The Somerset reporter., 1909-06-03
w. C. T. u. Convention at Madison.

Somerset County Woman's Christian
Temperance Union was held in Madi
son on Thursday and Friday of last
week, the sessions occurring in the
Congregational Church. The attend
ance was large and in numbers and
point of interest the meeting is said
to nave equalied many of the State
that the union has held
in past years.
The Church was prettily decorated
and on the stage were arranged large
pictures of Neal Dow, Frances Will
lard and Mrs. L. M. N. Stevens, the
present National President, and here
also was displayed the Somerset
County w c. 7. U. Banner. The
opening devotional service was con-
Quoted by Mrs F. M. Chandler of st.
Adams and the convention was then
called to order by the county presi-
dent, Mrs. f. NJ. GRAHAM of Pittsheld.
The county officers present were,
Mrs. GRAHAM, president; Mrs. IL. May
Lawrence of Scion, secretary; Mrs.
Annie Frost, treasurer; presidents of
the following unions responded: Bling
ham, Mrs. Elizabeth Jordan; Fair
field, Mrs. Flora Files; Madison, Mrs.
w. II. Spear; Shawmut, Mrs. Rebecca
Lawrence; Skowhegan, Mrs. l.. w.
Weston. The convention committees
appointed were, credentials, Mrs.
Frost, Mrs. Paddock, Mrs. Jordan;
courtesies, Mrs. Spear, Mrs. Files,
Mrs. l.. w. Weston; resolutions, Mrs.
f. A. Leitch, Mrs. Chandler. Follow
ing this came the presidents address
by Mrs. GRAHAM and the reports OF
the county officers. The reports
showed a gain of $50 members during
the past year. The total membership
of the county is now 377.
The noontide prayer was led by
Mrs. +. A. Leitch of Skowhegan and
at this time a Geographic message of
greeting was received from the Ma
tional president, Mrs. l.. NJ. n.
Stevens.
Reports Of various departments
were received at the aft ernoon ses-
sion and the following program was
carried out:
Remarks, Rev. G. A. Brooks of Mad
ison; remarks, Rev. G. E. Brooks, No.
paper, 1.-THE Ideal Union", Mrs.
w. II. Spear; addresses of welcome,
for the church, Rev. Nathan S. Hill;
for the community, Mrs. Addie Getch-
ell; for the w. c. T. u, Mrs. A. p.
Foster; response by Mrs. Ellen Good
win of Fairfield; illustrated temper
ance map talk, Mrs. Files; sympo-
SUM, "Woman's Right to Vote" Mrs.
Juliette Edwards; "Woman in Gov
ernment," Mrs. Palmer Merrill; "First
for Political Equality"
Mrs. L. w. Weston; memorial ser
vices, conducted by Mrs. F. IL. Brown
and Mrs. Chandler.
The evening program was: Selec-
ton by Ladies' Quartet; violin solo,
Master Willie Robbins; scripture
reading and prayer, Mrs. Edwards;
cornet solo, Master Victor Robbins.
The address by Miss Christine l.
Timing of England proved to be one
of the most delightful features of the
day. She was frequently interrupted
with applause and held the close at
tention of a large audience for an
hour. Then followed vocal solo by
Mrs. Frank Dinsmore; singing,
"Make the Map All White" by the
benediction, Rev. G. A.
Brooks. There were over 100 ladies
present from out of town. Dinner
and supper for the visitors was served
in the church dining room, by the
local union.
The music for the day, Wednesday,
was under the direction OF Mrs. Philo
Steward of Skowhegan. One very
pleasing feature was the singing by
Mrs. Steward of the "Contest Song"
written by Mrs. Grace Coburn Smith
for the "Close OF the Contest" cele-
bration recently held at Skowhegan.
The executive committee held
session on Friday morning, subse-
quently reporting the following de-
partment superintendent, which
were approved by the convention.
Sunday school work, Mrs. Belle
Whittier, Pittsfield; Sabbath obser
vance, Mrs. Nettie w. Paddock,
Skowhegan; temperance literature,
Mrs. Annie Frost, Pittsfield; mothers
and White Ribbon recruits,
Mrs. Cora Rogers; flower mission,
Mrs. Rosa L. Works, Pittsfield; mar
cotcs, Mrs. F. A. Nolin, Skowhegan;
press and lumbermen's work, Mrs. r.
e. Lawrence, Fairfield; evangelistic
work, Mrs. F. Nj. Chandler, ST.
Albans medical temperance, Mrs.
Julette Edwards, Madison; aims
house work, Mrs. w. H. Paine, Show
hogan; systematic giving, Mrs. Mar
tina Boyington, st. Adams; scientific
instruction, Mrs. Olive
Marcia, Fairfield; railroad work, Mrs.
Sarah Rogers.
Next came the report of the COM
mittee on resolutions made by Mrs. l..
w. Weston, the report being adopted.
The convention resolved: To stand
firmly against the resubmission of the
law and to work for its
to do all in its power to
influence congress to inact laws which
shall prevent liquor dealers from send
ing liquor into prohibition territory,
including our own State; never to
cease to educate, agitate and work
until full franchise is granted the wo-
men of Maine; and to help the child
rem and youth to know the truth,
that the truth may make them free.
A resolution of thanks to the Madison
w. @. It. u, the Congregational
church, and to the railroads for re-
duced rates was adopted.
Next came the election of the fol-
lowing officers: President, Mrs. NJ. II.
Pittsfield; recording secre
tary, Mrs. H. NJ. Lawrence, Scion;
treasurer, Mrs. Annie Frost, Pittsfeld;
secretary, Mrs. Lizzie
Marble, Skowhegan; The convention
closed with all joining hands and
singing GOD be with you till we meet