Two Decades | Page 9

and the work.
[Illustration: MRS. MARIA HYDE HIBBARD.]
CHAPTER III.
ORGANIZATION.
"In union there is strength"
At the first annual meeting, held at Ilion, a committee on organization of state was appointed, consisting of Mrs. Dr. Kenyon, of Buffalo; Mrs. Dr. Clary, of Auburn; Mrs. O'Donnell, of Lowville; Mrs. Truair and Miss Noble, of Syracuse. This committee formed plans, and organizers were appointed. Miss Elizabeth Greenwood, of Brooklyn, was the first one who reported work done.
At this time those who did organizing work were called state agents. Miss Greenwood, in her first report, suggested the change from state agent to state organizer, which suggestion was acted upon and the name changed.
For the first few years organization was effected by congressional districts, but later on this was changed to organization by counties, and has remained so up to the present time.
Department work was first taken up in 1878, six departments being considered. Those having the work in charge were known as chairmen of standing committees. In 1880 this was changed to the present name--superintendent of department.
In 1882 the manner of representation to the national convention was changed from congressional districts to grouping of counties.
For a number of years organization was made the leading line of work, and in 1888 only three counties remained unorganized. Many of our county workers did valiant service in the line of organizing in their own localities, but the grand result reached in this year was due largely to the untiring energy and activity of our state organizers. Mrs. Burt, in her annual address for 1888, refers to their work in the following glowing words of commendation:
But if our state excels, as I believe it does, in organization, it is largely due to the fact that our organizers are beyond comparison. Where will you find another Helen L. Bullock, or an E. M. J. Decker, or a Vandelia Varnum, or a Cynthia Jump, or Augusta Goodale, or such a list of county presidents, whom the record shows have made organizing their "chief concern" during the past twelve months? New York points with pride to these her daughters. They have not stopped to reason why, they have not stopped to make reply, but with a courage born of their high calling have gone steadfastly forward, and in many instances have snatched the palm of victory from the jaws of defeat.
While paying this tribute to our organizers we do not forget her who stood at the head of our state work during these years, planning, directing, counseling, and encouraging. In Mary T. Burt we have a living embodiment of "there's no such word as fail." For twelve years she has led the white ribbon host of the Empire State, and if she can point with pride to these her co-workers, saying, "Where will you find their equal?" we can point with pride to our state president, and say, Where will you find her equal? Self has been forgotten, and with a courage born of her convictions she has grandly carried forward the work, standing always for the best interests of the state. And what is the result? In this year of 1894 there is not a county in our state, except one, [3] but what has a branch of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union within its borders.
[3] Hamilton County, a lumbering district with small population and few, if any, railroad facilities.
Owing to various circumstances and conditions, the work in one or two counties has at different periods been suspended for a short time, usually to be taken up again with renewed vigor. Our total membership is more than twenty-two thousand, with an honorary membership of nearly five thousand.
In 1881 annual blanks were sent out for the first time, thus making it easier to secure correct reports of membership and of work done.
At the first annual meeting a form of pledge was appended to the constitution recommended for local societies, which read as follows:
We, the undersigned women of ----, severally pledge ourselves in integrity and honor before God to abstain from the use of and from traffic in all intoxicating liquors as a beverage, and that we will not offer the same to others to be so used. And we further solemnly covenant before God henceforth to work and pray for the suppression of intemperance as a sin against God and man, and that in our work we will use such means and forward such measures as God shall direct through the Holy Spirit in answer to our prayer.
This form was used for a few years only, and in 1878 we find it changed to the following:
I hereby solemnly promise, God helping me, to abstain from all distilled, fermented, and malt liquors, including wine and cider, as a beverage, and to employ all proper means to discourage the use of and traffic in the same.
In