“The heart which, like a staff, was one For ours to lean and rest upon, The strongest on the longest day With steadfast love is caught away,— And yet our days go on, go on.”

One year ago our peerless Leader, Frances Willard, went to fairer worlds above. In all the Continents of the earth women who called her their President, and men who honored and revered her name, mourned with us that she, who loved the human race with such divine affection, would no more walk and work with us as she had done for a quarter of a century. Humanly speaking, our Society was irreparably bereft, but we have tried to look up and to press on, fully believing that she still lives and leads and rejoices in all that is being done to raise men and women toward that highest heaven which she was ever so well fitted to enter and enjoy.

I am expected briefly to report the gains made within the last four years by the Society which she was instrumental in leading to a place where it ranks as the largest single society of women in the world. In 1896 1,175 new unions were organized and 15,888 new members secured. In this statement I take no account of the losses. But in the year just closed over and above all of our numerical losses we have made a gain of 5,009 members. It would seem to be much more inspiring could we consistently report gains made by the National W. C. T. U. in any four years of its earlier history rather than that made the last four years, for then State after State was being organized, and department after department was being added, as the Do Everything policy of Miss Willard was adopted and applied. To the casual observer there would 143141seem to be far more that we could reckon up and point at than in these later years, and yet I unhesitatingly affirm that each to-morrow has found us farther on the way and more firmly established than we were the day before.

As already stated, we have gained in membership and all of our departments of work are prosperous. Our Department of Peace and Arbitration, under the leadership of Mrs. Hannah J. Bailey, has done much during the past four years in educating public sentiment in regard to the desirability of settling all difficulties between Nations by arbitration (but we couldn't prevent the war with Spain). Our work among the Soldiers and Sailors has formed an important part of our record the past year. We have exerted our influence against the abominable canteen system, and shall continue to do so until the prayers of the mother heart crying out for protection for her endangered boy are answered. Through this department relief funds have been raised, Sailors' Rests have been established, pledges and literature distributed, food delicacies and pure cold water have been supplied, and we were among the first to send a money contribution to the suffering Cubans.

There has been an increase in members and interest in our departments of the Young Woman's Branch and the Children's Branch. By the Loyal Temperance Legion, during the last year 540 new Legions have been organized. The same is true of our work among foreign speaking people. Great advance has been made in our departments of Health and Heredity, and our women are studying the questions of diet, household economics, hygiene, municipal, town and village sanitation, and because of the knowledge shed abroad by our Superintendent of Non-alcoholic Medication much less alcohol is used in medicine than heretofore. It is remarkable how many substitutes the skillful physician can prescribe when there is a conscientious protest by patients against alcoholic medicine. Prior to 1895 through our efforts laws had been enacted in all States save three, requiring that pupils in all schools supported by public money should be taught the nature and effects of alcohol. During the last four years these laws have been greatly strengthened in some of the States, notably in the State of New York, and amendments introduced by us to secure better enforcement are now pending in several States. There may be some honest difference of opinion 144142among good people in regard to some of our methods, but all thinking people, save those who are financially interested in the liquor traffic, are practically of one mind in regard to the right training of the youth in the principles of total abstinence. To illustrate:

Two weeks ago when a W. C. T. U. Committee was having a hearing before a State Legislative Educational Committee asking for a stronger Scientific Temperance Instruction Law, the State Federation of Women's Clubs, being in session at the same time, passed unanimously a resolution endorsing the action and sent the same to the Legislative Committee.

In the early days of our work we were surprised and pained find in the prisons so many who had once been Sunday School boys, and we learned that their stumbling block had been intemperance. We resolved to try to reach the Sunday School children with some specific teaching concerning this great evil, with the result that there is temperance teaching in nearly all of the Sunday Schools of the land, and during the past four years the reports have been most encouraging.

With our well organized Anti-Cigarette Department an immense amount of sentiment has been made against the cigarette evil and all other dangerous narcotics.

In 1895 fourteen States were systematically working in our Department of Mercy; now there are thirty-five, and in eleven States there is an expressed sentiment toward compulsory humane education; legislation against vivisection; and against wearing bird plumage.

For fourteen years Social Purity, or rather Purity, has been one of our most prominent departments, and each year we have made progress. Last year 5,428 meetings are reported as held in the interest of purity through the efforts of this department; most of these were Mothers' Meetings.

Time will not admit of my speaking of our departments of Temperance Literature, Temperance and Labor, Parliamentary Usage, School Savings Banks, Unfermented Wine at Sacrament, Penal, Reformatory, Police Station work, work among Lumbermen and Miners, Flower Mission, Kindergarten, Mothers' Meetings, Rescue work and some others; but I might go on and show in detail that great gains have been made within the last four years in all of our departments, and 145143prove that the Do Everything policy is a success; but I should weary my hearers, and will allude to only one more.

We have known how to petition from the beginning; Legislative bodies are well aware of this. Our petitions range all the way from the appeal to the country grocer to the different Governments of the World.

Four years ago when the second Triennial of the Council was in session, the great Polyglot Petition was presented here in Washington by Miss Willard, Lady Henry Somerset and other white-ribboners, with its seven million signatures and attestations. That number has since been increased and the Petition has been presented to the Queen of the British Empire. Last May it was presented to the Canadian Parliament and received by a graceful speech from Sir Wilfrid Laurier. This Petition, as is well known, is addressed to the Governments of the world, and calls for the Prohibition of traffic in alcoholic liquors as a drink, the prohibition of the Opium traffic, and all forms of legalized social vice.

We have constantly at Washington our National Superintendent of the Department of Legislation and Petitions, Mrs. M. B. Ellis. During the last year she has had the co-operation of women in forty-five States and Territories, while four years ago her report shows that there were only twenty-one States and the District of Columbia aroused to the importance of co-operating with her in a National way; while in all of the States women were and are interested in local and State legislation. Each year our members are becoming more deeply interested in legislative and governmental affairs, and their rapidly increasing efforts must count on the side that makes for righteousness, peace and good will. We have constantly in the field fifty-eight National Organizers, Lecturers and Evangelists.

There has been a great gain in the number of total abstainers in this country within the past four years. It is an interesting fact that, counting in the Orientals, the great majority of people in the world do not drink intoxicants. The Labor Department returns plainly indicate that the consumption of alcoholic drinks of all kinds is growing less year after year. Our Society takes to itself a large share of the credit in bringing about this change, which has been very marked since 1895. I confidently believe no other Society within the last four 146144years has done more to advance woman's cause; that no other society has done so much toward breaking down sectarian and sectional barriers, thus making its members worthy to bear the name of Christian and of Temperance; and we are a union of hearts and a union of hands, founded on the great principles of Prohibition, Total Abstinence and Purity; a Society destined to gain more and more in members and influence, until the shadows caused by the liquor traffic shall flee away. When will this be? We do not know. No one has ever been able to foretell when any great reform question would be settled and settled right; but lifting our eyes unto the hills we shall aim to reach loftier heights of endeavor and achievement and to evermore

“Stay by the truth, wherever it may lead us, At last 'tis crowned in light.”

The Free Baptist Woman's Missionary Society in the morning of its second quarter century of active benevolence, greets you in the “comradeship of Christian good will.” With Frances Willard, we recognize the religion of the world as “a religion of peace, a religion of love.” This cements us all in one common sisterhood.

Comparing the present status of our society with its basic principles of organization, we congratulate ourselves upon aggression with undiminished loyalty and devotion to conviction of duty.

“Woman's Work for Women and Children”; a more perfect development of the body and the home by practical Christian living; the training of our children to habits of benevolence; the enlightenment and redemption of the ignorant and unsaved in our home-land and the foreign field—these were the initial efforts of our Society; they occupy us still; we work independently, yet in harmony with the older, parent society of our denomination.

Since the last Triennial of the National Council, organization, system and conscious responsibility have been leading characteristics of our workers; so that never were our women so well united for systematic work as now. In our constituency of 8,000, representing twenty-five States, the province of Quebec and India, with a disbursement of over $13,000 in 1898, the work is so apportioned that every woman may know her individual obligation. During the past three years, marked by financial failures in business circles, our pecuniary obligations have been fully met. From the first year of our existence, the treasury has never been empty. Our motto is: “Faith and works win.” From the annual “Call to prayer,” which has strengthened the faith of woman's heart, she has gone forth to win by consecrated work, not failing to lay upon 148146the altar her “Thank-offering” for Divine inspiration and blessed success.

From the “Hitherto hath the Lord helped” we have advanced to “I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me.” As to all true organizations, these years have been fraught with stronger sympathy between members geographically separated. Mutual interest and common service unite hearts. We note a more truly womanly ability to gather the minute details of every day into a forceful combination to conserve the consecrated purpose; a higher conception of individual womanhood as related to the world's betterment, with increased realization of responsibility, and readier response to it. A general awakening of our young women to the need of special work and the acceptance of personal responsibility in our auxiliaries and in the general work of our Society; and a larger enrollment of the children in Mission bands and Junior societies are two of the most important phases of the work of the last four years.

We have a constantly increasing number of women who have broken the falsely interpreted Pauline injunction which would bind them to “keep silence” and “learn of their husbands at home.” Obedient to the Divine call, they have completed the prescribed theological course, and, duly recognized by their brethren, have received ordination.

Our Western denominational college is represented here by a lady professor who is one of the general officers of this Council. In that college forty women have received instruction as lay preachers and Bible teachers, and four have received ordination. An equally good summary may be made from our Eastern college.

While the W. M. S. has not a Theological department, the evolution is clearly traceable from the timid woman whose heart was touched, who with fear and trembling caught the first echo of her own voice in a mission circle of women, to the ordained pastor, who to-day in many a pulpit proclaims the Christ-love with true womanly dignity, sweetness and spiritual power.

The newest auxiliary to our work is the “Cradle Roll of Little Light-bearers.” The object of this is to bring together as helpers the little ones in our churches under five years of age, throwing around them in their infancy the missionary 149147influence and teaching them to send the light to the little ones in darkened lands. Through them the mothers become interested in the cause of missions. The payment of at least 15 cents a year is to be used for the smallest children in our Orphanage in India, and in other parts of our mission work. The motto of this movement is: “Bud the tender twig with the fruit that it should bear.”

I would not fail to mention our monthly magazine, “The Missionary Helper,” indispensable as a connecting link of information between “home” and “foreign” workers. An increased subscription list and many commendations are proofs of loyalty and appreciation of its efficiency.

These are some of the methods of work and reflex influence upon ourselves as co-workers in the world's redemption. What have been the results upon other lives? Not till we stand in the Infinite Presence and to our wondering, listening ears come the words “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these” shall we fully estimate the account. “The fruitage of our work is its own best eulogy.”

We have a “Western Field Agent,” a regularly ordained clergywoman, doing efficient service in the midst of formidable obstacles known only in frontier work.

At Storer College, Harper's Ferry, five lady teachers receive their salaries from our treasury. At the beginning of the present school year, a young woman graduate of Storer, who has completed with honors the full curriculum of one of our leading Northern co-educational colleges, was placed by our Board upon the faculty of Storer.

In our foreign field, kindergarten work was established in Balasore, India, in 1896. A new kindergarten building has been recently completed, furnished and occupied. This was a long-felt necessity. One teacher writes: “You know, I believe we have lost years and years in our work by not taking these people in their early childhood; by not keeping them constantly under our influence. I do not know what I shall do with these shiny, oily, wriggling little brownies if they go on increasing. These dear children are as teachable as any at home, but before they have reached an ordinary school age the most of them have learned enough evil to keep them unlearning for years.” The kindergarten teaching is like the moulding of the plastic clay before any malformations are 150148made; every impression counts for good. “Changes for the better are seen in every child who was troublesome at first.”

In India are thousands of outcast widows, many of them mere children, turned out of doors, forced into lives of sin and shame, famishing for food for body and soul. To them the story of a home with enough to eat is like a fairy legend. Prayer and effort, combined with Christian sisterly benevolence, have triumphed over obstacles, and we have a “Widows' Home,” a blessed shelter for these stranded unfortunates. A “Golden Memorial” fund has been created, the income of which is for the support of the widows. Industrial work is to be carried on there as an aid to self-support.

