diff options
| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 02:48:27 -0700 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 02:48:27 -0700 |
| commit | a8347830d948d40391a31ee1b84c0efef101e227 (patch) | |
| tree | d76de261a5edee7fa216f28ee65077a7c055add7 /29870-h | |
Diffstat (limited to '29870-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 29870-h/29870-h.htm | 60921 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 29870-h/images/gs01.jpg | bin | 0 -> 26104 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 29870-h/images/gs02.jpg | bin | 0 -> 33970 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 29870-h/images/gs03.jpg | bin | 0 -> 42794 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 29870-h/images/gs04.jpg | bin | 0 -> 50226 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 29870-h/images/gs05.jpg | bin | 0 -> 31512 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 29870-h/images/gs06.jpg | bin | 0 -> 42936 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 29870-h/images/gs07.jpg | bin | 0 -> 47399 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 29870-h/images/gs08.jpg | bin | 0 -> 41359 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 29870-h/images/gs09.jpg | bin | 0 -> 43862 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 29870-h/images/gs10.jpg | bin | 0 -> 41287 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 29870-h/images/gs11.jpg | bin | 0 -> 37903 bytes |
12 files changed, 60921 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/29870-h/29870-h.htm b/29870-h/29870-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..332c1a9 --- /dev/null +++ b/29870-h/29870-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,60921 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The History of Woman Suffrage, Volume IV, by Susan B. Anthony and Ida Husted Harper. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + p {margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0em; + text-align: justify;} + /* Author ---------------------------------------------- */ + p.author-sc {text-align: right; font-variant: small-caps; + margin-right: 10%;} + p.author {text-align: right; margin-right: 10%;} + /* Letter ----------------------------------------------- */ + p.ltr-right {margin: 1em; text-align: left; margin-left: 50%;} + p.ltr-right1 {margin: 1em; text-align: left; margin-left: 60%;} + /* Text Blocks ------------------------------------------ */ + blockquote {text-align: justify; font-size: 0.9em;} + .blockquot {margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + pre {font-size: 0.9em;} + pre.note {font-size: 1.0em;} + .note, .noteBox {margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + font-size: 0.9em;} + .noteBox {border-style: dashed; + border-width: thin; + padding-left: 1em; + padding-right: 1em} + div.trans-note { + margin: 5%; + padding: 1.0em; + font-size: 0.9em; + background-color: #E6F0F0; + color: inherit; + } + div.small {font-size: 80%} + div.appendix {font-size: 90%;} + div.narrow {margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%;} + /* Headers ---------------------------------------------- */ + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 {text-align: center; clear: both; font-weight: normal;} + h1 {letter-spacing: 0.1em;} + h4 {font-variant: small-caps;} + h4.normal {font-variant: normal;} + /* Horizontal Rules ------------------------------------- */ + hr {width: 65%; + margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; + margin-top: 2.0em; margin-bottom: 2.0em; + clear: both;} + hr.full {width: 100%;} + hr.short {width: 20%;} + hr.tiny {width: 10%; margin-top: 1.0em; margin-bottom: 1.0em;} + hr.tight {margin-top: 1.0em; margin-bottom: 1.0em;} + /* General Formatting ---------------------------------- */ + .sc {font-variant: small-caps;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .spacious {letter-spacing: 0.25em;} + .bold {font-weight: bold;} + span.pagenum {position: absolute; + right: 1%; + color: gray; background-color: inherit; + letter-spacing:normal; + text-indent: 0em; text-align:right; + font-style: normal; + font-variant:normal; + font-weight: normal; + font-size: 8pt;} + p.right {text-align: right; margin-right: 5%;} + p.close {margin-top: 0.0em;} + p.center {text-align: center;} + p.hang {text-indent: -2.0em; padding-left: 2.0em;} + p.heading {text-align: center; font-weight: bold;} + p.nobreak {margin-top: 0.0em;} + p.break {margin-top: 2em;} + p.tb {text-align:center; font-weight: bold; + letter-spacing: 1em;} + .super {font-size: smaller; + vertical-align: 2px;} + sup {vertical-align: 0.25em;} + .bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} + .bl {border-left: solid 2px;} + .bt {border-top: solid 2px;} + .br {border-right: solid 2px;} + .bbox {border: solid 2px;} + .center {text-align: center;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + /* Table of Contents ------------------------------------ */ + .TOC-chapter {margin-top: 2.5em; text-align: center;} + .chapter-summary p {text-indent: -2em; padding-left: 2em; + margin: 1em auto 2em auto; + font-size: 0.9em; + width: 85%;} + span.ralign {position: absolute; right:5%; top: auto; font-size: 0.9em;} + /* Index ------------------------------------------------- */ + div.index {font-size: 90%; text-indent: -3em; padding-left: 3em;} + ul.IX {list-style-type: none; font-size:inherit;} + ul ul {list-style-type: none; font-size:inherit;} + .IX.li {margin-top: 0;} + p.index {font-weight: bold; margin-left: 20%;} + /* Footnotes -------------------------------------------- */ + .footnotes {border: none;} + .footnote .label {float:left; text-align:left; width:2.5em;} + .fnanchor {font-size: smaller; text-decoration: none; + font-style: normal; font-variant:normal; + font-weight: normal; vertical-align: 0.25em;} + .footnote {font-size: 0.9em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + /* Poems ------------------------------------------------ */ + .poem {margin-left:20%; margin-right:10%; + margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem span.i0 {display: block; margin-left: 0em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i1 {display: block; margin-left: 1em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i3 {display: block; margin-left: 3em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i5 {display: block; margin-left: 5em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i6 {display: block; margin-left: 6em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i7 {display: block; margin-left: 7em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i8 {display: block; margin-left: 8em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i9 {display: block; margin-left: 9em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i10 {display: block; margin-left: 10em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i11 {display: block; margin-left: 11em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i16 {display: block; margin-left: 16em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} + /* Figures ---------------------------------------------- */ + .figure, .figcenter {padding: 1em; margin: 0; + text-align: center; font-size: 0.8em;} + .figure img, .figcenter img {border: none;} + .figure p, .figcenter p {margin: 0; text-indent: 1em;} + .figcenter {margin: auto; clear: both;} + /* Tables ---------------------------------------------- */ + .center table {margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; text-align: left;} + table {margin-top: 1em; /* space above the table */ + caption-side: top; /* or bottom! */ + empty-cells: show; /* usual default is hide */ + border-spacing: 0.0em 0.0em; + font-size: 100%;} + td {padding-left: 0.7em; padding-right: 0.7em;} + td.right {text-align: right;} + td.left {text-align: left;} + td.indent {padding-left: 2.0em;} + td.hang {text-indent: -2.0em; padding-left: 2.0em;} + td.center {text-align: center;} + td.mustache {vertical-align: middle; font-size: 150%;} + td.valignm {vertical-align: middle;} + td.bt {border-top: solid thin; border-color: #D3D3D3; background-color: inherit;} + td.bb {border-bottom: solid thin; border-color: #D3D3D3; background-color: inherit;} + td.bl {border-left: solid thin; border-color: #D3D3D3; background-color: inherit;} + table.dense {border-spacing: 0em 0.0em; + padding-left: 0.0em; padding-right: 0.0em; + border-collapse: collapse; + border-color: #D3D3D3; background-color: inherit; + line-height: 1.0em; + font-size: 90%;} + table.smallprint {font-size: 90%;} + table.engravings {line-height: 1.5em; + width: 60%;} + /* Links ------------------------------------------------ */ + a:link {color: blue; background-color: inherit; text-decoration: none} + link {color: blue; background-color: inherit; text-decoration: none} + a:visited {color: blue; background-color: inherit; text-decoration: none} + a:hover {color: red; background-color: inherit} + </style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's The History of Woman Suffrage, Volume IV, by Various + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The History of Woman Suffrage, Volume IV + +Author: Various + +Editor: Susan B. Anthony + Ida Husted Harper + +Release Date: August 31, 2009 [EBook #29870] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HIST OF WOMAN SUFFRAGE, VOL 4 *** + + + + +Produced by Richard J. Shiffer and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<div class="trans-note"> +<p class="heading">Transcriber's Note:</p> +<p>Every effort has been made to replicate this text as +faithfully as possible, including obsolete and variant spellings and other +inconsistencies. Text that has been changed to correct an obvious error +is noted at the <a href="#END">end</a> of this ebook.</p> +<p>Also, many occurrences of mismatched single and double quotes remain +as they were in the original.</p> + +<p>This book contains links to individual volumes of "History of Woman Suffrage" +contained in the Project Gutenberg collection. Although we verify the correctness +of these links at the time of posting, these links may not work, for various reasons, +for various people, at various times.</p> +</div> + +<h1 class="sc">THE HISTORY<br /><br /> +<small>OF</small><br /><br /> +<big>Woman Suffrage</big></h1> + +<p><br /></p> + +<h5>EDITED BY</h5> + +<p><br /></p> + +<h4>SUSAN B. ANTHONY &<br /> + IDA HUSTED HARPER</h4> + +<p><br /></p> + +<h5>ILLUSTRATED WITH COPPERPLATE AND PHOTOGRAVURE<br /> +ENGRAVINGS</h5> + +<p><br /></p> + +<h4><i>IN FOUR VOLUMES</i></h4> + + +<h4>VOL. IV.</h4> + + +<h4>1883-1900</h4> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<h4>"PERFECT EQUALITY OF RIGHTS FOR WOMAN, CIVIL, LEGAL<br /> +AND POLITICAL"</h4> + +<p><br /></p> + +<h5 class="sc">SUSAN B. ANTHONY<br /> +17 Madison Street, Rochester, N. Y.</h5> + + +<h5 class="sc">Copyright, 1902, by Susan B. Anthony</h5> + + +<h5>THE HOLLENBECK PRESS<br /> +INDIANAPOLIS</h5> + +<hr /> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 386px;"> +<a name="Frontispiece" id="Frontispiece"></a> +<img src="images/gs01.jpg" width="386" height="500" alt="Affectionately Yours Susan B. Anthony" title="" /> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<div class="narrow"> +<p>* * * * Make me respect my material so much that I dare not slight my +work. Help me to deal very honestly with words and with people, +because they are both alive. Show me that, as in a river, so in +writing, clearness is the best quality, and a little that is pure is +worth more than much that is mixed. Teach me to see the local color +without being blind to the inner light. Give me an ideal that will +stand the strain of weaving into human stuff on the loom of the real. +Keep me from caring more for books than for folks, for art than for +life. Steady me to do my full stint of work as well as I can, and when +that is done, stop me, pay me what wages thou wilt, and help me to say +from a quiet heart a grateful Amen.</p> + +<p class="author-sc">Henry Van Dyke.</p> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="PREFACE" id="PREFACE"></a>PREFACE</h2> + + +<p>After the movement for woman suffrage, which commenced about the +middle of the nineteenth century, had continued for twenty-five years, +the feeling became strongly impressed upon its active promoters, Miss +Susan B. Anthony and Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, that the records +connected with it should be secured to posterity. With Miss Anthony, +indeed, the idea had been ever present, and from the beginning she had +carefully preserved as far as possible the letters, speeches and +newspaper clippings, accounts of conventions and legislative and +congressional reports. By 1876 they were convinced through various +circumstances that the time had come for writing the history. So +little did they foresee the magnitude which this labor would assume +that they made a mutual agreement to accept no engagements for four +months, expecting to finish it within that time, as they contemplated +nothing more than a small volume, probably a pamphlet of a few hundred +pages. Miss Anthony packed in trunks and boxes the accumulations of +the years and shipped them to Mrs. Stanton's home in Tenafly, N. J., +where the two women went cheerfully to work.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Stanton was the matchless writer, Miss Anthony the collector of +material, the searcher of statistics, the business manager, the keen +critic, the detector of omissions, chronological flaws and +discrepancies in statement such as are unavoidable even with the most +careful historian. On many occasions they called to their aid for +historical facts Mrs. Matilda Joslyn Gage, one of the most logical, +scientific and fearless writers of her day. To Mrs. Gage Vol. I of the +History of Woman Suffrage is wholly indebted for the first two +chapters—Preceding Causes and Woman in Newspapers, and for the last +chapter—Woman, Church and State, which she later amplified in a book; +and Vol. II for the first chapter—Woman's Patriotism in the Civil +War.</p> + +<p>When the allotted time had expired the work had far exceeded<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[Pg vi]</a></span> its +original limits and yet seemed hardly begun. Its authors were amazed +at the amount of history which already had been made and still more +deeply impressed with the desirability of preserving the story of the +early struggle, but both were in the regular employ of lecture bureaus +and henceforth could give only vacations to the task. They were +entirely without the assistance of stenographers and typewriters, who +at the present day relieve brain workers of so large a part of the +physical strain. A labor which was to consume four months eventually +extended through ten years and was not completed until the closing +days of 1885. The pamphlet of a few hundred pages had expanded into +three great volumes of 1,000 pages each, and enough material remained +unused to fill another.<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a></p> + +<p>It was almost wholly due to Miss Anthony's clear foresight and +painstaking habits that the materials were gathered and preserved +during all the years, and it was entirely owing to her unequaled +determination and persistence that the History was written. The demand +for Mrs. Stanton on the platform and the cares of a large family made +this vast amount of writing a most heroic effort, and one which +doubtless she would have been tempted to evade had it not been for the +relentless mentor at her side, helping to bear her burdens and +overcome the obstacles, and continually pointing out the necessity +that the history of this movement for the emancipation of women should +be recorded, in justice to those who carried it forward and as an +inspiration to the workers of the future. And so together, for a long +decade, these two great souls toiled in the solitude of home just as +together they fought in the open field, not for personal gain or +glory, but for the sake of a cause to which they had consecrated their +lives. Had it not been for their patient and unselfish labor the story +of the hard conditions under which the pioneers struggled to lift +woman out of her subjection, the bitterness of the prejudice, the +cruelty of the persecution, never would have been told. In all the +years that have passed no one else has attempted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[Pg vii]</a></span> to tell it, and +should any one desire to do so it is doubtful if, even at this early +date, enough of the records could be found for the most superficial +account. In not a library can the student who wishes to trace this +movement to its beginning obtain the necessary data except in these +three volumes, which will become still more valuable as the years go +by and it nears success.</p> + +<p>Miss Anthony began this work in 1876 without a dollar in hand for its +publication. She never had the money in advance for any of her +undertakings, but she went forward and accomplished them, and when the +people saw that they were good they usually repaid the amount she had +advanced from her own small store. In this case she resolved to use +the whole of it and all she could earn in the future rather than not +publish the History. Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson, of New York, a generous +patron of good works, gave her the first $1,000 in 1880, but this did +not cover the expenses that had been actually incurred thus far in its +preparation. She was in nowise discouraged, however, but kept steadily +on during every moment which could be spared by Mrs. Stanton and +herself, absolutely confident that in some way the necessary funds +would be obtained. Her strong faith was justified, for the first week +of 1882 came a notice from Wendell Phillips that Mrs. Eliza Jackson +Eddy, of Boston, had left her a large legacy to be used according to +her own judgment "for the advancement of woman's cause." Litigation by +an indirect heir deprived her of this money for over three years, but +in April, 1885, she received $24,125.</p> + +<p>The first volume of the History had been issued in May, 1881, and the +second in April, 1882. In June, 1885, Mrs. Stanton and Miss Anthony +set resolutely to work and labored without ceasing until the next +November, when the third volume was sent to the publishers. With the +bequest Miss Anthony paid the debts that had been incurred, replaced +her own fund, of which every dollar had been used, and brought out +this last volume. All were published at a time when paper and other +materials were at a high price. The fine steel engravings alone cost +$5,000. On account of the engagements of the editors it was necessary +to employ proofreaders and indexers, and because of the many years +over which the work had stretched an immense number of changes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[Pg viii]</a></span> had to +be made in composition, so that a large part of the legacy was +consumed.</p> + +<p>The money which Miss Anthony now had enabled her to carry out her +long-cherished project to put this History free of charge in the +public libraries. It was thus placed in twelve hundred in the United +States and Europe. Mrs. Stanton and Mrs. Gage, who had contributed +their services without price, naturally felt that it should be sold +instead of given away, and in order to have a perfectly free hand she +purchased their rights. In addition to the libraries, she has given it +to hundreds of schools and to countless individuals, writers, +speakers, etc., whom she thought it would enable to do better work for +the franchise. For seventeen years she has paid storage on the volumes +and the stereotype plates. During this time there has been some demand +for the books from those who were able and willing to pay, but much +the largest part of the labor and money expended were a direct +donation to the cause of woman suffrage.</p> + +<p>From the time the last volume was finished it was Miss Anthony's +intention, if she should live twenty years longer, to issue a fourth +containing the history which would be made during that period, and for +this purpose she still preserved the records. As the century drew near +a close, bringing with it the end of her four-score years, the desire +grew still stronger to put into permanent shape the continued story of +a contest which already had extended far beyond the extreme limits +imagined when she dedicated to it the full power of her young +womanhood with its wealth of dauntless courage and unfailing hope. She +resigned the presidency of the National Association in February, 1900, +which marked her eightieth birthday, in order that she might carry out +this project and one or two others of especial importance. Among her +birthday gifts she received $1,000 from friends in all parts of the +country, and this sum she resolved to apply to the contemplated +volume. One of the other objects which she had in view was the +collecting of a large fund to be invested and the income used in work +for the enfranchisement of women. Already about $3,000 had been +subscribed.</p> + +<p>By the time the first half year had passed, nature exacted tribute for +six decades of unceasing and unparalleled toil, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix">[Pg ix]</a></span> it became evident +that the idea of gathering a reserve fund would have to be abandoned. +The donors of the $3,000 were consulted and all gave cordial assent to +have their portion applied to the publication of the fourth volume of +the History. The largest amount, $1,000, had been contributed by Mrs. +Pauline Agassiz Shaw, of Boston. Dr. Cordelia A. Greene, of Castile, +N. Y., had given $500 and Mrs. Emma J. Bartol, of Philadelphia, $200. +The other contributions ranged all the way down to a few dollars, +which in many cases represented genuine sacrifice on the part of the +givers. It is not practicable to publish the list of the women in +full. They will be sufficiently rewarded in the consciousness of +having helped to realize Miss Anthony's dream of finishing the story, +to the end of her own part in it, of a great progressive movement in +which they were her fellow-workers and loyal friends.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Gage passed away in 1898. Although Mrs. Stanton is still living +as this volume goes to the publishers in 1902, and evinces her mental +vigor at the age of eighty-seven in frequent magazine and newspaper +articles, she could not be called upon for this heavy and exacting +task. It seemed to Miss Anthony that the one who had recently +completed her Biography, in its preparation arranging and classifying +her papers of the past sixty years, and who necessarily had made a +thorough study of the suffrage movement from its beginning, should +share with her this arduous undertaking. The invitation was accepted +with much reluctance because of a full knowledge of the great labor +and responsibility involved. It must be confessed that even a strong +sense of obligation to further the cause of woman's enfranchisement +would not have been a sufficient incentive, but personal devotion to a +beloved and honored leader outweighed all selfish considerations. It +is to Miss Anthony, however, that the world is indebted for this as +well as the other volumes. It was she who conceived the idea; through +her came the money for its publication; for several years her own home +has been given up to the mass of material, the typewriters, the coming +and going of countless packages, the indescribable annoyances and +burdens connected with a matter of this kind. In addition she has +borne from her private means a considerable portion of the expenses,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_x" id="Page_x">[Pg x]</a></span> +and has endured the physical weariness and mental anxiety at a time +when she has earned the right to complete rest and freedom from care. +There is not a chapter which has not had the inestimable benefit of +her acute criticism and matured judgment.</p> + +<p>The peculiar difficulties of historical work can be understood only by +those who have experienced them. General information is the easiest of +all things to obtain—exact information the hardest, and a history +that is not accurate has no practical utility. If a reader discover +one mistake it vitiates the whole book. Every historian knows how +common it is to find several totally different statements of the same +occurrence, each apparently as authentic as the others. He also knows +the eel-like elusiveness of dates and the flat contradictions of +statistics which seem to disprove absolutely the adage that "figures +do not lie." He has suffered the nightmare of wrestling with proper +names; and if he is conscientious he has agonized over the attempt to +do exact justice to the actors in the drama which he is depicting and +yet not detract from its value by loading it with trivial details, of +vital moment to those who were concerned in them but of no importance +to future readers. All of these embarrassments are intensified in a +history of a movement for many years unnoticed or greatly +misrepresented in the public press, and its records usually not +considered of sufficient value to be officially preserved. None, +however, has required such supreme courage and faithfulness from its +adherents and this fact makes all the more obligatory the preserving +of their names and deeds.</p> + +<p>To collect the needful information from fifty States and Territories +and arrange it for publication has required the careful and constant +work of over two years. It has been necessary many times to appeal to +public officials, who have been most obliging, but the main dependence +has been on the women of various localities who are connected with the +suffrage associations. These women have spent weeks of time and labor, +writing letters, visiting libraries, examining records, and often +leaving their homes and going to the State capital to search the +archives. All this has been done without financial compensation, and +it is largely through their assistance that the editors have been able +to prepare this volume. To give an idea of the exacting work<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xi" id="Page_xi">[Pg xi]</a></span> required +it may be stated that to obtain authentic data on one particular point +the writer of the Kansas chapter sent 198 letters to 178 city clerks. +The meager record of Florida necessitated about thirty letters of +inquiry. Several thousand were sent out by the editors of the History, +while the number exchanged within the various States is beyond +computation.</p> + +<p>The demand is widespread that the information which this book contains +should be put into accessible shape. Miss Anthony herself and the +suffrage headquarters in New York are flooded with inquiries for +statistics as to the gains which have been made, the laws for women, +the present status of the question and arguments that can be used in +the debates which are now of frequent occurrence in Legislatures, +universities, schools and clubs in all parts of the country. +Practically everything that can be desired on these points will be +found herein. The first twenty-two chapters contain the whole argument +in favor of granting the franchise to women, as every phase of the +question is touched and every objection considered by the ablest of +speakers. It has been a special object to present here in compact form +the reasons on which is based the claim for woman suffrage. In Chapter +XXIV and those following are included the laws pertaining to women, +their educational and industrial opportunities, the amount of suffrage +they possess, the offices they may fill, legislative action on matters +concerning them, and the part which the suffrage associations have had +in bringing about present conditions. There are also chapters on the +progress made in foreign countries and on the organized work of women +in other lines besides that of the franchise. All the care possible +has been taken to make each chapter accurate and complete.</p> + +<p>Beginning with 1884, where Vol. III closes, the present volume ends +with the century. This is not a book which must necessarily wait upon +posterity for its readers, but it is filled with live, up-to-date +information. Its editors take the greatest pleasure in presenting it +to the young, active, progressive men and women of the present day, +who, without doubt, will bring to a successful end the long and +difficult contest to secure that equality of rights which belongs +alike to all the citizens of this largest of republics and greatest of +nations.</p> + +<p class="author-sc">I. H. H.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> The reader can not fail to be interested in the personal +story of the writing of these books as related in the Reminiscences of +Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Life and Work of Susan B. Anthony—the +many journeys made by the big boxes of documents from the home of one +to that of the other; the complications with those who were gathering +data in their respective localities; the trials with publishers; the +delays, disappointments and vexations, all interspersed and brightened +with many humorous features.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xiii" id="Page_xiii">[Pg xiii]</a></span></p> + +<h2><a name="INTRODUCTION" id="INTRODUCTION"></a>INTRODUCTION.</h2> + + +<p>It has been frequently said that the first three volumes of the +History of Woman Suffrage, which bring the record to twenty years ago, +represent the seed-sowing time of the movement. They do far more than +this, for seeds sown in the early days which they describe would have +fallen upon ground so stony that if they had sprung up they would soon +have withered away. The pioneers in the work for the redemption of +women found an unbroken field, not fallow from lying idle, but arid +and barren, filled with the unyielding rocks of prejudice and choked +with the thorns of conservatism. It required many years of labor as +hard as that endured by the forefathers in wresting their lands from +undisturbed nature, before the ground was even broken to receive the +seed. Then followed the long period of persistent tilling and sowing +which brought no reaping until the last quarter of the century, when +the scanty harvest began to be gathered. The yield has seemed small +indeed at the end of each twelvemonth and it is only when viewed in +the aggregate that its size can be appreciated. The condition of woman +to-day compared with that of last year seems unchanged, but contrasted +with that of fifty years ago it presents as great a revolution as the +world has ever witnessed in this length of time.</p> + +<p>If the first organized demand for the rights of woman—made at the +memorable convention of Seneca Falls, N. Y., in 1848—had omitted the +one for the franchise, those who made it would have lived to see all +granted. It asked for woman the right to have personal freedom, to +acquire an education, to earn a living, to claim her wages, to own +property, to make contracts, to bring suit, to testify in court, to +obtain a divorce for just cause, to possess her children, to claim a +fair share of the accumulations during marriage. An examination of +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">Chap. XXIV</a> and the following chapters in this volume will show that in +many of the States<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xiv" id="Page_xiv">[Pg xiv]</a></span> all these privileges are now accorded, and in not +one are all refused, but when this declaration was framed all were +denied by every State. For the past half century there has been a +steady advance in the direction of equal rights for women. In many +instances these have been granted in response to the direct efforts of +women themselves; in others without exertion on their part but through +the example of neighboring States and as a result of the general trend +toward a long-delayed justice. Enough has been accomplished in all of +the above lines to make it absolutely certain that within a few years +women everywhere in the United States will enjoy entire equality of +legal, civil and social rights.</p> + +<p>Behind all of these has been the persistent demand for political +rights, and the question naturally arises, "Why do these continue to +be denied? Educated, property-owning, self-reliant and +public-spirited, why are women still refused a voice in the +Government? Citizens in the fullest sense of the word, why are they +deprived of the suffrage in a country whose institutions rest upon +individual representation?"</p> + +<p>There are many reasons, but the first and by far the most important is +the fact that this right, and this alone of all that have had to be +gained for woman, can be secured only through Constitutional Law. All +others have rested upon statute law, or upon the will of a board of +trustees, or of a few individuals, or have needed no official or +formal sanction. The suffrage alone must be had through a change of +the constitution of the State and this can be obtained only by consent +of the majority of the voters. Therefore this most valuable of all +rights—the one which if possessed by women at the beginning would +have brought all the others without a struggle—is placed absolutely +in the hands of men to be granted or withheld at will from women. It +is an unjust condition which does not exist even in a monarchy of the +Old World, and it makes of the United States instead of a true +republic an oligarchy in which one-half of the citizens have entire +control of the other half. There is not another country having an +elected representative body, where this body itself may not extend the +suffrage. While the writing of this volume has been in progress the +Parliament of Australia by a single Act has fully enfranchised the +800,000 women of that commonwealth. The Parliament of Great Britain +has conferred on women every<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xv" id="Page_xv">[Pg xv]</a></span> form of suffrage except that for its own +members, and there is a favorable prospect of this being granted long +before the women of the United States have a similar privilege.</p> + +<p>Not another nation is hampered by a written Federal Constitution which +it is almost impossible to change, and by forty-five written State +constitutions none of which can be altered in the smallest particular +except by consent of the majority of the voters. Every one of these +constitutions was framed by a convention which no woman had a voice in +selecting and of which no woman was a member. With the sole exception +of Wyoming, not one woman in the forty-five States was permitted a +vote on the constitution, and every one except Wyoming and Utah +confined its elective franchise strictly to "male" citizens.</p> + +<p>Thus, wherever woman turns in this boasted republic, from ocean to +ocean, from lakes to gulf, seeking the citizen's right of +self-representation, she is met by a dead wall of constitutional +prohibition. It has been held in some of the States that this applies +only to State and county suffrage and that the Legislature has power +to grant the Municipal Franchise to women. Kansas is the only one, +however, which has given such a vote. A bill for this purpose passed +the Legislature of Michigan, after years of effort on the part of +women, and was at once declared unconstitutional by its Supreme Court. +Similar bills have been defeated in many Legislatures on the ground of +unconstitutionality. It is claimed generally that they may bestow +School Suffrage and this has been granted in over half the States, but +frequently it is vetoed by the Governor as unconstitutional, as has +been done several times in California. In New York, after four Acts of +the Legislature attempting to give School Suffrage to all women, three +decisions of the highest courts confined it simply to those of +villages and country districts where questions are decided at "school +meetings." Eminent lawyers hold that even this is "unconstitutional." +(See <a href="#CHAPTER_LVI">chapter on New York</a>.) The Legislature and courts of Wisconsin +have been trying since 1885 to give complete School Suffrage to women +and yet they are enabled to exercise it this year (1902) for the first +time. (See <a href="#CHAPTER_LXXI">chapter on Wisconsin</a>.) Some State constitutions provide, as +in Rhode Island, that no form even of School Suffrage can be +conferred<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xvi" id="Page_xvi">[Pg xvi]</a></span> on women until it has been submitted as an amendment and +sanctioned by a majority of the voters.</p> + +<p>The constitutions of a number of States declare that it shall not be +sufficient to carry an amendment for it to receive a majority of the +votes cast upon it, but it must have a majority of the largest vote +cast at the election. Not one State where this in the case ever has +been able to secure an amendment for any purpose whatever. Minnesota +submitted this question itself to the electors in 1898 in the form of +an amendment and it was carried, receiving a total of 102,641, yet the +largest number of votes cast at that election was 251,250, so if its +own provisions had been required it would have been lost. Nebraska is +about to make an effort to get rid of such a provision, but, as this +can be done only by another amendment to the constitution, the dilemma +is presented of the improbability of securing a vote for it which +shall be equal to the majority of the highest number cast at the +general election. Since it is impossible to get such a vote even on +questions to which there is no special objection, it is clearly +evident that an amendment enfranchising women, to which there is a +large and strong opposition, would have no chance whatever in States +making the above requirement.</p> + +<p>It then remains to consider the situation in those States where only a +majority of the votes cast upon the amendment itself is required. One +or two instances will show the stubborn objection which exists among +the masses of men to the very idea of woman suffrage. In 1887 the +Legislature of New Jersey passed a law granting School Suffrage to +women in villages and country districts. After they had exercised it +until 1894 the Supreme Court declared it to be unconstitutional, as +"the Legislature can not enlarge or diminish the class of voters." The +women decided it was worth while to preserve even this scrap of +suffrage, so they made a vigorous effort to secure from the +Legislature the submission of an amendment which should give it to +them constitutionally. The resolution for this had to pass two +successive Legislatures, and it happened in this case that by a +technicality three were necessary, but with hard work and a petition +signed by 7,000 the amendment was finally submitted in 1897. The +unvarying testimony of the school authorities was that the women had +used their vote wisely and to the great advantage of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xvii" id="Page_xvii">[Pg xvii]</a></span> the schools +during the seven years; there was no organized opposition from the +class who might object to the Full Suffrage for women lest their +business should be injured, or that other class who might fear their +personal liberty would be curtailed; yet the proposition to restore to +women in the villages and country districts the right simply to vote +for school trustees was defeated by 75,170 noes, 65,029 ayes—over +10,000 majority.</p> + +<p>South Dakota as a Territory permitted women to vote for all school +officers. It entered the Union in 1889 with a clause in its +constitution authorizing them to vote "at any election held solely for +school purposes." They soon found that this did not include State and +county superintendents, who are voted for at general elections, and +that in order to get back their Territorial rights an amendment would +have to be submitted to the electors. This was done by the Legislature +of 1893. There had not been the slightest criticism of the way in +which they had used their school suffrage during the past fourteen +years, no class was antagonized, and yet this amendment was voted down +by 22,682 noes, 17,010 ayes, an opposing majority of 5,672.</p> + +<p>With these examples in two widely-separated parts of the country, the +old and the new, representing not only crystallized prejudice in the +one but inborn opposition in both to any step toward enfranchising +women, and with this depending absolutely on the will of the voters, +is it a matter of wonder that its progress has been so slow? If the +question were submitted in any State to-day whether, for instance, all +who did not pay taxes should be disfranchised, and only taxpayers were +allowed to vote upon it, it would be carried by a large majority. If +it were submitted whether all owning property above a certain amount +should be disfranchised, and only those who owned less than this, or +nothing, were allowed to vote, it would be carried unanimously. No +class of men could get any electoral right whatever if it depended +wholly on the consent of another class whose interests supposedly lay +in withholding it. Political, not moral influence removed the property +restrictions from the suffrage in order to build up a great party—the +Democratic—which because of its enfranchisement of wage-earning men +has received their support for eighty years. After the Civil War, +although the Republican party was in absolute control, amendments to +the State constitutions<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xviii" id="Page_xviii">[Pg xviii]</a></span> for striking out the word "white," in order +to enfranchise colored men, were defeated in one after another of the +Northern States, even in Kansas, the most radical of them all in its +anti-slavery sentiment. It finally became so evident that this +concession would not be granted by the voters that Congress was +obliged to submit first one and then a second amendment to the Federal +Constitution to secure it. But even then the ratification of the +necessary three-fourths of the Legislatures could be obtained only +because it was positively certain that through this action an immense +addition would be made to the Republican electorate. Now after a lapse +of thirty years this same party looks on unmoved at the violation of +these amendments in every Southern State because it is believed that +thus there can be, through white suffrage, the building up of the +party in that section which the colored vote has not been able to +accomplish.</p> + +<p>The most superficial examination of the conditions which govern the +franchise answers the question why, after fifty years of effort, so +little progress has been made in obtaining it for women. Of late years +every new or "third" party which is organized declares for woman +suffrage. This is partly because such parties come into existence to +carry out reforms in which they believe women can help, and partly +because in their weak state they are ready to grasp at straws. While +giving them full credit for such recognition, whatever may be its +inspiring motive, it is clearly evident that the franchise must come +to women through the dominant parties. If either of these could have +had assurance of receiving the majority of the woman's vote it would +have been obtained for her long ago without effort on her part, just +as the workingman's and the colored man's were secured for them, but +this has been impossible. Even in the four States where women now have +the full suffrage neither party has been able to claim a distinct +advantage from it. At the last Presidential election two of the four +went Democratic and two Republican. In Colorado, where women owed +their enfranchisement very largely to the Populists, that party was +deposed from power at the first election where they voted and never +has been reinstated. Although there was no justification for holding +women responsible, they were so held, and the party consequently did +not extend the franchise to women in other States where it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xix" id="Page_xix">[Pg xix]</a></span> might have +done so. Many consider that the principles of the Republican party in +general would be more apt to commend themselves to women than those of +the Democratic, but others believe that, so great is their antipathy +to war and all the evils connected with it and the consequences +following it, they would have opposed the party responsible for these +during the past four years. It may be accepted, however, as the most +probable view that women will divide on the main issues in much the +same proportion as men. From this standpoint neither party will see +any especial advantage in their enfranchisement, and both will look +with disfavor upon adding to the immense number of voters who must now +be reckoned with in every campaign an equally great number who are +likely to require an entirely different management. There is a certain +element in the leadership of all parties which is not especially +objectionable to men, but would not be tolerated by women. Candidates +who would be perfectly acceptable to men if they were sound on the +political issues might be wholly repudiated by the women of their own +party. If temperance and morality were made requisites many leaders +and officials who now hold high position would be permanently retired. +These are all reasons which appeal to politicians for deferring the +day of woman suffrage as long as possible.</p> + +<p>Each of the two dominant parties is largely controlled by what are +known as the liquor interests. Their influence begins with the +National Government, which receives from them billions of revenue; it +extends to the States, to which they pay millions; to the cities, +whose income they increase by hundreds of thousands; to the farmers, +who find in breweries and distilleries the best market for their +grain. There is no hamlet so small as not to be touched by their +ramifications. No "trust" ever formed can compare with them in the +power which they exercise. That their business shall not be interfered +with they must possess a certain authority over Congress and +Legislatures. They and the various institutions connected with them +control millions of votes. They are among the largest contributors to +political campaigns. There are few legislators who do not owe their +election in a greater or less degree to the influence wielded by these +liquor interests, which are positively, unanimously and unalterably +opposed to woman suffrage. This can be gained only by the submission +of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xx" id="Page_xx">[Pg xx]</a></span> an amendment to the National or State constitutions, and for that +women must go to the Congress or the Legislatures. What can they offer +to offset the influences behind these bodies? They have no money to +contribute for party purposes. They represent no constituency and can +not pledge a single vote, a situation in which no other class is +placed. They ask men to divide a power of which they now have a +monopoly; to give up a sure thing for an uncertainty; to sacrifice +every selfish interest—and all in the name of abstract justice, a +word which has no place in politics. Was there ever apparently a more +hopeless quest?</p> + +<p>With the exception of the three amendments made necessary by the Civil +War, the Federal Constitution has not been amended for ninety-eight +years, and there is strong opposition to any changes in that +instrument. If Congress would submit an article to the State +Legislatures for the enfranchisement of women the situation would be +vastly simplified and eventually the requisite three-fourths for +ratification could be secured, but undoubtedly a number of States will +have to follow the example of those in the far West in granting the +suffrage before this is done. The question at present, therefore, may +be considered as resting with the various Legislatures. With all the +powerful influences above mentioned strongly intrenched and pitted +against the women who come empty-handed, it is naturally a most +difficult matter to secure the submission of an amendment where there +is the slightest chance of its carrying. With the two exceptions of +Colorado and Idaho, it may be safely asserted that in every case where +one has been submitted it has been done simply to please the women and +to get rid of them, and with the full assurance that it would not be +carried. Two conspicuous examples of the impossibility of obtaining an +amendment where it would be likely to receive a majority vote are to +be found in California and Iowa. In the former State one went before +the electors in 1896, and, although the conditions were most +unfavorable and the strongest possible fight was made against it, so +large an affirmative sentiment was developed that it was clearly +evident it would be carried on a second trial. Up to that time the +women of this State had very little difficulty in securing suffrage +bills, but since then the Legislature has persistently refused to +submit another amendment. (See <a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">chapter on California</a>.)<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxi" id="Page_xxi">[Pg xxi]</a></span></p> + +<p>In probably no State is the general sentiment so strongly in favor of +woman suffrage as in Iowa, and yet for the past thirty years the women +have tried in vain to secure from the Legislature the submission of an +amendment—simply an opportunity to carry their case to the electors. +(See <a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIX">chapter on Iowa</a>.) The politics of that State is practically +controlled by the great brewing interests and the balance of power +rests in the German vote. It is believed that woman suffrage would be +detrimental to their interests and they will not allow it. Here, as in +many States, a resolution for an amendment must be acted upon by two +successive Legislatures. If a majority of either party should pass +this resolution, the enemy would be able to defeat its nominees for +the next Legislature before the women could get the chance to vote for +them. In other words, all the forces hostile to woman suffrage are +already enfranchised and are experienced, active and influential in +politics, while the women themselves can give no assistance, and the +men in every community who favor it are very largely those who have +not an aggressive political influence. This very refusal of certain +Legislatures to let the voters pass upon the question is the strongest +possible indication that they fear the result. If women could be +enfranchised simply by an Act of Congress they would have an +opportunity to vote for their benefactors at the same time as the +enemies would vote against them, and thus the former would not, as at +present, run the risk of personal defeat and the overthrow of their +party by espousing the cause of woman suffrage.</p> + +<p>If, however, Legislatures were willing to submit the question it is +doubtful whether, under present conditions, it could be carried in any +large number of States, as the same elements which influence +legislators act also upon the voters through the party "machines." +Amendments to strike the word "male" from the suffrage clause of the +Constitution have been submitted by ten States, and by five of these +twice—Kansas, 1867-94; Michigan, 1874; Colorado, 1877-93; Nebraska, +1882; Oregon, 1884-1900; Rhode Island, 1886; Washington, 1889-98; +South Dakota, 1890-98; California, 1896; Idaho, 1896. Out of the +fifteen trials the amendment has been adopted but twice—in Colorado +and Idaho. In these two cases it was indorsed by all the political +parties and carried with their permission. Wyoming and Utah placed +equal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxii" id="Page_xxii">[Pg xxii]</a></span> suffrage in the constitution under which they entered +Statehood. In both, as Territories, women had had the full +franchise—in Wyoming twenty-one and in Utah seventeen years—and +public sentiment was strongly in favor. In the States where the +question was defeated it had practically no party support.</p> + +<p>Aside from all political hostility, however, woman suffrage has to +face a tremendous opposition from other sources. The attitude of a +remonstrant is the natural one of the vast majority of people. Their +first cry on coming into the world, if translated, would be, "I +object." They are opposed on principle to every innovation, and the +greatest of these is the enfranchisement of women. To grant woman an +equality with man in the affairs of life is contrary to every +tradition, every precedent, every inheritance, every instinct and +every teaching. The acceptance of this idea is possible only to those +of especially progressive tendencies and a strong sense of justice, +and it is yet too soon to expect these from the majority. If it had +been necessary to have the consent of the majority of the men in every +State for women to enter the universities, to control their own +property, to engage in the various professions and occupations, to +speak from the public platform and to form great organizations, in not +one would they be enjoying these privileges to-day. It is very +probable that this would be equally true if they had depended upon the +permission of a majority of women themselves. They are more +conservative even than men, because of the narrowness and isolation of +their lives, the subjection in which they always have been held, the +severe punishment inflicted by society on those who dare step outside +the prescribed sphere, and, stronger than all, perhaps, their +religious tendencies through which it has been impressed upon them +that their subordinate position was assigned by the Divine will and +that to rebel against it is to defy the Creator. In all the +generations, Church, State and society have combined to retard the +development of women, with the inevitable result that those of every +class are narrower, more bigoted and less progressive than the men of +that class.</p> + +<p>While the girls are crowding the colleges now until they threaten to +exceed the number of boys, the demand for the higher education was +made by the merest handful of women and granted by an equally small +number of men, who, on the boards of trustees,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxiii" id="Page_xxiii">[Pg xxiii]</a></span> were able to do so, +but it would have been deferred for decades if it had depended on a +popular vote of either men or women. The pioneers in the professions +found their most trying opposition from other women, instigated by the +men who did their thinking for them to believe that the whole sex was +being disgraced. Married women almost universally were opposed to laws +which would give them control of their property, being assured by +their masculine advisers that this would deprive them of the love and +protection of their husbands. Public sentiment was wholly opposed to +these laws and no such objections ever have been made in Legislatures +even to woman suffrage as were urged against allowing a wife to own +property. The contest was won by the smallest fraction of women and a +few strong, far-seeing men, the latter actuated not alone by a +sentiment of justice but also by the desire of preventing husbands +from squandering the property which fathers had accumulated and wished +to secure to their daughters, and fortunate indeed was it that this +action did not have to be ratified by the voters.</p> + +<p>There are in the United States between three and four million women +engaged in wage-earning occupations outside of domestic service. Would +this be possible had they been obliged to have the duly recorded +permission of a majority of all the men over twenty-one years old? If +the question were submitted to the votes of these men to-day whether +women should be allowed to continue in these employments and enter any +and all others, would it be carried in the affirmative in a single +State?</p> + +<p>And yet this prejudiced, conservative and in a degree ignorant and +vicious electorate possesses absolutely the power to withhold the +suffrage from women. A large part of it is composed of foreign-born +men, bringing from the Old World the most primitive ideas of the +degraded position which properly belongs to woman. Another part is +addicted to habits with which it never would give women the chance to +interfere. Boys of twenty-one form another portion, fully imbued with +a belief in woman's inferiority which only experience can eradicate. +Men of the so-called working classes vote against it because they fear +to add to the power of the so-called aristocracy. The latter oppose it +because they think the suffrage already has been too widely extended +and ought to be curtailed instead of expanded.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxiv" id="Page_xxiv">[Pg xxiv]</a></span> The old fogies cast a +negative ballot because they believe woman ought to be kept in her +"sphere," and the strictly orthodox because it is not authorized by +the Scriptures. A large body who are "almost persuaded," but have some +lingering doubts as to the "expediency," satisfy their consciences for +voting "no" by saying that the women of their family and acquaintance +do not want it. Thus is the most valuable of human rights—the right +of individual representation—made the football of Legislatures, the +shuttlecock of voters, kicked and tossed like the veriest plaything in +utter disregard of the vital fact that it is the one principle above +all others on which the Government is founded.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless there is abundant reason for belief that, in the face of +all the forces which are arrayed against it, this measure could be +carried in almost any State where the women themselves were a unit or +even very largely in the majority in favor of it. In the indifference, +the inertia, the apathy of women lies the greatest obstacle to their +enfranchisement. Investigation in States where a suffrage amendment +has been voted on has shown that practically every election precinct +where a thorough canvass was made and every voter personally +interviewed by the women who resided in it, was carried in favor. Some +men of course can not be moved, but many who never have given the +subject any thought can be set to thinking; while there is in the +average man a latent sense of justice which responds to the persuasion +of a woman who comes in person and says, "I ask you to grant me the +same rights which you yourself enjoy; I am your neighbor; I pay taxes +just as you do; our interests are identical; give me the same power to +protect mine which you possess to protect yours." A man would have to +be thoroughly hardened to vote "no" after such an appeal, but if he +were let alone he could do so without any qualms. The same situation +obtains in the family and in social life. The average man would not +vote against granting women the franchise if all those of his own +family and the circle of his intimate friends brought a strong +pressure to bear upon him in its favor. The measure could be carried +against all opposition if every clergyman in every community would +urge the women of his congregation to work for it, assuring them of +the sanction of the church and the blessing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxv" id="Page_xxv">[Pg xxv]</a></span> of God, and showing them +how vastly it would increase their power for good.</p> + +<p>Every privilege which has been granted women has tended to develop +them, until their influence is incomparably stronger at the present +time than ever before. Their great organizations are a power in every +town and city. If these throughout a State would unite in a determined +effort to secure the franchise, bringing to bear upon legislators the +demands of thousands of women, high and low, rich and poor, of all +classes and conditions, they would be compelled to yield; and the same +amount of influence would carry the amendment with the voters. But the +petitioners for the suffrage are in the minority. There are many +obvious reasons for this, and one of them, paradoxical as it may seem, +is because so much already has been gained. Woman in general now finds +her needs very well supplied. If she wants to work she has all +occupations to choose from. If she desires an education the schools +and colleges are freely opened to her. If she wishes to address the +public by pen or voice the people hear her gladly. The laws have been +largely modified in her favor, and where they might press they are +seldom enforced. She may accumulate and control property; she may set +up her own domestic establishment and go and come at will. If the +workingwoman finds herself at a disadvantage she has not time and +often not ability to seek the cause until she traces it to +disfranchisement, and if she should do so she is too helpless to make +a contest against it. Those women who "have dwelt, since they were +born, in well-feathered nests and have never needed do anything but +open their soft beaks for the choicest little grubs to be dropped into +them," can not be expected to feel or see any necessity for the +ballot. Nor will the woman half way between, absorbed in her church, +her clubs, her charities and her household, make the philosophical +study necessary to show that she could do larger and more effective +work for all of these if she possessed the great power which lies in +the suffrage. Even women of much wealth who are not idle, +self-centered and indifferent to the needs of humanity, but are giving +munificently for religious, educational and philanthropic purposes, +have not been aroused in any large number to the necessity of the +suffrage, for reasons which are evident.</p> + +<p>Reforms of every kind are inaugurated and carried forward<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxvi" id="Page_xxvi">[Pg xxvi]</a></span> by a +minority, and there is no reason why this one should prove an +exception. In not an instance has a majority of any class of men +demanded the franchise, and there is no precedent for expecting the +majority of women to do so. It will have to be gained for them by the +foresight, the courage and the toil of the few, just as all other +privileges have been, and they will enter into possession with the +same eagerness and unanimity as has marked their acceptance of the +others.</p> + +<p>With this mass of prejudice, selfishness and inertia to overcome is +there any hope of future success? Yes, there is a hope which amounts +to a certainty. Nothing could be more logical than a belief that where +one hundred privileges have been opposed and then ninety-nine of them +granted, the remaining one will ultimately follow. While women still +suffer countless minor disadvantages, the fundamental rights have +largely been secured except the suffrage. This, as has been pointed +out, is most difficult to obtain because it is intrenched in +constitutional law and because it represents a more radical revolution +than all the others combined. The softening of the bitter opposition +of the early days through the general spirit of progress has been +somewhat counteracted by a modern skepticism as to the supreme merit +of a democratic government and a general disgust with the prevalent +political corruption. This will continue to react strongly against any +further extension of the suffrage until men can be made to see that a +real democracy has not as yet existed, but that the dangerous +experiment has been made of enfranchising the vast proportion of +crime, intemperance, immorality and dishonesty, and barring absolutely +from the suffrage the great proportion of temperance, morality, +religion and conscientiousness; that, in other words, the worst +elements have been put into the ballot-box and the best elements kept +out. This fatal mistake is even now beginning to dawn upon the minds +of those who have cherished an ideal of the grandeur of a republic, +and they dimly see that in woman lies the highest promise of its +fulfilment. Those who fear the foreign vote will learn eventually that +there are more American-born women in the United States than +foreign-born men and women; and those who dread the ignorant vote will +study the statistics and see that the percentage of illiteracy is much +smaller among women than among men.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxvii" id="Page_xxvii">[Pg xxvii]</a></span></p> + +<p>The consistent tendency since the right to individual representation +was established by the Revolutionary War has been to extend this +right, until now every man in the United States is enfranchised. While +a few, usually those who are too exclusive to vote themselves, insist +that this is detrimental to the electorate, the vast majority hold +that in numbers there is the safety of its being more difficult to +purchase or mislead; that even the ignorant may vote more honestly +than the educated; that more knowledge and judgment can be added +through ten million electors than through five; and also that by this +universal male suffrage it is made impossible for one class of men to +legislate against another class, and thus all excuse for anarchy or a +resort to force is removed. Added to these advantages is the +developing influence of the ballot upon the individual himself, which +renders him more intelligent and gives him a broader conception of +justice and liberty. All of these conditions must lead eventually to +the enfranchising of the only remaining part of the citizenship +without this means of protection and development.