The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1894-04-06

per cent. reduction in wages, which went
into force some time ago. All the knit
goods mills, except Charles Cooper &
Sons, are running, some nearly their
full capacity and Others only small por-
ton of their machinery. 1t is reported
tilat the large establishment of Charles
Cooper & Son is preparing to start. 1t
was a sad blow to the hopes of a local
manufacturer who received short time
ago an order for 100000 worth of goods,
and had the order cancelled day or two
'afterward Something is being done in
building lines, and several houses will
shortly be commenced which will be
among the best contributions of recent
years to BenningtoIl's architectural
beauty. The people have passed com
fortably through the winter, the number
of cases assisted by the town not having
been much in excess of that in ordinary
times. With the mills preparing. for
larger operations, with more or less
building and repairing going on and with
the early resumption of nearly all out
door occupations, the outlook for more
work at better wages is encouraging"
THE Catholic total abstinence move
ment in America is of larger proportions
than the casual reader and thinker imag-
ines. We have not the statistics at hand
but the figures run up into the hundred
thousands. In Unions and Father Mat
thew T. A. B. Societies these young men
are a power for good, and we have often
had occasion to allude to the work of
the local society. Next Wednesday
evening. the Rev. J. +. Leonard of West
field, Mass, is to lecture in Library hall,
in the interest of these societies. Father
Leonard is one who has devoted years to
this work and our people should turn
out and hear him. The Catholic Total
Abstinence Union has a publication
house and some of the most effective
tracts on the subject of temperance, we
have ever seen, are prepared by that
bureau. We assure our people that total
abstinence with these Unions is more
than sentiment, it is religious duty.
1t is hoped that Bishop Michaud, will,
also, be present. Following the public
lecture at the hall, the Society have in
vited number of our citizens to partake
of banc net, spread in its hall, corner of
North and River streets, where post
prandials will be in order. Some of the
tracts, alluded to above, published in
the interest of this movement, have these
titles: "Alcohol is health destroyer"
"Why am total abstainer," LET us
save our country" "Join the G. T. A.
movement" 1.-THE church is against The
saloon" 'The saloon is against the
church" "The drink habit" etc. Come
and hear Father Leo2ard on the vital
subject of total abstinence.
AT the session of the Second Congre-
gatlonal church Sunday school, last Sun
day, the annual reports were read, and
from them we learn that this organiza-
ton is in very prosperous condition.
After making the revision of the roll for
the year, the statistics are as follows:
scholars in main department, 255; in in
FAINT classes, 80; teachers, 80; officers, not
otherwise counted, Z; total of 372; gain
of 80 members. In the primary depart
ment the enrolment for the year stands:
total for the year, "a; new pupils, 81;
transferred to main department, IL; left
town, q; leaving the number 80, as
above. There have been 81 regular ses-
sions, with total attendance of 10000,
or an average of 1914 1852 for each Sun
day during the year. Not alone has the
interest in the parent school been worthy
of note, but in the branches have they
been wonderfully blessed. The Guide
Board school has been maintained at an
expense of S3S.03, and the secretary &C.
knowledges the very liberal donations of
Mr.. Seymour Van Santvoord, S25, and
Messrs. j. H. Loring & Company, $40,
both made in view of the good work at
that point. Seventeen have been adj
mitted to the church from the Sunday
school, and have died. The old board
of officers were reelected last evening,
with one change, as follows: S. B.
Hawks, superintendent; G.. NJ. Rowell,
assistant superintendent; Theo. Thomas,
secretary; II. D. Fillmore eleventh cleo
tom; treasurer; DIN Scott, auditor; E.
II. Thomas, librarian; Mrs. Geo. w.
Keeseman, orsanist; Miss Mary Rawson,
assistant.