Page:Women's War with Whisky.djvu/9

Rh The first enrolling committee consisted of one lady from each church viz: Mrs. M. A. Mitchell, Mrs. S. V. Hill, Mrs. — Jones, Mrs. — Bond, Miss — Atwood, Mrs. — Weeks, Mrs. — Stout, and Mrs. — Meyer. On the 18th were added Mrs. Warren, Mrs. Carter, Mrs. Sparks, Mrs. Wadhams and Mrs. Burrage from serving; Mrs. Turner was chosen Assistant Secretary, and three Vice Presidents were added to the corps of officers already elected, viz: Mrs Medbury, Mrs. Robb and Mrs. Burrage. The committee appointed to divide the city into districts were: Mrs. Burrage, Mrs. Northrup, Mrs Hurgren and Mrs. Ritter. Canvassing the city with pledges commenced on the 18th, and on the 20th 1,152 names were reported. With very few exceptions the ladies were courteously received, even when the pledge was declined, for business or other reasons, and very many wished them God-speed, while refusing to pledge themselves.

The most remarkable feature of this work from the commencement was the strong though heretofore hidden sentiment in the minds of the people in favor of total abstinence. None but those actively engaged in canvassing the city could be persuaded that in a community so apparently careless of the evil of indulgence in intoxicating drinks, a serious conviction of this kind could really exist; but so it was found to be, and more especially among women, who, having been compelled to suffer the worst evils of intemperance in silence and without redress, gratefully accepted the first promise of deliverance from the terrible and calamitous oppression The ladies of the committee were assisted by volunteers from the different churches, and by those who were connected with no church, but who felt that in this much needed reform was work for all to do.

By the 23d the city had been pretty thoroughly canvassed, only three districts remaining. Private houses, business places and schools had been visited with the "Citizen's Pledge, "and a special pledge had been presented to druggists about half of whom signed it. A motion was made by Mrs. Gaston in the meeting of the 20th to send the list of names obtained to the Common Council, as an expression of the public sentiment. The pledge continued to be circulated, and also offered in the evening meetings; and it became the custom to relate in these meetings any interesting incidents connected with each day's work on the street. Mrs. Mann and Mrs. Gaston met with some very interesting experiences at the jail; and in Miss Richards' district four men requested the prayers of the ladies, one man especially thanking God that he had been enabled to keep the pledge for a few days, and promising to rely upon Him for strength in the future.

Mrs. Gaston received a letter from one of the prisoners visited, who expressed a determination to lead a new life, and prayed earnestly for the success of the Temperance work. He expected to be released in ten days, destitute of everything, and wanting something to do. He asked the prayers of the ladies for strength to resist temptation.

The first discussion on the propriety of visiting saloons took place on the 23d. The President, Mrs. Mitchell, felt that the time had come.