</p> + +<p>The gradual movement in this direction in the United States is seen in +the partial extension of the franchise which has taken place during +the past thirty-three years, or within one generation. During this +time over one-half of them have conferred School Suffrage on women; +one has granted Municipal Suffrage; four a vote on questions of +taxation; three have recognized them in local matters, and a number of +cities have given such privileges as were possible by charter. Since +1890 four States, by a majority vote of the electors, have +enfranchised 200,000 women by incorporating the complete suffrage in +their constitutions, from which it never can be removed except by a +vote of women themselves. During all these years there have been but +two retrogressive steps—the disfranchising of the women of Washington +Territory in 1888 by an unconstitutional decision of the Supreme +Court, dictated by the disreputable elements then in control; and the +taking away of the School Suffrage from all women of the second-class +cities in Kentucky by its Legislature of 1902 for the purpose of +eliminating the vote of colored women. In every other Legislature a +bill to repeal any limited franchise which has been extended has been +overwhelmingly voted down.</p> + +<p>Another favorable sign is the action taken by Legislatures on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxviii" id="Page_xxviii">[Pg xxviii]</a></span> bills +for the full enfranchisement of women. Formerly they were treated with +contempt and ridicule and either thrown out summarily or discussed in +language which the descendants of the honorable gentlemen who used it +will regret to read. Now such bills are treated with comparative +courtesy; a discussion is avoided wherever possible, members not +wishing to go on record, but if forced it is conducted in a respectful +manner; and, while usually rejected, the opposing majority is small, +in many instances only just large enough to secure defeat, and +frequently members have to change their votes to the negative as they +find the measure is about to be carried. Several instances have +occurred in the last year or two where the bill passed but during the +night the party whip was applied with such force that the affirmative +was compelled to reconsider its action the next day. There is little +doubt that even now if members were free to vote their convictions a +bill could be carried in many Legislatures.</p> + +<p>A most encouraging sign is the attitude of the Press. Although the +country papers occasionally refer to the suffrage advocates as hyenas, +cats, crowing hens, bold wantons, unsexed females and dangerous +home-wreckers—expressions which were common a generation ago—these +are no longer found in metropolitan and influential newspapers. Scores +of both city and country papers openly advocate the measure and scores +of others would do so if they were not under the same control as the +Legislatures. Ten years ago it was almost impossible to secure space +in any paper for woman suffrage arguments. To-day several of the +largest in the country maintain regular departments for this purpose, +while the report of the press chairman of the National Association for +1901 stated that during the past eight months 175,000 articles on the +subject had been sent to the press and a careful investigation showed +that three-fourths of them had been published. In addition different +papers had used 150 special articles, while the page of plate matter +furnished every six weeks was extensively taken. New York reported 400 +papers accepting suffrage matter regularly; Pennsylvania, 368; Iowa, +253; Illinois, 161; Massachusetts, 107, and other States in varying +numbers. Since this question is very largely one of educating the +people, the opening of the Press to its arguments is probably the most +important advantage which has been gained.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxix" id="Page_xxix">[Pg xxix]</a></span></p> + +<p>The progress of public sentiment is strikingly illustrated in a +comparison of the votes in those States which have twice submitted an +amendment to their constitution that would give the suffrage to women. +In Kansas such an amendment in 1867 received 9,070 ayes, 19,857 noes; +in 1894, 95,302 ayes, 130,139 noes. The second time it was indorsed by +the Populists and not by the Republicans, therefore the latter, who in +that State are really favorable to the measure, largely voted against +it in order that the Populists might not strengthen their party by +appearing to carry it, and yet the percentage of opposition was +considerably decreased. In Colorado in 1877 the vote stood 6,612 ayes, +14,055 noes; in 1893 the amendment was carried by 35,698 ayes, 29,461 +noes—a majority of 6,237. Oregon in 1884 gave 11,223 ayes, 28,176 +noes; in 1900, 26,265 ayes, 28,402 noes—an increase of 226 opponents +and 15,042 advocates. The vote in Washington in 1889 was 16,527 ayes, +35,917 noes; in 1898, 20,171 ayes, 30,497 noes—the opposing majority +reduced from 19,396 to 10,326, or almost one-half.</p> + +<p>One is logically entitled to believe from these figures that the +question will be carried in each of those States the next time it is +voted on. It must be remembered that women go into all these campaigns +with no political influence and practically no money, not enough to +employ workers and speakers to make an approach to a thorough +organization and canvass of the State; totally without the aid of +party machinery; with no platform on which to present their cause +except such as is granted by courtesy; and with no advocacy of it by +the speakers on the platforms of the various parties. The increased +majorities indicate solely that men are emerging from the bondage of +tradition, prejudice and creed, and that when they can escape from the +bondage of politics they will grant justice to women.</p> + +<p>The very fact that women themselves are arousing from their inertia to +the extent of organizing in opposition to what they term "the danger +of having the ballot thrust upon them" shows life. While their +enrollment is infinitesimal it has set women to thinking, and a number +who have signed the declaration that they do not want the franchise, +have for the first time been compelled to give the matter +consideration and have decided that they do want it. The facts also +that within a few years the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxx" id="Page_xxx">[Pg xxx]</a></span> membership of the National Suffrage +Association has doubled; that auxiliaries have been formed in every +State and Territory; that permanent headquarters have been established +in New York; and that the revenues (almost wholly the contributions of +women) have risen from the $2,000 or $3,000 per annum, which it was +barely possible to secure half-a-dozen years ago, to $10,345 in 1899, +$22,522 in 1900 (including receipts from Bazar), $18,290 in +1901—these facts are indisputable evidence of the growth of the +sentiment among women. In this line of progress must be placed also +the thousands of other organizations containing millions of women, +which, although not including the suffrage among their objects, are +engaged in efforts for better laws, civic improvements and a general +advance in conditions that inevitably will bring them to realize the +immense disadvantage of belonging to a class without political +influence.</p> + +<p>Nothing could be more illogical than the belief that a republic would +confer every gift upon woman except the choicest and then forever +withhold this; or that women would be content to possess all others +and not eventually demand the one most valuable. The increasing number +who are attending political conventions and crowding mass meetings +until they threaten to leave no room for voters, are unmistakable +proof that eventually women themselves and men also will see the utter +absurdity of their disfranchised condition. The ancient objections +which were urged so forcibly a generation or two ago have lost their +force and must soon be retired from service. The charge of mental +incapacity is totally refuted by the statistics of 1900 showing the +percentage of girls in the High Schools to be 58.36 and of boys, +41.64; the number of girl graduates, 39,162; boys, 22,575; 70 per +cent. of the public school teachers women; 40,000 women college +graduates scattered throughout the country and 30,000 now in the +universities, with the percentage of their increase in women students +three times as great as that of men, and 431,153 women practicing in +the various professions.</p> + +<p>The charge of business incompetency is disproved by the 503,574 women +who are engaged in trade and transportation, the 980,025 in +agriculture and the 1,315,890 in manufacturing and mechanical +pursuits. Every community also furnishes its special examples of the +aptitude of women for business, now that they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxxi" id="Page_xxxi">[Pg xxxi]</a></span> are allowed a chance to +manifest it. Statistics show further that one-tenth of the +millionaires are women and that they are large property holders in +every locality. Whether they earned or inherited their holdings, the +fact remains that they are compelled to pay taxes on billions of +dollars without any representation.</p> + +<p>The military argument—that women must not vote because they can not +fight—is seldom used nowadays, as it is so clearly evident that it +would also disfranchise vast numbers of men; that the value of women +in the perpetuation of the Government is at least equal to that of the +men who defend it; and that there is no recognition in the laws by +which the franchise is exercised of the slightest connection between a +ballot and a bullet.</p> + +<p>The most persistent objection—that if women are allowed to enter +politics they will neglect their homes and families—is conclusively +answered in the four States where they have had political rights for a +number of years and domestic life still moves on just as in other +places. In two of the four while Territories women had exercised the +franchise from seventeen to twenty-one years, and yet a large majority +of the men voted to grant it perpetually. Women do not love their +families because compelled to do so by statute, or cling to their +homes because there is no place for them outside. This same direful +prediction was made at every advanced step, but, although the entire +status of women has been changed, and they are largely engaged in the +public work of every community, they are better and happier wives, +mothers and housekeepers because they are more intelligent and live a +broader life. But they are learning, and the world is learning, that +their housekeeping qualities should extend to the municipality and +their power of motherhood to the children of the whole nation, and +that these should be expressed through this very politics from which +they are so rigorously excluded.</p> + +<p>The objections of the opponents have been so largely confuted that +they have for the most part been compelled to make a last defense by +declaring: "When the majority of women ask for the suffrage they may +have it." By this very concession they admit that there is no valid +reason for withholding it, and in thus arbitrarily doing so they are +denying all representation to the minority, which is wholly at +variance with republican principles. This is excused on the ground +that the franchise is not a "right"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxxii" id="Page_xxxii">[Pg xxxii]</a></span> but a privilege to be granted or +not as seems best to those in power. This was the Tory argument before +the American Revolution, and, carried back to its origin, it upholds +"the divine authority of kings." The law to put in force the one and +only amendment ever added to our National Constitution to extend the +franchise was entitled, "An act to enforce the <i>right</i> of citizens of +the United States to vote;" and the amendment itself reads, "The +<i>right</i> of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied +or abridged." (See <a href="#CHAPTER_I">Chap. I.</a>)</p> + +<p>The readers of the present volume will not find such a story of cruel +and relentless punishment inflicted upon advocates of woman suffrage +as is related in the earlier volumes of this History, but the passing +of rack and thumbscrew, of stake and fagot, does not mean the end of +persecution in the world. Those who stand for this reform to-day do +not tread a flower-strewn path. It is yet an unpopular subject, under +the ban of society and receiving scant measure of public sympathy, but +it must continue to be urged. If the assertion had been accepted as +conclusive, that a measure which after years of advocacy is still +opposed by the majority should be dropped, the greatest reforms of +history would have been abandoned. The personal character of those who +represent a cause, however, sometimes carries more weight than the +numbers, and judged by this standard none has had stronger support +than the enfranchisement of women<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a>.</p> + +<p>The struggle of the Nineteenth Century was the transference of power +from one man or one class of men to all men, it has been said, and +while but one country in 1800 had a constitutional government, in 1900 +fifty had some form of constitution and some degree of male +sovereignty. Must the Twentieth Century be consumed in securing for +woman that which man spent a hundred years in obtaining for himself? +The determination of those engaged in this righteous contest was thus +expressed by the president of the National Suffrage Association in her +address at the annual convention of 1902:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Before the attainment of equal rights for men and women there +will be years of struggle and disappointment. We of a younger +generation have taken up the work where our noble and consecrated +pioneers left it. We, in turn, are enlisted for life, and +generations<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxxiii" id="Page_xxxiii">[Pg xxxiii]</a></span> yet unborn will take up the work where we lay it +down. So, through centuries if need be, the education will +continue, until a regenerated race of men and women who are equal +before man and God shall control the destinies of the earth.</p></blockquote> + +<p>But have we not reason to hope, in this era of rapid fulfilment—when +in all material things electricity is accomplishing in a day what +required months under the old régime—that moral progress will keep +pace? And that as much stronger as the electric power has shown itself +than the coarse and heavy forces of the stone and iron periods, so +much superior will prove the <i>noblesse oblige</i> of the men and women of +the present, achieving in a generation what was not possible to the +narrow selfishness and ignorant prejudice of all the past ages?</p> + +<p>A part of the magnificent plan to beautify Washington, the capital of +the nation, is a colossal statue to American Womanhood. The design +embodies a great arch of marble standing on a base in the form of an +oval and broken by sweeps of steps. On either side are large bronze +panels, bearing groups of figures. One of these will be a symbolic +design showing the spirit of the people descending to lay offerings on +woman's altar. Lofty pillars crowned by figures representing Victory, +are to be placed at the approaches. Surmounting the arch will be the +chief group of the composition, symbolizing Woman Glorified. She is +rising from her throne to greet War and Peace, Literature and Art, +Science and Industry, who approach to lay homage at her feet. Inside +the arch is a memorial hall for recording the achievements of women.</p> + +<p>How soon this symbol shall become reality and woman stand forth in all +the glory of freedom to reach her highest stature, depends upon the +use she makes of the opportunities already hers and the fraternal +assistance she receives from man. Fearless of criticism, courageous in +faith, let each take for a guide these inspiring words which it has +been said the Puritan of old would utter if he could speak: "I was a +radical in my day; be thou the same in thine! I turned my back upon +the old tyrannies and heresies and struck for the new liberties and +beliefs; my liberty and my belief are doubtless already tyranny and +heresy to thine age; strike thou for the new!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxxiv" id="Page_xxxiv">[Pg xxxiv]</a></span></p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> For partial list, see <a href="#APPENDIX">Appendix—Eminent Advocates of +Woman Suffrage</a>.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<h2><a name="ILLUSTRATIONS" id="ILLUSTRATIONS"></a>ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> + + +<div class="center"> +<table class="engravings" summary="Illustrations"> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Anthony, Susan B.</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Frontispiece"><i>Frontispiece</i></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Anthony, Mary S.</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_848">848</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Avery, Rachel Foster</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_270">270</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Avery, Susan Look</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_678">678</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Blackwell, Alice Stone</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_270">270</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Blankenburg, Lucretia L.</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_750">750</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Catt, Carrie Chapman</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_388">388</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Chapman, Mariana W.</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_848">848</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Clay, Laura</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_270">270</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Coggeshall, Mary J.</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_948">948</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Eaton, Dr. Cora Smith</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_518">518</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Gordon, Kate M.</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_678">678</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Greenleaf, Jean Brooks</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_848">848</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Gregg, Laura A.</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_518">518</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Hall, Florence Howe</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_750">750</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Harper, Ida Husted</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_1042">1042</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Hatch, Lavina A.</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_750">750</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Hayward, Mary Smith</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_948">948</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Howard, Emma Shafter</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_518">518</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Howland, Emily</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_848">848</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Jenkins, Helen Philleo</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_678">678</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Johns, Laura M.</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_948">948</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">McCulloch, Catharine Waugh</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_270">270</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Meredith, Ellis</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_518">518</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Mills, Harriet May</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_750">750</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Nelson, Julia B.</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_948">948</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Osborne, Elizabeth Wright</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_848">848</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Shaw, Rev. Anna Howard</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_128">128</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Southworth, Louisa</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_678">678</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Spencer, Rev. Anna Garlin</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_750">750</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Stanton, Elizabeth Cady</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_188">188</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Swift, Mary Wood</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_518">518</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Thomas, Mary Bentley</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_678">678</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Upton, Harriet Taylor</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_270">270</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="smcap">Wells, Emmeline B.</span></td><td class="right"><a href="#Page_948">948</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxxv" id="Page_xxxv">[Pg xxxv]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="TABLE_OF_CONTENTS" id="TABLE_OF_CONTENTS"></a>TABLE OF CONTENTS.</h2> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p>List of Illustrations <span class="ralign sc">xxxiv</span></p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#INTRODUCTION">INTRODUCTION.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Review of the Situation</span><span class="ralign">xiii-xxxiii</span><br /> +Pioneers break the ground — All their demands now practically +conceded except the Franchise — Why is this still refused? — +All other rights depend on Statute Law, suffrage on change of +Constitution — No other nation thus fettered — Further almost +insurmountable obstacles — Experience in many States — Either +dominant party would enfranchise women if it were sure of their +votes — Liquor interests and political "machines" allied in +opposition — They control the situation — Figures of votes on +Amendments — Majority of people born opponents of all +innovations — Character of electorate on which women must depend +— Indifference of women themselves — Reaction against a +democratic government — Facts showing steady progress of Woman +Suffrage — All signs favorable — Women in education and +business — Old objections dying out — Personal character of +advocates — Persecution not obsolete but the enfranchisement of +women inevitable.</p> +</div> + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Woman's Constitutional Right to Vote</span><span class="ralign">1-13</span><br /> +Early State constitutions provided against Woman Suffrage — +First demand for it — Women after the Civil War — "Male" first +used in National Constitution — Fourteenth Amendment — Endeavor +to make it include women — They attempt to vote — Susan B. +Anthony's trial — Case of Virginia L. Minor — Supreme Court +decisions — Suffrage as a right — Arguments for the Federal +Franchise — National Association decides to try only for new +Amendment — Hearings before Congressional Committees — Reports +of these committees — Debate in Congress.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">The National Suffrage Convention of 1884</span><span class="ralign">14-30</span><br /> +Forming of National Association in 1869 — Washington selected +for annual conventions — Call for that of '84 — Extracts from +speeches on Kentucky Laws for Women — Woman before the Law — +Outrage of Disfranchisement — Ethics of Woman Suffrage — +England vs. the United States — Bishop Matthew Simpson in Favor +of Woman's Enfranchisement — Resolutions and Plan of Work — +Memorial to Wendell Phillips — Miss Anthony on Disfranchisement +a Disgrace — Matilda Joslyn Gage on The Feminine in the +Sciences.</p> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxxvi" id="Page_xxxvi">[Pg xxxvi]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Congressional Hearings and Reports of 1884</span><span class="ralign">31-55</span><br /> +Debate in the House on a Special Woman Suffrage Committee — +Extracts from speeches of John H. Reagan on Awful Effects of +Woman Suffrage — James B. Belford on Woman's Right to a Special +Committee — J. Warren Keifer on Justice of the Enfranchisement +of Women — John D. White on Woman's Right to be Heard — Hearing +before Senate Committee — Interdependence of Men and Women — +Woman Suffrage a Paramount Question — A Right does not Depend on +a Majority's Asking for It — Woman's Ballot for the Good of the +Race — Preponderance of Foreign Vote — Miss Anthony on Action +by Congress vs. Action by Legislatures — Elizabeth Cady Stanton +on Self-Government the Best Means of Self-Development; moral need +of woman's ballot, men as natural protectors, inherent right of +self-representation — Favorable Senate Report — Adverse House +Report by William C. Maybury — Editorial comment — Luke P. +Poland on Men Should Represent Women — Strong Report in Favor by +Thomas B. Reed, Ezra B. Taylor, Moses A. McCoid, Thomas M. +Browne.</p> +</div> + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">The National Suffrage Convention of 1885</span><span class="ralign">56-69</span><br /> +Startling descriptions of delegates' attire — Mrs. Stanton on +Separate Spheres an Impossibility — Discussion on resolution +denouncing Religious Dogmas — Criticism by ministers — Great +speech in favor of Woman Suffrage in the U. S. Senate by Thomas +W. Palmer; action by Congress a necessity, Scriptures not opposed +to the equality of woman, figures of women's vote, State needs +woman's ballot.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">The National Suffrage Convention of 1886</span><span class="ralign">70-84</span><br /> +Relation of the Woman Suffrage Movement to the Labor Question — +Take Down the Barriers — German and American Independence +Contrasted — Resolution condemning Creeds and Dogmas again +discussed — Woman's Right to Vote under Fourteenth Amendment — +Disfranchisement Cuts Women's Wages — One-half No Right to a +Vote on Liberties of Other Half — Woman Suffrage Necessary for +Life of Republic — America lags behind in granting political +rights to women — Minority House Report in favor of a Sixteenth +Amendment by Ezra B. Taylor, W. P. Hepburn, Lucian B. Caswell, A. +A. Ranney; men hold franchise by force, women require it for +development, history of woman one of wrong and outrage, +Government needs woman's vote, no excuse for waiting till +majority demand it.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">First Discussion and Vote in U. S. Senate, 1887</span><span class="ralign">85-111</span><br /> +Joint Resolution for Sixteenth Amendment extending Right of +Suffrage to Women — Able speech of Henry W. Blair; Government<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxxvii" id="Page_xxxvii">[Pg xxxvii]</a></span> +founded on equality of rights, no connection between the vote and +ability to fight, property qualification an invasion of natural +right, man's deification of woman a shallow pretense, no such +thing as household suffrage here, maternity qualifies woman to +vote, fear of family dissension not a valid excuse — Joseph E. +Brown replies; Creator intended spheres of men and women to be +different, man qualified by physical strength to vote, caucuses +and jury duty too laborious for women, they are queens, +princesses and angels, they would neglect their families to go +into politics, the delicate and refined would feel compelled to +vote, only the vulgar and ignorant would go to the polls, ballot +would not help workingwomen, husbands would compel wives to vote +as they dictated — Editorial comment — Joseph N. Dolph supports +the Resolution; if but one woman wants the suffrage it is tyranny +to refuse it, neither in nature nor revealed will of God is there +anything to forbid, contest for woman suffrage a struggle for +human liberty, its benefits where exercised — James B. Eustis +objects — George G. Vest depicts the terrible dangers, negro +women all would vote Republican ticket, husband does not wish to +go home to embrace of female ward politician, women too emotional +to vote, suffrage not a right, we must not unsex our mothers and +wives — Editorial comment — George F. Hoar defends woman +suffrage; arguments against it are against popular government, +Senators Brown and Vest have furnished only gush and emotion — +Senator Blair closes debate with an appeal that women may carry +their case to the various Legislatures — Vote on submitting an +Amendment, 16 yeas, 34 nays.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">The National Suffrage Convention of 1887</span><span class="ralign">112-123</span><br /> +Bishop John P. Newman favors Woman Suffrage — Mrs. Stanton's +sarcastic comments on the speeches of Senators Brown and Vest — +Lillie Devereux Blake's satire on the Rights of Men — Isabella +Beecher Hooker on the Constitutional Rights of Women — Woman of +the Present and Past — Delegate Joseph M. Carey on Woman +Suffrage in Wyoming — Authority of Congress to Enfranchise Women +— Zerelda G. Wallace on Woman's Ballot a Necessity for the +Permanence of Free Institutions; the lack of morality in +Government has caused the downfall of nations — Resolutions — +U. S. Treasurer Spinner first to employ women in a Government +department.</p> +</div> + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">International Council of Women — Hearing of 1888</span><span class="ralign">124-142</span><br /> +Origin of the Council — Call issued by National Suffrage +Association — Official statistics of this great meeting — +Eloquent sermon of the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw on the Heavenly +Vision; release of woman from bondage of centuries, crucifixion +of reformers, the visions of all ages — Miss Anthony opens the +Council — Mrs. Stanton's address; psalms of women's lives in a +minor key, sympathy as a civil agent powerless until coined into +law, women have been mere echoes of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxxviii" id="Page_xxxviii">[Pg xxxviii]</a></span> men — Council demands all +employments shall be open to women, equal pay for equal work, a +single standard of morality — Forming of permanent National and +International Councils — Convention of Suffrage Association — +Mrs. Stanton expounds National Constitution to Senate Committee +and shows the violation of its provisions in their application to +women — Mrs. Ormiston Chant makes address — Also Julia Ward +Howe — Frances E. Willard pleads for enfranchisement.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">The National Suffrage Convention of 1889</span><span class="ralign">143-157</span><br /> +Official Call shows non-partisan character of the demand for +Woman Suffrage — Senator Blair makes clear presentation of +woman's right to vote for Representatives in Congress under the +Federal Constitution — Mrs. Stanton ridicules women for passing +votes of thanks to men for restoring various minor privileges +which they had usurped — Hebrew Scriptures not alone the root of +woman's subjection — Representative William D. Kelley speaks — +Foreign and Catholic vote contrasted with American and Protestant +— The Position of Woman in Marriage — Miss Anthony on Woman's +Attempt to Vote under the Fourteenth Amendment — The Coming Sex +— Woman's Bill of Rights — Favorable report from Committee, +Senators Blair, Charles B. Farwell, Jonathan Chace, Edward O. +Wolcott.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">National-American Convention of 1890</span><span class="ralign">158-174</span><br /> +Mrs. Stanton addresses Senate Committee; the South has not +treated negro men more unjustly than the North has treated all +women, women never can fully respect themselves or be respected +while degraded legally and politically, Queen Victoria contrasted +with American women who do not wish to vote — Zebulon B. Vance +questions Mrs. Stanton and Miss Anthony — Committee reports in +favor — Celebration of Miss Anthony's Seventieth Birthday — +First convention of the two united associations — Striking +resolutions — Address of Wm. Dudley Foulke; fundamental right of +self-government, equal rights never conceded to women, a just man +accords to every other human being the rights he claims for +himself, if one woman insists upon the franchise the justice of +America can not afford to deny it — Miss Anthony demands free +platform — Chivalry of Reform — Mrs. Wallace on A Whole +Humanity; woman is teacher, character-builder, soul-life of the +race, not a question of woman's rights but of human rights — +Washington <i>Star's</i> tribute to Miss Anthony.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">National-American Convention of 1891</span><span class="ralign">175-184</span><br /> +Triennial meeting of National Council — Hail to Wyoming! — Mrs. +Stanton on the Degradation of Disfranchisement; women suffer from +the disgrace just as men would, State, Church and Society uphold<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxxix" id="Page_xxxix">[Pg xxxix]</a></span> +their subordination, all must be brought into harmony with the +idea of equality — Lucy Stone speaks — The Rev. Frederick A. +Hinckley on Husband and Wife are One; together they must +establish justice, temperance and purity — U. S. Senator Carey +tells of the admission of Wyoming, first State with full suffrage +for women; tribute to their influence in government — The Rev. +Miss Shaw describes recent campaign in South Dakota, Indians +given preference over women.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">National-American Convention and Hearings of 1892</span><span class="ralign">185-201</span><br /> +Discussion on Sunday opening of Columbian Exposition — Last +appearance of Mrs. Stanton at a national convention after an +attendance of forty years — Miss Anthony elected President — +Value of Organizations for Women — First hearing before a +Democratic House Committee — Mrs. Stanton on the Solitude of +Self; the right of individual conscience, individual citizenship, +individual development, man and woman need the same preparation +for time and eternity — Lucy Stone pleads for the rights of +women, for justice and fair play, for the feminine as well as the +masculine influence in Government — Mrs. Hooker speaks — Senate +Committee addressed by Carrie Chapman Catt, and other noted women +— Miss Shaw on an Appeal to Deaf Ears; time will come when ears +will be unstopped, voice of the people is voice of God, but voice +of the whole people never has been heard — Miss Anthony +compliments Senator Hoar — Committee report in favor by Senators +Hoar, John B. Allen, Francis E. Warren; Vance and George dissent.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">National-American Convention of 1893</span><span class="ralign">202-220</span><br /> +Washington <i>Evening News</i> pays a compliment to the Association — +Memorial service for George William Curtis, John G. Whittier and +others — Frederick Douglass speaks of other days — Miss Shaw on +Mrs. Ralph Waldo Emerson and the Rev. Anna Oliver — Miss Anthony +tells what has been gained in fourscore years — Woman +Independent only when She Can Support and Protect Herself — The +Girl of the Future — Opinions of Governors of States on Woman +Suffrage — Last Message from Lucy Stone — U. S. Commissioner of +Labor, Carroll D. Wright, on the Industrial Emancipation of Women +— Miss Anthony on publishing a paper — Discussion on Sunday +Observance — Resolutions — Miss Anthony opposes national +conventions outside of Washington — Majority votes for alternate +meetings elsewhere — Bishop John F. Hurst in favor of Woman +Suffrage.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">National-American Convention of 1894</span><span class="ralign">221-235</span><br /> +Interesting picture of convention in <i>Woman's Journal</i> — Miss +Anthony describes forty years' wandering in the wilderness — +Colorado women present her with flag — She declares the suffrage +association knows no section, no party, no creed — Memorial +service for Lucy Stone and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xl" id="Page_xl">[Pg xl]</a></span> other distinguished members, with +addresses by Mrs. Howe, Mr. Foulke, Mr. Blackwell and others — +Many interesting speeches — Miss Shaw's anecdotes — Her Sunday +sermon, "Let no man take thy crown;" this was written to the +church and includes woman, responsibility should be placed on +women to steady them in the use of power — Letter commending +Woman Suffrage from Gov. Davis H. Waite of Colorado — Rachel +Foster Avery tells of Miss Anthony's part in securing the World's +Fair Board of Lady Managers — Discussion on Federal Suffrage — +Kate Field states her position.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">National-American Convention of 1895</span><span class="ralign">236-251</span><br /> +The Atlanta convention first one held outside of Washington — +Cordial reception by press and people — Miss Anthony's charm as +presiding officer — Examples of bright informal business +meetings — Addresses of welcome by Mayor and others — Woman as +a Subject — Out of Her Sphere — The New Woman of the New South +— Woman Suffrage a Solution of the Negro Problem — Good +suggestions for Organization and Legislative Work — Three +Classes of Opponents.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">National-American Convention of 1896</span><span class="ralign">252-269</span><br /> +The Rev. Miss Shaw's account of Miss Anthony's and her trip to +the Pacific Coast — Philosophy of Woman Suffrage — Universal +not Limited Suffrage — Memorial service for Frederick Douglass, +Theodore Lovett Sewall, Ellen Battelle Dietrick and others — +Welcome to Utah, a new State with Full Suffrage for Women — +Response by Senator Frank J. Cannon and Representative C. E. +Allen — Contest over the resolution against Mrs. Stanton's +Woman's Bible — Miss Anthony's eloquent protest — Resolution +adopted — Women as Legislators — Charlotte Perkins Stetson on +The Ballot as an Improver of Motherhood — Congressional Hearings +— Representative John F. Shafroth on the good effects of Woman +Suffrage in Colorado — Paper of Mrs. Stanton picturing dark page +which present political position of woman will offer to historian +of the future.</p> +</div> + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">National-American Convention of 1897</span><span class="ralign">270-287</span><br/> +Annual meeting in Des Moines welcomed by the Governor, the Mayor, +the Rev. H. O. Breeden and others — Miss Anthony in her +president's address describes campaigns the previous year in +Idaho, where Woman Suffrage was carried, and in California where +it was defeated — Eulogized by the <i>Leader</i> — Mrs. Chapman Catt +receives an ovation — Mrs. Colby presents memorial resolutions +for nearly forty faithful friends — President George A. Gates of +Iowa College advocates woman suffrage — Maternal Love High but +Narrow — Domestic Life of Suffragists — Should the Advocates of +Woman Suffrage Be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xli" id="Page_xli">[Pg xli]</a></span> Strictly Non-Partisan? — Celebration in honor +of the Free States, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah and Idaho — All +God's Works Recognize Co-equality of Male and Female — Letter +from daughter of Speaker Reed — Press Work — Presidential +Suffrage.</p> +</div> + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">National-American Convention of 1898</span><span class="ralign">288-321</span><br /> +Fiftieth Anniversary of First Woman's Rights Convention — Chief +obstacle to organization is women themselves — Gains of +half-a-century — Miss Anthony's birthday luncheon — Mrs. +Stanton's paper on Our Defeats and Our Triumphs — The +Distinguished Dead — Mrs. Hooker and Miss Anthony in pretty +scene — Roll-call of Pioneers — Letter from Abigail Bush, +president of first convention — Greetings from Lucinda H. Stone, +Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell and many individuals and associations — +Addresses by Mrs. Cannon, a woman State Senator from Utah, Mrs. +Conine, a woman State Representative from Colorado, Miss Reel, +State Superintendent of Instruction from Wyoming, U. S. Senators +Teller and Cannon, and others — Senate Hearing — Wm. Lloyd +Garrison on The Nature of a Republican Form of Government — May +Wright Sewall on Fitness of Women to Become Citizens from the +Standpoint of Education and Mental Development — The Rev. Anna +Garlin Spencer on Moral Development — Laura Clay on Physical +Development — Harriot Stanton Blatch on Woman as an Economic +Factor — Florence Kelley, State Factory Inspector of Illinois, +on the Workingwoman's Need of the Ballot — Mariana W. Chapman on +Women as Capitalists and Taxpayers — Elizabeth Burrill Curtis, +Are Women Represented in Our Government? — Henry B. Blackwell, +Woman Suffrage and the Home — Mrs. Stanton, The Significance and +History of the Ballot — House Hearing — Practical Working of +Woman Suffrage — Alice Stone Blackwell on The Indifference of +Women — Miss Anthony Closes Hearing.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">National-American Convention of 1899</span><span class="ralign">322-348</span><br /> +Excellent arrangements at Grand Rapids — Welcome from women's +organizations — Miss Anthony's response; counting negro men and +refusing them representation no worse than counting all women and +refusing them representation, not discouraged, help of the press +— The Rev. Anna Garlin Spencer on Our Duty to Our New +Possessions; strong protest against giving their men political +power and refusing it to their women — Discussion; commissions +sent to investigate commerce, finance, everything but social +conditions, demand for commission of women, in all savage tribes +women superior to men, they should have ballot in Hawaii and the +Philippines — Letter from Samuel Gompers — Care to secure +soldiers' votes — Effects of Suffrage Teaching — Mrs. Sewall on +True Civilization — Miss Shaw speaks — Mrs. Stanton on Women +Alone Left to Fight their own Battles — Women and War — +Epigrams from Southern women—Miss Anthony<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xlii" id="Page_xlii">[Pg xlii]</a></span> on Every Woman Can +Help — Resolutions of encouragement — Memorial services for +Parker Pillsbury, Robert Purvis, Matilda Joslyn Gage and many +others, with Mrs. Stanton's tribute — Efforts of the National +Association to secure equal rights for Hawaiian women — Shameful +action of Congressional Committee — Unimpeachable testimony from +the Philippines.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">National-American Convention of 1900</span><span class="ralign">349-384</span><br /> +Woman suffrage editorial in Washington <i>Post</i> — Large number of +young college women present — Miss Anthony's last opening +address as President — Miss Shaw tells joke on her and then +describes International Council of Women in London — Miss +Anthony reports as delegate to the Council, which was in effect a +big suffrage meeting — The Winning of Educational Freedom for +Women — Woman Suffrage in Colorado — New Professions for Women +Centering in the Home — Justice of Woman Suffrage — Federation +of Labor for woman's enfranchisement — Conditions of +Wage-earning Women — Miss Shaw's sermon on the Rights of Women +— Woman Suffrage in the South — Work done in Congress and Miss +Anthony's part in it — Congressional Hearings — Woman's +Franchise in England — Mrs. Chapman Catt on Why We Ask for the +Submission of an Amendment — Miss Anthony closes Senate hearing +with touching appeal — Constitutional Argument before House +Committee by Mrs. Blake — Mrs. Stanton's annual State paper — +The Economic Basis of Woman Suffrage — The Protective Power of +the Ballot — Miss Shaw's plea for justice and liberty — First +appearance of Anti-Suffragists — Their amusing inconsistencies +— Charges made by them officially refuted — Miss Anthony's +reception by President and Mrs. McKinley.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">National-American Convention of 1900 Continued</span><span class="ralign">385-405</span><br /> +Miss Anthony's determination to resign the presidency — Her +address to the convention — Affecting scene at the election of +Carrie Chapman Catt — Her acceptance — Press notices of the new +President — Birthday gifts to Miss Anthony — Interesting +occurrences of the last session — The retiring president +introduces her successor, who makes a strong address — Miss +Anthony's Farewell — Birthday Celebration in Lafayette Opera +House — Program and <i>Woman's Tribune</i> report — Women in all +professions bring tributes of gratitude — Organizations of women +send greetings — Colored women express devotion — Presents from +the "four free States" and from the District of Columbia — Mrs. +Coonley-Ward's poem — Mrs. Stanton's daughter brings her +mother's love — Miss Shaw's inspiring words — Miss Anthony's +beautiful response — Evening reception at Corcoran Art Gallery +attended by thousands — Great changes wrought in one life-time.</p> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xliii" id="Page_xliii">[Pg xliii]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">The American Woman Suffrage Association</span><span class="ralign">406-433</span><br /> +Annual meeting of 1884 in Chicago — Lucy Stone's account in +<i>Woman's Journal</i> — Work in the South — Resolutions and plan of +work — Memorial service for Wendell Phillips, Frances Dana Gage +and others — List of officers — Annual meeting of 1885 — +Welcomed by Mayor of Minneapolis — Julia Ward Howe responds — +Letters from Louisa M. Alcott, Mary A. Livermore, Chancellor Wm. +G. Eliot, Dr. Mary F. Thomas — Major J. A. Pickler tells of +Woman Suffrage in South Dakota — Need of converting women — +Lucy Stone on Fair Play — Annual meeting of 1886 — Cordial +greeting of Topeka — Addresses of welcome review history of +Woman Suffrage in Kansas — President Wm. Dudley Foulke and Mrs. +Howe respond with tributes to men of Kansas — Speech of Prof. W. +H. Carruth — Mr. Foulke on the Value of Dreamers — Many letters +and telegrams — Annual meeting of 1887 — State Senator A. D. +Harlan gives welcome of Philadelphia — Col. T. W. Higginson's +address — Report of Lucy Stone, chairman of executive committee +— Resolutions congratulating Kansas women on the granting of +Municipal Suffrage — Great suffrage bazar in Boston — Annual +meeting of 1888 — Favorable comment of Cincinnati papers — +Letter from Clara Barton — Address of Henry B. Blackwell — Lucy +Stone's description — Large amount of work done — Committee to +arrange for union with National Suffrage Association — In 1889 +delegates from both organizations perfect arrangements — Appeal +of Mrs. Stone, Mrs. Howe and Mrs. Livermore to constitutional +conventions of Dakota, Washington, Montana and Idaho — Visit of +Mr. Blackwell to first three to secure Woman Suffrage Amendments +— In 1890 the two associations hold joint convention in national +capital.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage Work in Political and Other Conventions</span><span class="ralign">434-449</span><br /> +Mrs. Stanton and Miss Anthony make first appeal to political +conventions in 1868 — Faint recognition of National Republican +Convention in 1872, 1876, 1888, 1892, 1896 — No Democratic +national platform ever noticed women — Record of Populists on +Woman Suffrage — Course pursued by Prohibition and other parties +— Women as delegates — Miss Anthony's work in various +conventions — Unusual efforts made in 1900 — Letters and +Memorial to all parties — Amazing result in Republican platform +— Ignored by Democrats and Populists — Sentiment developed +among delegates — Petitions to non-political conventions — +Approval of Labor organizations — Effect in Brewers' Convention +— Strong testimony from Wyoming — Thousands of letters +written—Petitions for Woman Suffrage representing millions of +individuals sent to Congress.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">The Rights of Women in the States</span><span class="ralign">450-464</span><br /> +Status of woman at close of the century as shown in Organization, +Legislative Action, Laws, Suffrage, Office-holding, Occupations +and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xliv" id="Page_xliv">[Pg xliv]</a></span> Education — Part of different associations in securing +present conditions — Every State shows progress — Legal and +civil rights of women now approximate those of men — Property +laws for wives — Guardianship of children — Causes for divorce +in various States — "Age of protection" for girls — The amount +of suffrage women now possess — Women in office in various +States — Occupations open to women — Educational advantages.</p> +</div> + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">CHAPTER XXV.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Alabama</span><span class="ralign">465-469</span><br /> +Organization for suffrage — Legislative action and laws — +Office-holding — Occupations — Education — Clubs.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Arizona</span><span class="ralign">470-474</span><br /> +Same as above — (School Suffrage).</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Arkansas</span><span class="ralign">475-477</span><br /> +Same as above.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">California</span><span class="ralign">478-494</span><br /> +Early efforts for the suffrage — Woman's Congress — Amendment +submitted to voters — Great campaign of 1896 — National +officers go to its assistance — Experience with State political +conventions — Favorable attitude of the Press — Liquor dealers +fight Woman Suffrage — Treachery of party managers — Defeat and +its causes.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Southern California</span><span class="ralign">494-508</span><br /> +First suffrage society — Woman's Parliament — Organization and +work for the great campaign — Methods worthy of imitation — +Friendly spirit of the press and many associations — Southern +California declares for Woman Suffrage — Laws for women — Ellen +Clark Sargent's test case in San Francisco for the franchise — +Large donations of women for education.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">CHAPTER XXIX.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Colorado</span><span class="ralign">509-534</span><br /> +Organization for Woman Suffrage — Question submitted to voters +— Endorsed by all political parties — Work of women in the +campaign — Eastern anti-suffragists and Western liquor dealers +join hands — Amendment carries by over 6,000 — Reasons for +success — After the battle — Political work of women — Only +three per cent. failed to vote in 1900 — Laws — Legislature of +1899 urges all States to enfranchise women — General effects of +woman suffrage.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">CHAPTER XXX.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Connecticut</span><span class="ralign">535-542</span><br /> +Organization for suffrage — Legislative action and laws — +School Suffrage — Office-holding of women — Occupations — +Education — Clubs.</p> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xlv" id="Page_xlv">[Pg xlv]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI">CHAPTER XXXI.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Dakota</span><span class="ralign">543-544</span><br /> +Suffrage work in the Territory.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">North Dakota</span><span class="ralign">544-552</span><br /> +Efforts of women for the franchise in first constitutional +convention — Organization of suffrage clubs to secure amendment +of constitution — Legislative action and laws — School Suffrage +— Office-holding of women — Occupations — Education — Clubs.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">South Dakota</span><span class="ralign">552-562</span><br /> +Same as above — Campaign of 1890 to secure Woman Suffrage +Amendment — Assistance of National Association — Hardships of +the canvass — Treachery of politicians — Amendment defeated by +nearly 24,000 — Second attempt in 1898 — Defeated by 3,285.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXII">CHAPTER XXXII.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Delaware</span><span class="ralign">563-566</span><br /> +Organization for suffrage — Legislative action and laws — +School Suffrage — Office-holding of women — Occupations — +Education — Clubs.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIII">CHAPTER XXXIII.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">District of Columbia</span><span class="ralign">567-576</span><br /> +Peculiar position of women — Work of Suffrage Association with +Congressional Committees — Property rights secured — Women on +School Board — Women in Government Departments — Woman's +College of Law — Other things accomplished by women of the +District.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIV">CHAPTER XXXIV.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Florida</span><span class="ralign">577-580</span><br /> +Organization for suffrage — Effort to raise "age of protection" +for girls and its failure — Laws — Occupations — Education.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXV">CHAPTER XXXV.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Georgia</span><span class="ralign">581-588</span><br /> +Same as above — Annual convention of National Association in +1895.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVI">CHAPTER XXXVI.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Idaho</span><span class="ralign">589-597</span><br /> +First work for woman suffrage — Submission of Amendment — +Campaign of 1896 — Favored by all political parties — Carried +by large majority — Favorable decision of Supreme Court — Women +elected to office — Percentage of women voting — Effects of +woman's vote — Endorsement of prominent men — Laws, etc.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVII">CHAPTER XXXVII.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Illinois</span><span class="ralign">598-613</span><br /> +Organization — Obtaining School Suffrage — Supreme Court gives +wide latitude to Legislature — Women trustees for State +University — Equal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xlvi" id="Page_xlvi">[Pg xlvi]</a></span> guardianship of children for mothers — Many +women in office — Women's part in Columbian Exposition — +Remarkable achievement of two teachers in compelling corporations +to pay taxes — Education.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVIII">CHAPTER XXXVIII.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Indiana</span><span class="ralign">614-627</span><br /> +Early suffrage organization — Efforts in political conventions +— Work in Legislature — Laws — Amazing decisions of Supreme +Court on the right of women to practice law, keep a saloon and +vote — Struggle for police matrons — Women organized in fifty +departments of work.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIX">CHAPTER XXXIX.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Iowa</span><span class="ralign">628-637</span><br /> +Long years of organized work — Continued refusal of Legislature +to submit a Woman Suffrage Amendment to voters — Convention of +the National Association in 1897 — Liberal laws for women — +Many holding office — Bond Suffrage.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XL">CHAPTER XL.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Kansas</span><span class="ralign">638-664</span><br /> +Organization work and large number of conventions — Granting of +Municipal Suffrage — Alliance with parties — Efforts for Full +Suffrage — Amendment submitted — Republicans fail to endorse — +Campaign of 1894 — National Association and officers assist — +Amendment defeated by defection of all parties — Attempt to +secure suffrage by statute — A pioneer in liberal laws for women +— They hold offices not held by those of any other State — +Official statistics of woman's vote — Many restrictions placed +on Municipal Suffrage — Class of women who use the franchise.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLI">CHAPTER XLI.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Kentucky</span><span class="ralign">665-677</span><br /> +Organization — Efforts to secure Full Suffrage from +Constitutional Convention — State Association succeeds in +revolutionizing the property laws for women — School Suffrage — +Educational facilities, etc.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLII">CHAPTER XLII.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Louisiana</span><span class="ralign">678-688</span><br /> +Women's work at Cotton Centennial and in Anti-lottery Campaign — +Organization for suffrage — Efforts in Constitutional Convention +of 1898 — Taxpayer's Suffrage granted to women — Campaign in +New Orleans for Sewerage and Drainage — Measure carried by the +women — Napoleonic code of laws.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLIII">CHAPTER XLIII.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Maine</span><span class="ralign">689-694</span><br /> +Organization for suffrage — Legislative action and laws — +Office-holding of women — Occupations — Education — Clubs.</p> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xlvii" id="Page_xlvii">[Pg xlvii]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLIV">CHAPTER XLIV.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Maryland</span><span class="ralign">695-700</span><br /> +Same as above — Pioneers in Woman's Rights — Women vote in +Annapolis — Contest of Miss Maddox to practice law — Work of +women for Medical Department of Johns Hopkins University.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLV">CHAPTER XLV.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Massachusetts</span><span class="ralign">701-750</span><br /> +Pioneer work for suffrage — New England and State Associations +and May Festivals — List of Officers — Death of Lucy Stone — +Anti-Suffrage Association formed — Fifty years of Legislative +Work — Republicans declare for Woman Suffrage — Submission of +Mock Referendum — Campaign in its behalf — Activity of the +"antis" — Measure defeated, but woman's vote more than ten to +one in favor in every district — Laws — Equal guardianship of +children — School Suffrage — Women in office — Education — +Pay of women teachers.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">National Suffrage Association of Massachusetts</span><span class="ralign">750-754</span><br /> +Organization — Efforts to secure large school vote — +Legislative work — Assistance in Referendum Campaign — Press +work — Many meetings held.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLVI">CHAPTER XLVI.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Michigan</span><span class="ralign">755-771</span><br /> +Organization — Efforts in political conventions — Municipal +Suffrage granted to women — Declared unconstitutional by Supreme +Court — Coarse methods of opponents — Convention of National +Association in 1899 — Laws — School Suffrage — Woman can not +be prosecuting attorney — Education, etc.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLVII">CHAPTER XLVII.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Minnesota</span><span class="ralign">772-782</span><br /> +Organization — Legislative action and laws — School and Library +Suffrage — Women in office — Occupations — Education — Clubs.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLVIII">CHAPTER XLVIII.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Mississippi</span><span class="ralign">783-789</span><br /> +Organization — Legislative action — Good property laws — +Efforts to secure suffrage for women from Constitutional +Convention — Fragmentary franchise — Education.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLIX">CHAPTER XLIX.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Missouri</span><span class="ralign">790-795</span><br /> +Organization — Legislative action and laws — Office-holding — +Education.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_L">CHAPTER L.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Montana</span><span class="ralign">796-801</span><br /> +Organization — Attempt to obtain Woman Suffrage from first +Constitutional Convention — School and Taxpayers' Suffrage +granted — Legislative action and laws — Office-holding — +Women's work for location of capital and at World's Fair.</p> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xlviii" id="Page_xlviii">[Pg xlviii]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_LI">CHAPTER LI.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Nebraska</span><span class="ralign">802-809</span><br /> +Same as above — (School Suffrage).</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_LII">CHAPTER LII.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Nevada</span><span class="ralign">810-814</span><br /> +Same as above.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_LIII">CHAPTER LIII.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">New Hampshire</span><span class="ralign">815-819</span><br /> +Same as above — School Suffrage.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_LIV">CHAPTER LIV.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">New Jersey</span><span class="ralign">820-834</span><br /> +Organization — Attempt for amendment for School Suffrage — +Defeated by 10,000 majority — Legislative action and laws — +First State in which women voted — How they were deprived of the +ballot — Franchise now possessed — Office-holding — Women in +professions.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_LV">CHAPTER LV.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">New Mexico</span><span class="ralign">835-838</span><br /> +Organization — Legislative action and laws — Office-holding — +Education — Equal rights for women among Spanish-Americans.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_LVI">CHAPTER LVI.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">New York</span><span class="ralign">839-873</span><br /> +Battle-ground for Woman Suffrage — Conventions for fifty years +— Great campaign in 1894 to secure amendment from Constitutional +Convention — Governors Hill and Flower recommend women delegates +— Parties refuse to nominate them — Miss Anthony speaks in all +the sixty counties — Vast amount of work by other women — In +New York and Albany women organize in opposition — 600,000 +petition for suffrage, 15,000 against — Convention refuses to +submit Amendment to voters — Long-continued efforts in +Legislature — Liberal laws for women — School and Taxpayers' +Suffrage — Many women in office — Superior educational +advantages — Political and other clubs.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_LVII">CHAPTER LVII.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">North Carolina</span><span class="ralign">874-876</span><br /> +Agitation of suffrage question — Legislative action and laws — +Education.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_LVIII">CHAPTER LVIII.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Ohio</span><span class="ralign">877-885</span><br /> +Organization — Mrs. Southworth's excellent scheme of enrollment +— Legislative action and laws — Successful contest in +Legislature and Supreme Court for School Suffrage — Women on +School Boards — Education — Clubs — Rookwood pottery.</p> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xlix" id="Page_xlix">[Pg xlix]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_LIX">CHAPTER LIX.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Oklahoma</span><span class="ralign">886-890</span><br /> +Organization — Legislative action and laws — Attempt to secure +Full Suffrage from Legislature of 1899 — Eastern "antis" and +Oklahoma liquor dealers co-operate — Treachery of a pretended +friend — Office-holding — School Suffrage.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_LX">CHAPTER LX.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Oregon</span><span class="ralign">891-897</span><br /> +Organization — Congress of Women — Legislature submits Suffrage +Amendment — Defeated in 1900 by only 2,000 votes, nearly all in +Portland — Excellent laws for women — School Suffrage — +Occupations.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXI">CHAPTER LXI.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Pennsylvania</span><span class="ralign">898-906</span><br /> +Organization — Press work — Philadelphia society — Women +taxpayers — Legislative action and laws — Office-holding — +Hannah Penn a Governor — Women in professions — Oldest Medical +College for Women — Educational advantages — Clubs.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXII">CHAPTER LXII.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Rhode Island</span><span class="ralign">907-921</span><br /> +Early organization — State officers — Legislative action and +laws — Campaign for Woman Suffrage Amendment in 1887 — Ably +advocated but defeated — Efforts to secure Amendment from +Constitutional Convention in 1897 — Women in office — Admitted +to Brown University — Clubs and Local Council of Women.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXIII">CHAPTER LXIII.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">South Carolina</span><span class="ralign">922-925</span><br /> +Organization — Legislative action and laws — Office-holding — +Education.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXIV">CHAPTER LXIV.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Tennessee</span><span class="ralign">926-930</span><br /> +Organization — Protest of women against disfranchisement — +Legislative action — Cruel laws for women — Occupations — +Education.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXV">CHAPTER LXV.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Texas</span><span class="ralign">931-935</span><br /> +Organization — Laws — Office-holding — Occupations — +Education.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXVI">CHAPTER LXVI.