Two Decades | Page 6

Didama, Syracuse. Miss M. E. Armstrong, Fayetteville. Yates County.
Mrs. M. Gage, Fayetteville. Mrs. L. B. Ayers, Penn Yan. Miss Etta P.
Avery, Fayetteville. Mrs. M. J. Lattimer, Penn Yan. Mrs. Morehouse,
Liverpool. Mrs. C. A. Allen, Benton Center.
FRATERNAL DELEGATES.
Mrs. T. K. Church, Washington, D.C.[1] Mrs. Mary R. Denman,
Newark, N.J. [2] Mrs. J. Dunlap, Newark, N.J. Miss Mary Dunlap,
Newark, N.J.
Of this number thirteen were present at the twentieth convention, held
at Syracuse in 1893; among them being the first chairman, Mrs. Butler;
the first secretary, Mrs. N. B. Foot; and Mrs. Esther McNeil, our
venerable crusader, of Fredonia.
The keynote for the future was struck at the first convention, as will be
seen in the report of the committee appointed to recommend topics for
discussion. These represented the foundation principles of the
organization, and were as follows:
TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION.
How should holly-tree inns or coffee-rooms be managed? What is their
history?
Is it a part of woman's work in the temperance cause to attend to the
enforcing of the license laws?
How can we arouse the young women to think as they never have upon

this subject, and to realize that there is a practical obligation resting
upon them?
How can we make professing Christians feel their responsibilities?
What is the most judicious way of awakening the clergy to more
zealous effort in the cause of temperance, and securing the cooperation
of the church as a body?
How can we work most effectually among the children?
Can domestic wines be made and used consistently by Christian
women, or with safety to their families? Is it not encouraging
intemperance?
Can we, as temperance women, use wine and cider for culinary
purposes with consistency or safety?
[1] Afterward President of District of Columbia W.C.T.U. [2]
Afterward President of New Jersey W.C.T.U.
Pending these discussions a constitution was drafted. This was adopted,
and a state society called "The Christian Woman's State League" was
formed.
The following officers were elected for the first year:
President--Mrs. Allen Butler, Syracuse.
Vice-Presidents--Mrs. Mary C. Johnson, Brooklyn; Mrs. Helen E.
Brown, New York; Mrs. Dr. Kenyon, Buffalo; Mrs. L. B. Ayers, Penn
Yan; Mrs. B. F. Hall, Auburn.
Corresponding Secretary--Mrs. Dr. Greeley, Syracuse.
Recording Secretary--Mrs. Mary T. Burt, Auburn.
Treasurer--Mrs. T. S. Truair, Syracuse.

During the first year two quarterly meetings were held--one at
Brooklyn in February, and one at Buffalo in May. At the Brooklyn
meeting the constitution was somewhat modified, and the name
changed to the present one--"The Woman's Christian Temperance
Union of the State of New York."
The first legislative work of the society was the memorializing of
President Grant and Governor Dix. This memorial was prepared by Mrs.
B. C. Rude, of Wellsville, Miss M. E. Armstrong, of Fayetteville, and
Mrs. M. B. O'Donnell, of Lowville.
FIRST MEMORIAL.
We, temperance women of the State of New York, in convention at
Syracuse, deeply sensible that intemperance is a prevailing and
corrupting power for evil, affecting the happiness and well-being of
multitudes of all classes and conditions impotent to protect themselves
from its influences, but citizens, all claiming the natural and lawful
protection of our rulers and executors of our laws; that its pernicious
influence in the home, by subverting every principle of right, is in the
aggregate corrupting the entire national body, subverting the intent of
our political institutions; and whereas petitioning is our only resort, we
have petitioned our God, the Infinite Ruler, in your behalf, and now
petition your excellency, in behalf of the temperance cause, that you
appoint to positions in the civil service none but total abstinence men.
All of which we most respectfully submit, and for which your
petitioners will ever pray.
The memorial to Governor Dix was presented directly by the State
League; that to President Grant was referred to the national society
soon to be formed.
Twenty-two delegates were appointed to attend the convention called at
Cleveland, Ohio, November 18, 19, and 20, 1874, for the purpose of
organizing a national society. The State of New York was honored in
this convention by the appointment of Mrs. Mary T. Burt as secretary
of the organizing convention, and by the election of Mrs. Mary C.
Johnson as recording secretary, and Mrs. Dr. Kenyon as one of the

vice-presidents for the first year.
The following resolutions were adopted at the first meeting, and must
have been drafted with a prophet's ken, as they have been largely
fulfilled in the years that have passed:
RESOLUTIONS.
WHEREAS, Intemperance has become so widespread, permeating
every class and condition of society, even from the sacred desk to the
hovel, we hail with gratitude to God the many indications of the revival
in the interest of temperance reform which exists in various portions of
our country, and especially do we rejoice that