Mississippi leader. (Jackson, Miss.) 1892-1895, 1893-05-09
TUE LOUISIANA w. e. r. 4.
Ncucd at Lake Charles, On Thurs
day, April Goth. 1898.

ted the spacious hall with tioWerS.lnOSS.
evergreens, pictures and United States
flags which last think was rather in
appropriate, for as long as the stars
and stripes protect the liquor traffic,
we, as Prohibitionists. should make
them conspicuous by absence" at our
conventions, lectures, etc. On Thurs
day morning our efficient President,
Mrs. Mary Read GoOdalc, was in the
chair, and called the convention to or
der promptly at 9 o'clock. After devo-
tional exercises the roll was called by
Mrs f. \. White, recording secretary.
Seventy-siX delegates answered here.
Committees were appointed and then
Mrs Alice NJ. Fable. of New Orleans.
corresponding secretary. reviewed the
years work. And encouraging. indeed
was it to hear of the advance made all
along the line. We have some loo
women engaged in W. c. L. L. work.
10 departments of work are carried on,
an increase of two since last cOnven-
ton. The women all over the State
are awakening and enlisting i'll the
work, organizing new Unions and Keep
ing them ut trOrk, but many, many are
kept back by their devotion TO conSer-
vative ways and ideas and others 10y
(let me whisper it, the redicule and
opposition of their husbands with II
very small "h.J" One distinguished
feature of the convention was the fact
that every meeting, day or night. was
both opened with and closed by devo-
tional exercises; different lady lead
ing each time: so the women are be
coming educated to lift up their voices
in prayer to God IN pubHc. On Thurs
Il ,,xl,% 81 cd
dresses of welcome by representatives
of different local organizations. all of
which were beautifully responded to
by Mrs White. Then came our prcSi-
dents able and comprehensive annual
address. Thursday evening the hospi-
table people of Lake Charles rendered
the convention pleasant excursion on
the Lake to the sugar refinery and
other near points of interest. Friday
morning the District Presidents report
ed: also Department superintendent
gave in their reports; all of which were
exceedingly interesting. but too long
for detailed account. Mrs. Mitchell,
superintendent of the department of
"Unfermented Wine" reported that
nearly all colored ministers were will
ling to use unfermented wine com
munion) when so requested, but alas
the white ministers were not nearly 80
ready to admit the truth of the argu-
ments in its favor nor to adopt its Use
when urged to do so. Our president
urged the young women to take up
physical Culture and said that Miss
Baer. state superintendent. was anxious
that two young women study under
her that they might take positions as
lectures. trainers. etc. Friday night
Mrs. Wells. one of our national organ
izers. made a fine address which was
listened to with perfect quiet and at
tentiOn by a crowded house Of men and
ladies.
Friday evening delightful excursion
down the lake was enjoyed by the en-
tire convention. The Lake Charles
people were determined that we should
enjoy our stay among them, and this
excursion was a most successful effort
on their part to that end. Saturday
morning back to business we went.
The delegates from local unions were
then allowed three minutes talk, and
very interesting and amusing they
were, though some were too modest to
do themselves justice. One lady who
had influenced her husband to stop the
sale of liquors either by wholesale or
retail in any of his establishments
land that too when country grocers or
dealers in general merchandise think
they will literally starye if they do not
sell liquor failed to say word about
her grand success. Now surely wOy
man who can report I've converted
my husband to my way of thinking and
dctiHg' ought to do so to encourage
others and to do justice to herself. for
a better accomplishment she could not
report. | wish every politician could
have been present at the election Of
officers. Such order, such good feel
ing, such correct parliamentarianism
yet plenty of electioneering and en-
thuSiam.
Wevoted conscientiously and elected
an able staff of officers for the ensuing
year as follows:
President. Mrs Mary Read GOrdale. !
of Baton Rouge; Vice President, Mrs. |
H. Pharr, of Morgan City Correspond |
ing Secretary, Mrs. A. N. Fable. of |
New Orleans; Recording Secretary, /.
Mrs. E. A. White. Monroe; Treasurer, |
Mrs. S. A. Knapp, of Lake Charles.
Eighty-nine delegates were present
on Saturday morning and voted. In
the evening memorial service was
by Mrs. Lyons, of New Or
leans, in memory of Mrs. E. P. Ward,
our late recording secretary: also of
Madame Willard or Mary Allen West
and Miss Jennie Cassidy. Saturday
night was given to the "Ys," and very
entertaining programme was given by
them. Miss Susie Lyons presided.
Several songs from Miss Annie Grant.
of New Iberia, were highly appreciated
and loudly applauded.
The music at all of the meetings was
most enjoyable. Mrs. liable was fire.
quently requested to sing and always
acquiesced. Her sweet, feeling songs
sank deep into the hearts of many.
Rev. H. w. May. of the NJ. f. Church,
South, kindly rendered the use of his
pulpit to the convention Sunday morn
ing at which time Mrs. Wells made
mastery address on the subject
"Christ the Emancipator of Women"
Sunday evening was given to the child
rem. Mrs. Gordale conducted the
meeting at the court house and most
attentive and quiet did the little peo-
pie prove as they listened to her words
She organized a Loyal Temperance
Legion" with 102 members. Sunday
night Mrs. Wells again addressed a
crowded house, her subject being
Gospel Politics. She advanced many
new ideas upon old themes. With
clasped hands the delegates sang,
"Blest be the tie that binds" afterward