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Utah</span><span class="ralign">936-956</span><br /> +Women enfranchised by Territorial Legislature in 1870 — <i>Woman's +Exponent</i> — Congress disfranchises women in 1887 — They +organize to secure their rights — Canvass the State and hold +mass meetings — Appear before Constitutional Convention and ask +for Suffrage<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_l" id="Page_l">[Pg l]</a></span> Amendment, which is granted—Miss Anthony and the +Rev. Anna Howard Shaw visit Salt Lake City—Amendment carried by +large majority in 1895—Official statistics of woman's +vote—Laws—Office-holding—Women legislators—Women +delegates—Education—Clubs.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXVII">CHAPTER LXVII.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Vermont</span><span class="ralign">957-963</span><br /> +Organization — Legislative action and laws — School Suffrage — +Women office-holders — Education — Progressive steps.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXVIII">CHAPTER LXVIII.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Virginia</span><span class="ralign">964-966</span><br /> +Agitation of suffrage question — Laws for women — Education — +Woman head of family.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXIX">CHAPTER LXIX.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Washington</span><span class="ralign">967-979</span><br /> +Women enfranchised by Territorial Legislature in 1883 — Figures +of vote — Unconstitutionally disfranchised by Supreme Court — +Suffrage Amendment refused in Constitutional Convention for +Statehood — Submitted separately and defeated in 1889 — Action +of political conventions in 1896 — Experience in Legislature — +Amendment again submitted — Campaign of 1898 — Defeated by +majority less than one-half that of nine years before — +Organization — Legislative action and laws — School suffrage — +Office-holding — Occupations.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXX">CHAPTER LXX.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">West Virginia</span><span class="ralign">980-984</span><br /> +Organization — Legislative action and laws — Office-holding — +Education.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXXI">CHAPTER LXXI.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Wisconsin</span><span class="ralign">985-993</span><br /> +Organization — Canvass of State — Long but successful struggle +to secure School Suffrage — Decisions of Supreme Court — Laws +— Women in office — Education.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXXII">CHAPTER LXXII.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Wyoming</span><span class="ralign">994-1011</span><br /> +First place in the United States to enfranchise women — +Territorial Legislature gave Full Suffrage in 1869 — People +satisfied with it — Constitutional Convention for Statehood +unanimously includes Woman Suffrage — Strong speeches in favor +— Fight against it in Congress — Debate for amusement of +present and wonder of future generations — Men of Wyoming stand +firm — Finally admitted to the Union — Celebration in new State +— Honors paid to women — Miss Anthony and the Rev. Anna Howard +Shaw visit Cheyenne — Interesting scene — Highest testimony in +favor of Woman Suffrage — Legislature of 1901 urges every State +to enfranchise its women — Women on juries — Effects of woman's +vote — Laws — Office-holding.</p> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_li" id="Page_li">[Pg li]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXXIII">CHAPTER LXXIII.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p class="center">GREAT BRITAIN.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Efforts for Parliamentary Franchise</span><span class="ralign">1012-1037</span><br /> +Household suffrage for men proves a disadvantage to women — +Primrose League and Liberal Federation — Women in politics — +Vote on Suffrage Bill in 1886 — <i>Nineteenth Century</i> and +<i>Fortnightly Review</i> open their columns to a discussion — +Parliamentary tactics in 1891 to defeat the Bill — Vote in 1892 +shows opposing majority of only 17 out of 367 — Great efforts of +women in 1895-6 — Petition of 257,796 presented — In 1897 the +Bill passes second reading by majority of 71 — Kept from a vote +since then by shrewd management — Its friends and its enemies — +Franchise given to women in Ireland — Efforts of wage-earning +women — Death of Queen Victoria.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Laws Specially Affecting Women</span><span class="ralign">1021</span><br /> +Guardianship of Children, Property Rights of Wives, etc.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Laws Relating to Local Government</span><span class="ralign">1022</span><br /> +Municipal Franchise for Women of England, Scotland and Ireland — +Women on school boards, county councils, poor-law boards, etc. — +Deprived of seats in borough councils.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Women in Public Work</span><span class="ralign">1023</span><br /> +On Royal Commissions, as factory, school and sanitary inspectors.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Steps in Education</span><span class="ralign">1024</span><br /> +Admission to Universities and opening of Woman's Colleges.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Isle of Man</span><span class="ralign">1025</span><br /> +Full Suffrage granted to women.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">New Zealand</span><span class="ralign">1025</span><br /> +Steps for the Parliamentary Franchise — Granted in 1893 — +Statistics of woman's vote.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">South Australia</span><span class="ralign">1027</span><br /> +As above — Granted in 1894.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">West Australia</span><span class="ralign">1029</span><br /> +As above — Granted in 1899.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">New South Wales</span><span class="ralign">1029</span><br /> +As above — Granted in 1902.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Victoria</span><span class="ralign">1031</span><br /> +Efforts for Parliamentary Franchise.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Queensland</span><span class="ralign">1032</span><br /> +As above.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Tasmania</span><span class="ralign">1033</span><br /> +As above.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">South African and Other Colonies</span><span class="ralign">1033</span></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_lii" id="Page_lii">[Pg lii]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dominion of Canada</span><span class="ralign">1034</span><br /> +Efforts for Parliamentary Franchise — Present political +conditions — Municipal and School Suffrage in the various +Provinces — Right of women to hold office.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXXIV">CHAPTER LXXIV.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Woman Suffrage in Other Countries</span><span class="ralign">1038-1041</span><br /> +A limited vote granted in most places — Situation in Germany — +Woman's franchise in Russia — Advanced action in Finland — +Situation in Belgium — Many rights in Sweden and Norway.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_LXXV">CHAPTER LXXV.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">National Organizations of Women</span><span class="ralign">1042-1073</span><br /> +First societies on record — Progress by decades — Women's club +houses — Changed status of women's conventions — List of +National Associations — Evolution of their objects — Women +gradually learning the disadvantages of disfranchisement — +4,000,000 enrolled in organized work for the good of humanity — +Must necessarily become great factor in public life — Government +will be obliged to have their assistance.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p class="center"><a href="#APPENDIX">APPENDIX.</a></p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p><span class="smcap">Eminent Advocates of Woman Suffrage</span><span class="ralign">1075-1085</span><br /> +Presidents, Vice-presidents, Supreme Court Judges, U. S. Senators +and Representatives, Governors of States, Presidents of +Universities, Clergymen and other noted individuals who advocate +the enfranchisement of women.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Testimony from Woman Suffrage States</span><span class="ralign">1085-1094</span><br /> +Signed statements from the highest authorities in Colorado, +Idaho, Utah and Wyoming as to the value of woman's vote in public +affairs and the absence of predicted evils.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">New York</span><span class="ralign">1094-1096</span><br /> +Legal opinion on Suffrage and Office-holding for Women.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Washington</span><span class="ralign">1096-1098</span><br /> +Detailed statement of women's voting and their unconstitutional +disfranchisement by the Territorial Supreme Court.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Constitution of National-American Woman Suffrage Association</span><span class="ralign">1098-1104</span><br /> +Résumé of its principal points — Officers — Standing and +Special Committees — Life Members — List of delegates to +national conventions.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alphabetical Index of Subjects</span><span class="ralign">1105-1121</span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alphabetical Index of Proper Names</span><span class="ralign">1122-1144</span></p> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<h3>WOMAN'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO VOTE.</h3> + + +<p>In the early days of the movement to enfranchise women, no other +method was considered than that of altering the constitution of each +individual State, as it was generally accepted that the right to +prescribe the qualifications for the suffrage rested entirely with the +States and that the National Constitution could not be invoked for +this purpose. While the word "male" was not used in this document, yet +with the one exception of New Jersey, where women exercised the full +suffrage from the adoption of its first constitution in 1776 until +1807, there is no record of any woman's being permitted to vote. At +the inception of the republic women were almost wholly uneducated; +they were unknown in the industrial world; there were very few +property owners among them; the manifold exactions of domestic duties +absorbed all their time, strength and interest; and for these and many +other causes they were not public factors in even the smallest sense +of the word. One could readily believe that the founders of the +Government never imagined a time when women would ask for a voice were +it not for the significant fact that every State constitution, except +the one mentioned above, was careful to put up an absolute barrier +against such a contingency by confining the elective franchise +strictly to "male" citizens—and there it has stood impassable down to +the present day.</p> + +<p>It was almost the exact middle of the nineteenth century before the +first demand was made by women for the right to represent +themselves—the right for which their forefathers had fought a +seven-years' war, and the one which had been made the corner-stone of +the new Government. The complete story of the startling results which +followed this demand never has been told but once, and that was when +Vol. I of this History of Woman Suffrage was written. It was related +then by the two who were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> the principal personages in a period which +tried women's souls as they were never tried before—Elizabeth Cady +Stanton and Susan B. Anthony.<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a></p> + +<p>This movement for the freedom of women was scarcely launched when the +long-threatened Civil War broke forth and precipitated the struggle +for the liberty of another class whose slavery seemed far more +terrible than the servitude of white women. The five years' ordeal +which followed developed women as all the previous centuries had not +been able to do, and when peace reigned once more, when an entire race +had been born into freedom and the republic had been consecrated anew, +the whole status of the American woman had been changed and the lines +which circumscribed her old sphere had been forever obliterated. Women +were studying laws, constitutions and public questions as never before +in all history, and, as they saw millions of colored men endowed with +the full prerogatives of citizenship, they began to ask, "Am I not +also a citizen of this great republic and entitled to all its rights +and privileges?"</p> + +<p>Up to this time the word "male" never had appeared in the Federal +Constitution. In 1865, when the leaders among women were beginning to +gather up their scattered forces, and the Fourteenth Amendment was +under discussion, they saw to their amazement and indignation that it +was proposed to incorporate in that instrument this discriminating +word. Miss Anthony was the first to sound the alarm, and Mrs. Stanton +quickly came to her aid in the attempt to prevent this desecration of +the people's Bill of Rights. The thrilling account of their efforts to +thwart this highhanded act, their abandonment in consequence by nearly +all of their co-workers before and during the war, their anger and +humiliation at seeing the former slaves, whom they had helped to free, +made their political superiors and endowed with a personal +representation in Government which women had been pilloried for +asking—all this is graphically told in Vol. II of the <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#CHAPTER_XVII">History of +Woman Suffrage, Chaps. XVII</a> and <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#CHAPTER_XXI">XXI</a>. The story with many personal +touches is also related in the Life and Work of Susan B. Anthony, +Chaps. XV and XVI.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Fourteenth Amendment was declared adopted July 28, 1868,<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> and +the women felt that the ground had been swept from beneath their feet, +as now the barriers opposed to their enfranchisement by all the State +constitutions had been doubly and trebly strengthened by sanction of +the National Constitution. The first ray of encouragement came in +October, 1869, when, at a State woman suffrage convention held in St. +Louis, Mo., Francis Minor, a leading attorney of that city, declared +that this very Fourteenth Amendment in enfranchising colored men had +performed a like service for all women. His argument was embodied +concisely in the following resolutions, which were adopted by that +convention with great enthusiasm, and by the National Association at +its annual convention in Washington, D. C., the next January:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, All persons born or naturalized in the United States, +and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the +United States and of the State wherein they reside; therefore be +it</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, 1. That the immunities and privileges of American +citizenship, however defined, are national in character and +paramount to all State authority.</p> + +<p>2. That while the Constitution of the United States leaves the +qualification of electors to the several States, it nowhere gives +them the right to <i>deprive</i> any citizen of the elective franchise +which is possessed by any other citizen—to <i>regulate</i> not +including the right to <i>prohibit</i>.</p> + +<p>3. That, as the Constitution of the United States expressly +declares that no State shall make or enforce any laws that shall +abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United +States, those provisions of the several State constitutions which +exclude women<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> from the franchise on account of sex are violative +alike of the spirit and letter of the Federal Constitution.</p> + +<p>4. That, as the subject of <i>naturalization</i> is expressly withheld +from the States, and as the States clearly have no right to +deprive of the franchise naturalized citizens, among whom women +are expressly included, still more clearly have they no right to +deprive native-born women citizens of the franchise.</p></blockquote> + +<p>In support of these resolutions various portions of the National +Constitution were quoted, including Article IV, Section 2: "The +citizens of each State shall be entitled to all privileges and +immunities of citizens in the several States;" and Section 4: "The +United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a +republican form of government." Many other authorities were cited, +including numerous court decisions, as to the right of women to the +suffrage now that their citizenship had been clearly established and +the protection of its privileges and immunities guaranteed.</p> + +<p>This position was sustained by many of the best lawyers in the United +States, including members of Congress. The previous May the National +Woman Suffrage Association had been formed in New York City, and +henceforth this right to vote under the Fourteenth Amendment was made +the keynote of all its speeches, resolutions, etc., as will be seen in +the <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#CHAPTER_XXIII">History of Woman Suffrage, Vol. II, Chap. XXIII</a>.</p> + +<p>For the first time the Federal Constitution had defined the term +"citizen," leaving no doubt that a woman was a citizen in the fullest +meaning of the word. Until now there had been but one Supreme Court +decision on this point—that of Chief Justice Taney in 1857, in the +Dred Scott Case, which declared that citizens were "the political body +who, according to our republican institutions, form the sovereignty +and hold the power, and conduct the Government through their +representatives." This plainly had barred negroes and white women from +citizenship.</p> + +<p>At the next general election, in 1872, women attempted to vote in many +parts of the country, in some cases their votes being received, in +others rejected.<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> The vote of Miss Anthony was accepted in +Rochester, N. Y., and she was then arrested for a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> criminal offense, +tried and fined in the U. S. Circuit Court at Canandaigua, by +Associate Justice Ward Hunt of the U. S. Supreme Court. There is no +more flagrant judicial outrage on record. The full account of this +case, in which she was refused the right of trial by jury as +guaranteed by the Constitution, will be found in <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_667">Vol. II, History of +Woman Suffrage, p. 667</a> +and following; also much more in detail in the +Life and Work of Susan B. Anthony, p. 423, with her great +Constitutional Argument delivered in fifty of the postoffice districts +of the two counties before the trial, p. 977 and following.</p> + +<p>The vote of Mrs. Virginia L. Minor was refused in St. Louis and she +brought suit against the inspectors of election. The case was decided +against her in the Circuit Court of the county and the Supreme Court +of Missouri. She then carried it to the Supreme Court of the United +States—<i>Minor vs. Happersett et al.</i> No. 182, October term, 1874. The +case was argued by her husband, Francis Minor, and after the lapse of +a quarter of a century it is still believed that his argument could +not have been excelled. The decision was delivered by Chief Justice +Waite, March 29, 1875, and was in brief: "The National Constitution +does not define the privileges and immunities of citizens. The United +States has no voters of its own creation. The Constitution does not +confer the right of suffrage upon any one, but the franchise must be +regulated by the States. The Fourteenth Amendment does not add to the +privileges and immunities of a citizen; it simply furnishes an +additional guarantee to protect those he already has. Before the +passage of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments the States had the +power to disfranchise on account of race or color. These Amendments, +ratified by the States, simply forbade that discrimination but did not +forbid that against sex."</p> + +<p>The full text of argument and decision will be found in the <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_715">History of +Woman Suffrage, Vol. II, p. 715</a> +and following. In making this decision +the Court was compelled to reverse absolutely its own finding of three +years previous in what was known as the <i>Slaughter House Cases</i> (16 +Wallace) which said: "The negro having by the Fourteenth Amendment +been declared to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> a citizen of the United States, <i>is thus made a +voter</i> in every State in the Union."</p> + +<p>The Fifteenth Amendment says: "The right of citizens of the United +States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or +by any State on account of race, color or previous condition of +servitude." No right is conferred by this amendment. It simply +guarantees protection for a right already existing in the citizen, and +the negro having been declared a citizen by the Fourteenth Amendment +is thus protected in his right to vote. But whence did he obtain this +right unless from the National Constitution, which the Supreme Court +in the Minor decision declares "does not confer the right of suffrage +upon any one"? Volume II of this History of Woman Suffrage, containing +nearly 1,000 pages, is devoted mainly to a recital of the efforts on +the part of women to obtain and exercise the franchise through the +Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments. This decision of the Supreme +Court destroyed the last hope, although it did not shake the belief of +the leaders of this movement in the justice and legality of their +claim.</p> + +<p>A number of the women contended that, if the National Constitution did +not confer Full Suffrage, it did at least guarantee Federal +Suffrage—the right to vote for Congressional Representatives—and in +this opinion they were sustained by eminent lawyers. The National +Association, however, never made an issue of this question, +considering that it would be useless, but it has a Standing Committee +on Federal Suffrage empowered to make such efforts in this direction +as it deems advisable.<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a></p> + +<p>The assertion is made that if Congress had no authority over the +election of its own members, it would be wholly unable to perpetuate +itself should the States at any time decide that they no longer care +to be under the authority of a central governing body, and refuse to +elect Representatives. Many able reports have been made by this +Standing Committee, and the question was clearly stated in an article +in <i>The Arena</i>, December, 1891, by Francis Minor, who gave the +question of woman suffrage a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> more thorough legal examination, +perhaps, than any other man. He prepared the following bill which was +presented in the House of Representatives, April 25, 1892, by the Hon. +Clarence D. Clark, member from Wyoming:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="hang">AN ACT TO PROTECT THE RIGHT OF CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES TO +REGISTER AND TO VOTE FOR MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, The right to choose Members of the House of +Representatives is vested by the Constitution in the people of +the several States, without distinction of sex, but for want of +proper legislation has hitherto been restricted to one-half of +the people; for the purpose, therefore, of correcting this error +and of giving effect to the Constitution:</p> + +<p><i>Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the +United States of America in Congress assembled:</i> That at all +elections hereafter held in the several States of this Union for +members of the House of Representatives, the right of citizens of +the United States, of either sex, above the age of twenty-one +years, to register and to vote for such Representatives shall not +be denied or abridged by the United States, or by any State, on +account of sex.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The argument for the authority of Congress to pass this law is based +partly on Article I of the Federal Constitution:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Section 2.</span> The House of Representatives shall be composed of +members chosen every second year by the people of the several +States; and the electors in each State shall have the +qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch +of the State Legislature.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Section 4.</span> The time, place and manner of holding elections for +Senators and Representatives shall be prescribed in each State by +the Legislature thereof, but the Congress may at any time by law +make or alter such regulations, except as to the places of +choosing Senators.<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a></p></blockquote> + +<p>Congress is here endowed unquestionably with the right to regulate the +election of Representatives. James Madison, one of the framers of the +Constitution, when asked the intention of this clause, in the Virginia +convention of 1788, called to ratify this instrument, answered that +the power was reserved to Congress because "should the people of any +State by any means be deprived of the right of suffrage, it was judged +proper that it should be remedied by the General Government." +[Elliott's Debates, Vol. II, p. 266.]<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span></p> + +<p>Again Madison said in <i>The Federalist</i> (No. 54), in speaking of the +enumeration for Representatives:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The Federal Constitution, therefore, decides with great propriety +in the case of our slaves when it views them in the mixed +character of persons and property. This is in fact their true +character. It is the character bestowed on them by the laws under +which they live; and it will not be denied that these are the +proper criteria; because it is only under the pretext that the +laws have transformed the negroes into subjects of property, that +<i>a place is disputed them in the computation of numbers</i>; and it +is admitted that, if the laws were to restore the rights which +have been taken away, <i>the negroes could no longer be refused an +equal share of representation</i>.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Therefore, as women <i>are</i> counted in the enumeration on which the +Congressional apportionment is based, they are legally entitled to an +equal share in direct representation.</p> + +<p>In 1884 the case of Jasper Yarbrough and others who had been sentenced +to hard labor in the penitentiary in Georgia for preventing a colored +man from voting for a member of Congress, was brought to the U. S. +Supreme Court by a petition for a writ of <i>habeas corpus</i>. The +decision rendered March 2, virtually nullified that given by this +court in the case of Mrs. Minor in 1875, as quoted above, which held +that "the National Constitution has no voters," for this one declared:</p> + +<blockquote><p>But it is not correct to say that the right to vote for a member +of Congress does not depend on the Constitution of the United +States. The office, if it be properly called an office, is +created by the Constitution and by that alone. It also declares +how it shall be filled, namely, by election. Its language is: +"The House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen +every second year by the people of the several States; and the +electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite +for electors of the most numerous branch of the State +Legislature."</p> + +<p>The States in prescribing the qualifications of voters for the +most numerous branch of their own Legislature, do not do this +with reference to the election for members of Congress. Nor can +they prescribe the qualifications for those <i>eo nomine</i> [by that +name].</p> + +<p>They define who are to vote for the popular branch of their own +Legislature, and the Constitution of the United States says the +same persons shall vote for members of Congress in that State.</p> + +<p>It adopts the qualification thus furnished as the qualification +of its own electors for members of Congress. <i>It is not true, +therefore, that the electors for members of Congress owe their +right to vote to the State law in any sense which makes the +exercise of the right to depend exclusively on the law of the +State.</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p> + +<p>Counsel for petitioners seizing upon the expression found in the +opinion of the Court in the case of <i>Minor vs. Happersett</i>, "that +the Constitution of the United States does not confer the right +of suffrage upon any one," without reference to the connection in +which it is used, insists that the voters in this case do not owe +their right to vote in any sense to that instrument. But the +Court was combating the argument that this right was conferred on +all citizens, and therefore upon women as well as men.(!)</p> + +<p>In opposition to that idea it was said the Constitution adopts, +as the qualification for voters for members of Congress, that +which prevails in the State where the voting is to be done; +therefore, said the opinion, the right is not definitely +conferred on any person or class of persons by the Constitution +alone, because you have to look to the law of the State for the +description of the class. But the Court did not intend to say +that, when the class or the person is thus ascertained, his right +to vote for a member of Congress was not <i>fundamentally based +upon the Constitution which created the office of member of +Congress</i>, and declared it should be elective, and pointed to the +means of ascertaining who should be electors.</p> + +<p>The Fifteenth Amendment of the Constitution, by its limitation of +the power of the States in the exercise of their right to +prescribe the qualifications of voters in their own elections, +and by its limitation of the power of the United States over that +subject, clearly shows that the right of suffrage was considered +to be of supreme importance to the National Government and <i>was +not intended to be left within the exclusive control of the +States</i>.</p> + +<p>In such cases this Fifteenth Article of amendment does <i>proprio +vigore</i> [by its own force] substantially <i>confer on the negro the +right to vote</i>, and Congress has the power to protect and enforce +that right. In the case of <i>United States vs. Happersett</i>, so +much relied on by counsel, this Court said, in regard to the +Fifteenth Amendment, that it has invested the citizens of the +United States with a new constitutional right which is within the +protecting power of Congress. That right is an exemption from +discrimination in the exercise of the elective franchise on +account of race, color or previous condition of servitude.</p> + +<p>This new constitutional right was mainly designed for [male] +citizens of African descent. The principle, however, that the +protection of the exercise of this right <i>is within the power of +Congress</i>, is as necessary to the right of other citizens to vote +in general as to the right to be protected against +discrimination.</p></blockquote> + +<p>This legal hair-splitting is beyond the comprehension of the average +lay mind and will be viewed by future generations with as much +contempt as is felt by the present in regard to the infamous decision +of the Supreme Court in the Dred Scott case in 1857. If it decides +anything it is that the right to vote for Congressional +Representatives is a Federal right, vested in all the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> people by the +National Constitution, and one which it is beyond the power of the +States to regulate. Therefore, no State has the power to deprive women +of the right to vote for Representatives in Congress.</p> + +<p>Those who hold that women are already entitled to Federal Suffrage +under the National Constitution, further support their claim by a +series of decisions as to the citizenship of women and the inherent +rights which it carries. They quote especially the case of the <i>United +States vs. Kellar</i>. The defendant was indicted by a Federal grand jury +in Illinois for illegal voting in a Congressional election, as he +never had been naturalized. He and his mother were born in Prussia, +but came to the United States when he was a minor, and she married a +naturalized citizen. The case was tried in June, 1882, in the Circuit +Court of the United States for the Southern District of Illinois, by +Associate Justice Harlan of the U. S. Supreme Court, who discharged +the defendant. He held that the mother, having become a citizen by +marriage while the son was a minor, transferred citizenship to him. In +other words she transmitted a Federal Citizenship including the right +to vote which she did not herself possess, thus enfranchising a child +born while she was an alien. The whole matter was settled not by State +but by Federal authority.<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> If a mother can confer this right on a +son, why not on a daughter? But why does she not possess it herself? +The clause of the National Constitution which established suffrage at +the time that instrument was framed, does not mention the sex of the +elector.</p> + +<p>The argument for Federal Suffrage was presented in a masterly manner +before the National Convention of 1889 by U. S. Senator Henry W. Blair +(N. H.); and it was discussed by Miss Anthony and Mrs. Minor. See +present volume, Chap. IX.</p> + +<p>From this bare outline of the claim that women already possess Federal +Suffrage, or that Congress has authority to confer it without the +sanction of the States, readers can continue the investigation. +Notwithstanding its apparent equity, the leaders of the National +Association, including Miss Anthony herself, felt convinced after the +decision against Mrs. Minor that it would be useless to expect from +the Supreme Court any interpretation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> of the Constitution which would +permit women to exercise the right of suffrage. They had learned, +however, through the passage of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth +Amendments, that it had been possible to amend this document in such a +way as to enfranchise an entire new class of voters—or in other words +to protect them in the exercise of a right which it seemed that in +some mysterious way they already possessed. As the Fourteenth +Amendment declared the negroes to be citizens, and the Fifteenth +forbade the United States or any State to deny or abridge "the right +of citizens of the United States to vote, on account of race, color or +previous condition of servitude," it was clearly evident that this +right inhered in citizenship. This being the case women must already +have it, but as there was no national authority prohibiting the States +from denying or abridging it, each of them did so by putting the word +"male" in its constitution as a qualification for suffrage; just as +many of them had used the word "white" until the adoption of the +Fifteenth Amendment by a three-fourths majority made this +unconstitutional. Therefore, since the <i>Minor vs. Happersett</i> +decision, the National Association has directed its principal efforts +to secure from Congress the submission to the several State +Legislatures of a Sixteenth Amendment which should prohibit +disfranchisement on account of "sex," as the Fifteenth had done on +account of "color."</p> + +<p>The association does not discourage attempts in various States to +secure from their respective Legislatures the submission of an +amendment to the voters which shall strike out this word "male" from +their own constitutions. On the contrary, it assists every such +attempt with money, speakers and influence, but having seen such +amendments voted on sixteen times and adopted only twice (in Colorado +and Idaho), it is confirmed in the opinion that the quickest and +surest way to secure woman suffrage will be by an amendment to the +Federal Constitution. In other words it holds that women should be +permitted to carry their case to the selected men of the Legislatures +rather than to the masses of the voters.</p> + +<p>From 1869 until the decision in the Minor case in 1875, the National +Association went before committees of every Congress<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> with appeals for +a Declaratory Act which would permit women to vote under the +Fourteenth Amendment. Since that decision it has asked for a Sixteenth +Amendment. In both cases it has been supported by petitions of +hundreds of thousands of names.</p> + +<p>The ablest women this nation has produced have presented the arguments +and pleadings. Many of the older advocates have passed away, but new +ones have taken their place. It is the unvarying testimony of the +Senate and House Committees who have granted these hearings, that no +body of men has appeared before them for any purpose whose dignity, +logic and acumen have exceeded, if indeed they have equaled, those of +the members of this association. They have been heard always with +respect, often with cordiality, but their appeals have fallen, if not +upon deaf, at least upon indifferent ears. They have asked these +committees to report to their respective Houses a resolution to submit +this Sixteenth Amendment. Sometimes the majority of the committee has +been hostile to woman suffrage and presented an adverse report: +sometimes it has been friendly and presented one favorable; sometimes +there have been an opposing majority and a friendly minority report, +or vice versa; but more often no action whatever has been taken. +During these thirty years eleven favorable reports have been +made—five from Senate, six from House Committees.<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a></p> + +<p>In the <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm"> +History of Woman Suffrage, Vols. II</a> and <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28556/28556-h/28556-h.htm">III</a>, will be found a +full record of various debates which occurred in Senate and House on +different phases of the movement to secure suffrage for women previous +to 1884, when the present volume begins. In 1885 Thomas W. Palmer gave +his great speech in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> the United States Senate in advocacy of their +enfranchisement; and in 1887 occurred the first and only discussion +and vote in that body on a Sixteenth Amendment for this purpose, both +of which are described herein under their respective dates.</p> + +<p>In the following chapters will be found an account of the annual +conventions of the National Suffrage Association since 1883, and of +the American until the two societies united in 1890, with many of the +resolutions and speeches for which these meetings have been +distinguished. They contain also portions of the addresses, covering +every phase of this subject, made at the hearings before Congressional +Committees, and the arguments advanced for and against woman suffrage +in the favorable and adverse reports of these committees, thus +presenting both sides of the question. Readers who follow the story +will be obliged to acknowledge that the very considerable progress +which has been made toward obtaining the franchise is due to the +unceasing and long-continued efforts of this association far more than +to all other agencies combined; and that the women who compose this +body have demonstrated their capacity and their right to a voice in +the Government infinitely beyond any class to whom it has been granted +since the republic was founded.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> The part of this record with which Miss Anthony herself +was directly connected, and which comprises by far the greater portion +of the whole, is given with many personal incidents in her Life and +Work. [Husted-Harper.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a></p> +<p class="center">ARTICLE XIV.</p> +<p><i>Section 1.</i> All persons born or naturalized in the United States and +subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States +and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce +any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens; +nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty or property, +without due process of law, or deny to any person within its +jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. +</p><p> +<i>Section 2.</i> Representatives shall be apportioned among the several +States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole +number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when +the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for +President and Vice-President of the United States, Representatives in +Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the +members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the <i>male</i> +inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens +of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation +in rebellion or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall +be reduced in the proportion which the number of such <i>male</i> citizens +shall bear to the whole number of <i>male</i> citizens twenty-one years of +age in such State.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> Women also had attempted to vote in local and State +elections in 1870 and 1871. An account of the trials and decisions +which followed will be found in the <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#CHAPTER_XXV">History of Woman Suffrage, Vol. II, Chap. XXV</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> The most earnest advocates of the constitutional right of +women to Federal Suffrage are Mrs. Sallie Clay Bennett, Ky.; Mrs. +Clara B. Colby, D. C.; Mrs. Martha E. Root, Mich.; Miss Sara Winthrop +Smith, Conn. They have done a large amount of persistent but +ineffectual work in the endeavor to obtain a recognition of this +right.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> Senator John Sherman did at one time introduce a bill for +this purpose.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> This is precisely what was done in the case of Susan B. +Anthony above referred to.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> The first report, in 1871, was signed by Representatives +Benjamin F. Butler (Mass.) and William A. Loughridge (Ia.): +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_464"> History of +Woman Suffrage, Vol. II, p. 464</a>. +</p><p> +The second, in 1879, was signed by Senators George F. Hoar (Mass.), +John H. Mitchell (Ore.), Angus Cameron (Wis.): <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28556/28556-h/28556-h.htm#Page_131">Id., Vol. III, p. 131</a>. +</p><p> +The third, in 1882, was signed by Senators Elbridge G. Lapham (N. Y.), +Thomas W. Ferry (Mich.), Henry W. Blair (N. H.), Henry B. Anthony (R. +I.): <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28556/28556-h/28556-h.htm#Page_231">Id., p. 231</a>. +</p><p> +The fourth, in 1883, was signed by Representative John D. White (Ky.): +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28556/28556-h/28556-h.htm#Page_263">Id., p. 263</a> +</p><p> +For the fifth and sixth, in 1884, see <a href="#CHAPTER_III">Chap. III of present volume</a>; for +the seventh and eighth, in 1886, <a href="#CHAPTER_V">Id., Chap. V.</a> (See also, <a href="#CHAPTER_VI">Chap. VI</a>.); +for the ninth and tenth, in 1890, <a href="#CHAPTER_X">Id., Chap. X</a>; for the eleventh, in +1892, <a href="#CHAPTER_XII">Id., Chap. XII</a>. +</p><p> +It is worthy of notice that from 1879 to 1891, inclusive, Miss Susan +B. Anthony was enabled to spend the congressional season in Washington +[see <a href="#Page_188">pp. 188</a>, <a href="#Page_366">366</a>], and during this time nine of these eleven +favorable reports were made. +</p><p> +For adverse reports see +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_461">History of Woman Suffrage: 1871, Vol. II, p. 461</a>; +1878, <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28556/28556-h/28556-h.htm#Page_112">Vol. III, p. 112</a>; +1882, <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28556/28556-h/28556-h.htm#Page_237">Id., p. 237</a>; +1884, <a href="#CHAPTER_III">present volume, Chap. III</a> (see also, <a href="#CHAPTER_VI">Chap. VI</a>); +1892, <a href="#CHAPTER_XII">Id., Chap. XII</a>; +1894, <a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">Id., Chap. XIV</a>; +1896, <a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">Id., Chap. XVI.</a></p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<h3>THE NATIONAL SUFFRAGE CONVENTION OF 1884.</h3> + + +<p>The first Woman's Rights Convention on record was held in Seneca +Falls, N. Y., in July, 1848; the second in Salem, O., in April, 1850; +the third in Worcester, Mass., in October, 1850. By this time the +movement for the civil, educational and political rights of women was +fully initiated, and every year thenceforth to the beginning of the +Civil War national conventions were held in various States for the +purpose of agitating the question and creating a favorable public +sentiment. These were addressed by the ablest men and women of the +time, and the discussions included the whole scope of women's wrongs, +which in those days were many and grievous.</p> + +<p>Immediately after the war the political disabilities of the negro man +were so closely akin to those of all women that the advocates of +universal suffrage organized under the name of the Equal Rights +Association. The "reconstruction period," however, engendered so many +differences of opinion, and a platform so broad permitted such +latitude of debate, the women soon became convinced that their own +cause was being sacrificed. Therefore in May, 1869, under the +leadership of Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Miss Susan B. Anthony, +the National Woman Suffrage Association was formed in New York City, +having for its sole object the enfranchisement of women. From this +time it held a convention in Washington, D. C., every winter.</p> + +<p>The above mentioned associations and conventions, as well as the +American Woman Suffrage Association, formed at Cleveland, O., in +November, 1869, under the leadership of Mrs. Lucy Stone, are described +in detail in the preceding volumes of this History. The present volume +begins with the usual convention of the National Association in +Washington in 1884. This place<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> was selected for a twofold purpose: +because here a more cosmopolitan audience could be secured than in any +other city, including representatives from every State in the Union +and from all the nations of the world; and because here the +association could carry directly to the only tribunal which had power +to act, its demand for a submission to the State Legislatures of an +amendment to the Federal Constitution which should forbid +disfranchisement on account of sex. During each of these conventions +it was the custom for committees of the Senate and House to grant +hearings to the leading advocates of this proposition.</p> + +<p>The Sixteenth of these annual conventions met in Lincoln Hall, in +response to the usual Call,<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> March 4, 1884, continuing in session +four days.<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a></p> + +<p>On the evening before the convention a handsome reception was given at +the Riggs House by Charles W. and Mrs. Jane H. Spofford to Miss Susan +B. Anthony, which was attended by several hundred prominent men and +women. Delegates were present from twenty-six States and +Territories.<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> Miss Anthony was in the chair at the opening session +and read a letter from Mrs. Stanton, who was detained at home, in +which she paid a glowing tribute to Wendell Phillips, the staunch +defender of the rights of women, who had died the preceding month.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Mary B. Clay, in speaking of the work in her State, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In talking to a Kentuckian on the subject of woman's right to +qualify under the law, you have to batter down his self-conceit +that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> he is just and generous and chivalric toward woman, and +that she can not possibly need other protection than he gives her +with his own right arm—while he forgets that it is from man +alone woman needs protection, and often does she need the right +to protect herself from the avarice, brutality or neglect of the +one nearest to her. The only remedy for her, as for man himself, +in this republic, is the ballot in her hand. He thinks he is +generous to woman when he supplies her wants, forgetting that he +has first robbed her by law of all her property in marriage, and +then may or may not give her that which is her own by right of +inheritance....</p> + +<p>A mother, legally so, has no right to her child, the husband +having the right to will it to whom he pleases, and even to will +away from the mother the unborn child at his death. The wife does +not own her own property, personal or real, unless given for her +sole use and benefit. If a husband may rent the wife's land, or +use it during his life and hers, and take the increase or rental +of it, and after her death still hold it and deprive her children +of its use, which he does by curtesy, and if she can not make a +will and bequeath it at her death, then I say she is robbed, and +insulted in the bargain, by such so-called ownership of land. "A +woman fleeing from her husband and seeking refuge or protection +in a neighbor's house, the man protecting her makes himself +liable to the husband, who can recover damages by law." "If a +husband refuse to sue for a wife who has been slandered or +beaten, she can not sue for herself." These are Kentucky laws.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Harriette R. Shattuck closed her record for Massachusetts by +saying: "The dead wall of indifference is at last broken down and the +women 'remonstrants,' by their active resistance to our advancing +progress, are not only turning the attention of the public in our +direction and making the whole community interested, but also are +paving the way for future political action themselves. By +remonstrating they have expressed their opinion and entered into +politics."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Abigail Scott Duniway gave a full report of the situation in +Oregon, and a hopeful outlook for the success of the pending suffrage +amendment.<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a> This was followed later by a strong address. A letter +was read from Mrs. Sallie Clay Bennett (Ky.). Dr. Clemence S. Lozier +(N. Y.) spoke briefly, saying that for eleven years her parlor had +been opened each month for suffrage meetings, and that "this question +is the foundation of Christianity; for Christians can look up and +truly say 'Our Father' only when they can treat each other as brothers +and sisters."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> Mrs. Mary Seymour Howell (N. Y.) gave an eloquent +address on The Outlook, answering the four stock questions: Why do not +more women ask for the ballot? Will not voting destroy the womanly +instincts? Will not women be contaminated by going to the polls? Will +they not take away employment from men?</p> + +<p>At the opening of the evening session Miss Anthony read a letter from +Mrs. Millicent Garrett Fawcett of England, and an extract from a +recent speech by her husband, Henry Fawcett, member of Parliament and +Postmaster General, strongly advocating the removal of all political +disabilities of women. Mrs. Elizabeth Boynton Harbert (Ills.) spoke on +The Statesmanship of Women, citing illustrious examples in all parts +of the world. Mrs. Lillie Devereux Blake (N. Y.) gave a trenchant and +humorous speech on The Unknown Quantity in Politics, showing the +indirect influence of women which unfortunately is not accompanied +with responsibility. She took up leading candidates and their records, +criticising or commending; illustrated how in every department women +are neglected and forgotten, and closed as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>It is better to have the power of self-protection than to depend +on any man, whether he be the Governor in his chair of State, or +the hunted outlaw wandering through the night, hungry and cold +and with murder in his heart. We are tired of the pretense that +we have special privileges and the reality that we have none; of +the fiction that we are queens, and the fact that we are +subjects; of the symbolism which exalts our sex but is only a +meaningless mockery. We demand that these shadows shall take +substance. The coat of arms of the State of New York represents +Liberty and Justice supporting a shield on which is seen the sun +rising over the hills that guard the Hudson. How are justice and +liberty depicted? As a police judge and an independent voter? Oh, +no; as two noble and lovely women! What an absurdity in a State +where there is neither liberty nor justice for any woman! We ask +that this symbolism shall assume reality, for a redeemed and +enfranchised womanhood will be the best safeguard of justice.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Blake was followed by Mrs. Martha McClellan Brown, of Cincinnati +Wesleyan College, who spoke on Disabilities of Woman. Miss Anthony +read the report from Missouri by Mrs. Virginia L. Minor, who strongly +supported her belief in the constitutional<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> right of women to the +franchise. A letter of greeting was read from Miss Fannie M. Bagby, +managing editor St. Louis <i>Chronicle</i>; Miss Phoebe W. Couzins (Mo.) +gave a brilliant address entitled What Answer?</p> + +<p>At the evening session the hall was crowded. The speech of Mrs. Belva +A. Lockwood (D. C.), the first woman admitted to practice before the +Supreme Court, was a severe criticism on the disfranchising of the +women in Utah as proposed by bills now before Congress. It was a clear +and strong legal argument which would be marred by an attempt at +quotation.</p> + +<p>In an address on Women Before the Law, the report says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Mrs. Helen M. Gougar of Indiana traced the development of human +liberty as shown in the history of the ballot, which was at first +given to a certain class of believers in orthodox religions, then +to property holders, then to all white men. She showed how class +legislation had been gradually done away with by allowing +believer and unbeliever, rich and poor, white and black, to vote +unquestioned and unhindered, and as a result of this onward march +of justice, the last remaining form of class legislation, now +shown by the sex ballot, must pass away. She declared the +sex-line to be the lowest standard upon which to base a privilege +and unworthy the civilization of the present time. She answered +many of the popular objections to woman suffrage by showing that +if education were to be made the test of the ballot, women would +not be the disfranchised class in America, as three-fifths of all +graduates from the public schools in the last ten years have been +women. If morality were to be made a test, women would do more +voting than men. The ratio of law-abiding women to men is as one +to every 103; of drunken women to drunken men, one to every +1,000. Reasoning from these facts, if sobriety, virtue and +intelligence were necessary qualifications, women enfranchised +would largely reflect these elements in the Government.</p></blockquote> + +<p>At noon on March 6 the delegates were courteously received at the +White House by President Chester A. Arthur.</p> + +<p>During the afternoon session the Pennsylvania report was presented by +Edward M. Davis, son-in-law of Lucretia Mott, and an exhaustive +account of Woman's Work in Philadelphia by Mrs. Lucretia L. +Blankenburg. A letter from Mrs. Anna C. Wait (Kas.) was read by Mrs. +Bertha H. Ellsworth, who closed with a tribute to Mrs. Wait and a poem +dedicated to Kansas.</p> + +<p>The guest of the convention, Mrs. Jessie M. Wellstood of Edinburgh, +presented a report made by Miss Eliza Wigham,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> secretary of the +Scotland Suffrage Association, prefaced with some earnest remarks in +which she said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>To those who are sitting at ease, folding their hands and sweetly +saying: "I have all the rights I want, why should I trouble about +these matters?" let me quote the burning words of the grand old +prophet Isaiah, which entered into my soul and stirred it to +action: "Rise up, ye women that are at ease; hear my voice, ye +careless daughters, give ear unto my speech; many days shall ye +be troubled, ye careless women, etc." It is just because we fold +our hands and sit at ease that so many of our less fortunate +fellow creatures are leading lives of misery, want, sin and +shame.</p></blockquote> + +<p>In the evening Mrs. May Wright Sewall (Ind.) delivered a beautiful +address on Forgotten Women, which she closed with these words: "It was +not a grander thing to lead the forlorn hope in 1776, not a grander +thing to strike the shackles from the black slaves in 1863, than it +would be in 1884 to carry a presidential campaign on the basis of +Political Equality to Women. The career, the fame, to match that of +Washington, to match that of Lincoln, awaits the man who will espouse +the cause of forgotten womanhood and introduce that womanhood to +political influence and political freedom."</p> + +<p>Interesting addresses were made by Mrs. Mary E. Haggart (Ind.), Why Do +Not Women Vote? and by the Rev. Phebe A. Hanaford, pastor of the +Second Universalist Church, Jersey City, on New Jersey as a +Leader—the first to grant suffrage to women. They voted from 1776 +until the Legislature took away the right in 1807.</p> + +<p>At the afternoon session of the last day Mrs. Lizzie D. Fyler, a +lawyer of Arkansas, gave an extended résumé of the legal and +educational position of women in that State, which was shown to be in +advance of many of the eastern and western States. George W. Clark, +one of the old Abolition singers contemporaneous with the Hutchinsons, +expressed a strong belief in woman suffrage and offered a tribute of +song to Wendell Phillips. Brief addresses were made by Mrs. J. Ellen +Foster (Ia.) and Mrs. Morrison (Mass.). A letter of greeting was read +from the corresponding secretary, Rachel G. Foster, Julia and Mrs. +Julia Foster (Penn.), written in Florence, Italy. Mrs. Caroline Gilkey +Rogers described School Suffrage in Lansingburgh, N. Y.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span></p> + +<p>An eloquent address was made by Mrs. Caroline Hallowell Miller (Md.), +in which she said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>There are a great many excellent people in the world who are +strongly prejudiced against what they designate "isms," but who +are always glad of any opportunity of serving God, as they +express it. I ask what can finite beings do to serve Omnipotence +unless it be to exert all their powers for the good of humanity, +for the uplifting of man, which, if aught of ours could do, must +rejoice our Creator. When we see more than one-half of the adult +human family—reasonably industrious and intelligent, if we make +for them no larger claim, and certainly the <i>raison d'etre</i> of +the other half—called to account by the laws of the land and +held in strict obedience to them without the slightest voice in +their making, with neither form nor shadow of representation +before State or country, do we not see that there rests upon the +entire race a stigma that materialist and idealist, agnostic and +churchman, should each and all hasten to remove?</p> + +<p>"Behold, the fields are white unto harvest, but the laborers are +few!" How can it be longer tolerated that the wives and mothers, +the sisters and daughters, of a land claiming the highest degree +of civilization and boasting of freedom as its watchword, should +still rank before the law with criminals, idiots and slaves? I +feel as confident as I do of my existence, that the apathy which +we are now fighting against, especially among our own sex, +springs mainly from want of thought; the women of culture +throughout the country placidly accept the comfortable conditions +in which they find themselves. They receive without question the +formulated theories of woman's sphere as they accept the +formulated theories of the orthodox religions into which they may +chance to have been born; occasionally an original thinker steps +out of the ranks and finds herself after a while with a few +followers. They remain but few, however, for it is too much +trouble to think.</p></blockquote> + +<p>At the evening session the Rev. Florence Kollock (Ills.) spoke on The +Ethics of Woman Suffrage, saying in part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>By what moral right stands a law upon the statute books that +infringes upon the rights and duties of womanhood, that prohibits +a mother from the full discharge of the duties of her sacred +office, as all are prohibited through the law that forbids them +the opportunity of throwing their whole moral strength, influence +and convictions against the existence and growth of social and +political iniquities and in defense of truth and purity? The +great evils of our day are of such a nature that all, regardless +of moral principles or sex, suffer from their effects, proving +clearly that all have a moral obligation in these matters, and +the fact that one human being suffers from an evil carries with +it the highest authority to remove that evil.</p> + +<p>The silent influence of woman has failed to accomplish the +desired good of humanity, has failed to bring about the needed +moral reforms, and all observing persons are ready to concede +that posing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> is a weak way of combating giant evils—that +attitudism can not take the place of activity. To suppress the +full utterance of the moral convictions of those who so largely +mold the character of the race is a crime against humanity, +against progress, against God.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Shattuck, in discussing the question, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>It is absolutely necessary for the improvement of the race that +the manly and womanly elements shall be side by side in all walks +of life, and the fact that our social status, our literature and +our educational systems have been greatly improved by woman's +co-operation with man, points to the eternal truth that man and +woman must work hand in hand in the State also, in order that it +shall be uplifted and saved. Woman herself will not be harmed by +the ballot, for the acquisition of greater responsibilities +improves and not degrades the recipient thereof. If the ballot +has made man worse it will make woman worse, and not otherwise. +Whoever studies the history of the race from age to age and +nation to nation finds the world has advanced and not retrograded +by giving responsibility to the individual. The opposition to +woman suffrage strikes a blow at the foundation-stone of this +republic, which is self-representation by means of the ballot. At +the bottom of this opposition is a subtle distrust of American +institutions, an idea of "restricted suffrage" which is creeping +into our republic through so-called aristocratic channels.</p></blockquote> + +<p>A distinguishing feature of this convention was the large number of +letters and reports sent from abroad, undoubtedly due to the fact that +Mrs. Stanton and Miss Anthony had spent the preceding year in Europe, +making the acquaintance and arousing the interest of foreign men and +women in the status of the suffrage question in the United States. +Among these letters was one from Miss Frances Power Cobbe in which she +said: "The final and complete emancipation of our sex ere long, I +think, is absolutely certain. All is going well here and I hope with +you in America; and with all my heart, dear Miss Anthony, I wish you +and the woman's convention triumphant success."</p> + +<p>Miss Jane Cobden, daughter of Richard Cobden, said in the course of +her letter: "I feel all the more certain of the righteousness of the +work in which I am so much engaged, because I know from words spoken +and written by my father as far back as 1845, that had he been living +at the present day I should have had his sympathy. He was nothing if +not consistent, and so he said in a speech delivered in London that +year on Free Trade: 'There are many ladies present, I am happy to say. +Now it is a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> very anomalous and singular fact that they can not vote +themselves and yet they have the power of conferring votes upon other +people. I wish they had the franchise, for they would often make a +much better use of it than their husbands.'"</p> + +<p>Miss Caroline Ashurst Biggs, for many years editor of the +<i>Englishwoman's Review</i>, sent a full report of the situation in +England. There was a letter of greeting also from Miss Lydia Becker, +editor of the <i>Women's Suffrage Journal</i> and member of the Manchester +School Board. John P. Thomasson and Peter A. Taylor, members of +Parliament, favored woman suffrage in the strongest terms, the latter +saying: "Justice never can be done to the rising generations till the +influence of the mother is freed from the ignominy of exclusion from +the great political and social work of the day." Mrs. Thomasson, +daughter of Margaret Bright Lucas, and Mrs. Taylor, known as the +organizer of the women's suffrage movement in England, also sent +cordial good wishes.