Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-12

be like an open book ready for inspection
by any one, at any time. and the world
will realize that are honestly laboring
in this cause for the good We can do.
The secretary's Report.
The report of the High Tent secretary,
James H. Dony of Washington. D. c., was
taken up for consideration. 1t is in part
as follows:
1T declining reelection at Westport, In
1904, it was with a fixed determination to
never again undertake the arduous duties
of this important office, and were 1 to con-
suit personal preferences that determi-
nation would remain unchanged but some
of those who have the welfare of the order
at heart insist that my duty should out
weigh my preference, and 1 have reluc-
family yielded.
1.-The limited time since my resuming the
office must be my excuse for any shortcom-
ings in this report. The current work is up
to date, all communications up to Septem-
Der having been duly attended to. The
work of the year is best shown by the
tables.
THE constantly increasing labors of this
office, with prospective additional duties,
occupy so much time that the incumbent
has little opportunity to attend to miscel-
laneous correspondence not connected with
tents already established and 1 have no
hesitation in indorsing the recommendation
OF the High Tent chief ruler relative to the
Office of corresponding secretary.
THE directory of tents. the annual report
of funeral benefit fund.- expenditures. state
ment of stock, etc. will appear in the jour-
nal of proceedings. to be printed within
about month";
The report of the High Tent treasurer.
Margaret J. Ellis of GAINESVILLE. was read
and showed the finances in good condition.
By action of the High Tent the following
was authorized to be sent to Mr.. James l..
Ewing of Washington, D. c.. corresponding
secretary of the National Anti-Saloon
League:
An Interesting Communication.
"Sir: Your invitation to the High Tent,
Independent Order of Rechabites, that they
appoint ten delegates to your convention
which convenes in St. Louis in November
has been considered by our body. I have
been instructed to inform you that we de-
cline the request for the following reasons:
"First-We believe that the progress of
the temperance cause is due to uprising
among the people. an awakening to the
evils which come from the drink habit, and
that this condition of affairs Is the result
of better home life among our citizenship
which has been brought about by moral
suasion through the membership in
churches, Epworth Leagues Christian En-
deavor societies, Catholic total abstinence
unions, Good Templars. Jonadabs, Sons of
Temperance, Odd Fellows, Masons and
Recha bites.
"Second-We do not believe, as an or
ganization, that any permanent good or
any advancement can be made by attack
ing the saloon keeper or the saloon; by
closing up Bill Smiths saloon on one side
of the street and permitting John Jones
to double his receipts on the other side.
"Third-We believe If the people who are
interested in abolishing the liquor traffic
will create fund for the establishment of
temperance clubs in every city out of the
thousands and hundreds of thousands of
dollars spent every year in getting up con-
ventions and resoluting, and resoluting
that within twenty years two-thirds of the
country would be free from the traffic, and
brought about by loving Christian effort
"Fourth-We believe that you have COM
menced at the wrong end of the question.
The existence of saloons is due to men
who drink. We want to convince the man
in front of the bar that he is doing wrong,