But do any fancy that the onward march of this Society has been a non-persistent, “go-as-you-please” movement? The women have generally realized the necessity of personal fitness to occupy important positions in their own society, and equal positions with men in all affairs both religious and secular; that only by this means could they conserve the highest purpose of womanhood and the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom. We credit the noble manhood of our denomination with recognition of this fitness by granting us representation in Church, General Conference and General Conference Board. Nor had we to wait for years of argument to open the doors to us. That ours was an independent organization with systematic methods successfully practiced, with election of its own missionaries for work among women and children, with independent disbursements of its own money, with a secure financial basis, with an invested fund of $43,000—all these facts aroused and intensified the desire of the General Conference to make us its very own. That body, three-fourths of whom were men, desired us to transfer all our methods, our invested funds and entire treasury to it. One man said: “The women had robbed them of the heart of the work.” The argument on their part was that the influence of the W. M. S. would be more extended as subordinate to the General Conference Board than in its limited capacity as a woman's organization; also that the work could be more easily managed if the funds were all in one treasury, that treasury controlled by a body composed largely of men. We were forcibly reminded of the careful (?) husband who felt that allowing his wife to spend her own money after she earned it was giving 151149her too much liberty. After years of agitation a plan for the unification of all our denominational forces was presented to our W. M. S., which was returned to the General Conference with modifications.

We consented to one treasury on the following conditions:

1. The incorporation of the W. M. S. should be perpetuated for the care of its invested funds and the disbursement of the income thereof.

For three years this plan was discussed in private circles and public councils, until brought to the final decision of the General Conference in 1898. Neither men nor women were satisfied with the conditions of the plan. During the Conference the women, in a public meeting, ably set forth the methods and results of their work in a manner which convinced reasonable minds that they were able to maintain a separate organization with loyalty to denominational interests.

Thus we are left free to pursue our work in our God-appointed way; appreciating our own rights, not ignoring the rights of others, asking representation on the only just ground of competency. Valuable lessons have been learned from the controversy; among them the importance of careful, prayerful consideration of our relations to all co-workers for the mental, moral and religious uplifting of others and the necessity to appropriate all possible good that we may be “thoroughly furnished” for faithful service; for in the coming years woman 152150must think more, assume larger responsibility and exert broader influence.

Most gladly do I submit this partial résumé of the work of our Society affiliated with so many others in this “National Council of Women.” As we all advance in future service “In His Name” may we win “Not one new gem, but many for His crown.”

Although this Society is philanthropic and charitable in character, yet during the last few years the tendency has been towards practical measures in caring for the needy and unfortunate, realizing that it is better and more uplifting to create work and give employment, when possible, than to bestow charity. With this object in view the Society fosters industries suitable to its circumstances and adapted to different localities. The silk industry is well adapted to many parts of the Western country, and Utah silk, especially, is of fine texture and durable quality. In places remote from great factories, reeling and weaving silk from native cocoons has been made quite remunerative. In newly settled districts, where sheep raising is the principal source of revenue, carding, spinning and weaving (as in early pioneer days) is helpful to the working classes, and is encouraged by the Society. There are many women who love housewifery even to the minutest details of primitive work, who spin and weave and declare that stockings made at home (even silk ones) wear much longer than those made by machinery.

In a small town in Utah, distant from railroads, not long since the Society lacked means to supply warm winter clothing to the poor; so the women of the Society made an old fashioned “bee” in the meeting house, brought their spinning wheels and rolls, and spending the day in this pleasant way made sufficient yarn for the emergency. One or two who had looms did the weaving, others the sewing. Some of the yarn was woven white for underclothing and a part of it was colored for outside wear and woven in plaids and checks. This was an actual demonstration of practical charity.

Since February, 1895, when our last report was made to the Council in Washington, D.C., considerable material work has been done; more halls for meetings and Society purposes; houses for the aged and helpless, also granaries have been 154152built, and dedicated with appropriate ceremonies for the purposes designed; also large quantities of grain have been stored for a time of need; mulberry trees have been planted on land owned by the Society, and various other improvements made in the interest and for the welfare of the organization. Quite recently the Society has established a system of charitable nursing, which is working admirably. Salt Lake County, which contains fifty-three branches of the Society, with over three thousand members, has taken the initiative in the matter of getting regular physicians to employ trained nurses, under the auspices of the Relief Society, with the understanding that the nurses give a certain proportion of time and service as compensation for their education, under the direction of a competent superintendent, who will supervise the entire corps of graduated nurses. Each branch Society will have on hand emergency boxes containing such articles as are essential for use in the sick room, and will also furnish medicine and nourishment as required. It is expected that other counties will follow this example until there will be no lack of trained nurses for the sick who are not able to pay the high price for professional help.

This Society is so perfectly organized that it is comparatively easy to carry out any plan formulated by the General Board. Each respective branch Society has control of its own local affairs and property, having its own Board of Officers, under the supervision of a Stake Board (an ecclesiastical term), similarly organized, to which branches make regular semi-annual reports, while the Stake Boards make annual reports to the Genera] Boards. Thus there are divisions and subdivisions of the Society, which consists at present of thirty thousand (30,000) members and more than six hundred (6.00) branches scattered through this and other countries, including some in islands of the seas. The annual report for the year 1898, from January 1st to December 31st, shows that 14,400 meetings and 180 conferences were held, besides concerts, entertainments and lectures of a helpful and instructive character, and fairs for the exhibit of various articles made under its auspices. Women speakers, missionaries duly authorized by the General Society to teach and to preach, visit the branches in their meetings and conferences. Through this means, and the “Woman's Exponent,” the official organ of the 155153Society, also by correspondence, the officers at headquarters are kept en rapport with the affairs of the entire organization. The Society is making preparations to build (as soon as sufficient means is obtained by voluntary donations) in Salt Lake City a large hall for Society purposes, meetings, conferences, congresses, lectures, etc., with a Bureau of Information and committee rooms.

The Society has been and is a veritable school of instruction in the methods of progress, and always is in the foremost rank of social and moral reform. Never, however, does it lose sight of its first main object, viz.; the best care of the sick, the needy, the afflicted and the unfortunate; to visit the widow and the fatherless, to administer comfort and consolation, as well as temporal relief; to encourage habits of industry and economy, to give special care to those who have not had proper training for life and its experiences; to care sacredly for the dying and the dead; to minister in tenderness to the lonely (however lowly) when death is near; to comfort the sorrowing and afflicted in times of grief and mourning, and to perform all these kindly deeds in a spirit of grace and heavenly charity; in fact, to cultivate a higher standard of excellence mentally, morally and spiritually, also to observe the laws of life and health, so wisely and well that future generations born under better conditions may even live, not only a hundred years, but to the age of a tree, as has been said by holy men of old.

Wimodaughsis holds a unique position among Washington clubs. First, it is national in its membership; second, it is the only one in the city which carries on its educational work by a system of classes.

The period through which it has passed since the last Council has been a crucial one, but it has entered on an era of prosperity that is very gratifying to those interested in its future.

During these intervening years it has had as its presidents a number of earnest, energetic women, whose interests were centered in its progress and success—Mrs. R. G. D. Havens, Mrs. Jeannette Bradley and Mrs. Anna S. Hamilton.

In 1894, during Mrs. Hamilton's administration, it was decided to sell the house on I street and take quarters more centrally located. Accordingly, its present home in the Lenman Building, 1425 New York Avenue, was rented and the change has proved an advantageous one in many respects.

All the classes have developed and enlarged. Those which deal with practical subjects are growing daily and this has been a result much sought for and the occasion of much earnest work and thought. The Dressmaking class, under Mrs. Phoebe Hearst's patronage, increases constantly, and the Millinery class has a healthy registration. This work is undertaken scientifically, with imitation materials of the kind in vogue, and all the detail is taught. The practical results of the fine Typewriting and Stenography classes are shown in the fact that of the graduates from this class last June all but two have salaried positions.

Our new relations with Spanish-speaking countries have given an impetus to the study of Spanish, which has resulted in four fine classes in that language.

The other studies which are taught at Wimodaughsis are French, Journalism, Elocution, Physical Culture, German, Bookkeeping, Arithmetic, Grammar, Literature, Dressmaking 157155and Penmanship. A demand for any study is promptly met and an efficient teacher provided.

Associated with the classes toward educational development yet entirely distinct from them are the Academy of Forty and the Magazine section. Both of these organizations combine the social and the instructive qualities in a most delightful way. The Academy of Forty, having as its object the development of the art of conversation, meets once a month, and its functions are noted for the wit and brilliancy of its members. It has had as its Magisters Mrs. R. G. D. Havens, Mrs. Sara Spencer and Miss Mary Williams. The members are socially inclined and frequently indulge in banquets and theater parties.

The Magazine section, which keeps in touch with the current literature, meets the second Friday in each month. The discussions which arise in this club over current topics of all kinds are most interesting. The leaders of the Magazine section have been Miss Catharine Garst and Miss Cora de la Matyr Thomas. Among the delightful special evenings this club has had, we note a lecture by Professor Maurice Eagan.

The Caroline B. Winslow Moral Education Society meets on the second Tuesday of each month. Discussions have been held on timely subjects.

The social side of Wimodaughsis has been developed this year more widely than ever before. Each Wednesday from 3 to 5 o'clock the President is “at home” at the club rooms, and these informal occasions increase in popularity.

On the fourth Tuesday of each month Wimodaughsis receives, and the increase in the attendance gives proof of the kind of entertainment afforded.

It would be impossible to recount each individual sign of Wimodaughsis's success, but every branch of its work is progressing and developing, and to the women who have aided and supported it through its struggling infancy this progress and success are sufficient reward.

More than ever before do I now enjoy the privilege of representing our Utah girls, because of having encountered, among my Eastern friends and sister workers, an unfavorable and mistaken impression regarding woman's work for woman the West; particularly does this affect the women of my own State—Utah. While willingly according what history claims for them—that most remarkable courage, perseverance, energy, and faith are their chief characteristic virtues, they are thought to be rather backward in intellecuality and refinement.

This impression has arisen, in part, from the fact that we are located in a newly settled country, in the wild fastnesses of the mountains, thousands of miles distant from the organizations of our sister women in the East, who enjoy advantages over us in being acquainted with the history, methods and results of experienced societies. This proves exceedingly profitable to younger organizations in guiding them to successful issues, and saving them from humiliating mistakes and possible failures.

So, organized woman's work in the West may be compared with an advance guard leading over untrodden paths, alone responsible for the good or bad results. I will here quote the words of one of the brilliant Eastern women who recently visited Utah: “It is so good to know that so many of the Western women are alive to the need and are eager to improve opportunities for woman's work along patriotic and other lines; truly it seems to me that Western State Societies are entitled to ten times more credit for that which they do than we in the East, environed as we are with historic buildings and sights, which alone ought to keep the spirit of patriotism bright in our hearts.”

After twenty-five years of personal knowledge, working 159157hand in hand with the majority of the young women, not only in our State, but in our great Western country, it is my good pleasure to present some facts exhibiting, in a degree, the progressive work that is being done by twenty thousand young women and girls, organized into what is known as the Young Ladies' National Mutual Improvement Association. This association was among the first to join the National Council of Women, has promptly paid its dues, sent delegations at the request of the Council, and otherwise given evidence of its loyalty to our esteemed President. Its branch, County and State, organizations are in closest touch with one another and perfect harmony characterizes their striving for knowledge, culture and advancement in developing woman's highest possibilities. There are over 2,000 officers who work with untiring devotion, giving their time, means and energy year after year without compensation. Each of the 443 single societies united in this organization is self-supporting, handling many thousands of dollars for its own and kindred interests. Since 1895 there have been held 34,770 regular meetings, 8,927 conjoint sessions with the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association, and 327 Young Ladies' Conferences. The nature of the exercises may be seen from the following report for the last three years: Addresses, 5,227; theological exercises, 11,528; historical, 7,208; physiological, 4,598; sentiments offered, 135,642; sketches given, 7,556; manuscripts prepared, 5,006; musical exercises, 19,113 lectures, 16,466; essays, 6,881; home readings, 900,062.

