The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-13
W. C. 7. U. MEETS
Thirtietil Annual Convention
Begins at Cincinnati.
Body Will Be in Session Six
Days.
A LARGE ATTENDANCE.
Delegates Constitute Only Small
Part of Visitors.
President Stevens Delivers Her
Annual Address.
A LARGE ATTENDANCE.

Cincinnati Nov.13.-The thirteenth an
nual convention of the Womens Chris
tan Temperance union began session
of six days here today with very large
attendance, the 500 delegates constitut-
ing only small part of the visitors. At
$3.50 a. m. prayer meetings and confer
enees were held. Mrs. r. J. Trego, ma
tional evangelist. was the leader of the
opening devotional exercises.
The Purity conference of which Mrs
Helen Lloyd was leader. previous to the
convention was addressed by Mrs. c. E.
Hunt, of Illinois and others.
The Ninth Street Baptist church was
crowded when President Stevens called
the convention to order at $3.50 a. m.
Following the crusade psalm and the
crusade hymn prayer was offered by Dr..
William J. MeSurely of Oxford. After
the roll call by Mrs. Clara c. Hoffman
of Missouri the reports of the executive
and other committees were presented
when addresses of welcome and respOn-
Ees We're made and kilograms and let
tiers read. Then Mrs. Lillian NJ. n.
Stevens of Portland. Me. in delivering
the presidents annual address spoke in
part as follows:
MRS. STEVENS ADDRESS.
I'm every civilized country the tenn
perance question is receiving more or
less attention. The influence of the w.
c. T. L. is acknowledged throughout
the world.
we realize that in England the row
ing against the tide is exceedingly
hard, but the temperance people are
rowing as never before Even IN Eng
land there are some encouraging fea-
lures in connection with the temper
anee reform. Steps are being taken
with good prospects of success to in
duce parliament to abolish barmaids,
S0s 0N0 whom RTnnlOVe6 the
British isles. A few years ago such a
movement was considered ineXpedient
but today it is considered expedient be-
cause it is right.
In our country, naturally enough
there comes first to our minds the over
throw of the prohibitory law in Yer
mont and New Hampshire. This disas-
ter came about by a. combination of pO-
1itical triCkery. the unStinted work OF
the liquor fraternity of the country
and the deceived and bewildered eondi-
ton of some of the voters of these
states. One of the pamphlets circulated
by the liquor bureau was The Theory
of Prohibition by a minister. 1t IS q
bhghting shame that any one profess
sing to be a minister of the gospel OF
our Lord and Savior should formulate
a theory which could be used by tbs
lduor interests of the country to pro
mote its diabolical trade. The tenn
porary defeat in these two states meet
no have a depressing effect if we lool
to the victories in other states, for II
every section of our country temper
ance victories have been won.
Faithful work has been don'
making sentiment in favor of an anti
polygamy amendment to the constitu
tion of the United States.
"The w. C. T. Z. is today. and if tru
TO it's heritage viii ever be, arTaye'
against all forms of impurity an
iegalized vice. We painfully recogniz
that there are some evils that caunO
be annihilated in this day and genera
ton. but We evermore declare tina
these evils if they exist shall do so i
ouposition to law rather than by sane
ton of law. The record of the attemp
made two wears ago by the mayor Q
Minneapolis to introduce a system Q
regulated vice should be d warning t
others not to try to do likewise. TIL
best element of the American peoDl
will always. if need be. unite in pro
test as loud and as long as that w1lic
resulted in the issuance of the o-da
from the war department. with II
Btructions concerning its carrying on
which practically abolished the systeI
of legalized and licensed vice whic
had existed for a time in the far ava
PHILIPPINES.
Notwithstanding the great spectacl
81 sin and misery whic IS ever Wis