The record-union., 1898-11-12
THE CAUSE OF TEMPERANCE.
ANNUAL CONVENTION OF Ma
TIONAL w. C. T. u.
Services in Memory of the Late
President willard Occupies
Most of the Session.


prominent ideas in this, the opening
day of the annual convention Of the
National Womens Christian Temper
ance Union, have been reverence for the
memory of the departed leader, Miss
Frances Willard and a revival of the
spirited history of thef original crusad-
ers of 1874 1t is the anniversary of
the latter, and this convention, the
Memorial Convention is the first
coming together of the temperance wo-
men in national convention since the
death of Miss Willard, whose life and
work We're synonymous with the union.
Most of the day was >devoted TO pay
ing tributes of respect and love to the
promoted ones of the W. c. T. u, a
few reports being heard late in the
afternoon This evening was the oc-
casion for the formal welcome of the
delegates.
Seattle, Philadelphia, Washington
City, Kansas City and Boston are rival
contestants for the next convention.
Seattle has a fund of $4,000 for the
entertainment of the convention if it
goes to the Puget Sound city.
The convention was formally called
to order by Mrs Stevenson, acting
l.
an eloquent and fearful tribute to the
deceased leader Miss Frances Willard.
Miss Annie W. Clark of Ohio led in
prayer and roll call followed. On mo-
ton of Mrs Stevenson, the report of
the Executive Committee will be de-
layed until tomorrow. The Chair was
instructed to appoint a Credentials
Committee.
The formal memorial service was then
held. The opening memorial address
was delivered by Mrs. Cornelia B.
Forbes of Connecticut, being followed
by Mrs. Narcissa w. Kenney of Oregon,
Mrs. Margaret Ellis of New Jersey and
Mrs. Mary A.. Dunham of Iowa, Mrs.
Lucy B. Thurman (colored) of Michi-
gan, Mrs. Helen L. Bullock of New
York, Mrs. Matilda Carse of Illinois and
others, Miss Willard being the one to
whom all thought and words We're tend
ed, the memorials for others going over
temporarily.
The report of the Corresponding Sec
retary, Katherine Lent Stevenson, con-
tained the following.
The temple has, in one or another
form, been the chief object of work
at national headquarters during the
year, and must continue such, even
though it be to the detriment of other
lines of work, until some adequate So
luton of the problem shall be reached.
"OrganiZing. has been done in four
teen missionary States and Territories.
In addition, the State officers in the
majority of States have most vigor-
ously pushed organization and increase
Of membership; although in some
States opposing forces have been
strong enough1to largely counteract
their efforts. Seven States have made
a gain of 500 or more. These are Min
nesota, Ohio, Texas, North Dakota,
Kansas, California and Indiana, which
leads with a net gain of more than
1000. If onlYh these gains had not
been offset byyulosses in other States,
what a brave showing we would have
to-day.
Work for the soldiers has formed a
most important part of this years rec
ord, nearly every State having taken
up that department.
'"The honor roll has not proved itself
so great an incentive for securing new
members as we had hoped. Many have
worked heroically, but on the Whole
the gains have not been what we ex-
pected 1t WILL therefore. be discon-
tinued after this year, and we trust
some more successful plan may be
discovered The total number of new
members recorded in the honor roll is
5000, of which AGO have been Sc
cured by women and $50 by men, The
number of names enrolled as having
secured ten new members is 121."
The annual report of the Treasurer,
Helen M. Barker. showed receipts of
S24. .297, and expenditures of S23,20I,
the balance on hand being 81 ,OS9.