I might here add that in addresses, lectures, essays, etc., subjects are treated that are especially adapted to girl-life. Realizing as we do that maidenhood is the foundation upon which the grand structure of womanhood is based—that the girls of to-day are the women and possible mothers of to-morrow—we encourage and promote the educational advantages of girls by urging families to give them the preference over their brothers, where equal advantages are not possible.

It is the purpose of our Society to help young girls to an understanding of themselves, their powers, their forces, their possibilities, and to a knowledge of the world and its temptations; for we believe that providing against and preventing sin is better than rescuing from sin.

The members of our branch associations greatly influence 160158the social interests of our towns and cities and are the leaders in plans for intellectual advancement as well as in amusements and recreation. They establish libraries, reading rooms and gymnasiums and publish periodicals, one of which, the “Young Woman's Journal,” is most flourishing, and is edited and managed by women.

Under the auspices of this association dramatic and operatic companies have been organized. Among these may be mentioned the Salt Lake Opera Company, which ranks among the first in the nation. We believe and teach the equal moral obligation of the sexes, that man has no right to expect or demand a higher standard of purity in woman than he himself is willing to maintain. The truth is strongly impressed upon the minds of our young girls, that it is their religious duty to influence men to lead pure and chaste lives, and to regard the marriage relation as most sacred. With the members of our association the marriage ceremony is most holy, uniting husband and wife not for this life alone, but for all eternity, pronounced by authority to “bind on earth and it shall be bound in heaven.”

The League was organized in 1885 and obtained its National charter in 1889. This organization has ever pleaded for the co-operation of the church universal, and all seeking the betterment of the race. Its effort has been to promote for both men and women an equal standard of purity and a higher type of spiritual life than that which has yet been attained. We seek to impress upon the average mind, as upon the more thoughtful, the vast advantage of pure conjugal affection, which would effect such improvement in offspring as in one generation would result in comparatively a new race of men.

Not one-third of the children born are wanted or prepared for by parents before the child is begotten. Multitudes of children, if not three-fourths of the human race, are the result of unintention on the part of the parents. Countless ones are objects of hatred, and not a few of murder before birth. Not this organization alone is striving to attain higher ideas and methods in child culture. We see indications that the science of reproduction as applied to the human race is receiving more attention each year from educators and thoughtful parents. Women are associating themselves in mothers' congresses, and both men and women are making scientific studies of this most important subject. Many are putting forth efforts in various lines to learn how to attain the best pre-natal influence and child development in its broadest sense. Both natural and Divine law, which refers to proper mating of human beings, has been shamefully ignored, from the theological professor down to the least intelligent of the common people. Righteous teaching concerning the matter of greatest importance to the well being of the race must emanate from the church. We can do better than to increase illegitimacy by preventing marriage of persons afflicted with physical or mental disease. Authentic records show over 800,000 defective 162160children in public institutions in the United States. What of the number outside of public institutions, in private quarters and homes? The morning papers, circulated for family reading among all classes and the masses, contain similar statements to the following: “The bodies of 26 murdered innocents were picked up in the upper part of New York during a period of about six weeks, and on investigation by the municipal authorities, not one case was successfully disposed of.” We are doing what we can to create thought concerning the necessity of getting text books on the science of stirpiculture introduced not only into the higher schools, but into the homes of all married people. Suitable books ought to be prepared for all schools, from the primary to the university.

We would express our gratitude to Bible teaching and to the work of progressive womanhood in and out of the church for the advance made out of past conservative sex thralldom. Humanitarian and educational progress is sought by the League along all lines. We are working constantly through the Legislature for the passage of bills helpful to public morals and to prevent the passage of such as lower the standards. We are renewing our efforts for the bill to incorporate the Seventh Commandment into the laws of the Empire State this winter. We have brought this bill during the past eight winters; we have gained and lost, both in the Upper and Lower House, at the different sessions. The discouragements are many. The bill is almost the same as the law which exists in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, which imposes a fine of not less than five hundred dollars and imprisonment for not less than one year upon any person in wedlock proven guilty of breaking the Seventh Commandment.

The League has published a leaflet containing the law of every State in the Union and the penalty affixed to breaking the law of marital relationship. There are but three States in the Union with no semblance of law for the protection of the marriage relation. Our Empire State is down on a par with Louisiana and Delaware; adultery in these States is not even a misdemeanor. A man may be divorced on statutory grounds in New York and by crossing the ferry in one hour be made by a clergyman the legal husband to his co-respondent. The National Council of Women has for a number of years worked through a committee to secure a national law of 163161marriage and divorce. Where is the church that it does not arise in its might and influence the State to a righteous settlement of such questions?

The election of Representative Roberts, from Utah, to the Federal Congress has apparently aroused more than ordinary attention and interest throughout the religious and moral community. The sin of polygamy, or impurity of any sort, may or may not be considered more dangerous to the public under the protection of State law. Such sin under legal protection is certainly more detrimental in its effect upon offspring. Where Mormonism is indorsed by the church and the State children can not develop the same respect and reverence for conjugal affection as when trained under monogamic marriage. Many children born under Mormon law know full well that their parents have little association beyond the conjugal relation. The wrongs and the rights of this problem have all been argued in public prints. We have not forgotten the declaration of Bishop Doane in his plea before the Judiciary Committee of the New York State Legislature for it to approve our bill incorporating the Seventh Commandment into the laws of the State; he asserted that Mormonism in the Empire State is far more detrimental than where it is licensed. There is sore need of earnest prayers and strongest action to prevent this openly avowed polygamist from holding his seat in the Federal Congress. However much better his life may appear than those of the polygamists from States where polygamy is prohibited, the public influence of Mr. Roberts's being expelled from his seat in Congress on account of his polygamous relations will be most wholesome in its effect, not only upon Utah, but on every State in the Union. Notwithstanding the assertion of legal authority, that the State of Utah can not be held responsible, many people of excellent judgment believe the State should be held to account for breaking its pledge by sending a polygamist to represent it in Congress.

What is the duty and the privilege of the church to our whole people, and particularly toward a great number of our Southern heads of families, who with negro concubines produce out of wedlock whole families of yellow offspring? The statement recently was made to me by a Southern man of good standing, that the sin of amalgamation outside of wedlock had but slightly abated since the war; in proof of which he stated, 164162that in his own county fully one out of every ten of the so-called best citizens kept his negro mistress, many of them in affluence, to the detriment of his legitimate family. He also stated that the men without families who cohabit with negroes and are constantly becoming fathers of children with no legitimate name or heritage, are numberless. The negro population has now increased in this country to over 10,000,000, and while it is acknowledged the most prolific of all nationalities, the question confronts us: What is to be the outcome of the future, judging by the past and the present? Let us remember that a child possessing the smallest amount of negro blood, particularly in the South, is forthwith doomed to spend its life as a negro, and to be forever associated with the Afro-American race. The negro race has so changed that there is but a very small minority left of pure negro blood. If a child with the smallest amount of negro blood in its veins is a son or a daughter of a man high in social, intellectual or financial position, it must ever spend its life as a negro. Is not every Christian called upon to defend the weak and the ignorant in our home-land? The greater responsibility of the wrong certainly rests upon those of the higher intelligence and most strongly protected by social environment.

It is the business of the church to see to it that these wrongs are righted.

The Breckenridge scandal moved the League to memorialize the Southern Presbyterian Assembly, about four years since, when it met in Nashville, Tenn. Our petition praying the Assembly to pass a strong resolution in favor of a higher and equal standard of purity for the people in and out of the church was only partly read through at the first attempt to present it. The stated clerk was interrupted by a doctor of divinity from Virginia, who declared that he would not permit resolutions to be read from a set of women and children of the North, implying that social purity was at a lower ebb in the Southern than in the Northern Church (which, by the way, was not implied). The next morning a doctor of divinity from Baltimore addressed the Assembly to the effect that so summary a condemnation of the resolutions presented the day before from such a source could not bring honor to the Assembly. He asked to have them carefully read through to the finish and duly considered. His request was granted. Not 165163only a day and something over was devoted to the discussion which followed, but a page and a half was given to the matter in the Nashville Banner, and an equal amount of space was devoted to the arguments in the “Presbyterian Observer” of Louisville, which is the organ of the Southern Presbyterian Church. The result was a strong resolution in the interest of a higher and equal standard of personal and social purity; the first of the kind ever passed by any ecclesiastical body of this country.

The League passed a resolution endorsing the protocol of the Czar of Russia, favoring the disarmament of the nations of the world, and the resolution was sent to the Czar through the American minister, who replied by letter acknowledging the same.

In 1896 the President of the League appeared as witness with Superintendent Harley and the Captain of the Thirtieth Street Precinct of New York city against John Doris, the proprietor of the Gayety Theater of Broadway, to secure his conviction for placing on the boards the play of “Orange Blossoms.” The witnesses were put on the stand four times before the conviction was obtained.

In an interview in the New York World I stated that the bridal chamber scene was more demoralizing in its nature than anything I had before witnessed in any theater. The lewd insinuations and the licentious gestures of the leading lady in this play ought certainly to produce no pleasing effect upon people with any measure of artistic taste. Most men admire innocent, chaste naturalness of manner on the part of young women, rather than the aping of the mannerisms of lewd women. The woman who played the principal role in the “bridal chamber” scene, stated to me that her real motive was the money she received. She frankly acknowledged she would prefer to appear in plays of a higher character, such as would promote the best interests of family life; even in such dramas as I should consider legitimate; still, she asserted that the American people were best pleased with plays similar to “Orange Blossoms” and patronized them generously. When I appealed to her as wife and mother, she answered that it was for her family's sake only that she accepted this role, which she admitted degraded the marriage relation and must necessarily injure public morals. She justified herself by asserting 166164that she was no worse than women who posed in living pictures. The insinuations of lewdness by motion are always more demoralizing than any effect of figures which are stationary. We succeeded in suppressing “Orange Blossoms;” the theater was closed by the city authorities and Mr. Doris was compelled to pay a fine of $250 and prohibited from presenting the play in the future. In this case we earned success no more faithfully than we had done in similar efforts which had failed to close certain other demoralizing shows and exhibitions.

Just after the close of the last Triennial of the National Council of Women, in May, 1895, the League opened its club house at No. 5 East Twelfth street, particularly for the benefit of self-supporting women and girls. The house was purchased by a member, who has personally earned the $5,000 which has been paid down upon this piece of property, leaving a mortgage of $34,000. The interest, taxes, changes and necessary expenses of the property amounted to much the same as the ordinary renting of such a house. The house contains twenty-eight rooms. The Home is managed exclusively on the family plan.

The Home is designed to give temporary relief. It will extend transient hospitality to the wayfarer in need, whether male or female, young or old, ignorant or cultured, if self-respecting.

The renting of the rooms and lodgings is a practical source of income.

We have provided a number of free beds and free rooms, for the support of which we need money.

A special feature of the Home and aid to the occupants is the industrial—sewing, clerical, laundry—employment bureau and other similar departments.

A restaurant serves meals at from seven to twenty-five cents.

The Home is managed on the co-operative plan.

The Home avoids in every possibly way the impression that it is established for girls and women who have in any sense stepped aside from the path of rectitude.

In making its report the Universal Peace Union presents merely the prominent measures it has considered during the past four years. To report everything that the Union has done in this interval would burden the Council's programme. The Union has been unremitting in its efforts to remove the causes and abolish the customs of war, to live the conditions and promulgate the principles of peace. 1896 opened with a war alarm over President Cleveland's message respecting the Venezuelan boundary question. The Universal Peace Union was prompt to act, as indeed did every peace-loving agency throughout the civilized world. We had sent our Vice President, Conrad F. Stollmeyer, to Caracas, and he was eminently successful in inducing the Venezuelans to be willing to arbitrate. It was said of this mission, it was the crowning glory of a life-time. President Rojas Paul wrote us with grateful thanks, and bestowed upon our representative the decoration of the Order of the Bust of the Liberator and the title of the Minister of Peace, because he brought the olive branch of the Universal Peace Union of Philadelphia to his country.

