Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1896-10-22
WHITE RlBBONERS.
The State W. G.. T. q. Convention
in Session.
OPENING SESSION TUESDAY.
Many Delegates Here and an Interesting
Program is Prepared for the Re-
mainder of the Week.

The twenty-third Annual Convention
of the Women's Christian Temperance
Union, of New Jersey, is being held in
Central M. E. Church this week.
Tuesday was opening day of the ses-
sion, and nearly all of the three hundred
delegates that are to be present arrived
in the afternoon and on the evening
trains.
The Reception Committee was busy in
the afternoon assigning the delegates to
their places. They will sleep and have
breakfast at the different homes in the
city, but will take dinner and tea at the
spacious store room of Mr.. Pancoast, on
North Laurel street.
The town is full of white ribboners and
delegates from all over the State are
present. Every county in the State is
represented, all carrying the banner of
their respective county at the head of
their delegation.
Fourteen years ago, the w. c. T. q.
held their State Convention in this city.
but had not such fine edifice to hold it
in as now. Since that time the Conven-
ton has grown much larger and stronger,
and the Bridgeton branch has kept to-
gether and made great headway in past
years, until now Cumberland county is
nearly as strong as any in the State.
The afternoon exercises of the Conven-
ton was taken up principally with pre-
liminary exercises. At 3 o'clock the
Delegates Prayer and Conference meet
ing, led by Mrs. j. Amer, was held, and
the Executive Committee met in the
Sabbath School room.
At the evening session the church was
crowded with persons interested in the
movement. The church was beautifully
trimmed, and from all sides hung white
silk banners, all bearing the words, "New
Jersey Shall be Redeemed"
The pulpit was nicely arranged, large
bouquets of beautiful, fragrant flowers
adorning the stand, and at different
places on the platform stood the banners
of several Of the counties of the State.
On thei left of the pulpit in large black
letters on white were the last words of
the late Mrs. Downs, who was President
of the State Union at the time of her
death 1.-THE liquor traffic will be out
lawed. Blessed is he who helps" On
the right was the stars and stripes. In
the rear of the pulpit on banner were
the words "The Star of Hope hangs over
the school house."
The choir of thirty voices, under tie
of lie
coursed pretty music, and solo was
beautifully sang by Mrs. Woerner, of
Haddonfield.
In the pulpit sat Mrs. Emma Bowen,
President; Mrs. J. T. Ellis, Correspond
ing Secretary; Mrs. J. H. Demarest, Re-
cording Secretary; Mrs. Mary CARL,
President of the Local Union, and Mrs.
M. S. Gilbert. Mrs. Bourne presided over
the meeting. Rev. g. E. Hancock, of the
Fourth M. E. Church, offered prayer.
Short addresses of welcome were made
by Mrs. Mary CARL and Mrs. M. S. Gill
bert. The response was made by Miss
Kate A. Peters, of Beverly.
Rev. Mr.. Roe, of Trinity NJ. E. Church,
addressed the meeting a few minutes,
and after collection was taken the Presi-
dent introduced to the Convention Miss
Agnes f. Slack, of London, Eng, who ie
Secretary of the Worlds Woman Chris
tian Temperance Union. Miss Slack is
also Secretary of the British w. G. T.
Association, member of the Executive
Committee of the Women's Liberal Fed.
Grafton of Great Britain, which is said
to be the right arm of the Liberal party
in England. She is member of the
Executive Committee of the Central
Suffrage Association, of Great Britain,
and is one of the two women on a Board
of seventy-seven Poor Guardians, in
Derbyshire. She appeared before the
Convention in nice fitting suit of gray,
wearing no headdress. She is bright
faced young woman, with dark brown
eyes and hair. She is typical young
English woman, healthy, vivacious, clear
headed, courageous and confident, never
doubling that the reforms which she ad-
vocates will be crowned with success
Though wearied with much recent trave.
(arriving in this country early in Aug
usD and speaking, and needing rest, she
entered upon her talk last evening with
much earnestness, and was soon absorbed
with the great practical and moral prob.
lem which it involved.
Naturally such a practical woman de.
spises shams and is quick to detect them
She is also quick to discern the frivol-
Gus work which passes as reform. She il
quite familiar with all the politica
methods of show not to do it, and with
the formidable commissions of noble
gentlemen who know little of the subject
and do less in furtherance of the objec
which they were ostensibly appointed
Miss Slack said in comparing her work
in Great Britain with this country, tina
the two countries were hardly compar
able. The work here, she thought, wa.
an easy one when compared with tha
which confronted the Union in Grea
Britain. What had impressed he