The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-04-15
Temperance men meet
They Discuss Many Live Topics Bear
ing on Their Work.
NATTER OF LADIES' SOCIETIES
Reasons Why There Is Opposition to
Their rFOrmation-Speak Easics Arc De.
clarcd to he the Deliberate Foes
of the Temperance Movement.

Questions bearing on the cause Of
temperance were discussed with much
warmth Of opinion and vigorous ex-
preston of views by the delegates from
the various total abstinence societies
| of the Second district of the Scranton
Diocesan union at the ninth quarterly
| convention held yesterday afternoon at
st. Pauls armory on West Lackawan-
ma avenue. j. c. Gallagher, presiding
officer OF the district, called the con-
vention to order at 2.30, and the usual
opening prayer was said Every society
of the district was represented by five
delegates and a very worthy feature
was the presence of a large number Of
young ladies as representatives of their
societies.
| Rev. ID. Fl. Green, assistant priest of
st. Joseph's parish, Minooka, was there
and was accorded the position of honor
on the platform. Presiding Officer
| Gallagher introduced Father Green to
| the delegates and the reverend gentle
man responded with an address that
contained words of encouragement and
assurance. Father Green bespoke sue
cess and prosperity for the organization
that attends to the education of the
youth in the glorious cause of temper
ance.
Flow OF OrntOry.
Under the head of unfinished business
the question whether or not the Ladies'
Temperance societies are a benefit was
introduced for discussion. Delegates
Noon, McCaffrey and Lavelle opened up
with speeches in favor of the ladies,
and the question got along without in
cident until NJ. ]. O'Toole asked Dele
gate Cullen why the ladies' society con-
nected with st. Johns society of the
South Side had disbanded. The an
swer came that the weaker sex were
held up to ridicule and could not stand
the taunts and gibes of scoffers.
Delegate Mulherin, of Pine Brook,
felt that the organization of ladies'
societies would conduce to the success
of the mems society. If that is not
fact then the delegate would not be in
favor of the ladies' societies, because
he had a higher opinion of them than
to think that they needed to band to-
gether for self-preservation.
is wanted is not drunkards, but mod
crate drinkers. There are Kelley cures
for the former Mr.. Cullen wanted to
see the woman organized in the move
ment for the example they would show
They Have Great Influence.
Delegate Lavelle, from the south
Side, said that it would take team
of oxen to yank some persons into the
temperance ranks, and he noticed that
many thus disposed were as tractable
as doves when the young women took
an interest in temperance work. Dele
gate Purcell, of Green Ridge, put forth
the assertion that the women are just
as sadly in need of reform as the men.
Mr.. O'Toole thought that the conven-
ton was evolving itself into a sort of
mutual admiration feast If you in
quire into the work of the Women's
Christian union, he said, it will be
found that the organization is a power
| for good. In some of thSs western
states, according to Mr.. O"Toole, the
enfranchisement of women has shown
what they are capable of doing and in
several other states where the freedom
of the ballot Is soon promised to the
weaker sex the good use thy will make
of it, will answer the calumnies and
aspersions that have been cast against
them. Give the women a chance, ad-
vocated Mr.. O'Toole, and they will
prove themselves equal to the trust.
He moved to postpone the question in
definitely. and the convention agreed
to the motion.
Speeches from Visitors.
d. ]. Campbell, Of this city, and John
II. Foy, of Pittston, entered the hall
and were escorted to a place on the
platform. Mr.. Campbell was called
upon for a speech and addressed the
assemblage in an eloquent manner. Mr.
Foy was called on to make a few re-
marks. The temperance men, Mr.. Foy
said, are engaged in the noblest work
in the land. He was glad to see the
ladies assisting in the work. He be-
lieves that a young man puts forth the
best evidence of his character when
he shows that he is sober.
The question concerning the greatest
drawback in each vicinity to the cause
Of total abstinence was next discussed.
The secretary called the role of dele
gates and representatives from each
society stood up and gave their opin-
ions. Mr. Purcell, of st. Johns society,
that the irrepressible "speak-easy" is in
his locality the most deliberate foe that
had to be contended against Delegate
James Mahon. of the South Side,
thought that there ought to be more
earnest and energetic work among the
members to induce men to join and hold
those that are already in the ranks.
President John H. Devine of the Dio-
cesar union, spurred the officers of the
societies to greater effort, and his re-
marks called from Conductor p. j. Mes
sitt. of the South Side, and vice-Presi-
dent Cullen, of the district, prompt
queries, asking Mr.. Devine to be more
specific, and If he knew of any back
sliding to report it. They told Mr.. De-
vine to tell what he knows about Off
GERS who do not do their duty and Mr..
Messitt, in his advice ITO the first officer
of the Diocesan union, rose to high
pitch of eloquence.
MinoOka nOws the Speak Easy.
Peter F. Cuslck, of Minooka, COM
planned that the unlicensed grog shop
is not an unknown quantity in that vii
lage, and in st. Joseph's society, of
which he is a member, Mr.. Cusick said
that the old men are not in favor of any
amusement that would tend to. make 1t
pleasant for the young men, which
would tend to keep the young men to-
gether.
Mr.. Martin, under the head of new
business, made a motion that the off,
GERS of the district be authorized to
correspond with the pastors Of the city,
with a view toward organizing cadet
societies. The otion did not prevail.
NJ. II. Burke, of Carbondale, read let