The Delta independent., 1894-11-21
TEMPERANCE WOMEN.
WHITE RIBBoNERs SESSION
Opening of the Annual Coaveut on of the
Woman's Christian Temp rance Union
at Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland, Ohio, Nov. 1G.-Under
the national banner, "For God and
Home and Native Land" delegates rep
resenting every state in the union and
a following of thousands Of wearers of
the white ribbon, assembled this morn
ing in Music hall to open the twenty
first annual convention of the w. c.
T. U.
The convention was called to order a
few minutes before 10 o'clock. Miss
Willard raped sharply seven TINES
on the table in front of her Instantly
the big assembly came to order.
Seven raps for love hope and graf
itude," said Miss Willard.
You will notice that we're a little
behind time, but if you will get your
seats as quickly as possible, we will be-
gin our opening exercises. / will ask
Mother Thompson, Auntie Stewart and
Mrs. Monroe to read the crusade
psalm responsively with you"
The three ladies named rose and
stood with Miss Willard while the
psalm was read. verse by the audi
ence and Il verse by those on the plat
form. 1t was an impressive moment.
Then followed the singing of the cru
SADIE hymn, Rock of Ages" by the
entire convention. led by Mrs. Alice
Harrison of Boston, national superin-
tendent of music, and the great notes
OF the organ pealed above the voices
of the audience. There were probably
800 delegates present and the hall was
well filled with spectators. with the
exception of the upper galleries.
Rev. Francis Townsley of Nebraska
next led the convention in a fervcnt
prayer.
Miss Willard stepped to the front of
the platform and the first applause of
the convention was given and hand
kcrchiefs tiuttered in all parts of the
house. Miss Willard thanked the con-
vcnuon for the applause and then de
liyered her annual address.
In the course of hCF address. Miss
Willard referred to the non-partisan
w. C. T. U. and sent it greetings, with
the wish that the two great bodies may
come together
This expression was indorsed by the
convention with hearty applause.
Again. when Miss Willard spoke of
the defeat of Breckinridge. and the
disbursement of the Tammany tiger.
the applause was tremendous. The
mere mention of Lady Henry Somerset
evoked storm of applause.
After a vote of thanks to Miss VIII
lard, Miss Alice Harris. national super
intendent of music. sang the verses.
Throw the Life Line" the audience
joining in the chorus Then numerous
clblegramS and talegramS of greeting
were read by the secretary.
Mrs. I. NJ. Stevens. recording sec
rotary, presented her report.
The report of the corresponding sec
rctary stated that while nearly all
churches, missionary and charita BILE
societies mourn the deficit in finance
and the consequent cripplinE Of their
work, the w. G. T. L. comes 10 its an
nual meeting with increased member
ship. every bill paid. and n more COM
fortins balance in the treasury than
any previous year has shown. The
work in each state is detailed. The re-
suits in Kentucky are summed up in
just five words: Kentucky has defat-
ed Colonel Breckinridce." The report
concludes as follows: We have now 4
following Of between 100000 and 800
coo including the active paid-up mem
bcrship of the WS and Us. the honor
airy members and the loyal temperance
legion. which is the nursery of our or
canization.
The convention then took a recess
until . p. IN.
At the afternoon session the first or
der of business taken up after devo-
tional exercises was the report of the
treasurer. Miss Helen NJ. Parker
showing receipts from dues, Sli, ,I0i.99:
other contributions, S11 .32S.26: total.
S26,Ol9o2. Disbursements, S2o.33S. .0I :;
balance in treasury, SI.63llS. There
are no outstanding bills
The receipts of the year were in ex-
CcS< q sew raj previous years and the
dues showed an increase in paid-up
memberships over last year. This was
most cncourra -inG in view of the finan-
cial stress of the year. Besides the
receipts shown by treaSurer's books.
assets to the amount of S6.So0 had
been donated in interest bearing notes
and stock. but as they had not been
converted into cash had not entered
into account