Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-10-01
MAINE WoMAN's CHRISTIAN.
TEMPERANCE UNION.

The twenty-SevonCn annual convention
of the Maine Woman's Christian Tenn
perance Union met in the Second Con-
eregational church, Biddeford, Sept. "a.
The first devotional hour was led by
Mrs. Lucy Snow, superintendent OF the
evangelistic department.
At 1890 the business session was
called to order by the president, Mrs. l..
M. N. Stevens.
After the reading of the crusade
psalm, led by the officers, and prayer,
came the roll call. All the state officers
we're present, the most of the county
presidents, who arc the vice-presidents
of the state union, and large number
of the superintendent. The usual COM
mittees were appointed.
Mrs. Stevens then referred feelingly to
the recent national bereavement, and
paid tender tribute to the purity OF
| life and devotion as husband OF
President Mckinley.
Then followed the recommendations
for the year, among which were the
following: The need of keeping an or
ganizer constantly in the field; the hold
ing of our meetings rs often as fort
nightly, and when possible weekly; also
public meetings to interest the children;
the constant use of petitions, especially
| for the enfranchisement of women when
such are needed.
Mrs. Stevens made reference to the
anti-canteen law, and urged the Maine
Union to cooperate with the national in
securing correct Information in regard
to its beneficial effects, and give the
same to the public. She also recon-
mended the union to assist in supporting
a w. C. T. U. missionary for the Philip
pine Islands.
The departments were then considered
and reports of work done given. The
refOrmatOry prison for women was the
first, and was presented by Miss Clara
Farwell, one member of the committee.
There is prospect that an unused
building owned by the U. S. Govern
ment, situated on Widows Island near
Rockland, will be presented to the state
and every effort should be made to have
it accepted. 1t is earnestly hoped that
our next legislature will be favOrably
disposed.
! The need is great for there is grow
ing sentiment in favor of a separate
place for women. In one county sixty
women served sentence during the year.
Temperance teaching in our public
schools was reported by the superin'
tendcnt, Anna Sargent Hunt of Augusta
A lengthy discussion followed showing
the interest in this line of work.
The press was reported by Miss
French of Auburn and it was urged that
all our state and county papers be
furnished with short, crisp items of oul
work.
The Loyal Temperance Legion was
presented and discussed with the hope
of arousing more interest in the children
These are but few of the twenty-foul
or more departments of work which are
carried on with more or less done II
each.
The first evening was devoted to thu
welcomes by the Mayor, Rev. Mr.
Bradlee, and the local president, closing
with an address by Mrs. Stevens.
The second evening was young
women's evening, Mrs. Gertrude Stevens
Leavitt, Honorary Secretary, presiding
There was most interesting demon
stration by the children, the Old Orchart
Loyal Temperance Legion with the Bid
deford children, made the exercises very
pleasing. This was followed by the W
} who did themselves great credit. 1t wa.
the most successful evening ever filled
by them at convention. Miss Alice
, Moore, our new state organizer, made
fine address, as did Mrs. hurry, Miss
Anna Gordon, Miss Timing of England
in the order given, followed by a shor
prophecy by Mrs. Stevens. 1t was a sue
cess from beginning to close.
: Mrs. Margaret u. Ellis of New Jerse!
was the speaker the last evening, ant
, her address upon her visit in Washing
ton, D. c., was full of interest and in
7 structiOn.
All the state officers were reelected
aud the most of the superintendent.
There were 161 delegates present
, Oxford County was represented by it
county president, Mrs. NJ. B. Chapman
of Bethel, Mrs. Fannie NJ. Y. Clifford o
Hiram, treasurer, Mrs. Stickney, vice
president of the western district, Mrs
E j. C. Billings, Mrs. o. NJ. Mason, Bethel
Mrs. A. w. Po'tle, South Paris, Mrs
Frank P. Wilmington, Mrs. Benjamin
, Spaulding, Buckfield, Miss Jennie NJ
Brown, West Paris, Miss Daisy Young
Hiram.
There were two invitations for thu
convention in 1902-Bar Harbor, Dove,
and Foxcroft-the decision to be made
by the executive committee.
The prize banner was won by Lincoln
County for the largest per cent of gail
in membership.
The singing was under the direction
of Miss Sarah Monroe Hall, musica
director, ard was very pleasing feature
of the convention.
Several of the choirs of the city fur
nished part of the music each evening
The memorial service in case of Mrs
Hall of Rock!and was held on the morn
ing of the last day. In the afternoon
Mayor Crossman of Saco and Sheriff
! Pearson of Cumberland County address
ed the convention on enforced prohibi
ton. The resolutions adopted will bt
| nuhlished neYt week E. A. G. s,