Omaha daily bee., 1909-10-28
love FOR REFORM LIBRARY


After a successful session lasting over a
week the thlrty-sixth national convention
of the Women's Christian Temperance un-
ion adjourned last night
The final hours Of the convention were
taken up with miscellaneous business and
with the program arranged by the presi-
dents of the various states. The meeting
abounded in enthusiasm and did not ad-
journ until late hour.
Today the final business will be tran
sacted by the executive committee which
will go into session at o'clock and proba-
bly, remain in session during the entire
day. The committee has much work to
clear up before the members leave Omaha
and busy meeting is promised
Many of the delegates did not wait for
the session last night but carried their
packed suit cases to the afternoon session
and hurried to late trains after adjourn
ment Trains leaving Omaha were com
! fortably filled with women, who on ac-
count of the long distance they have to
travel took an early start,
On Record for Suffrage.
"woman's ballot Tor the Kings business"
is the expressive motto adopted by the
franchise department and in this action the
National women's Christian Temperance
union puts itself on record regarding wo-
man suffrage. Rev. Mecca Varney Of
Michigan, superintendent Of the depart
ment explained that the ballot was asked
not through any selfish motive, but that
through it women might be privileged to
register their opinions in the name of
Christ
I'VE do not aspire to be o great polti-
cal body" she said but rather a mighty
force in the world for righteousness" She
further advocated as an experimental sta
tion, some strong Woman's Christian Tenn
! perance union state, where women might
be enfranchised according to the ideas of
| the union.
Numerous awards were made for pro-
! gress in work In several branches and
numerous boquets were passed to the ros-
| trum in appreciation OF services OF Offs
| GERS and others who have helped make the
convention a success.
Reference Reform Library.
! A complete reference reform library is
one of the important things contemplated
that will .necessltate the proposed $4,000
addition to the national headquarters at
Evanston, Ill. Mrs s. NJ. Fry Of Evanston
explained this to the convention and also
that the rapidly growing office force now
numbering twenty, will also have to be
provided for Contributions to this build
/ ing fund were asked by Mrs. Stevens, and
1t is hoped to raise the entire amount In
this way
Several resolutions were passed during
the afternoon, one deplorlng the use of fer
mented wine in tn church sacrament. An
other advocated that instead of the term
! white slave traffic the term traffic in
women" be used, as other than white
women are Included in that traffic. An
other expressed appreciation of the just
and expeditions rulings Of the presiding
officer, Mrs. Lillian M. N. Stevens, and a
four pledged the convention TO work for
the removal of saloons and other places Of
questionable character from the neighbor-
hood of army posts, soldiers homes ana
like places.
Fat Purses Raised
The convention adjourned with the COM
Portable assurance that It has funds suf-
ficient at least for its immediate needs, and
pledges for more that will materially ease
it's financial condition during the year.
One entire session was devoted largely
to raising money, the Frances Willard me-
mortal fund being the special object. An
stitution increasing the dues of local clubs
in the national union from 10 to l5 cents
Upon suggestion OF Mrs Stevens national
president, this was not offered, and in it's
stead she proposed that February II, the
date of Miss Wizards death and now rec
ognized as memorial day, be observed by
every union In the national with a special
program and the contribution Of at least
50 to the Frances Willard memorial fLnd
used for the extension and strengthening
OF the work.
Mrs. Stevens reminded the convention
that it was necessary every year for the
National Women's Christian Temperance
union to borrow money to carry on It's
work until pledges, dues and other sources
of income have all come In and that in
creased dues. II asked at all, might better
be applied on the necessities OF running
expenses
one Pledge for whole State.
The response Of the delegates was prompt
and generous. Scores Of Individual pledges
of 81, s., $40 and SIS were made and every
delegation present made pledges for It's
state. A representative from Connecticut
pledged 81 from every local union Of his
state and, In case they did not meet the
pledge. to pay 1t personally Many other
equally generous pledges were made and
scores were paid In cash. II could not be
ascertained what the total pledge will
amount to, but it will more than meet i'm
mediate necessities.
The convention was brimming with en-
thusasm and repeatedly reports Of organ
izers and others were greeted with rally
songs from delegations especially con-
cerned, one enthusiastic recital OF the work
I | fU q
! chorus sung by the state delegation 10
the tune Bringing in the sheaves:"
Missourrs going dry. Missouri's going
dry.
Pass along the watch word. Mlssourrs
going dry.
Missouri had hardly finished when the
big Nebraska delegation took Il up with a
will singing for Nebraska and then the
Iowa delegation 100 strong, sang it back