This was followed by our action for public sentiment against any rupture with Great Britain. From Independence Hall we appealed to Lord Salisbury; we sent delegations to President Cleveland and memorials to Congress and recommended a commission of peace. It culminated in an immense demonstration in Philadelphia, the first session being held in our rooms and addressed by some of the most distinguished citizens of the United States, aided by some of our most prominent fellow citizens. This was the great event of the 22d of February, which united the question of general international arbitration and an arbitration treaty with Great Britain, and marked one of the memorable peace conferences of the year 1896 held under the auspices of the Union, the 168166others being held at Lake Mohonk, N. Y., and in the city of Washington, with many others throughout the world. Never before was the peace sentiment more thoroughly brought to the front, and the result has been the immortal treaty presented to the two English-speaking nations, through those eminent ambassadors, Hon. Richard Olney and Sir Julian Pauncefote.

1896 was ushered in with the immense car strike in Philadelphia, involving the Union Traction Company and the comfort of the citizens. The Universal Peace Union was immediately at work and was most happily and ably encouraged by the efforts of other bodies, including the Citizens' Committee. It took days and weeks to adjust the difficulty, but after many meetings in our rooms in Independence Hall and elsewhere, there was a settlement which was the triumph of the principles of mediation, arbitration and conciliation.

It was early in this year that, after consultation with the Spanish Consul in Philadelphia, we forwarded to King Alfonso VIII, in care of the Secretary of State, a strong appeal for peace for Cuba, very plainly presenting those conditions that from our standpoint we felt assured would insure it.

1896 witnessed a strong appeal to Congress by the Peace Union “against the pending appropriations for coast defenses, the increase of the army and navy and the organization of the militia of the United States.” This was followed by protests, memorials and delegations.

An effort being made to introduce into the public schools of Philadelphia military drill, the board of education gave hearings to the opponents, of which the Union availed itself. A number of distinguished persons spoke against the proposition, and our society presented twenty-one condensed reasons for its rejection. These were printed, circulated and used in other cities and in various States, with gratifying results. We secured the endorsement of the peace principle by the Federation of Woman's Clubs in Louisville, Ky., at its biennial, and in other parts of America and of Europe obtained the co-operation of similar influential organizations.

The Union was represented in the Seventh International Peace Congress at Budapest, Hungary, where we urged the introduction of the teaching of peace principles in schools and colleges, and suggested proportionate disarmament which 169167would ultimately result in the complete abolition of standing armies.

The same year interesting receptions were given to prominent representatives of England, Germany and Italy in our Peace Rooms in Independence Hall, and valuable additions were made to these historic quarters, so that it has become a Peace Museum.

The Union contributed in sending Clara Barton, our Vice-President and the President of the Red Cross, to Armenia, giving her credentials and a letter to the Sultan. This was a most merciful and successful mission of peace and humanity.

1896 will ever be memorable by the erection and dedication of the Peace Temple at Mystic, Connecticut, in the grove of over ten acres belonging to the Universal Peace Union. This is the first temple dedicated to the promotion of radical and universal peace, in the history of the world.

We especially invite the Women's Council to meet in this Temple during next summer.

The Union petitioned Congress to appropriate one per cent. of every appropriation made for war purposes, or the army and navy, to a peace fund. Small as this would be, it would offset and overcome the great outlay for war.

We urged the ratification of the treaty of the Pan-American Congress.

1897 opened with our strongest efforts for peace in Cuba, and the reception of the Anglo-American treaty and our earnest efforts to secure its ratification. Appeal upon appeal was made, followed by personal interviews, and we very soon found the late administration was ready to ratify it, and then the new administration just as anxious to do so. Hence our efforts with the Senate, the people are with us. This and the work we engaged in for peace in Europe, especially in Crete and Armenia, brought us to the point of the publication of the work of thirty-one years. We appealed for justice, for freedom, for the rights of humanity, for religion, for the suffering Cubans, Armenians and Cretans, uniting with the International Peace Bureau and its American branch for an international arbitration treaty. We continued publishing our journal, “The Peacemaker and Court of Arbitration.”

We offer the columns of “The Peacemaker” to the Women's Council, and we think it would advance the cause of the Council 170168if it would appoint an associate editor and double the size of the Journal and issue it weekly.

Our Vice-President, Senor Arturo de Marcoaatu, M. P., of Madrid, Spain, expected to visit the United States. He was prevented by the war. We corresponded with him to prevent war, and we found him ably seconding our views.

The Turkish-Greek war and the Armenian massacres engaged our attention. We appealed directly to the Sultan, through Clara Barton, our Vice-President, who went to Turkey on behalf of Armenia, and we have reason to believe our efforts were not in vain. We acknowledge the wonderful influence of the great powers of Europe in their concentrated efforts to prevent the continuance of the war between Turkey and Greece. We could see through it all a deep desire for peace, an unwillingness to become involved in war with each other, or with the two contending parties; we also saw and still see a general desire on their part to be fair and reasonable and an equal determination to maintain peace, also to adjust claims according to ability and justice.

While the horrors of the Armenian massacres continued almost in sight of the million of armed men of Europe, we felt constantly convinced that the remedy for such outrages and the protection of humanity must come from a far different source.

When Li Hung Chang visited this country we tendered him a reception in our historic rooms and received from the Secretary of the Chinese Legation a most appreciative and complimentary letter. We have had two very interesting receptions, one with Alexander Horstman of the Berlin Peace Association, and Countess Cora di Brazza of Italy.

In 1897 we held a meeting on the 22d of February, which has been styled Peace Day, and observed by many peace organizations throughout the world as Peace Day.

We were represented in the great meetings of the Woman Suffrage Association, in the Nashville Exposition and in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union.

It is a coincidence that the Civil War of the United States made the Universal Peace Union in 1866, and the war with Spain in 1898 has tested it.

1898 was a year of remarkable activity. We prepared and 171169forwarded a general letter to the operators, miners and all interested in the great strike in the Northwest.

We received through W. Evans Darby, of England, a copy of the “Memorial of the Religious Bodies of the World” to the President of the United States, in a strong appeal for international arbitration.

Interviews were held with the Central and South American delegates in Philadelphia, to encourage reciprocal commercial relations, and the ratification of the Pan-American arbitration treaty.

We were represented at the Eighth International Peace Congress held at Hamburg.

We memorialized Congress against an increase of the army and navy; in favor of an international court of arbitration, and against additional coast defenses.

We presented plans as substitutes for boys' military brigades, with illustrations, some of which have been adopted, viz., fire brigades, life-saving corps, accident relief clubs, etc.

Through a meeting and a peace tea we raised a fund for the relief of the suffering in Cuba.

When the war with Spain assumed serious proportions, we issued bulletins to our branch Societies, members and friends to appeal to the President, his Cabinet and to members of Congress to prevent war. Many grateful and encouraging letters were received. We induced the children of one of our Friends' first day schools to send a memorial to President McKinley and to the Queen Regent of Spain, for the same object. President McKinley responded with appreciation of the children's interest.

We aided in every way in our power to secure the six concessions made by Spain: 1. The withdrawal of Weyler. The retention of Lee. 3. The feeding of the reconcentrados. 4. Sending food in battleships. 5. Autonomy. 6. Armistice.

This last we urged by cable on the 9th of April direct to Premier Segasta, through Minister Woodford, and also through Cardinal Gibbons. On the 11th of April armistice was granted. Our cablegram was, “Urge the Queen to grant unconditional armistice.” Minister Woodford acknowledged the message. When we found even this concession did not satisfy Congress, we drafted a letter and mailed it, April 21st, to the Queen Regent of Spain and Premier Segasta. War was 172170declared April 24th; our letter did not go then, but was returned unopened, as the New York postmaster was instructed that letters to Spain or her colonies during the war were prohibited.

As our letter was written before the war and was for peace, we sent it to Washington, with the words, “We did not mean to act contrary to the government, or in any way to circumvent our President. Show the letter to the President or Secretary of State.” It was read and returned with the intimation that it could be sent through our Peace Bureau at Berne, Switzerland.

Because of this letter and the cry that we had in the Peace Museum a Spanish flag (which was a souvenir from our exhibit in the Chicago Exposition), along with the national flags of every nation, we were dispossessed of our rooms in the State House row.

Reaction has taken place, and scores of the highest journals of the country, and the best citizens, have testified their appreciation of the motives and action of the Peace Union.

Through Rev. Russell H. Conwell, who visited Jerusalem, we have proposed celebrating the opening of the twentieth century by a peace convention of all Peace Societies and friends of peace in Jerusalem. Dr. Conwell reports the people in Jerusalem will welcome the convention.

The month of May is reported as the best time. Should we convene a Universal Peace Congress at Jerusalem, we especially desire the Woman's Council to be represented.

We appointed delegates to the Ninth International Congress, to be held at Lisbon, early in October, but on account of the war it was postponed.

We record it as an interesting part of our effort to prevent the war with Spain, that even after war had been declared, we recommended a commission to be appointed by the President of the United States to proceed to Spain with the object of securing a peaceable adjustment of the difficulties and relief for the oppressed.

We would report our appeal to the Women's Council to note that the war with Spain was commenced ostensibly, not to acquire territory, or for national aggrandizement, but to liberate a weak and oppressed people; that the cry was “for humanity.” And yet we find the record of war still appeals 173171to us that it is barbarous, that it is ruinous, that it begets war, that it stirs up strife throughout the world; that it brings hatred, animosity and dissension into our own country, pitting General against General, Admiral against Admiral. This is not all. Impurity, immorality, disease incurable, are fastened upon our men and our women. The fearful prostitution of all that is pure and manly and virtuous by the license given in war to the worst passions of men, cries aloud to the Women's Council, the mothers of our nation, for a policy of peace. Think of the thousands of young girls left now in the despair of depraved conditions, in the islands where our army has been, and where camps have been, and think also of the diseased soldiers returning to their homes to increase disease!

Let this subject be one for your earnest consideration.

On the 30th of August, 1898, the Czar of Russia, Nicholas II, issued his proclamation for a reduction of armies looking to universal disarmament, and invited an international conference next May. It will be held at The Hague. We hope the Women's Council will express its approval. The Union replied promptly, indorsing the action of the Czar, and we now have a distinguished Russian lady here in this country, Anna Evrcinoff, who is encouraging and popularizing this heroic, pacific movement.

At present our memorials are before Congress, opposing the annexation of the Philippines and the increase of the army and navy; favoring the introduction by peaceable means of republican institutions, of non-sectarian religion, and public schools into all islands, where by such means they can gain admittance; and the establishment of a general international tribunal of arbitration.

The year 1899, upon which we are just entering, will be marked by opening in our Peace Grove at Mystic, Conn., a Summer Peace Institute. Here the Union will make provision to receive tourists, visitors and students at a continuous peace conference, which will be in effect a summer school for them.

The President of the Council has been invited to speak on the principles of peace and arbitration.

The Woman's Republican Association of the United States was organized in 1888, and during the campaign of that year received the official indorsement of the National Republican Committee. Clubs were formed in many parts of the country and quantities of literature were carefully prepared or selected, published and circulated. Mrs. Judith Ellen Foster, of Washington, who organized the political work for women, and Mrs. Thomas Chace, of Rhode Island, were the first President and Secretary of the National Woman's Republican Association. In the campign of 1892 the Association went into headquarters at the Hotel Savoy, New York City, and continued its educational work for Republicanism.

The object of the Association is to unite the women of the community in educational work and social influence for the maintenance of the principles of the Republican party in the home and in the State. In States, where there is no State Association, clubs are formed under the direction of the National Association; where there are such, under the direction of State Associations, which in turn are guided by the National Association. The scope of the work was much broadened in 1892, and a third officer was elected to aid Mrs. Foster and Mrs. Chace in their work—Miss Helen Varick Boswell, of New York, Treasurer of the National Association.

In the campaign of 1896, the National Association had its headquarters in the Auditorium Hotel, Chicago, and kept in touch with Republican women all over the country. During campaigns the Woman's Republican Association always works in harmony with and under the direction of the National Republican Committee.

