Smyrna times., 1909-10-06
MRS, KATE f. SMITHERS
HONORED BY STATE VIC, ,T,U.
ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE
DELAWARE ORGANIZATION
Mrs. Albert Chandler Elected Cores
ponding SecretarY-Mrs. Caulk
Vice-President-at-La

NIce-PreSlQent-aT-Ear
Mrs. Kate E. Smithers, of Smyr-
ma, president of the local W. C. T. |
U. and president of the Kent County
w. c. T. u, who has devoted many |
years of her life to the great cause
of temperance reform, was honored |
by the State white ribboners in con-
vention in Wilmington, Friday, by |
being elected president of the great |
State organization. Mrs. Emma Caulk |
persistently refused to serve again
and an equally persistent refusal was
made on the part of Mrs. Mary DON
nell to accept a nomination. Mrs.
Smithers received 80 votes on the
elective ballot. On the declaration
that she was elected there followed
great scene. Hurrahs, crys of white
ribbon, handerchiefs waved, some
enthusiasts waving from the heights
of the benches, cries of "I'm glad,
aren't you - Mrs Smithers was try
ing to decline the election but could
not get the chance. Being informed
that the election must hold, Mrs.
Smithers instantly asked to appoint
Mrs. Caulk vice president. Immed-
lately under the direction of Mrs.
Stevens for the proper parliamentary
proceeding, a new bylaw was made
empowering the president to appoint
a vice-president at large to be con-
firmed by the convention. There wa
another scene when Mrs. Caulk was
declared vice-president at large.
While the election proceeded Mrs.
Smithers presented Mrs. Caulk with
gift from the women she had been
leading for several years, dozen
silver teaspoons, butter knife and
sugar spoon. The other officers elect
ed are: corresponding secretary,
Mrs. Albert Chandler, of Smyrna;
recording secretary, Miss Levina
Lynch, Mt Pleasant, treaurer, Mrs.
Clara Marshall, Lewes; Mrs. DON
nell extended an invitation for the
next convention to meet in Whining
ton. AS an invitation had already
been received from Milton, the mat
ter was referred to the Executive
Committee
Successful Three Day Convention.
The convention which held a three
days session in Asbury M. E.
Church, Wilmington beginning with
last Wednesday, the 29th, was one
of the most notable and successful of
any ever held Nearly a full deleg-
alton turned out and White Ribboners
from all parts of the City and State
were in attendance. Mrs. Emma E.
Caulk, State president called the
meeting to order and presided at most
of the sessions. The decorations ar
ranged for the convention by the
Y's and their young men honorary
members were very effective and ap-
propriate. Across the pulpit palms
and goldenrod were massed, while
on the organ hung the L. T. l..
banner, the New Castle w and Y
banner, arranged with big American
flags. In a conspicuous place flag
draped portrait of Miss Willard stood
on an easel. Double festoons of red,
white and blue pledge cards showed
up we'll along the gallery. These
were signed by children of this State
and collected by Mrs. F. C. Mccall
of Wilmington, superintendent ot
Sunday school work The president
was applauded after announcing that
the flag over Miss Wizards Dol
trait was waved at the w. C. T. u,
headquarters when the glad news
came that Kent and Sussex had gon,
dry. Mrs. W. L. Pettingill of Hills
Union made the address Of welcom,
which was responded to by Mrs. w
F. P. Jacobs of Smyrna.
Mrs. Smithers Reports for Kent.
In the reports from the differen
counties, Mrs. Kate E. Smithers
president of Kent County, said tha
her county is "dry and not dry, ,
and spoke of the need for strict en-
forcement of the law. After a brie
address on the Importance of payin
more attention to the boys, she de
scribed the notable days which the
had held in Kent, chief among ther
being temperance day at Camde
campmeeting and the public meetin
on Flower Mission Day at Smyrna
She reported 15 addresses by publ
speakers, Ia new members, a pal
membership of AIS, Y's and IS hor
orary members. Miss Annie W. Sui
ton, press superintendent, was unabl
to be present but sent her report
She was prevented from attending Q