The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1881-06-10
Annual Report. OF the Secretary OF the
Middlebury w. G. T.U.

TSeaswrer. Mrs. v. w. BLAN cuARD
Annual Report OF the Secretary OF The
! Middlebury w. G. T.U.
The Woman's Christian Temperance
Union of Middlebury has just closed its
sixth year. 1t is an organization of
sixty-three members. Success has at
tended the efforts of nearly every
branch of its work. The tone of the
local press Is favorable; and the pre-
vaiIing sentiment of the community
appears to be in sympathy with women
who discountenance the use and sale Of
intoxicating liquors. There are, of
course, exceptions to this general rule;
there are enemies who sneer, and
"candid friends" who freely point out
our failings. But we intend to receive
benefit from these very disparage-
Notwithstanding in the focus of 30
much wisdom how could we fail to i'm
prove? The clergy OF this town and
county have largely Endorsed the work
of christian temperance women and
recognized its fitness and necessity.
To these gentlemen of erudition and
character we arc indebted and duly
grateful.
The third Wednesday of each month
has witnessed the gathering for the
regular meeting. We have all enjoyed
the parlor meetings 1--WE also have found
1t good to break bread together, and
the literary attempts of our evenings
have given the variety so desirable in
the meetings of society. New men,
bers have been added at nearly every
meeting, We have a list lof commit
tees who have each distinct duties.
The superintendent of juvenile work
has placed charts and tempere nee lite
nature in the graded school and reports
that principal and teachers cooperate
in their use.
Seventeen dollars have been laid out
In temperance literature this year.
The treasury has paid ont over one
hundred dollars this year, and is not
bankrupt or in debt. This does not in
clude the munifcentlgift of Col. Bat
tell, that has been wholly expended for
poor children. Little shoes and boots
cost great deal, and it has taken all
the change that could be spared to pro-
cure what was absolutely necessary.
Although quantities of second hand
clothing have been contributed, it has
been necessary to buy some new cloth
for shirts, aprons, etc., and thanks are
rendered to the merchants who have
sold to us 80 cheaply. The society
sadly needs q room near the bridge
where to bestow its numerous packa-
ges, boxes of garments, sewing ma
chimes, etc.
Our chairman of the executive COM
mittee is no sluggard. In the last two
weeks of May last, she called three
meetings to which she invited a good
many gentlemen. There were but few
of these, however, who could leave bus
iness cares long enough to come. We
should not trouble them so much if 1t
were not necessary to call on voters
for assistance when anythingin the line
of prosecutions is attempted. Women
cannot prosecute or enter complaint.
In such case woman's signature is
of no account in law, the signature of a
legal voter of the town is required.
Therefore gentlemen were invited.
Temperance women cannot make laws
nor execute them, but they would like
to be the power behind the throne.
Last May, Miss Townsley, the evan
gelist, at our invitation lectured in the
Methodist church, for which she was
paid twelve dollars.
The regular meeting for June was
held in BridpOrt. 1t was an open air
meeting on the grounds of Mr.. Asa
Hemenway. The ladies of Bridport
at that time became so much interested
in our methods that the next Decem-
Der they organized union there,
In July, the missionary committee
districted the town so that no cases of
needy children might escape notice.
In August the question-box was in
troduced.
In September the first Addison county
convention of the w. G. Il. U. was held
in the vestry of the Congregational
church. Mrs. SWEET and Mrs, Green
of st. Adams were present. Mrs.
Greene spoke to the children in the
evening, and DIR. Hamlin at our re-
quest addressed the mass meeting.
Six members of the society attended
the National convention in Boston. and
at the November meeting each recited
her impressions of the same.
The December meeting was called
Lucy Hayes tea party, and the amount
to which we stood pledged to the
Hayes Memorial Fund was raised and
exceeded. We are now entitled to
steel engraving of the celebrated lady
whose portrait already adorns The
walls of the White House.
III February, we invited those who
attended the Addison county temper-
ance convention to take supper with
us, and at the close of the convention a
large number accepted the Invitation
A substantial and elegant supper was
enioyed by all and an evening of more
than usual interest and variety. The
words of communication and a,corr