<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a></p> + +<p>The wife of Jacob Bright, who was largely responsible for the Married +Women's Property Bill, presented a review of present suffrage laws; +his sister, Mrs. Priscilla Bright McLaren, wife of Duncan McLaren, M. +P., and the great Abolitionist, Mrs. Elizabeth Pease Nichol of +Edinburgh, sent long and valuable letters. Mrs. McLaren wrote:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I was in Exeter Hall, London, on the day our Parliament +assembled; a prayer-meeting was held there the whole of that day. +Earnest were the intercessions that the hearts of our rulers +might be influenced to repeal every vestige of the Contagious +Diseases Acts; and the women especially prayed that our men might +be led to send representatives to Parliament of much higher +morality than such Acts testified to, and that the eyes of the +women of their country might be opened to see the iniquity of +such legislation. I venture to express that the burden of my +prayer had been, whilst sitting in that meeting, that the eyes of +the women there assembled, and of the women throughout our +country, might be opened to see that we could not expect men who +did not consider morality to be a necessary part of their own +character, to regard it as needful for the men who were to +represent them in Parliament; that we needed a new<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> moral power +to be brought into exercise at our elections, and as Parliament +was meeting that day and one of its first acts would be to bring +in a new reform bill, that we might unite in prayer that the +petitions so long put forth by many of the women of this land, +that their claim to the suffrage should be included in this new +Act for the extended representation of the people, might be +righteously answered; and the power given to women not only to +pray for what was just and right, but to have by the +Parliamentary vote a direct power to promote that higher +legislation which they all so much desired. I know nothing which +calls for more faith and patience than to hear women pleading for +justice, and refusing to help get it in the only legitimate +way....</p> + +<p>Whilst we have our anomalies here, you have a glaring +inconsistency in your country. It is not a property qualification +which gives a vote in America. Is not every human being, who is +of age, according to your Constitution, entitled to equal justice +and freedom? Are you women not human beings? The lowest and most +ignorant man who leaves any shore and lands on yours, ere he has +earned a home or made family ties, becomes a citizen of your +great country; whilst your own women, who during a life-time may +have done much service and given much to the State, are denied +the right accorded to that man, however low his condition may be. +You are fighting to overcome this great monopoly of citizenship. +We watch your proceedings with deep interest. We rejoice in your +successes and sympathize with you in your endeavors to gain fresh +victories.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Congratulatory letters were received from Ewing Whittle, M. D., of the +Royal Academy, Liverpool, and Miss Isabella M. S. Tod, the well-known +reformer of Belfast. M. Leon Richer, the eminent writer of Paris, and +Mlle. Hubertine Auclert, editor of <i>La Citoyenne</i>, sent cordial words +of co-operation. There were also greetings from Mrs. Ernestine L. +Rose, a Polish exile, one of the first women lecturers in America; +from the wife and daughter of A. A. Sargent, U. S. Minister to Berlin; +from Theodore Stanton; Miss Florence Kelley, daughter of the Hon. +William D. Kelley; the wife of Moncure D. Conway; Rosamond, daughter +of Robert Dale Owen; Mrs. Charlotte B. Wilbour and Dr. Frances E. +Dickinson, all Americans residing abroad.</p> + +<p>Among the noted men and women of the United States who sent letters +endorsing equal suffrage, were George William Curtis, William Lloyd +Garrison, U. S. Senators Henry B. Anthony and Henry W. Blair, the Hon. +George W. Julian, the Hon. William I. Bowditch, Robert Purvis, the +Rev. Anna Oliver, Mrs. Zerelda<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> G. Wallace, the "mother" of Ben Hur, +and Mrs. Abby Hutchinson Patton.<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a></p> + +<p>To this assembly Bishop Matthew Simpson, of the Methodist Episcopal +Church, sent almost his last public utterance:</p> + +<blockquote><p>For more than thirty years I have been in favor of woman +suffrage. I was led to this position not by the consideration of +the question of natural rights or of alleged injustice or of +inequality before the law, but by what I believed would be the +influence of woman on the great moral questions of the day. Were +the ballot in the hands of women, I am satisfied that the evils +of intemperance would be greatly lessened, and I fear that +without that ballot we shall not succeed against the saloons and +kindred evils in large cities. You will doubtless have many +obstacles placed in your way; there will be many conflicts to +sustain; but I have no doubt that the coming years will see the +triumph of your cause; and that our higher civilization and +morality will rejoice in the work which enlightened woman will +accomplish.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The resolutions presented by Mrs. Elizabeth Boynton Harbert (Ills.), +chairman of the committee, were adopted.</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, The fundamental idea of a republic is the right of +self-government, the right of every citizen to choose her own +representatives to enact the laws by which she is governed; and</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, This right can be secured only by the exercise of the +suffrage; therefore</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the ballot in the hand of every qualified +citizen constitutes the true political status of the people, and +to deprive one-half of the people of the use of the ballot is to +deny the first principle of a republican government.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That it is the duty of Congress to submit a +Sixteenth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> Amendment to the National Constitution, securing to +women the right of suffrage; first, because the disfranchisement +of one-half of the people deprives that half of the means of +self-protection and support, limits their resources for +self-development and weakens their influence on popular thought; +second, because giving all men the absolute authority to decide +the social, civil and political status of women, creates a spirit +of caste, unrepublican in tendency; third, because in depriving +the State of the united wisdom of man and woman, that important +"consensus of the competent," our form of government becomes in +fact an oligarchy of males instead of a republic of the people.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That since the women citizens of the United States +have thus far failed to receive proper recognition from any of +the existing political parties, we recommend the appointment by +this convention of a committee on future political action.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That as there is a general awakening to the rights of +women in all European countries, the time has arrived to take the +initiative steps for a grand International Woman Suffrage +Convention, to be held in either England or America, and that for +this purpose a committee of three be appointed at this convention +to correspond with leading persons in different countries +interested in the elevation of women.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Couzins submitted the following, which was unanimously accepted:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That in the death of Wendell Phillips the nation has +lost one of its greatest moral heroes, its most eloquent orator +and honest advocate of justice and equality for all classes; and +woman in her struggle for enfranchisement has lost in him a +steadfast friend and wise counselor. His consistency in the +application of republican principles of government brought him to +the woman suffrage platform at the inauguration of the movement, +where he remained faithful to the end. The National Woman +Suffrage Association in convention assembled, would express their +gratitude for his brave words for woman before the Legislatures +of so many States and on so many platforms, both in England and +America, and would extend their sincere sympathy to her who was +his constant inspiration to the utterance of the highest truth, +his noble wife, Ann Green Phillips.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the services of Anna Ella Carroll of Maryland, +who directed the armies of the republic up the Tennessee river +and then southward to the center of the Confederate power to its +base in northern Alabama, cutting the Memphis and Charleston +railroad and thus breaking the backbone of the rebellion, entitle +her justly to the name of the military genius of the war; that +her long struggle for recognition at the hands of our Government +commends her to the sympathy of all who believe in truth and +justice; and the continued refusal of the Government to +acknowledge this woman's service, which saved to us the Union, +defeated national bankruptcy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> and prevented the intervention of +foreign powers, merits the condemnation of all lovers of right, +and we hereby not only send to her our loving recognition and +sympathy, but pledge ourselves to arouse this nation to the fact +of her services.<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a></p></blockquote> + +<p>The plan of work submitted by Mrs. Gougar, chairman of the committee, +was adopted.<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a> This was supplemented by suggestions of the national +board as to methods of organization.<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span></p> + +<p>The following officers were elected: president, Elizabeth Cady +Stanton, N. Y.; vice-presidents-at-large, Susan B. Anthony, Matilda +Joslyn Gage, N. Y., the Rev. Olympia Brown, Wis., Phoebe W. Couzins, +Mo., Abigail Scott Duniway, Ore.; recording secretaries, Ellen H. +Sheldon, D. C., Julia T. Foster, Penn.; Pearl Adams, Ills.; +corresponding secretary, Rachel G. Foster (Avery), Penn.; foreign +corresponding secretaries, Caroline Ashurst Biggs, Lydia E. Becker, +England; Marguerite Berry Stanton, Hubertine Auclert, France; +treasurer, Jane H. Spofford, D. C.; auditors, Ruth C. Dennison, Julia +A. Wilbur, D. C.; chairman of executive committee, May Wright Sewall, +Ind., and vice-presidents in every State.</p> + +<p>The financial report showed the receipts for 1884 to be in round +numbers $2,000, and a balance of $300 still remaining in the treasury.</p> + +<p>In her address closing the convention Miss Anthony said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The reason men are so slow in conceding political equality to +women is because they can not believe that women suffer the +humiliation of disfranchisement as they would. A dear and noble +friend, one who aided our work most efficiently in the early +days, said to me, "Why do you say the 'emancipation of women?'" I +replied, "Because women are political slaves!" Is it not strange +that men think that what to them would be degradation, slavery, +is to women elevation, liberty? Men put the right of suffrage for +themselves above all price, and count the denial of it the most +severe punishment. If a man serving a term in State's prison has +one friend outside who cares for him, that friend will get up a +petition begging the Governor to commute his sentence, if for not +more than forty-eight hours prior to its expiration, so that, +when he comes out of prison he may not be compelled to suffer the +disgrace of disfranchisement and may not be doomed to walk among +his fellows with the mark of Cain upon his forehead. The only +penalty inflicted upon the men, who a few years ago laid the +knife at the throat of the Nation, was that of disfranchisement, +which all men, loyal and disloyal, felt was too grievous to be +borne, and our Government made haste to permit every one, even +the leader of them all, to escape from this humiliation, this +degradation, and again to be honored with the crowning<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> right of +United States citizenship. How can men thus delude themselves +with the idea that what to them is ignominy unbearable is to +women honor and glory unspeakable.<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a></p></blockquote> + +<p>An able address from Mrs. Matilda Joslyn Gage (N. Y.) arrived too late +for the convention. It was a denial of the superiority of man from a +scientific standpoint, and was so original in thought that it deserves +to be reproduced almost in full:</p> + +<blockquote><p>....We must bear in mind the old theologic belief that the earth +was flat, the center of the universe, around which all else +revolved—that all created things animate and inanimate, were +made for man alone—that woman was not part of the original plan +of creation but was an after-thought for man's special use and +benefit. So that a science which proves the falsity of any of +these theological conceptions aids in the overthrow of all.</p> + +<p>The first great battle fought by science for woman was a +Geographical one lasting for twelve centuries. But finally, +Columbus, sustained and sent on his way by Isabella in 1492, +followed by Magellan's circumnavigation of the globe twenty years +later, settled the question of the earth's rotundity and was the +first step toward woman's enfranchisement.</p> + +<p>Another great battle was in progress at the same time and the +second victory was an Astronomical one. Copernicus was born, the +telescope discovered, the earth sank to its subordinate place in +the solar system and another battle for woman was won.</p> + +<p>Chemistry, long opposed under the name of Alchemy, at last gained +a victory, and by its union of diverse atoms began to teach men +that nature is a system of nuptials, and that the feminine is +everywhere present as an absolute necessity of life.</p> + +<p>Geology continued this lesson. It not only taught the immense age +of creation, but the motherhood of even the rocks.</p> + +<p>Botany was destined for a fierce battle, as when Linnćus declared +the sexual nature of plants, he was shunned as having degraded +the works of God by a recognition of the feminine in plant life.</p> + +<p>Philology owes its rank to Catherine II of Russia, who, in +assembling her great congress of deputies from the numerous +provinces of her empire, gave the first impetus to this science. +Max Müller declares the evidence of language to be irrefragable, +and it is the only history we possess prior to historic periods. +Through Philology we ascend to the dawn of nations and learn of +the domestic, religious and governmental habits of people who +left neither monuments nor writing to speak for them. From it we +learn the original meaning of our terms, father and mother. +Father, says Müller, who is a recognized philological authority, +is derived from the root "Pa," which means to protect, to +support, to nourish. Among the earliest Aryans, the word <i>mater</i> +(mother), from the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> root "Ma," signified maker; creation being +thus distinctively associated with the feminine. Taylor, in his +Primitive Culture says the husband acknowledged the offspring of +his wife as his own as thus only had he a right to claim the +title of father.</p> + +<p>While Philology has opened a new fount of historic knowledge, +Biology, the seventh and most important witness, the latest +science in opposition to divine authority, is the first to deny +the theory of man's original perfection. Science gained many +triumphs, conquered many superstitions, before the world caught a +glimpse of the result toward which each step was tending—the +enfranchisement of woman.</p> + +<p>Through Biology we learn that the first manifestation of life is +feminine. The albuminous protoplasm lying in silent darkness on +the bottom of the sea, possessing within itself all the phenomena +exhibited by the highest forms of life, as sensation, motion, +nutrition and reproduction, produces its like, and in all forms +of life the capacity for reproduction undeniably stamps the +feminine. Not only does science establish the fact that +primordial life is feminine, but it also proves that a greater +expenditure of vital force is requisite for the production of the +feminine than for the masculine.</p> + +<p>The experiments of Meehan, Gentry, Treat, Herrick, Wallace, +Combe, Wood and many others, show sex to depend upon environment +and nutrition. A meager, contracted environment, together with +innutritious or scanty food, results in a weakened vitality and +the birth of males; a broad, generous environment together with +abundant nutrition, in the birth of females. The most perfect +plant produces feminine flowers; the best nurtured insect or +animal demonstrates the same law. From every summary of vital +statistics we gather further proof that more abundant vitality, +fewer infantile deaths and greater comparative longevity belong +to woman. It is a recognized fact that quick reaction to a +stimulus is proof of superior vitality. In England, where very +complete vital statistics have been recorded for many years, it +is shown that while the mean duration of man's life within the +last thirty years has increased five per cent. that of woman has +increased more than eight per cent. Our own last census (tenth) +shows New Hampshire to be the State most favorable for longevity. +While one in seventy-four of its inhabitants is eighty years old, +among native white men the proportion is but one to eighty, while +among native white women, the very great preponderance of one to +fifty-eight is shown.</p> + +<p>That the vitality of the world is at a depressed standard is +proven by the fact that more boys are born than girls, the per +cent. varying in different countries. Male infants are more often +deformed, suffer from abnormal characteristics, and more speedily +succumb to infantile diseases than female infants, so that within +a few years, notwithstanding the large proportion of male births, +the balance of life is upon the feminine side. Many children are +born to a rising people, but this biological truth is curiously +supplemented by the fact that the proportion of girls born among +such people, is always in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> excess of boys; while in races dying +out, the very large proportion of boys' births over those of +girls is equally noticeable.</p> + +<p>From these hastily presented scientific facts it is manifest that +woman possesses in a higher degree than man that adaptation to +the conditions surrounding her which is everywhere accepted as +evidence of superior vitality and higher physical rank in life; +and when biology becomes more fully understood it will also be +universally acknowledged that the primal creative power, like the +first manifestation of life, is feminine.</p></blockquote> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> The Call ended as follows: "The satisfactory results of +Unrestricted Suffrage for Women in Wyoming Territory, of School +Suffrage in twelve States, of Municipal and School Suffrage in England +and Scotland, of Municipal and Parliamentary Suffrage in the Isle of +Man, with the recent triumph in Washington Territory; also the +constant agitation of the suffrage question in this country and in +England, and the demands that women are everywhere making for larger +liberties, are most encouraging signs of the times. This is the +supreme hour for all who are interested in the enfranchisement of +women to dedicate their time and money to the success of this +movement, and by their generous contributions to strengthen those upon +whom rests the responsibility of carrying forward this beneficent +reform. +</p> +<p class="ltr-right"> +"<span class="smcap">Elizabeth Cady Stanton</span>, President.<br /> +"<span class="smcap">Susan B. Anthony</span>, Vice-Pres't at Large.<br /> +"<span class="smcap">May Wright Sewall</span>, Ch. Ex. Committee.<br /> +"<span class="smcap">Jane H. Spofford</span>, Treasurer." +</p> +</div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> The report of this convention, edited by Miss Anthony +and Mrs. Stanton, is the most complete of any ever issued by the +association and has been placed in most of the public libraries of the +United States.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> A list of delegates and those making State reports from +year to year will be found in the last chapter of the Appendix.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> The history of the work in the various States, as +detailed more or less fully in these reports from year to year, will +be found recorded in the State chapters.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> Letters were received from S. Alfred Steinthal, +treasurer of the Manchester society; F. Henrietta Müller, member of +the London School Board; Frances Lord, poor-law guardian in London; +Eliza Orme, England's first woman lawyer; Dr. Agnes McLaren, Hannah +Ford, Mary A. Estlin, Anna M. and Mary Priestman, Margaret Priestman +Tanner, Rebecca Moore, Margaret E. Parker, all distinguished English +women.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> California—Clarina I. H. Nichols, Mrs. S. J. Manning, +Sarah Knox Goodrich; Colorado—Dr. Alida C. Avery, Henry C. Dillon; +Connecticut—Frances Ellen Burr; District of Columbia—Cornelia A. +Sheldon; Illinois—Dr. Alice B. Stockham, Ada H. Kepley, Pearl Adams, +Lucinda B. Chandler, Annette Porter, M. D.; Iowa—Caroline A. Ingham, +Jonathan and Mary V. S. Cowgill, M. A. Root; Kansas—Ex-Governor and +Mrs. J. P. St. John, Mary A. Humphrey, Lorenzo Westover, Susan E. +Wattles, Mrs. Van Coleman; Kentucky—Ellen B. Dietrick; +Massachusetts—Lilian Whiting; Michigan—Catharine A. F. Stebbins, +Mrs. R. M. Young, Cordelia F. Briggs; Maine—Ellen French Foster, +Lavina M. Snow; Minnesota—Eliza B. Gamble, Laura Howe Carpenter, Mrs. +T. B. Walker; Missouri—Elizabeth Avery Meriwether, Annie R. Irvine; +Nebraska—Judge and Mrs. A.D. Yocum, Madame Charlton Edholm, Harriet +S. Brooks; New Jersey—Theresa Walling Seabrook, Augusta Cooper; New +Hampshire—Armenia S. White, Eliza Morrill; New York—Madame Clara +Neymann, Mary F. Seymour, Jean Brooks Greenleaf, Mary F. Gilbert, +Mathilde F. Wendt, Helen M. Loder, Augusta Lilienthal, Amy Post, Sarah +H. Hallock, Elizabeth Oakes Smith; Ohio—Frances Dana Gage; +Pennsylvania—Adeline Thomson, Deborah A. Pennock, Matilda Hindman, +Hattie M. Du Bois, Mrs. Lovisa C. McCullough; Rhode Island—Catherine +C. Knowles; Texas—Jennie Bland Beauchamp; Virginia—N. O. Town; +Washington Ty.—Barbara J. Thompson; Wisconsin—Almeda B. Gray, +Evaleen L. Mason, Mathilde Anneke; Canada—Dr. Emily H. Stowe.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> For a full account of Miss Carroll's services and such +congressional action as was taken, see +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_3">History of Woman Suffrage, Vol. II, pp. 3</a> +and <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_863">863</a>. +It is the story of a national disgrace.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> <i>Resolved</i>, That we hold a convention in every +unorganized State and Territory during the present year, as far as +possible, at the capital. +</p><p> +<i>Resolved</i>, That we consider the enfranchisement of the women citizens +of the United States the paramount issue of the hour, therefore +</p><p> +<i>Resolved</i>, That we will, by all honorable methods, oppose the +election of any presidential candidate who is a known opponent to +woman suffrage, and we recommend similar action on the part of our +State associations in regard to State and congressional candidates and +further +</p><p> +<i>Resolved</i>, That the officers of this convention shall communicate +with presidential nominees of the several political parties and +ascertain their position upon this question. +</p><p> +<i>Resolved</i>, That all Legislatures shall be requested to memorialize +Congress upon the submission of a Sixteenth Amendment to the +Constitution, this to be the duty of the vice presidents of the States +and Territories. +</p><p> +<span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, The National Government, through Congress and the Supreme +Court, has persistently refused to protect the women of the several +States and Territories in "the right of the citizen to vote," +therefore +</p><p> +<i>Resolved</i>, That this association most earnestly protests against +national interference to abolish the right where it has been secured +by the Legislature—as, for example, the Edmunds Tucker Bill, which +proposes to disfranchise all the women of Utah, thus inflicting the +most degrading penalty upon the innocent equally with the guilty, by +robbing them of their most sacred right of citizenship.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> The method of organization must be governed by +circumstances. In some localities it is best to call a public meeting, +in others to invite the friends of the movement to a private +conference. Both women and men should be members and co-operate, and +the society should be organized on as broad and liberal a basis as +possible. +</p><p> +Hold conventions, picnics, teas, and occasionally have a lecture from +some one who will draw a large crowd. Utilize your own talent, +encourage your young women and men to speak, read essays and debate on +the question. Hold public celebrations of the birthdays of eminent +women, and in that way interest many who would not attend a pronounced +suffrage meeting. +</p><p> +Persons who can not be induced to attend a public meeting will often +accept an invitation to a parlor conference or entertainment where +woman suffrage can be made the subject of conversation. Cultured women +and men, who "have given the matter no thought," can be interested +through a paper presenting the life and work of such women as Margaret +Fuller, Abigail Adams, Lucretia Mott, etc., or showing the rise and +progress of the woman suffrage movement, giving short biographies of +the leaders. +</p><p> +Advocate suffrage through your local papers. Send them short, pithy +communications, and, when possible, secure a column in each, to be +edited by the society. +</p><p> +Invite pastors of churches to select from the numerous appropriate +texts in the Bible and preach occasionally upon this subject. +</p><p> +A strong effort should be made to circulate literature. Every society +should own a copy of the Woman Question in Europe, by Theodore +Stanton, of the History of Woman Suffrage, by Mrs. Stanton, Miss +Anthony and Mrs. Gage, of Mrs. Robinson's Massachusetts in the Woman +Suffrage Movement, of T. W. Higginson's Common Sense for Women, of +John Stuart Mill's Subjection of Women, and of Frances Power Cobbe's +Duties of Women. These will furnish ammunition for arguments and +debates. +</p><p> +Suffrage leaflets should be circulated in parlors and places of +business, and "pockets" should be filled and hung in railroad +stations, post-offices and hotels, that "he who runs may read." Over +these should be printed "Woman Suffrage—Take and Read." +</p><p> +All the above methods aim rather at the education of the popular mind +than the judiciary and legislative branches of the Government. The +next step is to educate the representatives in Congress and on the +bench of the Supreme Court in the principles of constitutional law and +republican government, that they may understand the justice of the +demands for a Sixteenth Amendment which shall forbid the several +States to deny or abridge the rights of women citizens of the United +States.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> Miss Anthony never wrote her addresses and no +stenographic reports were made. Brief and inadequate newspaper +accounts are all that remain.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<h3>CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS AND REPORTS OF 1884.</h3> + + +<p>Both Senate and House of the preceding Congress had appointed Select +Committees on Woman Suffrage to whom all petitions, etc., were +referred.<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a> The Senate of the Forty-eighth Congress renewed this +committee, but the House declined to do so. Early in the session, Dec. +19, 1883, the Committee on Rules refused to report such a committee +but authorized Speaker Warren Keifer of Ohio to present the question +to the House. A spirited debate followed which displayed the sentiment +of members against the question of woman suffrage itself. John H. +Reagan of Texas was the principal opponent, saying in the course of +his remarks:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I hope that it will not be considered ungracious in me that I +oppose the wish of any lady. But when she so far misunderstands +her duty as to want to go to working on the roads and making +rails and serving in the militia and going into the army, I want +to protect her against it. I do not think that sort of employment +suits her sex or her physical strength. I think also, when we +attempt to overturn the social status of the world as it has +existed for six thousand years, we ought to begin somewhere where +we have a constitutional basis to stand upon....</p> + +<p>But I suppose whoever clamors for action here finds a warrant for +it in the clamor outside, and it is not necessary to look to the +Constitution for it; it is not necessary to regard the interests +of civilization and the experience of ages in determining our +social as well as our political policy; but we will arrange it so +that there shall be no one to nurse the babies, no one to +superintend the household, but all shall go into the political +scramble, and we shall go back as rapidly as we can march into +barbarism. That is the effect of such doings as this, +disregarding the social interests of society for a clamor that +never ought to have been made.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mr. Reagan then rambled into a long discussion of the rights<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> allowed +under the Constitution, although no action had been proposed except +the mere appointment of a Select Committee, to whom all questions +relating to woman suffrage might be referred, such as already existed +in the Senate.</p> + +<p>James B. Belford of Colorado in an able reply said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I have no doubt that this House will be gratified with the +profound respect which the gentleman from Texas has expressed for +the Constitution of the country. The last distinguished act with +which he was connected was its attempted overthrow; and a man who +was engaged in an enterprise of that kind can fight a class to +whom his mother belonged. I desire to know whether a woman is a +citizen of the United States or an outcast without any political +rights whatever....</p> + +<p>What is the proposition presented by the gentleman from Ohio? +That we will constitute a committee to whom shall be referred all +petitions presented by women. Is not the right of petition a +constitutional right? Has not woman, in this country at least, +risen above the horizon of servitude, discredit and disgrace, and +has she not a right, representing as she does in many instances +great questions of property, to present her appeals to this +National Council and have them judiciously considered? I think it +is due to our wives, daughters, mothers and sisters to afford +them an avenue through which they can legitimately and judicially +reach the ear of this great nation.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Moved by Mr. Reagan's attacks, Mr. Keifer made a strong plea for the +rights of women, which deserves a place in history, saying in part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We must remember that we stand here committed in a large sense to +the matter of woman suffrage. In the Territories of Wyoming and +Utah for fifteen years past women have had the right to vote on +all questions which men can vote upon; and the Congress of the +United States has stood by without disapproving the legislative +acts of those Territories. And we now have before us a law passed +at the last session of the Legislature of Washington, giving to +its women the right to vote. We have not passed upon the question +one way or the other, but we have the right to pass upon it. +This, I think, seems to dispose sufficiently of the question of +constitutional legislative power without trampling upon the toes +of any State-rights man.</p> + +<p>The right of petition belongs to all persons within the limits of +our republic, and with the right of petition goes the right on +the part of the Congress through constitutional means to grant +relief. Do gentlemen claim it is unconstitutional to amend the +Constitution? I know that claim was made at one time on the floor +of this House and on the floor of the Senate. When it was +proposed to abolish slavery in the United States, distinguished +gentlemen argued that it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> was unconstitutional to amend the +Constitution so as to abolish slavery. But all that has passed +away and we now find ourselves, in the light of the present, +seeing clearly that we may amend the Constitution in any way we +please, pursuing always the proper constitutional methods of +doing so.</p> + +<p>There are considerations due to the women of this country which +ought not to be lightly thrust aside. For thirty-five years they +have been petitioning and holding conventions and demanding that +certain relief should be granted them, to the extent of allowing +them to exercise the right of suffrage. In that thirty-five years +we have seen great things accomplished. We have seen some of the +subtleties of the Common Law, which were spread over this +country, swept away. There is hardly anybody anywhere who now +adheres to the doctrine that a married woman can not make a +contract, and that she has no rights or liabilities except those +which are centered in her husband. Even the old Common-Law maxim +that "husband and wife are one, and that one the husband," has +been largely modified under the influence of these patriotic, +earnest ladies who have taken hold of this question and +enlightened the world upon it. There are now in the vaults of +this Capitol <i>hundreds of thousands of petitions</i> for relief, +sent in here by women and by those who believed that women ought +to have certain rights and privileges of citizenship granted to +them. For sixteen years there has been held in this city, +annually, a convention composed of representative women from all +parts of the country. These conventions, as well as various State +and local conventions, have been appealing for relief; and they +ought not to be met by the statement that we will not even give +them the poor privilege of a committee to whom their petitions +and memorials may be referred.</p> + +<p>We have made some progress. In 1871 there was a very strong +minority report made in this House in favor of woman suffrage. +Notwithstanding the notion that we must stand by all our old +ideas, the Supreme Court of the United States, after deliberately +considering the question, admitted a woman to practice at the bar +of that Court.<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a> A hundred years ago, in the darkness of which +some gentlemen desire still to live, I suppose they would not +have done this. Favorable reports on this subject were made by +the Committee on Privileges and Elections in the Senate of the +Forty-fifth Congress, and in the last Congress by a Select +Committee of the Senate and of the House. The Legislatures of +many of the States have expressed their judgment on the matter. +There has been a great deal of progress in that direction. The +Senate and the House of Representatives of the last Congress +provided Select Committees to whom all matters relating to woman +suffrage could be referred. Will this House take a step backward +on this question?<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span></p> + +<p>I want especially to notify the gentleman from Texas that we are +not standing still on this matter. Eleven States—New Hampshire, +Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, Michigan, Kentucky, Minnesota, +Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado and Oregon—have authorized women to +vote for school trustees and members of school boards. Kentucky +extends this right to widows who have children and pay taxes. +Women are nominated and voted for not only in the eleven States +and three Territories, but in nearly all the Northern and Western +States. Pennsylvania, Illinois, Iowa and other States have large +numbers of women county superintendents of public schools. And +let me say, for the benefit of the Democratic party, that in the +great, progressive western State of Kansas the Democracy rose so +high as to nominate and vote for a woman for State Superintendent +of Public Instruction at the last election. So there has been a +little growing away from those old ideas and notions, even among +the Democracy. We are permitting women to fill public offices. +Why should they not participate in the election of officers who +are to govern them? We require them to pay taxes and there are a +great many burdens imposed upon them. Kansas, Michigan, Colorado +and Nebraska have in recent years submitted the question of woman +suffrage to a vote of the people and more than one-third of the +electors of each voted in favor. Oregon has now a similar +proposition pending.</p> + +<p>By the laws of all the States women are required to pay taxes; +but we are practically working on the theory that these women +shall be taxed without the right of representation. Taxation +without representation led to the separation of the colonies from +the mother country. They were not so much opposed to being taxed +as they were to being taxed without representation. The patriots +of that day conceived the idea that there was a principle +somewhere involved in the right of representation. So they +evolved and formulated that Revolutionary maxim, "Millions for +defense, but not one cent for tribute." The basis of that maxim +was that they would not give to the payment of taxes without the +right of representation. Revolution and war made representation +and taxation correlative. But the States tax all women on their +property. For illustration, 8,000 women of Boston and 34,000 in +Massachusetts pay $2,000,000 of taxes, one-eleventh of the entire +tax of that great and wealthy State. The same ratio will be found +to prevail in all the other States.</p> + +<p>Progress has gone on elsewhere than in the United States. England +has been moving forward in this matter, and we should not stand +behind her in anything....</p> + +<p>I am one of those who do not believe that to give to women common +rights and privileges will degrade them, but on the contrary I +believe it will ennoble them; and I believe further that to put +them on an equality in the matter of rights and privileges with +men will enhance their charms and not lessen their beauty.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The vote resulted—yeas, 85; nays, 124; not voting, 112. Of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> the +affirmative votes 72 were Republican, 13 Democratic; of the negative, +4 were Republican, 120 Democratic.</p> + +<p>In January, 1884, after the return of the members from their holiday +recess, Miss Anthony addressed letters to the 112 absentees, asking +each how he would have voted had he been present. Fifty-two replies +were received, 26 from Republicans, all of whom would have voted yes; +26 from Democrats, 10 of whom would have voted yes, 10, no, and 6 +could not tell which way they would have voted.</p> + +<p>In the hope that this respectable minority could be increased to a +majority, the Hon. John D. White (Ky.) made a further attempt, Feb. 7, +1884, to secure the desired committee, saying in his speech upon this +question:</p> + +<blockquote><p>It seems to me to be an anomalous state of affairs that in a +great Nation like this one-half of the people should have no +committee to which they could address their appeals.</p> + +<p>Women consider they have the same political rights as men. I +might read from such distinguished authority as Miss Susan B. +Anthony, whose name has been jeered in her native State, and who +has been prosecuted there for voting, but who stands before the +American people to-day the peer of any woman in the nation, and +the superior of half the men occupying a representative capacity. +It does seem to me hard that when a woman like this comes to +Congress, instructed by thousands and tens of thousands of her +sex, in order to be heard she should be compelled to hang around +the doors of the Judiciary Committee, or of some other committee, +pre-eminently occupied with other matters. But we are told there +is no room. Yet we have a room where lobbyists of every sort are +provided for. And are we to be told that no room in this wing of +the Capitol can be had where respectable women of the nation can +present arguments for the calm consideration of their friends in +this body? I ask simply for the opportunity to be afforded the +representatives of the political rights of women to be heard in +making respectful argument to the law-making power of the nation.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Byron M. Cutcheon (Mich.) also spoke in favor of the committee, +saying:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Ever since the organization of this House I have received +petitions from my constituents in regard to this matter of the +political rights of women, but there seems to be no committee to +which they could properly be referred. A few years since, when +this question of woman suffrage was submitted to the people in my +State, more than 40,000 electors were in favor of it. It seems to +me, without committing ourselves on the question of the political +rights of women,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> it is but respectful to a very large number of +people in all our States that there should be a committee to +receive and consider and report upon these petitions which come +to us from time to time.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The House refused to allow a vote.</p> + +<p>The Senate Committee on Woman Suffrage granted a hearing March 7, +1884, at 10:30 a. m., in the Senate reception room, to the speakers +and delegates in attendance at the convention, the entire committee +being present.<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a> In introducing the speakers Miss Anthony said: +"This is the sixteenth year that we have come before Congress in +person, and the nineteenth by petitions, asking national protection +for the citizen's right to vote, when the citizen happens to be a +woman."</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Harriet R. Shattuck</span> (Mass.): We canvassed four localities in +the city of Boston, two in smaller cities, two in country +districts and made one record also of school teachers in nine +schools of one town. The teachers were unanimously in favor of +woman suffrage, and in the nine localities we found that the +proportion of women in favor was very much larger than of those +opposed. The total of women canvassed was 814. Those in favor +were 405, those opposed, 44; indifferent, 166; refused to sign, +160; not seen, 39. These canvasses were made by respectable, +responsible women, and they swore before a Justice of the Peace +as to the truth of their statements. Thus we have in +Massachusetts this reliable canvass of women showing those in +favor are to those opposed as nine to one....</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. May Wright Sewall</span> (Ind.): ... My friend has said that men +have always kept us just a little below them where they could +shower upon us favors and they have done that generously. So they +have, but, gentlemen, has your sex been more generous to women +than they have been generous toward you in their favors? Neither +can dispense with the service of the other, neither can dispense +with the reverence of the other or with the aid of the other in +social life. The men of this nation are rapidly finding that they +can not dispense with the service of woman in business life. I +know that they are also feeling the need of the moral support of +woman in their political life.</p> + +<p>You, gentlemen, by lifting the women of the nation into political +equality would simply place us where we could lift you where you +never yet have stood—upon a moral equality with us. I do not +speak to you as individuals but as the representatives of your +sex, as I stand here the representative of mine, and never until +we are your equals politically will the moral standard for men be +what<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> it now is for women, and it is none too high. Let woman's +standard be still more elevated, and let yours come up to match +it.</p> + +<p>We do not appeal to you as Republicans or as Democrats. We were +reared with our brothers under the political belief and faith of +our fathers, and probably as much influenced by that rearing as +they were. We shall go to strengthen both the parties, neither +the one nor the other the more, probably. So this is not a +partisan measure; it is a just measure, which is our due, because +of what we are, men and women both, by virtue of our heritage and +our one Father, our one Mother eternal.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Helen M. Gougar</span> (Ind.): I maintain there is no political +question paramount to that of woman suffrage before the people of +America to-day. Political parties would have us believe that +tariff is the great question of the hour. It is an insult to the +intelligence of the present to say that when one-half of the +citizens of this republic are denied a direct voice in making the +laws under which they shall live, that the tariff, the civil +rights of the negro, or any other question which can be brought +up, is equal to the one of giving political freedom to women.</p> + +<p>I ask you to let me have a voice in the laws under which I shall +live because the older empires of the earth are sending to the +United States a population drawn very largely from their asylums, +penitentiaries, jails and poor-houses. They are emptying those +men upon our shores, and within a few months they are intrusted +with the ballot, the law-making power in this republic, and they +and their representatives are seated in official and legislative +positions. I, as an American-born woman, enter my protest at +being compelled to live under laws made by this class of men +while I am denied the protection that can only come from the +ballot. While I would not have you take this right from those men +whom we invite to our shores, I do ask you, in the face of this +immense foreign immigration, to enfranchise the tax-paying, +intelligent, moral, native-born women of America.</p> + +<p>....We have in our State the signatures of over 5,000 of the +school teachers asking for woman's ballot. I ask you if the +Government does not need the voice of those 5,000 educated +teachers as much as it needs the voice of the 240 criminals who +are, on an average, sent out of the penitentiary of Indiana each +year, to go to the ballot-box upon every question, and make laws +under which those teachers must live, and under which the mothers +of our State must keep their homes and rear their children?</p> + +<p>On behalf of the mothers of this country I demand that their +hands shall be loosened before the ballot-box, and that they +shall have the privilege of throwing the mother heart into the +laws which shall follow their sons not only to the age of +majority, but even after their hair has turned gray and they have +seats in the United States Congress; yes, to the very confines of +eternity. This can be done in no indirect way; it can not be done +by silent influence; it can not be done by prayer. While I do not +underestimate the power of prayer, I say give me my ballot with +which to send statesmen instead<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> of modern politicians into our +legislative halls. I would rather have that ballot on election +day than the prayers of all the disfranchised women in the +universe!</p> + +<p>....Our forefathers did not object to taxation, but they did +object to taxation without representation, and we object to it. +We are willing to contribute our share to the support of this +Government, as we always have done; but we demand our little yes +and no in the form of the ballot so that we shall have a direct +influence in distributing the taxes.</p> + +<p>I am amenable to the gallows and the penitentiary, and it is no +more than right that I shall have a voice in framing the laws +under which I shall be rewarded or punished. It is written in the +law of every State in this Union that a person tried in the +courts shall have a jury of his peers; yet so long as the word +"male" stands as it does in the Constitution of the United States +and the States, no woman can have a jury of her peers. I protest +in the name of justice against going into the court-room and +being compelled to run the gauntlet of the gutter and +saloon—yes, even of the police court and of the jail—as is done +in selecting a male jury to try the interests of woman, whether +relating to life, property or reputation....</p> + +<p>The political party that presumes to fight the moral battles of +the future must have the women in its ranks. We are non-partisan. +We come as Democrats, Republicans, Prohibitionists and +Green-backers, and if there were half a dozen other political +parties some of us would affiliate with them. We ask this +beneficent action upon your part, because we believe the +intelligence and justice of the hour demand it. We ask you in the +name of equity and humanity alone, and not in that of any +party....</p> + +<p>You ask us if we are impatient. Yes; we are impatient. Some of us +may die, and I want our grand old standard-bearer, Susan B. +Anthony, whose name will go down to history beside those of +George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Wendell Phillips—I want +that woman to go to Heaven a free angel from this republic. The +power lies in your hands to make all women free.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Caroline Gilkey Rogers</span> (N. Y.): It is often said to us that +when <i>all</i> the women ask for the ballot it will be granted. Did +<i>all</i> the married women petition the Legislatures of their States +to secure to them the right to hold in their own name the +property which belonged to them? To secure to the poor forsaken +wife the right to her earnings? <i>All</i> the women did not ask for +these rights, but <i>all</i> accepted them with joy and gladness when +they were obtained, and so it will be with the franchise. Woman's +right to self-government does not depend upon the numbers that +demand it, but upon precisely the same principles on which man +claims it for himself. Where did man get the authority which he +now exercises to govern one-half of humanity; from what power the +right to place woman, his helpmeet in life, in an inferior +position? Came it from nature? Nature made woman his superior +when it made her his mother—his equal when it fitted her to hold +the sacred position of wife. Did women meet in council and +voluntarily give up all their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> right to be their own law-makers? +The power of the strong over the weak makes man the master. Thus, +and thus only, does he gain the authority.</p> + +<p>It is all very well to say, "Convert the women." While we most +heartily wish they could all feel as we do, yet when it comes to +the decision of this great question they are mere ciphers, for if +it is settled by the States it will be left to the men, not to +the women, to decide. Or if suffrage comes to women through a +Sixteenth Amendment to the National Constitution, it will be +decided by Legislatures elected by men only. In neither case will +women have an opportunity of passing upon the question. So reason +tells us we must devote our best efforts to converting those to +whom we must look for the removal of the barriers which now +prevent our exercising the right of suffrage....</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Mary Seymour Howell</span> (N. Y.): We ask for the ballot for the +good of the race. Huxley says: "Admitting, for the sake of +argument, that woman is the weaker, mentally and physically, for +that very reason she should have the ballot and every help which +the world can give her." When you debar from your councils and +legislative halls the purity, the spirituality and the love of +woman, then those councils are apt to become coarse and brutal. +God gave us to you to help you in this little journey to a better +land, and by our love and our intellect to help make our country +pure and noble, and if you would have statesmen you must have +stateswomen to bear them....</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Lillie Devereux Blake</span> (N. Y.): It is often said that we have +too many voters; that the aggregate of vice and ignorance among +us should not be increased by giving women the right of suffrage. +In the enormous immigration which pours upon our shores every +year, numbering nearly half a million, there come twice as many +men as women. What does this mean? It means a constant +preponderance of the masculine over the feminine; and it means +also, of course, a preponderance of the voting power of the +foreign men as compared to the native born men. To those who fear +that our American institutions are threatened by this gigantic +inroad of foreigners, I commend the reflection that the best +safeguard against any such preponderance of foreign influence is +to put the ballot in the hands of the American born woman, and of +all other women also, so that if the foreign born man +overbalances us in numbers we shall be always in a majority on +the side of the liberty which is secured by our institutions....</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Elizabeth Boynton Harbert</span>: From the great State of Illinois +I come, representing 200,000 men and women of that State who have +recorded their written petitions for woman's ballot, 90,000 of +these being citizens under the law, male voters; those 90,000 +have signed petitions for the right of woman to vote on the +temperance question; 90,000 women also signed those petitions; +50,000 men and women signed the petitions for the school vote, +and 60,000 more have signed petitions that the full right of +suffrage might be accorded to woman.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span></p> + +<p>This growth of public sentiment has been occasioned by the needs +of the children and the working women of that great State. I come +here to ask you to make a niche in the statesmanship and +legislation of the nation for the domestic interests of the +people. You recognize that the masculine thought is more often +turned to material and political interests. I claim that the +mother-thought, the woman-element needed, is to supplement the +statesmanship of American men on political and industrial affairs +with domestic legislation.</p></blockquote> + +<p>In her closing address Miss Anthony took up the question of obtaining +suffrage for women through the States instead of Congress and said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>My answer is that I do not wish to see the women of the +thirty-eight States of this Union compelled to leave their homes +to canvass each one of these, school district by school district. +It is asking too much of a moneyless class. The joint earnings of +the marriage co-partnership in all the States belong legally to +the husband. It is only that wife who goes outside the home to +work whom the law permits to own and control the money she earns. +Therefore, to ask of women, the vast majority of whom are without +an independent dollar of their own, to make a thorough canvass of +their several States, is asking an impossibility.</p> + +<p>We have already made the experiment of canvassing four +States—Kansas in 1867, Michigan in 1874, Colorado in 1877, +Nebraska in 1882—and in each, with the best campaign possible +for us to make, we obtained a vote of only one-third. One man out +of every three voted for the enfranchisement of the women of his +household, while two out of every three voted against it....</p> + +<p>We beg, therefore, that instead of insisting that a majority of +the individual voters must be converted before women shall have +the franchise, you will give us the more hopeful task of +appealing to the representative men in the Legislatures of the +several States. You need not fear that we shall get suffrage too +quickly if Congress submits the proposition, for even then we +shall have a long siege in going from Legislature to Legislature +to secure the vote of three-fourths of the States necessary to +ratify the amendment. It may require twenty years after Congress +has taken the initiative step, to obtain action by the requisite +number, but once submitted by Congress it always will stand until +ratified by the States.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton's paper on Self-Government the Best Means +of Self-Development was read to the committee. A few extracts will +serve to show its broad scope:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The basic idea of a republic is the right of self-government, the +right of every citizen to choose his own representatives and to +have a voice in the laws under which he lives. As this right can +be secured only by the exercise of the suffrage, the ballot in +the hand of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> every qualified citizen constitutes the true +political status of the people in a republic.</p> + +<p>The right of suffrage is simply the right to govern one's self. +Every human being is born into the world with this right, and the +desire to exercise it comes naturally with the feeling of life's +responsibilities. Those only who are capable of appreciating this +dignity, can measure the extent to which women are defrauded, and +they only can measure the loss to the councils of the nation of +the wisdom of representative women. They who say that women do +not desire the right of suffrage, that they prefer masculine +domination to self-government, falsify every page of history, +every fact in human experience.</p> + +<p>It has taken the whole power of the civil and canon law to hold +woman in the subordinate position which it is said she willingly +accepts. If woman naturally has no will, no self-assertion, no +opinions of her own, what means the terrible persecution of the +sex under all forms of religious fanaticism, culminating in +witchcraft in which scarce one wizard to a thousand witches was +sacrificed? So powerful and merciless has been the struggle to +dominate the feminine element in humanity, that we may well +wonder at the steady, determined resistance maintained by woman +through the centuries. To every step of progress which she has +made from slavery to the partial freedom she now enjoys, the +Church and the State alike have made the most cruel opposition, +and yet, under all circumstances she has shown her love of +individual freedom, her desire for self-government, while her +achievements in practical affairs and her courage in the great +emergencies of life have vindicated her capacity to exercise this +right....</p> + +<p>The right of suffrage in a republic means self-government, and +self-government means education, development, self-reliance, +independence, courage in the hour of danger. That women may +attain these virtues we demand the exercise of this right. Not +that we suppose we should at once be transformed into a higher +order of beings with all the elements of sovereignty, wisdom, +goodness and power full-fledged, but because the exercise of the +suffrage is the primary school in which the citizen learns how to +use the ballot as a weapon of defense; it is the open sesame to +the land of freedom and equality. The ballot is the scepter of +power in the hand of every citizen. Woman can never have an equal +chance with man in the struggle of life until she too wields this +power. So long as women have no voice in the Government under +which they live they will be an ostracised class, and invidious +distinctions will be made against them in the world of work. +Thrown on their own resources they have all the hardships that +men have to encounter in earning their daily bread, with the +added disabilities which grow out of disfranchisement. Men of the +republic, why make life harder for your daughters by these +artificial distinctions? Surely, if governments were made to +protect the weak against the strong, they are in greater need +than your stalwart sons of every political right which can give +them protection, dignity and power....<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span></p> + +<p>The disfranchisement of one-half the people places a dangerous +power in the hands of the other half. All history shows that one +class never did legislate with justice for another, and all +philosophy shows they never can, as the relations of class grow +out of either natural or artificial advantages which one has over +the other and which it will maintain if possible. It is folly to +say that women are not a class, so long as there is any +difference in the code of laws for men and women, any +discrimination in the customs of society, giving advantages to +men over women; so long as in all our State constitutions women +are ranked with lunatics, idiots, paupers and criminals. When you +say that one-half the people shall be governed by the other half, +surely the class distinction is about as broad as it can be....</p> + +<p>The disfranchisement of one-half the people deprives the State of +the united wisdom of man and woman—that "consensus of the +competent" so necessary in national affairs—making our +Government an oligarchy of males, instead of a republic of the +people, thus perpetuating with all its evils a dominant masculine +civilization. But in answer to this it is said that although +women do not vote, yet they have an indirect influence in +Government through their husbands and brothers. Yes, an +"irresponsible power," of all kinds of influence the most +dangerous....</p> + +<p>The dogged, unreasonable persecutions of sex in all ages, the +evident determination to eliminate, as far as possible, the +feminine element in humanity, has been the most fruitful cause of +the moral chaos the race has suffered, under every form of +government and religion.... The loss to women themselves of the +highest development of which they are capable is sad, but when +this involves a lower type of manhood and danger to our free +institutions, it is still more sad. The primal work in every +country, for its own safety, should be the education and freedom +of woman.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The arguments before the Judiciary Committee of the House were given +the next morning, March 8, twelve of the fifteen members being +present.<a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> Miss Anthony opened the hearing with an earnest address +in which she referred to the hundreds of thousands of petitions which +had been sent to Congress for woman suffrage—far more than for any +other measure—and continued:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Negro suffrage was again and again overwhelmingly voted down in +various States—New York, Connecticut, Ohio, etc.—and you know, +gentlemen, that if the negro had never had the right to vote +until the majority of the rank and file of white men, +particularly foreign-born men, had voted "Yes," he would have +gone without it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> till the crack of doom. It was because of the +prejudice of the unthinking majority that Congress submitted the +question of the negro's enfranchisement to the Legislatures of +the several States, to be adjudicated by the educated, broadened +representatives of the people. We now appeal to you to lift the +decision of woman suffrage from the vote of the populace to that +of the Legislatures, that you may thereby be as considerate, as +just, to the women of this nation as you were to the male +ex-slaves.</p> + +<p>Every new privilege granted to women has been by the +Legislatures. The liberal laws for married women, the right of +the wife to own and control her inherited property and separate +earnings, the right of women to vote at school elections in a +dozen States, the right to vote on all questions in three +Territories, have all been gained through the Legislatures. Had +any one of these beneficent propositions been submitted to the +masses, do you believe a majority would have placed their +sanction upon them? I do not.