The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-07
WHITE RIBBON OFFICERS
Mrs. L. NJ. N. Stevens Again the
w. c. 7. U. President.
The Text of Mrs. Thnchcr's Report
on the Army Cantecn to he Pre-
scented Today - Another Animated
Discussion ON Labor Resolutions
Adopted by the Convention.

The election of officers at the morning
session, the final consideration of the
resolutions offered by the committee on
resolutions: the renewed discussion of
the labor resolution in the afternoon, and
the spectacular demonstration of the
work of the various departments at the
night session. made yesterdays proceed
ings of the W. c. 7. U. convention the
most interesting of the week.
The report of the superintendent OF
work among soldiers and sailors, Mrs.
Thatcher. which was to have been pre-
scented during the afternoon session. will
be brought before the convention this
morning. This report had been expec-
family awaited, owing to the supposition
that the canteen subject would be ex-
plotted. Mrs. Thacher's report Will be
submitted 10 the convention today, and is
in substance as follows:
The increase of good accomplished by
this department this year is amazing.
We cannot help but rejoice when we think
of the great number of old veterans.
young soldiers, and sailors who have not
only pledged themselves against intoNi-
eating drinks, but have been formed into
Christian Temperance Unions to fight the
foe and to help others. The union formed
at Dayton's Soldiers Home has grown
from 81 to 262. The Virginia Home Union
now numbers 1888 members. Their Flower
Mission, evangelist:c and literature de-
partments are carried on with much zeal.
The union at Fort Monroe is struggling
along, but it is hoped will pull through.
The Thatcher Union in Cuba has gained in
strength. and numbers over 2C0. This
union is carrying on the same depart
ments as the union in Virginia, and re-
ports that the receipts in canteen have
fallen off 50 per cent since organized.
Fort Scriven, Tybee Island, was organized.
but not being helped by good woman, is
disheantened. One young soldier, not
sober for eight months, signed the pledge
and has kept it, Fort Thomas, Kentucky,
was organized November 19 last with
thirty-eight soldiers.
Let us show army officers that there
is something better for the boys than
the canteen. Many officers tell us they
only tolerate it as the lesser of two
evils
New York State, with Miss Emma AL
exander for the seamen, and Mrs. Fergu-
son for the sailors, has done stupendous
work. The battleships of the navy have
all been visited and 600 comfort bags
distributed. This State is ahead in all of
it's work save the percentage in gain of
superintendent. That honor falls to Mrs.
Julia 0verman, Marion. Ind, who has 80
per cent gain. She is president Of the
union of the National Soldiers Home
f1,p
home, and its death rate is only per
cent, while all the rest are 6. Z, and per
cent. Massachusetts has done its best
work among its fishermen, as has also
Maine; Florida among its spongers, and
Pennsylvania in its merchant marine ser
vice. The following is summary of the
work of the department: Five Christian
Temperance Unions organized in forts of
Soldiers Homes. Auxiliary to this de-
pariment, with 500 members. also gain
of 500 members over last year, in our
other unions: 1880 pledges have been
signed; 1.520 meetings held; 1,S00 soldiers
and 3.1S4 seamen helped and cared for.
Over $500 has been expended and 20, coo
petitions sent against the canteen.
THE special work for this year IL the
petitioning against the canteen; the Or
ganiZing unions in the army and navy,
and in the soldiers homes; opening cof-
fee houses and sailors rests; raising
money and collecting comfort bags for the
boys in America, Manila. Cuba, and Porto
Rico. and the placing of libraries on ships
through our Woman's Christian Temper
ance Union. The superintendent at Ma
Mia. Mrs. Cornilie Moots. reports work in
public service three nights weekly. a
weekly Bible class. and class in Mctho-
dist Episcopal Church every Sunday
Meetings have been held in hospitals, On
ship Relief, and Christian work has leen
done in Manila, pagaper, Calambia, and
Corregidor.
1.-The total amount Of pensions received
by the old soldiers in the six homes is
81, 692. 1852, and one-tcnth of this sum is
expended by the old veterans in the can
teens alone, without estimating the
amount spent for liquor in other places.
The Government cxpcnds for the care of
old soldiers s2,1s6, S9779, making, with
pensions a total of 81 ,S79, 35i.41. The fol-
lowing amounts were expended during
1899 in the six canteens: Dayton, SIS, 655;
Hampton, SIS. 1885: Milwaukee, $50. 175;
Togus, Me-. Si0,06e.i5; Fort Leavenworth.
S2S 153.l5: Santa Monica, S14, 10; a total
of s247. 7s225
The election of officers at the morning
session resulted in the reelection of all
OF the officers of the preceding year. Mrs.
J-lliia1 VI. ~. sttNeLS HdS tltCleu ITtsl-
dent by vote of 401 against %. scatter
ing Mrs. Anna A. Gordon, placed in nomi-
nation by Mrs. Stevens, was elected by
reclamation. BY a vote Of 367 to 70 scat
tering Mrs S. NJ. ID. Fry was retained in
the position of Corresponding Secretary
Mrs. Clara c. Hoffman, Recording Secre-
tary, was reelected ~ a vote of 400
against a scattering vote OF AZ. Mrs.
Francis A. Beauchamp placed in nominal
ton by Mrs. Fry. wa reelected her as
sistant by reclamation. The vote for
freasr.-a- Stood IuT MIS-. ueien Nor
ton Barker against IS scattering.
At the afternoon session the appointment
of department superintendents was an
nounced. With the exception of the de-
partment of kindergartens, which has been
dropped. the appointments of the last year
were all reafiirmed
The discussion of the resolutions offered
by the Committee on Resolutions post
poned from yesterday, and made the spe-
cial order OF business, was taken up. The
spirited debate upon the wording of the
labor resolution was renewed. After the
had rejected fifteen attempts
10 amend it so as to eliminate the recog-
milton OF labor as an organized body. and
had also refused to permit the resolution
10 be tabled, ii was finally passed after
another hours discussion as originally
printed The resolution expressed sym
1athy with organized labor in It's demands
or a living wage and an eight hour day
Il expressed the belief that the Bolution
IF the liquor problem would materially
assist the solution Of the problems Of Ia
,or. The resolutions On total abstinence
,hristien citizenship. the ballot ana puri-
y were adopted as offered. To The reso-
ution on prohibition the amendment
doptcd at yestcrdsy's session was add
ID. which stated Tint th9 ", c. 4. 4. VAS