Smyrna times., 1911-10-04
MRS. SMITHERS NO LONGER
HEAD OF STATE W. c. 7. U.
STEPS DOWN FROM THE PREsI-
DENCY AND is WCE-PRESIDENT
Mrs. Mollie Chandler. CORRESPONDING
Secretary, Also Declines to Serve.
Convention at Milton

Mrs. Kate E. Smithers, Mrs.
Mollie Chandler, Miss Annie w.
Sutton, Mrs. W. D. Parry, Mrs.
Carrie Farrell and Mrs. W. ].
Doughten have returned from Milton
where they have been attending the
State W. c. T. U. Convention.
They report having most delightful
time and a most delightful conven-
tlon. Milton was agog and gave
the convention delegates a warm
and hearty reception and a hospital
ltX that will linger with them.
There was some sadness too. Mrs.
Kate E. Smithers, who has been
the standard bearer for the State
white ribboners for two years, de-
clined to serve longer as State pres
ident, giving as her reason that ad-
vancing years and home duties pre-
vented her from giving the attention
to the office that was required. The
white ribboners with whom she had
been working so closely were loathe
to have her leave the chair, and it
was only after all their efforts had
failed, that they accepted the situa-
tion. Mrs. Smithers is succeeded
in the State presidency by Mrs.
Emma E. Caulk, who had held the
Office number of years prior to
her taking it. Mrs. Smithers was
elected vice president.
Mrs. Chandler Declines Reelection
Another resignation, which was
attended with much regret was that
of Mrs. Mollie Chandler, of Smyrna,
as corresponding secretary. Mrs.
Chandler found her home duties. to-
gether with her frequent absence
from home, barrier to her giving
time and attention to the important
correspondence of the office. She was
succeeded by Mrs. Villa Jones, George
town. Miss Levina P. Lynch, Mt. Pleas
ant, was reelected recording secre-
tary and Mrs. Clara Marshall was
reelected treasurer. Delegates to
the national convention in Milwaukee
will be Mrs. H. C. Mearns, Will
mington; Mrs. Kate E. Smithers,
Smyrna; Mrs. Mary B. Donnell,
Newark; delegate-at-large, Mrs.
Lera Messick, Bridgeville; alter
mates, John B. Martin, Mrs. Robert
Ferguson, Wilmington; Mrs. Imo-
gene Clifton, Smyrna. Much other
business was transacted in the three
days session. The convention was
called to order Wednesday. Mrs. A.
L. Culver, of Milton, gave the ad-
dress of welecme, which was re-
sponded to by Mrs. Walcott, of Har-
rington, Rev. W. o. Hurst, of the
Milton M. E. Church, rendered the
white ribboners the "Keys of the
City," The chief address of the day
was given by Mrs. Ella M. Boole,
President Of New York State W. C.
T. U. Her evening address was on
"MOrmonism.
Increase of 500 New Members
Thursday was taken up in hearing
reports. 4 hearty applause greeted
Mrs. Chandler's statement that
there had been an increase of 300
members. All of the departments
made healthy report. Later in
the day there was Demonstration
of Departments, conducted by
Mrs. Georgia Pierce, of Milford.
The departments represented were
White ribbon recruits, medical tenn
perance, scientific temperance.
Young peoples branch, anti-nar-
cotics, press department Sabbath
observance, mercy, franchise, loyal
temperance legion, young crusader,
parliamentary usage, social meet
ings, red letter day and legislation.
Miss Annie w. Sutton, of Smyrna,
received many continents on her
Press Demonstration. Each news
paper in the State was represented
and was a clever performance.
Later twelve State Y's gave a
toast to the State President, Mrs.
Smithers and to the hostesses of
Milton. Mrs. Smithers was pre-
sented with a bouquet. Another
pleasant incident was the presenta-
tion to Mrs. Smithers in the morn
ing of a sunfower tied with white
ribbon by Mrs. Martin for the Will
mington union, Of which she is cor
responding secretary. A delegate
remarked at the time, that "ths
sunfower always turns its face
towards the sun. !" The chief ad-
dress of Friday was by Prof. Scan
lon, who came from Holland that he
might speak to the white ribboners.
1t was forceful address. SThe con-
vention adjourned to meet next year
in Kent County, either Smyrna or
Dover, to be decided later by Exec
nfiva Committee -