The Portland daily press., 1884-10-24
----------------------------
ST. JOHN AND DANIEL.
Organization of sf. John CIub-Re-
marks- q Ulcers Chosen.

Eight o'clock was the hour announced for
the formation of ST. John club in this city
last evening; but the bell had ceased striking
some moments before sixteen temperau 70 advo-
Gates assembled at Reform Club Hall, and + ur
of these were women. Later on people came
in by twos and threes, gradually filling the
settees. few new faces, principally women,
helped to make the distinction between this
element and that which was conspicuous in
the Peoples Independent temperance meet.
ings held here two months ago.
Rev. S. e. Pearson called the gathering to
order, and as an Introductory to the business
OF the evening Mr.. /. N. Sylvester offered
prayer for the promotion of the temperance
Cause. Mr.. H. j. Russell was chosen secre-
tary.
Mr. Pearson called attention to the import
ance of the framing aud execution of laws for
the suppression of the alcoholic liquor traffic;
and then showed the necessity of Organization
to effect good results at the polls. The cause
has no hope in the two great parties in their
present condition. Mr.. Blaine did not vote for
the amendment because he was advised not to
do 80 by Republican leaders of Ohio. With
Blaine as President, our canse, said he, will
not go forward; but with Cleveland it will go
back twenty years. Mr.. Pearson read st.
John constitution used in other places, and as
way by which to obtain sgners he said:
Now, am going to call on the prettiest
woman in the house to pass this around-my
wife. Come, 'Vira." (Laughter) Mrs. Pear
son took the constitution promptly and pro-
ceeded to circulate it.
Deacon W. FL. Hobbs of the Second Parish
declared in favor of St. John, and an old
gentleman in front seat arose, exclaiming:
81 am for St. John, though never saw him."
(Applause)
Mr.. Ell 1bbs then read the following, written
on the back of postal card and signed by DR..
j. W. Bashford of Chestnut street church: 81
have just received a notice OF a meeting to
organize st. John club on Friday night. I
have q meeting and cannot be with you, but
shall vote for st. John and Daniel" ZAP
plause.)
1. N. Sylvester made few remarks in favor
of prohibition.
Mr.. Gray said: "Dear friends, / should like
to know where the friends of prohibition are
tonight" He thought that an effort should be
made to crush the rum traffic. "Mr. Dow is not
the man in this cause that he was twenty years
ago. Give the devil his due, and give man
credit only for what he does"
Fifty-nine names were appended to the con-
stitution in few minutes.
w. a. Hobbs was proposed as president OF
the club, but declined the nomination, as did
Rev. S. F. Pearson, E. W. Pearson, F. j.
Russell, and 1. N. Sylvester.
Finally the officers were chosen as follows:
President John S. White.
Vice Presidents-Hiram Foss B. A. Gray.
Secretary-E HI. Pearson.
Jreasurer-W. II. Hobbs.
Executive Committse-T. Fl. Nichols, A. C. Rob-
inson, S. a. Wilson.
Voted, That the president of thu club be in
structed to correspond with DIR. A. A. Miner
of Boston and ascertain if he will address the
people on prohibition just before the election.
Rev. S. f. Pearson urged that the people be
jealous in their work at the polls in the coming
election. after which the meeting adjourned,
subject to the call of the chairman.