Because the conditions of women, politically speaking, are so different in the several States, it is inexpedient to attempt the same form of organization in each State or the same basis 175173of representation from each State in the National body. Through its State Associations and the many small clubs directly under its guidance, the membership of the National Association includes more than fifty thousand women, to whom literature is regularly sent. All State Associations and clubs have their own constitutions, but work in accord with the plans of the National body.

The work of the Woman's Republican Association is especially active in Kansas. Mrs. S. A. Thurston is at the head of the work there, which is efficiently systematized and conducted by Congressional districts, each district having an active coterie of Republican women busy in the interests of the candidates of the district and equally watchful of the general results to which they greatly contribute. In Kansas, women are recognized largely in political work, because they vote at municipal elections and their work in local politics is needed and appreciated.

In the four States where women vote, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado and Idaho, Republican women are associated with men in party work. In Colorado all offices in the State and county organizations are filled by both a man and a woman—that is, there is both a chairman and a chair woman of the State Central Committee, and also of the County Committees.

In Illinois women vote for a member of the Board of Trustees of the State University. This little fragment of the elective franchise has brought about an organization in this State under the leadership of the Woman's Republican State Central Committee. Its effort to elect women members of the Board of Trustees has led to their organization along party lines, and they are an acknowledged factor in the politics of the State.

The work in New York State is conducted by the officers of the State Association, of which Miss Helen Varick Boswell, the National Treasurer, is Chairman. Clubs are formed in the cities and towns; local reports are sent to the State Association, and the work of all clubs is outlined by the Chairman of the State Association.

Of course the center for most active work is in New York City and different methods necessarily prevail there in the congested tenement districts, which require lines of effort different from those needed in any other part of the country.

The systematic tenement house canvassing now done by women in party interest, which takes the place of that formerly done under district leaders by so-called “ward heelers,” has been favorably commented on throughout the country. The efforts of Republican women in New York are appreciated and encouraged by State Republican leaders, and much power is put in the hands of the chairman of the Woman's Republican Association, by chairmen of both State and County Committees.

In almost every other State, local organizations are formed and valuable auxiliary work done in party interests by Republican women.

The National Woman's Republican Association being strictly a partisan organization, has in view, not the elevation of women as a class, not their enfranchisement, not even primarily to secure the enactment of laws for the betterment of woman's condition; but to secure the maintenance of the principles of the Republican party, through which all classes of citizens are protected, and all interests of the national life guarded.

There is no doubt among those who have studied the work of the Association and its relation to National and State legislation, that much good has resulted along many lines by the work of Republican women. The Association is content to know this, and it rejoices in it, and takes courage for the future.

This Association was organized in Boston in 1888, the charter being obtained in the same year. Where could an association have a more patriotic birth than where the bones of Boston's sons, falling in the great struggles for independence, lie mingled with the soil of every State from New England to Georgia? What more fitting place to raise our voice against political sectarianism than there, where American liberty raised its voice? There is still lives in the strength of its manhood and full of its original spirit. We take for our foundation the principles upon which our government is founded and the constitution by which we are supposed to be governed. We are non-sectarian and non-partisan. Ecclesiastical despotism is entirely contrary to the principles of our civilization; the constitution in no way sanctions or encourages “imperium in imperio,” rule by prophet, priest, or king, or any other high dignitary. The framers of our constitution recognized the eternal principle that man's relation to his God is above human legislation, and his right of conscience inalienable. Hon. H. H. Crayon, of New Hampshire, in a speech in the House of Representatives, said: “When our forefathers reared this magnificent structure of a free republic in this western land, they laid the foundations broad and deep, upon the principles of eternal right. Its materials were all quarried from the mountain of truth, and, as it rose so majestically before an astonished world, it rejoiced the hearts and hopes of all mankind. Tyrants only cursed the workmen and the workmanship. Its architecture was new. It had no model in Grecian or Roman history. It seemed like a paragon let down from heaven to inspire the hearts and hopes of mankind and demonstrate God's favor to the new world. The builders recognized the rights of human nature as universal. Liberty, the first great right of man, they claimed for all men and from 178176God himself. Upon this foundation they erected the temple and dedicated it to Liberty, Humanity, Justice and Equality. Washington was crowned its patron saint; Liberty the national goddess, worshipped by all the people.”

These are the principles the L. W. of A. L. are working for and sustaining.

Truth is mighty and will prevail, but this ultimate prevailing depends mainly upon the individual effort applied, not spasmodically or intermittently, but quietly and steadily. One of the planks in our platform is:

“Absolute separation of church and state, and non-appropriation of money for sectarian purposes.”

We believe that the United States government has violated both the letter and spirit of the last amendment to the constitution by appropriating money from its national treasury for sectarian purposes. Many millions have been appropriated for the contract schools. This is a dangerous practice. Other countries have taught America's sons and daughters that there is danger to liberty of speech, to a free press, and to all of our blood-bought privileges where church and state are connected. How deeply we have been convinced of the terrible evil in our late Spanish and American war. This war should open our eyes and teach us a lesson.

Since 1892 all denominations theretofore receiving government subsidy have, from principle, refused to accept money from the government to carry on their work among the Indians. The government has shown great indulgence to one particular sect (who have drawn more than all others to carry on their contract schools), by arranging to decrease their appropriation twenty per cent. each year, with the understanding that at the expiration of five years the appropriations shall cease. The time fixed for the dissolution of the co-partnership between the government and the church has arrived. After all this indulgence and consideration (which should never have been allowed) the church thus favored is making overtures for the renewal of the dangerous practice by the national government. Will not those who have any convictions upon the safe and normal relations of church and state present their protest against the reopening of this danger? We not only protest against reopening the question of sectarian appropriations now closed by Congressional action, but petition the 179177general government to adopt a definite, permanent, uniform principle in accord with the spirit of the United States' constitution for advancing education among the Indians on the basis of the American free, common school system in order that there be no departure from the American principle of keeping separate and distinct the functions of state and church.

A bill is now before the Legislature of California which aims to have a constitutional amendment submitted to the people, so they may by vote, say whether church property shall be taxed as heretofore, or go scot free. The scheme should be nipped in the bud. One church, with millions, will be exempt from any taxation whatever. Our forces are at work, hoping to defeat, by petition, the amendment. If successful it will result in an unjust discrimination in favor of church property, making the poor workingman, non-church member, pay the legitimate taxes of rich corporations. The exemption of church property from taxation tends to the union of church and state.

Another scheme is on foot in the same State to ask for the support of her sectarian parochial schools. Anything not directly owned and controlled by the public has no business to shirk its just proportion of taxation, and none other but the most dishonest could suggest such a move.

It is to be feared that the annexation of the Philippines may let down the bars in relation to the support of private schools from public funds, as schools in these islands are under the church—and so establish a precedent that unscrupulous sects would take advantage of, and thus again violate our constitution.

We have circulated and sent to State Legislatures petitions protesting against the employment of any person in our public schools who should wear any garb or ecclesiastical dress, demonstrating his religion or belief, and demanding that every teacher wear only citizen's dress. I am glad to say we have been successful in having this evil removed in most places.

We have circulated and sent to Congress numerous petitions praying restriction of immigration. This war, and annexation of territory, should it follow, will send thousands of foreigners into this country and so increase our responsibilities, 180178taxes and all other evils and burdens that come from indiscriminate immigration.

Signatures have been secured to petitions asking for a bill to be passed, providing that unscrupulous men and corporations should not use our beautiful flag as an advertising medium for all kinds of goods and wares, including rum, whisky, lager beer and every kind of merchandise. We have earnestly petitioned the Judiciary Committee of Congress to report favorably on this bill, viz., House Bill, No. 5,172.

Our American flag should be the only emblem permitted to float over our public buildings, and processions of whatever kind should be allowed to carry no other banner on our streets.

When the Ninth Massachusetts Volunteers were encamped at Framingham, Mass., Congressman Fitzgerald, Democratic Representative, left his seat in Congress, went to Boston, and took up a collection among the liquor dealers to purchase a green flag, which he presented to the regiment with the remark: “When you remember the Maine, don't forget Erin.” More applause was given to this flag than to the stars and stripes. When the regiment arrived at Falls Church, Va., they marched to the tune of the “Wearing of the Green.” An honorary member of the Loyal Women of American Liberty immediately applied to the President for a revocation of the order, issued by the Assistant Secretary of War, Mr. Meiklejohn, giving permission to these Irish regiments to carry the green flag. The President notified the Secretary, who notified the Assistant Secretary of War, who, in turn, notified General Miles, and the latter issued the order, which read:

“No ensign, pennon, streamers, or other banners of any kind other than the flag, colors, standards, pennants, or guidons prescribed by the army regulations, will be used by the army, or by any regiment or other organization thereof.”

In March, when the Spanish-American situation threatened to become serious, the President of the L. W. of A. L. gave her signature to resolutions of the National Council of Women, favoring a peaceful solution of the difficulties between Spain and Cuba, which were forwarded to the President of the United States.

We have been loyal to our boys in blue. Money has been 181179sent to hospital ships; cases of canned goods of all kinds, with every delicacy that could be obtained. The branches of our Society have also worked through their Relief and Sanitary Committee in different cities and localities; sewing for the soldiers has not been forgotten; making pajamas, comfort-bags, pillow-cases and various other articles. Books, magazines and periodicals have found their way into the camp through the efforts of this organization.

Under the “Cup of Loving Service,” hundreds of families have been helped in various ways. We find employment, provide fuel, food and clothing for the worthy poor; give scores of addresses to institutions, such as Old Ladies' Homes, Old Men's Homes, Reform Schools, etc., and our hearts are open and our hands ready to do anything for the betterment of humanity.

Since 1895, beside a great number of our notable R. I. clam dinners, we have given over five hundred excursion tickets to the worthy poor.

This Society has raised $1,000 to put into patriotic papers, for the purpose of educating the ignorant and indifferent to the present condition of things. Local branches have subscribed for papers to be sent to ministers, Congressmen, laymen and men occupying high positions in city and state. Josiah Strong says: “Political optimism is one of the greatest vices of the American people, and not one in a hundred question the security of their future.”

This organization has belonged to the Council since 1890. Your humble servant has attended every executive and triennial since 1890. We, in our local branches, have affiliated with Local Councils, where organized, and helped to carry on the legitimate work of the Council.

The W. R. C. is the largest organization of women in the world whose chief cornerstone is patriotism. During the sixteen years of its existence it has worked along all patriotic lines, and the fruits of its labors are manifest throughout the Nation. It is pre-eminently a badge and banner society; its music is martial; its colors are national; its meeting are ritualistic and secret, and its leader and guide is the Grand Army of the Republic, whose laws and methods are largely ours, and in whose footsteps we delight to follow. The Woman's Relief Corps is a wonderful Order in many ways, for it not only fulfills its mission of love and mercy, but it has become a great educator of woman; in it she learns military precision and punctuality; becomes patient and persevering, and, above all, is disciplined to serve others willingly and well. She finds that to be a great leader one must first be led—to exact obedience one must obey, and that the words Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty well understood and practiced make womanhood grander and stronger and the world better.

The W. R. C., as it is called by its friends and co-workers, has three distinct lines of work, but through them all runs the musical note, “My Country, 'tis of Thee.” First and foremost is its care for the Union veteran and his dependent ones. For this branch of their labors is established a Relief Fund held sacred to the objects named. There are Homes in many States directly and indirectly in its charge, and a National Home at Madison, Ohio, solely dependent for maintenance upon the Relief Corps, which, for that purpose, sets aside one-half of the per capita tax. The second line has, perhaps, a sentimental side, but it nourishes the sentiment of tenderness, loving gratitude and holy offerings; its business is to keep Memorial Day. The comrades of the Grand Army gather around the graves of those “gone before” and place upon them 183181flowers and flags for the brave men sleeping beneath the sod. To the Woman's Relief Corps is assigned the precious privilege of offering their loving tribute to the Grand Army of the Unknown Dead—buried, no one knows where—nameless here, ah! but known where the Great Commander calls the roll.

