Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-11-15
W. C. I. u.
Votes to Abandon the Temple
Building at Chicago.
Decision Reached After Lively Discus
sion--vote, 285 10 n.
Resolutions Condemning Soldiers Homes
Canteens Unanimously Passed.

st. Paul, Mimi, Nov 14.-The w. c.,
7. u. National convention, today, de-
cided by vote of 285 to Il to abandon
the Temple project as an affiliated in
terest. Five hours of animated, Wig
orous and bitter and personal debating
was necessary before the vote was
reached. Just before adjournment
Mrs. Durham presented some resolu-
tons on the subject. which may pre-
cipitate the whole controversy once
more if she calls them up in the morn
ing as expected.
The Soldiers and Sailors de-
partment banner was awarded
to the Pennsylvania delegation.
Mrs. Thatcher introduced reso-
lutions against the canteen, which We're
unanimously adopted as follows:
Whereas, knowing, through the in
spector generals report of the National
Soldiers Home that s234,150 was spent
over the canteen Cor beer halD bar of
six of the homes, and.
Whereas, believing the canteens Of
the army and navy are more deadly in
their results than either the Spanish
bullets or trenches; and,
der-in- chief of the army and navy, the
President of the United States, has not
used his prerogative to abolish these
canteens,
Resolved, That we, the W. C. T. U.
in convention assembled, do hereby
pledge ourselves to use our influence in
every possible manner against their in
human Treatment of our boys by Gre
ating a sentiment in communities, by
presenting the matter before influential
bodies and by writing letters to sena-
tors and congressman so that the Ellis
bill may be passed"
A letter from Lady Henry Somerset,
dated Oct. "a, $685. was read by the Sec
rotary, expressing a desire for peace, as
monument to Miss Willard, aiming
for a peaceful outcome of all cantro-
versies, frankly giving the opinions of
Miss Willard on the Temple. Miss
Willard feared the Temple plan was too
vast. At her request Lady Henry Som
erset had pleaded with Mrs Carse- -
abandon the undertaking. Lady Henry
Somerset feared the fight for the Tenn
pie would wreck the organization Miss
Willard had done SO much to build up.
She believed the Temple would, even
though it was not owned by the w. c.
Il. IT,, ever stand as memorial to what
woman had wrought.
The general officers circulated during
the noon hour little pamphlet enti
tied Temple Questions Answered"
1t went over, in catechism form, the
whole history of the Temple, answering
all the points made by the friends of
the Temple. 1t created a good deal Of
sensation among the delegates, being
very pungent.
AT the beginning of this afternoons
session, the president announced the
Matilda IS. Garse of Illinois, read her
report on the Temple which was a full
history of the building and the con-
nection of the w. c. T. U. with the
enterprise and making strong plea
for the convention to stand by the
Temple. She criticized sharply the ac-
ton of the general officers against the
Temple. She read new letter from
Marshall Field, dated Nov. 2, 1898, in
which he promised to extend such obli-
cations as he may be interested in and
in addition he will give $4,000 cash to
pay obligations of interest on the
bonds due and $50, 900 in stock or a total
of 100000. Notwithstanding the rule
adopted against applause there was
hearty and general burst of hand
clapping at this announcement. The
burden of the report was plea for the
completion of the Temple as fitting
memorial to Mrs. Frances Willard.
The annual report of the financial
secretary, Mrs. Sarah G. Johnson, was
presented, showing balance on hand
one year ago, $2S, 761.O5: receipts dur
ing year. s42,92S.63. Total receipts. ST.
6S9-6S; expenditures, $l1,056.91; balance
on. hand. $6o,632.77.
The recording secretary, Mrs. Hoff-
man, read the report of the action of
the executive committee adverse to
the Temple and Mrs. Chambers of
Pennsylvania moved it's adoption. AS
a substitute, Mrs. Durham of Iowa,
moved that in view of the 1891 con-
ventiOn endorsement of the enterprise
this convention pledge itself to the
Temple in the matter of retiring the
trust bonds.
1t was decided, however, to consid-
er the report instead of the substitute
and the discussion was taken up.
Much time was devoted to an attempt
to find out what had been done by the
many insisting that they
did not understand. Finally out of
the confusion the president disentan-
gled a motion to have yea and nay
vote, which prevailed, 1877 to 11S. Be
fore the next vote was taken, the re-
port of the credential committee was
called for and made, showing a total
of 364 delegates and officers present
and entitled to vote.
Miss Anna Gordon moved to recon
slider the decision to vote by yeas and
nays, owing to a parliamentary tan
gle. Reconsideration prevailed and
Miss Clark of Ohio, moved to amend
to vote by ballot, but this was lost.
This amendment had been considered
the first test vote, the friends of the
Temple having desired a vote by bal.
lot. A yea and nay vote was then de-
cided upon.
Miss Dow of Maine, reported 800. g136 GO
paid in on the Temple trust funds, OH
which interest of $291.S0 has accrued. A
few trust bonds have been purchased and
the balance of cash now on hand Is So, AL
and she also holds $500 worth of TRUST
bonds. The action of the executive board
Continued on page 81