Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-27

In retiring from the presidency OF the
union Mrs La Fetra has not left the cause
without a standard bearer and an able ad-
vocate. Mrs. Mary L. Griffith, the new
president, is native of Ohio, the great
crusade state. and was among the leaders
of the crusade bands In the winter of fs73
and IA, at the wonderful uprising OF the
women. when they went by scores into the
saloons Of all the cities and towns and on
their knees called upon God to deliver the
nation from the curse OF strong drink Mrs.
Griffith was among the most efficient ad-
vocates of the constitutional prohibitory
amendment for the state OF Kansas, and
shared in the great triumph OF its success
She was for years state superintendent Of
the evangelistic department of the Kansas
w. c. T. T.. and was a warm personal
friend of eX-Gov. and Mrs. ST. John For
five years she has been national organizer
Of the Woman's Home Missionary Society
of the NJ. E. Church. and as such has
brought into the treasury thousands of dol
lars through the auxiliaries which she has
organized. She is an able and effective
speaker and an instructive Bible reader and
has excellent executive ability. She is a
member of Foundry NJ. f. Church. this city.
Good FinancierinE
Before. however. the election was reached
the references In the minutes Of yesterdays
session to the balance Of S246 in the treas
ury gave rise to an agreeable interchange
of compliments. Mrs. La Fetra thought
that the ladies should receive a good deal
of credit for their financial management
while several delegates attributed the fat
ness Of the treasury to the ability Of Mrs
La Fetra, especially shown in her manage
ment of the lunch during the general ses-
sions Of the general assembly in this city
last May. After due need of credit had
been properly distributed the delegates felt
moved to sing, and so they arose and sang
Praise Cod Mrs. Elzabet Wright. who
has reached the advanced age Of ninety
two. was present in company with her
daughter, Mrs Moffett This fact was
called to the attention of the delegates by
Mrs. La Fetra, and Mrs. Wright was in
troduced to the convention.
Mrs. Schel then took the floor, ard In an
appropriate speech presented to Mrs. La
Fetra, the retiring president beautiful
palm, the gift of the ladies. Mrs. La Fetra
expressed her thanks not only for this evil
dence of good will, but also for the kind
ness and support which she had received at
their hands during the eight years that She
had held the office of president. She re-
viewed many OF the incidents of her pres
idency. and spoke of the prosperity which
the union has enjoyed and the great good
it has accomplished. When Mrs. Griffith
was elected president Mrs. La Fetra. in in
Producing her. said that she congratulated
the union on having a presiding officer
Of such marked ability and experience as
Mrs. Griffith. The new president was escort
ed to the platform by a committee. and
made an appropriate speech, expressing her
sense Of the responsibility which had been
ed. as follows: Corresponding secretary,
Mrs. s. NJ. Hartsock; recording secretary,
Mrs. Emma F. Shelton; treasurer, Mrs. S.
NJ Westcott; auditor. Miss Lizzie Kessler;
delegates to the national convention, Mrs.
s. d. La Fetra and Mrs. NJ. E. Cohen;
alternates, Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Williams
During the session an address was made
by Rev. Mr.. Lemon, pastor Of Gorsuch NJ
E. Church, and a letter regretting his in
ability to be present was read from Repre-
sentative Henry w. Blair. The convention
then adjourned for lunch.
The Afternoon Session.
At the session this afternoon number OF
reports Of department work were made
Mrs. ScheH who is in charge Of the de-
partment Of narcotics stated that the law
approved February It'll, 1891, forhidding the
sale of cigarettes or tobacco in any form
to any minor under sixteen years of age
was practically imperative, as 1t was i'm
possible to get the boys to tell where they
had purchased tobacco, and the penalty OF
the law applied only to the seller. How
ever, number of dealers observed the law
A report of the work of the flower mission
was made by Mrs Sallie Denham, and what
was done along evangelistic lines was de-
scrfbed in a report made by Mrs. j. Fl. Rob
inson.
At the close of the session the conven
ton finally adjourned.