Following this comes the third object of our Order, viz.: Instruction in patriotism; and the work accomplished in this direction would take hours to tell. A paragraph from the report of our National Patriotic Instructor, given at Cincinnati last September, will give you a glimpse only of the whole. She says: “We have received figures but from 23 Departments (out of 35) and 4 Detached Corps (out of 60), and find reported 35,049 school rooms having flags; 26,352 rooms giving the salute to the flags; 1,619 Declaration of Independence Charts in use, and 1,250,319 children who repeat every school day, ‘We give our heads and our hearts to God and our Country. One Country, one language and one flag.’”

Our financial record will prove not only that women are capable managers of large affairs, but that in organized, systematic methods our Order is unequaled. While not attempting to give an account of our receipts and disbursements in full, I will report that the amount expended by the W.R.C. since its organization in 1883 to June 30th, 1898, and turned over to Grand Army Posts, is $1,692,150.76. We expend annually for the above purposes over $150,000, and since the last Triennial of the Council, i.e., during four years, have spent $678,590.40. This does not include the Emergency Fund which was created for the soldiers of the present (Spanish-Cuban) war. Realizing the needs of the hour and the patriotic foundation upon which all our labors rest, our National President issued a call for funds to be expended for the sick and suffering of the Spanish-American war, and in a short time we raised and used almost $17,000 in cash, and sent to hospitals and camps over $6,000 worth of supplies.

Our membership is composed of the wives, mothers, sisters and daughters of Union soldiers and sailors, army nurses and loyal women who are interested in patriotic charities and work. We numbered June 30th, 1898, when our last report was published, 144,245. We have lost by death since the report to our last Triennial, 5,040 members, and upon this list will appear the name of Frances E. Willard. She joined 184182America Corps, No. 31, in Chicago, Illinois, a very short time before she started upon that last journey to New York; and her sweet spirit, loving words and gracious presence will always remain as a benediction to those who witnessed her taking the obligation of the Order underneath the folds of the flag she loved so well.

We are divided into State organizations called Departments, and the Departments into Corps; we have in all Departments 3,095 Corps. We have no membership outside the Corps—our laws prohibiting honorary members—Paul Van De Voort, Past Commander-in-Chief G. A. R., and Clara Barton being the only exceptions.

Shortly after the last Triennial of the Council, some four years ago, was given into our hands the ground upon which the Andersonville Prison stood. We accepted the charge, not to foster the spirit of contention and sectionalism, but rather to make the place where once such misery was endured, the abode of plenty and pleasantness; where those who had suffered there could spend some declining hours, perhaps years, in peaceful pursuits, sunshine and flowers, thus making a wilderness to blossom as a rose, and into ploughshares turn the sword.

As we sum our record up, what will it show? A great army of earnest women who are working for “a Grand Army” of heroes who saved a Nation.

Their ranks are thinning fast; they are marching no longer in full brigades; each year finds the list of the promoted longer, the remainder smaller. “Taps” sounds every day for many, and “lights out” has supplanted the “reveillé”.

Oh, patriotic women of America! do not pass them by! Remember that in the morning of their lives they gave their best for you, and now, as the evening shadows gather, do you give your best for them. Out from the memories of the past they come, and over the Union they have saved let voices from the seen and the unseen unite in one grand anthem.

“My country, 'tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing.”

It does not seem possible that there is another organization of women which has the obstacles to overcome which are met by the association which I represent. It works at great disadvantage because it is so difficult for its members to give the time necessary to further its objects. Another barrier has been the lack of interest on the part of the woman stenographer and a reluctance thus to identify herself with her profession. Perhaps the ridicule of the cartoonist and professional joke-maker has been the cause of the embarrassment felt by the brave young woman whom necessity has compelled to put aside sentiment and her cherished ideals, and bend her energy to the stern, practical work of the “typewriter.” But, as the result of our efforts, this is gradually disappearing, and now, instead of having to plead for co-operation, we find the thinking women in our profession requesting membership. The assistance which we have been able to extend our members, as well as other young women, together with the attitude of the press, has helped to bring this about. In 1895, our president, Miss Netta McLaughlin, took issue on behalf of our organization with an ambitious writer who credited the business woman with frivolous expenditure of her earnings and no saving propensity. This dates the beginning of a dignified recognition of our efforts. Papers read at meetings of this National Council of Women by such women, who practice this profession, as Miss Harriet A. Shinn, Miss Kathryn S. Holmes and Miss Marie L. Price, of Chicago; Miss Mae E. Orr, of New York; Miss Mary S. Paden and Miss Mary Hampton Lloyd, of Denver, have called attention to the intellectual attainments of our members and gained for stenography the respect which had not been accorded it.

Our opportunities for agitation and organization have been limited, of course, but we have grasped those within our reach, 186184with the result of the extension of our organization in each instance. In August, 1897, we were represented at a convention of stenographers, held at the Nashville Exposition, which brought us in close sympathy with Southern women engaged in this line of work, as well as with the leisure women of Nashville, a reception being given us in the Woman's Building on the evening of August 20, 1897, by Mrs. Robert Weakley. Parenthetically, I want to say that these social functions given by the leisure women have helped to remove the sting felt by many upon entering the business world.

March 16, 1897, a bill was introduced in the Legislature of the State of Illinois, the passage of which would have rendered women ineligible as notaries public. The attention of the National Association of Women Stenographers was called to it. The President, Miss McLaughlin, immediately called a meeting of the board of directors, the result being that petitions were circulated against this bill. The press took up the matter, and Representative Walleck, who introduced the bill, telegraphed us that he would be glad to meet us and get our assistance in preparing an amendment. We were able to defeat this bill entirely with the assistance of our political friends, without the use of our petitions, which were signed by many prominent lawyers and representative business men, and without that obnoxious expedient of sending representatives from our organization to lobby at Springfield.

It being so dimly understood, except among those who practice it, what are the requirements for a successful stenographic career, we have felt it wise to state two things necessary in our work. First, the education of the public to an appreciation of our value. The fallacy has prevailed that the stenographer can take anything, parrot fashion, and make a transcript of it; while it is impossible to work in a line with which one is totally unfamiliar. One must be intelligent to begin with, have a keen and alert mind, and, if not equipped with a liberal education, she must have a good foundation and constantly build upon it. She must be able to comprehend what may have been the life study of the dictator. The promulgation of this idea we have felt would gain for our profession its proper place among other recognized professions.

Second, we have realized the necessity of discouraging persons, incapable of pursuing it, from entering upon stenography. 187185This we are accomplishing in Chicago through the Business Woman's Exchange—our employment department, in co-operation with the Association of Young Women's Clubs. The establishment of this institution is due to the efforts of the president of the latter organization, Mrs. Lynden Evans, who realized the necessity of providing a place where young women might obtain employment without having to pay 25 or 50 per cent. of their first month's salaries. The knowledge, too, that heads of departments in large business firms were often in collusion with these employment agencies—highway robbers—spurred her on in her endeavors. The report of the manager, Miss Matae B. Cleveland, who is also our corresponding secretary, read at our last meeting, will best demonstrate the efficacy of the work.

“As is always the case with the inauguration of a new enterprise, the first year was devoted mainly to outlining departments of work, devising methods best adapted to conduct these departments, advertising, and soliciting the interest and endorsement of business firms and the friends of self-supporting women. Business men at first were afraid to patronize us, looking upon it as a charitable organization, and therefore unable to supply expert service.

“After two years' existence, we are glad to report that the actual results attained warrant the statement that we have accomplished, in a good degree, the object of the organization as set forth in our printed announcement: “To create a center through which capable women out of employment can secure temporary or permanent work without paying the exorbitant commissions charged by mercantile agencies and the regular employment bureaus.” We are gaining the confidence and co-operation of the employé as well as the employer, both feeling satisfied that our methods are legitimate, and their interests mutually considered. This feature contrasts us very favorably with the bureaus and intelligence offices, which are generally in unpleasant relations with those to whom they furnish positions.

“Investigations. We investigate the reliability of all firms not well known who apply to us for help, and are thereby able to protect women from contact with unscrupulous and disreputable people. These investigations made by our committee have, in several instances, led to the arrest and punishment of 188186fraudulent and misleading advertisers. Reported cases of unjust and unkind treatment toward young girls, especially, are dealt with by one member of the committee, whose influence and personal effort usually succeed in gaining justice for the wrongs inflicted. We also investigate the references of the applicants, regarding character, ability, etc., and where any doubt exists as to good character and ability, we are compelled to drop the name of the applicant from our files.

“Employment Department. In this department we have secured positions for 502 women since February 1, 1898. About one-third of these are stenographers; the remainder includes bookkeepers, office clerks, cashiers, saleswomen, companions, governesses, maids, etc. Those applying for business positions and lacking business qualifications are often induced to accept some desirable home position, and from such we are constantly receiving expressions of gratitude for advising and assisting them to an occupation that they are so much better qualified to fill. One bright young woman, who had been working in an office for several years at $7.00 a week, out of which she paid all of her expenses of board, car fare and incidentals, was persuaded, after much deliberation on her part, to accept a position as nursery governess in a refined, beautiful home in one of the suburbs at $5.00 a week. Though she started with many misgivings, she telephoned to the office the second day the most profuse thanks for sending her to such an “ideal position,” as she calls it. She has since written twice, repeating her expressions of gratitude, and stating that nothing would induce her to give up the care of those three children for the wear and tear of office life.

“The stenographers who come from the colleges without the proper drill for speed, or knowledge of a business vocabulary, are advised to perfect themselves more nearly before attempting to secure positions. Two were induced to study for a better knowledge of English, spelling and punctuation, and two for special drill in speed classes during the month of January the present year, which is a fair average for past months.

“Business Department. We conduct a public stenographic office, which contributes to the general support of the Exchange. In this department we do the copying, addressing and amnuensis work for many of the women's clubs of the 189187city and suburbs, and they are liberally patronizing us as their central business office.

“Domestic Department. Under the auspices of the Exchange, we are conducting a domestic employment office for the better class of domestic service, including seamstresses, companions, governesses, etc. We co-operate with a domestic science training school, located in adjoining rooms, and are not only creating a demand for intelligent and well-trained women, who are being placed in remunerative and pleasant positions, but also are opening an avenue of support for the overly ambitious young women who seek to enter business life.

“The president of the Exchange is Mrs. Lynden Evans, president of the Association of Young Women's Clubs, and the treasurer and chairman of the stenographic committee is Miss Gertrude Beeks, president of the National Association of Women Stenographers.”

In June, 1898, we organized our first branch, it being the result of the presentation of our work, by special invitation, at the meeting of the General Federation of Women's Clubs at Denver. Here we met with uphill work, at first, however; a canvass of the situation revealed a sad condition of affairs, there being many refined, cultured, clever young women engaged in the profession, unacquainted with each other, whose social life was limited mostly to the business environment. They doubted the benefit of organizing, feared patronage on the part of the leisure club women, and were generally averse to the idea when first approached. Mrs. Charles Denison threw open her beautiful home on two occasions, and with the assistance of Mrs. Sarah S. Platt, Mrs. Charles Henrotin, Miss Sadie American, Mrs. Lynden Evans, Miss Jane Addams and others, we were able to convince them of the desirability of launching the Denver branch of the National Association of Women Stenographers upon a career which has proven to be most successful. It is hard for those of us who witnessed its organization to realize that it could develop into such an enthusiastic, active branch in such a short time, but each letter tells of new triumphs. They are working hand in hand with the Denver Woman's Club, which repeats its literary programmes in the evening for the benefit of the branch, besides giving the time of its members to the work of the branch, which contributes, one evening a month, papers on 190188subjects allied to the business world, and gives their business judgment in co-operative work.

Realizing that effort must be directed on our part toward initiating a reform in the methods of the shorthand schools, we have devoted serious attention during the past year to an investigation of the same. The injury to the profession worked by the class (which seems to predominate) that is willing to grind out as competent stenographers all who are willing to pay the tuition, is incalculable, while the poor, unsuspecting, ignorant girls are given at these schools as much shorthand as they are able to pay for, and then, having spent the small family savings for this purpose, are sent forth to earn a pittance honorably, and sometimes more dishonorably. What we can do with this problem is yet largely a matter of conjecture. We find that the schools are generally willing to accept any who apply for tuition. There are a few exceptions where an English examination is given to the applicants, who, if found deficient in education, are either refused admission or induced to take an English course. We hope our agitation of this question will demonstrate to these business colleges that they will benefit themselves by adopting some such method whereby they will establish the reputation of supplying only competent stenographers. We are not so theoretical as to suppose it can be accomplished without a struggle, but hope it may be the ultimate result of our effort. Another solution of the problem may be legislation affecting the schools, but we are working that out as we progress and gain in strength.

