Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 November 1894 — MISS WILLARD CHOSEN. [ARTICLE]

MISS WILLARD CHOSEN.

Woman's Christian Temperance Union Again Elects Her President. There was a slightly decreased attendance at the convention of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, in session at Cleveland, Tuesday. Immediately after the devotional exercises Mrs. Campbell, of Wisconsin, gave notice that at the next annual convention she would move to amend article 4 of the constitution by the substitution of the words “Vice President at large” after the word “President.” After this notice was given Mrs. E. Sturtevant Peel, of California, arose and announced that Miss Jessie Acherman, around-the-world missionary of the union, was seated with the California delegation, and Mrs. Peel desired that she be given a seat on the platform. Miss Acherman was by vote made a member of the convention and was escorted to the platform. After this reports from the Woman’s Temperance Publishing Association were called for. The first given was that of Miss Margaret Suddith, managing editor of the Union Signal, the official organ of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, aud after she had finished Mrs. Katherine Lent Stevenson reported for “books and leaflets.” Mrs. Caroline F. Crow next reported, also for the Union Signal. Samuel Dickey, of the Prohibition party, then spoke briefly and humorously. After Mr. Dickey had concluded the election preliminaries were begun by the appointment of tellers by the chair. Each teller represented different sections of the country. Just before the tellers began to pass about the audience Miss Alice Harris took a seat at the piano and began to sing, “Blest Be the Tie.” Instantly the convention arose and joined in the singing of the hymn. The first ballot taken was for President, and resulted in the unanimous choice of Miss Frances Willard. The President was then presented with two gavels sent by the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union of Churchhill, N. Y., the wood being taken from the house where Miss Willard was born. Miss Willard then nominated Mrs. L. 11. N. Stevens for Vice President-at-Large, and she was also unanimously elected to that .position. Then came the election of a Corresponding Secretary to fill the place of Mrs. Stevens, who had just been elected Vico President-at-Large. Of rhe 390 votes cast, Mrs. KatherineLentStevenson received 280, and was declared elected. Afterward her election was made unanimous. Mrs. Clara Hoffman was unanimously elected Recording Secretary, and she followed with a brief address of thanks for the honor. Next came the election of Treasurer, and Mrs. Helen H. Barker was promptly re-elected by a rising vote. After a short address by Mrs. Barker the convention took a recess. The feature of the afternoon session was the exercises in memory of Mrs. Mary A. Woodbridge, late Recording Secretary of the national organization, who died about a month ago.