Temperance Debate

In 1885 an Elmira chapter of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union was organized with Helen Chapel Bullock as president. The WCTU provided women a means for organized political action at a time when they could not exercise the right to vote. In addition to fighting the effects of alcohol consumption—poor health, domestic abuse and poverty—temperance advocates joined in the fight for prison, health, education, and labor reform. Most importantly, the WCTU pressed for women’s suffrage, believing that if women could exercise the right to vote, they would ensure the passage of laws that would bring about the reforms they desired.

The Gilded Ideal

Many prominent Elmira citizens were active in the temperance movement during the Gilded Age. In 1877 a group of women founded an organization to provide food and clothing to the families of those who had taken the temperance pledge. Eventually this organization extended its aid to all poor families in Elmira. Helen Bullock secured the appointment of the city’s first police matron, Mrs. Esther D. Wilkins, who was responsible for caring for the women and girls who were brought to the police station. In 1890 Bullock founded The Anchorage, a refuge for troubled young women who were otherwise scorned by society.

The Tarnished Reality

Not all Elmirans supported the effort to restrict the consumption of alcohol. Many citizens found it to be an attack on their personal freedom; saloon-keepers and brewers saw it as an effort to deprive them of their livelihood. Some men who publically supported the WCTU did not practice temperance in their private lives. At times, the WCTU expressed nativist sentiments, blaming immigrants and the poor for the problems that plagued society and proposing women’s suffrage as a way of countering the votes of the uncivilized masses.

Helen Bullock As president of the Chemung County WCTU, Mrs. Bullock fought for reform. She assisted in establishing the first female police matron, the Anti-Cigarette Law, and the Anchorage House.
Note in newspaper, April 18, 1888 Distilleries and breweries fought back against the temperance reformer’s propaganda. They challenged the legitimacy of the WCTU’s argument by asking, who is ultimately responsible: the buyer or the seller?
The Anchorage
WCTU ribbon, 1890s Members of the WCTU were committed to their fight against the perceived evils of intemperance and pledged to stop the consumption of intoxicants.
Briggs Sign, late 1800s Local brewers, like Briggs, supplied Elmira taverns. The taverns were a place where businessmen and laborers alike could escape the harsh realities of their working lives.
Beer Bottle, 1902 Alcohol was a popular drink that was often consumed in local saloons or taverns. It was frequently watered down and was only a fraction of the strength of today’s adult beverages.
Table from Klapproth's Tavern This table was used by the “Social Club” at Klapproth's Tavern at corner of Market & Lake Streets. The table may have been used by Mark Twain, who despite supporting the Temperance movement through his writings, spent many nights at the local tavern.
Mark Twain at Quarry Farm, 1876 In a March 12,1874 letter to the London Telegraph, Twain praises the temperance crusaders for their heroism, character and persistence. Acknowledging the connection between temperance and suffrage he writes: "if women could vote, they would vote on the side of morality."

Temperance Debate

Helen Bullock

As president of the Chemung County WCTU, Mrs. Bullock fought for reform. She assisted in establishing the first female police matron, the Anti-Cigarette Law, and the Anchorage House.

Note in newspaper, April 18, 1888

Distilleries and breweries fought back against the temperance reformer’s propaganda. They challenged the legitimacy of the WCTU’s argument by asking, who is ultimately responsible: the buyer or the seller?

The Anchorage

WCTU ribbon, 1890s

Members of the WCTU were committed to their fight against the perceived evils of intemperance and pledged to stop the consumption of intoxicants.

Briggs Sign, late 1800s

Local brewers, like Briggs, supplied Elmira taverns. The taverns were a place where businessmen and laborers alike could escape the harsh realities of their working lives.

Beer Bottle, 1902

Alcohol was a popular drink that was often consumed in local saloons or taverns. It was frequently watered down and was only a fraction of the strength of today’s adult beverages.

Table from Klapproth's Tavern

This table was used by the “Social Club” at Klapproth's Tavern at corner of Market & Lake Streets. The table may have been used by Mark Twain, who despite supporting the Temperance movement through his writings, spent many nights at the local tavern.

Mark Twain at Quarry Farm, 1876

In a March 12,1874 letter to the London Telegraph, Twain praises the temperance crusaders for their heroism, character and persistence. Acknowledging the connection between temperance and suffrage he writes: "if women could vote, they would vote on the side of morality."