This report would not be complete without mention of the social recognition extended business women by receptions given at our headquarters, Chicago, by Mrs. Potter Palmer, Mrs. Edwin Walker, Miss Sadie American and others, which encourages the belief that the old Puritan idea of individual worth may prevail again.

Our membership is truly national, including stenographers in New York, Virginia, Michigan, Texas, Tennessee, Florida, Colorado, California, Arkansas and Illinois.

Two years ago we created in our by-laws a provision for honorary members, and now have on our advisory board many well-known names.

It is impossible to chronicle the aid extended to young women in distress, or the mutual helpfulness, which is the 191189result of organized effort, but it may be of interest to mention that the following sick benefits have been paid since the last Triennial: $7.08, $42.00, $6.50, $6.00, $12.00, $25.00, $40.00, $12.00, $75.00, $40.00. The business woman who has gone bravely and honorably forward, with others dependent upon her, is not always able to provide for future emergencies, and we find the “sick benefit” branch of our work a source of pleasure and profit to the association as a whole.

When the National Council last met, our organization numbered thirteen Sections, representing the Jewish women of our large cities. To-day we number fifty-nine Sections in thirty States, having a membership of about five thousand. We have kept strictly to our purpose—the study of Jewish history and literature, the study and practice of the newest and best methods of philanthropy, and work in the Sabbath schools.

The Jewish Council has, since the last meeting of the National Council of Women, held four highly successful general meetings—two in Atlantic City, one in Omaha, and its Triennial Convention in November of 1896 in New York. The proceedings of the Convention were published in full by the Jewish Publication Society, and furnish a complete statement of the work to that period.

The thought underlying our study is that correct knowledge leads to proper action; and so; indeed, it has proven.

The short space of our existence makes it impossible to record radical changes, yet we can note increased activity in Sabbath schools, renewed interest in religious work, greater effort in philanthropy, and an aroused consciousness of our possibilities.

We believe that Synagogue and Church as social institutions, if properly utilized, can and should be the strongest influence in the ethical development of a nation, and, combining with the public schools, can produce the highest type of citizen. In this age, materialistic as it is to the core, it is rather to the “queens in the parlor, eating bread and honey,” than to the kings in the counting-house that the idealist must appeal; and when the queens will fully realize that their position as ornaments is quite as barbarous as was their position when they were held as property,—when labor, whether voluntary or for hire, is properly dignified,—we may hope for great results through the church.

Jewish history, though fertile ground for the student, has been neglected except by the few. From our history, as from no other, may be gleaned that majorities are not always right; that a minority, guided by faith in the justice and righteousness of the Creator, accumulates an ever increasing power and moral strength, and that no people will ever perish, because of its insistence for liberty of conscience and the right to worship God in its own way.

Our Society has organized study classes, in which studies in Jewish history and the Bible and the new thought in philanthropy are pursued. The programmes are prepared by the National Committee, but perfect freedom is allowed each auxiliary Section in planning its own work. Reports of work are furnished to the general committees and to the board, on report blanks prepared by them, so that the general officers are enabled to follow the work of each Section in detail.

These general programmes give no adequate idea of the sum total of the work of which a full knowledge can be obtained only by reading the individual programmes and reports.

During the last year seventy-five study circles met, varying in attendance from five to two hundred. Forty women were placed upon the Sabbath school boards. In addition many lectures were delivered. Seventy-nine lecturers, who were non-members of our Jewish Society, embracing every religious creed and sect, appeared before the Sections of the Council. Civic and educational questions are not neglected.

Since your last Triennial, we have established nine mission schools, thus reaching several thousand Jewish children, who are instructed in religion and ethics. As an example of what has been accomplished, let me state the work of two Sections:

First, that of a very small one in a small Western town, where no Synagogue exists. The women number twelve. They have organized a Sabbath school, attended by all of the Jewish children of the community. They have been instrumental in forming a congregation for Friday evening services. They meet on Sabbath morning to read the service, the President of the Section officiating. Besides this, they have a Study Circle under the leadership of an able Bible student. In philanthropy, they co-operate with the forces of the city and are often instrumental in beginning new work.

Second, that of a large Section, having about six hundred 194192members and the following departments: a large study circle, under the leadership of the Rabbi, a book club, a little girls' club, a sewing society, class in embroidery and dressmaking, a sewing class and board of friendly visitors, a free bath, mothers' meetings, kitchen garden and an employment bureau.

The annual due of our members is only one dollar. The money for all our philanthropic work is raised by voluntary subscription or by entertainments.

Our philanthropies are numerous.

The report of our philanthropic department for last year shows that $5,773 was raised in nineteen Sections, and expended in the following enterprises:

Three kindergartens, nine mission schools, fifteen industrial sewing schools, one night school, two working girls' clubs, one day nursery, one milk and ice depot, classes in domestic economy, work among the prisoners and caring for them as they leave the institutions, many boys' and girls' clubs, and work during vacation in vacation schools.

In addition our Council was well organized for army and navy relief work, and furnished not less than $10,000 in cash and supplies for the relief and comfort of our soldiers. Through the New York Section, about $3,500 in cash and necessaries were distributed. Many of our members gave personal service, meeting the trains that carried the soldiers, furnishing hundreds of lunches, and in every way assisting the forces at work for the alleviation of suffering.

It is rather to advance the arts of peace than to repair the ravages of war that we would use our energies and our substance, and we shall hail the day when the “swords will be turned into plowshares.” We endeavor to use our influence toward co-operation in philanthrophy, toward introducing principles of self-help, and toward preserving self-respect in those who need our assistance.

We have joined hands wherever possible with organizations of other faiths; our Sections are members of city, State and county federations, and join with them in all civic work and in all philanthropic efforts. In thought, we are far head of the practice of all charities of the land. We go on shutting up thousands of troublesome people in institutions, the aged and infirm, the foundlings, the orphan, ninety per cent. of whom have claims upon individuals who could and should care for 195193them, while there are thousands of sick and helpless unprovided for. I hope the time will come when criminal action can be brought for shutting up any healthy individual in any institution, excepting for temporary shelter.

It is evident from this report of the growth of our organization that the President of the Council of Jewish Women is an ardent expansionist, and while believing that Providence has a great future in store for the Council of Jewish Women and the United States, that either can accomplish anything upon which all unite, and which is followed with singleness of purpose, yet she doubts that there will be much field for her organization in either Cuba or the Philippines. However, if there are worse places for Jews to live in than Russia, they will reach them in time.

We hope, however, although no Section of the Council of Jewish Women may be established, that the beneficent influence of woman's work will not be lacking and that the new babes will have a little motherly care, and that the women of the islands will not be considered less capable of enjoying rights under a civilized government than they were as savages.

Liberty, Fraternity and Equality have been the watchwords of France, who has made the experiments in liberty for the rest of the world, although she herself has never profited by them. It remains for us to apply the principles of true democracy, to demonstrate that conquest of land will mean the extension of humane principles and the right of self-government.

Our association with the Council of Women of the United States is one which affords us great pleasure, for it is based upon the same principles which we are following in our organization, retaining the perfect freedom of each to act out the part which it has chosen, yet bringing all together to further the purposes upon which we all may unite.

In our narrowest, as in our broadest scope, we are working for all humanity, endeavoring to do our share toward extending the underlying and eternal principles that develop only in ethical thought and express themselves in right action.

The American Anti-Vivisection Society was organized February 23d, 1883, and incorporated in the following May.

The Society, at first, demanded only the restriction of vivisection, its regulation by law, but some years ago—I regret that I can not give the precise date—it abandoned this proposition and now stands boldly on the platform of “The total abolition of all vivisectional experiments on animals, and other experiments of a painful character.”

This change of front at once brought to their membership the President, Dr. Matthew Woods, who had held aloof while they were willing to accept lesser measures than the complete abolition of this hideous practice.

The membership of the society constantly increases. It obtains its funds from life memberships, annual memberships, non-resident memberships, donations and occasional entertainments and bazaars. Its efforts are constantly widening, and its expenditures therefore constantly increasing, but it can always show a balance to its credit at the end of the year.

In conjunction with the Woman's Humane Society of Pennsylvania, it publishes monthly the “Journal of Zoophily,” about half of which is devoted to the advocacy of the anti-vivisection cause. The Journal is edited by Mrs. Caroline Earle White and Mrs. Mary F. Lovell.

The “Journal of Zoophily” is sent to one hundred and twenty-two universities, colleges and libraries in various parts of the country. In it are published the addresses and papers given before the public by its editors on special occasions, and various contributed articles of great merit, notably Dr. Matthew Woods' paper on Hydrophobia as a simulated disease, which as well as his allied paper showing the extreme rarity of hydrophobia, have been published separately and sent largely to newspaper editors throughout the country. In this as well as in other ways the society is making strenuous efforts to dispel 197195the fog of superstition through which the average mind sees in every poor, sick or frightened dog a mad creature whose touch is death; and also to show the fallacy of the Pasteur theory of rabies and the absolute worthlessness of Pasteur's preventive inoculations, there being now a list of nearly four hundred cases which have succumbed to hydrophobia, so-called, after receiving the inoculations according to the Pasteurian regulations.

The Society recommends instead the Russian (vapor) bath, as employed by Dr. Buisson, an eminent French physician, which is used as a cure as well as a preventive, and has not, in any known instance, failed.

The “Journal of Zoophily” also takes note of controversies as they arise concerning vivisection and publishes the arguments pro and con.

After the annual meeting of the Society in January is published a supplement to the “Journal of Zoophily,” which together with the annual report keeps the work well before the public.

The editors of the Journal also write papers, give lectures, and print articles in the newspapers whenever occasion demands or opportunity offers, thus forwarding the work by every means in their power. Large numbers of leaflets are published, which are distributed wherever it is believed they will do good. These can always be had by application to the office, 1530 Chestnut street, Philadelphia, Pa.

Through one of its Vice-Presidents, Mrs Mary F. Lovell, who is National Superintendent of the Department of Mercy of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, the Society has become sympathetically allied to that great organization, fifteen States having adopted the Department of Mercy work and pledged themselves “to maintain an active crusade against vivisection.”

The Society is glad to be affiliated with the National Council of Women of the United States, and intends to be represented at every session. At the Triennial of 1895 Mrs. Caroline Earle White and Mrs. Mary F. Lovell made addresses upon different phases of the vivisection question, with the gratifying result that the Council passed, among other resolutions the following:

“We oppose all forms of cruelty, and advocate education in 198196humane principles and the abolition of the practice of vivisection.”

In addition to the other methods heretofore and still employed to disseminate information regarding vivisection, the Society has for two years employed as lecturer, Dr. Amanda M. Hale, who has lectured in several different States, before audiences, large and small, in churches, halls and homes. She has found, save in exceptional localities, the people almost wholly unacquainted with the subject, but, when once their attention is awakened, deeply interested and sympathetic.

In view of all things, the Society feels greatly encouraged. The world is learning the truth concerning vivisection; its pretenses are being uncovered, its uselessness understood, its wickedness realized, and its cruelty abhorred. All the work of the Society is nobly forwarded by its faithful and devoted secretary, Miss Adele Biddle.

