New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-24
FAILURE WILLARD TEMPLE
CATHERINE L. STEVENSON TELLS THE
STORY OF THE TRUST BONDS.

BECAUSE MANY POOR PEOPLE HAD INVESTED
THEIR ALL MISS WILLARD TRIED TO SAVE
TT. BUT THIS IS NOW IMPOSSIBLE
Katherine Lente Stevenson. the corresponding
.ecretary OF the National Woman's Christian Tenn
perance Union was seen yesterday by Tribune
reporter at her pleasant home In Newton. Mass.
and was asked about the alleged split on account
Of the Temple debt She said:
eft Is a positive luxury at last to be able TO
sneak out freely Ny conception Of the duties con-
nected with any efficient place to which the
franchises Of an organization elects one Is that
the officer is the OF the society and bound
by its purposes expressed In Its platform l.
together with the other general officers. stated
clearly and explicitly at the last National conven-
ton my views concerning the Temple. knowing that
BY so doing l teopardizing my reelection.
De.pite that fact was reelected by a large ma
tor,ty Al first 1t was a question with to
whether or not could serve If the Temple were
to continue affiliated interest OF the Ma
tional society: but the reasons for serving seemed
greatly to outweigh the reasons against. knew
that could hold my own tongue as to my personal
views, thing which have most religiousy done.
and shall never cease TO be thankful that con-
tinued to serve with Frances Willard during the
last few months OF her great life"
you say that the policy OF the general officers
has been one of silence. but did you not both at
the convention and since Miss Wizards death. de-
clare your purpose 10 aid In carrying out her
plan?" Miss Stevenson asked.
I'VE did When great leader. with the light OF
Heavens morning already upon her face, so bravely
threw herself into the breach and pledged her fifty
ninth year to an effort retire the 100000 Temple
trust bonds there was nothing left for us loyal
hearted comrades but 10 follow her lead We
who were In her inmost counsel knew that II
for the honor of the organization far more
than for the Temple itself that she stood We
might differ from her as to the degree to which
morally responsible for the bonds illegal
responsibility she claimed). but we could only
reverence the keen sense OF honor which caused
her to assume that obligation. all TOO heavy for
her frail strength. As the orator at the unwilling
Of her bust in the Northwestern University said.
She died leading forlorn hope in the interests Of
q duty which only the conscience OF an angel could
have recognized such We did not feel
the duty she did, the circumstances being as they
were. But did pledge ourselves to stand
BY Miss Willard In her effort 10 retire the
Temple trust bonds. endeavoring at the same time
to 50 guard the fund raised that 1t might be
used for other headquarters. providing the entire
amount not secured.
The original notion as made by myself. was so
amended by the friends Of the Temple that the
latter chance lost. but carried two impor-
tant points. VIZ that all moneys raised for Miss
Willard be placed in the hands Of Miss Cornelia
N. Dow. OF Portland. Me. the daughter of General
Neal Dow and that the should be drawn on
only by order OF the general officers.
After Miss Willard had been taken from US. and
the heart OF the entire nation softened by
grief. We were approached by men and women Of in
husnce both in Chicago and in other cities who
pressed their belief that the Temple might be
eued as a memorial 10 Frances Willard. We said
that II the thing could ever be done this the
time. and Issued call 10 the general pub
N We sent II In the form OF a circular. accom-
panying the letter Miss Willard had herself writ
ten but which was not printed until after her
death We emphasized her thoughts and asked that
Citizens committees be appointed ir every commu-
nifty TO secure the funds necessary 10 make the
Temple a memorial 10 the greatest woman OF this
o. any age. In Chicago We could not even secure
committee. While there was profound interest In
memorial 10 Frances Willard, there none In
'ne Temple as the memorial II soon became ap
parent that the people of wealth would not give
snen they knew that the money would go eventu-
any into the pockets OF their own wealthlest man.
IN other parts OF the country the rich people said
why does Chicago not look after It's own nstitu-
uonsF That has been the situation from the be-
ginning. The Temple has never appealed 10 the
public as we fcndy hoped II would when the enter
prise was begun. We knew that white -ribboners
"o could not pay Tor H. but the burden or It's pay
went has rested upon them alone until now can
WI truthfully say that. in issuing their call the
s1sra oficerS had very high hopes OF the result
wv tney felt that the one chance IN favor of secur-
~ the Temple well worth the effort, and so
'aey took that chance
~ mas been said that the Executive Committee
wed TO give Up the Temple. One can hardly give
~ "hat ne did not possess. and the Temple al
sa'ush known TO the world as our own. has never
h11S
Sss'ai part OF our work. bat from the first has
IN only an affiliated interest," to which we have
''h our goodwill. but for which we have not
IN IN the slightest degree legally responsible The
,~eeu''e Committee recommended that all effort
-" INC Temple should henceforth cease but Its
,nnendation Is subject 10 the action OF the Ma
De convention. which will meet this year In St.
~ihn. November II 10 l6
INTERVIEW WITH MARSHALL FIELD.
uN had been the date fixed By Mrs Carse. the
vsi OF the Temple enterprise az the time
n. VIC money for retiring the trust bonds must
co,..' III, because AT that time Marshall Fields
.h.s "ai pieoge Of 1900 would expire 1t IL true
~. e appeal OF the general officers had extended
su,., sane until the next convention but IL was
h..,- NATURAL that they also should at that time
NJ take inventory of assets and liabilities.
co.,. "a. ~ Stevens. Miss WIZARDS able sue
Win ,s. 'n'ce. went on 10 Chicago. and. together
ma, Anna Gordon, for 80 many years q
v,s "iss WIZARDS very self. had an interview
% much e. 'eso. OF late years Mr. Field has been
1arr IN Europe that II has becn ,rnnossib,e 70