Evening journal., 1906-09-28
DIVIDED ON
STRICTER PLEDGE
Delaware ". c. 7. U. HeSi-
tateS to Strike Out
Certain Words
OFFICERS ELECTED TO-DAY

An unlooked-for and rather lively
discussion was precipitated in the w.
G.. Il. u. convention this morning by
the recommendation Of Mys. Jennie NJ.
Graves in her report on non-alcoholics
in medicine and temperance hospitals
Mrs. Graves stated she was author
lied by the national secretary to re-
quest the Delaware State Convention
to drop the words "as a beverage from
the pledge in order to have the State
pledge correspond with the national
pledge
Upon the conclusion Of the reading Of
the report. Mrs. Donaldson, Of New
ark. moved that the words be stricken
from the pledge This motion was
seconded and the discussion began.
The present pledge Of the Delaware
w. C.. r. u. reads as follows;
/ hereby solemnly promise, God
helping me, TO abstain from all dis
titled, fermented and matted IL
quors. including wine and cider, as
a beverage, and to employ all
proper means to discourage the use
of and traffic IN the same.
The striking out OF the words "as a
beverage" from the pledge altered It
TO one OF absolute iron-clad prohibit
tion Of the use OF liquor for any pur-
pose whatsoever.
What Did Il Mean2
Mrs Kate e. smithers. Of Smyrna,
vice president OF Kent county, began
the discussion by asking the president
whether the motion If # prevailed
meant that the signers of that pledge
would be breaking Il If under the phy-
sician's orders they were compelled to
take IT,
President Mrs. Caulk replied that for
herself she would not take IT under
any conditions. so long as there was
substitute. which she knew there was.
Mrs Donaldson declared that the
Newark Union had abandoned the
words "as a beverage" some time ago
and that the state convention should
not be divided on a question which the
national organization had settled.
Mrs. William T. Pettingill arose and
said. 81 first wish TO understand what
we are doing. Does the pledge as
amended mean that alcohol baths in
cases OF typhoid fever and rubs with
stimulants for certain Affections are
prohibited and win those who do so,
break the pledge?"
Another delegate declared that in
cases OF sickness the patient often was
IA no position 10 assume responsible
tv and under these circumstances It
would be wrong to make her break her
pledge
one Of the delegates, a physician.
declared that there were substitutes
for alcohol for bathing purposes and
that alcohol only made the skin hot as
an after effect
Dr.. Watt to the Rescue.
DR.. Robert Watt, OF Smyrna. came
TO the rescue of what threatened to
be a heated argument by saying that
there did arise circumstances whore
divided responsibility held sway and
where disobedience of the doctors or
dcrs means homicide It might be un-
wise TO act on this before we ask the
accredited representatives of the ma
tiondl organization who may be here
what is the Interpretation Of the pledge
with the words stricken out.
Mrs. Donaldson then decided that
since the convention did not seem
ready to vote on the motion she would
withdraw the motion. with permission
of the delegate who seconded IT,
The convention allowed this and the
matter goes over for another year
Another recommendation OF Mrs.
Graves was that the name OF the de-
partment she represented be known as
Medical Temperance Department. The
convention passed the amendment.
Much Business Done.
The convention session was largely
a business one during which reports
were read by the superintendents of the
Flower Mission, the Medal Contest,
Anu-Narcotics, Sunday School Work,
Medical Temperance. and from the
State treasurer. Miss Sallie e. Raw
Inns. Of Bridgeville
The latter reported total receipts
amounting to S146406 and expenditures
Of Si164.53. County reports showed
that Of this amount New Castle coun-
ty contributed s51t.56, Kent s226.72 and
Sussex Sl1700
Election Of Officers.
The election of officers resulted as
follows:
President Mrs. Emma = Caulk. wy
loming (re-elected); corresponding sec
lretary Mrs Annie w. Massey. OF
Dover Oe-elected); recording secre-
ltary. Miss Levina r. Lynch. Mt Pleas
liant; treasurer, Mrs. Marshall: dele
gates TO the National w. G.. r. Il Con-
vention Mrs l.. w Emerson, Of New
Castle county; Mrs. J. r. Mnligan
Mrs Kate E. Smithers. Of Kent county
Mrs. Evan c. Clifton. OF FELTON,. alter
mate; and Miss Lillian Cade, Of SUISSE,
county.
In commenting on the attendance O
delegates Of the national convention
the state President shocked the con
vention by saying that II afforded he
great pleasure to take with her a "ful
delegation So great was the awe {
which she was held that none venture
to substitute complete for full"
Drs. Murray and Watt made brit
addresses and Mrs. Eme Lambert.
New York. was introduced to the cor
vention.
This afternoon the Rev. Robert Wat
president OF the Delaware state Ten
perance Alliance, makes an address
following which a Question Box wi
be held
Tonight Mrs Lambert of New Yor
viii deliver the address.
Afternoon Session.
At the session of the convention
the afternoon the DELEGATES gave Il ris