Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1891-11-12
THE WHITE RIBBON.
First Convention of the
Worlds W. c. T.U.
ALL NATIONS REPRESENTED
Re-elestion and Reconsecration Of
Miss Willard as President.

Boston, Nov. 12.-Faueuil Hall, per-
haps, never held n nlDre significant group
than that o. whltc-r.uboued women who
gathered about their leader, Frances VIII
lard, yestc. 'ay, " Cn {. g first convention
of the Wor.H's Wuman's Christian Tenn
perance Un,un was opened, with represen-
tives present from nearly forty different
countries.
The exercises opened with the singing of
the crusade foundation hymn, Rock Of
Ages" aud the reading OF the crusade
psalm, after which Lady Henry Somerset,
president Of the British Woman's Temper.
ance Association, made the address OF
welcome, rejoicing in the work accom-.
plished. encouraging the workers in the
work 10 be done.
and the adoption Of the constitution was
followed by the various reports.
At 2:30 O'Clock Miss Willard raped with
her white-rhboned gavel, aud Mrs. j. X.
Barney OF Rhode Island
Opened the session
with prayer. Reports were then received
from various committees, those Of the diff
ferent departments If work being com.
bined for presentation 10 the national con-
vention, which opens tomorrow in Ire
mont Temple.
Miss Esther Pugh, the treasurer in the
report stated that in the four years Of the
unions existence the receipts had been
$l,76994, and the expenses had been So
339 90. the deficit having been met by the
treasury Of the national union. and by the
worlds Offering
Miss Willard made an earnest speech in
favor Of Lady Henry Somerset as presi-
dent, to when Lady Henry replied by tell
ing Of the newness Of the work in Eng
land, and her belief that for he present the
headquarters should remain in America
She then took the chair, and the Dalloting
for president resulted in the election Of
Miss Willard, who was conducted to the
chair amid the enthusiastic greetings Of
the entire assemblage.
Miss Willard spoke q few bright words,
which relieved the tension OF feeling, tell
ing Of the wonderful growth OF the white
ribbon work.
Mrs. Barney of Rhode Island came for
ward to voice the deep-felt emotion Of the
hour, and, after few words of exhorta-
tion there came the ceremony OF the
Laying OF Hands"
upon Miss Willard, who knelt in the CEN
ter OF the platform with the other officers
kneeling around her, while the prayer Of
conservation was made by Hannah Whitail
Smith. Mrs Barney gave the benediction
at the close.
Mrs Mary Clement Leavtt, first all-the-
world-round missionary, and correspond
ing secretary of the Worlds w. G. II. u,
was then presented, having been made
first honorary president OF the union. Mrs
Ieavltt gave description of her travels in
fOrty-threo different countries, and an
nounced her departure FIR another triu
around the world ut the close Of the ma
tional convention.
Other Officers Elected.
Lady Henry Somerset was then made
vice-presjdeut AT large: and further cleo
tions were made OF Miss Anna Gordon OF
Illinois as secretary for term of two
years, and Of Mrs. NJ +. Williams OF. Mon
treal as treasurer.
Lady Henry Somerset then offered the
following res luton which was adopted:
Resolved that the executive committee of
the Worlds w G. l. L. be instructed to for
muate a petition TO the English government
against lndia's opium traffic, and 10 the gov
ernments of the country against the liquor
traffic on tho Congo.
Hannah Whitall Smith offered the fol-
lowing resolution:
We deplorc the introduction Of the English
barmaid system into certain towns, and wher-
ever the system has been 80 introduc we
call upon the municipal authorities TO forbid
the continuation of a custom so debasing to
women.
The remainder Of the afternoon was
passed in reports from delegates. among
those speaking being Miss Gibson of
France, Nine. Angeline of Italy, Miss
Campbell Of South Africa, Mrs Love of
Australasia, and Mrs. Peters of Newfound-
land The convention adjourned at late
hour in the afternoon.