THEY'RE ALL NEW WOMEN

Quincy Daily Herald October 1, 1895

Not with Bloomers and Bikes, but Because They're Old Business

The W. C. T. U. Are Wide Awake-Bright, Active and Energetic Gathering Good Health, Social Purity, the Ballot Their Aim as Well as Temperance

The new woman is quite in evidence at the convention of the Women's Christian Temperance Union now In progress at the Vermont Street Methodist Church. Not the bloomer and bicycle woman exactly, but the woman with determination in her eye and a certain briskness In her manner which seems to defy the ravages of time, for those with white hair are as bright and alert as the blooming misses.

The incoming trains last evening and this morning were mostly crowded, and the crowd was mostly feminine, and that proportion dropped at Quincy mostly had on little bows of white ribbon which constitutes the badge of the organization. It was a lively crowd and there was nothing solemn about it. These women certainly seem to enjoy life, even if they do not stimulate with anything stronger than water.

A glimpse Into the Vermont Street M. E. Church shows beautiful decorations of flowers and silken banners. We wonder why it is that flowers and women are so inseparably associated. There is a general air of festivity about the building. Small groups of women are quietly talking here and there. In the audience room a devotional meeting has been In progress all day, conducted by Miss Anna Downey, of Evanston and Miss Mary Mahan, of Moline. The executive committee have held a business session during the entire day, which, as far as we can learn, has been conducted without the assistance of weapons, fists, teeth or finger nails.

The personality of the delegation is strong and suggests the appropriateness of the German saloonkeeper's interpretation of the symbolic letters used to designate the organization. He said W. C. T. U. meant, "Women Continually Torment Us,"

Mrs. L. S. Bounds, the presiding officer, holds the reins well In hand, and keeps things moving. She would serve with credit as speaker of the house of representatives, but woe betide the man who would think he could work any little game on the sly, for nothing escapes those penetrating eyes of hers.

The general officers are a body of trained workers prompt and active. The district presidents gave every indication of fitness for the task given them of organization and directing the work of local unions.

The superintendents of departments of whom there are about thirty are women of culture and broadminded enough to see that a great reform like this cannot be carried on in any restricted fashion. You might almost think to hear them talk that there had been some mistake in calling this a temperance convention for one is sure that good health is the keynote of the whole work, and another is advertising social purity as If there were nothing else to be thought of, while still another is advocating the ballot for women, but you cannot fall to believe that they know what they are about, and perhaps you might as well give it up and attend the meetings of the convention, and see if you can discover the connection.

The Herald extends a cordial welcome to these women, hoping that they may be successful in whatever they undertake which works for the betterment of mankind.

This afternoon from 4:30 to 6 o'clock the Quincy Woman's Council tenders a reception to the delegates at the home of Mrs. Emily Bradford, 629 Broadway. The general officers of the council and the presidents of the various women's organizations will receive.

Undoubtedly the main attraction of the convention will be the address of Major Hilton Friday evening. These women do not seem to be man-haters, for there are two men on the program.

This evening Rev. W. O. Hubbard will speak for the young women on "The Supremacy of Thought."

Musical program for this evening's session: Organ prelude, Miss 0. E. Obannon. Chorus, "For God and Home and Native Land," Trio, "Lift Thine Eyes," from "Elijah," Misses Brown, Turner and Wolston. Quartet, First Baptist Church Choir, Mrs . Sobantz, Obannon and Messrs. A. and J. Brown. Double quartet, "Y Bells," Girls' Epworth Quartet. Hymn, "America" Postlude.