Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-10-20
OF ORATORY
Fifteenth Annual Convention
 of the w. C. T. U.
MAYOR AEWlTT'S WELCOME


 tended and Interesting, but the Even-
 ing Meeting Was the Grandest Gathering.
 Many Eminent Speakers of Both Sexes.
 NEW YORK, Oct. oO.-The fifteenth annua! convention of the National Womans Chris tian Temperance union began yesterday morning in the Metropolitan Opera house, There were about 400 delegates present, rep feSenting every state ill the Union. Over fifty American flags hung from the boxes and tiers. The stage was decorated with banners appropriately inscribed with words familiar to temperance workers.
 Shortly after o'clock the devotional exer- cises, led by Mrs $. NJ. J. Henry, of Illinois, chairman of the evangelistic board were con- ducted. In the boxes were noticed Misses Cornelia A. Morehead A. Veeder, H. A. Rollins, Ellen NJ. Watson, Frances J. Barnes, J. Ellen Foster William T. Wardwell, GeIL Clinton E. Fisk and family, Mrs. Mary E. Young, Mrs E. F. Lord, Mrs W. E. Dodge, J. N. Stearns, Mrs. F. W. Greenwood, Miss Jennie Merrill, Mrs. H. J. Demarest, Mrs H. Frances Jones, Mrs. C. Pritchard, Mrs. Lillie Devereax Blake, Mrs. C. Breell, Mrs. Julia Thomas, MrE. George Gt- Hall, Mrs. Helen c. Rice, Ms. H. D. Wells, Mrs. T. M. Tomlinson, Miss Hattie 4. Seily, Neal Dow and daugh- ter, Mrs. Mary T. Bart, Mrs Seymour and many others well known for their devotion to the cause of temperance.
 After the prayer the popular president of tho w. c. T. IT., Miss Frances E. Willard called the meeting to order In q short speech she stated the objects of the conven- tion, and called upon all the delegates to render all the assistance in their power in carrying on the work of the meeting.
 Miss Willard took occasion to remark that at her side sat Mrs. Judge Thompson of Ohio, who had led the famous prayer band through that state in 1873, when several sa- looms were closed through her efforts and those of her colaborerS.
 Mrs. Thompson had with her the Bible she carried at the time of the crusade. Miss Will lard read the hymn that Mrs. Thompson sang on this crusade. Having little time to spare, Miss Willard said that she would now introduce to the convention the father of temperance in this country, Gen. Neal Dow, who made lengthy speech for prohibition. Miss Willard then delivered her annual ad- dress. The presidents address was received with tremendous applause, after which re- cess was taken.
 After recess the session was opened with prayer by Mrs. s. c. Acheson, of Texas, fol lowed by music, and Mrs. Caroline B. Buell. then read her report as secretary, which was full of gratifying information of the prog
 
 equally satisfactory report of the treasurer, Miss Esther Pugh, came next, and then the reports of the superintendents of depart ments of heredity, Mary Weeks Burnett, Of Illinois; health, Miss Mary Mather, of Della ware; kindergarten, Mrs. E. c. Green, of Vermont; scientific temperance instruction, Mrs. Mary H. Hunt, of Massachusetts; Sun day school work, Miss Lucia E. kimball, of Illinois; juvenile work, Mrs Helen G. Rice, IL higher education, Mrs G. s. Hunt, of Maine; social purity, Mrs. J. H. Kellogg of Mich igan; franchise, Rev. Anna H. Shaw, of Hi nois; parlor meetings, Mrs Anna NJ. Ham mer, of New Jersey; temperance literature, Miss Julia Coleman, of New York; suppress )ion of impure literature, Mrs. Deborah c. Leeds, of Pennsylvania All these papers were thorough and interesting, and showed that the union is taking advantage of all the aid that science can offer in conducting their important work of reducing the liquor evil of to-day, and raising a new generation to which it will be less familiar and formidable than to the present.
 Mary Livermore was admitted as frater- nal delegate. Mrs. Turnbull and Mrs Sted- man were introduced, and the former spoke on the work of the w. c. T. II. in Nova Scotia. Mrs. A. Randolph, Mrs Chipman. Mrs. Dr. Todd, Mrs. F. Buckevine and Mrs Minnie Phelps all of Canada, were intro duced and the latter made bright speech. At o'clock a recess was taken. There are 372 delegates in attendance.
 At the evening session the house was crowded, despite pouring rain It was esti- mated that 5000 women were in the building
 President Willard called the convention tt, order. Mrs. J. T. Mills of New Jersey con- ducted the opening exercises. Mayor Hewitt's appearance on the stage aroused demon stration. The mayor was introduced by Miss Willard great and good man, and made a felicitous speech, welcoming tle ladies to New York, eulogizing their work, declar- ing his opinion that the world is getting bet ter every day, announcing himself as friend of temperance, regardless of his need of votes just now, and crediting the women with most of the good that was being and had been done in the world. His honor was literally ap- plauded.
 Mrs. Mary T. Burt, president of the W. C. I. U. of New York, next spoke, welcoming the delegates and touching upon the general work of the organization.
 Gen. Clinton B. Fisk responded to loud calls of his name and made strong speech. though he is almost ill
 The convention then listened to number of speeches made in happy and hopeful mood by Miss Willard, Mrs. Baker, of Da- kota; Miss Henrietta G. More, of Ohio; Miss Fanny Barnes, of New York, and Rev. Anna Shaw, in the course of which clocks, flags and other testimonials were presented to the off1- eers of the union by the fair speakers.
 Ex-Governor St. John then made a brief speech, which was greatly appIauded. Pro- lessor Samuel Dickie, of the executive com mittee of the Prohibition party, also spoke The last and undoubtedly the best speech of the evening was made by Mrs Mary T. Lathrop, president of the w C. T. U. of Michigan, whose beauty, eloquence and logic captured the hearts and minds of all present as she outlined and championed the purposes of the w c. T. U. The meeting adjourned E1L
 Justice Matthews Improving.
 WASHINGTON, Oct. 20.-Dr. W. W. John son, Justice Matthews attending physician, says the alarming rumors published about