Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-07
MISS MoREIN, OF NORFOLK, WINS
IN THIS CONTEST.
An EVENT OF The CONVENTION.
The bright REGULATIONS Enjoyed by
Large Audience-Two Interesting
Sessions Yesterday-Want Ander-
sens Sentence Commuted.

| held at the Second Baptist cnurcn last
night.
| These medal contests are provided by
| the Woman's Christian Temperance
Union with the view Of melting interest
and zeal in the temperance work no less
than to improve the minds of the young
contestants, and have always proven
quite interesting, az well as prontao'e'
| No one was eligible to be a contestant
! last night who had not successfully COM
peted for a "grand gold medal'-these
| medals ranging from a silver one In the
primary contest up to the "diamono
| medal" There were only three contest
ants Zone OF the ladies entitled to con-
| test being i'll at her home), as follows:
| Miss Ellen Morein, OF Norfolk; Mrs. Bur-
| ton Mountcastle, of Richmond, and Mrs.
Bartner of Harrisonburg.
| The judges were unacquainted with tho
, contestants-the latter being introduced
| by a number rather than by his and her
name. Consequently, every precautoa
was taken to insure absolute fairness.
| The programme was enlivened Dy
| spirited music. Rev. Dr. Harrison led
|
ants were welcomed in appropriate and
pleasing manner by State-President Mrs.
X. II. Jones, who explained the purpose
and scope of the medal contest. After
these prelminaries the contestants re-
cited TO the deleotaton of the large au-
dience, and after elaboration the judges
awarded the medal to Miss Ellen Morein
amidst great applause.
THE SUCCESSFUL CONTESTANT.
The selection which Miss Ellen Morein
so superbly recited is entitled rum and
Crime" and is a graphic portrayal of
court scene, wherein several prisoners
are sentenced for the commission or
crimes while intoxicated, and which
elicits q terrific arraignment Of the sover-
eign power Of the State for licensing
traffic which results in such direful
calamities. Ample scope was given for
the display OF Evolutionary powers, and
the fair reciter thrilled her audience by
displaying a perfect conception or her
selection and faultless rendition OF it.
Her vocal moduations, gestures, and ac-
centuation proved her TO be q very fine
elocutionist and she received the highest
encomiums of praise.
Miss Morein is from Norfolk, and is
daughter of Mr.. j. Morein, prominent
citizen OF that city. She is president of
Frances Willard "Y." and takes lively
interest in the temperance cause She
has been the successful contestant In
several medal contests, and has quite
number of these trophies. She is Is years
OF age. pretty and a charming CONVEX
sationalist, and the modesty with which
she bears her many honors. combined
with an elegance of grace and womanly
dignity combine TO make her one Of the
most popular OF the "Y's." She received
an ovation on her success, and had TO
give the audience several moro superb
selections in answer to loud and long ap-
plause.
Mrs. Mountcastle's selection was en-
titled pledged With Wine" and was
rendered in very elegant manner that
called forth vigorous applause. She was
perfectly cool and collected, and her con-
ception of her part was perfect and Ter
rendition superb.
Mrs Bartner spoke eloquently on 1.-THE
New Declaration OF independence"
SESSION OF THE CONVENTION.
The convention opened yesterday morn
ing with devotional exercises, conducted
by Rev. NJ. Ashby Jones, pastor Of
Leigh-Street Baptist church.
Greetings were received from the New
York State Conventon-Psalms xXxvii.,
land Mrs. William ID. Southall was ap-
pointed a committee to respond.
The report of Mrs. William G. Payne,
superintendent Of Loyal Temperance Le-
gion work, was, In her absence, read
by the recording secretary, after which
Mrs. Ellen A. Dayton Blair gave a ten
minutes instructive and interesting talk
about training the children in the battle
for total abstinence.
At this time Rev. w. p. Beauchamp
was introduced to the convention, and
spoke most kindly and alphabetically
OF the Woman's Christian Temperance
Union.
Mrs. Lucie Byrd Dudley superintend-
ent of colored work. gave a ten-minutes'
talk on her department Miss Kearney
added an eloquent plea In behalf of
Christian temperance work among the
colored race, and said she hoped the
time would come when they would have
a large and fiourishing organization Of
their own. Miss Kearney explained that
an appropriation for this work would be
obtainable from the national association
Mrs G.. II. Ashman, OF Alton. and
Mrs. J. S. Dill, president of the Baptist
Woman's Mission work in Virginia, were
introduced, and both spoke words Of en-
couragement and cheer.
Miss Laura Smith was allowed the
usual ten minutes to superintendent in
her Department of Health. She explained
fine methods of work, and urged young
people to observe the laws of health
more faithfully. Miss Kearney added
most helpful advice, especially to girls.
Mrs. A. T.. Wait, superintendent of sci
entific temperance instruction, gave
comprehensive talk on her department,
giving a summary Of work done during
the year, especially in her efforts with
the late Legislature to pass temper
ance education law. The superintendent
Of Sunday-school work considers this
the most important department.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Rev. DIR. II. n. Potts conducted the de-
votional exercises at the opening of the
afternoon session. The Executive Com
mittee reported having appointed Miss
Bette Pollard custodian OF the Y fund.
Mrs. Newton presented the report of the
superintendent of work for non-alcoholic
medicines. Literature had been sent TO
100 unions, but only three reported work
done.
Mr.. G.. NJ. Smithdeal was introduced, |
and expressed his hearty commentator |
Of the work of the Woman's Christian |
Temperance Union. He said he was con- |
WINGED that the slavery OF liquordom was |
ten-fold worse than African slavery
Rev. Mr.. Mastin, pastor OF Trinity |
Methodist church, also commended the |
work OF the union. He said If he were a |
woman he would join the Woman's Chris |
tian Temperance Union.
WANT ANDERSEN'S SENTENCE CON- |
MUTED.
A petition was presented requesting |