The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-11-15
out the country with notable consider
The w. c. T. U. Convention and
the Temple.

NNNiAAA5 NA4E 1A44Ad5O El44R1C AC-
pudiating its debt does not accord well
with the high principles which these
good women are supposed to repre-
sent. If a body of men should reach
such a decision with respect to cor
porate institution, they would go out
into the world with the brands of
cowardice and dishonesty upon them.
1t may be true that the Temple
project was ill-advised At the time
the building association was organic
ed, however. the work of the w c.
T. L. was promising in the line of re-
SUITS. The object was certainly COM
mendabie. The women associated with
it were engaged in a noble cause, and
right wOrthily have they advanced that
cause on a material basis, far-reaching
in the influence exerted. In 1887. when
the Temple organization was effected,
the times were prosperous; Chicago real
estate was highly valued; the selection
Of the site for the Temple was wisely
made, the plot Of ground being in the
very heart Of the business center of
the city. 1t was acquired on the
ground-rent plan. than which there is
none better. But disaster overlook the
country about the time the Temple was
completed.
The building was designed for rental
to numerous tenants, and the revenues
we're expected TO be in sufficient vol
u1ne to provide a surplus for the main
tenance OF the work of the w. c. T. U.
The character Of the ownership, how
ever. necessitated discrimination as to
the tenantry. Anything introduced by
leasehold into the place which was in
congruOus with the moral principles
which the union sought to advance
would be OF Itself a subject Of scan
dal. Responsible tenants, from a pc
cuniary point Of view. might have been
secured. but they were Objectionable
from the unions standpoint of moral
ity. Hence the Temple has remained
in the heart Of Chicago, a partially. but
unprofitably tenanted structure. but
nevertheless a silent symbol Of the
pure thoughts and high moral qualities
Of its promoters. It's failure as a bust
ness enterprise is only that which has
been common TO many another build
Ing OF great dimensions not only in
Chicago, but in the more important
commercial center OF New York, a re-
suit largely attributable to the stress
Of the times
The w. C. T. L. are not morally
justified in abandoning their efforts to
retain the Temple. Thay have receiv-
ed the most generous treatment at the
hands of Mr.. Marshall Field. Of Chi
cago. who has said in writing under
date OF Nov. 2. 1895. to Mrs. Carse. presi-
dent of the board Of Temple trustees,
that, II the friends of the organization
"evince sufficient interest in the en-
terprise to subscribe an amount that
will pay off and cancel the remainder
Of the issue Of 5000, 900 Temple trust
bonds outstanding" he will extend his
previous agreement. TO give $50 900 in
stock, to Jan. /, 1860. II necessary, ami
VIII also donate so. 600 In cash, TO be
applied TO the payment Of $4,000 float
ing debt and $50 900 interest on the
first mortgage bonds which will be in
arrears on Dec. l. 1898 1t should be
remembered. in this connection, that
SCOO90e first mortgage bonds against
the Temple are held by the Field Co
lumbar museum.
1t must have been evident to the
membership Of the convention that the
business qualifications OF those com
posing the body were on trial. and the
vote to overthrow the Temple and
abandon the enterprise via not pass
10 the credit OF the w. c. T. L. or
ganization when business tact and
honor come TO be measured by such
men as Marshall Field. Between this
date and Jan ]. 1900. more
than thirteen months will inter
yene. and by the expiration OF that
period earnest. well directed effort
would doubtless attract support from
as yet many untried sources. Philan-
thropy breaks out sometimes in very
unexpected ways and places. and a
n eritorious organization. such as the
w. G. I. y. unquestionably is. needs
only the adoption of a proper and hon
orable plan for procedure TO attract to
itself substantial aid.
1t ought not 10 be too late for the
convention TO undo its unfortunate and
too hasty work OF yesterday. and place
itself in a position OF bravery. cour-
age and honor before the world. which
I'm the end. will surrey recognize so
worthy an institution I'm the promotion
OF morality.
Europe's war cloud this time is I'M
usually slow In rolling by.