The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-03-12
The New sNonnies.n

EDITORS OF PRESS AS readers of the PRESS
know, certain mon partisan" ladies, under the
leadership of Mrs. j. Ellen Foster, of Iowa,
who, last fall. seeded from the National W. c.
T. U e, met in this city about five weeks ago, and
with great flourish of trumpets. formed new
W. c. T. u, with the very popular adjective
" Nom Partisan" before the foregoing initials
These good ladies see grave danger to the tenn
perance cause because the orig inal or.N ational
". C TT expresses its sympathy with the
Prohi bition party. Mrs Foster and her follow
ers know that the old W. c. I. U. lends Its IN
fuence to the Republican party in Kansas, Iowa
and the Dakotas, because the Republican party
in those States is committed to Prohibition. ii
the Democratic party in those States was COM
mtted in like manner, it would also receive the
influence CT the original w. c. T. U. In short,
the National w. IT U. stands By all parties
that stand by the home. Where, then. does hon
esty come in when it is continually charged
with being "partisan?'' The statement is un-
true This compound word-"Non-Partisan''-
makes a very smoothly lined glove in which to
thrust the iron hand of partisanship.
There was considerable discussion in the
''Nonnie" meeting in this city as to what name
the mon partisan" W CT. U should sail under
Successfully, it was thought TO call it the "Wo-
mans Christian Temperance Alliance" ""Wo-
mans Christian Temperance Association" )" the
american WomAn's Temperance League" and
the National Crusaders Finally, it was re
solved to work under the name of 1.-The Nom
Partisan W C. T. u" This gave satisfaction
1t had just enough of the business end'' of
wasp to suit. Every time that sweet and unc-
tuous word as used, a Haunted falsehood was
heard
In this meeting Mrs. Foster in no way com
promised her reputation as a agacious lawyer
and far sighted politician. This was manifest
ed in her declination of the office of president.
l predict that this year she will be elected to
that office. You see. it wouldn't do to have the
newly born non partisan w. G. t. U. too bald,
and no wig at hand. That would look like Re-
publican partisanship. and such many think it
is. If it be not, why was this movement so
heartily praised by every Republican news
paper from Maine to Texas? The sweetness of
these editorials was sickening. and their same
ness powerful protest against the literary sin
Of tautology.
1t must be remembered that Mrs. Foster is no
new hand at non-partisan [Republicanl work.
In 1885 the Foster Dorchester Non Partisan
League'' was formed. The G. o. P" press
Landed this organization to the skies. 1t even
received praise from some saloonists. At least
three -fourths of all the publications issued by
this non-partisan [Republican1 crowd were
aimed at the Prohibition party-a party hated
by Republicans worse than the devil is said to
hate holy water. Here is the sequel of Mrs.
Fosters first work in forming a .partisan
Republican organization. Mrs. Fosters hus-
band and DR.. Dorchester have each been ep-
pointed by the present administration to a 81 OUO
position. That's the kind of non partisan work
that pays. So Mrs. Foster PROBABLY thinks.
Al.:-
&c. o. P" grand boost for 1892, and thereafter
quietly secure $4,000 Office for her cipher
husband.
In some organizations it has become quite
fashionable for minorities to kick. Last No
vember there were 4i6 delegates in the annual
National W. Z. T. u" convention. When the
vote for president was taken. Miss Willard re-
ceiVed 43O votes; j. Ellen Foster g.; scattering,
Z. Mrs. F. got vote to Miss W. 47
On page IS Of appendix to National Minutes
tW. 7. U for 1881. Mrs. Foster is reported as
saying:
Prohibition legislation. national and state
can only be permanently secured through the
agency of political party making this its central
idea; we hail with thankful hearts such polit
ical organizations in late and nation" Italics
Mrs Foster'sl
Many. think Mrs. F. sold out to the Republi-
can party 1884 for more than thirty pieces of
silver.'' Is there not grea5 reason to think so?
PICA.
CLEVELAND March 1890