"We would also report that proper caution has not been exercised by the auxiliary unions in receiving and employing speakers to assist in carrying on the work. Men of no character, or men who are not in sympathy with the movement, have been secured, and when it was too late they have discovered that they had obtained more than they had bargained for. Your committee asked the last Convention to instruct them how to avoid this, and a resolution was passed instructing the committee not to give open credentials to any person, and only to give letters of introduction to the place when asked for, and as soon as they get through in that locality they should get fresh letters to the next place where their services are required. We then thought that was a sufficient protection to the cause. But the people were so anxious that the movement should be inaugurated in their midst that they received any one who cried Murphy, or could say a word for temperance, no matter under what auspices. In consequence, the work has been injured, and in some instances it would have been better if it had never begun. 66 Now, your committee would ask that a resolution be passed that no speaker or worker be secured by an auxiliary, unless furnished with credantials as to character, influence, and knowledge of the work, signed by the secretary of the organization to which he belongs, if he labors in his own county. If his labors are out of the county, it must be indorsed by the Secretary of his State organization and by the Secretary of the national organization. "This recommendation was adopted. "The officers of the National Christian Temperance Union elected at this Annual Convention were: President, Francis Murphy, Pittsburgh. "Vice-Presidents, A. P. Herriford, Colorado; James A. Beaver, Pennsylvania; Rev. E. W. Archer, Ohio; John Barry, New York; Rev. A. Fanney, Indiana; E. E. DeGarmo, Missouri; Rev. J. E. Gilbert, Kentucky. 66 Recording Secretary, Rev. J, E. Letton, of Nicholsville, Kentucky. Treasurer, John M'Clymonds, of Cleveland. "W. H. Doan, of Cleveland, Joseph Dillworth, of Pittsburgh, John M. Dunlap, of Missouri, R. F. Smith and William Bowler, of Cleveland, Board of Managers." |