The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-10-20
THE CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION.
Opening of the Fifteenth Annual Ses-
sion in New York.
Delegates Hear the Annual Reports
and Speech by Gen. Dow.
Iowa Women to Protest Against
MeddIlng With Politics.

New YORK, Oct. 19.-The fifteenth annual
meeting of the Women's Christian Temper
ance Union began this morning in the Met
ropolitan Opera House. About 4c) dele
gates, representing every State in the Union,
were present The hall and stage of the
Opera House was handsomely decorated in
honor of the occasion. A number of ban
ners were displayed inscribed with words
familiar to temperance workers A band
called the white Ribbon Quartette" com
pose of two gentlemen and two ladies, dis
coursed some excellent music. The conven-
tion opened with devotional exercises, led by
Mrs. S. NJ. l. Henry of Illinois. delega-
tion of ladies, representing the Women's
Suffrage League, walked into the hall about
10 o'clock and took seats in one of the pros,
cenium boxes on the right side. Shortly af-
ter they displayed a banner inscribed:
'Women's Suffrage League" Among the
party. it was said, were Mrs. Cady Stanton
and Mrs. Cynthia Leonard, the mother of
Lillian Russell.
After devotional exercises Mrs. Mary A.
Woodbridge of,ohio. the recording secretary,
called the roll of officers and members and
read the report of the meeting of the execu-
tive committee, held yesterday in the Broad
way Tabernacle. The report was adopted.
Mrs. Frances Willard, the president of the
Women's Christian Temperance Union, de-
livered short speech, stating the object for
which the convention had been called, and
concluded by introducing General Neal Dow,
saying, GAS Gladstone is the grand old man
of England, General Neal Dow is the grand
old man Of America"
General Dow said, among other things,
that the only way to settle the liquor ques-
tion was by the ballot, and that he hoped,
with the assistance of the Women's Chris
tian Temperance Union, the liquor evil
would be suppressed. He was frequently
applauded.
Mrs. Monroe, of Xenia, Immediately on
the conclusion of Gen. Dow's speech took
the floor, and moved that all the resolutions
be referred to the committee on resolutions
without being read.
Mrs. Foster offered an amendment that all
papers be referred to the executive commit
tee without being read. The motion, with
the amendment was carried. Previous to
putting the motion, the President created
something of sensation by saying that she
was aware that some very Interesting pro-
tests would be presented. The delegates
from Iowa, it is said. will present a memori-
al asking that the Women's Christian Tenn
perance Union shall refrain from meddling
with politics.
Mrs. Willard, in her annual address, urged
the establishment by the State, of homes for
lncapacltles, such as confirmed inebriates
and victims of the tobacco, opium and
chloral habits She suggested that the con-
vention ask for the appointment of Mrs.
Elizabeth Thompson as one of ten peace
commissioners to be designated by the Pres
ldent. She discussed the political side of
temperance saying the Republican party,
according to the testimony of the brewer,
had done all that had been asked for the
brewing Interest, while the Democratic party
openly espoused the liquor traffic. The Pro-
hiblti0n party, was the party to sup
port. Mrs. Willard agued against the injus-
tlce OF the disfranchisement of women. The
Knights of Labor, she said, were the most
efficient body in the land for the protection
of women.
After recess Mrs. Caroline B. Buell., of
Connecticut, corresponding secretary, read
her annual report. In the United States
there are 958 unions, with a membership of
164.213; and 95S young ladies' unions with a
membership Of 21 ,27S; and 433 coffee houses.
The money received from local unions
amounts to $227,94S. There are now p
shape or another. The greatest increase in
membership was in New York, where 8757
new members were enrolled The reports
Of the superintendent of departments were
then read.
Mrs. Mary A. Livermore was admitted as
a fraternal delegate. Mrs. Turnbull spoke
on the work of the Woman's Christian Tenn
perance Union in Nova Scotia. Mrs. A.
2. Buckeville and Mrs. Minnie Phelps, all of
Canada, were also introduced and the last
made bright speech. There are 372 dele
gates in attendance.
At the evening session 5000 women were
in the building. Mayor Hewitt's appear
ance on the stage aroused demonstration.
The mayor was introduced by Miss Willard
as "a great and good man." He felicitously
replied welcoming the ladies to New York,
eulogizing their work, declaring his opinion
that the world is getting better every day,
announcing himself the friend of temperance
regardless of his need of votes just now and
crediting women with most Of the good done
in the world