The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1895-05-31
Some After Thoughts.


Edifor Democraf.'
1t would be objectionable in this age
OF progression to offer you news OF the
state w. @. T. U. convention so long
after its adjournment, so shall not give
even an outline of the proceedings, but
simply say that it was the best managed,
most harmonious and most satisfactory
convention ever attended. Mrs. Kim
ney kept everything well in hand, fol-
lowing the order of business SO closely
as to adjourn the convention at the very
moment designated on the program.
The convention was invited by the Of
ficers of the Soldiers Home to visit tho
institution, and on Thursday evening
carriages were placed at the disposal OF
the ladies bv the citizens and they were
taken out. The drive of two miles is
beautiful one. The road crosses the
Umpqua river and winds along the foot
hills until it reaches a spot where the
valley widens, and here nestled at the
foot OF lofty hills is The Soldiers Home
The huiid .ng is three stories high, set up
on high basement. The style OF archi-
lecture is rather plain and substantial,
but there is sufficient ornamentation to
give it an elegant and imposing appear
anee.
We were met and cordially welcomed
by Superintendent Byars and wife, and
shown through the entire building. On
the first floor are situated the officers
and their families. On the second floor
are the sleeping apartments Of the OFF,
GERS, employees and some of the soldiers.
The third floor is used for the dor nitory,
where the larger number OF the soldiers
sleep. Each bed was covered with n
white spread and supplied with every
thing necessary for comfort, and ali the
rooms were very neat. clean and COM
fortably furnished, well lighted and
CHEEKY. The view from the windows in
the third story is particularly fine. In
the basement we found the dining rooms
for the soldiers, the kitchen, laundry fur
naces, ETC., everything complete and in
perfect order. 1t certainly is most
heartsome place, and the soldiers seem
TO appreciate their home most heartily.
They seem happy and contented. There
are 81 enrolled, some were absent on
furlough.
Mrs. Kinney addressed them in her
happiest manner, presented beautiful
boquet, and after singing a verse or two
OF song, the ladies retired. The state
has done herself honor in providing this
the best OF their lives in defense oil our
country, may spend the remaining years
IN peace and quiet.
The spirit OF harmony and gcod-iel-
lowship which peryaded the convention,
remained with the delegates and mani
Tested itself in many ways on the home
ward trip. IL was 4 jolly crowd that
waved adieus to the Roseburg ladies',
Snd as we steamed away voice rang out
in the words OF q familiar hymn, one
after another took up the refrain until
a full chorus OF voices '.made music in
the air." In the lull which followed the
musical outburss, Mrs. R. NJ. Robb edi-
fed the company by singing hymn in
Chinook; this was quickly followed By
song in Chinese by Mrs. VI. NJ. Blain,
and in answer TO her came another song
in the Yaimax language by Mrs. Croft.
Before the applause had subsidized Miss
Void sang wierd melody in the Sioux
tongue, this was followed by the count
ing OF numbers up TO l2, in the Pota-
watamie language, by Mrs. Mars;ers.
Mrs. Bishop gave her tribute in a plain
tive German song, and Ms. Shane add
ed TO the entertainment by recitation
In Italian, Mrs. Ramp, veteran among
Us, sang in her clear soprano, ''i'll vote
for Mollie and the Babies. don't you
Know. But il remained for our own
Mrs. Smick 20 ''cap the climax" which
she did by singing s song in the Pauuee
language. accompanied by the Indian
characteristics and gesticulaiions. and
the war-whoop she gave at the finale
brought every woman to her feet, and
almost made the hair on their heads rise
in expectation of the application of the
scalping knife. And so you see that
these earnest, faithful wemen who are
bending their energies for the protection
of the home against the liquor traffic,
can unbend occasionally, and when they
do, oh, what fun! II. B.