Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-09-13
ASKS HER no USE WATER.
w. G. T.&U. Docs Not Want the Illinois
Chrsstehed with Champagne.

temperance women of the nation are
united on one thing. Water instead of
champagne must be used when Miss
Letter names the battleship Illinois.
Miss Letter, however. is not 50 deter
mined on that point.
In sending her reply to the request
that she use water instead of cham
payne at the christening which will
take place at the shipyard October 4,
Miss Letter states that it will be map
propriate for her to discuss the subject.
The local branch of the Woman's
Christian Temperance Union, as well as
the State organizat ton, will in all prob
ability take some action endorsing the
stand taken by the Illinois union and
will also indite communications to
President Mckinley and Miss Letter on
the same subject
In speaking of the movement on foot,
Mrs. Carse, u prominent worker in the
Union. said to a Chicago reporter,
The letters will be sent early next
week, and we feel sure of their result.
While we know nothing of Miss Letter,
we feel sure she will honor Il request
made Of her by such a large body Of
women. and then she will feel too that
she has a precedent in the conduct of
Miss Bradley, who christened the Ken
lucky with water. The only difference
was that her state was bound up in pre-
cedents. and if one from Bourbon coun-
ty could cast them down and use water.
surely Miss Letter will do the same,
Ihen. again, she must as a ntive of
such a progressive state as Illinois feel
that she too should take a step in the
forward movement. and how can it be
better done than in the name of tenn
perance?"
Mrs.s Carse would not say what she
would do in case the governor would
refuse to have a voice in the discuss
sion.
The letter addressed by Mrs. Steven
son follows:
The Temple, Chicago. ILL.,, Sept. s.
MISC Nancy Letter, Tower Court. Chi
caSo--Der Madam: In behalf of the
100000 women of the Woman's Chris
tan Temperance Union of the United
States and in particular in behalf of
the $4,000 of our number in Illinois. we
respectfully request you to christen the
battleship Illinois, not With champagne.
but with pure water
We would call your attention to the
fact that the battleship Kentucky was
christened with water from the Lincoln
spring. and feel that there are enough
historic streams in our own goodly state
to make such an act most appropriate.
We also feel sure that it would be far
reaching in its influence for temperance
and righteousness.
I've know you will appreciate the
spirit in which this letter is written, and
VIII llOC Iet'l lIl:iI we nave taken an I'M
due liberty. Very sincerely yours,
''kATHERINE L. STEVENSON,
Corresponding Secretary
HELEN NJ. BAKER. Treasurer
What we Will do If Sfiss Letter ig-
nores our request has not come up"
said Mrs. Stevenson, but ! hardly
think anything will be NECESSARY. for |
believe Miss Letter Will understand
and comply With the request. She will
feel that she can at least do as much
as Miss Bradley did, for, notwithstand-
ing this Kentucky girl has been inter
ested since child in temperance mat
ters. still Miss Letter VIII think the
honnr of her birth state is at stake.
She has many noted springs to choose
The water from. and Il greater honor
could not be given the memories of
Grant and Lincoln than thai the water
for this occasion be drawn from the
springs which flow near their homes.
The Womans Christian Temperance
Union has heard from Miss Nancy Lei
Ter regarding its request that water be
used by her in tultilEng the commission
Of Governor Tanner To name the battle,
ship Illinois. Whether it's reane6t will
be followed the union has been unable
"a iGIGau frnrn the ca ref s1rdfi moi a
NO. Tower PLACE, Sept 9.
Mrs. Katharine L. Stevenson, secre-
.nr;- OF the Woman's Christian
Temperance Union.
Dear Madam: your favor Of the Sth
inst received. l fully appreciate the
pra iseworthy and noble aims of your
association. In performing the PLEASANT
duty requested of me by Governor Tan
ner it seems Inappropriate for me to
discuss the subject.
.'NANCY LETTER"
The union has sent letters to Pres
dent Mckinley and Secretary Alger, re-
guessing them to use their Influence
as;lins, the use of wine at the battle
ships naming.