The Republican journal., 1899-10-05
The State Convention, w. c. T. u.

The Maine Woman's Christian Temper
ance Union celebrated its silver anniversary
in Portland, Sept. 26-7 g. About 400 repre-
sentatlves OF the local unions throughout
the State were present, with the officers of
the State union and prominent guests. The
convention was held in the spacious audito-
rum of the Second Parish church on Con.
gress street, which was elaborately decorated
for the occasion. Mrs. Lillian M. N. Stevens,
president OF the State union, and the presi-
dent OF the National w. G. 7. u, was the
leading spirit of the convention, and among
the honored guests were: Miss Anna A.
Gordon, vice -president-atlarge of the Ma
tional W. G. T. u. and one Of the secretar-
les of the Worlds W. G. T. u, who for q
years was associated with Miss Willard,
Miss Jessie Ackermann, Chicago, round
the world missionary of the National W. c.
L. u, Mrs Hannah j. Bailey, superinten-
dent of the department of peace and arbi-
traton of the National and Worlds unions.
Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, the well-known
temperance speaker. The music was under
the direction of Miss Sarah NJ Hall of Rock
land.
The unions of Waldo county were all rep.
resented, their delegates including women
of rs and - years, and it may be added here
that w aldo county won the banner given by
Mrs. Olive Hanson of Skowhegan to the
county showing the largest pro ratio gain in
membership. This banner is of silk, and
! bears on white ground the words, "Prize
Banner beneath which is portrait of the
State President with a bunch of cherries on
one side and pine on the other. Below is
the date OF presentation, Sept. 2Sth, the
birthday of Frances E. Willard.
The President of the State Union, Mrs. L.
M. N. Stevens, in her annual address touch
ingly referred to the great reform work of
Gen. Neal Dow and Miss Frances E. Willard
and then reviewed the history Of the Maine
W. G. I. .. The corresponding secretary
Hf tbn T,;o NJ
then submitted her report. Ore fact clearly
defined in each report was that the women
of Maine have not lost faith in the cause
they have espoused because of discour-
agements and hindrances, but are strong
| in their convictions of right and determined
| in their attitude against the gigantic evil so
| long combatted.
| The report Of the treasurer, Mrs. A.
S, Johnson of Fort Fairfield, showed total
receipts, including a balance of S1S1. 10 on
hand last year, S1995,04 total expenditures,
| S16S7 sc, balance in treasury S307 ,3S. The
total receipts from State dues, including 81
| each from members at large, were S13l6 49,
the gifts from local unions for the extension
| of state work amounted to S15S 40.
| The State Organizers report showed that
122 addresses had been delivered, as well as
Is talks" The organizer had presided at
| Is gospel temperance meetings, organized
four unions and two"Y. So and received 211
into active membership.
| At the forenoon session Sept. 2Sth the
| following officers were elected: President,
Mrs, Lillian NJ n Stevens, Portland; cor
responding secretary, Miss Cornelia Nj. Dow
| Portland recording secretaries, Miss Clara
NJ. Farwell, Rockland Miss Estelle NJ.
| Brainerd, China: treasurer, Mrs. A. S.
Johnston, Fort Fairfield. The meetings end
ed, this afternoon.
| AT the afternoon session there was a score
OF brief speeches in response to Mrs. Presl-
|
| to do next?' The answers covered all feat
ures of the association work. Mrs. Crockett
| of Dexter reported long series of resolu-
| tiOns, of which the following il an abstract
1-Pledging the W. c. T. L. to even better
work in the future than in the past for the
prohibitory law.
2-Recognizing as the standard Of purity
a white life for two and pledgng the best ef-
| forts of the union 10 prevent the election of
! immoral men to office.
3-The ". O, H. U. will ask for full suf-
frage and will he content with nothing less.
| 1.-The Governor to be asked to use his in
tluence with Judges not to show mercy
| wneu dealing with liquor dealers.
| 5-FavOrs an extension Of the system of
education along the temperance lines.
6-Aganst tobacco; church officials TO be
| asked to discard it,
| 7-Demapds "A rtformatOry for women
! S-Asks for the eurfew law.
9-Commtnds the coca VIII farm .ud all
| similar institutions.
10-Protests against cite anteen and asks
the commander-,u-chief of the army " N,
| Mckinley, to right great wrong.
lI-Domnends W .. /. Y. literature to
| all members
12-Returns thanks to railroads, papers
churches and the people in Portland geuer-
ally.
Is Favors universal peace,
Rev. Anna ii. Shaw spoke in the evening
| - "a plDsAU bXy
Joined hands, God be with you till we meet
again.