Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-10-24

fully Tor time oil work Tor the chill
dren, and then largely of the bond of
the white ribbon and of the work in a
wide sense of the Woman's Christian
Temperance Union.
At the close of Miss Gordon s. ad.
dress. Mrs. Jennie c. S. Price made a
bright collection speech.
The music OF the evening was by the
Wesley Church choir. Mrs. Miriam
Sheppard Davidson sang solo.
The meeting closed with the benedic-
tion, pronounced by the Rev. DR.. AL
fred Smith.
THE PRESIDENTS REPORT.
Dover, Oot IS. Following is a
synopsis of the annual report of Mrs.
Emma f. Caulk, State president Of the
W. 0. 4. U. of Delaware:
Very much of interest and encourage
ment has TRANSFERRED since October, 1900.
We may gather for encouragement that
more and more is the legalized liquor
traffic being recognized as the problem
for solution for this generation, and
not until our country has freed itself
from this bondage can we find perma-
nent prosperity for our nation. When
the Anti Canteen bill was about to be
presented to Congress, our faithful
national superintendent OF legislation,
Mrs. Margaret Dye Ellis, sent out
petitions all over the United States.
Delaware was not forgotten, and each
union received petitions and was urged
to send letters from influential men of
its community to our late Representa-
tive, Walter o. Hoffecl5er, and our late
Senator, Richard r. Kenney. We were
present at the national capital when
the news came that the House had
passed the bill, and that our Repre-
sentative, Walter o. Hotfecker. cast
his first vote in Congress for the passing
of the above bill. The Delaware W. g.
T. U. did not let this go unnoticed,
but sent large bouquet of white
ohrysanthemums tied with white ribbon
to his deaK in the House ON the follow
Jog morning. We were 80 pleased when
we heard that the bill had passed the
Senate that we sang in our hearts
Praise God, from Whom All blessings
Flow"
When the white ribboners of Della
ware read that bill was before our
Legislature prohibiting the manu-
facture and sale of cigarettes, our
hearts we're also ready to sing praises,
and especially when we heard that il
had passed both houses and the governor
was ready to sign it; but our hearts
were saddened when we found that it
was reoonsidered, and that it is still
being reoonsidered. If we could i'm
press our lawmakers how the cigarette
Is stealing the life out Of our brightest
and best boys and destroying their
brains, making them unfit to occupy
prominent positions and that perhaps
some OF these may he their boys, We
feel they would see it in different
light and hasten to have the bill passed.
Let us as mothers and sisters see that
the Cigarette law is carried out In its
fullest sense.
This year has been the best year of
my life, although the fullest OF duties
and responsibilities. [ have visited %
unions, and have been encouraged 10
the fullest sense of the word to find SO
many willing and cheerful workers and
the nnious generally in an excellent
condition. Where found some little
weak on some points, ] tried to en-
courage and strengthen. When found
letter to union would help, / did
not hesitate to write and give word of
cheer and advice. When | found unions
disbanded or about to disband, | wrote
as much as three different times, and
then received no answer. Did | get
discouraged? No. / have written during
the year 1868 postals and letters to help
advance the idea that liquor is the
greatest curse On Gods earth, aud we
must do all we can. against it. We
started out this year for gain of 800,
and. az we have not reached that
number. let us aim high for next year,
and not rest until we have gained 500
new members. Let each member feel
responsible for one new member, then
We will gain the victory.
Year after year we have been aroused
to the great need of prison reform, as
our State superintendent, Mrs. Mary
Smithers, has related facts that have
cume to her knowledge both through
personal observation aud the reports of
others. We rejoice that there Is a
workhouse in New Castle county, and
may we still hope that it will be made
State wcrkhouse. We have long de-
nounoed the system which makes our
iails schools of vice and idleness, as
they are in Delaware today. Rather
should the time of confinement be such
as shall give to the criminal that dis
cipliniary training as shall tend to
rescue him from life of crime after he
gains his freedom. Hence, the aim in
all penal systems should be the reforma-
tIcn OF the prisoners rather than mere
punishment.
Let us give much more attention to
the selection and distribution of itera;
ture suited to our respective lines of
work.
On the occasion of my visit to
Hockessin union, the meeting was held
in the Temperance House, which belongs
to the Hockessin W. @. L. u. The
building is fine frame structure of 16
rooms. There also is fine stable. The
house is neatly paintsd and papered,
and has all the city improvements. The
union has the property almost clear of
debt. How | wish there were more
unions with as great faith as this
union, and more temperance houses
throughout the State owned by the W.
o. 7. U. This is the only one in the
State
Two "W's'' aud three "Y's" have
been' organized this year, and one "W''
has been recognized. There ought to
be a "W" or 'tY' in every town in
this State. Our duty and RESPONSE
hility are great concerning the colored
people who live in our midst, and who
constitute large proportion Of our
population. They need instruction,
encouragement and help, and 1 believe
will repay in good measure all we
bestow upon them 80 let Us encourage
our ooiorod union to go on, and may it
increase in numbers and work.
Doper Ont ia Tho Stata nonyan