With this motto "Narcotics" was adopted as a department of State work in 1887, with Mrs. Helen L. Bullock, of Elmira, as superintendent. She no sooner entered upon the work than measures were inaugurated to secure a law prohibiting the use of tobacco by the young. In 1889 such a law was passed. Were it rigidly enforced, fewer cases of insanity and less deaths would result from excessive cigarette smoking. During her superintendency Mrs. Bullock wrote the national leaflet, "The Tobacco Toboggan," and delivered her narcotic lecture, "Our Dangerous Inheritance," many times. In 1891-92 Mrs. E.G. Tiffany, of Dansville, was superintendent of the department. In 1893 Mrs. Emma G. Dietrick, of Lockport, succeeded her.
"Franchise" was adopted as a department of state work in 1886, Miss Mary B. Cushman, of Lockport, being the first superintendent. In 1888 Mrs. C.C. Ellerson, of New York City, succeeded her. In 1891 Miss Vinnie R. Davis, of Orwell, was appointed superintendent, a position she still retains. Miss Davis has brought to the work rare gifts and great earnestness. The department has steadily advanced under her guidance. In the earlier years of the organization great conservatism existed in regard to this subject. Resolutions adverse to its consideration by local and state unions were passed in 1876 and 1878. Since its adoption as a department the president in her annual addresses has continually sounded its keynote in utterances like these: "The ballot in woman's hand is a first necessity toward the solution of not only this great question but other moral reform questions of our day." "Justice and equity alike demand that the ballot be given to women."
In 1893 two hundred thousand women registered in the state to vote for school officers. Upon the eve of the election Judge Williams, of the supreme court, decided that such voting would be unconstitutional; but in spite of the ruling over twenty thousand women did vote.
"Let all things be done decently and in order."
"School of Methods and Parliamentary Usage" became a department of state work in 1890, and has had but two superintendents—Miss Julia E. Dailey, of Rochester, who served one year, and Mrs. Helen L. Bullock, of Elmira, who succeeded her. The aim of this department is to educate the women along the lines of department work and the best manner of conducting meetings, following St. Paul's advice—"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed."
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy"
The Department of Mercy was adopted in 1891, with Miss C. Augusta Goodale, of Newburgh, as superintendent. The object of the department has been education along humane lines. Many children have become interested, and numerous Bands of Mercy, inculcating the laws of kindness, have been organized.
"Whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report,...think on these things"—Philipians iv, 8
The Department of Purity in Literature and Art, with Mrs. Harriet S. Pritchard, of Brooklyn, as superintendent, was adopted in 1893, and gives promise of becoming one of wide-reaching influence.
