The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-12-23
THE W. c. t. U.
Mrs. L. NJ. n. stevens Tells OF les work
and Plans.

Mrs. Lillian NJ. N. Stevens, national
president Of ths woman's Christian Tenn
psrance Union, has arrived home from
national heaq In Chicago. and
will remain here over the holidays. Miss
Anna Gordon, national vics-prssident,
came a. far as Boston, and is visiting her
mother In Auburndale for few days.
They will return to Chicago at the begin
ming Of the new year and remain there
week to attend to business mattrs, then
come back to Maine for another brief
stay. About Feb. 1, after Q committee
conferences In Washington, they will 60
South on q two months trip, visiting the
principal cities Of Virginia, South Caro-
lima, Georgia and Alabama, holding pub
lilo msetings and conferences with local
branches Of the organization.
The month Of April Mrs. Stevens and
Miss Gordon will devote TO their duties
at headquarters In Chicago. They eI-
poet to spend May In Maine. The first
week in Juns they will leave for Edin-
turgS, Scott, In company with the 9th er
natioral officers and delegates to the
Worlds wonan's, Christian Temperance
Union convention.
'Ihe United Statss will send 200 dele
gates to the worlds convention" said
Mrs. Stevens to reporter. "and in ad-
dition to thess, many visitors will go
from this country for the purpose OF
taking In the convention. Traffic ar
rRngements have not yet been coDplet-
ed, but probably about half the delega-
ton will sail from Boston and the re-
mainder from New York. Every state
and territory will be represented at this
convention. Some will remain abroad
two or three months and attend the
Paris expo sition. shall make as fhort
a stay as possible, on account Of pres
sure OF work here. attending state con-
ventions and preparing for the national
convention.
"The Woman's Christian Temperance
Union of the United States will have q
prominent part In the worlds convention,
because 1t Is the largest in numerical
strength and will have the largest rep
resentation there.
I'm all probability. Lady Henry Somsr
set, who has besn acting president Of the
Worlds woman's Christian Temperance
Union since the death Of Miss Willard,
win he elected president"
Speaking Of Woman's Christian Tenn
perance Union work in general, Mrs.
Stevens said;
"The outlook was never better. The
plans made at the Seattle convention are
being carried out, and from every section
Of the country come encouraging reports
OF the work. We never before received so
many Invitations for the national oon-
vention as have been received this year.
1hsy came from indianapolis, Milwaukee.
Detroit, Pittsburg, Washington, ID. O.,
and Austin, Tex.
"Lsst week 1t was decided to aoospt
the invitation to hold the next national
convention in Washington. Sinos then,
have received letters from Indianapolis
and Austin, Tex, repeating their invita-
tons for 1901, and saying that they will
be represented by large delegations At
Washington In 1900. We sxpsct that the
Washingto convention will be larger
than has ever yet been held. 1t will open
In Lafayette Theatre the last week In
December, and continue q week. Con-
grsss W Ill then be in session.
1--WE are becoming more and more i'm
pressed with the Importance Of seeking
right legislation. Our superintendent of
the department of legislation, Mrs. Mar
gsrst Ellis of Newark. N. j.. will re-
main in Washington throughout the pres
ems session Of Congress.
lone Of the questions In which we are
especially Interested Is that relating 9
the Fighting Of the oanteen law. Ipas-
much ~ the President IL oommsnder-in-
chief Of the army. We think the power is
vested In him to see that the will of the
people. as expressed by the vote Of Con-
gress, is fulfilled. and the sale of liquor
in the army cante,n Is stopped.
1--WE intend to get from the people all
over the country an expression Of opinion
in regard to this matter. We shall seek
the assistance of churches and temper
anos organizations of all kinds. We are
not the least discouraged. but believe
that when the President fully underst lnds
the sentiment of the people of this coun-
try against the canteen, their demand
will not be In vain.
1--WE are also greatly interested In the
Grout bill, which aims to Rrsvent the
sale Of intoxioants at soldiers homes.
There Is an increasing sen tiInent against
the infamy Of suoh q system as prevails
In these homes.
az shall be glad II We could have some
strong legislation in regard 10 the manu-
fscturs of cigarettes. Hardly q week
passes that do not receive letter from
some father or mother whose son had
been ruined or lest his life through the
poison of cigarettes. Something ought
to be done to check this growing evil,
which is doing so much harm to the
youth of our land"