New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-12
DEFENDS LADY HENRY.
MRS. LEAvITTs ATTACK SAID TO BE EN-
TIREI,Y UNwARRANTED.
MRS STEVENS SAYS THAT SHE CONSIDERS TU
ACTING PRESIDENT OF THE W. C. T. U.


ACTING PRESIDENT OF THE W. c. T. U.
AS MUCH OF A PRoHIBIrIoNIsr
AS sHE HERSELF is.
Portland. Me. June II (speciaD.-The renewal Of
criticisms Of Lady Henry Somerset. acting president
of the Worlds Woman's Christian Temperance
Union, by Mrs. Mary Clement Leavitt. OF Boston,
honorary president Of that organization has cre-
ated a stir among the Woman's Christian Temper
ance Union women throughout this section OF the
country where Lady Henry Somerset has so many
loyal friends. They openly accuse Mrs. Leavitt OF
being Jealous because she failed to secure the pres-
dency OF the Worlds Union. In an interview to-
day Mrs L. VI. ~ Stevens. OF Portland. acting pres
ident of the National Womans Christian Temper
ance Union. defends Lady Henry from Mrs Leav'
tits attack Mrs. Stevens said In part:
while 1t is extremely trying TO think that one
whom we once trusted and loved. and who has done
so much TO build up cause. has turned against
u.s. yet do not believe that the line of action Mrs.
Ieavitt Is pursuing will injure the work Ever
since the Worlds Convention In Boston, SIX years
ago. she has seen 1T. from time to time 10 crci'e
the plans Of work and methods Of execution OF MISE
willard as well as Lady Henry Somerset "hose
leadership has been more than satisfactory 10 'he
women as a whole. At the time when Lady Henry
and Miss Willard differed in opinion on the ques-
ton OF regulating vice in India Mrs Leavit severe
" criticised Lady Henrys position and also that OF
the members OF the Worlds Womans Cnristan
Temperance Union who In any degree tolerated
Lady Henry she herself believing and insisting thas
LADY Henry should be dismissed from office Miss
Willard always firmly believed that Lady Henrys
heart was right and that she would some day see
her mistake. Miss Wizards own strong views on
the subject remained unchanged Still Mrs LeaViU
continued blame her.
after the publication OF Lady Henry's open &C.
Acknowledgement that she had made great mistake
on the Indian question naturally thought there
would be no more trouble. and that prosecutions
would cease but a little later Mrs. Leavtt attacked
her on the ground that. contrary to the principles
OF prohibition she allowed liquors to be sold IN some
OF the houses her properly and that While she
was total abstainer, she was not using her fui IN
duence to make her tenants so. The fact Is that
some OF the estates mentioned are occupied under
long leases which are beyond the owners control
But as fast as the leases expire she endeavors 70
issue new embodying her temperance princ'
pies $500 A ~.
been successful intoxicating abstinence from IN
tox,cants among her tenants ! consider ncr, AZ
heart as much OF a prohbitionist as am her
recent election president OF the British "omans
Christian Temperance Union shows that she has the
full confidence Of her own people $780,.
80 far as know only two women In the Ohl,ed
States agree with Mrs Leayitt in her persecution
OF Lady Henry. At the last Worlds Convention IN
Toronto there was opposition to Mrs. Leav!tts re-
election honorary president. and but FOR the !o'
ing kindness and tender mercy OF Miss willard, al
ways so ready TO forgive those who opposed her,
she would not have been reelected. II Is extremely
painful 10 talk about this matter. and hope the
nsts before Mrs Leavitts eyes will soon be cleared
away"