</p> + +<p>It takes all too many of us women, and too much of our hard +earnings, from our homes and from the works of charity and +education of our respective localities, even to come to +Washington, session after session, until Congress shall have +submitted the proposition, and then to go from Legislature to +Legislature, urging its adoption; but when you insist that we +shall beg at the feet of each and every individual voter of each +and every one of the thirty-eight States, native and foreign, +white and black, educated and ignorant, you doom us to +incalculable hardships and sacrifices and to most exasperating +insults and humiliations. I pray you, therefore, save us from the +fate of working and waiting for our freedom until we shall have +educated the masses of men to consent to give their wives and +sisters equality of rights with themselves. You surely will not +compel us to wait the enlightenment of all the freedmen of this +nation and all the newly-made voters from the monarchial +governments of the Old World!</p> + +<p>Liberty for one's self is a natural instinct possessed alike by +all, but to be willing to accord liberty to another is the result +of education, of self-discipline, of the practice of the golden +rule—"Do unto others as you would that others should do unto +you." Therefore we ask that the question of equality of rights to +women shall be arbitrated upon by the picked men of the nation in +Congress, and the picked men of the several States in their +respective Legislatures.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Rev. Florence Killock</span> (Ills.): ... Called as I am into the +homes of the people through the requirements of my office, I know +whereof I speak when I say that I am as faithfully fulfilling its +sacred duties when I come before you urging this claim, as when, +on my bended knees, I plead at the throne of God for the +salvation of souls.</p> + +<p>I know too well the suffering that might be alleviated, the +terrible wrongs that might be righted, the sins that might be +punished, could the moral power of the women of our land be +utilized—could it be brought to bear on those great questions +which affect so vitally the welfare of society. The gigantic evil +of intemperance is prostrating<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> the finest powers of our country +and threatening the life of social purity; it is in truth the +fell destroyer of peace, virtue and domestic and national safety, +and upon the unoffending the blow falls with the greatest weight. +Why should not they who suffer the most deeply through this evil, +be authorized before the law of the land to protect themselves +and their loved ones from its fearful ravages? Is it other than +simple justice which I ask for them? I have listened to too many +sad stories from heart-broken wives and mothers not to know that +the demand which the women of the land make in this matter comes +not from love of power, is not prompted by false ambition, +springs not from unwomanly aspirations, but does come from a +direful need of self-protection and an earnest desire to protect +those dearer than life itself.</p> + +<p>Gentlemen of the Judiciary Committee, in the same spirit in which +I seek the aid of Heaven in my endeavor to promote the spiritual +welfare of mankind, I now and here seek your aid in promoting the +highest moral welfare of every man, woman and child. This you +will do in giving your vote and influence for the equality of +women before the law, and as you thus confer this new power upon +the women of our land, like the bread cast upon the waters, it +shall come to you in a higher, nobler type of womanhood, in +sweeter homes, in purer social life, in all that contributes to +the welfare of the individual and the state.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Mary B. Clay</span> (Ky.): We do not come here to plead as +individual women with individual men, but as a subject class with +a ruling class; nor do we come as suffering individuals—though +God knows some of us might do that with propriety—but as the +suffering millions whom we represent....</p> + +<p>We are born of the same parents as men and raised in the same +family. We are possessed of the same loves and animosities as our +brothers, and we inherit equally with them the substance of our +fathers. So long as we are minors the Government treats us as +equals, but when we come of age, when we are capable of feeling +and knowing the difference, the boy becomes a free human being, +while the girl remains a slave, a subject, and no moral heroism, +no self-sacrificing patriotism, ever entitles her to her freedom. +Is this just? Is it not, indeed, barbarous?</p> + +<p>If American men intend always to keep women slaves, political and +civil, they make a great mistake when they let the girl, with the +boy, learn the alphabet, for no educated class will long remain +in subjection. We are told that men protect us; that they are +generous, even chivalric in their protection. Gentlemen, if your +protectors were women, and they took all your property and your +children, and paid you half as much for your work, though as well +or better done than your own, would you think much of the +chivalry which permitted you to sit in street-cars and picked up +your pocket-handkerchief?</p> + +<p>Each one of you is responsible for these laws continuing as they +are, and you can not avoid responsibility by saying that you did +not help to make them. Great injustice is done us in the fact +that we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> are not tried by a jury of our peers. Great injustice is +done us everywhere by our not having a vote. Human nature is +naturally selfish, and, as woman is deprived of the ballot, and +powerless either to punish or reward, man, loving his bread and +butter more than justice, will ever thrust her aside for the +benefit of those who can help him, those with ballots in their +hands.</p> + +<p>....All that is good in the home, and largely the highest +principles taught in your youth, were given by your mothers. How +then it is possible for you to return this love and interest, as +soon as you are capable of acting, by riveting the chains which +hold them still slaves, politically and civilly?</p> + +<p>You need woman's presence and counsel in legislation as much as +she needs yours in the home; you need the association and +influence of woman; her intuitive knowledge of men's character +and the effect of measures upon the household; you need her for +the economical details of public work; you need her sense of +justice and moral courage to execute the laws; you need her for +all that is just, merciful and good in government. But above all, +women themselves need the ballot for self-protection, and as we +are by common right and the laws of God free human beings, we +demand that you no longer hold us your subjects—your political +slaves.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Mary E. Haggart</span> (Ind.): When Abraham Lincoln penned the +immortal emancipation proclamation he did not stop to inquire +whether every man and every woman in Southern slavery did or did +not want to be free. Whether women do or do not wish to vote does +not affect the question of their right to do so. The right of man +to the ballot is a logical deduction from the principles +enunciated in the Declaration of Independence. And singular to +say, while this inheres in all people alike, the privilege of +exercising it is withheld from women by a class who have no right +to say whether they are willing or not that women should vote. +Their right to the ballot was long ago settled beyond a quibble, +by laws and principles of justice which are superior to the codes +of men, who have usurped the power to regulate the voting +privileges of citizens. If this right be inherent and existing in +the great body of society before governments are formed, it +follows that all citizens of a republic, be they male or female, +are alike entitled to its exercise.</p> + +<p>....Is there a man among you willing to resign his own right to +the ballot and to place his own business interests and general +welfare at the mercy of the votes of others? Would you not resent +an attempt on the part of any man, or set of men, to fix your +mental status, assign your work in life and lay out with +mathematical precision your exact sphere in the world? And yet +men undertake to adjust the limitations of the Elizabeth Cady +Stantons, the Susan B. Anthonys, the Harriet Beecher Stowes, the +Frances E. Willards, the Harriet Hosmers of the world, and +continue to talk with patronizing condescension of female +retirement, female duties and female spheres.</p> + +<p>The question is not whether women want or do not want to vote, +but how can republican inconsistencies be wiped out, justice +universally<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> recognized and impartially administered, and the +civil and political errors of the past effectually repaired. +Whoever admits that men have a right to the franchise must +include in the admission women also, for there are no reasons +capable of demonstrating an abstract right in behalf of one sex +which are not equally applicable to the other....</p> + +<p>The assertion that women do not want to vote is absolutely +without authority, so long as each individual woman does not +speak out for herself. In Ohio 225,000, and in Illinois 185,000, +have signified a desire to use the ballot for home protection, +and yet it is still asserted in those States that women do not +want it. Over 100,000 women have already notified this Congress +that they desire equality of political rights, and still it is +declared all around us that women do not want to vote. Gentlemen, +this is most emphatically an assertion which no individual can be +justified in making for another.</p> + +<p>Since the elective franchise is the parent stem from which branch +out legal, industrial, social and educational enterprises +necessary to the welfare of the citizens, it will be readily seen +how women engaged in reforms, public charities, social +enterprises, are hampered and trammeled in their progress without +the ballot. Women have beheld their plans frustrated, their +Herculean labor undone, their lives wasted, for want of +legislative power through the citizen's emblem of sovereignty....</p> + +<p>All ranks and occupations are beginning to realize that monstrous +evils must ever crowd upon both classes while one side of +humanity only is represented, and while one sex has the +irresponsible keeping of the rights and privileges of the other. +To-day, throughout the length and breadth of our land, woman +finds the greatest need of the ballot through an almost +overpowering desire to have her wishes and opinions crystallized +into law.</p> + +<p>I have no hesitancy in saying that if the conditions which +surround the women of this nation to-day were the conditions of +the male citizens of the country, they would rise up and +pronounce them the exact definition of civil and political +slavery, instead of the true interpretation of natural justice +and civil equity.</p> + +<p>Many persons claim that men are born with the right to vote, as +they are to the right of life, liberty and happiness; that +suffrage is the gift of the State, and that the State has a right +to regulate it in any way that it may deem best for the common +good. If men are born with the right to life, liberty and +happiness, they are also born with the right to give expression +as to how these are to be maintained; and in this nation, which +professes to rest upon the consent of the governed, this +expression is given through the ballot. Consequently the +expression of a freeman's will is as God-given as his right to be +free. Since the year of Magna Charta we have repudiated the idea +of representation by proxy.</p> + +<p>We all know that there are thousands of women in this nation who +are owners of property, mothers of children, devoted to their +homes and families and to all the duties and responsibilities +which grow out of social life, and hence are most deeply +interested<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> in the public welfare. They have just as much at +stake in this Government, which affords them no opportunity of +giving or withholding their consent, as men who are consulted. +John Quincy Adams said in that grand speech in defense of the +petitions of the women of Plymouth: "The women are not only +justified, but exhibit the most exalted virtue, when they do +depart from the domestic sphere and enter upon the concerns of +their country, of humanity and of God."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Phoebe W. Couzins (Mo.) in closing her address said: "At the +gateway of this nation, the harbor of New York, there soon shall stand +a statue of the Goddess of Liberty, presented by the republic of +France—a magnificent figure of a woman, typifying all that is grand +and glorious and free in self-government. She will hold aloft an +electric torch of great power which is to beam an effulgent light far +out to sea, that ships sailing towards this goodly land may ride +safely into harbor. So should you thus uplift the women of this +nation, and teach these men, at the very threshold, when first their +feet shall touch the shore of this republic, that here woman is +exalted, ennobled and honored; that here she bears aloft the torch of +intelligence and purity which guides our Ship of State into the safe +harbor of wise laws, pure morals and secure institutions."</p> + +<p>It had been the custom of these committees, when they reported at all, +to delay doing so until the following year. In 1884, however, those of +both Senate and House submitted reports soon after the hearings. The +favorable recommendation was presented March 28, 1884, signed by +Thomas W. Palmer, Henry W. Blair, Elbridge G. Lapham and Henry B. +Anthony. Senators Francis Marion Cockrell and Joseph E. Brown +dissented.<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a> The name of Senator James G. Fair does not appear on +either document, but he had signed an adverse report in 1882.</p> + +<p>An adverse majority report from the House Judiciary Committee was +presented by William C. Maybury (Mich.) and began thus:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The right of suffrage is not and never has, under our system of +government, been one of the essential rights of citizenship....<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span></p> + +<p>What class or portion of the whole people of any State should be +admitted to suffrage, and should, by virtue of such admission, +exert the active and potential control in the direction of its +affairs, was a question reserved exclusively for the +determination of the State.</p></blockquote> + +<p>[The report loses sight entirely of the point that this question was +not and never has been left to "the people" of a State, but that men +alone usurped the right to decide who should be admitted to the +suffrage, arbitrarily excluded women and have kept them excluded.]</p> + +<blockquote><p>Under the influence of a just fear that without suffrage as a +protective power to the newly-acquired rights and privileges +guaranteed to the former slave he might suffer detriment, and +with this dominant motive in view, originated the Fifteenth +Amendment. It will be noted that by this later amendment the +privilege of suffrage is not sought to be <i>conferred</i> on any +class; but an inhibition is placed upon the States from +<i>excluding</i> from the privilege of suffrage any class on account +of race, color or previous condition of servitude.</p></blockquote> + +<p>[The Fifteenth Amendment does not mention the "privilege" of suffrage. +It says expressly, "The <i>right</i> of citizens of the United States to +vote shall not be denied or abridged." But whether it be a "right" or +a "privilege," where did the negro get that which the States are +forbidden to deny or abridge, if it does not inhere in citizenship? +The report is incorrect in saying that the State is prohibited from +excluding any "class;" it is only the "males" of any class who are +protected from exclusion. The same right or privilege belongs to +women, but they are not protected in the exercise of it. Women never +have asked Congress to grant them any <i>new</i> right or privilege, but +only to prohibit the States from denying or abridging what is already +theirs, as it did in the case of negro men.]</p> + +<blockquote><p>Woman's true sphere is not restricted, but is boundless in +resources and consequences. In it she may employ every energy of +the mind and every affection of the heart, while within its +limitless compass, under Providence, she exercises a power and +influence beyond all other agencies for good. She trains and +guides the life that is, and forms it for the eternity and +immortality that are to be. From the rude contact of life, man is +her shield. He is her guardian from its conflicts. He is the +defender of her rights in his home, and the avenger of her wrongs +everywhere.</p></blockquote> + +<p>[That is, what man considers her true sphere is not restricted, but +she is not allowed to decide for herself what shall be its<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> +dimensions. "Her power for good is beyond all other agencies," but it +is not wanted in affairs of State, where surely it is needed quite as +badly as in any place in the world. "Man is her shield, guardian, +defender and avenger." Witness the Common Law of England, made by men, +under which women lived for centuries and which is still in force in a +number of the States; witness the records of the courts with the +wife-beaters and slayers, the rapists, the seducers, the husbands who +have deserted their families, the schemers who have defrauded widows +and orphans—witness all these and then say if all men are the natural +protectors of women. But even if they were, witness the millions of +women who are not legally entitled to the protection and assistance of +any man. However, the report does not forget these women.]</p> + +<blockquote><p>The exceptional cases of unmarried females are too rare to change +the general policy, while expectancy and hope, constantly being +realized in marriage, are happily extinguishing the exceptions +and bringing all within the rule which governs wife and matron.</p> + +<p>To permit the entrance of political contention into the home +would be either useless or pernicious—useless if man and wife +agree, and pernicious if they differ. In the former event the +volume of ballots alone would be increased without changing +results. In the latter, the peace and contentment of home would +be exchanged for the bedlam of political debate and become the +scene of base and demoralizing intrigue.</p></blockquote> + +<p>[What a breadth of statesmanship, what a grasp of the principles of a +republican form of government, to see in the voting of husband and +wife only an "increase of ballots"; what a reflection upon men to +assume that if there were an honest difference of opinion "the home +would become a scene of base and demoralizing intrigue"; what a +recognition of justice to decree that, since possibly there might be a +disagreement, the man should do the voting and the woman should be +forbidden a voice!]</p> + +<blockquote><p>In respect to married women, it may well be doubted whether the +influences which result from the laws of property between husband +and wife, would not make it improbable that the woman should +exercise her suffrage with freedom and independence. This, too, +in despite of the fact that the dependence of woman under the +Common Law has been almost entirely obliterated by statutory +enactments.</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span></p> + +<p>[Almost, but not quite, and it would still prevail everywhere had its +obliteration depended upon the committee making this report. Think of +saying in cold blood that, as the husband holds the purse-strings, the +wife would not dare vote with freedom and independence!]</p> + +<blockquote><p>Your committee are of the opinion that while a few intelligent +women, such as appeared before the committee in advocacy of the +pending measure, would defy all obstacles in the way of their +casting the ballot, yet the great mass of the intelligent, +refined and judicious, with the becoming modesty of their sex, +would shrink from the rude contact of the crowd and, with the +exceptions mentioned, leave the ignorant and vile the exclusive +right to speak for the gentler sex in public affairs.</p></blockquote> + +<p>[This opinion has been wholly disproved by the experience of States +where women do vote. The "intelligent and judicious" have learned that +there is more "rude contact" in going to the market, the theater, the +train and the ferry-boat, than in a quiet booth where no man is +permitted to come within a hundred feet. But women are not so "modest +and refined" as to shrink from "rude contact" even, if it would give +them the opportunity to control the conditions which surround and +influence their husbands, their children, their homes and their +community.]</p> + +<blockquote><p>Your committee are of the opinion that the general policy of +female suffrage should remain in abeyance, in so far as the +general Government is concerned, until the States and communities +directly chargeable under our system of government with the +exercise and regulation of this privilege, shall put the seal of +affirmation upon it; and there certainly can be no reason for an +amendment of the Constitution to settle a question within the +jurisdiction of the States, and which they should first settle +for themselves.</p></blockquote> + +<p>[Of course, according to this logic, after the States settle the +question and put the seal of affirmation on it, then the general +Government will take a hand!]</p> + +<p>This House Report (No. 1330) was not drastic enough to suit the Hon. +Luke P. Poland (Vt.), so he made his own, in which he said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>No government founded upon the principle that sovereignty resides +in the people has ever allowed all the people to vote, or to +directly participate in making or administering the laws. +Suffrage has never been regarded as the natural right of all the +people or of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> any particular class or portion of the people. +Suffrage is representation, and it has been given in free +governments to such class of persons as in their judgment [whose +judgment?] would fairly and safely represent the rights and +interests of the whole. The right has generally, if not +universally, been conferred on men above twenty-one years of age, +and often this has been restricted by requiring the ownership of +property or the payment of taxes. [Which?]</p> + +<p>The great majority of women are either under the age of +twenty-one, or are married and therefore <i>under such influence +and control</i> as that relation implies and confers. Is there any +necessity for the protection and preservation of the rights of +women, that they must be allowed to vote and, of course, to hold +office and directly to participate in the administration of the +laws?</p> + +<p>Nearly every man who votes has a wife or mother or sisters or +daughters; some sustain all these relations or more than one. I +think it certain that the great majority of men when voting or +when engaged as legislators or in administering the laws in some +official character, are fully mindful of the interests of all +that class with whom they are so closely connected, and whose +interests are so bound up with their own, and that, therefore, +they fairly represent all the rights and interests of women as +well as their own. Persons who have been accustomed to see legal +proceedings in the courts, and occasionally to see a female +litigant in court, know very well whether they are apt to suffer +wrong because their rights are determined wholly by men.<a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a> +There is just as little reason for suspicion that their rights +are not carefully guarded in legislation, and in every way where +legislation can operate.</p> + +<p>There is another reason why I think this proposal to enlist the +women of the country as a part of its active political force, and +to cast upon them an equal duty in the political meetings, +campaigns and elections—to make them legislators, jurors, judges +and executive officers—is all wrong. I believe it to be utterly +inconsistent with the very nature and constitution of woman, and +wholly subversive of the sphere and function she was designed to +fill in the home and in society. The office and duty which nature +has devolved upon woman during <i>all the active and vigorous +portion</i> of her life would often render it impossible, and still +more often indelicate, for her to appear and act in caucuses, +conventions or elections, or to act as a member of the +Legislature or as a juror or judge.</p> + +<p>I can not bring myself to believe that any large portion of the +intelligent women of this country desire any such thing granted +them, or would perform any such duties if the chance were offered +them.</p></blockquote> + +<p>[To comment upon this would be "to gild refined gold, to paint the +lily, to throw a perfume on the violet." It would be positively +"indelicate."]</p> + +<p>William Dorsheimer (N. Y.) agreed with the committee to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> table the +resolution, but did not endorse their arguments. He signed the +following statement: "I think it probable that the interests of +society will some time require that women should have the right of +suffrage, and I am not willing to say more than that the present is +not an opportune time for submission to the States of the proposed +amendment."</p> + +<p>In this, it will be observed, there is no recognition of woman's right +to represent herself, no disposition to grant her petition for her own +sake, but simply the opinion that should there ever be a crisis when +her suffrage was needed it should be allowed as a matter of +expediency.</p> + +<p>In the eyes of posterity the Judiciary Committee of this Forty-eighth +Congress will be redeemed from the disgrace of these reports by that +of the minority, signed by Thomas B. Reed, afterwards for many years +Speaker of the House; Ezra B. Taylor (O.); Moses A. McCoid (Ia.); +Thomas M. Browne (Ind.). The question of woman suffrage never has been +and never can be more concisely and logically stated.</p> + +<blockquote><p>No one who listens to the reasons given by the superior class for +the continuance of any system of subjection can fail to be +impressed with the noble disinterestedness of mankind. When the +subjection of persons of African descent was to be maintained, +the good of those persons was always the main object. When it was +the fashion to beat children, to regard them as little animals +who had no rights, it was always for their good that they were +treated with severity, and never on account of the bad temper of +their parents. Hence, when it is proposed to give to the women of +this country an opportunity to present their case to the various +State Legislatures to demand equality of political rights, it is +not surprising to find that the reasons on which the continuance +of the inferiority of women is urged are drawn almost entirely +from a tender consideration of their own good. The anxiety felt +lest they should thereby deteriorate would be an honor to human +nature were it not an historical fact that the same sweet +solicitude has been put up as a barrier against all the progress +which women have made since civilization began.</p> + +<p>There is no doubt that if to-day in Turkey or Algiers, countries +where woman's sphere is most thoroughly confined to the home +circle, it was proposed to admit them to social life, to remove +the veil from their faces and permit them to converse in open day +with the friends of their husbands and brothers, the conservative +and judicious Turk or Algerine of the period, if he could be +brought even to consider such a horrible proposition, would point +out that the sphere of woman was to make home happy by those +gentle insipidities which education would destroy; that by +participating in conversation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> with men they would debase their +natures, and men would thereby lose that ameliorating influence +which still leaves them unfit to associate with women. He would +point out that "nature" had determined that women should be +secluded; that their sphere was to raise and educate the +man-child, and that any change would be a violation of the divine +law which, in the opinion of all conservative men, ordains the +present but never the future.</p> + +<p>So in civilized countries when it was proposed that women should +own their own property, that they should have the earnings of +their own labor, there were not wanting those who were sure that +such a proposition could work only evil to women, and that +continually. It would destroy the family, discordant interests +would provoke dispute, and the only real safety for woman was in +the headship of man; not that man wanted superiority for any +selfish reason, but to preserve intact the family relation for +woman's good. To-day a woman's property belongs to herself; her +earnings are her own; she has been emancipated beyond the wildest +hopes of any reformer of twenty-five years ago. Almost every +vocation is open to her. She is proving her usefulness in spheres +which the "nature" worshiped by the conservative of the last +generation absolutely forbade her to enter. Notwithstanding all +these changes the family circle remains unbroken, the man-child +gets as well educated as before, and the ameliorating influence +of woman has become only the more marked.</p> + +<p>Thirty years ago hardly any political assemblage of the people +was graced by the presence of women. Had it needed a law to +enable them to be present, what an argument could have been made +against it! How easily it could have been shown that the +coarseness, the dubious expressions, the general vulgarity of the +scene, could have had no other effect than to break down that +purity of thought and word which women have, and which +conservative and radical are alike sedulous to preserve. And yet +the actual presence of women at political meetings has not +debased them but has raised the other sex. Coarseness has not +become diffused through both sexes but has fled from both. To put +the whole matter in a short phrase: The association of the sexes +in the family circle, in society, and in business, having +improved both, there is neither history, reason nor sense to +justify the assertion that association in politics will lower the +one or demoralize the other.</p> + +<p>Hence, we would do well to approach the question without +trepidation. We can better leave the "sphere" of woman to the +future than confine it in the chains of the past. Words change +nothing. Prejudices are none the less prejudices because we +vaguely call them "nature," and prate about what nature has +forbidden, when we only mean that the thing we are opposing has +not been hitherto done. "Nature" forbade a steamship to cross the +Atlantic the very moment it was crossing, and yet it arrived just +the same. What the majority call "nature" has stood in the way of +all progress of the past and present, and will stand in the way +of all future progress. It is only another name for conservatism. +With conservatism the minority have no quarrel. It is essential +to the stability of mankind, of government<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> and of social life. +To every new proposal it rightfully calls a halt, demanding +countersign, whether it be friend or foe. The enfranchisement of +women must pass this ordeal like everything else. It must give +good reason for its demand to be, or take its place among the +half-forgotten fantasies which have challenged the support of +mankind and have not stood the test of argument and discussion.</p> + +<p>The majority of the committee claim that suffrage is not a right +but a privilege to be guarded by those who have it, and to be by +them doled out to those who shall become worthy. That every +extension of suffrage has been granted in some form or other by +those already holding it is probably true. In some countries, +however, it has been extended upon the simple basis of +expediency, and in others in obedience to a claim of right. If +suffrage be a right, if it be true that no man has a claim to +govern any other man except to the extent that the other man has +a right to govern him, then there can be no discussion of the +question of Woman Suffrage. No reason on earth can be given by +those who claim suffrage as a right of manhood which does not +make it a right of womanhood also. If the suffrage is to be given +man to protect him in his life, liberty and property, the same +reasons urge that it be given to woman, for she has the same +life, liberty and property to protect. If it be urged that her +interests are so bound up in those of man that they are sure to +be protected, the answer is that the same argument was urged as +to the merging in the husband of the wife's right of property, +and was pronounced by the judgment of mankind fallacious in +practice and in principle. If the natures of men and women are so +alike that for that reason no harm is done by suppressing women, +what harm can be done by elevating them to equality? If the +natures be different, what right can there be in refusing +representation to those who might take juster views about many +social and political questions?</p> + +<p>Our Government is founded, not on the rule of the wisest and +best, but upon the rule of all. The learned and the ignorant, the +wise and the unwise, the judicious and the injudicious are all +invited to assist in governing, and upon the broad principle that +the best government for mankind is not the government which the +wisest and best would select, but that which the average of +mankind would select. Laws are daily enacted, not because they +seem the wisest even to those legislators who pass them, but +because they represent what the whole people wish. And, in the +long run, it may be just as bad to enact laws in advance of +public sentiment as to hold on to laws behind it. Upon what +principle in a Government like ours can one-half the minds be +denied expression at the polls? Is it because they are untrained +in public affairs? Are they more so than the slaves were when the +right of suffrage was conferred on them? It is objected that to +admit women would be temporarily to lower the suffrage on account +of their lack of training in public duties. What is now asked of +us is not immediate admission to the right, but the privilege of +presenting to the Legislatures of the different States the +amendment,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> which can not become effective until adopted by +three-fourths of them. It may be said that the agitation and +discussion of this question will, long before its adoption, have +made women as familiar with public affairs as the average of men, +for the agitation is hardly likely to be successful until after a +majority, at least, of women are in favor of it.</p> + +<p>We believe in the educating and improving effect of participation +in government. We believe that every citizen in the United States +is made more intelligent, more learned and better educated by his +participation in politics and political campaigns. It must be +remembered that education, like all things else, is relative. +While the average American voter may not be all that impatient +people desire, and is far behind his own future, yet he is +incomparably superior to the average citizen of any other land +where the subject does not fully participate in the government. +Discussions on the stump, and above all the discussions he +himself has with his fellows, breed a desire for knowledge which +will take no refusal and which leads to great general +intelligence. In political discussion, acrimony and hate are not +essential, and have of late years quite perceptibly diminished +and will more and more diminish when discussions by women, and in +the presence of women, become more common. If, then, discussion +of public affairs among men has elevated them in knowledge and +intelligence, why will it not lead to the same results among +women? It is not merely education that makes civilization, but +diffusion of education. The standing of a nation and its future +depend not upon the education of the few, but of the whole. Every +improvement in the status of woman in the matter of education has +been an improvement to the whole race. Women have by education +thus far become more womanly, not less. The same prophecies of +ruin to womanliness were made against her education on general +subjects that are now made against her participation in politics.</p> + +<p>It is sometimes asserted that women now have a great influence in +politics through their husbands and brothers. This is undoubtedly +true. But that is just the kind of influence which is not +wholesome for the community, for it is influence unaccompanied by +responsibility. People are always ready to recommend to others +what they would not do themselves. If it be true that women can +not be prevented from exercising political influence, is not that +only another reason why they should be steadied in their +political action by that proper sense of responsibility which +comes from acting themselves?</p> + +<p>We conclude then, that every reason which in this country bestows +the ballot upon man is equally applicable to the proposition to +bestow the ballot upon woman, and that in our judgment there is +no foundation for the fear that woman will thereby become +unfitted for all the duties she has hitherto performed.</p></blockquote> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> For an interesting account of the struggle to secure +these committees see <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28556/28556-h/28556-h.htm#Page_198">History of Woman Suffrage, Vol. III, p. 198</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> But it was after five years of persistent appeal to +Congress by Mrs. Belva A. Lockwood, and the enactment of a law, by +overwhelming majorities in both Houses, prohibiting the Supreme Court +from denying admission to lawyers on account of sex, that this act of +justice was accomplished.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> This committee was composed of Senators Cockrell (Mo.), +Fair (Nev.), Brown (Ga.), Anthony (R. I.), Blair (N. H.), Palmer +(Mich.), Lapham (N. Y.).</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> J. Randolph Tucker, Va.; Nathaniel J. Hammond, Ga.; +David B. Culberson, Tex.; Samuel W. Moulton, Ills.; James O. +Broadhead, Mo.; William Dorsheimer, N. Y.; Patrick A. Collins, Mass.; +George E. Seney, O.; William C. Maybury, Mich.; Thomas B. Reed, Me.; +Ezra B. Taylor, O.; Moses A. McCoid, Ia.; Thomas M. Browne, Ind.; Luke +P. Poland, Vt.; Horatio Bisbee, Jr., Fla.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> Their report, dated April 23, 1884, was used entire by +Senator Brown in the debate on woman suffrage which took place in the +Senate of the United States January 25, 1887, and will be found in +<a href="#CHAPTER_VI">Chapter VI</a>, which contains also a portion of the majority report +included in the speech of Senator Blair.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_25_25" id="Footnote_25_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_25_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a> Would the men whose crimes very often have sent these +"female litigants" into the courts, be willing to have their cases +tried before a jury of women?</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<h3>THE NATIONAL SUFFRAGE CONVENTION OF 1885.<a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a></h3> + + +<p>The Seventeenth of the national conventions was held in Lincoln Hall, +Washington, D. C., Jan. 20-22, 1885, preceded by the usual brilliant +reception, which was extended by Mr. and Mrs. Spofford each season for +the twelve years during which the association had its headquarters at +the Riggs House.</p> + +<p>It is rather amusing to note the custom of the newspaper reporters to +give a detailed description of the dress of each one of the speakers, +usually to the exclusion of the subject-matter of her speech. On this +occasion the public was informed that one lady "spoke in dark bangs +and Bismarck brown;" one "in black and gold with angel sleeves, +boutonničre and ear-drops;" another "in a basque polonaise and snake +bracelets;" another "in black silk dress and bonnet, gold eye-glasses +and black kid gloves." One lady wore "a small bonnet made of +gaudy-colored birds' wings;" one "spoke with a pretty lisp, was +attired in a box-pleated satin skirt, velvet newmarket basque +polonaise, hollyhock corsage bouquet;" another "addressed the meeting +in low tones and a poke bonnet;" still another "discussed the question +in a velvet bonnet and plain linen collar." "A large lady wore a green +cashmere dress with pink ribbons in her hair;" then there was "a slim +lady with tulle ruffles, velvet sacque and silk skirt." Of one it was +said: "Her face, though real feminine in shape, was painted all over +with business till it looked like a man's, and her hair was shingled +and brushed in little banglets." "Miss Anthony," so the report said, +"wore a blue barbe trimmed in lace," while Mrs. Stanton "was attired +in a black silk dress with a white handkerchief around her throat." +One record declares that "there was not a pair of earrings on the +platform, but most of the ladies wore gold watch-chains."</p> + +<p>These extracts are taken verbatim from the best newspapers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> of the +day. The conventions had passed the stage where, according to the +reporters, all of the participants had short hair and wore bloomers, +but, according to the same authority, they had reached the wonderful +attire described above. This was fifteen years ago. The proceedings of +the national convention of 1900 occupied from four to seven columns +daily in each of the Washington papers, and one or more columns were +telegraphed each day to the large newspapers of the United States, and +yet it may be safely said that there was not one line of reference to +the costumes of the ladies in attendance. The business meetings, +speeches, etc., were reported with the same respect and dignity as are +accorded to national conventions of men. The petty personalities of +the past were wholly eliminated and women were presented from an +intellectual standpoint, to be judged upon their merits and not by +their clothes. This result alone is worth the fifty years of endeavor.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton presided over all of the sessions. Mrs. +Lillie Devereux Blake gave a full report of the legislative work done +in New York during the past year. In the address of Mrs. Harriette R. +Shattuck (Mass.) she laid especial stress on the need for women to be +invested with responsibility. Mrs. Matilda Joslyn Gage (N. Y.) +discussed the woman question from a scientific standpoint. She was +followed by Mrs. Laura de Force Gordon, the second woman admitted to +practice before the U. S. Supreme Court, who answered the question, Is +our Civilization Civilized? and described the legal status of women in +California. Mrs. Caroline Gilkey Rogers (N. Y.) gave a spirited talk +on the Aristocracy of Sex. The principal address of the evening was by +Mrs. Stanton, a long and thoughtful paper in which she said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Those people who declaim on the inequalities of sex, the +disabilities and limitations of one as against the other, show +themselves as ignorant of the first principles of life as would +that philosopher who should undertake to show the comparative +power of the positive as against the negative electricity, of the +centrifugal as against the centripetal force, the attraction of +the north as against the south end of the magnet. These great +natural forces must be perfectly balanced or the whole material +world would relapse into chaos. Just so the masculine and +feminine elements in humanity must be exactly balanced to redeem +the moral and social world from the chaos<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> which surrounds it. +One might as well talk of separate spheres for the two ends of +the magnet as for man and woman; they may have separate duties in +the same sphere, but their true place is together everywhere. +Having different duties in the same sphere, neither can succeed +without the presence and influence of the other. To restore the +equilibrium of sex is the first step in social, religious and +political progress. It is by the constant repression of the best +elements in humanity, by our false customs, creeds and codes, +that we have thus far retarded civilization....</p> + +<p>There would be more sense in insisting on man's limitations +because he can not be a mother, than on woman's because she can +be. Surely maternity is an added power and development of some of +the most tender sentiments of the human heart and not a +"limitation." "Yes," says another pertinacious reasoner, "but it +unfits woman for much of the world's work." Yes, and it fits her +for much of the world's work; a large share of human legislation +would be better done by her because of this deep experience....</p> + +<p>If one-half the effort had been expended to exalt the feminine +element that has been made to degrade it, we should have reached +the natural equilibrium long ago. Either sex, in isolation, is +robbed of one-half its power for the accomplishment of any given +work. This was the most fatal dogma of the Christian +religion—that in proportion as men withdrew from all +companionship with women, they could get nearer to God, grow more +like the Divine Ideal.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Telegrams of greetings were received from many associations and +individuals. Miss Frances Ellen Burr, who made a fine stenographic +report of the entire convention, spoke for Connecticut, closing with +an ideal picture of civilization as it might be with the wisdom of +both sexes brought to bear on the problems of society. The following +resolutions were written by Mrs. Clara Bewick Colby:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, The dogmas incorporated in the religious creeds derived +from Judaism, teaching that woman was an afterthought in +creation, her sex a misfortune, marriage a condition of +subordination, and maternity a curse, are contrary to the law of +God as revealed in nature and the precepts of Christ; and,</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, These dogmas are an insidious poison, sapping the +vitality of our civilization, blighting woman and palsying +humanity; therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That we denounce these dogmas wherever they are +enunciated, and we will withdraw our personal support from any +organization so holding and teaching; and,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That we call upon the Christian ministry, as leaders +of thought, to teach and enforce the fundamental idea of creation +that man was made in the image of God, male and female, and given +equal dominion over the earth, but none over each other. And +further we invite their co-operation in securing the recognition +of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> cardinal point of our creed, that in true religion there +is neither male nor female, neither bond nor free, but all are +one.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The resolutions were introduced and advocated by Mrs. Stanton, who +said: "Woman has been licensed to preach in the Methodist church; the +Unitarian and Universalist and some branches of the Baptist +denomination have ordained women, but the majority do not recognize +them officially, although for the first three centuries after the +proclamation of Christianity women had a place in the church. They +were deaconesses and elders, and were ordained and administered the +sacrament. Yet through the Catholic hierarchy these privileges were +taken away in Christendom and they have never been restored. Now we +intend to demand equal rights in the church."</p> + +<p>This precipitated a vigorous discussion which extended into the next +day. Miss Anthony was opposed to a consideration of the resolutions +and in giving her reasons said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I was on the old Garrisonian platform and found long ago that +this matter of settling any question of human rights by people's +interpretation of the Bible is never satisfactory. I hope we +shall not go back to that war. No two can ever interpret alike, +and discussion upon it is time wasted. We all know what we want, +and that is the recognition of woman's perfect equality—in the +Home, the Church and the State. We all know that such recognition +has never been granted her in the centuries of the past. But for +us to begin a discussion here as to who established these dogmas +would be anything but profitable. Let those who wish go back into +the history of the past, but I beg it shall not be done on our +platform.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Mary E. McPherson (Ia.) insisted that the Bible did not ignore +women, although custom might do so. The Rev. Dr. McMurdy (D. C.) +declared that women were teachers under the old Jewish dispensation; +that the Catholic church set apart its women, ordained them and gave +them the title "reverend"; that the Episcopal church ordained +deaconesses. He hoped the convention would not take action on this +question. John B. Wolf upheld the resolution. Mrs. Shattuck thought +the church was coming around to a belief in woman suffrage and it +would be a mistake to antagonize it.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Colby insisted the resolutions did not attack the Bible, but the +dogmas which grew out of man's interpretation of it, saying:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>This dogma of woman's divinely appointed inferiority has sapped +the vitality of our civilization, blighted woman and palsied +humanity. As a Christian woman and a member of an orthodox +church, I stand on this resolution; on the divine plan of +creation as set forth in the first chapter of Genesis, where we +are told that man was created male and female and set over the +world to have equal dominion; and on the gospel of the new +dispensation, in which there is neither male nor female, bond nor +free, but all are one. This resolution avows our loyalty to what +we believe to be the true teachings of the Bible, and the +co-operation of the Christian ministry is invited in striving to +secure the application of the golden rule to women.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Edward M. Davis (Penn.) declared that, while individual members might +favor woman suffrage, not one religious body ever had declared for it, +and the convention ought to express itself on this subject. Mrs. +Gordon pointed out the difference between religion and theology. Mrs. +Stanton, being called on for further remarks, spoke in the most +earnest manner:</p> + +<blockquote><p>You may go over the world and you will find that every form of +religion which has breathed upon this earth has degraded woman. +There is not one which has not made her subject to man. Men may +rejoice in them because they make man the head of the woman. I +have been traveling over the old world during the last few years +and have found new food for thought. What power is it that makes +the Hindoo woman burn herself on the funeral pyre of her husband? +Her religion. What holds the Turkish woman in the harem? Her +religion. By what power do the Mormons perpetuate their system of +polygamy? By their religion. Man, of himself, could not do this; +but when he declares, "Thus saith the Lord," of course he can do +it. So long as ministers stand up and tell us that as Christ is +the head of the church, so is man the head of the woman, how are +we to break the chains which have held women down through the +ages? You Christian women can look at the Hindoo, the Turkish, +the Mormon women, and wonder how they can be held in such +bondage. Observe to-day the work women are doing for the +churches. <i>The church rests on the shoulders of women.</i> Have we +ever yet heard a man preach a sermon from Genesis i:27-28, which +declares the full equality of the feminine and masculine element +in the Godhead? They invariably shy at that first chapter. They +always get up in their pulpits and read the second chapter.</p> + +<p>Now I ask you if our religion teaches the dignity of woman? It +teaches us that abominable idea of the sixth century—Augustine's +idea—that motherhood is a curse; that woman is the author of +sin, and is most corrupt. Can we ever cultivate any proper sense +of self-respect as long as women take such sentiments from the +mouths of the priesthood?... The canon laws are infamous—so +infamous that a council of the Christian church was swamped by +them. In republican America, and in the light of the nineteenth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> +century, we must demand that our religion shall teach a higher +idea in regard to woman. People seem to think we have reached the +very end of theology; but let me say that the future is to be as +much purer than the past as our immediate past has been better +than the dark ages. We want to help roll off from the soul of +woman the terrible superstitions that have so long repressed and +crushed her.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Through the determined efforts of Miss Anthony and some others the +resolution was permitted to lie on the table.</p> + +<p>Miss Matilda Hindman (Penn.) gave an address on As the Rulers, So the +People, well fortified with statistics. The Rev. Olympia Brown (Wis.) +made a stirring appeal under the title All Are Created Equal. Among +the many excellent addresses were those of Mrs. Colby, Mrs. Annie L. +Diggs (Kas.) and Dr. Alice B. Stockham (Ills.). The usual resolutions +were adopted, and the memorial called forth a number of eulogies:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That in the death of the Hon. Henry Fawcett, of +England, Senator Henry B. Anthony, the Rev. William Henry +Channing, ex-Secretary of the Treasury Charles J. Folger, Bishop +Matthew Simpson, Madame Mathilde Anneke, Kate Newell Doggett, +Frances Dana Gage, Laura Giddings Julian, Sarah Pugh and +Elizabeth T. Schenck, the year 1884 has been one of irreparable +losses to our movement.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Among the many interesting letters written to the convention was one +from Wm. Lloyd Garrison, inclosing letters received in times past +expressing sympathy with the efforts of the suffrage advocates, from +his father, from Ralph Waldo Emerson and from the Rev. William Henry +Channing, whose body at this very time was being borne across the +ocean to its resting place in this country. A touching message was +read from that faithful and efficient pioneer, Clarina I. H. Nichols, +of California, which ended: "My last words in the good work for +humanity are, 'God is with us.' There can be no failure and no defeat +outside ourselves." The writer passed away before it reached the +convention. Other encouraging letters were received from the Reverends +Anna Garlin Spencer (R. I.), Ada C. Bowles and Phebe A. Hanaford +(Mass.); from Mrs. Julia Foster and her daughters, Rachel and Julia, +in Berlin; from Mrs. Caroline E. Merrick (La.), Mrs. Emma C. Bascom, +of Wisconsin University, and friends and workers in all parts of the +country.</p> + +<p>The convention adopted a comprehensive plan of work submitted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> by Mrs. +Blake, Miss Hindman and Mrs. Colby.<a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a> At the last session Miss +Anthony made a strong, practical speech on the Present Status of the +Woman Suffrage Question, and Mrs. Stanton closed the convention.</p> + +<p>A number of ministers on the following Sunday took as a text the +resolution which had been discussed so vigorously, and used it as an +argument against the enfranchisement of women, some of them going so +far as to denounce the suffrage advocates as infidels and the movement +itself as atheistic and immoral. They wholly ignored the facts—first, +that the resolution was merely against the dogmas which had been +incorporated into the creeds, and was simply a demand that Christian +ministers should teach and enforce only the fundamental declarations +of the Scriptures; second, that there was an emphatic division of +opinion among the members on the resolution; third, that by consent it +was laid on the table; and fourth, that even had it been adopted, it +was neither atheistic nor immoral.</p> + +<p>On February 6, 1885, Thomas W. Palmer (Mich.) brought up in the Senate +the joint resolution for a Sixteenth Amendment which had been +favorably reported by the Select Committee on Woman Suffrage the +previous winter, and in its support made a masterly argument which has +not been surpassed in the fifteen years that have since elapsed, +saying in part:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>This resolution involves the consideration of the broadest step +in the progress of the struggle for human liberty that has ever +been submitted to any ruler or to any legislative body. Its +taking is pregnant with wide changes in the pathway of future +civilization. Its obstruction will delay and cripple our +advancement. The trinity of principles which Lord Chatham called +the "Bible of the English Constitution," the Magna Charta, the +Petition of Rights, and the Bill of Rights, are towering +landmarks in the history of our race, but they immediately +concerned but few at the time of their erection.</p> + +<p>The Declaration of Independence by the colonists and its +successful assertion, the establishment of the right of petition, +the abolition of imprisonment for debt, the property +qualification for suffrage in nearly all the States, the +recognition of the right of women to earn, hold, enjoy and devise +property, are proud and notable gains.</p> + +<p>The emancipation of 4,000,000 slaves and the subsequent extension +of suffrage to the male adults among them were measures enlarging +the possibilities of freedom, the full benefits of which have yet +to be realized; but the political emancipation of 26,000,000 of +our citizens, equal to us in most essential respects and superior +to us in many, it seems to me would translate our nation, almost +at a bound, to the broad plateau of universal equality and +co-operation to which all these blood-stained and prayer-worn +steps have surely led.</p> + +<p>Like life insurance and the man who carried the first umbrella, +the inception of this movement was greeted with derision. Born of +an apparently hopeless revolt against unjust discrimination, +unequal statutes, and cruel constructions of courts, it has +pressed on and over ridicule, malice, indifference and +conservatism, until it stands in the gray dawn before the most +powerful legislative body on earth and challenges final +consideration.</p> + +<p>The laws which degraded our wives have been everywhere repealed +or modified, and our children may now be born of free women. Our +sisters have been recognized as having brains as well as hearts, +and as being capable of transacting their own business affairs. +New avenues of self-support have been found and profitably +entered upon, and the doors of our colleges have ceased to creak +their dismay at the approach of women. Twelve States have +extended limited suffrage through their Legislatures, and three +Territories admit all citizens of suitable age to the ballot-box, +while from no single locality in which it has been tried comes +any word but that of satisfaction concerning the experiment.</p> + +<p>The spirit of inquiry attendant upon the agitation and discussion +of this question has permeated every neighborhood in the land, +and none can be so blind as to miss the universal development in +self-respect, self-reliance, general intelligence and increased +capacity among our women. They have lost none of the womanly +graces, but by fitting themselves for counselors and mental +companions have benefited man, more perhaps than themselves.</p> + +<p>In considering the objections to this extension of the suffrage +we are fortunate in finding them grouped in the adverse report of +the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> minority of your committee, and also in confidently +assuming, from the acknowledged ability and evident earnestness +of the distinguished Senators who prepared it, that all is +contained therein in the way of argument or protest which is left +to the opponents of this reform after thirty-seven years of +discussion. I wish that every Senator would examine this report +and note how many of its reasonings are self-refuting and how few +even seem to warrant further antagonism.</p> + +<p>They cite the physical superiority of man, but offer no amendment +to increase the voting power of a Sullivan or to disfranchise the +halt, the lame, the blind or the sick. They regard the manly head +of the family as its only proper representative, but would not +exclude the adult bachelor sons. They urge disability to perform +military service as fatal to full citizenship, but would hardly +consent to resign their own rights because they have passed the +age of conscription; or to question those of Quakers, who will +not fight, or of professional men and civic officials, who, like +mothers, are regarded as of more use to the State at home.</p> + +<p>They are dismayed by a vision of women in attendance at caucuses +at late hours of the night, but doubtless enjoy their presence at +balls and entertainments until the early dawn. They deprecate the +appearance of women at political meetings, but in my State women +have attended such meetings for years upon the earnest +solicitation of those in charge, and the influence of their +presence has been good. Eloquent women are employed by State +committees of all parties to canvass in their interests and are +highly valued and respected....</p> + +<p>They object that many women do not desire the suffrage and that +some would not exercise it. It is probably true, as often +claimed, that many slaves did not desire emancipation in +1863—and there are men in most communities who do not vote, but +we hear of no freedman to-day who asks re-enslavement, and no +proposition is offered to disfranchise all men because some +neglect their duty.</p> + +<p>The minority profess a willingness to have this measure +considered as a local issue rather than a national one, but those +who recall the failures to extend the ballot to black men, in the +most liberal Northern States, by a popular vote, may be excused +if they question their frankness in suggesting this transfer of +responsibility. The education of the people of a whole State on +this particular question is a much more laborious and expensive +work than an appeal to the several Legislatures. The subject +would be much more likely to receive intelligent treatment at the +hands of the picked men of a State, where calm discussion may be +had, than at the polls where prejudice and tradition oftentimes +exert a more potent influence than logic and justice. To refuse +this method to those to whom we are bound by the dearest ties +betrays an indifference to their requests or an inexplicable +adhesion to prejudice, which is only sought to be defended by an +asserted regard for women, that to me seems most illogical.</p> + +<p>I share no fears of the degradation of women by the ballot. I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> +believe rather that it will elevate men. I believe the tone of +our politics will be higher, that our caucuses will be more +jealously guarded and our conventions more orderly and decorous. +I believe the polls will be freed from the vulgarity and +coarseness which now too often surround them, and that the +polling booths, instead of being in the least attractive parts of +a ward or town, will be in the most attractive; instead of being +in stables, will be in parlors. I believe the character of +candidates will be more closely scrutinized and that better +officers will be chosen to make and administer the laws. I +believe that the casting of the ballot will be invested with a +seriousness—I had almost said a sanctity—second only to a +religious observance.</p> + +<p>The objections enumerated above appear to be the only profferings +against this measure excepting certain fragmentary quotations and +deductions from the sacred Scriptures; and here, Mr. President, I +desire to enter my most solemn protest. The opinions of Paul and +Peter as to what was the best policy for the struggling churches +under their supervision, in deferring to the prejudices of the +communities which they desired to attract and benefit, were not +inspirations for the guidance of our civilization in matters of +political co-operation; and every apparent inhibition of the +levelment of the caste of sex may be neutralized by selections of +other paragraphs and by the general spirit and trend of the Holy +Book.... Sir, my reverence for this grandest of all compilations, +human or divine, compels a protest against its being cast into +the street as a barricade against every moral, political and +social reform; lest, when the march of progress shall have swept +on and over to its consummation, it may appear to the superficial +observer that it is the Bible which has been overthrown and not +its erroneous interpretation.</p> + +<p>If with our present experience of the needs and dangers of +co-operative government and our present observation of woman's +social and economic status, we could divest ourselves of our +traditions and prejudices, and the question of suffrage should +come up for incorporation into a new organic law, a distinction +based upon sex would not be entertained for a moment. It seems to +me that we should divest ourselves to the utmost extent possible +of these entanglements of tradition, and judicially examine three +questions relative to the proposed extension of suffrage: First, +Is it right? Second, Is it desirable? Third, Is it expedient? If +these be determined affirmatively our duty is plain.