Earnest prayer had been offered for guidance during a period of t weeks, and all preparatory mncasures had been resorted to. Mrs. Meur thought it proper and consistent to approach the saloon-keepers in the same way other citizens had been approached, before proceeding to an special measures with them. After considerable discussion for and agains a motion was made for volunteers to take the pledge to the saloon that morning. Mrs. Gaston and Mrs. Mann decidedly opposed it, wanting more time to prepare; but a vote being taken, the following ladies volunteered Mesdames Medbury, Sparrow, Francis, Mitchell, Ritter, Quackenbush, Sparks, Corson, Sutherland, Turner, Reid, and Miss Richards.
A pledge was prepared for grocers, which was the occasion of a call for other volunteers: and Mesdames Stitzel, Northrup, and Dillon offered themselves. Mesdames Shindler, Robb, and Swafford volunteered to visit the hotels; Mesdames Bond and Traver, the restaurants; and Mrs. Turner, the banks. This important business meeting closed with very earnest prayer by several of the ladies.
At the afternoon session of the 23d, 130 additional names were handed in by Mrs. T. L. Eliot and others who had been circulating pledges Miss Richards reported that during the forenoon one saloon-keeper expressed his willingness to quit the business of liquor selling if he could dispose of his stock in trade. Mrs. Mitchell reported that the ladies had been politely received at most of the places visited.
Mrs. Stitzel reported thirteen groceries visited. Six of them sold liquors; four signed the pledge. Miss Turner procured three signers at the banks. Mrs. Shindler reported eight hotels where liquors were not kept Mrs. Robb stated that two or three hotel-keepers offered to sell out their liquors, and give up their bars. Committees were then assigned to canvass the Custom House and Flander's Wharf, the Bulletin office and Brass Foundry, Northrup's Store, and hotel opposite, and Railroad Office. We cite these particulars to show how thorough ladies.
Mrs. T. L. Eliot proposed that a fund be established for the aid of those who might be induced to give up the sale of liquors. This suggestion produced considerable discussion. Among other things, Mrs. Ritter remarked, that "not one cent of her money should go to purchase the stock of any liquor-seller." A motion was, however, made that a committee be nominated to carry out Mrs. Eliot's plan of establishing a fund to assist those who might relinquish the business of dealing in intoxicating drinks A motion was afterwards made to reconsider this motion, which was carried. After renewed prayer, a call was made by the President for volunteers to visit the saloons that afternoon. Fourteen ladies arose.
It was hoped at first that large numbers of women could be found willing to undertake the work of visiting the saloons, as there had been in the Middle and Western States. But in Portland this seemed so repugnant and terrible to most women, the most devout, that the number going out to hold religious services in drinking places or on the street has never at any time exceeded forty-three, seldom more than twenty-five. The reason for this must be, we think, in the floating character of our Pacific
