New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-20
POLITICS IN TEMPERANCE.
CHRISTIAN WOMEN USE THE METHODS OF
PROHIBITION LEADERS

HER FRIENDS SUBMIT GRACE
FULLY. BUT DO NOT YIELD
THEIR POSITION.
The Woman's National Christian Temperance
Union had splendid opportunity yesterday to re-
cover the ground il has lost since 1884, when IT
entered the political arena by making an alliance
With the Third party, but instead OF embracing
II, the leaders, assembled here in convention de-
eided to follow the fatuous course that President
Willard induced The organization 10 embark upon
four years ago. This decision was openly an
nounced by Miss Willard in her annual address,
and il was also involved IN the treatment OF the
memorial against the Unions partisanship sent
by the Iowa association, which was not even al
lowed to be read in the convention 10 be sure,
this was not done without an earnest and en-
phatic protest the part Of the minority, led oy
Mrs J. Ellen Foster, but IL was done, to the great
regret of many Of the Unions warmest friends
This action was taken at the opening session Of the
Unions fifteenth annual convention, which be-
gan yesterday in the Metropolitan Opera House.
II was taken quickly There was little debate,
for the majority were disposed to show their power
with unusual vigor and the chairman proved to
be q willing exponent of the Third party peoples
wishes in this respect.
The regular proceedings of the convention were
preceded by prayer-meeting conducted py MIS-
s. j. NJ. Henry, of Illinois When 1t was over
the $50 delegates, representing every State ana
Territory of the Union filed into the great audi
torium This they found nearly filed with spec
tators and decorated in the most patriotic manner.
Flags and the coats of arms of the various States
were hung in front of the boxes. Flowers, ever
greens and banners frightened up the stage. The
sneakers table had on it beautiful bouquets OF
white roses Near il stood the white banner OF
the Union.
LEADERS IN TEMPERANCE REFORM.
CONSPICUOUS leaders of the movement were
noticeable all over the house. as Miss Willard took
her place as presiding officer. At her right sat
Miss Pub the treasurer Of the organization, her
countenance beaming with earnestness and good
nature At the table with her was Miss Caroline
Buell., the tireless energetic corresponding secre-
tary Mrs. Woodbridge, who led the prohibition
amendment campaign in Ohio four years ago, sat
on the left of the president. She has been recoiu
ing secretary OF the Union for eight years The
stately figure Of Mrs Zerelda Wallace, mother of
General Lew Wallace, author OF Ben iiur, was
observed with pleasure among the western dele
gates She is at the head of the legal depart
ment Of the Union and is called the temperance
Deborah" by her sisters
Others seen were Mrs Mary T. Hunt. the super
intendent of scientific temperance instruction IN
the public schools and the first person TO SECURE
the passage of q temperance law through Con
gress; Mary A. Lvermore. one OF the Leading
spirits Of the Northern Sanitary Commission dur
L.
Maine ne Union, and Mrs Charles NJ Bowers, of
Massachusetts, are among the representatives from
New-En gland. Miss Mary Lathrop, whose ability
yos has t wSa l9r Sfa e Sg q talk
ing with the Rev DR.. Anna Shaw one oil the aplest
speakers in the Union r,,u..,, coa,.
Stanton occupy seats in the Women's Suffrage box
at the left of the stage. Mrs. Eliza D. Stewart, or
as she is more familiarity known, Mother
formal ton of the British Woman's Temperance
Union, and Mrs Thompson, who led the first
were the recipients of special honors on every
side Mrs. j. Ellen Foster, the leader OF the
element in favor of nonpartisanshp In the Union,
for the contest which she knows is sure TO come
Miss Sallie Chaplin, the leader of the Southern
Unions is detained on the way by sickness, but
Mrs; Clara Hoffman, the clear, Logical talker 81
the Missouri Union, takes her place. Mrs. Mary T.
Burt, the hostess of the assembly, occupies her
place at the head Of the New-York delegation:
Few men We're present. The stalwart figure OF
General Clinton b. Fisk was the most conspcu,
at first, for General Dow did not enter untll
the exercises had begun.
BEGINNING ACTIVE WORK.
Miss Willard opened the meeting promptly at
10 o'clock She did not state in her opening re-
marks that one of the chief objects of the convcn
ton was to help boom the Third party canvass
and thereby further the interests of the Democ-
racy, but she did later on in her annual address.
The roll was called co and The mo.t mn.
read Then General Dow, looking hale and
hearty despite his eghty-ive years. was intro
duced, and made brief speech eulogistIc OF the
Union and in favor Of his pet theme-Constitu-
tional prohibition
As soon as he sat down the fight of the day
began. IL was opened by Delegate Monroe of Hi
nois She offered a resolution in favor Of referr-
ing all resolutions, protests and memorials 10
the proper committees without allowing them TO
was an effort 10 throw Mrs. Fosters case out Of
court altogether. 50 far as the convention itself
was concerned, No one realized this quicker
than the Iowa leader. She on her feet in an
instant and protested in the most vigorous man
ner against such an action thus ignoring the
memorial from great State ike Iowa She
offered amendment that resolutions be sent TO
the committee either read or unread The justice
of this too evident for the most violent Third
party people to ignore, and it was passed But
when The original motion came up the friends Of
Miss Willard rallied In her favor,
In vain did Mrs. Foster and Mrs Aldrich, Of
Iowa, protest against the motion, which would
debar the auxiliary State Unions from the priv- |
lege Of being heard in the National Convention
Miss Willard was determined to have it pass, and
her followers carried out her will The vote stood
PA 70 49, The majority cheered the undismayed
minority accepted the result philosoPhically. Some
OF them at first were in favor of boiling but the
more conservative leaders deemed such course
unwise. They will not give up the fight though |
by any means What their future course will |
be, Mrs. Foster was not prepared 10 state last |
that the Prohibition Campaign Committee s'o has
complete control Of the convention.
STILL ANOTHER BREEZE IN THE OPERA HOUSE. |
There was another breeze when Mrs Weeks. Of |
Pennsylvania. offered resolution TO amend the |
bylaws by striking out the section which de-
ciares that action any resolution |
referring TO the attitude of the Union |
IN regard TO political matter be taken |
without debate The motion took the delegates
BY surprise. There was a brief silence and then
Mrs. Foster arose TO speak in favor OF it, Before
She could do SO. however, the previous question
was called. and the chairman decided that Mrs
Foster must remain silent, and the order Of the
day wds accordingly taken up. After Miss
Wizards speech which was characterized by AT
taclSs on Warner Miller and the Republican party
the COW ention took
On reassembling at o'clock, the secretary and
treasurer submitted their annual reports. These