</p> + +<p>If the right of the governed and the taxed to a voice in +determining by whom they shall be governed and to what extent and +for what purposes they may be taxed is not a natural right, it is +nevertheless a right to the declaration and establishment of +which by the fathers we owe all that we possess of liberty. They +declared taxation without representation to be tyranny, and +grappled with the most powerful nation of their day in a +seven-years' struggle for the overthrow of such tyranny. It +appears incredible to me that any one can indorse the principles +proclaimed by the patriots of 1776 and deny their application to +women.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span></p> + +<p>Samuel Adams said: "Representation and legislation, as well as +taxation, are inseparable, according to the spirit of our +Constitution and of all others that are free." Again, he said: +"No man can be justly taxed by, or bound in conscience to obey, +any law to which he has not given his consent in person or by his +representative." And again: "No man can take another's property +from him without his consent. This is the law of nature; and a +violation of it is the same thing whether it is done by one man, +who is called a king, or by five hundred of another +denomination."</p> + +<p>James Otis, in speaking of the rights of the colonists as +descendants of Englishmen; said they "were not to be cheated out +of them by any phantom of virtual representation or any other +fiction of law or politics." Again: "No such phrase as virtual +representation is known in law or constitution. It is altogether +a subtlety and illusion, wholly unfounded and absurd."</p> + +<p>The Declaration of Independence asserts that, to secure the +inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, +governments are instituted among men, "deriving their just powers +from the consent of the governed."</p> + +<p>Benjamin Franklin wrote that "liberty or freedom consists in +having an actual share in the appointment of those who frame the +laws and who are the guardians of every man's life, property and +peace;" that "they who have no voice nor vote in the electing of +representatives do not enjoy liberty, but are absolutely enslaved +to those who have votes and to their representatives."</p> + +<p>James Madison said: "Under every view of the subject, it seems +indispensable that the mass of the citizens should not be without +a voice in making the laws which they are to obey, and in +choosing the magistrates who are to administer them." ...</p> + +<p>The right of women to personal representation through the ballot +seems to me unassailable, wherever the right of man is conceded +and exercised. I can conceive of no possible abstract +justification for the exclusion of the one and the inclusion of +the other.</p> + +<p>Is the recognition of this right desirable? The earliest mention +of the Saxon people is found in the Germany of Tacitus, and in +his terse description of them he states that "in all grave +matters they consult their women." Can we afford to dispute the +benefit of this counseling in the advancement of our race?</p> + +<p>The measure of the civilization of any nation may be no more +surely ascertained by its consumption of salt than by the social, +economic and political status of its women. It is not enough for +contentment that we assert the superiority of our women in +intelligence, virtue, and self-sustaining qualities, but we must +consider the profit to them and to the State in their further +advancement.</p> + +<p>Our statistics are lamentably meager in information as to the +status of our women outside their mere enumeration, but we learn +that in a single State 42,000 are assessed and pay one-eleventh +of the total burden of taxation, with no voice in its +disbursements. From the imperfect gleaning of the Tenth Census we +learn that of the total enumerated bread-winners of the United +States more than one-seventh<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> are women.... That these 2,647,157 +citizens of whom we have official information labor from +necessity and are everywhere underpaid is within the knowledge +and observation of every Senator upon this floor. Only the +Government makes any pretense of paying women in accordance with +the labor performed—without submitting them to the competition +of their starving sisters, whose natural dignity and self-respect +have suffered from being driven by the fierce pressure of want +into the few and crowded avenues for the exchange of their labor +for bread. Is it not the highest exhibit of the moral superiority +of our women that so very few consent to exchange pinching penury +for gilded vice?</p> + +<p>Will the possession of the ballot multiply and widen these +avenues to self-support and independence? The most thoughtful +women who have given the subject thorough examination believe it, +and I can not but infer that many men, looking only to their own +selfish interests, fear it.</p> + +<p>History teaches that every class which has assumed political +responsibility has been materially elevated and improved thereby, +and I can not believe that the rule would have an exception in +the women of to-day. I do not say that to the idealized women so +generally described by obstructionists—the dainty darlings whose +prototypes are to be found in the heroines of Walter Scott and +Fenimore Cooper—immediate awakening would come; but to the +toilers, the wage-workers and the women of affairs, the +consequent enlargement of possibilities would give new courage +and stimulate to new endeavor, and the State would be the gainer +thereby.</p> + +<p>The often-urged fear that the ignorant and vicious would swarm to +the polls while the intelligent and virtuous would stand aloof, +is fully met by the fact that the former class has never asked +for the suffrage or shown interest in its seeking, while the +hundreds of thousands of petitioners are from our best and +noblest women, including those whose efforts for the amelioration +of the wrongs and sufferings of others have won for them +imperishable tablets in the temple of humanity. Would fear be +entertained that the State would suffer mortal harm if, by some +strange revolution, its exclusive control should be turned over +to an oligarchy composed of such women as have been and are +identified with the agitation for the political emancipation of +their sex? Saloons, brothels and gaming-houses might vanish +before such an administration; wars avoidable with safety and +honor might not be undertaken, and taxes might be diverted to +purposes of general sanitation and higher education, but neither +in these respects nor in the efforts to lift the bowed and +strengthen the weak would the right to life, liberty and the +pursuit of happiness be placed in peril. Women have exercised the +highest civil powers in all ages of the world—from Zenobia to +Victoria—and have exhibited statecraft and military capacity of +high degree without detracting from their graces as women or +their virtues as mothers....</p> + +<p>The preponderance of women in our churches, our charitable +organizations, our educational councils, has been of such use as +to suggest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> the benefit of their incorporation into our voting +force to the least observant. A woman who owns railroad or +manufacturing or mining stock may vote unquestioned by the side +of the brightest business men of our continent, but if she +transfers her property into real estate she loses all voice in +its control.</p> + +<p>Their abilities, intellectual, physical and political, are as +various as ours, and they err who set up any single standard, +however lovely, by which to determine the rights, needs and +possibilities of the sex. To me the recognition of their capacity +for full citizenship is right and desirable, and it only remains +to consider whether it is safe, whether it is expedient. To this +let experience answer to the extent that the experiment has been +made.</p> + +<p>During the first thirty years of the independence of New Jersey, +universal suffrage was limited only by a property qualification; +but we do not learn that divorces were common, that families were +more divided on political than on religious differences, that +children were neglected or that patriotism languished, although +the first seven years of that experiment were years of decimating +war, and the remaining twenty-three of poverty and +recuperation—conditions most conducive to discontent and erratic +legislation.</p> + +<p>The reports from Wyoming, which I have examined, are uniform in +satisfaction with the system, and I do not learn therefrom that +women require greater physical strength, fighting qualities or +masculinity to deposit a ballot than a letter or visiting card; +while in their service as jurors they have exhibited greater +courage than their brothers in finding verdicts against +desperadoes in accordance with the facts. Governors, judges, +officers and citizens unite in praises of the influence of women +upon the making and execution of wholesome laws.</p> + +<p>In Washington Territory, last fall, out of a total vote of 40,000 +there were 12,000 ballots cast by women, and everywhere friends +were rejoiced and opponents silenced as apprehended dangers +vanished upon approach. Some of the comments of converted +newspaper editors which have reached us are worthy of +preservation and future reference. The elections were quiet and +peaceable for the first time; the brawls of brutal men gave place +to the courtesies of social intercourse; saloons were closed, and +nowhere were the ladies insulted or in any way annoyed. Women +vote intelligently and safely, and it does not appear that their +place is solely at home any more than that the farmer should +never leave his farm, the mechanic his shop, the teacher his +desk, the clergyman his study, or the professional man his +office, for the purpose of expressing his wishes and opinions at +the tribunal of the ballot-box.</p> + +<p>To-day—and to a greater extent in the near future—we are +confronted with political conditions dangerous to the integrity +of our nation. In the unforeseen but constant absorption of +immigrants and former bondmen into a vast army of untrained +voters, without restrictions as to the intelligence, character or +patriotism, many political economists see the material for +anarchy and public demoralization. It is claimed that the +necessities of parties compel subserviency to the lawless and +vicious classes in our cities, and that,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> without the addition of +a counterbalancing element, the enactment and enforcement of +wholesome statutes will soon be impossible. Fortunately that +needed element is not far to seek. It stands at the door of the +Congress urging annexation. In its strivings for justice it has +cried aloud in petitions from the best of our land, and more than +one-third of the present voters of five States have indorsed its +cause. Its advocates are no longer the ridiculed few, but the +respected many. A list of the leaders of progressive thought of +this generation who espouse and urge this reform would be too +long and comprehensive for recital.</p> + +<p>Mr. President, I do not ask the submission of this amendment, nor +shall I urge its adoption, because it is desired by a portion of +the American women, although in intelligence, property and +numbers that portion would seem to have every requisite for the +enforcement of their demands; neither are we bound to give undue +regard to the timidity and hesitation of that possibly larger +portion who shrink from additional responsibilities; but I ask +and shall urge it because the nation has need of the co-operation +of women in all directions.</p> + +<p>The war power of every government compels, upon occasion, all +citizens of suitable age and physique to leave their homes, +families and avocations to be merged in armies, whether they be +willing or unwilling, craven or bold, patriotic or indifferent, +and no one gainsays the right, because the necessities of State +require their services. We have passed the harsh stages incident +to our permanent institution. We have conquered our independence, +conquered the respect of European powers, conquered our neighbors +on the western borders, and at vast cost of life and waste have +conquered our internal differences and emerged a nation +unchallenged from without or within. The great questions of the +future conduct of our people are to be economic and social ones. +No one doubts the superiority of womanly instincts, and +consequent thought in the latter, and the repeated failures and +absurdities exhibited by male legislators in the treatment of the +former, should give pause to any assertion of superiority there.</p> + +<p>The day has come when the counsel and service of women are +required by the highest interests of the State, and who shall +gainsay their conscription? We place the ballot in the keeping of +immigrants who have grown middle-aged or old in the environment +of governments dissimilar to the spirit and purpose of ours, and +we do well, because the responsibility accompanying the trust +tends to examination, comparison and consequent political +education; but we decline to avail ourselves of the aid of our +daughters, wives and mothers, who were born and are already +educated under our system, reading the same newspapers, books and +periodicals as ourselves, proud of our common history, tenacious +of our theories of human rights and solicitous for our future +progress. Whatever may have been wisest as to the extension of +suffrage to this tender and humane class when wars of assertion +or conquest were likely to be considered, to-day and to-morrow +and thereafter no valid reason seems assignable for longer +neglect to avail ourselves of their association.</p></blockquote> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_26_26" id="Footnote_26_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_26_26"><span class="label">[26]</span></a> This chapter closes with the speech in favor of woman +suffrage by Thomas W. Palmer in the U. S. Senate.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_27_27" id="Footnote_27_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_27_27"><span class="label">[27]</span></a> The primal object of the National Woman Suffrage +Association has been from its foundation to secure the submission by +the Congress of a Sixteenth Amendment which shall prohibit the several +States from disfranchising United States citizens on account of sex. +To this end all State societies should see that senators and members +of Congress are constantly appealed to by their constituents to labor +for the passage of this amendment by the next Congress. +</p><p> +Woman suffrage associations in the several States are advised to push +the question to a vote in their respective Legislatures. The time for +agitation alone has passed, and the time for aggressive action has +come. It will be found by a close examination of many State +constitutions that by the liberal provisions of their Bill of +Rights—often embodied in Article I—the women of the State can be +enfranchised without waiting for the tedious and hopeless proviso of a +constitutional amendment.... +</p><p> +In States where there has been little or no agitation we recommend the +passage of laws granting School Suffrage to women. This first step in +politics is an incentive to larger usefulness and aids greatly in +familiarizing women with the use of the ballot. +</p><p> +We do not specially recommend Municipal Suffrage, as we think that the +agitation expended for the fractional measure had better be directed +towards obtaining the passage of a Full Suffrage Bill, but we leave +this to the discretion of the States. +</p><p> +The acting Vice-President in every State must hold a yearly convention +in the capital or some large town. No efficient organization can exist +without some such annual reunion of the friends. +</p><p> +In each county there should be a county woman suffrage society +auxiliary to the State; in each town or village a local society +auxiliary to the county. Friends desirous of forming a society should +meet, even though few in number, and organize.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<h3>THE NATIONAL SUFFRAGE CONVENTION OF 1886.</h3> + + +<p>The Eighteenth national convention met in the Church of Our Father, +Washington, D. C., Feb. 17-19, 1886, presided over by Miss Susan B. +Anthony, vice-president-at-large, with twenty-three States +represented. In her opening address Miss Anthony paid an eloquent +tribute to her old friend and co-laborer, their absent president, Mrs. +Elizabeth Cady Stanton; sketched the history of the movement for the +past thirty-six years, and described the first suffrage meeting ever +held in Washington. This had been conducted by Ernestine L. Rose and +herself in 1854, and the audience consisted of twenty or thirty +persons gathered in an upper room of a private house. To-night she +faced a thousand interested listeners.</p> + +<p>The first address was given by Mrs. Sarah M. Perkins (O.), Are Women +Citizens? "While suffrage will not revolutionize the world," she said, +"the door of the millennium will have a little child's hand on the +latch when the mothers of the nation have equal power with its +fathers."</p> + +<p>In the evening Mrs. Clara Bewick Colby addressed the audience on The +Relation of the Woman Suffrage Movement to the Labor Question. She +began by saying, "All revolutions of thought must be allied to +practical ends." After sketching those already attained by women, she +continued:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The danger threatens that, having accomplished all these so +thoroughly and successfully that they no longer need our help and +already scarcely own their origin, we will be left without the +connecting line between the abstract right on which we stand and +the common heart and sympathy which must be enlisted for our +cause ere it can succeed. Why is it that, having accomplished so +much, the woman suffrage movement does not force itself as a +vital issue into the thoughts of the masses? Is it not because +the ends which it most prominently seeks do not enlist the +self-interest of mankind,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> and those palpable wrongs which it had +in early days to combat have now almost entirely disappeared?...</p> + +<p>We need to vitalize our movement by allying it with great +non-partisan questions, and many of these are involved in the +interests of the wage-earning classes.... We need to labor to +secure a change of the conditions under which workingwomen live. +We need to help them to educative and protective measures, to +better pay, to better knowledge how to make the most of their +resources, to better training, to protection against frauds, to +shelter when health and heart fail. We must help them to see the +connection between the ballot and better hours, exclusion of +children from factories, compulsory education, free +kindergartens; between the ballot and laws relating to liability +of employers, savings banks, adulteration of food and a thousand +things which it may secure when in the hands of enlightened and +virtuous people.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Ada C. Sweet, who for a number of years occupied the unique +position of pension agent in Chicago, supplemented Mrs. Colby's +remarks by urging all women to work for the ballot in order to come to +the rescue of their fellow-women in the hospitals, asylums and other +institutions. She emphasized her remarks by recounting instances of +personal knowledge.</p> + +<p>The Rev. Rush R. Shippen, pastor of All Souls Unitarian Church of +Washington, a consistent advocate of equal suffrage, spoke on woman's +advance in every department of the world's work, on the evolution of +that work itself and the necessity for a continued progress in +conditions.</p> + +<p>Mrs. May Wright Sewall presented a comprehensive report of the year's +work of the executive committee. The Edmunds Bill had been a special +point of attack because of its arbitrary disfranchisement of Utah +women, and Mrs. Zerelda G. Wallace (Ind.) had written a personal plea +against it to every member of the House. At the close of this report a +vote on woman suffrage was called for. The audience voted unanimously +in favor, except one man whose "no" called forth much laughter. Miss +Anthony said she sympathized with him, as she had been laughed at all +her life.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sallie Clay Bennett (Ky.), whose specialty was the Bible argument +for woman's equality, said in the course of her remarks: "I am filled +with shame and sorrow that from listening to men, instead of studying +the Bible for myself, I did once think that the God who said He came +into the world to preach glad<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> tidings to the poor, to break every +yoke and to set the prisoners free, had really come to rivet the +chains with which sin had bound the women, and to forge a gag for them +more cruel and silencing than that put into their mouths by heathen +men; for in many heathen nations women were once selected to preside +at their most sacred altars."</p> + +<p>Miss Mary F. Eastman (Mass), in an impressive address, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I asked a friend what phase of the subject I should talk about +to-night. She answered, "The despair of it.".. Can you conceive +what it is to native-born American women citizens, accustomed to +the advantages of our schools, our churches and the mingling of +our social life, to ask over and over again for so simple a thing +as that "we, the people," should mean women as well as men; that +our Constitution should mean exactly what it says?...</p> + +<p>Men tell us that they speak for us. There is no companionship of +women as equals permitted in the State. A man can not represent a +woman's opinion. It was in inspiration that magnificent +Declaration of Independence was framed. Men builded better than +they knew; they were at the highest perception of principles; but +after declaring this magnificent principle they went back on +it....</p> + +<p>Although I hold the attitude of a petitioner, I come not with the +sense that men have any right to give. Our forefathers erected +barriers which exclude women. I want to press it into the +consciousness of the legislator and of the individual citizen +that he is personally responsible for the continuance of this +injustice. We ask that men take down the barriers. We do not come +to pledge that we will be a unit on temperance or virtue or high +living, but we want the right to speak for ourselves, as men +speak for themselves.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Caroline Hallowell Miller (Md.) spoke strongly on A Case in +Point. Mrs. Elizabeth Avery Meriwether, of St. Louis, devoted her +remarks chiefly to a caustic criticism of Senator George G. Vest, who +had recently declared himself uncompromisingly opposed to woman +suffrage. He was made the target of a number of spicy remarks, and +some of the newspaper correspondents insisted that the presence of the +suffrage convention in the city was responsible for the Senator's +severe illness, which followed immediately afterwards. Mrs. +Meriwether's son, Lee, paid a handsome tribute to "strong-minded +mothers".</p> + +<p>Mrs. Harriette R. Shattuck (Mass.) addressed the convention on The +Basis of Our Claim, the right of every individual to make his +personality felt in the Government. Madame Clara<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> Neymann (N. Y.) gave +a scholarly paper on German and American Independence Contrasted, in +which she said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The difference between the German and the American is simply +this: Germans believe in monarchism, in the rule of the Emperor +and Prince Bismarck, while Americans believe in the government by +all the people, high or low, rich or poor. You have conferred the +blessings of free citizenship upon the negro; you invite the +humblest, the lowest men to cast their vote; you make them feel +that they are sovereign human beings; you place those men above +the most virtuous, intelligent women; you set them above your own +daughters. Yes, your own child, if born a girl on this free soil, +is not free, for she stands without the pale of the Constitution. +She, and only she, is deprived of her rightful heritage.</p> + +<p>Oh, shame upon the short-sightedness, the delinquency of American +statesmen, who will quietly look on and suffer such an injustice +to exist! Nowhere in the world is woman so highly respected as in +free America, and nowhere does she feel so keenly and deeply her +degradation. The vote—you know it full well—is the insignia of +power, of influence, of position. And from this position the +American woman is debarred.</p> + +<p>Do you wonder at the low estimate of American politics? The +exclusion of women means the exclusion of your best men. Not +before the husband can take his wife, the brother his sister, the +father his daughter to the primary meeting, to the political +assembly and to the polls, will he himself become interested and +fulfil his duty as a voter and a citizen....</p> + +<p>"Look at the homes of the wealthy, or even of the large +middle-class", it is often said; "what shallowness and pretense +among the women; how they shrink from the responsibility of +motherhood; how they spend their days in idle gossip, in hollow +amusements; how they waste their hours in frivolities; see what +extravagant, unhallowed lives they lead". Sad and true enough! +For there is no aristocracy so pernicious as a moneyed +aristocracy—no woman so dangerous as she who has privileges and +no corresponding duties. There is nothing so wasteful as wasted +energies, nothing so harmful as powers wrongfully directed; and +the gifts and powers of our wealthy, well-to-do women are +wrongfully directed. They are employed in the interest of vanity, +of worldly ambition, of public display, of sense gratification.</p> + +<p>From whence arises this misdirected ambition? The harm is caused +by the false standard man holds up to woman. If men would no +longer admire the shallowness of such women they would +undoubtedly aim higher. On the one side man subordinates himself +to woman's whims and caprices, and on the other side she is made +conscious all the time of her dependence and subordination in all +that pertains to the higher interests of life; and while he makes +a slave of her, she revenges herself and makes a slave of him. +See how these women hold men down to their own low level; for +women who have no higher aspirations than their own immediate +pleasure<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> will induce men to do the same. There is an even-handed +justice that rules this world. For every wrong society permits to +exist, society must suffer. Look what fools men are made by +foolish women—women who are brought up with the idea that they +must be ornamental, a beautiful toy for man to play with. See how +they turn around and make a toy of him, an instrument to play +upon at their leisure.</p> + +<p>What we ask in place of all this indulgence is simple justice, a +recognition of woman's higher endowment. In giving her larger +duties to perform, nobler aims to accomplish—in making her a +responsible human being—you not only will benefit her, but will +regenerate the manhood of America....</p> + +<p>To make the advocates of suffrage responsible for the sins of +American women is simply atrocious, since it is from these very +advocates that every reform for and among women has started; it +is they who preach simplicity, purity, devotion, and who would +gird all womanhood with the armor of self-respect and true +womanliness. That such women are compelled to come before the +public, before the Congress and the Legislatures, and pray for +such rights as are freely given to every unenlightened foreigner +is a burning shame and reflects badly upon the intelligence, the +righteousness of Legislatures and people.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Much indignation was expressed during the convention over the recent +action of Gov. Gilbert A. Pierce, of the Territory of Dakota. The +Legislature, composed of residents, the previous year passed a bill +conferring Full Suffrage on women, which was vetoed by the Governor, +an outsider appointed a short time before by President Chester A. +Arthur. With a stroke of the pen he prevented the enfranchisement of +50,000 women.</p> + +<p>Hundreds were turned away at the last evening session and there was +scarcely standing room within the church. A witty and vivacious speech +by Mrs. Helen M. Gougar (Ind.) was the first number on the program. +Mrs. Julia B. Nelson (Minn.) followed in an original dialect poem, +Hans Dunderkopf's Views of Equality. Mrs. Sewall showed the Absurdity +of the American Woman's Disfranchisement:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The inconsistency of the present position of the American woman +is forcibly shown in that she is now making such an advance in +education, studying political science under the best teachers of +constitutional law, and enjoying such advantages at the expense +of the Government, yet is not allowed to make use of this +knowledge in the Government....</p> + +<p>Much has been said about the need of the ballot to protect the +industrial interests of men, but is it not as ungallant as it is +illogical<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> that they should have the ballot for their protection +while women, pressed by the same necessities, should be denied +it?...</p> + +<p>I may perhaps put it that man is composed of brain and heart and +woman of heart and brain. We must have the brain of man and the +heart of woman employed in the higher developments to come. There +can be no great scheme that does not require to be conceived by +our brains, quickened by our hearts and carried into execution by +our skilled hands. The activities which are considered the +especial sphere of woman need more brain; the realm of State +developed by the brain of man needs more heart. Home and State +have been too long divided. Man must not neglect the interests of +home, woman must care for the State. Our public interests and +private hopes need all the subtle forces of brain and heart.</p></blockquote> + +<p>An interesting feature of these national conventions was the State +reports, which contained not only valuable specific information, but +often felicitous little arguments quite equal to those of the more +formal addresses. Such reports were received in 1886 from thirty +different States. A large number of interesting letters also were +read, among them one from George W. Childs, inclosing check; John W. +Hutchinson, Belva A. Lockwood, the Hon. J. A. Pickler, Madame +Demorest, Dr. Mary F. Thomas, Lucinda B. Chandler, the Rev. Olympia +Brown, Mary E. Haggart, Armenia S. White, Emma C. Bascom, Almeda B. +Gray and many others.</p> + +<p>A letter from Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton urged that the question of +woman suffrage should now be carried into the churches and church +conventions for their approval, and that more enlightened teaching +from the pulpit in regard to women should be insisted upon. The letter +was accompanied by a resolution to this effect, both expressed in very +strong language. They were read first in executive session. The +following extracts are taken from the stenographic report of the +meeting:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Mrs. Helen M. Gougar (Ind.) moved that the resolution be laid +upon the table, saying: "A resolution something like this came +into the last convention, and it has done more to cripple my work +and that of other suffragists than anything which has happened in +the whole history of the woman suffrage movement. When you look +this country over you find the slums are opposed to us, while +some of the best leaders and advocates of woman suffrage are +among the Christian people. A bishop of the Roman Catholic Church +stood through my meeting in Peoria not long since. We can not +afford to antagonize the churches. Some of us are orthodox, and +some of us<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> are unorthodox, but this association is for suffrage +and not for the discussion of religious dogmas. I can not stay +within these borders if that resolution is adopted, from the fact +that my hands would be tied. I hope it will not go into open +convention for debate.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Perkins</span> (O.): I think we ought to pay due consideration and +respect to our beloved president. I have no objection to sending +missionaries to the churches asking them to pay attention to +woman suffrage; but I do not think the churches are our greatest +enemies. They might have been so in Mrs. Stanton's early days, +but to-day they are our best helpers. If it were not for their +co-operation I could not get a hearing before the public. And now +that they are coming to meet us half way, do not throw stones at +them. I hope that resolution, as worded, will not go into the +convention.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Meriwether</span> (Mo.): I think the resolution could be amended so +as to offend no one. The ministers falsely construe the +Scriptures. We can overwhelm them with arguments for woman +suffrage—with Biblical arguments. We can hurl them like shot and +shell. Herbert Spencer once wrote an article on the different +biases which distort the human mind, and among the first he +reckoned the theological bias. In Christ's time and in the early +Christian days there was no liberty, every one was under the +despotism of the Roman Cćsars, but women were on an equality with +men, and the religion that Christ taught included women equally +with men. He made none of the invidious distinctions which the +churches make to-day.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Shattuck</span> (Mass.): We did not pass the resolution of last +year, so it could not have harmed anybody. But I protest against +this fling at masculine interpretation of the Scriptures.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Minor</span> (Mo.): I object to the whole thing—resolution and +letter both. I believe in confining ourselves to woman suffrage.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Colby</span> (Neb.): I was on that committee of resolutions last +year and wrote the modified one which was presented, and I am +willing to stand by it. I have not found that it hurts the work, +save with a few who do not know what the resolution was, or what +was said about it. The discussion was reported word for word in +the <i>Woman's Tribune</i> and I think no one who read it would say +that it was irreligious or lacked respect for the teachings of +Christ. I believe we must say something in the line of Mrs. +Stanton's idea. She makes no fling at the church. She wants us to +treat the Church as we have the State—viz., negotiate for more +favorable action. We have this fact to deal with—that in no high +orthodox body have women been accorded any privileges.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Edward M. Davis</span> (Penn.): I think we have never had a resolution +offered here so important as this. We have never had a measure +brought forward which would produce better results. I agree +entirely with Mrs. Stanton on this thing, that the church is the +greatest barrier to woman's progress. We do not want to proclaim +ourselves an irreligious or a religious people. This question of +religion does not touch us either way. We are neutral.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Madame Neymann</span> (N. Y.): Because the clergy has been one-sided, we +do not want to be one-sided. I know of no one for whom I have a +greater admiration than for Mrs. Stanton. Her resolution +antagonizes no one.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Brooks</span> (Neb.): Let us do this work in such a way that it +will not arouse the opposition of the most bigoted clergyman. All +this discussion only shows that the old superstitions have got to +be banished.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Snow</span> (Me.): Mrs. Stanton wishes to convert the clergy.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Dunbar</span> (Md.): I don't want the resolution referred back to +the committee, out of respect to Mrs. Stanton and the manner in +which she has been treated by the clergy. I do not want to lose +the wording of the original resolution, and therefore move that +it be taken up here.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Gougar</span>: I think it is quite enough to undertake to change +the National Constitution without undertaking to change the +Bible. I heartily agree with Mrs. Stanton in her idea of sending +delegates to church councils and convocations, but I do not +sanction this resolution which starts out—"The greatest barrier +to woman's emancipation is found in the superstitions of the +church." That is enough in itself to turn the entire church, +Catholic and Protestant, against us.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Nelson</span> (Minn.): The resolution is directed against the +superstitions of the church and not against the church, but I +think it would be taken as against the church.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Miss Anthony</span> (N. Y.): As the resolution contains the essence of +the letter, I move that the whole subject go to the Plan of Work +Committee.</p> + +<p>The meeting adjourned without action, and on Friday morning the +same subject was resumed. A motion to table Mrs. Stanton's +resolution was lost. Miss Anthony then moved that both letter and +resolution be placed in her hands, as the representative of the +president of the association, to be read in open convention +without indorsement. "I do not want any one to say that we young +folks strangle Mrs. Stanton's thought."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Rev. Dr. McMurdy</span> (D. C.): I do not intend to oppose or favor +the motion, but as a clergyman and a High Church Episcopalian, I +can not see any particular objections to Mrs. Stanton's letter. +The Scriptures must be interpreted naturally. Whenever Paul's +remarks are brought up I explain them in the light of this +nineteenth century as contrasted with the first.</p> + +<p>It was finally voted that the letter be read without the +resolution.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The resolution was brought up later in open convention and the final +vote resulted in 32 ayes and 24 noes. This was not at that time a +delegate body, but usually only those voted who were especially +connected with the work of the association. Before the present +convention adjourned a basis of delegate representation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> was adopted, +and provision made that hereafter only regularly accredited delegates +should be entitled to vote.</p> + +<p>The resolution calling upon Congress to take the necessary measures to +secure the ballot for women through an amendment to the Federal +Constitution, was vigorously opposed by the Southern delegates as +contrary to States' Rights, but was finally adopted. There was some +discussion also on the resolution which condemned the disfranchising +of Gentile as well as Mormon women, but which approved the action of +Congress in making disfranchisement a punishment for the crime of +polygamy. A difference of opinion was shown in regard to the latter +clause. This closed the convention.</p> + +<p>As a favorable Senate report was pending, no hearing was held before +that committee.</p> + +<p>The House Judiciary Committee<a name="FNanchor_28_28" id="FNanchor_28_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_28_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a> granted a hearing on the morning of +February 20. The speakers, as usual, were introduced to the chairman +of the committee by Miss Anthony. The first of these, Mrs. Virginia L. +Minor, had attempted to vote in St. Louis, been refused permission, +carried her case to the Supreme Court and received an adverse +decision.<a name="FNanchor_29_29" id="FNanchor_29_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_29_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a> Miss Anthony said in reference to this decision: "Chief +Justice Waite declared the United States had no voters. The Dred Scott +Decision was that the negro, not being a voter, was not a citizen. The +Supreme Court decided that women, although citizens, were not +protected in the rights of citizenship by the Fourteenth Amendment." +Mrs. Minor said in part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I do not stand here to represent rich women but poor women. +Should you give me the right to vote and deny it to my sister I +should spurn the gift. Without the ballot no class is so helpless +as the working women. If the ballot is necessary for man, it is +necessary for woman. We must have one law for all American +citizens.</p> + +<p>The Supreme Court has half done the work. When my case came up, +and I asked them that the same law should protect me as protected +the negro, the court said, "When the State gives you the right to +vote, we will perpetuate it; the United States has no voters." I +want to ask you one question. If there are no United States +voters,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> what right has the U. S. Court to go into the State of +New York, arrest Susan B. Anthony and condemn her under Federal +Law?<a name="FNanchor_30_30" id="FNanchor_30_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_30_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a></p> + +<p>Another decision of the Supreme Court said in relation to the +Fourteenth Amendment, that the negro, because of citizenship, was +made a voter in every State of the Union. The court went on to +say that it had a broader significance, that it included the +Chinese or any nationality that should become citizens. That +court has said we are citizens. If the Chinese would have the +right to vote if they were citizens, have not we the right to +vote because of citizenship?</p> + +<p>A third decision was in the case of the United States vs. Kellar +in the State of Illinois. A man arrested for illegal voting was +brought before the court; he was born abroad and was the son of +an American woman. Justice Harlan held that because his mother +was a citizen, she had transmitted citizenship to her son, +therefore he had a right to vote. This right must have been +inherent in the mother, else she could not have transmitted it to +her son.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Julia B. Nelson (Minn.), who had been for many years teaching the +freed negroes of the South, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>What are the obligations of the Government to me, a widow, +because my husband gave his life for it? I have been forced to +think. As a law-abiding citizen and taxpayer and one who has +given all she could give to the support of this Government, I +have a right to be heard. I am teaching for it, teaching +citizens. I began teaching freedmen when it was so unpopular that +men could not have done it. The voting question met me in the +office of the mission, which sends out more women than men +because better work is done by them. A woman gets for this work +$15 per month; if capable of being a principal she has $20. A man +in this position receives $75 a month. There must be something +wrong, but I do not need to explain to you that an unrepresented +class must work at a disadvantage.</p> + +<p>If it were granted to women to fill all positions for which they +are qualified, they would not be so largely compelled to rush +into those occupations where they are unfairly remunerated. As so +many people have faith that whatever is is right, the law as it +stands has great influence. If it puts woman down as an inferior, +she will surely be regarded as such by the people. If I am +capable of preparing citizens, I am capable of possessing the +rights of a citizen myself. I ask you to remove the barriers +which restrain women from equal opportunities and privileges with +men.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Meriwether pointed out the helplessness of mothers to obtain +legal protection for themselves and their children, or to influence +the action of municipal bodies, without the suffrage. Miss Eastman +said in the course of her address:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The first business of government is foreshadowed in the +Constitution,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> that it is to secure justice between man and man +by allowing no intrusion of any on the rights of others. This +principle is large in application although simple in statement. +The first words, "We, the people," contain the foundation of our +claim. If we limit the application of the word "people," all the +rest falls to the ground. Whatever work of government is referred +to, it all rests on its being managed by "We, the people." If we +strike that out, we have lost the fundamental principle. Who are +the people? I feel that it is not my business to ask men to vote +on my right to be admitted to the franchise. I have been debarred +from my right. You hold the position to do me justice. Why should +I go to one-half of the people and ask whether so clear and +explicit a declaration as this includes me? The suffrage is not +theirs to give, and I would not get it from them easily if it +were. Neither would you get even education if you had to ask them +for it. This question is not for the people at large to settle. +Justice demands that we should be referred to the most +intelligent tribunals in the land, and not remanded to the +popular vote.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Clay Bennett based her argument largely on the authority of the +Scriptures. Mrs. Gougar said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We do not come as Democrats or Republicans, not as Northern or as +Southern, but as women representing a great principle. This is in +line with the Magna Charta, with the Petition of Rights, with the +Articles of Confederation, with the National Constitution. This +is in direct line of the growth of human liberty. The Declaration +of Independence says, "Governments derive their just powers from +the consent of the governed." Are you making a single law which +does not touch me as much as it does you?</p> + +<p>Questions are upon you which you can not solve without the moral +sentiment of womanhood. You need us more than we need suffrage. +In our large cities the vicious element rules. The reserve force +is in the womanhood of the nation. Woman suffrage is necessary +for the preservation of the life of the republic. To give women +the ballot is to increase the intelligent and law-abiding vote. +The tramp vote is entirely masculine. By enfranchising the women +of this country, you enfranchise humanity.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Colby thus described to the committee the recent vote in Nebraska +on a woman suffrage amendment:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The subject was well discussed; the leading men and the majority +of the press and pulpit favored it. Everything indicated that +here at last the measure might be safely submitted to popular +vote. On election day the women went to the polling places in +nearly every precinct in the State, with their flowers, their +banners, their refreshments and their earnest pleadings. But +every saloon keeper worked against the amendment, backed by the +money and the power of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> liquor league. The large foreign vote +went almost solidly against woman suffrage. Nebraska defies the +laws of the United States by allowing foreigners to vote when +they have been only six months on the soil of America. Many of +these, as yet wholly unfamiliar with the institutions of our +country, voted the ballot which was placed in their hands. The +woman suffrage amendment received but a little over one-third of +the votes cast.</p> + +<p>Men were still so afraid women did not want to vote that only one +thing remained to convince them we were in earnest, and that was +for us to vote that way. So the next session we had another +amendment introduced, to be voted on by the men as before, but +not to take effect until ratified by a majority of the women. We +were willing to be counted if the Legislature would make it legal +to count us. It refused because the question, it said, had +already been settled by the people. Although we had worked and +pleaded and done all that women could do to obtain our rights of +citizenship, yet the Legislature looking at "the people" did not +see us, and refused to submit the question again. Having failed +to obtain our rights by popular vote, we now appeal to you.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Anthony related the unsuccessful efforts of Mrs. Caroline E. +Merrick and other ladies of Louisiana to have women placed on the +school boards of that State, due wholly to their disfranchisement. In +a forcible speech Mrs. Sewall declared:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In coming here my sense of justice is satisfied, for we belong to +this nation as well as you. This room, this building, this +committee, the whole machinery of government is supported in part +by the money of women and is for their protection as well as for +that of men....</p> + +<p>Our question should never be partisan. We do not wish to go +before our State Legislatures crippled with the fact that an +amendment has been submitted by one party rather than the other. +The Republican party gave the ballot to the negro and claimed its +vote in return. We do not wish any party to feel it has a right +to our vote. The Senate now has a majority of Republicans and the +House of Democrats, consequently any measure which is passed by +this Congress will be unpartisan. This question should receive +support of both parties by the higher laws of the universe. +Another name for life is helpfulness. Separation of parts +belonging to one whole is death. Separation of parties on +questions not of partisan interest is death to many issues. It is +in your power to bring the parties together by that higher law of +the universe on this proposition to submit a Sixteenth Amendment +to our Legislatures, that without entanglement of partisan +interests this question can be decided.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The committee were so interested in the address of Madame Neymann that +the time of the hearing was extended in order that she might finish +it. She said in part:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>Why Americans, so keen in their sense of what is right and just, +should be so dull on this question of giving woman her due share +of independence, I can not comprehend. Is not this the land where +foreigners flock because they have heard the bugle call of +freedom? Why then is it that your own children, the patriotic +daughters of America, who have been reared and nurtured in free +homes, brought up under the guidance and amidst the blessings of +freedom—why is it that you hold them unworthy of the honor of +being enrolled as citizens and voters? England, Canada and even +Ireland have gone ahead of us, and was not America destined by +its tradition to be first and foremost in this important movement +of making women the equal, the true partner of man?</p> + +<p>In a free country the national life stands in direct relation to +the home life, the public life reacts upon the family, and the +family furnishes the material for the State. The lives and the +characters of our children are influenced by the manners and +methods of our Government, and to say that mothers have no right +to be concerned in the politics of the country is simply saying +that the life and character of our children are of no concern to +us.</p> + +<p>The citizen's liberty instead of being sacrificed by society has +to be defended by society. Who defends woman's individuality in +our modern State? Universal suffrage is the only guarantee +against despotism. Every man who believes in the subjection of +woman will play the despot whenever you give him an opportunity.</p> + +<p>We have no right to ask if it is expedient to grant suffrage to +women. We recognize that the principle is just and justice must +be done though the heavens fall. It is small minds that bring +forth small objections. The man who believes in a just principle +trusts and confides in it, and thus we ask you to confide in +suffrage for women.</p></blockquote> + +<p>On May 6, 1886, the committee report, made by the Hon. John W. Stewart +(Vt.), stated that the resolution was laid on the table. The following +minority report was submitted:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In a Government by the people the ballot is at once a badge of +sovereignty and the means of exercising power. We need not for +our present purpose define the right to vote, nor inquire whence +it comes. Whether it is a natural or a political right, one +arising from social relations and duties, or a necessity +incidental to individual protection and communal welfare, is +immaterial to the discussion. Let the advocates of man's right to +participate in governmental affairs choose their own ground and +we will be content. The voting franchise exists, and it exists +because it has been seized by force or because of some right +antedating its sanction by law. Nativity does not confer it, +because aliens exercise it; it does not arise from taxation, for +many are taxed who can not vote and many vote who are not taxed. +Ability to bear arms is not the test of the voting franchise, as +many legally vote who were never able to bear arms, and others +who have become unable to do so by reason of sickness,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> accident +or age; nor does education mark the line, for the learned and the +illiterate meet at the ballot box.</p> + +<p>With us a portion of the adult population have assumed to +exercise the right, admitted to exist somewhere, of governing, +and have forced another portion into the position of the +governed. That this assumption is just and wise is averred by +some and denied by others. If we call upon these rulers for a +copy of their commission they present one written by themselves.</p> + +<p>Children, idiots and convicted felons properly belong to the +governed and not to the governing class, as they are +intellectually or morally unfit to govern. Necessity only places +them there; necessity is an absolute monarch and will be +everywhere obeyed. To this governed class has been added woman, +and we beg the House and the country to inquire why. They are +also "people" and we submit that they are neither moral nor +intellectual incapables, and no necessity for their +disfranchisement can be suggested; on the contrary, we believe +that they are now entitled to immediate and absolute +enfranchisement.</p> + +<p>First: Because their own good demands it. Give woman the ballot +and she will have additional means and inducements to a broader +and better education, including a knowledge of affairs, of which +she will not fail to avail herself to the uttermost; give her the +ballot and you add to her means of protection of her person and +estate. The ballot is a powerful weapon of defense sorely needed +by those too weak to wield any other, and to take it from such +and give to those already clothed in strength and fully armed, +would appear to be unjust, unfair and unwise to one unaccustomed +to the sight. Long usage "sanctions and sanctifies" wrongs and +abuses, and causes cruelty to be mistaken for kindness.</p> + +<p>The history of woman is for the most part a history of wrong and +outrage. Created the equal companion of man, she early became his +slave, and still is so in most parts of the world. In many +so-called Christian nations of Europe she is to-day yoked with +beasts and is doing the labor of beasts, while her son and +husband are serving in the army, protecting the divine right of +kings and men to slay and destroy. In the farther East she is +still more degraded, being substantially excluded from the world. +Man has not been consciously unjust to woman in the past, nor is +he now, but he believes that she is in her true sphere, not +realizing that he has fixed her sphere, and not God. This is as +true of the barbarian as of the Christian, and no more so. If the +"unspeakable Turk" should be solicited to open the doors of his +harem and let the inmates become free, he would be indignant, +doubtless, and would swear by the beard of the Prophet that he +never would so degrade lovely woman, who, in her sphere, was +intended to be the solace of glorious, superior man.</p> + +<p>Yet, as man advances, woman is elevated, and her elevation in +turn advances him. No liberty ever given her has been lost or +abused or regretted. Where most has been given she has become<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> +best. Liberty never degrades her; slavery always does. For her +good, therefore, she needs the ballot.</p> + +<p>Second: Woman's vote is needed for the good of others. Our +horizon is misty with apparent dangers. Woman may aid in +dispelling them. She is an enemy of foreign war and domestic +turmoil; she is a friend of peace and home. Her influence for +good in many directions would be multiplied if she possessed the +ballot. She desires the homes of the land to be pure and sober; +with her help they may become so. Without her what is the +prospect in this regard?</p> + +<p>We do not invite woman into the "dirty pool of politics," nor +does she intend to enter that pool. Politics is not necessarily +unclean; if it is unclean she is not chargeable with the great +crime, for crime it is. Politics must be purified or we are lost. +To govern this great nation wisely and well is not degrading +service; to do it, all the wisdom, ability and patriotism of all +the people is required. No great moral force should be +unemployed.</p> + +<p>But it is sometimes said that women do not desire the ballot. +Some may not; very many do not, perhaps a majority. Such +indifference can not affect the right of those who are not +indifferent. Some men, for one or other insufficient reason, +decline to vote; but no statesman has yet urged general +disfranchisement on that account. It may be true, and in our +judgment it is, that those individuals who so fail to appreciate +the rights and obligations of freemen as to deliberately refuse +to vote should be disfranchised and made aliens, but their +offense should not be visited on vigilant and patriotic citizens. +Neither male nor female suffragists can be forced to use the +ballot, and while the individuals of each class may fail to +appreciate the privilege or recognize the duty the franchise +confers, in the main it will result otherwise.</p> + +<p>The conservative woman who feels that her present duties are as +burdensome as she can bear, when she realizes what she can +accomplish for her country and for mankind by the ballot, will as +reverently thank God for the opportunity and will as zealously +discharge her new obligations, as will her more radical sister +who has long and wearily labored and fervently prayed for the +coming of the day of equality of rights, duties and hopes.</p> + +<p class="ltr-right1"> +<span class="smcap">E. B. Taylor.</span><br /> +<span class="smcap">W. P. Hepburn.</span><br /> +<span class="smcap">L. B. Caswell.</span> +</p> + +<p>I concur in the opinion of the minority that the resolution ought +to be adopted.</p> + +<p class="ltr-right1"> +<span class="smcap">A. A. Ranney.</span> +</p></blockquote> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_28_28" id="Footnote_28_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_28_28"><span class="label">[28]</span></a> John Randolph Tucker, Va.; Nathaniel J. Hammond, Ga.; +David B. Culberson, Tex.; Patrick A. Collins, Mass.; George E. Seney, +O.; William C. Oates, Ala.; John H. Rogers, Ark.; John R. Eden, Ill.; +Risden T. Bennett, N. C.; Ezra B. Taylor, O.; Abraham X. Parker, N. +Y.; Ambrose A. Ranney, Mass.; William P. Hepburn, Ia.; John W. +Stewart, Vt.; Lucien B. Caswell, Wis.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_29_29" id="Footnote_29_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_29_29"><span class="label">[29]</span></a> See <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_715">History of Woman Suffrage, Vol. II, p. 715</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_30_30" id="Footnote_30_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_30_30"><span class="label">[30]</span></a> This had been done when Miss Anthony voted in Rochester, +N. Y., in 1872.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<h3>FIRST DISCUSSION AND VOTE IN THE U. S. SENATE—1887.</h3> + + +<p>Although the Senate Select Committee on Woman Suffrage had reported +several times in favor of a Sixteenth Amendment to the Federal +Constitution which should prohibit disfranchisement on account of sex, +and although Thomas W. Palmer, in 1885, had delivered a speech on the +question in the Senate, it never had been brought to a discussion and +vote.<a name="FNanchor_31_31" id="FNanchor_31_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_31_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a> Urged by the members of the National Association, and by his +own strong convictions as to the justice of the cause, Senator Henry +W. Blair (N. H.), on Dec. 8, 1886, called up the following, which he +had reported for the majority of the committee on February 2 of that +year:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="hang">JOINT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF +THE UNITED STATES EXTENDING THE RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE TO WOMEN.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the +United States of America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of +each House concurring therein)</i>, That the following article be +proposed to the Legislatures of the several States as an +amendment to the Constitution of the United States; which, when +ratified by three-fourths of the said Legislatures, shall be +valid as part of said Constitution, namely:</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Section 1.</span> The right of citizens of the United States to vote +shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any +State on account of sex.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Section 2.</span> The Congress shall have power, by appropriate +legislation, to enforce the provisions of this article.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Senator Blair supported this resolution in a long and comprehensive<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> +speech, that will be recorded in history as one of the ablest ever +made on this subject, in the course of which he said:<a name="FNanchor_32_32" id="FNanchor_32_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_32_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a></p> + +<blockquote><p>Upon solemn occasions concerning grave public affairs, and when +large numbers of the citizens of the country desire to test the +sentiments of the people upon an amendment of the organic law in +the manner provided by the provisions of that law, it may well +become the duty of Congress to submit the proposition to the +amending power, which is the same as that which created the +original instrument itself—the electors of the several States. +It can hardly be claimed that two-thirds of each branch of +Congress must necessarily be convinced that the Constitution +should be amended, before it submits the same to the judgment of +the States.</p> + +<p>If there be any principle upon which our form of government is +founded, and wherein it is different from aristocracies, +monarchies and despotisms, that principle is this: Every human +being of mature powers, not disqualified by ignorance, vice or +crime, is the equal of and is entitled to all the rights and +privileges which belong to any other human being under the law.</p> + +<p>The independence, equality and dignity of all human souls is the +fundamental assertion of those who believe in what we call human +freedom. But we are informed that women are represented by men. +This can not reasonably be claimed unless it first be shown that +their consent has been given to such representation, or that they +lack the capacity to consent. But the exclusion of this class +from the suffrage deprives them of the power of assent to +representation even when they possess the requisite ability.... +The Czar represents his whole people, just as much as voting men +represent women who do not vote at all.</p> + +<p>True it is that the voting men, in excluding women and other +classes from the suffrage, by that act charge themselves with the +trust of administering justice to all, even as the monarch whose +power is based upon force is bound to rule uprightly. But if it +be true that "all just government is founded upon the consent of +the governed," then the government of woman by man, without her +consent given in a sovereign capacity, even if that government be +wise and just in itself, is a violation of natural right and an +enforcement of servitude against her on the part of man. If +woman, like the infant or the defective classes, be incapable of +self-government, then republican society may exclude her from all +participation in the enactment and enforcement of the laws under +which she lives. But in that case, like the infant and the idiot +and the unconsenting subject of tyrannical forms of government, +she is ruled and not represented by man. This much I desire to +say in the beginning in reply to the broad assumption of those +who deny women the suffrage by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> saying that they are already +represented by their fathers, their husbands, their brothers and +their sons.