The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-09-30

The 2sth, annual convention OF the
woman's Christian Temperance Union
OF Rhode Island opened in the Broad
Street Baptist church.of Central Falls,to
day with sessions at 10 an d2 o'clock, and
another session to follow this evening.
The entertaining church was beaut-
fully decorated for the occasion. palms
and vases OF flowers adorning the plat
focm and numerous silken banners and
flags adding their beauty and significance
20 the scene
over the platform was a most graceful
arraa, s:nent OF red. white and blue bunt-
Ing and raised aloft was the picture OF
Miss Francis II. Willard.
The organ was draped with flags, while
banners from the various Womans Lnris-
tian unions OF the state stretched along
the walls for the entire length and
breadth OF the church.
Seated on the platform were Mrs Mary
A. Babcock, president OF the Rhode ISL
and Woman's Christian Temperance
union; Mrs. J. X. Barney and Miss Sarah
M. Carpenter.
The morning session was called to oroer
by the president. and singing and respon-
sive readings followed.
Prayer was then offered by Miss Z. p.
Nichols.
The roll call OF ex-officio members, by
Mrs. Eva III. Smith. the state secretary
of the W G. T. u, showed a large num-
Der OF delegates present, representing al
most every w. c. 7. ". In Rhode Island.
The various towns represented were
designated by bannerettes placed In the
pews OF the church. Following the roll
call came the appointment OF committees
Credentiais-Mrs. A. A. sherman, Miss
MfeE Teiesra9s@Miss r. 1neS f. p. Nichols, Miss
GfsssSHs ResointSnaIGss @hlpIGIe; Deborah Knc, L,v-
ingston. Mrs. T.. 8. Houghton. Mrs p. NJ.
Burlingame. Mrs. A. NJ. Paine, Mrs. G. G.
Ball.
Membership-Mrs. r. /. Starrett, Mrs.
George +. Faulkner.
Prayer-Mrs. Herrick OF Anna Gordon
Union
Pages-Miss Gould, Miss f. NJ Carr.
Mrs. Archibald
The report of the corresponding secre-
tary, Miss Mary f. Oney, was next pre-
sented This report was an exhaustive
one and showed the most intelligent com
pilation on the part OF the secretary. The
the work of the r. I. w. c. 7. u. during
the past year.
II persons who say 1.-The w. c. T. U.
does not amount 10 much" could have
heard the report OF the Cor. Sec, they
would have been amazed at the vigor
and activity of the ffty-seven unions
throughout the length and breadth of the
state. For the report showed work car
ried on In large number of the forty
odd departments of the w. G. T. ".
Some OF these were distribution of be-
tween 10000 and 10000 pages OF literature,
six temperances medals contests. work
for no license. petitions for various re-
forms, education OF the children I'm day
schools, Sunday schools and in the Loyal
Temperance legions. legislative work.
the sending of nearly 200 comfort-bags
10 sailors and soldiers, evangelistic
tniea xytaf 10
and the holding of services in prisons
and almshouses. the circulation OF anti
tobacco and total abstinence pledges,
and a great deal else, besides the hold
Ing of the regular meetings of each
union, and aggregate OF about 600
The report OF the treasurer, Mrs. A. A.
Sherman, followed that OF the secretary.
This showed the following -fnancial
status OF the organization. Total receipts
from all the unions, slS4l.l0 total ex-
penses. sl7s2.32: balance, S5s.N.
The above reports were accepted and
ordered to be placed on file and the next
business which came before the conven-
tion was reports OF the four district
presidents. as follows: Mrs. E. s.
Houghton. president OF the first district
OF Pawtuoket and vicinity Mrs. Hough-
ton gave a most interesting review OF
what had been accomplished by the w.
G. T. u. women OF her district during
the past year with a most optimistic out
look for the future. Miss A. E. Parker.
president of the second district. followed
Mrs. Houghton. dwelling also In most
hopeful way of her district and its work.
She was followed by l.. r. Anderstrom
of the third district and Mrs. s. II. Daw-
ley Of the fourth district. who also spoke
along the same lines
At 1890 o'clock was held most
touching memorial service for deceased
members Of the w. c. T. ".
The service was conducted by Mrs. j.
K Barney. honorary president Of the r.
l. w. c. T. L. In her conduct OF this