Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-01-29
WOman's Temperance Ballot.
The NATIONAL UNION FAvoRs Ii.

CHICAGO, Jan. lin view of the state
ments which the President and Corresponding
Secretary of the Woman's National Christian
Temperance Union, have sent out, the follow
ing additional statements are submitted to the
public: In 1875, at Cincinnati, Mrs. Gov.
Wallace, of Indiana, offered resolution ask
ing the ballot for women on the question of
legalzing the sale of intoxicating drinks, and
il was adopted with hardly dissenting voice
by the Woman's National Christian Temper
ance Union. In 1876, at Newark, n. j., the
Home Protection petition was unanimously
adopted by the same society, asking that he
fore saloon could be opened in any locality
a majority of women's signatures, as well as
those of voters, should be required to petit
ton circulated by those wishing to open
saloon. In 1877 resolution was adopted at
Chicago, asking the ballot on the question of
license, Its meaning being clearly explained
by Mrs Foster, of Iowa, who drew up and
presented It. In 1873, at the Baltimore con-
vention, it was, 'affer full and free discus
sion," unanimously voted to open the columns
of Our Union (the official organ of the Wo-
mans National Christian Temperance Union)
to all the platforms and methods of work of
all the State w. c. T. US. with a full under
standing that FIVE States had officially Endorsed
the Home Protection idea at their conven-
tions). But as Baltimore is a most conserva-
tive city, and delegates from conservative
New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania
were out in larger numbers than delegates
from more distant and progressive States, the
resolution asking the temperance ballot was
voted down by about twenty-five majority.
(The general question of woman suffrage has
never been even discussed in any convention
by those who have asked the temperance bal
La g. L. ocl
The fact ought to be stated that in the vote
above referred to, Pennsylvania, which was
almost solid against Home Protection, had
nineteen votes, while she has organized but
twenty w. c. T. Unions, had Massachusetts
Home Protection State), which has l4s w.
c. T. Unions had only twelve votes and sim
liar disproportions occurred in several other
States. (This resulted from the method of
representation, which gives one delegate for
each Congressional District. If the work
accomplished by w. C.. T. Unions in each
State could be detailed it would be found that
the States most favorable to Homc-Protec-
ton have been fully as active in the gospel
work, and as helpful to the National Union in
planning and executing methods as those
States Of a less aggressive spirit The State
w. c. T. L. Of Maine has just wheeled into
line, having at the late convention, Endorsed
Tue temperance paiiot' Ihe ne" TNccutiNe
Committee Of the National w. c. Il. L. has
q majority for Home-Protcction.
In view Of all these facts, many of our
leading women officially connected with the
Woman's National Christian Temperance
Union feel that injustice is done by the an
nouncement sent out by conservative Presi-
dent and Corresponding Secretary without
consulting the Executive Committee.
For this reason and also in order that work
on the Home-P Protection line may not be in
terrupted through NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. the fore
going statements have been made by
FRANCES r. WILLARD,
Vice President for Illinois.
MARY A. WoopBRrpcE, of Ohio.
Rec. Sec. of the W. N. c. r. L.,
AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE Ex Con-.
OF the Woman's National Christian Temper
ance Union.