The record-union., 1896-11-14
Nearly Two Thousand Delegates and
Visitors Present.
The Day Devoted to the Delivering of
the Annual Address by the PreSi-
dent, Miss Frances E. Willard,
and to the Reading of Reports of
Officers of the Union.

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 13.-For the twenty
third time in the history of the organi-
cation, the Women's Christian Temper
ance Union met in annual convention
this morning. Nearly 1000 delegates
and visitors We're present when Miss
Frances Z. Willard called the conven-
ton to order.
The Executive Committee recon-
mended that the w. c. T. U. begin an
active crusade against the evils of
gambling.
The Committee on Legislation was
authorized to take measures toward
the abolition of gambling
After the usual committees were ap-
pointed Frances E. Willard addressed
the convention. She spoke of heroines
of rank and file who had borne and la
bored and had patience when the w. c..
T. u. passed under the rod of a ma
TONS criticism She said:
1--WE have marched far since then,
and alignments of parties have since
changed. The labor movement has
taken on proportions SO vast that no
enc speaks lightly of it any more"
The report of the Corresponding Sec
retary sums up the years work as fol-
lows:
Total number Of new unions organ
lied, Ito; total number of new men,
DerS gained, o,SSS.
That the gains, as shown by the
Treasurer's books, are not larger by no
means invalidates this record. In too
many instances the gain has been offset
by a corresponding loss; in others hard
times has been a potent factor, pre-
y,,<r I.S 4
others many members Joined in the last
half of the year and paid for six
months only, thus making it necessary
to count two as one. Without doubt the
results of this years work will count
largely in the gains of next
The organizers will report for them
selves at a later period in the conven-
ton.
In addition to the work of the regular
organizers and the national officers, to
be hereinafter reported the vast ma
jority of States have had corps of State
officers and organizers going about
within sheir boszers continually Many
of the State Presidents have been con-
stantly afield, and many others would
gladly have given their entire time to
the field, but have been prevented
through force of circumstances or for
lack of funds in the State treasury
At the beginning of the afternoon
session President Willard introduced to
the convention Mrs. r. Mitchell of Ida
ho, with congratulatory words for the
success of suffrage in that State
The afternoon was almost entirely
devoted to the reading of reports, in
Guiding those of Corresponding Secre-
tary Mrs. Katherine L. Stevenson of
Massachusetts and Treasurer Helen NJ.
Barker of Illinois.
Among the other reports presented
We're those of the following superin-
tendents of departments: Mrs Hannah
J. Bailey, Maine, Peace of Interna-
tional Arbitration;" Miss Marie c. Bre-
han, Illinois, "Franchise;" Mrs. Mar
garet s. Ellis, New Jersey, Legislation
and Enforcement of the Law" Mrs
Mary D. Tomlinson, New Jersey, "Par-
lor Meetings." Miss Mary Wood Allen,
Michigan, Purity" Mrs. Mary F.
Lowell, Pennsylvania, Mercy" Mrs
Josephine Bateham. Kentucky, Sab
bath Observance
During the afternoon session the or
der of business was finally suspended
to accept by a rising vote the annual
address of President Willard.
The various reports were received
with applause, and then accepted by
the convention and ordered printed in
the annual report.
The Auditor certified to the correct
ness of the Treasurer's report
The evening session was presided
over by Mrs. L. NJ. N. Stevenson of
Maine, Vice-President at large
The devotional exercises were con-
Quoted by Mrs J. *. Barney of Rhode
Island. No business was transacted,
the evening being devoted to addresses
of welcome.
The audience was asked to contribute
to the finances Of the union, and gem
erous sum was realized.
After benediction the convention ad-
journed until o'clock tomorrow morn
ing.