</p> + +<p>The common ground upon which all agree may be stated thus: All +males having certain qualifications are in reason and in law +entitled to vote. These qualifications affect either the body or +the mind or both. The first is the attainment of a certain age. +The age in itself is not material, but maturity of mental +development is material, although soundness of body in itself is +not essential, and want of it never works forfeiture of the +right. Age as a qualification for suffrage is by no means to be +confounded with age as a qualification for service in war. +Society has well established the distinction, and also that one +has no relation whatever to the other—the one having reference +to physical prowess, while the other relates only to the mental +state. This is shown by the ages fixed by law, that of eighteen +years as the commencement of the term of presumed fitness for +military service and forty-five as the period of its termination; +while the age of presumed fitness for the suffrage, which +requires no physical superiority certainly, is set at twenty-one +years when still greater strength of body has been attained than +at the period when liability to the dangers and hardships of war +begins. There are at least three million more male voters in our +country than of the population liable by law to the performance +of military duty. It is still further to be observed that the +right of suffrage continues as long as the mind lasts, while +ordinary liability to military service ceases at a period when +the physical powers, though still strong, are beginning to wane. +The truth is that there is no legal or natural connection between +the liability to fight and the right to vote.</p> + +<p>The right to fight may be exercised voluntarily, or the liability +to fight may be enforced by the community, whenever there is need +for it, and the extent to which the physical forces of society +may be called upon in self-defense or in justifiable revolution +is measured not by age or sex, but by necessity, which may go so +far as to call into the field old men and women and the last +vestige of physical force. It can not be claimed that woman has +no right to vote because she is not liable to fight, for she is +so liable, and the freest government on the face of the earth has +the reserved power under the call of necessity to place her in +the forefront of the battle itself; and more than this, woman has +the right, and often has exercised it, to go there. If any one +could question the existence of this reserved power to call woman +to the common defense, either in the hospital or the field, it +would be woman herself, who has been deprived of participation in +the Government and in shaping public policies which have resulted +in dire emergency to the State. But in all times, and under all +forms of government and of social existence, woman has given her +body and her soul to the common defense.</p> + +<p>The qualification of age, then, is imposed for the purpose of +securing mental and moral fitness for the suffrage on the part of +those who exercise it. It has no relation to the possession of +physical powers at all.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span></p> + +<p>The property qualification for suffrage is, to my mind, an +invasion of natural right, which elevates mere property to an +equality with life and personal liberty, and it ought never to be +imposed. But, however that may be, its application has no +relation to sex, and its only object is to secure the exercise of +the suffrage under a stronger sense of obligation and +responsibility. The same is true of the qualifications of sanity, +education and obedience to the laws, which exclude dementia, +ignorance and crime from participation in the sovereignty. Every +condition or qualification imposed upon the exercise of the +suffrage, save sex alone, has for its only object or possible +justification the possession of mental and moral fitness, and has +no relation to physical power.</p> + +<p>The question then arises why is the qualification of masculinity +required? The distinction between human beings by reason of sex +is a physical distinction. The soul is of no sex. If there be a +distinction of soul by reason of the physical difference, woman +is the superior of man. In proof of this see the minority report +of this committee with all the eulogiums of woman pronounced by +those who, like the serpent of old, would flatter her vanity that +they may continue to wield her power. I repeat that the soul is +of no sex, and that so far as the possession and exercise of +human rights and powers are concerned, sex is but a physical +property, whose possession renders the female just as important +as the male, and in just as great need of power in the government +of society. If there be a difference, however, her average +physical inferiority is really compensated for by a superior +mental and moral fitness to give direction to the course of +society and to the policy of the State. If, then, there be a +distinction between the souls of human beings resulting from sex, +woman is better fitted for the exercise of the suffrage than man.</p> + +<p>It is asserted by some that the suffrage is an inherent natural +right, and by others that it is merely a privilege extended to +the individual by society at its discretion. However this may be, +its extension to any class must come through the exercise of the +suffrage by those who already possess it. Therefore, the appeal +by those who have it not must be made to those who are asked to +part with a portion of their own power. It is only human nature +that the male sex should hesitate to yield one-half of its power +to those whose cause, however strong in reason and justice, lacks +that physical force by which so largely the masses of men +themselves have wrung their own rights from rulers and kings.</p> + +<p>It is not strange that when overwhelmed with argument and half +won by appeals to his better nature, and ashamed to refuse +blankly that which he finds no reason for longer withholding, man +avoids the dilemma by a pretended elevation of woman to a higher +sphere, where, as an angel, she has certain gauzy, ethereal +resources and superior attributes and functions which render the +possession of mere earthly, every-day powers and privileges +non-essential to her, however mere mortal men may find them +indispensable to their own freedom and happiness. But to the +denial of her right to vote,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> whether that denial be the blunt +refusal of the ignorant or the polished evasion of the refined +courtier and politician, woman can oppose only her most solemn +and perpetual appeal to the reason of man and to the justice of +Almighty God. She must continually point out the nature and +object of the suffrage and the necessity that she possess it for +her own and the public good.</p> + +<p>What, then, is the suffrage, and why is it necessary that woman +should possess and exercise this function of freemen? I quote +briefly from the majority report of the Senate Committee:<a name="FNanchor_33_33" id="FNanchor_33_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_33_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a></p> + +<p>"The rights for the maintenance of which human governments are +constituted are life, liberty and property. These rights are +common to men and women alike and both are entitled to the +sovereign power to protect these rights. This right to the +protection of rights appertains to the individual, not to the +family, or to any form of association, whether social or +corporate. Probably not more than five-eighths of the men of +legal age, qualified to vote, are heads of families, and not more +than that proportion of adult women are united with men in the +legal merger of married life. It is, therefore, quite incorrect +to speak of the State as an aggregate of families duly +represented at the ballot-box by their male head. The relation +between the government and the individual is direct; all rights +are individual rights, all duties are individual duties.</p> + +<p>"Government in its two highest functions is legislative and +judicial. By these powers the sovereignty prescribes the law and +directs its application to the vindication of rights and the +redress of wrongs. Conscience and intelligence are the only +forces which enter into the exercise of these primary and highest +functions of government. The remaining department is the +executive or administrative, and in all forms of government the +primary element of administration is force, but even in this +department conscience and intelligence are indispensable to its +direction.</p> + +<p>"If, now, we are to decide who of our sixty millions of human +beings are, by virtue of their qualifications, to be the +law-making power, by what tests shall the selection be +determined? The suffrage is this great primary law-making power. +It is not the executive power. It is not founded upon force. +Never in the history of this or any other genuine republic has +the law-making power, whether in general elections or in the +framing of laws in legislative assemblies, been vested in +individuals by reason of their physical powers....</p> + +<p>"The executive power of itself is a mere physical +instrumentality—an animal quality—and it is confided from +necessity to those who possess that quality, but always with +danger, except so far as wisdom and virtue control its exercise. +Therefore it is obvious that the greater the spiritual forces, +whether found in those who execute the law, or in the large body +by whom the suffrage is exercised, and who direct its execution, +the greater will be the safety and the surer will be the +happiness of the State.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It is too late to question the intellectual and moral capacity +of woman to understand political issues and intelligently decide +them at the polls. Indeed the pretense is no longer advanced that +woman should not vote because of her mental or moral unfitness to +perform this legislative function; but the suffrage is denied to +her because she can neither hang criminals, suppress mobs nor +handle the enginery of war. We have already seen the untenable +nature of this assumption, because those who make it bestow the +suffrage upon very large classes of men who, however well +qualified they may be to vote, are physically unable to perform +any of the duties which appertain to the execution of the law and +the defense of the State. Scarcely a Senator on this floor is +liable by law to perform military or other administrative duty, +yet this rule set up against the right of women to vote would +disfranchise nearly this whole body.</p> + +<p>"But it is unnecessary to grant that woman can not fight. History +is full of examples of her heroism in danger, of her endurance +and fortitude in trial, of her indispensable and supreme service +in hospital and field.... It is hardly worth while to consider +this trivial objection—that she is incompetent for purposes of +national murder or of bloody self-defense—as the basis for +denying a fundamental right, when we consider that if this right +were given to her she would by its very exercise almost certainly +abolish this great crime of the nations, which has always +inflicted upon woman the chief burden of woe."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mr. Blair then demonstrated the intellectual ability of the woman of +the present day, proving in this respect her capacity and fitness to +vote. He quoted from the minority report of the Senate Committee, +which had been submitted by Senators Brown and Cockrell, saying:</p> + +<blockquote><p>It proceeds to show that both man and woman are designed for a +higher final estate—to-wit, that of matrimony. It seems to be +conceded that man is just as well fitted for matrimony as woman +herself, and the whole subject is illuminated with certain +botanical lore about stamens and pistils, which, however relevant +to matrimony, does not prove that woman should not vote unless at +the same time it proves that man should not vote. And certainly +it can not apply to those women, any more than to those men, +whose highest and final estate never is merged in the family +relation at all....</p> + +<p>The right to vote is the great primitive right in which all +freedom originates and culminates. It is the right from which all +others spring, in which they merge, and without which they fall +whenever assailed. This right makes all the difference between +government by and with the consent of the governed, and +government without and against the consent of the governed; and +that is the difference between freedom and slavery. If the right +to vote be not that difference, what is? If either sex as a class +can dispense with the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> right to vote, then take it from the +strong and do not longer rob the weak of their defense for the +benefit of the strong. But it is impossible to conceive of the +suffrage as a right dependent at all upon such an irrelevant +condition as sex. It is an individual, a personal right, and if +withheld by reason of sex it is a moral robbery.</p> + +<p>It is said that the duties of maternity disqualify for the +performance of the act of voting. It can not be, and I think is +not claimed by any one, that the mother who otherwise would be +fit to vote is rendered mentally or morally less fit to exercise +this high function in the State because of motherhood. On the +contrary, if any woman has a motive more than another person, man +or woman, to secure the enactment and enforcement of good laws, +it is the mother, who, besides her own life, person and +property—to the protection of which the ballot is as essential +as to those of man—has her little contingent of immortal beings +to conduct safely to the portals of active life through all the +snares and pitfalls woven around them by bad men and bad laws, +and to prepare rightly for the discharge of all the duties of +their day and generation, including, if boys, the exercise of the +very right denied to their mother.</p> + +<p>Certainly if but for motherhood woman should vote, then ten +thousand times more necessary is it that the mother should be +armed with this great social and political power for the sake of +all men and women who are yet to be. It is said that she has not +the time. Let us see. By the best deductions I can make from the +census and from other sources, of the women of voting age in this +country not more than one-half are married and still liable to +the duties of maternity; for it will be remembered that a +considerable proportion of the mothers at any given time are +below the voting age, while another large proportion have passed +beyond the point of this objection. Then why disfranchise the +half to whom your objection, even if valid as to any, does not +apply at all; and most of these, too, the most mature and +therefore the best qualified to vote of any of their sex?</p> + +<p>But how much is there of this objection of want of time or +physical strength to vote in its application to those women who +are bearing and training the coming millions?... The average +mother will attend church at least forty times yearly from her +cradle to her grave; and there is, besides, an infinity of other +social, religious and industrial obligations which she performs +because she is a married woman and a mother rather than for any +other reason whatever. Yet it is proposed to deprive all women +alike of an inestimable privilege for the reason that on any +given day of election perhaps one woman in twenty of voting age +may not be able to reach the polls....</p> + +<p>When one thinks of the innumerable and trifling causes which keep +many of the best of men and the strongest opponents of woman +suffrage from the polls upon important occasions, it is difficult +to be tolerant of the objection that woman by reason of +motherhood has no time to vote....</p> + +<p>It is urged that woman does not desire the privilege. If the +right<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> exist at all it is an individual right, and not one which +belongs to a class or to the sex as such. Yet men tell us that +they will vote to give the suffrage to women whenever the +majority of women desire it. What would we say if it were +seriously proposed to recall the suffrage from all colored or +from all white men because a majority of either class should +decline or for any cause fail to vote? If one or many choose not +to claim their right it is no argument for depriving me of mine +or one woman of hers. There are many reasons why some women +declare themselves opposed to the extension of suffrage to their +sex. Some well-fed and pampered, without serious experiences in +life, are incapable of comprehending the subject at all. Vast +numbers, who secretly and earnestly desire it, from the long +habit of deference to the wishes of the other sex upon whom they +are so entirely dependent, and knowing the hostility of their +"protectors" to it, conceal their real sentiments. The "lord" of +the family referring this question to his wife, who has heard him +sneer or worse than sneer at suffragists for half a lifetime, +ought not expect an answer which she knows will subject her to +his censure and ridicule. It is like the old appeal of the master +to his slave to know if he would like to be free. Full well did +the wise and wary slave know that happiness depended upon +declaring contentment with his lot....</p> + +<p>We are told that husband and wife will disagree and thus the +suffrage will destroy the family and ruin society. If a married +couple will quarrel at all, they will find the occasion, and it +would be fortunate indeed if their contention might concern +important affairs. There is no peace in the family save where +love is, and the same spirit which enables husband and wife to +enforce the toleration act between themselves in religious +matters will keep the peace between them in political +discussions. At all events this argument is unworthy of notice +unless we are to push it to its logical conclusion, and, for the +sake of peace in the family, to prohibit woman absolutely the +exercise of free speech and action. Men live with their +countrymen and yet disagree with them in politics, religion and +ten thousand of the affairs of life, as often the trifling as the +important. What harm, then, if woman be allowed her thought and +vote upon the tariff, education, temperance, peace, war, and +whatsoever else the suffrage decides.</p> + +<p>We are told that no government of which we have authentic history +ever gave to women a share in the sovereignty. This is not true, +for the annals of monarchies and despotisms have been rendered +illustrious by queens of surpassing brilliance and power. But +even if it be true that no nation ever enfranchised woman—even +so until within one hundred years universal or even general +suffrage was unknown among men.</p> + +<p>Has the millennium yet dawned? Is all progress at an end? If that +which is should therefore remain, why abolish the slavery of men?</p> + +<p>We are informed that woman does not vote when she has the +opportunity. Wherever she has the unrestricted right she +exercises<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> it. The records of Wyoming and Washington demonstrate +this fact.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mr. Blair then quoted the statistics embodied in the report of the +committee, showing the slow but sure progress of the enfranchisement +of women, and concluded:</p> + +<blockquote><p>It is sometimes urged against this movement for the submission of +a resolution for a National Constitutional Amendment that women +should go to the States and fight it out there. But we did not +send the colored man to the States. No other amendment touching +the general national interest has been left to be fought out by +individual action in the separate States....</p> + +<p>We only ask for woman an opportunity to bring her suit in the +great court for the amendment of fundamental law. It is +impossible for any right mind to escape the impression of solemn +responsibility which attaches to our decision. Ridicule and wit +of whatever quality are here as much out of place as in the +debates upon the Declaration of Independence. We are affirming or +denying the right of petition which by all law belongs as much to +women as to men....</p> + +<p>Let us by our action to-day indorse, if we do not initiate, a +movement which, in the development of our race, shall guarantee +liberty to all without distinction of sex, even as our glorious +Constitution already grants the suffrage to every male citizen +without distinction of color or race.</p></blockquote> + +<p>As Senator Brown was absent, Senator Cockrell objected to a +consideration of the resolution and it was postponed. The minority +report of the Select Committee on Woman Suffrage signed by these two +Senators consisted wholly of extracts from a series of anonymous +articles which had appeared in the Chicago <i>Tribune</i>, entitled +"Letters from a Chimney-Corner."</p> + +<p>On January 25, 1887, Senator Blair again called up his resolution and +a spirited debate followed. Senators Joseph E. Brown (Ga.) and George +G. Vest (Mo.) represented the negative; Henry W. Blair (N. H.) and +Joseph N. Dolph (Ore.) the affirmative. Senator Brown opened the +discussion by presenting, word for word, the report signed by Senator +Francis M. Cockrell (Mo.) and himself in 1884. It embodied the stock +objections to woman suffrage, practically all in fact which are ever +made, and was in part as follows:<a name="FNanchor_34_34" id="FNanchor_34_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_34_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span></p><blockquote><p>Mr. President, the joint resolution introduced by my friend, the +Senator from New Hampshire, proposing an amendment to the +Constitution of the United States, conferring the right to vote +upon the women of the United States, is one of paramount +importance, as it involves great questions far-reaching in their +tendency, which seriously affect the very pillars of our social +fabric, which involve the peace and harmony of society, the unity +of the family, and much of the future success of our +Government....</p> + +<p>I believe that the Creator intended that the sphere of the males +and females of our race should be different, and that their +duties and obligations, while they differ materially, are equally +important and equally honorable, and that each sex is equally +well qualified by natural endowments for the discharge of the +important duties which pertain to each, and that each sex is +equally competent to discharge those duties.</p> + +<p>We find an abundance of evidence, both <i>in the works of nature</i> +and in the Divine revelation, to establish the fact that the +family properly regulated is the foundation and pillar of +society, and is the most important of any other human +institution. In the Divine economy it is provided that the man +shall be the head of the family, and shall take upon himself the +solemn obligation of providing for and protecting the family.</p> + +<p>Man, by reason of his physical strength, and his other endowments +and faculties, is qualified for the discharge of those duties +that require strength and ability to combat with the sterner +realities and difficulties of life. It is not only his duty to +provide for and protect the family, but as a member of the +community it is also his duty to discharge the laborious and +responsible obligations which the family owe to the State, and +which obligations must be discharged by the head of the family, +until the male members have grown up to manhood and are able to +aid in the discharge of those obligations, when it becomes their +duty each in turn to take charge of and rear a family, for which +he is responsible.</p> + +<p>Among other duties which the head of the family owes to the State +is military duty in time of war, which he, <i>when able-bodied</i>, is +able to discharge and which the female members of the family are +unable to discharge.<a name="FNanchor_35_35" id="FNanchor_35_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_35_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a></p> + +<p>He is also under obligation to discharge jury duty,<a name="FNanchor_36_36" id="FNanchor_36_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_36_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a> and by +himself <i>or his representatives</i> to perform his part of the labor +necessary to construct and keep in order roads, bridges, streets +and all grades of public highways.<a name="FNanchor_37_37" id="FNanchor_37_37"></a><a href="#Footnote_37_37" class="fnanchor">[37]</a> And in this progressive +age upon the male sex is devolved the duty of constructing and +operating our railroads, and the engines and other rolling stock +with which they are operated; of building, equipping and +launching shipping and other water craft of every character +necessary for the transportation of passengers and freight upon +our rivers, our lakes, and upon the high seas.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span></p> + +<p>The labor in our fields, sowing, cultivating and reaping crops +must be discharged <i>mainly</i> by the male sex, as the female sex, +for want of physical strength, are generally unable to discharge +these duties. As it is the duty of the male sex to perform the +obligations to the State, to society and to the family, already +mentioned, with numerous others that might be enumerated, it is +also their duty to aid in the government of the State, which is +simply a great aggregation of families.<a name="FNanchor_38_38" id="FNanchor_38_38"></a><a href="#Footnote_38_38" class="fnanchor">[38]</a> Society can not be +preserved nor can the people be prosperous without good +government. The government of our country is a government <i>of the +people</i>, and it becomes necessary that the <i>class</i> of people upon +whom the responsibility rests should assemble together and +consider and discuss the great questions of governmental policy +which from time to time are presented for their decision.</p> + +<p>This often requires the assembling of caucuses in the night time, +as well as public assemblages in the daytime. It is a <i>laborious +task</i>, for which the male sex is infinitely better fitted than +the female sex; and after proper consideration and discussion of +the measures that may divide the country from time to time, the +duty devolves upon those who are responsible for the government, +at times and places to be fixed by law, to meet and by ballot to +decide the great questions of government upon which the +prosperity of the country depends.</p> + +<p>These are some of the <i>active and sterner duties</i> of life to +which the male sex is by nature better fitted than the female +sex. If in carrying out the policy of the State on great measures +adjudged vital such policy should lead to war, either foreign or +domestic, it would seem to follow very naturally that those who +have been responsible for the management of the State should be +the parties to take the hazards and hardships of the +struggle.<a name="FNanchor_39_39" id="FNanchor_39_39"></a><a href="#Footnote_39_39" class="fnanchor">[39]</a> Here again man is better fitted by nature for the +discharge of the duty—woman is unfit for it.</p> + +<p>On the other hand, the Creator has assigned to woman very +laborious and responsible duties, <i>by no means less important</i> +than those imposed upon the male sex, though entirely different +in their character.<a name="FNanchor_40_40" id="FNanchor_40_40"></a><a href="#Footnote_40_40" class="fnanchor">[40]</a> In the family she is a <i>queen</i>. She alone +is fitted for the discharge of the sacred trust of wife and the +endearing relation of mother. While the man is contending with +the sterner duties of life, <i>the whole time</i> of the noble, +affectionate and true woman is required in the discharge of the +delicate and difficult duties assigned her in the family circle, +in her church relations and in the society where her lot is cast. +When the husband returns home weary and worn in the discharge of +the difficult and laborious tasks assigned him, he finds in the +good wife solace and consolation which is nowhere else afforded.</p> + +<p>But a still more important duty devolves upon the mother. After<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> +having brought into existence the offspring of the nuptial union, +the children are dependent upon the mother <i>as they are not upon +any other human being</i>. The trust is a most sacred, most +responsible and most important one. She molds the character. She +educates the heart as well as the intellect, and she prepares the +future man, now the boy, for honor or dishonor. Upon the manner +in which she discharges her duty depends the fact whether he +shall in future be a useful citizen or a burden to society. She +inculcates lessons of patriotism, manliness, religion and virtue, +<i>fitting the man by reason of his training</i> to be an ornament to +society, or dooming him by her neglect to a life of dishonor and +shame. Society acts unwisely, when it imposes upon her the duties +that by common consent have always been assigned to the stronger +and sterner sex, and the discharge of which causes her to neglect +those sacred and all-important duties to her children and to the +society of which they are members.<a name="FNanchor_41_41" id="FNanchor_41_41"></a><a href="#Footnote_41_41" class="fnanchor">[41]</a></p> + +<p>In the church, by her piety, her charity and her Christian +purity, she not only aids society by a proper training of her own +children, but the children of others, whom she encourages to come +to the sacred altar. In the Sunday-school room the good woman is +a <i>princess</i> and she exerts an influence which purifies and +ennobles society. In the sick room and among the humble, the poor +and the suffering the good woman is an <i>angel</i> of light....</p> + +<p>If the wife and the mother is required to leave the sacred +precincts of home and to attempt to do military duty when the +State is in peril; or if she is to be required to leave her home +from day to day in attendance upon the court as a juror, and to +be shut up in the jury room from night to night with men who are +strangers, while a question of life or property is being +discussed; if she is to attend political meetings, take part in +political discussions and mingle with the male sex at political +gatherings; if she is to become an active politician; if she is +to attend political caucuses at late hours of the night; if she +is to take part in all the unsavory work that may be deemed +necessary for the triumph of her party; and if on election day +she is to leave her home and go upon the streets electioneering +for votes for the candidates who receive her support, and +mingling among the crowds of men who gather round the polls, she +is to press her way through them to the precinct and deposit her +ballot; if she is to take part in the corporate struggles of the +city or town in which she resides, attend to the duties of his +honor, the mayor, the councilman, or of policeman, to say nothing +of the many other like obligations which are disagreeable (!) +even to the male sex, how is she, with all these heavy duties of +citizen, politician and officeholder resting upon her shoulders, +to attend to the more sacred, delicate, refining trust to which +we have already referred, and for which she is peculiarly fitted +by nature? Who is to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> care for and train the children while she +is absent in the discharge of these masculine duties?<a name="FNanchor_42_42" id="FNanchor_42_42"></a><a href="#Footnote_42_42" class="fnanchor">[42]</a></p> + +<p>But it has been said that the present law is unjust to woman; +that she is <i>often</i> required to pay tax on the property she holds +without being permitted to take part in framing or administering +the laws by which her property is governed, and that she is taxed +without representation. <i>That is a great mistake.</i> It may be very +doubtful whether the male or female sex in the present state of +things has more influence in the administration of the affairs of +the government and the enactment of the laws by which we are +governed.<a name="FNanchor_43_43" id="FNanchor_43_43"></a><a href="#Footnote_43_43" class="fnanchor">[43]</a></p> + +<p>While the woman does not discharge military duty, nor does she +attend courts and serve on juries, nor does she labor on the +public streets, bridges or highways, nor does she engage actively +and publicly in the discussion of political affairs, nor does she +enter the <i>crowded precincts of the ballot-box</i> to deposit her +suffrage, still the intelligent, cultivated, noble woman is a +power behind the throne. All her influence is in favor of +morality, justice and fair dealing, all her efforts and her +counsel are in favor of good government, wise and wholesome +regulations and a faithful administration of the laws.<a name="FNanchor_44_44" id="FNanchor_44_44"></a><a href="#Footnote_44_44" class="fnanchor">[44]</a> ...</p> + +<p>It would be a gratification, and we are always glad to see the +ladies gratified, to many who have espoused the cause of woman +suffrage if they could take active part in political affairs and +go to the polls and cast their votes alongside the male sex; but +while this would be a gratification to a large number of very +worthy and excellent ladies who take a different view of the +question from that which we entertain, we feel that it would be a +great cruelty to a much larger number of the cultivated, refined, +delicate and lovely women of this country who seek no such +distinction, who would enjoy no such privilege, who would with +womanlike delicacy shrink from the discharge of any such +obligation, and who would sincerely regret that what they +consider the folly of the State had imposed upon them any such +unpleasant duties. But should female suffrage be once established +it would become an imperative necessity that the very large +class, indeed much the largest class, of the women of this +country of the character last described should yield, contrary to +their inclinations and wishes, to the necessity which would +compel them to engage in political strife.</p> + +<p>We apprehend no one who has properly considered this question +will doubt, if female suffrage should be established, that the +more ignorant and less refined portions of the female population, +to say nothing of the baser class of females, laying aside +feminine delicacy and disregarding the sacred duties devolving +upon them, to which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> we have already referred, would rush to the +polls and take pleasure in the crowded association which the +situation would compel, of the two sexes in political meetings +and at the ballot-box....</p> + +<p>It is now a problem which perplexes the brain of the ablest +statesmen to determine how we will best preserve our republican +system as against the demoralizing influence of the large class +of our present citizens and voters who by reason of their +illiteracy are unable to read or write the ballot they cast. If +our colored population, who were so recently slaves that even the +males who are voters have had but little opportunity to educate +themselves or to be educated, whose ignorance is now exciting the +liveliest interest of our statesmen, are causes of serious +apprehension, what is to be said in favor of adding to the voting +population all the females of that race, who, on account of the +situation in which they have been placed, have had much less +opportunity to be educated than even the males of their own +race?<a name="FNanchor_45_45" id="FNanchor_45_45"></a><a href="#Footnote_45_45" class="fnanchor">[45]</a></p> + +<p>It may be said that their votes could be offset by the ballots of +the educated and refined ladies of the white race in the same +section; but who does not know that the ignorant female voters +would be at the polls <i>en masse</i>, while the refined and educated, +shrinking from public contact on such occasions, would remain at +home and attend to their domestic and other important duties?<a name="FNanchor_46_46" id="FNanchor_46_46"></a><a href="#Footnote_46_46" class="fnanchor">[46]</a> +Are we ready to expose the country to the demoralization, and our +institutions to the strain, which would be placed upon them, for +the gratification of a minority of the virtuous and good of our +female population at the expense of the mortification of a very +large majority of the same sex?</p> + +<p>It has been frequently urged that the ballot is necessary to +women to enable them to protect themselves in securing +occupations, and to enable them to realize the same compensation +for the like labor which is received by men. This argument is +plausible, but upon a closer examination it will be found to +possess but little real force. The price of labor is and must +continue to be governed by the law of supply and demand, and the +person who has the most physical strength to labor, and the most +pursuits requiring such strength open for employment, will always +command the higher prices.</p> + +<p>Ladies make excellent teachers in public schools; many of them +are every way the equals of their male competitors, and still +they secure less wages than males. The reason is obvious. The +number of ladies who offer themselves as teachers is much larger +than the number of males who are willing to teach. The larger +number of females offer to teach <i>because other occupations are +not open to them</i>. The smaller number of males offer to teach +<i>because other more profitable occupations are open</i> to most +males who are competent to teach....</p> + +<p>The ballot can not impart to the female physical strength which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> +she does not possess, nor can it open to her pursuits which she +does not have physical ability to engage in; and as long as she +lacks the physical strength to compete with men in the different +departments of labor, there will be more competition in her +department, and she must necessarily receive less wages.<a name="FNanchor_47_47" id="FNanchor_47_47"></a><a href="#Footnote_47_47" class="fnanchor">[47]</a></p> + +<p>But it is claimed again that females should have the ballot as a +protection against the tyranny of bad husbands. This is also +delusive. If the husband is brutal, arbitrary or tyrannical, and +tyrannizes over her at home, the ballot in her hands would be no +protection against such injustice, but the husband who compelled +her to conform to his wishes in other respects would also compel +her to use the ballot, if she possessed it, as he might please to +dictate. The ballot would, therefore, be of no assistance to the +wife in such case, nor could it heal family strifes or +dissensions. On the contrary, one of the gravest objections to +placing the ballot in the hands of the female sex is that it +would promote unhappiness and dissensions in the family circle. +There should be unity and harmony in the family.<a name="FNanchor_48_48" id="FNanchor_48_48"></a><a href="#Footnote_48_48" class="fnanchor">[48]</a> ...</p> + +<p>When woman becomes a voter she will be more or less of a +politician, and will form political alliances or unite with +political parties which will frequently be antagonistic to those +to which her husband belongs. This will introduce into the family +circle new elements of disagreement and discord which will +frequently end in unhappy divisions, if not in separation and +divorce. This must frequently occur when she becomes an active +politician, identified with a party which is distasteful to her +husband. On the other hand, if she unites with her husband in +party associations and votes with him on all occasions so as not +to disturb the harmony and happiness of the family, then the +ballot is of no service, as it simply <i>duplicates the vote of the +male</i> on each side of the question and leaves the result the +same.<a name="FNanchor_49_49" id="FNanchor_49_49"></a><a href="#Footnote_49_49" class="fnanchor">[49]</a> ...</p> + +<p>It may be said, however, that there is a class of young ladies +who do not choose to marry, and who select professions or +avocations and follow them for a livelihood. This is true, but +this class, compared with the number who unite in matrimony with +the husbands of their choice, is comparatively very small, and it +is the duty of society to encourage the increase of marriages +rather than of celibacy. If the larger number of females select +pursuits or professions which require them to decline marriage, +society to that extent is deprived of the advantage resulting +from the increase of population by marriage.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span></p> + +<p>It is said by those who have examined the question closely that +the largest number of divorces is now found in the communities +where the advocates of female suffrage are most numerous, and +where the <i>individuality</i> of woman as related to her husband, +which such a doctrine inculcates, is increased to the greatest +extent.<a name="FNanchor_50_50" id="FNanchor_50_50"></a><a href="#Footnote_50_50" class="fnanchor">[50]</a> ...</p></blockquote> + +<p>Senator Brown then introduced a long quotation from the +"Chimney-Corner," covering so exactly the ground of his speech and in +so nearly the same language as to suggest, if not collusion, at least +"two souls with but a single thought," which he thus emphasized in +closing:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The woman with the infant at the breast is in no condition to +plow on the farm, labor hard in the workshop, discharge the +duties of a juryman, conduct cases as an advocate in court, +preside in important cases as a judge, command armies as a +general, or bear arms as a private. These duties, and others of +like character, belong to the male sex; while the more important +duties of home, to which I have already referred, devolve upon +the female sex. We can neither reverse the physical nor the moral +laws of our nature, and as this movement is an attempt to reverse +these laws, and to devolve upon the female sex important and +laborious duties for which they are not by nature physically +competent, I am not prepared to support this bill.</p></blockquote> + +<p>He was followed by Senator Dolph, who said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Mr. President, I shall not detain the Senate long. I do not feel +satisfied, when a measure so important to the people of this +country and to humanity is about to be submitted to a vote of the +Senate, to remain wholly silent.</p> + +<p>Fortunately for the perpetuity of our institutions and the +prosperity of the people, the Federal Constitution contains a +provision for its own amendment. The framers of that instrument +foresaw that time and experience, the growth of the country and +the consequent expansion of the Government, would develop the +necessity for changes in it. Under this provision, at the first +session of the First Congress, ten amendments were submitted to +the Legislatures of the several States, in due time ratified by +the constitutional number, and thus became a part of the +Constitution. Since then there have been added to the +Constitution by the same process five different articles. To +secure an amendment requires the concurrent action of two-thirds +of both branches of Congress and the affirmative action of +three-fourths of the States. The question as to whether this +resolution shall be submitted to the Legislatures for +ratification does not involve the right or policy of the proposed +amendment....<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span></p> + +<p>No question in this country has been more ably discussed than +this has been by the women themselves. I do not think a single +objection which is made to woman suffrage is tenable. No one will +contend but that women have sufficient capacity to vote +intelligently. Sacred and profane history is full of the records +of great deeds by women. They have ruled kingdoms, and, my friend +from Georgia to the contrary notwithstanding, they have commanded +armies. They have excelled in statecraft, they have shone in +literature, and, rising superior to their environments and +breaking the shackles with which custom and tyranny have bound +them, they have stood side by side with men in the fields of the +arts and the sciences.</p> + +<p>If it were a fact that woman is intellectually inferior to man, +which I do not admit, still that would be no reason why she +should not be permitted to participate in the formation and +control of the government to which she owes allegiance. If we are +to have as a test for the exercise of the right of suffrage a +qualification based upon intelligence, let it be applied to women +and to men alike. If it be admitted that suffrage is a right, +that is the end of controversy; there can no longer be any +argument made against woman suffrage; because, if it is her +right, then, if there were but one poor woman in all the United +States demanding the right it would be tyranny to refuse the +demand.</p> + +<p>But our opponents say that suffrage is not a right; that it is a +matter of grace only; that it is a privilege which is conferred +upon or withheld from individual members of society by society at +pleasure. Society as here used means man's government, and the +proposition assumes that men have a right to institute and +control governments for themselves and for women. I admit that in +the governments of the world, past and present, men as a rule +have assumed to be the ruling class; that they have instituted +governments from participation in which they have excluded women; +that they have made laws for themselves and for women, and have +themselves administered them. But, that the provisions conferring +or regulating suffrage, in the constitutions and laws of +governments so constituted, have determined the question of the +<i>right</i> of suffrage, can not be maintained.</p> + +<p>Let us suppose, if we can, a community separated from all +others—having no organized government, owing no allegiance to +any existing governments, without any knowledge of the character +of those present or past, so that when they come to form one for +themselves they can do so free from the bias or prejudice of +custom or education—a community composed of an equal number of +men and women, having equal property rights to be defined and to +be protected by law. When such community came to institute a +government—and it would have an undoubted right to institute one +for itself, and the instinct of self-preservation would soon lead +it to do so—will my friend from Georgia tell me by what right, +human or divine, the male portion could exclude the female +portion, equal in number and having equal property rights, from +participation in the formation of such government and in the +enactment of its laws?<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> I understand that the Senator, if he +would answer, would say that he believes the author of our +existence, the ruler of the universe, has given different spheres +to man and woman. Admit that; and still neither in nature nor in +the revealed will of God do I find anything to lead me to believe +that the Creator did not intend that a woman should exercise the +right of self-government.</p> + +<p>During the consideration by this body, at the last session, of +the bill to admit Washington Territory into the Union, referring +to the fact that in that Territory woman already had been +enfranchised, I briefly submitted my views on this subject, which +I now ask the Secretary to read.</p> + +<p>The Secretary read as follows: " ... I do not believe the +proposition so often asserted that suffrage is a political +privilege only, and not a natural right. It is regulated by the +constitution and laws of a State, I grant, but it needs no +argument to show that a constitution and laws adopted and enacted +by a fragment only of the whole body of the people, but binding +alike on all, are a usurpation of the powers of government.</p> + +<p>"Government is but organized society. Whatever its form, it has +its origin in the necessities of mankind and is indispensable for +the maintenance of civilized society. It is essential to every +government that it should represent the supreme power of the +State, and be capable of subjecting the will of its individual +citizens to its authority. Such a government can derive its just +powers only from the consent of the governed, and can be +established only under a fundamental law which is self-imposed. +Every person of suitable age and discretion who is to be subject +to such a government has, in my judgment, a natural right to +participate in its formation. It is a significant fact that, +should Congress pass this bill and authorize the people of +Washington Territory to frame a State constitution and organize a +State government, the fundamental law of the State would be made +by all the citizens who were to be subject to it, and not by +one-half of them. And we shall witness the spectacle of a State +government founded in accordance with the principles of equality, +and have a State at last with a truly republican form of +government.<a name="FNanchor_51_51" id="FNanchor_51_51"></a><a href="#Footnote_51_51" class="fnanchor">[51]</a></p> + +<p>"The fathers of the republic enunciated the doctrine 'that all +men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator +with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, +liberty and the pursuit of happiness.' It is strange that any one +in this enlightened age should be found to contend that this +declaration is true only of men, and that a man is endowed by his +Creator with inalienable rights not possessed by a woman. The +lamented Lincoln immortalized the expression that ours is a +government 'of the people, by the people and for the people,' and +yet it is far from that. There can be no government by the people +where one-half of them are allowed no voice in its organization +and control. I regard the struggle going on in this country and +elsewhere for the enfranchisement<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> of women as but a continuation +of the great struggle for human liberty which, from the earliest +dawn of authentic history, has convulsed nations, rent kingdoms +and drenched battlefields with human blood. I look upon the +victories which have been achieved in the cause of woman's +enfranchisement in Washington Territory and elsewhere, as the +crowning victories of all which have been won in the +long-continued, still-continuing contest between liberty and +oppression, and as destined to exert a greater influence upon the +human race than any achieved upon the battlefield in ancient or +modern times."</p> + +<p>Mr. President, the movement for woman suffrage has passed the +stage of ridicule. The pending joint resolution may not pass +during this Congress, but the time is not far distant when in +every State of the Union and in every Territory women will be +admitted to an equal voice in the government, and that will be +done whether the Federal Constitution is amended or not....</p> + +<p>No measure involving such radical changes in our institutions and +fraught with so great consequences to this country and to +humanity has made such progress as the movement for woman +suffrage. Denunciation will not much longer answer for arguments +by the opponents of this measure. The portrayal of the evils to +flow from woman suffrage such as we have heard pictured to-day by +the Senator from Georgia, the loss of harmony between husband and +wife and the consequent instability of the marriage relation, the +neglect of husbands and children by wives and mothers for the +performance of their political duties, in short the +incapacitating of women for wives and mothers and companions, +will not much longer serve to frighten the timid. Proof is better +than theory. The experiment has been made and the predicted evils +to flow from it have not followed. On the contrary, if we can +believe the almost universal testimony, wherever it has been +tried it has been followed by the most beneficial results.</p> + +<p>In Washington Territory, since woman was enfranchised, there have +been two elections. At the first there were 8,368 votes cast by +women out of a total vote of about 34,000. At the second +election, which was held in November last, out of 48,000 votes, +12,000 were cast by women.</p> + +<p>I desire also to inform my friend from Georgia that since women +were enfranchised in Washington Territory nature has continued in +her wonted course. The sun rises and sets; there are seed-time +and harvest; seasons come and go. The population has increased +with the usual regularity and rapidity. Marriages have been quite +as frequent and divorces have been no more so. Women have not +lost their influence for good upon society, but men have been +elevated and refined. If we are to believe the testimony which +comes from lawyers, physicians, ministers of the gospel, +merchants, mechanics, farmers and laboring men—the united +testimony of the entire people of the Territory—the results of +woman suffrage there have been all that could be desired by its +friends. Some of the results have been seen in its making the +polls quiet and orderly, awakening a new interest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> in educational +questions and those of moral reform, securing the passage of +beneficial laws and the proper enforcement of them, elevating +men, and doing so without injury to women.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Senator James B. Eustis (La.) inquired whether, if the right of +suffrage were conferred, women ought to be required to serve on +juries. To this Senator Dolph replied: "I can answer that very +readily. It does not necessarily follow that because a woman is +permitted to vote and thus have a voice in making the laws by which +she is to be governed and by which her property rights are to be +determined, she must perform such duty as service upon a jury. But I +will inform the Senator that in Washington Territory she does serve +upon juries, and with great satisfaction to the judges of the courts +and to all parties who desire to see an honest and efficient +administration of law." The following colloquy then ensued:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Mr. Eustis</span>: I was aware of the fact that women are required to +serve on juries in Washington Territory because they are allowed +to vote. I understand that under all State laws those duties are +considered correlative. Now, I ask the Senator whether he thinks +it is a decent spectacle to take a mother away from her nursing +infant and lock her up all night to sit on a jury?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mr. Dolph</span>: I intended to say before I reached this point of being +interrogated that I not only do not believe that there is a +single argument against woman suffrage which is tenable, but also +that there is not a single one which is really worthy of any +serious consideration. The Senator from Louisiana is a lawyer, +and he knows very well that a mother with a nursing infant, that +fact being made known to the court, would be excused. He knows +himself, and he has seen it done a hundred times, that for +trivial excuses compared to that, men have been excused from +service on a jury.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mr. Eustis</span>: I will ask the Senator whether he knows that under +the laws of Washington Territory this is a legal excuse from +serving on a jury?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mr. Dolph</span>: I am not prepared to state that it is; but there is no +question in the world but that any Judge, this fact being made +known, would excuse a woman from attendance upon a jury. No +special authority would be required. I will state further that I +have not learned that there has been any serious objection on the +part of any woman summoned for jury service in that Territory to +performing that duty. I have not learned that it has worked to +the disadvantage of any family, but I do know that the judges of +the courts have taken especial pains to commend the women who +have been called to serve upon juries for the manner in which +they have discharged their duty.</p> + +<p>I wish to say further that there is no connection whatever +between<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> jury service and the right of suffrage. The question as +to who shall perform jury service, who shall perform military +service, who shall perform civil official duty, is certainly a +matter to be regulated by the community itself; but the question +of the right to participate in the formation of a government +which controls the life, the property and the destinies of its +citizens, I contend is one which goes back of these mere +regulations for the protection of property and the punishment of +offenses under the laws. It is a matter of right which it is a +tyranny to refuse to any citizen demanding it.</p> + +<p>Now, Mr. President, I shall close by saying, God speed the day +when not only in all the States of the Union and in all the +Territories, but everywhere, woman shall stand before the law +freed from the last shackle which has been riveted upon her by +tyranny and the last disability which has been imposed upon her +by ignorance—not only in respect to the right of suffrage but in +every other respect the peer and equal of her brother, man.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Senator Vest then entered into a long and elaborate discussion of the +resolution, in which he said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Mr. President, any measure of legislation which affects popular +government based on <i>the will of the people as expressed through +their suffrage</i> is not only important but vitally so. If this +government which is based on <i>the intelligence of the people</i>, +shall ever be destroyed it will be by injudicious, immature or +corrupt suffrage. If the Ship of State launched by our fathers +shall ever be destroyed, it will be by striking the rock of +universal, unprepared suffrage. Suffrage once given can never be +taken away. Legislatures and conventions may do everything else; +they never can do that. When any particular class or portion of +the community is once invested with this privilege <i>it is fixed, +accomplished and eternal</i>.<a name="FNanchor_52_52" id="FNanchor_52_52"></a><a href="#Footnote_52_52" class="fnanchor">[52]</a></p> + +<p>The Senator who spoke last on this question refers to the +successful experiment in regard to woman suffrage in the +Territories of Wyoming and Washington. It is not upon the plains +of the sparsely-settled Territories of the West that woman +suffrage can be tested. Suffrage in the rural districts and +sparsely-settled regions of this country must from the very +nature of things remain pure when corrupt everywhere else. The +danger of corrupt suffrage is in the cities, and those masses of +population to which civilization tends everywhere in all history. +Wyoming Territory! Washington Territory! Where are their large +cities? Where are the localities in which the strain upon popular +government must come?</p> + +<p>The Senator from New Hampshire, who is so conspicuous in this +movement, appalled the country some months since by his ghastly +array of illiteracy in the Southern States.... He proposes to +give the negro women of the South this right of suffrage, utterly +unprepared as they are for it. In a convention some +two-years-and-a-half<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> ago in the city of Louisville an +intelligent negro from the South said the negro men could not +vote the Democratic ticket because the women would not live with +them if they did. The negro men go out in the hotels and upon the +railroad cars; they go to the cities and by attrition they wear +away the prejudice of race; but the women remain at home, and +their emotional natures aggregate and compound the +race-prejudice, and when suffrage is given them what must be the +result?</p> + +<p>Mr. President, it is not my purpose to speak of the +inconveniences, for they are nothing more, of woman suffrage.<a name="FNanchor_53_53" id="FNanchor_53_53"></a><a href="#Footnote_53_53" class="fnanchor">[53]</a> +I trust that as a gentleman I respect the feelings of the ladies +and their advocates. I am not here to ridicule. My purpose only +is to use legitimate argument as to a movement which commands +respectful consideration if for no other reason than because it +comes from women. But it is impossible to divest ourselves of a +certain degree of sentiment when considering this question. I +pity the man who can consider any question affecting the +influence of woman with the cold, dry logic of business. What man +can, without aversion, turn from the blessed memory of that dear +old grandmother, or the gentle words and caressing hand of that +blessed mother gone to the unknown world, to face in its stead +the idea of a female justice of the peace or township constable? +For my part I want when I go to my home—when I turn from the +arena where man contends with man for what we call the prizes of +this paltry world—I want to go back, not to be received in the +masculine embrace of some female ward politician, but to the +earnest, loving look and touch of a true woman. I want to go back +to the jurisdiction of the wife, the mother; and instead of a +lecture upon finance or the tariff or the construction of the +Constitution, I want those blessed, loving details of domestic +life and domestic love.</p> + +<p>I have said I would not speak of the inconveniences to arise from +woman suffrage—when the mother is called upon to decide as a +juryman or jurywoman rights of property or rights of life, whilst +her baby is "mewling and puking" in solitary confinement at home. +There are other considerations more important, and one of them to +my mind is insuperable. I speak now respecting women as a sex. I +believe that they are better than men, but I do not believe they +are adapted to the political work of this world. I do not believe +that the Great Intelligence ever intended them to invade the +sphere of work given to men, tearing down and destroying all the +best influences for which God has intended them.</p> + +<p>The great evil in this country to-day is in emotional suffrage. +The great danger to-day is in excitable suffrage. If the voters +of this country could think always coolly, and if they could +deliberate, if they could go by judgment and not by passion, our +institutions would survive forever, eternal as the foundations of +the continent itself; but massed together, subject to the +excitement of mobs and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> of these terrible political contests that +come upon us from year to year under the autonomy of our +government, what would be the result if suffrage were given to +the women of the United States?</p> + +<p>Women are essentially emotional. It is no disparagement to them +they are so. It is no more insulting to say that women are +emotional than to say that they are delicately constructed +physically and unfitted to become soldiers or workmen under the +sterner, harder pursuits of life. What we want in this country is +to avoid emotional suffrage, and what we need is to put more +logic into public affairs and less feeling.<a name="FNanchor_54_54" id="FNanchor_54_54"></a><a href="#Footnote_54_54" class="fnanchor">[54]</a></p> + +<p>There are spheres in which feeling should be paramount. There are +kingdoms in which the heart should reign supreme. That kingdom +belongs to woman, the realm of sentiment, the realm of love, the +realm of the gentler and holier and kindlier attributes that make +the name of wife, mother and sister next to that of God himself.</p> + +<p>I would not, and I say it deliberately, degrade woman by giving +her the right of suffrage. I mean the word in its full +signification, because I believe that woman as she is today, the +queen of home and of hearts, is above the political collisions of +this world, and should always be kept above them....</p> + +<p>Sir, if it be said to us that this is a natural right belonging +to women, I deny it. The right of suffrage is one to be +determined by expediency and by policy, and given by the State to +whom it pleases. It is not a natural right; it is a right that +comes from the State.<a name="FNanchor_55_55" id="FNanchor_55_55"></a><a href="#Footnote_55_55" class="fnanchor">[55]</a></p> + +<p>It is claimed that if the suffrage be given to women it is to +protect them. Protect them from whom? The brute that would invade +their rights would coerce the suffrage of his wife or sister or +mother as he would wring from her the hard earnings of her toil +to gratify his own beastly appetites and passions.<a name="FNanchor_56_56" id="FNanchor_56_56"></a><a href="#Footnote_56_56" class="fnanchor">[56]</a></p> + +<p>It is said that the suffrage is to be given to enlarge the sphere +of woman's influence. Mr. President, it would destroy her +influence. It would take her down from that pedestal where she is +today, influencing as a mother the minds of her offspring, +influencing by her gentle and kindly caress the action of her +husband toward the good and pure.