The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-01-13

Wy Ger Of Birmingham as state presi-
dent OF the Alabama Woman's
Christian Temperance union serves to call
attention to the notable career Of one of
the most prominent women Identified with
temperance work.
For many years Mrs. Spencer has been
the brilliant leader Of the temperance
forces in the state. She is recognized as
a woman of great depth of thought, with
the ability to grasp every phase of the
temperance question, and to be able to
present the vital issues 1t involves.
The work of the Woman's Christian
Temperance union is 80 much broader and
more comprehensive than is generally un-
derstood that the great work being &C.
complished through this organization Is
not as widely known as II deserves. And
the very fact that reforms have been in
stituted and that the w. C. T. U. is IN
terested in several measures now claim
ing public attention emphasizes the me-
cessity for strong and conservative lead
ers.
The rescue work OF this organization,
its crusade against narcotics, its work for
social purity and its mission work among
all classes and nationalities are channels
along which the Woman's Christian Tenn
perance union is directing IT'S energies
The flower mission is only one of the
many agencies through which much
good work is being done, and other de-
partments Of work include scientific tenn
perance instruction, physical education
penal, reformatory and police matron
work.
In Mrs. Spencer's leadership she has
adhered closely to these lines of work,
and the Alabama womans Christian
Temperance union is constantly extending
Its influences, being recognized as one of
the strongest organizations in the state.
Mrs. Spencer's work is recognized not
only in the state but In the national
body as shown by a recent article In the
official organ emphasizing the essential
part she ~ taking In temperance work.
The article says in part:
Mrs. c. B. Spencer, for ten years the
graceful and able leader of the Woman's
Christian Temperance Union of Alabama,
Is too well known to need an Introduction
to the readers of Signal
"A native of New York. she has lived
for the past twenty years in Alabama.
and is thoroughly identified with the
state work. Her leadership has been al
ways of conservative character adj
herring closely to those departments of
the w. c. T. U. that bear directly on
total abstinence
"She has not advised woman's suf-
fraGe as a necessary branch of the work,
but believes In temperance education for
the children, viz: scientific temperance
instruction in the public schools Pledge
signing In the Sunday schools and the
work of the loyal temperance legion.
I'm the child labor agitation now going
forward in her state, she hns taken an
active part and this is natural con-
comitant of her work among the poor in
her home city of Birmingham. where she
has given years of service as president
OF the Mercy Home, an institution for
homeless and friendless children.
"Those who know Mrs. Spencer best
feel that her devotion to duty as she
sees 1t Is one of the strongest traits In
her character. and this, with her quick
5AoSP VI ihe bdllGilt pOlul5 VI dIy Queb-
ton, and her fine executive ability make
her wise and safe leader a. one that
the Alabama Woman's Christian Temper
ance Union simplicity trusts"
In an interview with Mrs. Spencer yea
terday regarding the work Of the conven-
ton she said that the child labor bill was
among the most important matters OF
legislation. The child labor conditions OF
the state aroused the interest of the
Woman's Christian Temperance Union
women several years ago This organl-
cation was the first In the state to cali
attention to the evils of the present sys-
tenn.
Mrs. Spencer said that the Woman's
Christian Temperance Union had sent
letters to every legislator in the state
urging the passage OF the bill and that
the work in the interest of the bill was
being conducted systematically; that a
particularly happy feature Of the conven-
ton was In the announcement that the
Alabama Womans Christian Temperance
Union had been presented with the ma
tional banner in recognition of the in
crease In membership the past year Five
hundred new members were reported at
the national convention In Portland, this
being the largest Increase In membership
of any state.
In rererring to the prominent women In
attendance upon the convention Mrs
Spencer said that Mrs. Telford of Ten
nessee was the ablest speaker and one
OF the most forceful women. She is a
brilliant writer and is one of the con-
tributing editors Of the Union Signal.
published in Chicago.
Mrs. Green OF Mobile was among the
distinguished women there. She Is known
as chalk talker," illustrating her re-
marks with drawings During the con-
vention Mrs. Green held mass meeting
for children.