Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-06-22
EIGHTH ANNIVERSARY
Anti-Saloon League to Hold Its An
nual Meeting.
PLATFORM CONTAINS BUT One PLANK
Personal Sketches of Some of the
Society's Workers.
ORIGIN OF TIL LIE & q E

The eighth anniversary of the Anti
Saloon League will be held in Wesley
Chapel corner of 9Th and F streets north
west, tomorrow evening beginning at s
O'Clock. There will be musical features of
an attractive character, and the report of
the work of the Anti-Saloon League for the
past eight years will be read by Mr.. A. n.
Garfield first vice president. Rev. J. Fred.
Heisse, pastor of Wesley Chapel, will
preach the annual sermon.
In 1893 the Anti-Saloon League of the
District of Columbia was organized for the
development of aggressive work against
the liquor traffic. The credit for its forma-
tion is given to the Grand Lodge Of Good
Templars of the District. through it's COM
mittee on legislation and enforcement of
prohibitory laws. Mr.. A. n. Garfield then
chairman of this committee. discovering
what he declared to be crookedness in the
matter of obtaining signatures to appli-
cations for bar room licenses. agitated the
question before his committee, and In
April 1893. he secured the services of Mr..
Jesse c. Suter. at that time assistant
grand secretary of the Good TemplarS
Mr.. Suter obtained permission from the
Commissioners of the District of Column
ba, who then combined the duties of the
excise board with their office, to copy the
license applications then on file and those
subsequently, presented Mr.. Suter APP
peared daily at the excise clerks office.
The subsequent publication of signatures
to applica lions for licenses caused consid-
cradle surprise. Mr.. Garfield was told
meanwhile that his statements We're true,
but that he stood alone and did not repre-
sent the sentiment of the community. This
was the beginning of the present reform
work which has broadened into that per-
formed by the Anti-Saloon League today.
Formation of the League.
Sundry meetings were held to consider
the matter until a committee, composed
of representatives of several temperance
societies and religious denominations, is
sued a call for a mass meeting of AL
persons opposed to the liquor traffic and it's
destructive work." to consider the forma-
ton of "a league of all such persons, to CO.
operate by means and influence to check
further oachment of the liquor dealers
upon the rights and welfare of our peo-
pie June l. 1893, the committee held a
Church. which filled with an enthusi-
astic audience. The league was formally
organized however. June 3D. in Fletcher
NJ. E. Church. New York avenue and 4th
street northwest. Major S. H. Walker was
elected president: Mrs H. A CLEARWATER
and Mr.. E. c. Palmer. secretaries, and
Thomas B. Marche. treasurer.
One of the first steps taken by the new
sentative to appear before the excise
board. and Mr.. Suter was called upon to
fill the position. This representation has
continued up to the present time, the
present representative being Mr.. Albert E.
Shoemaker. the attorney of the league.
His duties include the giving of advice and
assistance to all citizens in matters re-
lating to protests and information against
the saloons, and opposition to all appli
cations for license which do not comply
with the requirements of the excise board.
In addition to the work just noticed. the
league enlists the aid Of the press. holds
mass meetings at intervals in different
parts of the city and distributes anti saloon
literature for the purpose of arousing pub
Bic sentiment against the traffic in intoxi-
eating drinks. The league invites into it's
federation all churches. temperance soci-
ettes and other organizations opposed to
the saloon. 1t keeps a watch upon all leg
islation affecting the liquor traffic in the
District of Columbia and seeks to secure
from time to time changes in the law with
reference to making its prohibitions in the
interest of the community more effective.
Prominent League Workers.
James l.. Ewin. president OF the society,
was born in Baltimore, Md, October 10,
1S49. and lived there and in Laurel Md, I'M
til August, 1866. He then removed to WASH
ingtOn, remaining ;.rtil April, 1876 when he
went to New York city, residing there until
October. 1873. when he returned to Wash
ington. He is member of Foundry NJ E.
Church. and determined opponent of the
saloon. AT the present time he Is superin-
tendent Of the Foundry Sunday school
Entering the league in 1898 shortly after
its organization. ne was active in it's reor-
ganiZation, which was effected in January
1894. He has held the offices of first vice
president, chairman of committee on CO.
operation, and in 1896 was elected presi-
dent, an Office which he has since held and
to which he has given much valuable time.
First Vice President.
Mr.. A n. Garfield. the first vice presi-
dent and chairman of the committee on CO.
operation. is native of the state of Penn
sylvania, and came to this city from the
state of Iowa in 1882. He has been a total
abstainer all his life. He Joined the l. O.
G. T. in 1858. and is a representative in
the league from the Grand Lodge of the
District of Columbia in which he holds
the rank Of P. G. c. T. Mr.. Garfield is in
defatisable in maintaining the work of the
league. and by voice and pen does all in
his power to promote it's success.
Pioneer Leader.
Mrs. Clinton Smith is native of the
Green mountain state and was reared nm
der the banner of prohibition. She was one
OF the pioneer leaders of the W. c. T. IT.
in Vermont. and was president of her local
union until 1891. when she removed to this
city. she soon became a member of the
local w. c. I. L.. and has risen rapidly
from the ranks, having held the office of
District president for a number of years
Mrs Smith was educated in the seminary
In Middleboro. VT. founded by Mrs EN-
ma Willard and successfully maintained
there by that lady until she was induced
by Governor Clinton to remove to Troy,
N y This became one of the most famous
educational institutions in the Union. and
was one of the first experiments in the di-
rection of higher education for women.
Mrs Smith possesses an attractive per-
sonality and Is a forcible and Interesting
speaker. Her influence in the league Ia
far reaching. and she Is one of its most
popular and highly esteemed members
Work of the Attorney.
1t would be Impossible to refer to all who
take an active part In the work of the
league. There are quite number OF
| Jealous members who attend the meetings