The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-26
RECOUPING LOSSES
Problem Confronting the State w,
C. T. u. Discussed at Winona
Convention.
Need Of Thoro Organization Empha-
sized-strong Points From
Mrs. Scovell's Address.
From a Staff Correspondent.

From Staff Correspondent.
Winona, MINI, Sept. 26.-Owing to the
heavy inmigra ton from Minnesota to the
Pacific slope and to Canada from the rural
communities, where the organization is
strong, the w. c. T. U. has been having
a hard time for several years and es-
pecially the last year to recoup its losses.
Systematic and competent work in or
ganizing and lecturing has been done
during the year. but it has not been able
to do more than hold its own against such
odds. 1t has suffered from the temporary
retirement from field work Of its president,
Mrs. Bessie Laythe Scovell. The state
convention is giving much attention to the
problem of keeping the ranks filed up
and to providing funds to pay for or
ganization work
The keynote chosen for the convention is
''faith,' but it's practical working formula
is set forth in a thoughtful paper by
Miss Allene G. Bayrell of Argyle, who en-
phasized the statement that no important
problem can be worked out nor reform
accomplished by individual effort; they re-
quire organized work.
E Status of State Union.
The present status of the state. union
as shown by the reports of the correspond
ing secretary, Mrs, Ella +. Hendrix, and
of the treasurer, Mrs Della R.. Mandigo,
3 III :
honoraries, 243; US, AZ; honoraries, rs;
Y branch, 1875; L. TIL, 1853; local unions.
157; US, 4; L. T. LIS, 81; district unions.
27;s number of unions cooperating in
no-license :. campaigns. The exchequer
of the state union received from all
sources $2,906.79 for the year, Of which
s1,559.7O was due and s46S.70 special
for the National Memorial pledge and
$103.35 for the fund for an ice water
fountain at the st. Louis worlds fair.
The balance is $439.45.
After the treasurer's report pledges for
the state work were taken and s25S.75 was
subscribed in few minutes, the Water
vile union pledging $23.25.
Mrs. ScoveIPs Address.
The feature Of the afternoon mseting
yesterday was the address Of the presi-
dent, Mrs. B. Laythe Scovell, who intro
duced her analysis Of the state work and
her recommendations by a historical study
| twenty-five years ago to-day, the first
| born daughter" of a new state union. A
temperance reading started by the unior
| in 1884 developed into a fourishing y. M
| C. A. "A circulating started in 1892 grew
| into fine public library.
| Mrs. Scovell called special attention tc
the announcement Of the Epworth League
l
Temperance crusade. This. according tc
its leaders, is to be opened by a pledge
signing crusade, on the ground that since
the temperance movement has assumed
such pronounced political phases, moral
suasion has been neglected. The league
program continuous in this way:
What Must Be Done.
] e"The awful effects of liquor upon the
L. nd soul m "a M,
( phasized. Its domestic and social devas.
| tations must be retOld. A new and de.
| termined effort must be made to stir If
the hearts of the girls and boys deep,
seated hatred of the liquid poison. They
must not be permitted to acquire the
drink habit. Hence, plans are under wa!
! to circulate the pledge by the tens o.
| thousands. The young people are to be
asked to pledge themselves to abstain
from liquor, tobacco, profane language
and all forms Of impurity Some. do not
believe in any pledge. We respect theil
! opinions or beliefs or prejudices or Wha t.
| ever they may be-. Notwithstanding this
we are to set 10000 senior and Junior
chapters at work circulating our iron.
| clad pledge at the earliest practicable
| moment. Next we are to manufacture
and circulate literature in wholesale ways
| We will not send out regulation tracts
and illustrated, will soon be ready FOL
delivery. It is expected that these silen
messages will be soWn broadcast in ever,
community. They will tell In vivid way
the awful facts about rum-selling ant
rum drinking They will warn. The.
will exhort. They will entreat They vii
Ipersuade. They will surely compel /;
harvest of temperance sentiment.
Then our crusade contemplates /;
series of agitation meetings. 1t is lonl
time since such meetings were held IL
some places. They will be new They Wi
arrest attention. They will create mora
sentiment. They will carry conviction
They will stiffen the backbones Of wab
bling saints. They will warm the luke
warm into new life. They will make or
i ganization possible. They will unity tn
scattered temperance forces of the com
munity. They will make possible new an
large victories"
Things to Encourage.
4 i Mrs. Scovell noted many hopeful sign
4 nicipal leagues to purify city government
8 the passage Of the immigration BILL whic
q prohibits the sale of liquors in all i'm
4 United States, and a law forbidding tn
sale of opium, intoxicants and f1rearm
4 by American traders in Independent Pa
cifc islands.
The failure Of the attempt to restore tn
canteen in the army was noted as q tenn
perance victory. Special attention wa
paid to the influence OF the railroads /