Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-01-30
THE NATIONAL CRUSADERS
Title of the Nen-Partisan 0rganiza-
ton of the W. C. t. {.
The Constitution Adopted Amid Great
Enthusiasm.
Whittier Encourages the Members in
Their Chosen Work.

for the purpose of organizing National
Woman's Christian Temperance Union
are doing their work with great delibera-
ton
\ letter was read from John G. Whit
tier, IN which he said In part: Il have
always regretted the action of thew. c. t.
U. IN taking partisan position. | do
not, by any means, impeach the motive of
the noble and devoted women of that or.
ganlzation. but | have seen no good ac
complished by their separate political
action. hope the non-partisan temper
ance workers will not waste their time and
strength In combating political organi
cation but to go forward In their own way,
which | think is the best way, and so far
as can see, the only one likely to accom-
plish the great object of the temperance
effort.
The constitution provides that the or
ganization shall be known as the Ameri-
can Woman's Christian Temperance
league. One section declares that no Off
Ger shall pledge the support of the organi-
zatlon to any political party, or to any
religious sect. Any temperance society
can become auxiliary by signing the con-
stitutiOn. Annual meetings are to be held
In November, and the members of the exc
cutive committee will not be permitted to
vote thereat. The name caused much dis
cusss1on, and was finally agreed to, and
all the remaining sections were adopted.
The section which provides that the or
ganization shall be non-partisan and non
sectarian was agreed to by standing
vote, many of the ladies waving their
handkerchief.
At the afternoon session, after some dis
cussion, pledge was engrafted IN the
| constitution, as follows:
Il hereby solemnly promise, God help
ing me, to abstain from all distilled, fer
mented and malt liquor, including wine
and cider, as beverage, and to discourage
the use of and traffic IN the same.
The name, American Women's Chris
tlan Temperance League, adopted at the
morning session, was short-lived. The new
society will march onward under the name
Of National Crusaders.
Shortly after the opening of the after
noon session Mrs j. Ellen Foster arose
and moved the vote by which name the
organization had been fixed, be reconsider
ed. Mrs. Aldrich, of Iowa, seconed the
motion, and a lengthy discussion followed.
Mrs. Foster said the name of the New
Crusaders had been suggested and added
that the ladies who proposed it agued that
it is short and will attract attention by its
newness.
Miss Doty, of Cleveland, said she was
unwilling to he called New Crusader, >
for she had been one for fifteen
years. Reconsideration was ordered
and Mrs. S. Cowles, of Ohio,
: offered the name National Crusa-
ders" Mrs. Aldrich of Iowa, wanted
it made National Women's Christian
Crusaders If she had her way, she said
that she would make it Gross Aiders"
instead. She wanted to save the words
christian, Women and Temper
ance, which had been so long identified
with the movement. Mrs. Shortledge, of
Pennsylvania, said that she wanted name
entirely distinctive from the old party,
from which they were obliged to with
draw. After further discussion, Mrs.
Aldrich moved to call the organization
the National Crusade Alliance but
this was rejected. The name National
Crusaders was then adopted by viva
voce vote, and the preamble and constltu-
ton readopted.
In reply to a question as to the esti-
mate of expenses for the ensuing year,
Mrs. Foster said that it would require
about $4,000 to conduct the affairs during
that time This includes the salaries OF
81 200 each to the president and general
secretary, and about the same to the fnan-
cial secretary, besides which approprla-
tions are needed for the recording secre-
tary, heads of departments and national
organizer. On motion of Mrs. ShOrtledge
the convention then proceeded to the cleo
tion of officers.
Mrs. Lydia P. Tilton, of the District of
Columbia, said: Il nominate a woman
for president who has been general In
this army, leader whom God called to en-
courage us to stand for the principle of
-partisanship, woman to whom more
than any other man Or woman, grand
state owes its constitutional prohibition OF
the liquor traffic Only woman who has
been so recognized as wise leader, that a
senatorial committe of the United States
congress invited her to advise them on
temperance legislation. This woman
more than any other represents the silent
majority of workers. | nominate j. Ellen
Foster, Of Iowa.
Mrs. Foster arose and spoke briefly
She said she had never shirked any duty.
She had always stood where bullets were
thi3kest but she could no longer stand out
as picket God only knows how | re-
joice in this day but | cannot be your
president. I want to hold up the tenn
perance pledge on the platform and work
for the prohibition of the liquor traffic and
I can do more good on the platform. If
you love me do not write one ballot for
me. (Applause.l
Mrs. Walker, of Minnesota, said that
she wanted to nominate the sweetest, gen
tlest and best of women, Mrs. Ellen c.
Phinney, of Ohio. Mrs. Campbell, of
Pennsylvania, and Mrs Aldrich, of Iowa,
seconded the nomination. Mrs. Phinney
attempted to speak, but her remarks were
drowned by applause Miss Dotty placed
the name of Mrs. Aldrich, of Iowa,
in nomination. We cannot afford. she
said, to spare Mrs. Phinney from her
task. Mrs. Vogel, of Illinois, seconded
the nomination of Mrs Aldrich. The in
formal ballot resulted: Mrs. Phinney, 100;
Mrs Aldrich, 81; Mrs. Campbell, 20.
Mrs Phinney expressed thanks and
hoped the formal ballot would be cast for
Mrs. Aldrich On motion of the latter
lady, however, the informal ballot was de-
clored formal and Mrs. Phinney was elect
ed. 1t is possible that she will resign be-
fore the close of the convention. Mrs.
Walker, of Minnesota. was nominated
for vice president by Mrs. Eos
ter. and was elected without OPP
position. 1t was decided to postpone
the election of the other officers until to-
morrow. The invitation of the nOn-par-
tisan W. c. T. Q. of Cleveland. to the ma
tional crusaders to establish their head
quarters in Cleveland was accepted and
the president and general secretary will be