Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-10-12
w. 6. 7. u. Convention Echoes

That the thirty-fourth annual
convention of the Minnesota Wo-
mans Christian Temperance Union
held in Blue Earth August 80, 81.
Sept. l and 2 was the "best ever'
seemed to be the Unanimous verdict
Of the delegates. And to judge
from the enthusiasm evidenced by
all, there was not single uninter-
esting-1 was about to say "dry"
session to any one.
The KEYNOTE Of the convention
1.-THE Faith that Removes Noun
tains'- was greatly in evidence
from first to last. and if any one
present had any doubts as to the
effective fulfilling of it's God-given
mission by this great Christian
Woman's organization they must
have vanished in such an atmos-
phere.
The first session Tuesday evening,
Aug. 80. was given up to addresses
of welcome from representatives
of the city and it's different organi-
cations and to the response by our
Mrs. Scoville. His Honor, Mayor
| D. E. Maxon, who was neither
"sick nor out Of town. as so many
mayors find it convenient to be
at such time, gave most cordial
welcome and the freedom of the
city. mo extra police on account
of this.) He was followed by Hon.
F. E. Putnam, for two years State
Senator from Faribault, who spoke
for the Commercial Club words of
welcome and approval.
Our state superintendent of legis-
lative work, Mrs. Eva Waterman
of Elk River, later spoke very
appreciatively of how untiring
Mr.. Putnam had been in presenting
and pushing bills which the w. c.
I. U. wanted passed during the
last legislature, and that it was
very largely due to his earnest
efforts that the three bills relating
to the White Slave Traffic and the
Anti-Polygamy Bill went through
with flying colors''.
Prof R. C. Tibbits for the schools
and Rev. Rachel for the churches
endorsed the words of the previous
speakers.
Passing the reports from the
different districts with just this
word that all were very optimistic
and encouraging, showing large net
gains-in many cases double that
of last year-in membership and in
money contributed, we come to the
presidents address which was a
very comprehensive summing up of
the temperance situation thruout
Minnesota today. and is of vital
interest to every Christian woman
in our state, and for that reason
may | be permitted to review as
fully as space will permit.
Referring to the little company
OF women, who thirty-three years
ago organized the State W. c. T. U.
she said, Hooking back over the
accomplishments of these years,
we thank God for the brave, noble
women who dared to stand against
the drink evil against such fear.
tul odds. Most Of this little band
have passed on to receive the
Masters commentator, and the
others are helping with their
prayers. The Blue Earth Union,
one of the pioneer unions of the
state, with membership of thirty
when six months old and fifty-siz
the next year, was organized in
March following the state organ.
ization, Sept. 1877. Two years
later only nine members remained
but as yet no license had beer
granted the liquor men. But the
women were resting on their oars,
with the exception of one reviva
of interest, until in 1908 with s
population of 5000 there were
eight saloons. Then Mrs. Alice
Allen convinced the women that {
Union was a necessity and nov
with a membership of thirty-eigh'
I-twenty-one more than last veal
they are entertaining this conven.
ton in dry" town, which con.
dition is due largely to the effort.
of the Union.
MANY think the w. C. T. u. il
) not accomplishing any thing because
we are so busy with our work fol
the protection of the home and it.
boys and girls that we do not take
; time to tell all we do that the
world may applaud, and tho The
world may sound no trumpet, rims
no bells; The book of life thu
shining record tells.
We are reaping now the harves
of the thirty years of seed-sowing
and care-taking. Evidence of thi,
is seen in the strong temperate,
:. sentiment existing today thruou
the state and the consequent out
lawing of SO many saloons becaus'
OF the awakening of the people t,
the real condition Of things.