The work of the National Florence Crittenton Mission began fifteen years ago in New York City, the founder being Mr. Charles N. Crittenton, a wealthy druggist of that city. Having, a short time previously, lost his little daughter, who was the apple of his eye, he determined to open a home for erring girls as a memorial to his child. He bought the property at Nos. 21 and 23 Bleecker street, which was opened as a home for unfortunate and homeless girls in April, 1883. The methods of this home were unique, the doors were always open, day and night, to receive any friendless girl who applied for admission, irrespective of who or what she was. As may be readily understood, in a great city like New York an institution founded on such a catholic plan as this would soon be crowded. Of course there was a feeling of uncertainty about the results, when it was realized that the only means that was going to be used in dealing with this supposedly hard-hearted and criminal class was love; for people had grown accustomed to the idea that the jail and the policeman's billy were the only effective agents. But Mr. Crittenton was an optimist, a man of indomitable faith, a believer in the power of religion to change the life of the most debased and perverted person. In a few months it was reported that a wonderful work was being done down at the Florence Mission; that many men and women who had never drawn a sober breath were leading Christian lives. At first scoffers said. “They will soon be back in their old haunts,” but when months passed into years and found them still faithful to their professions, visitors from almost every country in the world came to see the miracles that were here wrought.

Up to this time there had been but few efforts put forth for the reclamation of fallen women, and these principally had been for the benefit of “first offenders.” Strange that this 200198class should have been so long neglected, because, considered from an economic and social as well as ethical standpoint, it well deserves the attention of thoughtful persons. No one can deny that one of the most important and far-reaching subjects that to-day faces civilization is the question of the Scarlet Woman. Immorality has been the stumbling block in the progress of empires; it sapped the strength of Egypt; Greece, Rome and Pompeii have all gone down before this evil. The worship of the twin divinities, Venus and Bacchus, whose temples always stood side by side, always preceded the speedy downfall of the country that had welcomed them with splendid pageants and built costly temples in their honor.

No thoughtful person can but feel that society's attitude towards the fallen woman is illogical, unjust and short-sighted. Illogical, because in spite of the laws prohibiting this evil which are found upon the statute book of every State, by the complaisancy of the very authorities whose business it is to execute these laws, this evil is openly permitted in every State. The excuse given for this is that it is a “necessary evil;” that the laws were simply passed to suit the non-conformist conscience, and were never intended to be enforced. Men declare the Scarlet Woman to be the “Eternal Priestess of Society.” While declaring her to be the “Eternal Priestess,” they at the same time treat her as not worthy the consideration shown towards brutes. If it be true, as these persons declare, that virtuous women are made possible because the Scarlet Woman exists; if firesides are left unmolested because of the “maison necessaire,” then she should be treated with a consideration that her position demands. Everything should be done to preserve her health, and when her life of self-sacrifice to the good of society is ended, a monument should be built to her. But I have never yet found any man or woman who was willing to carry out to its logical conclusion any such argument as this.

The attitude of society is unjust, because the woman is condemned without taking into consideration the circumstances which led to her fall. All other crimes are tried, not upon prima facie evidence alone, but upon the motive which lies behind the crime. Even a murderer may have clemency shown him because the act was unpremeditated; but society takes no circumstances into consideration when it condemns an unfortunate 201199woman; the attitude is unjust, because her equally guilty partner is permitted to go free while she is damned. There may be extenuating circumstances which may entitle a woman to more consideration than a man, but in spite of this fact, the man always gets the consideration and the woman condemnation. Women are often driven into a life of sin by the very necessities of life. A woman may enter a house of sin to put bread into her mouth and clothes upon her back, but when a man enters a similar place he goes to spend money, not to make it. Unjust, because it is a crime against sex. Women can not hope to be the equal of men so long as it is conceded that men have a right to enslave a part of the sex to gratify their brute passions.

The view of society is short-sighted, because in dealing with the Scarlet Woman it ignores the fact that we are all members of the great human family, and that no part can suffer unless the whole family suffers with it, and that as soon as a soul is born into the world it is a member of society and it must remain a member of society until it goes out of this world. Society is short-sighted because it does not take into account the great force which is to-day being used by the Scarlet Woman to tear down society, when by wise and judicious management this same force may be used to upbuild. Take the life of Jezebel as an illustration. Had Elijah spent the same time upon converting Jezebel that he spent in trying to convert her weak-kneed, backboneless husband, he might have accomplished something and the whole history of the Israelitish people might have been changed. Jezebel was a wonderful woman; a woman of fearless convictions, resourceful, uncompromising and generous. She supported at her own table eight hundred and fifty priests of her religion. She was not afraid of principalities or the wonderful God, even when she saw this God work miracles to save His people. Elijah might put to flight all her priests and people, but not her, and when Elijah heard that she was looking for him he ran off and got under a juniper tree, and from that time on he was not used. The greatest thing he ever did after he failed to do his duty toward Jezebel was to drop his mantle for another man to pick up. Jehu was about on a par with him, the only spasm of virtue he was ever known to have, was when he threw this remarkable woman from the window and left her 202200body to be devoured by dogs. There are to-day Jezebels all about us; but alas! there are Elijahs and Jehus as well, and so the great upward and onward progress of the human race is retarded.

Society is short-sighted because it denies to a woman who has once gone wrong the chance of reclamation; it almost invariably denies to her the right to earn an honest living, and thus forces her to earn a dishonest living. Thinking persons must realize that the evil lives of both sexes should be condemned, but that when they desire to reform opportunities should be given to both men and women to retrace their steps and once again to take their places.

Such thoughts as these, coupled with the transforming power of the life of the Lord Jesus Christ, led Mr. Crittenton to begin his life's work. The progress of the work has shown that he has been an epoch-making man, and mainly from the experience that has come from his work this last decade has marked the most hopeful period in the history of the Scarlet Woman. Through the agency of Florence Crittenton Homes she has been brought in touch with her more fortunate sisters. They have learned to know her, to weep over her sorrows, to pity her sad condition, and to love her. The great woman-heart has been touched and so we find the many, who a few years ago were ready to pull their skirts from her, are now sitting beside her with their arms about her, pitying, comforting and encouraging her.

Since the first Home was opened in Bleecker street, sixteen years ago, fifty-nine Homes have been opened in different portions of the Union. It was at the time of your last Triennial, four years ago, that these Homes were all banded together into a National organization for the purpose of perpetuating and increasing the efficacy of the work. Because of its practical and far-reaching work the United States Government became interested and granted a Government Charter and an Appropriation, which this year has been doubled. About half of our Rescue Homes receive State or city aid, and upon our list of subscribers are found the names of many of the most philanthropic and prominent men and women of our country.

We have a daily average in our family of three thousand girls and six hundred babies. As may well be imagined, it takes a great deal of money to clothe and feed this large family, 203201particularly when so many have ill health through dissipation. We attempt to make our Homes self-supporting as far as possible; most of our Homes have industrial departments attached to them, but because of so many children and invalids the work can never hope to be entirely self-supporting. Thus far the expenses have been borne mainly by our President, Mr. Charles N. Crittenton, who has reduced his own expenses to a minimum, in order that the means may be sufficient to provide for this family. So long as his income of sixty thousand dollars was sufficient to support the work, an appeal was never made for the support of any of our Homes, but now that the work has grown so large we are obliged to appeal to the general public to aid in this great work, which is as much theirs as it is ours.

The efficacy of our work has been much increased by the facility with which girls are moved from one place to another. During the past few years we have sent girls across the continent front one to another of our Homes, where they could escape from their past.

One of the most difficult things that our thoroughly reformed girls have to contend against is the suspicion that attaches to them even after years of faithful labor.

We feel that our work is one of particular interest to taxpayers. We regard ourselves as one of the prime movers and one of the most urgent and outspoken advocates in the practical method of dealing with dependent children, which has taken so much hold upon the public favor. We have always declared ourselves as unalterably opposed to separating mother and child, except as a last resort, believing that it is better to save mother and child together than one at the expense of the other. Up to the time of the birth of our organization it was the almost universal custom to take illegitimate children away from their mothers and put them in institutions that are supported by the taxpayers and the philanthropists of a community. An average of six hundred children are born annually in our Homes; almost every one of these children is in the care of its mother, who is earning a support for herself and child. Had it not been for the practical training that these mothers had received in our Florence Crittenton Homes the majority of these children would be inmates of other institutions supported by the public, and many of these women would have returned to the authors of their ruin.

It is a well established fact that, while the average life of a woman after she enters a life of sin is but five years, a large portion of this period she is cared for in hospitals, prisons and insane asylums at the expense of the taxpayers and is generally buried at the expense of the city. When we add to this the tremendous amount that it costs the city each year for police service, to patrol the sin-stricken districts, we begin to realize what a tremendous burden the producers of this country have to bear in caring for the Scarlet Woman. How much wiser to place her in surroundings where her native abilities may be directed to proper channels and the tearer-down be turned into the up-builder.

The government of our Homes is entirely paternal in its character. There are no bolts or bars upon the doors or windows. The girls come of their own free will. Love is the watchword—not the sentimental, mawkish emotion which coddles and pampers, but the wise love that trains and guides and controls. They are taught the beauty and necessity of perfect obedience, the requisite of a perfect character. There are no cast-iron rules, each girl is an individual subject for special consideration and conscientious training. Our motto is: “Overcome evil with good.”

We have often felt that the real reason that the great mass of advanced and progressive women, who really have the highest development of womanhood at heart, have so long held aloof from this work and treated it as beneath or beyond their consideration, is because of their ignorance upon the subject, and we have often felt that if we had the opportunity of bringing the true facts before the women of this country, that there would be an entire revolution in the treatment of the Scarlet Woman and her equally guilty partner. I have often felt that the development of woman was arrested because she could not look at the sex as a whole, but continues to divide it into cliques and classes. For this reason I have hailed with delight the National Council of Women as being the broadest, the most advanced, the most practical movement for the advancement and highest development of the sex. If we are faithful to the tenets of this organization, we can not deny to any woman a chance to regain, not her innocency, for that, when once lost, is lost forever, but her purity, which is a flower which may be cultivated and may blossom in the heart of the lowest.

It is possible that there are those present who do not thoroughly understand that the Ladies of the Maccabees is a Life Benefit Society, composed and managed entirely by women, offering Life Benefits to women on the same basis that similar organizations have been carried on by men.

We issue certificates for $500, $1,000 and $2,000, upon the level rate system, that is to say, the rates are not increased as in the step-rate system. Our assessments are paid biennially, rated according to age, except in October, when all of the Life Benefit members pay an Emergency Fund assessment, which at the present time is invested in government bonds, and held as an Emergency Fund.

We have a Disability Clause in our Laws, providing that in case a member becomes totally and permanently disabled, the Order will pay one-tenth of the face of the certificate in semi-annual payments. It would be difficult to report to you the cases where homes have been kept together after the death of the mother by this little financial aid that our member has provided for while living. Fathers, mothers and children, who were inadequate to earn a living, have been taken care of, and provided with the necessities and many of the advantages that our civilization affords, which otherwise they could not have realized.

Women through this organization have gained a knowledge of methods in transacting business and also of parliamentary procedure.

The fraternal teachings of our Order are truly altruistic. Educationally and socially it has been of advantage to many whose opportunities are limited.

In mountain climbing, where the route is dangerous, the party is united by means of ropes, then in case one slips or falls, they are safe, from the fact that they are bound to the others by physical bonds.

In our organization the members are protected by the fraternal tie that should bind all mankind into one band, under the Fatherhood of the Infinite.

The growth of our Order since the last Triennial can be presented most clearly in the following table, which, together with the numerical and pecuniary gains of our Society, exhibits the growing capacity of women to manage business interests:

Membership Dec. 31st, 18959,765

The Order of Rathbone Sisters of the World has a complete code of laws, of the most enlightened and liberal character, for the government of its Subordinate, Grand and Supreme bodies, embracing the features which ample experience has proven to be most effective; a ritual and ceremonials which have called forth the most unqualified admiration of the thousands who have witnessed them. One of the novel and marked features of the entire Order is the perfect system, unanimity of design and symbolism, running throughout the entire work of the Order, even to the smallest details.

This Order is a new member of your Council. Since 1895 there has been the perfecting of very important features of the Order, the development of prospective ones and the preparation of many minor details so essential to the successful building up of a great organization.

Every movement calculated to increase the sum total of human happiness by securing the advantages of co-operative effort, creating an interest in each other's welfare, emphasizing in a practical form those social ideas and instincts which are a necessity to our happiness and well being; making sure, aid and succor in time of need or distress, brings to the Order its reward.

The following tables will best exhibit our growth since the last Triennial in 1895:

Total membership Dec. 31st, 189528,000