The Republican journal., 1896-10-01
w. c. T. U. State Convention.
Large and Enthusiastic Gathering of White
RihbOnerS.

The twenty-second annual convention OF
the Maine Woman's Christian Temperance
Union is now in session in this city. The
delegates began to arrive Monday on the
steamers from Bangor and Castine, and they
were reinforced by about hundred who
came on the evening passenger train. The
delegates were met at the boats and trains
by committees of the local union, who pro-
vided conveyance to the various homes to
which the delegates had been invited, or to
the Baptist church, where supper was serv-
ed. About 125 visitors were entertained in
the city Monday night. Tuesdays boats and
trains added to the number, and at the hour
of opening of the convention more than 200
white ribboners were assembled in the
Methodist church.
The audience room of the church was
neatly decorated. On the front of the organ
stood a portrait of Lady Henry Somerset
draped on either side by the flags of the
United States and Great Britain. The ban
ner of the State Union stood at the left of
the Presidents station, while the banners of
the county unions hung at various points on
the walls. The motto of the w. G. I. u,
For God and Home and Every Land, hung
at the rear of the room. Bouquets of flowers
and potted palms were tastefuly arranged
about.
The convention opened at o'clock Tues
day morning with devotional service led
by Mrs. Lucy A. Snow of South Windham.
The business meeting was called to order
at 10 O'Clock by Mrs. l.. NJ. n Stevens,
State President The "Crusade Psalm"
(Ps 146) was read responsively, and prayer
was offered by Mrs. Kate Dewitt
The report of the executive committee was
read and accepted.
Inc following committees were appointed:
On Credentials, Mrs. Abbe E. Shapleigh,
West Lebanon; Miss Harriet E. Leavilt,
Stroudwater; Mrs. Abbie Weeks, Vassal-
boro
On Courtesies, Mrs. A. E. Clark Belfast;
Miss Emily F. Miller, Searsmont; Mrs. Ger
trude Stevens Leavltt, Portland.
The report OF the Corresponding Secretary
was read by the Secretary, and gave brief
summary of the work in the State. In 1880
the State Convention met in Belfast There
were then 2S unions in Maine and there
We're 81 delegates in attendance. To-day
there are 200 unions and Belfast people are
entertaining 250 delegates. The unions
have done better than last year. The re-
port also covered the work in the various
counties.
VI
Received from last year..................S 296 13
TINS year.-. 1853 20
lotal ..'.'...r..... .......... 33
Expenditures this year.......... S29zs rs
Cash on hand 2265
Total.... S315533
Greetings OF love and sympathy We're sent
to the absent members who are usually
present at State convention, but who are de-
tanned by illnees, as follows Mrs. Sarah L.
Cram, Mrs. Mary Mcdowell, Mrs Hannah
j. Bailey, Miss Lubelle Patrick.
Mrs. n. S. Fernald of Portland spoke in
regard to the distribution of temperance lit
er2Gure.
Mrs. @. F. Talbot of Maiden, Mass, was
introduced ard spite of the work in her
section.
Mrs. A. E Clark of Belfast, Miss Emily
F, Miller of Searsmont, Mrs. Phibrcl of
Rookland, Mass, Miss Margaret Hunter of
Cherrytiela, Mrs. Uhlln of New Sweden and
Mrs, Hayden of Norway offered brief re-
marks. Miss Hunter spoke Of the D6lnorest
and W. u. L. I prize medal contests Mrs
Uhlln Of work among tile Swedes III Aroos-
took county, and Mrs. Hayden of temperance
work among foreigners.
The noontlde prayer was led by Mrs. Ab-
bic Homestead OF Portland.
Ihe afternoon session was opened with
prayer by Mrs Sarah X. Taylorof Roclzland
The committee on resolutions was annouu-
ced as follows by counties: Audroscoggiu,
Mrs Q. l. Pierce; Aroostool, Mrs. Annie
B. White Cumberland, Mrs. Sarah McLel-
Ian; Franklin, Mrs. Sarah ID. Moore Han
cock, Mrs. Belle Blake; Kennebec, Mrs
Plebe PinlIham Knox, Mrs. Sarah X Tay-
lor; Lincoln, Mrs. Emma Fuller; Oxford ;
Miss Annie Cross; Penobscot, Mrs. n E.
Foss Piscataquis, Mrs Mary f. Hobbs ;
Somerset, Mrs. L. S. Wentworth; Waldo,
Mrs. S. G Bicknell; Washington, Miss Mar
Il
Mrs. l.. y. Spauidlng, Superintendent of
the department Of unfermented wine at the
sacrament, made her report which was
followed by general discussion.
Miss Sarah NJ. Hall of kockland sang very
artistically, "The Plains of Peace" accom-
panied by Miss May E. Faunce of Belfast
on the piano. AS an encore she sang off
were a Voice, accompanied by Miss Theresa
Arau of Camden.
Mrs. Helen Coffin Beedy of Pennington
reported the work done in her department
III favor OF establishing a reformatorv for
women, and petitions to the Legis lature were
gwen to members from the various counties
Tor circulation after going home. The report
was followed by discussion on the question
OF whether or not the women should sign
the petition. Tie question was decided m
the affirmative.
The session closed with the hymn, Take
the name of Jesus with YOU" and the bene-
uicJion.
Tuesday evenings session opened with a
hymn, Scripture reading, and prayer by Rev.
S. X. Taylor of Rockland. Mr. E. S. Pitcher
and Miss Maud Millken sang 'In the Cross
OF Christ 1 Glory" accompanied by Miss
Mary E. Faunce, who presided at the piano
throughout the evening. The President then
called upon Mayor E. +. Hanson, who gave
the convention a most cordial and hearty
welcome i'll behalf of the city
Mrs. Stevens responded briefly to the
May or's address and introduced Rev G. G
Winslow, pastor Of the Methodist Church.
who, in behalf of the pastors and churches
OF the city, gave a hearty address of welcome.
Mr. Winslow was followed by Mrs l.. G.
Clark, President of the Belfast Union. who.
in behalf of her Union, welcomed the visit
ing sisters.
Mrs. l.. G. Spaulding of Caribou respond
ed for the convention to the three addresses
AS each of the speakers stepped upon the
platform the white ribboners arose and gav,
the w. G. T. U. salutation of greeting.
Mrs. E. p. Frost sang "Abide with Me-
IN very pleasing manner.
Inc tWO-mluute speeches by the Comfy
Presidents We're interesting and much amuse-
ment was created by friendly sallies between
some of the county representatives The re-
ports We're as follows:
Androscoggin, Mrs. A. }. Dennison, Auburn
berland, Miss Cornelia NJ. Dow, Portland Frank
lin, Mrs Helen Coffin Beedy, Farmington Han
cock. Mrs. Mary Carroll, Southwest fIarbor. Ken
nebec, Mrs s. f. Long, Winthrop; Knox Mrs s
b. Thompson, Friendship; Lincoln, Miss A E.
Ginn, Dalnariscotta; Oxford, Mrs. F. P. Chandler