Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-06-12
state Temperance Convention Of Reform

President of the Club, Hon. 10 shua Nye, J..
X. Osgood, Rev. Z. p. Thwing, Ex-Gov.
Perham, and ID. Banks Mckenzie, Esq, of
Boston.
The meeting was called to order by the
President, and prayer was offered by Rev.
Mr.. Jones of Gardiner.
The Secretary, +. z. Thwing, read the
records of the last meeting, held at Augusta,
on the 18th of March.
The report of the President Mr.. Murphy,
was read. The report shows that during the
last three months, Mr.. Murphy has addressed
80 temperance meetings and obtained 99o
signatures TO the pledge of total abstinence.
He has organized six temperance reform
clubs, received collections to the amount of
1852 70, and his expenses have been $l06.
Mr.. Murphy has been very cordially re-
ceived everywhere, and there has been
large attendance.
The Secretary, Mr.. Thwing, made his re-
port. He has secured the insertion of no.
tees of the work and progress of the club in
the newspapers, visited towns and made ad-
dresses, held meetings in prisons, took
pledges, and distributed tracts and papers.
1t was voted that special committee be ap-
pointed TO report upon the question what can
be done to put the association upon perma-
nent basis?
MessTs. MCheuuys eCAhou, ANyS3 Ah"iHs5
and Osgood were appointed.
TIE speaker introduced Mr.. d. Banks
Mckenzie, Sup't Of Appleton Temporary
Home, Boston, who said that he was glad to
get away from hard work and come down
amid this beautiful scenery of Maine. He
told his experience when for nearly twenty
years he was a confirmed inebriate. His
whole heart sympathies went out to those
who were bound as he had been. 1t was in
answer to prayer that God opened the eyes
OF his understanding and gave him back to
manhood. A poor outcast is to be pitied and
sympathized with. And so God had led him
to seek out the inebriate to help him. At
first those whom he had helped had been
scattered all over the city. He commenced
without any capital In April 1873, he OBJ
tanned quarters to accommodate some 80 men.
From April to January some 400 men had
been helped in that temporary home. During
the last year and half he had some POO
drinking men under his care. Not one has
gone out that has become prayerful man,
that has fallen.
The special committee to ascertain what
can be done to place the State Temperance
Reform Club OH permanent basis, reported
that the practical cooperation of the tenn
perance men and women of Maine should be
enlisted in the work of the Association. The
committee therefore propose:
First, that the President of each local Club
appoint a canvasing committee to collect and
forward through him to our Treasurer such
subscriptions as may be secured in their sew
eral towns for the benefit of the State Socie-
ty.
Second, that the State body invite to its an
nual membership all members of local clubs
who sign it and pay the annual sum of one
dollar.
Thrd-That the annual meeting be held
hereafter in September instead of March.
Fourth-That there be a revision of the by
laws of the State club.
The report was accepted and the same
committee was appointed to revise the by
laws.
Mr.. Mckenzie again took the stand, and
explained farther in regard to his temporary
home for inebriates. Sixty-three persons
from Maine have been cared for and treated
in the Home. Fourteen thousand dollars had
been expended during the past year. The
institution is not local affair.
Mr.. John H.. Swanton Of Aroostook county,
was introduced and said that he represented
Aroosiook CO., in the convention. Prohibitory
laws had had no perceptable effect in that
county. An interest had been awakened by
the advent of Osgood, Murphy and others.
Previous to that time, for ten years he had
been a slave himself to misrepresentation
three years he had been untitled tor business.
Moral suasion is doing a noble work IN
Aroostook.
David Potter, the President of the Gardi-
ner Reform Club, said that he too was one of
the unfortunate men that had been bitten
deeply by intemperance; he had taken the
pledge and had faithfully kept it up to this
time. He had felt in earnest in this matter,
and God helping him he meant always to be
q
pledge book here. Some have of course fall
len; others have been rescued who have fall
len repeatedly. Hold weekly meetings,
that are largely attended. Have speakers
from abroad; Sunday School connected with
the club. Believed in both moral and legal
suasion.
Reuben Mckinney reported from the Au-
gusta club. The club is still alive and trying
to do its work. We have to get along with
some very inconsistent so-called temperance
men. Thought the cause lacked Good Samar-
itans, who would reach out the helping hand
to save the fallen-to go down to the depths
and lift men up. The club numbers hundreds
who are firm. No weekly meetings are held
now.
Mr.. Thwing spoke for the Portland club.
Meetings had been held in the Allen Mission.
Meetings had been held in prisons and aims
house and names obtained.
Benz. Fowles of Hallowell thought laborers
were as necessary as takers. We want
speakers, but we want men to chase the rum
sellers. The Hallowell reform club has
about died out, but there are many strong, con,
sistent temperance men. Dry men are ask
ing, GLOW long is the drouth going to last"
He thought it would continue until there was
a change of officers. The cider business is
found to be great evil
On the arrival of the afternoon train, Gov.
Dingley made his appearance in the hall and
was received with applause.
J. X. Osgood was the next speaker. He
had been pleased at receiving the good re-
ports. The main reason why the reform clubs
are not in as flourishing condition as they
ought to be, is because they do not receive
sufficient encouragement from the people. In
Massachusetts he had organized 80 clubs,
with membership of $4,000; eleven clubs
had been formed in New Hampshire. Money
is needed to carry on this work in Maine.
Mr.. Clark of Boston a reformed man, u.ade
some very feeling remarks in regard to his
fall and rescue.
His Excellency, Gov. Dingley, was intro
dused. He said if he had done the cause OF
Il.