Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-06-04
SK0WHECAN
County Convention
Of w. c.. T. u. OPENS

Of w. C. T. U. Opens
The annual County Convention Of
the Woman's Christian Temperance
Union convened Tuesday shortly at
ter the arrival of the Ills train, in
the Island avenue CONGREGATIONAL
church. Bouquets Of white lilacs and
lilies of-the- valley were much in ev-
idence and many Of the members
fore the significant lily-of-the- valley
as well as the white ribbon of their
organization. A picture Of the be-
loved leader. Mrs. Lillian NJ. N. Stew
ems. banners and the stars and stripes
graced the platform. The morning
exercises opened with a very cordia!
address of welcome by Rev c. H. Nc
chimney, pastor of the Island Avenue
Church. after singing several hymns
appropriate to the occasion, with
Mrs. Philo Steward of Skowhegan at
the piano. The meeting was opened
by the president, Mrs. Martha L.
Boynton of st. Adams and all poined
In repeating Psalm 146. In the alb
sence OF the recording secretary,
Mrs. Leila f. Drake Of Pittsfield, Mrs.
Florence Waugh Danforth of Show
hogan acted as secretary pro tenn.
The roll call showed several county
officers absent. Mrs. Emma Pool
err. Mrs. Charles Ellwell of Skowhe-
gan and Mrs. Flora Sturtevant of
: Pittsfield We're appointed committee
on credentials and Mrs. L. A. Marble
and Mrs. c. H. Mckinney of Show
hogan were appointed committee on
courtesies. The report of the treas
urer, Mrs. E. B. Written Of Pittsfield,
showed the total amount received to
be s279.5o. Mrs. Marble introduced
Miss Elizabeth Gordon. who made a
short address before the noon hour.
The main emphasis was placed on the
watchword. Sound the Jubilee"
Mrs. Boynton gave a short address
touching on the vital points which
concern the great movement of w. c.
T. l.. work.
Among the out-of town delegates
who had arrived prior to the opening
of the afternoon session were: Mrs.
Cora Ferren. Mrs. Lillian Withee.
Mrs. Flora Sturtevant. Mrs. Belle
Written and Mrs. Lizzie Gilman of
Pittsfield: Mrs. Lawrence. Miss Mar
cia. Mrs. Barney. Mrs. Cleveland of
Shawmut: Mrs. Flora A. Files, Mrs
Stafford. Mrs. Glazier. Mrs. Rand of
Fairfield: Mrs. Ireland and Mrs. Mer-
i'll of Madison and Mrs. Boynton Of
st. Adams.
At the afternoon session. which
followed luncheon served in Congre-
gational banquet rooms, a hymn was
sung and Mrs. Marble of Skowhegan
offered prayer. A greeting was read
by the county president from the
State president. Mrs. Althea G.
Quimby of North Turner. which was
full of inspiration to white ribbon
workers. She advised special at
tention to preparation for full citizen
ship and all possible influence against
prohibition movements. The
patriotic campaign was forcefully
presented by Miss Gordon. and dis
cussed h. Mrs. Marble. Mrs. Long,
ley of Pittsfield and others
Mrs. Elizabeth Powers Merrill. in
behalf of Clementine Weston Union
Of this town. extended greeting.
saying in part:
"On this day of June 1919 we well
come to our town the county mem
hers Of the Woman's Christian Tenn
perance Union. members of an or
ganization that has world wide in
f1uence for good. Their power has
not come from that political weapon
called the ballot hut from hard and
faithful work. from speech and song
and from the self sacrifice that is
the redemption of the world. Neal
Dow once said that the hardest
thing to change in the world is pub
lie opinion TfVt is what the
saved to do. to arouse mankind to
the horrors Of the liquor traffic and
to enlist their help and sympathy
against it. They fought when less
determined hearts would have given
up. They bore untold insult and
abuse from the then powerful liquor
interests of the country. They saw
their sons and fathers and brothers
and husbands go slowly down under
the influence of strong drink: but
they never gave up because they
knew that right is might. since God
is God and right the day must win"
The methods used by the temper
ance forces in the earlier days of
the crusade were very different from
those used at present. The question
was usually discussed from the
moral side. Now it mas become a
great social and economic problem
with which all nations of the earth
are contending."
Mrs. Merrill then continued with
the early methods Of subduing in
temperance and of the teachings
along the same lines today in
pleasing contrast which showed
marked improvement. She also
touched on the conditions required
-