The record-union., 1894-04-28
NED MURPHY AND WIFE.
Their Unique Temperance Campaign
In the New England States.

In the New England states.
Hurper'S Weekly contains an interest
ing sketch of Thomas Edward Murphy
and his wife. the well-known temperance
workers, from which the following ex-
tracts are taken
The story of "Ned' Murphy's cam
paign in Connecticut, now about a year
old, can be told briefly so far as mere
figures can tell it. The total number of
pledge signers is about $1,000. This army
of blue ribbon wearers is thus distributed
among the principal cities of the State !:
New Haven, 1900; Hartford, l5.000;
Waterbury, 10000; Meriden. 5000; New
Britain, 5000; Winsted. l,50O. The re-
naming thousands are distributed among
the smaller towns, especially manufactur-
ing places, which have been visited en-
route, sometimes only for single night.
While it is no doubt true that very large
percentage of these blue ribbon wearers
are women, children and men who
were, in the real sense of an abused
word, moderate drinkers" +" it is also true
that very large number Of them were
incipient drunkards, and workingmen
who drank to excess, wasting the money
needed for support of their families. The
persistence of the Murphy sentiment alter
Murphy has gone is attested by the fact
that New Britain, city of over 20, ,000;
South Manchester, where are the big
Cheney silk mills, and East Hartford, all
voted mo Iicense'' at the recent election,
largely owing to the indirect influence of
his work.
The word ''indirect' is used advisedly.
1t is one of the wonders of the Murphy
campaign that 1t raises no tissues" and
avoids antagonisms. 1t can be monopo-
lized by no party or sect. Its platform is
broad enough for Catholic and Protestant,
priest and minister, to stand on it side by
side. 1t permits no denunciatiOn of the
moderate drinker'-though he may at
times be strongly argued with-and for
bids abuse even OF the saloonkeeper.
The Murphy movement is a revolution of
intolerance, viewed in the light of the
usual temperance agitation.
The charm of Murphy's complete in
formality grows constantly. He treats
his audience as one big family and enters
upon all sorts of personal details. His
favorite climax, Isn't that so, Maggie?"
at first CRATES unpleasantly, especially
when one looks at Mrs. Murphy, quiet,
attractive, well-dressed, well-bred little
woman. But soon one comes to take it
as the most natural thing in the world,
and appreciates how, without that ia
miliarity. the whole effect might be
missed. And, indeed, Mrs. Murphy is
herself a great factor in her husbands
success. She "keeps tab" on all his
him and by warning or encouraging
glance restrains or directs him when he
is seemingly most at the mercy Of the
spontaneous movings of his own spirit.
Coming from home of wealth and re-
finement in Pittsburg, the daughter of
Captain Vandegrift Of the United Pipe
Line Company, Mrs. Murphy shows a
devotion to her husband and to the cause
which has in it a touch of romance, and
which draws many hearts to her. 1t
seems impossible to imagine Murphy or
the Murphy movement without her
quiet, effective, gracious aid.
1t is now some ten years since "Ned'
Murphy began his unique career. While
acting as his fathers Secretary during a
tenn perance campaign in England-then
mere boy of something over 20-the
father was called suddenly away, leaving
him to do the work alone. His whole
stock in trade was one set speech, al
ready delivered. There was nothing for
him to do but to throw away speechify-
ing and to ''get up and talk" He found
that he could talk" and with a few In
tervals devoted to private business he
has been talking" on temperance ever
since.