Evening star., 1944-10-29
Capital Sidelights
BIZ VIII P. Kennedu-

The open public meeting in Central
High School of Alcoholics ANONYMOUS.
coupled with The Stars po1alar his
torlan, John Clagett Proctor's article on
the temperance movement in Washing
ton, and recent magazine story of
New York Citys new Alcoholic Therapy
Bureau with Edward McGoldrick as
director. prompted a veteran worker at
the Capitol to tell an interesting anec-
dote, anonymously. A native of Min
nesota, he recalls that about IS years
ago he knew Archbishop John Ireland
then an outstanding temperance cru
sader-and met him again in Washing
ton, when the archbishop was called to
the White House for conference with
President Wilson during the First World
war. He also knew several of the arch
bishops apostles in the temperance
cause-Rev. James McGolrick, later
Bishop of Duluth, and Rev. Thomas
OGorman, later Bishop of Sioux Falls.
Shortly after he returned to parish
duties, after serving gallantly as chap
lain of the 5th Minnesota Infantry in
the Civil War, Father Ireland was visit
ed one Friday night in January. 1869.
by man somewhat intoxicated. who
handed him a petition signed by six
men who had been drinking in a bar
room on Minnesota street and bv the
bartender, asking Father Ireland to
start temperance society. In lugu-
brious mood and a period of good
Christian sense" they decided they
should mend their ways before the drink
ruined them-and so appealed to the
priest. The following Sunday afternoon
a temperance meeting was called by
Father Ireland, and the Father Mathew
Temperance Society of st. Paul was
organized January 10, 1869. The cru
sade spread through the State. That
was a forerunner of the Alcoholics
Anonymous and the Alcoholic Therapy
Bureau Of today-the self-starter de-
termination of those addicted to drink
to work out their own salvation, with
guidance and encouragement.
This incident is recorded in the
archives of the Minnesota Historical
Society. The man who narrates it
treasures an old pledge card of the
Father Mathew Total Abstinence So
ciety. signed September Is, 1849. The
American Temperance Mission COM
menced the previous July 4, with the
Very Rev. Theobald Mathew as presi-
dent. He had started his labors in the
cause of temperance by establishing the
Irish Total Abstinence Society on April
10, 1888.
Seven Southern States are already
assured of solid Democratic delegations.
giving the Solid South" an assured
nucleus of 68 seats: Alabama, 9; Arkan-
sas, Z; Georgia, 10; Louisiana, 8; Missis-
sippi, 7; South Carolina. 6. and Texas.
81. But there will be five changes in
these delegations from those now sitting.
In Alabama Albert Rains defeated Joe
Starnes and Luther Patrick defeated
John P. Newsome. In Arkansas, j, w.
Trimble succeeds j. William Fulbright.
who won the Senate nomination. In
Georgia John S. Wood succeeds B. Frank
Whelchel, who was not candidate. In
Louisiana James Domengeaux fills the
vacancy caused by his own resignation.
Mississippi and South Carolina make no
change. In Texas, Martin Dies. not a
candidate, is succeeded by j. NJ Combs;
Tom Pickett defeated Nat Patton and
John E. Lyle defeated Richard M.
Kleberg.
T.
There are two important changes in
the New Jersey delegation Elmer H.
Wene won the Senate nomination, to
succeed Arthur Walsh, an interim ap-
pointee who was not q candidate, and
Donald H. Mclean. former page by
appointment of Vice President Garret
A. Hobart, and later private secretary to
Senator John Kean, was not q candi-
date as he has been appointed Judge.
He previously has served as special
master in chancery Of New Jersey, Su-
preme Court commissioner and assistant
prosecutor Of the pleas Of Union County.