The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-11-13
National Convention of
". 6. 7. u. Meets
ANE HUNDRED DELEGATES THERE
The Opening Address Of the President
and Annual Report of the
Secretary.

CINCINNATI, O., Nov. 13.-The
spirit of enthusiasm which marked
the opening today of the annual ma
tional w. c. T. L. convention remind
ed the veteran workers of the time
when Miss Frances Willard controlled
the destinies of the famous organiza-
ton and was wont to attract thousands
to the annual meetings by her elo-
quence and her sincere devotion to the
cause On the death of Miss Willard,
who was rightly regarded as the head
of the organization in the broadest
sense of the term. it was predicted by
many that the famous society of white
ribboners would inevitably go to
pieces But time has failed to verify
these predictions. Today. according
to the facts and figures. the organiza-
ton is numerically as strong as ever
and as an agency for good it is con-
Stantly widening the scope of its acti-
vities.
To all the officers and workers must
be given the credit for this fiOurishing
condition of affairs. If any individ-
ual however, is to be singled out for
praise she is Mrs. l. M. n. Stevens.
the presidency on the death of Miss
Willard. At the opening of the con-
vention this morning it was quite evil
dent that Mrs. Stevens enjoyed the
highest regard of the cultured women
before her. as she was required to
stand for some time. bowling her ac-
acknowledgements, before the warm ap-
plause subsidized and allowed her to
call the gathering to order.
The convention met in the Ninth
Baptist church, the interior of which
was tastefully decorated for the oc-
casion. A program of music and
prayer occupied the first half hour.
The roll call showed an attendance of
upwards of 500 delegates, while the
number of visitors present is twice as
large. The state largely represented
at the convention include Michigan.
New York, Nebraska, California, Kan
sas, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota. Penn
sylvania, Iowa and the Dakotas
The annual address of the president
was the leading feature of the opening
session. In the course of her remarks
Mrs. Stevens touched upon a large
variety of subjects, directly and lndl-
rectly relating to the great problem of
the drink evil. AS to the progress Of
no 70
in the most confident language. OF
particular significance, she said, was
the constantly increasing participation
Of women in the affairs of the world.
Mother and child are rapidly taking
their rightful place as the central fig
ures of the great world problem. The
president had a good word to say for
athletics as a promoter of temperance
and good morals.
Reassembling after luncheon the del
ogates listened to the reports of the
national corresponding secretary. Miss
Susanna NJ. D. Fry, and the national
treasurer, Miss Helen M. Barker, also
the reports Of the young women's
branch by Mrs. Clara Parrish Wright,
general secretary, one of the Loyal
Temperance Legion branch by Mrs.
Helen G. Rice. and reports by the
national superintendents Of depart
ments. These reports for the most
part were of a most encouraging ma
ture and showed the past year to have
been one of extraordinary activity in
all departments Of the organizations
work. A feature of the session was
the reading of messages Of congratula-
ton from Lady Henry Somerset and
Mrs. Ormiston Chant, of England.
Arrangements have been completed
for holding a big welcoming demon
stration this evening. The visiting
te-ribboners will be greeted on be-
half of the city and the churches and
temperance societies Of Cincinnati and
vicinity. The responses will be by
Mrs. Emma Bourne, president OF the
New Jersey W. c. T. o.. Mrs. c. n.
Howe, national organizer, and other
prominent visitors.