones. More room was
absolutely necessary, and on Friday eve
Ming. May 9th, 1870, Shockoe Hill met II
its 6rcsent hall, on Capitol street, where II
Gnfs place OF assembly worthy OF the
Divisions growing size, Importance, ano
The quarterly report of the r. 5. for the
term lust concluded from the 3lst OF MarcE
tn the LIST of JULY shows the wonderiu
nroeress OF the Division In that perlou ..
The following figures: limitations, Oh rem
stated. .: Withdrawals, designations, eSpuh
s;nnsD deaths, &C., S-leavins net increase
Of e.! Surely this is a grand acmevemen.
for an association which less than ono yen ai
ago was holding a doubtful strugsie 10 10,
existence. Shockoe Hill within tne a l. siA
months has added 20 to its roll-has sd nearly ,
Snnhied ;ts mcmbersbjp-ending 1869 Win