Los Angeles herald., 1905-10-31
TEMPERANCE WOMEN AFTER
SM00T
Most Exciting Convention Day In His
tory Of the Oreanization-Some
Patent Medicines Also
Fumed

for the last time at $3.50 o'clock, an
hour and a half after the regular clos
ing time, there was hardly a minute in
which several women were not striv-
ing for the floor
At the morning session the first big
bombshell was thrown into the midst
of the convention by the secretary of
the Ohio w. c. T. u, Miss Ensign,
and for three hours of the afternoon
session the report of the resolution
ments to the resolution were made and
amendments to the amendments were
offered.
Miss Ensign's bomb made it's appear
ance in an unoffending manner-an
amendment to the section of the con-
stitution and bylaws that provides for
the nomination of vice president by the
president-elect and of assistant secre-
tary by the secretary -elect. She
wanted the constitution changed so
that all officers would be nominated
by the convention.
She had no sooner proposed the
amendment than every woman in the
auditorium assumed a. more erect po-
sition and several arose and addressed
the chair.
Illinois to the Front
Miss Ensigns talk was only begin
ming, for to Miss Marie G. Brehm was
left the honor of bringing the discus
sion to climax. Miss Brehm Is the
president of the Illinois state w. G. T.
u, and for several days it has been
rumored that she and her supporters
would make themselves heard before
the sessions were over.
1t is said that Miss Brehms sup
porters from Illinois would have been
glad to see her in the chair at the time
Mrs. Stevens went into the national
presidency, and it has even been sug-
gested that Miss Brehm might still fill
the position to advantage.
The big temple in Chicago which the
w. G. t. U. women abandoned as head
quarters because they found it took
all their money to keep 1t up, has long
been cause of discussion. 1t is said
that many of the Illinois women still
cherish hopes of regaining the temple
and for this reason covet the national
presidency for Illinois.
The temple was not even mentioned
at yesterdays session, but this, never
-theless, say some of the women, was
behind the movement.
others hint that it is an effort to get
the present vice president, Miss Anna
Gordon, out of Office that some one
else may have chance for the place.
Miss Gordon was Frances Wizards
private secretary and is a quiet LITTLE
woman with never a word but of kind
ness for anyone. Through everything
she Is Mrs. Stevens friend and advisor
and shares the love of the majority of
the w. G. T. U. women equally with
the president
Miss Brehm spoke in no uncertain
words and with an amount of elouuence
that could hardly be surpassed by any
of the clever women attending the con-
vention.
From Ocean to Ocean
II want to be heard from ocean to
ocean," said she.
I'm the w. c. T. u. the time has
come when more power rests in the
platform than in the body of the union.
l am opposed to this state of affairs.
1t is not right that the power of this
great oody should be centered in a
few"
Half dozen women were crying,
Madam President" and through it
all Mrs. Stevens remained cool and
undisturbed. She recognized first one
woman and then another with impair
tiality. Most of the argued against
the amendment.
When things had reached such a
critical point that the women were be-
ginning to do more than hint at un-
pleasantness, Mrs. A. S. BENJAMIN of
Michigan saved the day by moving
that the debate had been carried on
In the friendliest manner. Mrs. Ste
vens put the question and finished with
1T is so ordered" The debate was
carried on In the friendliest manner"
The amendment was lost with large
vote against 1t.
Miss Gordon's Hit
Miss Anna Gordon made the hit of
the afternoon with her "Peruna Illu-
mination.'
Miss Gordon had an apparatus bv
which che OH
eyes but also to the minds. A Wells
bach gas burner was connected by a
rubber tubing to a bottle containing
two ounces of Peruna. An alcohol
lamp arranged under the bottle heated
the Peruna, and when 1t reached boil
Ing point the jet was turned on and
the light was as perfect as If 1t were
regular lighting gas. AS she worked
her experiment, Miss Gordon told of
her efforts to win for the w. c, T, u.
the $4,000 which is offered as a reward
to anyone who will prove the Peruna
testimonials to be spurious.
Miss Gordon gave her proofs and
told that the money is deposited in
bank of which the manufacturer of
Peruna Is the president
IF / should succeed in getting the
money what is the pleasure of the
w C. T. u? she asked, with a smile
Should we accept 1t or would it be
tainted money? Surely there Is no
meaner way of amassing fortune than
cheating sick people.
Further Experiments
Miss Gordon also burned in saucer
for the edification of her audience part
of a bottle of Sanfords Jamaica ginger
which she said would burn without
generating.
In conclusion she read the act passed
in Washington September IA making it
necessary to pay the regular liquor tax
on all patent medicines containing more
than a very small per cent of alcohol.
Mrs. e. B. ingalls, preceded Miss
Gordon with talk on anti-narcotics in
which she declared that the white rib
honers should add the word tobacco
to their pledge for honorary members
Better no honorary membership at
all than smoking membership" she
said. Our honorares set a fearful
exar'''o ~ "''~ NN"~ IN his way.