<a name="FNanchor_57_57" id="FNanchor_57_57"></a><a href="#Footnote_57_57" class="fnanchor">[57]</a></p></blockquote> + +<p>Senator Vest then presented a list of two hundred men from +Massachusetts, among them forty-five clergymen, remonstrating against +any further extension of suffrage to women. He next presented the +old-time letter of Mrs. Clara T. Leonard of that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> State protesting +against the enfranchisement of women. Senator Hoar called attention to +the fact that the writer herself was an office-holder, a member of the +State Board of Lunacy and Charity, to which Senator Vest answered:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Ah! but what sort of an office-holder? She held the office +delegated to her by God himself, a ministering angel to the sick, +the afflicted and the insane. What man in his senses would take +from woman this sphere? What man would close to her the +charitable institutions and eleemosynary establishments of the +country? That is part of her kingdom; that is part of her +undisputed sway and realm. Is that the office to which woman +suffragists of this country ask us now to admit them? Is it to be +the director of a hospital? Is it to the presidency of a board of +visitors of an eleemosynary institution? Oh, no; they want to be +President, to be Senators and Members of the House of +Representatives and, God save the mark, ministerial and executive +officers, sheriffs, constables and marshals. Of course, this lady +is found on this board of directors. Where else should a true +woman be found? Where else has she always been found but by the +fevered brow, the palsied hand, the erring intellect, aye, God +bless them, from the cradle to the grave the guide and support of +the faltering steps of childhood and the weakening steps of old +age.<a name="FNanchor_58_58" id="FNanchor_58_58"></a><a href="#Footnote_58_58" class="fnanchor">[58]</a></p> + +<p>Oh, no, Mr. President, this will not do. If we are to tear down +all the blessed traditions, if we are to desolate our homes and +firesides, if we are to unsex our mothers and wives and sisters +and turn our blessed temples of domestic peace into ward +political-assembly rooms, pass this joint resolution. But for one +I thank God that I am so old-fashioned that I would not give one +memory of my grandmother or of my mother for all the arguments +that could be piled, Pelion upon Ossa, in favor of this political +monstrosity.</p> + +<p>I now present a pamphlet sent to me by a lady. I do not know +whether she be wife or mother. She signs this pamphlet as Adeline +D. T. Whitney. I have read it twice, and read it to pure and +gentle and intellectual women. I shall not read it today for my +strength does not suffice.<a name="FNanchor_59_59" id="FNanchor_59_59"></a><a href="#Footnote_59_59" class="fnanchor">[59]</a> ... There is not one impure, +unintellectual aspiration or thought throughout the whole of it. +Would to God that I knew her, that I could thank her on behalf of +the society and politics of the United States for this +production. She says to her own sex: "After all, men work for +women; or, if they think they do not, it would leave them but +sorry satisfaction to abandon them to such existence as they +could arrange without us."</p> + +<p>Oh, how true that is, how true!</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span></p> + +<p>This pamphlet of over five thousand words which began, "What is the +law of woman-life? What was she made woman for, and not man?"—might +be described as the apotheosis of the sentimental effusions of +Senators Brown and Vest.</p> + +<p>During the discussion Senator George F. Hoar (Mass.) said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Mr. President, I do not propose to make a speech at this late +hour of the day, it would be cruel to the Senate, and I had not +expected that this measure would be here this afternoon. I was +absent on a public duty and came in just at the close of the +speech of my honorable friend from Missouri. I wish, however, to +say one word in regard to what seemed to be the burden of his +speech.</p> + +<p>He says that the women who ask this change in our political +organization are not simply seeking to be put upon school boards +and upon boards of health and charity and to fulfil all the large +number of duties of a political nature for which he must confess +they are fit, but he says they will want to be President of the +United States, and Senators and marshals and sheriffs, and that +seems to him supremely ridiculous. Now I do not understand that +this is the proposition. What they want is simply to be eligible +to such public duty as a majority of their fellow-citizens may +think they are fitted for. The most of the public duties in this +country do not require robust, physical health, or exposure to +what is base or unhealthy; and when those duties are imposed upon +anybody it will be only upon such persons as are fit for them.</p> + +<p>My honorable friend spoke of the French revolution and the +horrors in which the women of Paris took part, and from that he +would argue that American wives and mothers and sisters are not +fit for the calm and temperate management of our American +republican life. His argument would require him by the same logic +to agree that republicanism itself is not fit for human society. +The argument is against popular government, whether by men or +women, and the Senator only applies to this new phase of the +claim of equal rights what his predecessors would have argued +against the rights which men now enjoy.</p> + +<p>But the Senator thought it was unspeakably absurd that woman with +her sentiment and emotional nature and liability to be moved by +passion and feeling should hold the office of Senator. Why, Mr. +President, the Senator's own speech is a refutation of its own +argument. Everybody knows that my honorable friend from Missouri +is one of the most brilliant men in this country. He is a +logician, he is an orator, he is a man of wide experience, he is +a lawyer entrusted with large interests; yet when he was called +upon to put forth this great effort of his, this afternoon, and +to argue this question which he thinks so clear, what did he do? +<i>He furnished the gush and the emotion and the eloquence, but +when he wanted an argument he had to call upon two women to +supply it.</i> If Mrs. Leonard and Mrs. Whitney have to make the +argument in the Senate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> of the United States for the +distinguished Senator from Missouri, it does not seem to me so +absolutely ridiculous that they should have, or that women like +them should have, seats in this body to make arguments of their +own.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Senator Blair closed the debate by saying in part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I appeal to Senators not to decide this question upon the +arguments which have been offered here today for or against the +merits of the proposition. I appeal to them to decide it upon +that other principle to which I have adverted, whether one-half +of the American people shall be permitted to go into the arena of +public discussion in the various States, and before their +Legislatures be heard upon the issue, "Shall the Federal +Constitution be so amended as to extend this right of suffrage?" +If, with this opportunity, those who believe in woman suffrage +shall fail, then they must be content; for I agree with the +Senators upon the opposite side of the chamber and with all who +hold that if the suffrage is to be extended at all, it must be by +the operation of existing law. I believe it to be an innate +right; yet even an innate right must be exercised only by the +consent of the controlling forces of the State. That is all woman +asks—that an amendment be submitted.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The opposition had presented three documents, each representing the +views of one woman, and one of these anonymous. Senator Blair +presented a petition for the suffrage from the Woman's Christian +Temperance Union of 200,000 members, signed by Miss Frances E. +Willard, president, and the entire official board. This was +accompanied by a strong personal appeal from a number of distinguished +women, and hundreds of thousands of petitions had been previously +sent. The Senator also received permission to have printed in the +<i>Congressional Record</i> the arguments made by the representatives of +the suffrage movement before the Senate committee in 1880 and +1884.<a name="FNanchor_60_60" id="FNanchor_60_60"></a><a href="#Footnote_60_60" class="fnanchor">[60]</a></p> + +<p>A vote was then taken on the resolution to submit to the State +Legislatures an amendment to the Federal Constitution forbidding the +disfranchisement of United States citizens on account of sex, which +resulted in 16 yeas, 34 nays, 26 absent.<a name="FNanchor_61_61" id="FNanchor_61_61"></a><a href="#Footnote_61_61" class="fnanchor">[61]</a> Of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> absentees +Senators Chace, Dawes, Plumb and Stanford announced that they would +have voted "yea;" Jones of Arkansas and Butler that they would have +voted "nay."</p> + +<p>Thus on January 25, 1887, occurred the first and only discussion and +vote in the United States Senate on the submission of an amendment to +the Federal Constitution which should forbid disfranchisement on +account of sex, that took place up to the end of the nineteenth +century.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_31_31" id="Footnote_31_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_31_31"><span class="label">[31]</span></a> The only time the direct question of woman suffrage ever +had been discussed and voted on in the U. S. Senate was in December, +1866, on the Bill to Regulate the Franchise for the District of +Columbia—<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_102">History of Woman Suffrage, Vol. II, p. 102</a>; and in May, +1874, on the Bill to Establish the Territory of Pembina—the same, p. +545; but these were entirely distinct from the submission of a +constitutional amendment.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_32_32" id="Footnote_32_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_32_32"><span class="label">[32]</span></a> Extended space is accorded this discussion, as it might +reasonably be expected that on the floor of the United States Senate +would be made the most exhaustive arguments possible on both sides of +this important question.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_33_33" id="Footnote_33_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_33_33"><span class="label">[33]</span></a> This report had been presented Mar. 28, 1884, by +Senators T. W. Palmer, H. W. Blair, E. G. Lapham and H. B. Anthony.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_34_34" id="Footnote_34_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_34_34"><span class="label">[34]</span></a> The italics are made by the editors of the History.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_35_35" id="Footnote_35_35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_35_35"><span class="label">[35]</span></a> Senator Brown did not enter the army during the Civil +War.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_36_36" id="Footnote_36_36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_36_36"><span class="label">[36]</span></a> As a lawyer Senator Brown was always exempt from jury +service.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_37_37" id="Footnote_37_37"></a><a href="#FNanchor_37_37"><span class="label">[37]</span></a> Senator Brown had this done by his representatives, as +any woman could do.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_38_38" id="Footnote_38_38"></a><a href="#FNanchor_38_38"><span class="label">[38]</span></a> As every private family urgently needs the man and the +woman, why are both not needed in this "great aggregation?"</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_39_39" id="Footnote_39_39"></a><a href="#FNanchor_39_39"><span class="label">[39]</span></a> Do women have no hardships or hazards in time of war?</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_40_40" id="Footnote_40_40"></a><a href="#FNanchor_40_40"><span class="label">[40]</span></a> If her duties are just as laborious, responsible and +important as man's, do they not entitle her to a voice in the +Government?</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_41_41" id="Footnote_41_41"></a><a href="#FNanchor_41_41"><span class="label">[41]</span></a> Since this tremendous responsibility is placed upon +woman, why should she not have a voice in the conditions which +surround these children outside the home? Why should man alone +determine these conditions which often counteract all the mother's +training?</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_42_42" id="Footnote_42_42"></a><a href="#FNanchor_42_42"><span class="label">[42]</span></a> Senator Brown assumes that all women are wives and the +mothers of young children, and that the mother's sense of duty would +not hold her to the care of her children if she had a chance to go +into politics.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_43_43" id="Footnote_43_43"></a><a href="#FNanchor_43_43"><span class="label">[43]</span></a> Would any man be willing to exchange his influence for +that of a woman in the affairs of government?</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_44_44" id="Footnote_44_44"></a><a href="#FNanchor_44_44"><span class="label">[44]</span></a> This would seem to be the very influence which ought to +be enforced by a vote.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_45_45" id="Footnote_45_45"></a><a href="#FNanchor_45_45"><span class="label">[45]</span></a> In readjusting the qualifications for the suffrage the +Southern States have been very careful to secure the right to all the +illiterate <i>white</i> men.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_46_46" id="Footnote_46_46"></a><a href="#FNanchor_46_46"><span class="label">[46]</span></a> Senator Brown says in the preceding paragraph that the +"delicate and lovely women" would not remain at home but would +consider it an imperative duty to go to the polls.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_47_47" id="Footnote_47_47"></a><a href="#FNanchor_47_47"><span class="label">[47]</span></a> Is it because women lack physical strength that they are +not allowed to practice law in Georgia or to act as notaries public or +to fill any office, even that of school trustee, and that no woman is +permitted to enter the State University? The men should at least give +their "queens" and "princesses" and "angels" an education.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_48_48" id="Footnote_48_48"></a><a href="#FNanchor_48_48"><span class="label">[48]</span></a> Yes, if the husband has to enforce it with a club. This +paragraph does not tally with the one in the early part of the +Senator's speech where all women were placed on a throne, and all men +were declared to be their natural protectors.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_49_49" id="Footnote_49_49"></a><a href="#FNanchor_49_49"><span class="label">[49]</span></a> The picture of family life in Georgia is not alluring, +but the Senator takes small account of the woman who does not happen +to possess a "male," or rather to be possessed by one.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_50_50" id="Footnote_50_50"></a><a href="#FNanchor_50_50"><span class="label">[50]</span></a> Therefore the wife should not be allowed any +individuality. Statistics, however, from the States where women do +vote prove exactly the opposite of this assertion in regard to +divorce.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_51_51" id="Footnote_51_51"></a><a href="#FNanchor_51_51"><span class="label">[51]</span></a> For account of the unconstitutional disfranchisement of +the women of Washington Territory by its Supreme Court, see chapter on +that State.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_52_52" id="Footnote_52_52"></a><a href="#FNanchor_52_52"><span class="label">[52]</span></a> This does not seem to apply to negro suffrage in the +Southern States.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_53_53" id="Footnote_53_53"></a><a href="#FNanchor_53_53"><span class="label">[53]</span></a> One hearing Senator Brown's blood-curdling descriptions +would think they were more than "inconveniences."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_54_54" id="Footnote_54_54"></a><a href="#FNanchor_54_54"><span class="label">[54]</span></a> Observe that Senator Vest's entire argument against +woman suffrage is based wholly on sentiment and emotion and is +entirely devoid of logic.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_55_55" id="Footnote_55_55"></a><a href="#FNanchor_55_55"><span class="label">[55]</span></a> The Senator meant that it is a right which comes from +the men of the State, from one-half of its people.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_56_56" id="Footnote_56_56"></a><a href="#FNanchor_56_56"><span class="label">[56]</span></a> Because of a few such brutes millions of women must be +deprived of the suffrage. If women had some control over the +conditions which tend to make men brutes, might the number not be +lessened? The Senator ignores entirely the secret ballot which would +prevent the aforesaid brutes from knowing how the women voted.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_57_57" id="Footnote_57_57"></a><a href="#FNanchor_57_57"><span class="label">[57]</span></a> In the preceding paragraph she did not seem to be on a +pedestal.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_58_58" id="Footnote_58_58"></a><a href="#FNanchor_58_58"><span class="label">[58]</span></a> The advocates of woman suffrage have repeatedly had +bills in the various Legislatures asking that women might be appointed +on the boards of all State institutions, and as physicians in all +where women and children are placed, but up to the present day not one +woman is allowed this privilege in Senator Vest's own State of +Missouri.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_59_59" id="Footnote_59_59"></a><a href="#FNanchor_59_59"><span class="label">[59]</span></a> This does not accord with the argument of Senator Brown +that man must do the voting for the family on account of his superior +physical strength.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_60_60" id="Footnote_60_60"></a><a href="#FNanchor_60_60"><span class="label">[60]</span></a> These were Susan B. Anthony, Nancy R. Allen, Lillie +Devereux Blake, Lucinda B. Chandler, Abigail Scott Duniway, Helen M. +Gougar, Mary Seymour Howell, Elizabeth Boynton Harbert, Dr. Clemence +S. Lozier, Julia Smith Parker, Caroline Gilkey Rogers, Elizabeth Lyle +Saxon, May Wright Sewall, Mary A. Stuart, Sara Andrews Spencer, +Harriette R. Shattuck, Zerelda G. Wallace, Sarah E. Wall—nearly all +of national reputation.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_61_61" id="Footnote_61_61"></a><a href="#FNanchor_61_61"><span class="label">[61]</span></a> <span class="smcap">Yeas</span>: Blair, N. H.; Bowen, Col.; Cheney, N. H.; Conger, +Mich.; Cullom, Ills.; Dolph, Ore.; Farwell, Ill.; Hoar, Mass.; +Manderson, Neb.; Mitchell, Ore.; Mitchell, Penn.; Palmer, Mich.; +Platt, Conn.; Sherman, O.; Teller, Col.; Wilson, Iowa—16. <span class="smcap">Nays</span>: Beck, +Ky., Berry, Ark, Blackburn, Ky., Brown, Ga., Call, Fla., Cockrell, +Mo., Coke, Tex., Colquitt, Ga., Eustis, La., Evarts, N. Y., George, +Miss., Gray, Del., Hampton, S. C., Harris, Tenn., Hawley, Conn., +Ingalls, Kan., Jones, Nev., McMillan, Mich., McPherson, N. J., Mahone, +Va., Morgan, Ala., Morrill, Vt., Payne, O., Pugh, Ala., Saulsbury, +Del., Sawyer, Wis., Sewell, N. J., Spooner, Wis., Vance, N. C.; Vest, +Mo., Walthall, Miss., Whitthorne, Tenn., Williams, Cal., Wilson, +Md.—34. +</p><p> +<span class="smcap">Absent</span>: Aldrich, R. I., Allison, Ia., Butler, S. C., Camden, W. Va., +Cameron, Penn., Chace, R. I., Dawes, Mass., Edmunds, Vt., Fair, Nev., +Frye, Me., Gibson, La., Gorman, Md., Hale, Me., Harrison, Ind., Jones, +Ark., Jones, Fla., Kenna, W. Va., Maxey, Tex., Miller, N. Y., Plumb, +Kan., Ransom, N. C., Riddleberger, Va.; Sabin, Minn., Stanford, Cal.; +Van Wyck, Neb., Voorhees, Ind.—26.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<h3>THE NATIONAL SUFFRAGE CONVENTION OF 1887.</h3> + + +<p>The Nineteenth national convention assembled in the M. E. Metropolitan +Church of Washington, Jan. 25, 1887, continuing in session three days. +On no evening was the building large enough to accommodate the +audience. The Rev. John P. Newman, pastor of the church, prayed +earnestly for the blessing of God "on these women, who, through good +and evil report, have been striving for the right."<a name="FNanchor_62_62" id="FNanchor_62_62"></a><a href="#Footnote_62_62" class="fnanchor">[62]</a> Miss Susan B. +Anthony came directly from the Capitol and opened the convention by +reading a letter from Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who was in England. +She then referred to the fact that while this convention was in +session the United States Senate was discussing the question of woman +suffrage. There would be taken the first direct vote in that body on a +Sixteenth Amendment to enfranchise women. The attention of the +advocates of woman suffrage was directed to Congress for the first +time when the Fourteenth Amendment was under discussion in 1865. That +article in the beginning was broad enough to include women but +political expediency inserted the word "male," so that if any State +should disfranchise any of its <i>male</i> citizens they should be counted +out of the basis of representation. She continued:</p> + +<blockquote><p>This taught us that we might look to Congress. We presented our +first petition in 1865. In December, 1866, came the discussion in +the Senate on the proposition to strike the word "male" from the +District of Columbia Suffrage Bill and nine voted in favor. From<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> +that day we have gone forward pressing our claims on Congress. +Denied in the construction of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth +Amendments we have been trying for a Sixteenth Amendment. We have +gained so much as a special committee, who hear our arguments and +have four times reported in our favor; Senator Hoar, chairman in +1879, Senator Lapham in 1882, Senator Palmer in 1884, and Senator +Blair in 1886. This is the bill which is pending now. We are not +asking Congress to enfranchise us, because it does not possess +that power. We are asking it to submit a proposition to be voted +on by the Legislatures.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Stanton's letter said in part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>For half a century we have tried appeals, petitions, arguments, +with thrilling quotations from our greatest jurists and +statesmen, and lo! in the year of our Lord, 1887, the best answer +we can wring from Senators Brown and Cockrell, in the shape of a +minority report, is a "chimney corner letter" written by a woman +ignorant of the first principles of republican government, which, +they say, gives a better statement of the whole question than +they are capable of producing. Verily this is a new departure in +congressional proceedings! Though a woman has not sufficient +capacity to vote, yet she has superior capacity to her +representatives in drawing up a minority report....</p> + +<p>But if Senators Cockrell and Brown hope to dispose of the +question by remanding us to "the chimney corner" we trust their +constituents will send them to keep us company, that they may +enliven our retirement and make us satisfied 'in the sphere where +the Creator intended we should be' by daily intoning for us their +inspired minority report.</p> + +<p>The one pleasant feature in this original document is the harmony +between the views of these gentlemen and their Creator. The only +drawback to our faith in their knowledge of what exists in the +Divine mind, is in the fact that they can not tell us when, where +and how they interviewed Jehovah. I have always found that when +men have exhausted their own resources, they fall back on "the +intentions of the Creator." But their platitudes have ceased to +have any influence with those women who believe they have the +same facilities for communication with the Divine mind as men +have.</p> + +<p>The right and liability to be called on to fight, if we vote, as +continually emphasized by our opponents, is one of the greatest +barriers in our way. If all the heroic deeds of women recorded in +history and our daily journals, and the active virtues so +forcibly illustrated in domestic life, have not yet convinced our +opponents that women are possessed of superior fighting +qualities, the sex may feel called upon in the near future to +give some further illustrations of their prowess. Of one thing +they may be assured, that the next generation will not argue the +question of woman's rights with the infinite patience we have had +for half a century, and to so little purpose.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> To emancipate +woman from the fourfold bondage she has so long suffered in the +State, the church, the home and the world of work, harder battles +than we have yet fought are still before us.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Caroline Hallowell Miller (Md.) paid a beautiful tribute to Miss +Anthony, "the Sir Galahad in search of the Holy Grail," and closed +with an eloquent prophecy of future success. Mrs. Lillie Devereux +Blake (N. Y.) gave a clever satire on The Rights of Men, which was +very imperfectly reported.</p> + +<blockquote><p>....Surely it is time that some one on this platform should say +something for this half of humanity, which we really must confess +after all is an important half. Ought we not admit that men have +wrongs to complain of? Are they not constantly declaring +themselves our slaves? Is it not a well known fact, conceded even +here, that women shine in all the tints of the rainbow while men +must wear only costumes of dull brown and somber black? Nor is +this because men do not like bright colors, for never a belle in +all the sheen of satin and glimmer of pearls looks half so +happily proud as does a man when he has on a uniform, or struts +in a political procession with a white hat on his head, a red +ribbon in his buttonhole and a little cane in his hand.</p> + +<p>Then, too, have not men, poor fellows, had to do all the talking +since the world began? Have we not heretofore been the silent +sex? Even to-day a thousand men speak from pulpit and platform +where one woman uplifts her voice.</p> + +<p>But let us pass to other and more important rights which have +been denied to man in the past. The first right that any man +ought to be allowed—a right paramount to all others—is the +right to a wife. But look how even in this matter he has been +hardly dealt with. Has he had just standards set before him as to +what a wife should be? No, but he has been led to believe that +the weak woman, the dependent woman, is the one to be desired....</p> + +<p>Look again at the unhappy mess into which man all by himself has +brought politics and public affairs. Is it not too bad to leave +him longer alone in his misery? Like the naughty boy who has +broken and destroyed his toys, who needs mamma to help him mend +them, and perhaps also to administer to him such wholesome +discipline as Solomon himself has advised—so does man need woman +to come to his rescue. Look what politics is now. Who to-day can +tell the difference between a Democrat and a Republican? Even a +Mugwump is becoming a doubtful being....</p> + +<p>Do not these wrongs which men suffer appeal to our tenderest +sympathies? Is it not evident that the poor fellows can't go on +alone much longer, that it is high time we should take the boys +in hand and show them what a correct government really is?</p> + +<p>There is another question which deserves our gravest +consideration. Man sinks or rises with woman; if she is degraded +he is tempted to vice; if she is oppressed he is brutalized. What +is the industrial condition of women to-day?...<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span></p> + +<p>In behalf of the sons, the brothers and the husbands of these +wage-earning women we ask for that political power which alone +will insure equality of pay without regard to sex. For the sake +of man's redemption and morality we demand that this injustice +shall cease, for it is not possible for woman to be half-starved +and man not dwarfed; for many women to be degraded and all men's +lives pure; for women to be fallen and no man lost.</p> + +<p>We all know that man himself has been most willing to grant to +women every right, every opportunity. If he has hesitated it has +been rather from love and admiration of woman than from any +tyrannical desire of oppression. He has said that women must not +vote because they can not perform military duty. Can they not +serve the nation as well as those men, who during the last war +sent substitutes and to-day hold the highest places in the +Government? But we ask one question: Which every year does most +for the State, the soldier or the mother who risks her life not +to destroy other life but to create it? Of the two it would be +better to disfranchise the soldiers and enfranchise the mothers. +For much as the nation owes to the soldiers, she owes far more to +the mothers who in endless martyrdom make the nation a +possibility....</p> + +<p>Man deserves that we should consider his present unhappy +condition. In all ages he has proved his reverence for woman by +embodying every virtue in female form, and has left none for +himself. Truth and chastity, mercy and peace, charity and +justice, all are represented as feminine, and lately, as a proof +of his devotion, he has erected at the entrance to the harbor of +our greatest metropolis a statue of liberty and this too is +represented as a woman.... And so we hail the men, liberty +enlightening a world where woman and man shall alike be free.</p></blockquote> + +<p>One interesting address followed another throughout the convention, +presenting the question of suffrage for women with appeal, humor, +logic, statistics and every variety of argument.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Harriette Robinson Shattuck (Mass.) presented in striking +contrast The Women Who Ask and the Women Who Object. Mrs. Elizabeth +Boynton Harbert in a fine address told of Our Motherless Government. +Mrs. Isabella Beecher Hooker (Conn.) gave for the first time her +masterly speech, The Constitutional Rights of the Women of the United +States, which has been so widely circulated in pamphlet form, and +which closed with this peroration:</p> + +<blockquote><p>There are those who say we have too many voters already. No, we +have not too many. On the contrary, to take away the ballot even +from the ignorant and perverse is to invite discontent, social +disturbance, and crime. The restraints and benedictions of this +little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> white symbol are so silent and so gentle, so atmospheric, +so like the snow-flakes that come down to guard the slumbering +forces of the earth and prepare them for springing into bud, +blossom, and fruit in due season, that few recognize the divine +alchemy, and many impatient souls are saying we are on the wrong +path—the Old World was right—the government of the few is safe; +the wise, the rich, should rule; the ignorant, the poor, should +serve. But God, sitting between the eternities, has said +otherwise, and we of this land are foreordained to prove His word +just and true. And we will prove it by inviting every newcomer to +our shore to share our liberties so dearly bought and our +responsibilities now grown so heavy that the shoulders which bear +them are staggering under their weight; that by the joys of +freedom and the burdens of responsibility they, with us, may grow +into the stature of perfect men, and our country realize at last +the dreams of the great souls who, "appealing to the Supreme +Judge of the world for the rectitude of their intentions," did +"ordain and establish the Constitution for the United States of +America"—the grandest charter of human rights that the world has +yet conceived.</p></blockquote> + +<p>In an impassioned address Mrs. Mary Seymour Howell (N. Y.) contrasted +The Present and the Past, saying:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The destiny of the world to-day lies in the hearts and brains of +her women. The world can not travel upward faster than the feet +of her women are climbing the paths of progress. Put us back if +you can; veil us in harems; make us beasts of burden; take from +us all knowledge; teach us we are only material; and humanity +will go back to the dark ages. The nineteenth century is closing +over a world arising from bondage. It is the grandest, sublimest +spectacle ever beheld. The world has seen and is still looking at +the luminous writing in the heavens—"The truth shall make you +free"—and for the first time is gathering to itself the true +significance of liberty. All the progress of these years has not +come easily or from conservatism, but from the persistent efforts +of enthusiastic radicals, men and women with ideas in their heads +and courage in their hearts to make them practical.</p> + +<p>Ever since woman took her life in her own hands, ever since she +began to think for herself, the dawning of a great light has +flooded the world. We are the mothers of men. Show me the mothers +of a country and I will tell you of the sons. If men would ever +rise above their sensuality and materialism, they must have +mothers whose pure souls, brave hearts and clear intellects have +touched them deeply before their birth and equipped them for the +journey of life....</p> + +<p>It is the evening of the nineteenth century, but the starlight is +clearer than the morning of its existence. I look back and see in +each year improvement and advancement. I see woman gathering up +her soul and personality and claiming them as her own against all +odds and the world. I see her asking that this personality may<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> +be impressed upon her nation. I see her speaking her soul from +platforms, preaching in pulpits of a life of which this is the +shadow. I see her pleading before courts, using her brains to +solve the knotty questions of the law. Woman's sphere is the wide +world, her sceptre the mind that God has given her, her kingdom +the largest place that she has the brains to fill and the will to +hold. So is woman influencing the world, and as her sphere widens +the world grows better. With the freedom she now has, see how she +is arousing the public conscience on all questions of right....</p> + +<p>What is conservatism? It is the dying faith of a closing century. +What is fanaticism? It is the dawning light of a new era. Yes, a +new era will dawn with the twentieth century. I look to that time +and see woman the redeeming power of the world.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Pearson of Nottingham gave a glowing account of the progress of +suffrage in England and the work of the Primrose League; Madame Clara +Neymann (N. Y.) made a scholarly address entitled Skeptics and +Skepticism; Mrs. Clara Bewick Colby (Neb.), the Rev. Rush R. Shippen +of Washington City and Miss Phoebe W. Couzins (Mo.) were among the +speakers. Delegate Joseph M. Carey (Wy.) said in the course of his +address:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Eighteen years ago the right of suffrage was given to the women +of Wyoming. Women have voted as universally and as +conscientiously as men. I have had the honor of voting for women +and of being voted for by them. There are not three per cent. of +women old enough who do not vote in every part of the Territory. +In intelligence, beauty, grace, in perfection of home and social +duties, the women of Wyoming will compare favorably with those of +any other State. I have been asked if they neglect home affairs +on account of politics. I have never known an instance of this. I +have never known a controversy to arise from the wives voting +differently from their husbands, which they often do. If women +could vote in the States to-day they would vote as wisely as +men....</p> + +<p>I will say to woman's credit she has not sought office, she is +not a natural office-seeker, but she desires to vote, has +preferences and exercises her rights. The superintendents in +nearly all the counties are women. They have taken a deep +interest in school matters and as a rule they control school +meetings. Three-fourths of the voters present at these are women. +In Cheyenne they alone seem to have the time to attend. Give +woman this right to vote and she will make out of the boys men +more capable of exercising it. I have seen the results and am +satisfied that every woman should have the suffrage.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Carey sat on the platform with Miss Anthony, Mrs. Hooker and +other prominent members of the convention. The eloquent address of +Mrs. May Wright Sewall (Ind.) on The Conditions<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> of Liberty attracted +special attention. Mrs. Caroline Gilkey Rogers (N. Y.) proved in an +original manner that There is Nothing New under the Sun. In a +statesmanlike paper Mrs. Matilda Joslyn Gage (N. Y.) set forth the +authority of Congress to secure to woman her right to the ballot:</p> + +<blockquote><p>To protect all citizens in the use of the ballot by national +authority is not to deprive the States of the right of local +self-government. When Andrew Jackson, who had been elected as a +State's Rights man, asserted the supremacy of the National +Government, that assertion, carried out as it was, did not +deprive States of their power of self-government. Neither did the +Reconstruction Acts nor the adoption of the Fourteenth and +Fifteenth Amendments. Yet in many ways it is proved that States +are not sovereign. Besides their inability to coin money, to +declare peace and war, they are proved by their own acts not even +to be self-protective. If women as individuals, as one-half of +the people, call upon the nation for protection, they are doing +no more nor less than so-called sovereign States themselves do. +National aid has been frequently asked to preserve peace, or to +insure that protection found impossible under mere local or State +authority....</p> + +<p>In ratifying an amendment States become factors in the nation, +the same as by the acts of their representatives and senators in +Congress. A law created by themselves in this way can be no +interference with their local rights of self-government; because +in helping enact these laws, either through congressional action, +or by legislative ratification of amendments, each State has +arisen above and beyond itself into a higher national realm.</p> + +<p>The one right above all others which is not local is the right of +self-government. That right being the corner stone on which the +nation was founded, is a strictly national right. It is not +local, it is not State....</p> + +<p>It does not matter by what instrumentality—whether by State +constitution or by statute law—woman has been deprived of her +national right of self-government, it is none the less the duty +of Congress to protect her in regaining it. Surely her right to +govern herself is of as much value as the protection of property, +the quelling of riots, the destruction or establishment of banks, +the guarding of the polls, the securing of a free ballot for the +colored race or the taking of it from a Mormon voter.</p></blockquote> + +<p>In her address on The Work of Women, Miss Mary F. Eastman (Mass.) +said: "Men say the work of the State is theirs. The State is the +people. The origin of government is simply that two men call in a +third for umpire. The ideal of the State is gradually rising. No State +can be finer in its type of government than the individuals who make +it. We enunciate a grand<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> principle, then we are timid and begin +restricting its application. We are a nation of infidels to +principle."</p> + +<p>The leading feature of the last evening was the address of Mrs. +Zerelda G. Wallace (Ind.) on Woman's Ballot a Necessity for the +Permanence of Free Institutions. A Washington paper said: "As she +stood upon the platform, holding her hearers as in her hand, she +looked a veritable queen in Israel and the personification of womanly +dignity and lofty bearing. The line of her argument was irresistible, +and her eloquence and pathos perfectly bewildering. Round after round +of applause greeted her as she poured out her words with telling +effect upon the great congregation before her, who were evidently in +perfect accord with her earnest and womanly utterances."</p> + +<p>An imperfect extract from a newspaper report will suggest the trend of +her argument:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In this Nineteenth annual convention, reviewing what these +nineteen years have brought, we find that we have won every +position in the field of argument for our cause. By its dignity +and justice we have overcome ridicule, although our progress has +been impeded by the tyranny of custom and prejudice.</p> + +<p>I will ask the American question "will it pay" to enfranchise the +women of this nation—I will not say republic? The world has +never been blessed with a republic. Those who think this is a +narrow struggle for woman's rights have never conceived the +height, length and breadth of this momentous question.</p> + +<p>The purpose of divinity is enunciated in that it is said He would +create humanity in His image. The purpose of the Creator is that +the two are to have dominion; woman is included in the original +grant. Free she must be before you yourselves will be free. The +highest form of development is to govern one's self. No man +governs himself who practices injustice to another....</p> + +<p>We have passed through one Gethsemane because of our refusal to +co-operate with the Deity in His purpose to establish justice and +liberty on this continent. It took a hundred years and a Civil +War to evolve the principle in our nation that all men were +created free and equal. Will it require another century and +another Civil War before there is secured to humanity the +God-given inalienable right to "life, liberty and the pursuit of +happiness?" The most superficial observer can see elements at +work, a confusion of forces, that can only be wiped out in blood, +unless some new, unifying power is brought into Government. No +class was ever known to extend a right or share the application +of a just principle as long as it could safely retain these +exclusively for itself.</p> + +<p>We have no quarrel with men. They are grand and just and noble in +exact proportion as their spiritual nature is exalted. As<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> sure +as you live down low to the animal that is in you, will the +animal dominate your nature. Woman is the first to recognize the +Divine. When God was incarnated in humanity, when the Word was +made flesh and born of a woman, the arsenal of Heaven was +exhausted to redeem the race....</p> + +<p>Woman is your last resource, and she will not fail you. I have +faith that humanity is to be perfected. Examine the record for +yourselves. I do not agree with the view of some of our divines. +We find the Creator taking a survey, and man is the only creation +he finds imperfect. Therefore a helpmeet is created for him. +According to accepted theology the first thing that helpmeet does +is to precipitate him into sin. I have unbounded faith in the +plans of God and in His ability to carry them out, and when He +said He would make a helpmeet I believe He did it, and that Eve +helped Adam, gave him an impetus toward perfection, instead of +causing him to fall. Man was a noble animal and endowed with +intellectual ability, but Eve found him a moral infant and tried +to teach him to discriminate between good and evil. That is the +first and greatest good which comes to anybody, and Adam, instead +of falling down when he ate the apple, rose up. There is no moral +or spiritual growth possible without being able to discern good +from evil. Adam was an animal superior to all others that +preceded him, but it needed a woman to quicken his spiritual +perceptions.</p> + +<p>Eve having taken it upon herself to teach man to know the +difference between good and evil, the responsibility rests upon +woman to teach man to choose the good and refuse the evil. She +will do this if she has freedom of opportunity.</p> + +<p>Man has been given schools to develop brain power, and I do not +underrate their value. He has nearly entered into his domain as +far as the material forces are concerned, but there is a moral +and spiritual element in humanity which eludes his grasp in +practically everything he undertakes. This lack of the moral +element is to-day our greatest danger. We do not ask for the +ballot because men are tyrants, but because God has made us the +conservators of the race. To-day we are queens without a scepter; +the penalty to the nation is that men are largely indifferent to +its best interests and many do not vote. Men are under the +influence of women during the formative period of their lives, +first of their mothers, then of women teachers; how can they do +otherwise than underestimate the value of citizenship? How can +the young men of this nation be inspired with a love of justice? +It is a dangerous thing that the education of citizens is given +over to women, unless these teachers have themselves the rights +of citizens. How can you expect such women as have addressed you +here in this convention to teach the youth to honor a Government +which thus dishonors women?</p> + +<p>The world has never known but one Susan B. Anthony. God and the +world needed her and God gave her to the world and to humanity. +The next Statue of Liberty will have her features. Of all the +newspaper criticisms and remarks which have been made about her I +read one the other day which exactly suited me; it called her +"that grand old champion of progress."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span></p> + +<p>The women are coming and the men will be better for their coming. +Men say women are not fit to govern because they can not fight. +When men live upon a very low plane so there is only one way to +manage them and that is to knock them on the head, that is true. +It probably was true of government in the beginning, but we are +to grow up out of this low state.</p> + +<p>When we reach the highest development, moral and spiritual forces +will govern. That women can and do govern even in our present +undeveloped condition is shown by the fact that three-fourths of +our educators are women. I remember when it used to be said, "You +can not put the boys and girls into the hands of women, because +they can not thrash them." To-day brute force is almost entirely +eliminated from our schools. That women should not take part in +government because they can not fight was probably true in ages +gone by when governments were maintained by brute force, but it +does not obtain in a government ruled by public opinion expressed +on a little piece of paper. Women as a class do not fight, and +that is the reason they are needed to introduce into government a +power of another kind, the power with which women govern their +children and their husbands, that beautiful law of love which is +to be the only thing that remains forever....</p> + +<p>Our statesmen are doubting the success of self-government. They +say universal suffrage is a failure, forgetting that we have +never had universal suffrage. The majority of the race has never +expressed its sense in government. We are a living falsehood when +we compare the basic principles of our Government with things as +they are now. It is becoming a common expression, "The voice of +the people is not the voice of God." If you do not find God in +the voice of the people you can not find him anywhere. It is +said, "Power inheres in the people," and the nation is shorn of +half its power for progress as long as the ballot is not in the +hands of women.</p> + +<p>What has caused heretofore the downfall of nations? The lack of +morality in government. It will eat out the life of a nation as +it does the heart of an individual. This question of woman's +equal rights, equal duties, equal responsibilities, is the +greatest which has come before us. The destiny of the whole race +is comprised in four things: Religion, education, morals, +politics. Woman is a religious being; she is becoming educated; +she has a high code of morals; she will yet purify politics.</p> + +<p>I want to impress upon the audience this thought, that every man +is a direct factor in the legislation of this land. Every woman +is not a direct factor, but yet is more or less responsible for +every evil existing in the community. I have nothing but pity for +that woman who can fold her hands and say she has all the rights +she wants. How can she think of the great problem God has given +us to solve—to redeem the race from superstition and crime—and +not want to put her hand to the wheel of progress and help move +the world?</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Hannah Whitall Smith (Penn.) pronounced the benediction at the +closing session.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span></p> + +<p>Sixteen States were represented at this Nineteenth convention, and +reports were sent from many more. Mrs. Sewall, chairman of the +executive committee, presented a comprehensive report of the past +year's work, which included appeals to many gatherings of religious +bodies. Conventions had been held in each congressional district of +Kansas and Wisconsin. She referred particularly to the completion of +the last of the three volumes of the History of Woman Suffrage by Miss +Anthony, Mrs. Stanton and Mrs. Gage. An elaborate plan of work was +adopted for the coming year, which included the placing of this +History in public libraries, a continuation of the appeals to +religious assemblies, the appointment of delegates to all of the +approaching national political conventions, and the holding by each +vice-president of a series of conventions in the congressional +districts of her State. It was especially desired that arrangements +should be made for the enrollment in every State of the women who want +to vote, and Mrs. Colby was appointed to mature a suitable plan.</p> + +<p>Among the extended resolutions adopted were the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, For the first time a vote has been taken in the Senate +of the United States on an amendment to the National Constitution +enfranchising women; and</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, Nearly one-third of the Senators voted for the +amendment; therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That we rejoice in this evidence that our demand is +forcing itself upon the attention and action of Congress, and +that when a new Congress shall have assembled, with new men and +new ideas, we may hope to change this minority into a majority.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, The Anti-Polygamy bill passed by both Houses of Congress +provides for the disfranchisement of the non-polygamous women of +Utah; and</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, The women thus sought to be disfranchised have been for +years in the peaceable exercise of the ballot, and no charge is +made against them of any crime by reason of which they should +lose their vested rights; therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That this association recognizes in these measures a +disregard of individual rights which is dangerous to the +liberties of all; since to establish the precedent that the +ballot may be taken away is to threaten the permanency of our +republican form of government.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That we call the attention of the working women of +the country to the fact that a disfranchised class is always an +oppressed class and that only through the protection of the +ballot can they secure equal pay for equal work.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That we recognize as hopeful signs of the times the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> +indorsement of woman suffrage by the Knights of Labor in national +assembly, and by the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union, +and that we congratulate these organizations upon their +recognition of the fact that the ballot in the hands of woman is +necessary for their success.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That we extend our sympathy to our beloved president, +in the recent death of her husband, Henry B. Stanton; and we +recall with gratitude the fact that he was one of the earliest +and most consistent advocates of human liberty.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Thanks were extended to the United States Senators who voted for a +Sixteenth Amendment. A committee was appointed, Mrs. Blake, chairman, +to wait upon President Grover Cleveland and protest against the +threatened disfranchising of the women of Washington Territory; also +to secure a hearing before the proper congressional committee in +reference to the Edmunds-Tucker Bill, which proposed to disfranchise +both the Gentile and Mormon women of Utah. The usual large number of +letters were received.<a name="FNanchor_63_63" id="FNanchor_63_63"></a><a href="#Footnote_63_63" class="fnanchor">[63]</a></p> + +<p>The following letter was read from ex-United States Treasurer F. E. +Spinner, the first official to employ women:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I am eighty-five years old, and I can no longer look forward for +future earthly happiness. All my joys are now retrospective, and +in the long vista of years that I constantly look back upon, +there is no time that affords me more pleasure than that when I +was in the Treasury of the United States. The fact that I was +instrumental in introducing women to employment in the offices of +the Government, gives me more real satisfaction than all the +other deeds of my life.</p></blockquote> + +<p>A committee consisting of the national board and chairman of the +executive committee was appointed to arrange for a great international +meeting the next year.</p> + +<p>On the opening day of this convention a vote on woman suffrage was +taken in the United States Senate as described in the preceding +chapter; at its close a telegram was received that a Municipal +Suffrage Bill had been passed by the Kansas Legislature; and its +members separated with the consciousness that two distinctly +progressive steps had been taken.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_62_62" id="Footnote_62_62"></a><a href="#FNanchor_62_62"><span class="label">[62]</span></a> Dr. Newman was an advocate of suffrage for women. After +he became Bishop he wrote for publication, July 12, 1894: "The exalted +mission of Christianity is to reverse the verdict of the world on the +rights of woman. Until Christ came she had been regarded by State and +Church, in the most highly civilized lands, as the servant of man, +created for his pleasure and subordinated to his authority. Her rights +of life, property and vocation were in his hands for control and final +disposition. +</p><p> +"Against this tyranny we wage a war of extermination. Henceforth in +State and Church, in business and pleasure, whether married or single, +woman is to be esteemed an individual, one of the two equal units of +humanity, to count one the whole world over, and to possess and +exercise the rights of 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.'"</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_63_63" id="Footnote_63_63"></a><a href="#FNanchor_63_63"><span class="label">[63]</span></a> Among the writers were Harriot Stanton Blatch of +England, the Rev. Frederick A. Hinckley, Philadelphia; Prudence +Crandall Philleo (Kan.); Mary V. Cowgill, Mary J. Coggeshall, editor +<i>Woman's Standard</i>, (Ia.); Belva A. Lockwood (D. C.); General and Mrs. +Rufus Saxton, Sallie Clay Bennett (Ky.); Alice M. Pickler (Dak.); +Sarah R. Langdon Williams, Sarah M. Perkins (O.); Mr. and Mrs. McClung +(Tenn.); telegram signed by Emmeline B. Wells and a long list of names +from Utah.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<h3>INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN—HEARING OF 1888.</h3> + + +<p>The year 1888 is distinguished for the largest and most representative +woman's convention held up to that time—the International Council of +Women, which met in Washington, D. C., March 25, continuing until +April 1. The origin of this great body is briefly stated in the +official report as follows: "Visiting England and France in 1882, Mrs. +Stanton conceived the idea of an International Council of Women +interested in the movement for suffrage, and pressed its consideration +on the leading reformers in those countries. A few accepted the idea, +and when Miss Anthony arrived in England early the following year, +they discussed the question fully with each other, and seeing that +such a convention was both advisable and practicable, they resolved to +call it in the near future. On the eve of their departure, at a +reception given them in Liverpool, the subject was presented and +favorably received. Among the guests were Priscilla Bright McLaren, +Margaret Bright Lucas, Alice Scatcherd and Margaret E. Parker. The +initiative steps for an International Council were then taken and a +committee of correspondence appointed.<a name="FNanchor_64_64" id="FNanchor_64_64"></a><a href="#Footnote_64_64" class="fnanchor">[64]</a></p> + +<p>"When Mrs. Stanton and Miss Anthony returned to America it was +decided, in consultation with friends, to celebrate the fourth decade +of the woman suffrage movement by calling an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> International Council. +At its nineteenth annual convention, January, 1887, the National +Suffrage Association had resolved to assume the entire responsibility +and to extend the invitation to all associations of women in the +trades, professions and reforms, as well as those advocating political +rights. The herculean task of making all the necessary arrangements +fell chiefly on Miss Anthony, Miss Rachel G. Foster (Avery) and Mrs. +May Wright Sewall, as Mrs. Stanton and Mrs. Spofford were in Europe. +To say nothing of the thought, anxiety, time and force expended, we +can appreciate in some measure the magnitude of the undertaking by its +financial cost of nearly $12,000.</p> + +<p>"This was the first attempt to convene an international body of women +and its conception would have been possible only with those to whom +the whole cause of woman is indebted for its most daring and important +innovations. The call for this meeting was issued in June, 1887:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The first public demand for equal educational, industrial, +professional and political rights for women was made in a +convention held at Seneca Falls, New York, in the year 1848.</p> + +<p>To celebrate the Fortieth Anniversary of this event, an +International Council of Women will be convened under the +auspices of the National Woman Suffrage Association, in Albaugh's +opera house, Washington, D. C., on March 25, 1888.</p> + +<p>It is impossible to overestimate the far-reaching influence of +such a Council. An interchange of opinions on the great questions +now agitating the world will rouse women to new thought, will +intensify their love of liberty and will give them a realizing +sense of the power of combination.</p> + +<p>However the governments, religions, laws and customs of nations +may differ, all are agreed on one point, namely: man's +sovereignty in the State, in the Church and in the Home. In an +International Council women may hope to devise new and more +effective methods for securing in these three institutions the +equality and justice which they have so long and so earnestly +sought. Such a Council will impress the important lesson that the +position of women anywhere affects their position everywhere. +Much is said of universal brotherhood, but for weal or woe, more +subtle and more binding is universal sisterhood.</p> + +<p>Women recognizing the disparity between their achievements and +their labors, will no doubt agree that they have been trammeled +by their political subordination. Those active in great +philanthropic enterprises sooner or later realize that, so long +as women are not acknowledged to be the political equals of men, +their judgment on political questions will have but little +weight.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span></p> + +<p>It is, however, neither intended nor desired that discussions in +the International Council shall be limited to questions touching +the political rights of women. Formal invitations requesting the +appointment of delegates will be issued to representative +organizations in every department of woman's work. Literary +Clubs, Art Unions, Temperance Unions, Labor Leagues, Missionary, +Peace and Moral Purity Societies, Charitable, Professional, +Educational and Industrial Associations will thus be offered +equal opportunity with Suffrage Societies to be represented in +what should be the ablest and most imposing body of women ever +assembled.</p> + +<p>The Council will continue eight days, and its sixteen public +sessions will afford ample opportunity for reporting the various +phases of woman's work and progress in all parts of the world, +during the past forty years. It is hoped that all friends of the +advancement of women will lend their support to this undertaking.</p> + +<p>On behalf of the National Woman Suffrage Association:</p> + +<p class="ltr-right"> +<span class="smcap">Elizabeth Cady Stanton</span>, President.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Susan B. Anthony</span>, First Vice-Pres.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Matilda Joslyn Gage</span>, Second Vice-Pres.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Rachel G. Foster</span>, Corresponding Sec'y.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Ellen H. Sheldon</span>, Recording Sec'y.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Jane H. Spofford</span>, Treasurer.<br /> +<span class="smcap">May Wright Sewall</span>, Chairman Ex. Com. +</p></blockquote> + +<p>"All of the intervening months from June until the next March were +spent in the extensive preparations necessary to the success of a +convention which proposed to assemble delegates and speakers from many +parts of the world. As the funds had to be raised wholly by private +subscription, no bureau with an expensive pay-roll was established but +the entire burden was carried by a few individuals, who contributed +their services."<a name="FNanchor_65_65" id="FNanchor_65_65"></a><a href="#Footnote_65_65" class="fnanchor">[65]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span></p> + +<p>Fifty-three organizations of women, national in character, of a +religious, patriotic, charitable, reform, literary and political +nature, were represented on the platform by eighty speakers and +forty-nine delegates, from England, Ireland, France, Norway, Denmark, +Finland, India, Canada and the United States. Among the subjects +discussed were Education, Philanthropies, Temperance, Industries, +Professions, Organizations, Social Purity, Legal, Political and +Religious Conditions. While no restriction was placed upon the fullest +expression of the most widely divergent views upon these vital +questions of the age, the sessions, both executive and public, were +absolutely without friction.</p> + +<p>A complete stenographic report of these fifty-three meetings was +transcribed and furnished to the press by a thoroughly organized corps +of women under the direction of Miss Mary F. Seymour of New York City, +an unexcelled if not an unparalleled feat.<a name="FNanchor_66_66" id="FNanchor_66_66"></a><a href="#Footnote_66_66" class="fnanchor">[66]</a> The management of the +Council by the different committees was perfect in every detail, and +the eight days' proceedings passed without a break, a jar or an +unpleasant circumstance.</p> + +<p>Saturday evening, March 23, Mr. and Mrs. Spofford, of the Riggs House, +gave a reception to enable the people of Washington to meet the +distinguished speakers and delegates. The large parlors were thrown +open and finally the big dining-room, but the throng was so dense that +it was almost impossible to move from one room to another.</p> + +<p>President and Mrs. Grover Cleveland received the Council Friday +afternoon. Monday evening a reception was given by Senator and Mrs. +Thomas W. Palmer of Michigan, for which eight hundred invitations were +sent to foreign legations, prominent officials and the members of the +Council. Senator and Mrs. Leland Stanford opened their elegant home on +Tuesday afternoon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> in honor of the pioneers in the woman suffrage +movement. In addition to these many special entertainments were given +for the women lawyers, physicians, ministers, collegiate alumnae, +etc., and those of a semi-private nature were far too numerous for +mention.</p> + +<p>Albaugh's Opera House was crowded to its capacity at all of the +sixteen sessions. Religious services were held on both Sundays, +conducted entirely by women representing many different creeds. Some +of the old-time hymns were sung, but many were from modern +writers—Whittier, Samuel Longfellow, John W. Chadwick, Elizabeth +Boynton Harbert, Julia Mills Dunn, etc. The assisting ministers for +the first Sunday were the Reverends Phebe A. Hanaford, Ada C. Bowles, +Antoinette Brown Blackwell, Amanda Deyo. The Rev. Anna Howard Shaw +gave the sermon, a matchless discourse on The Heavenly Vision.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"Whereupon, O, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the +heavenly vision." Acts, xxvi:19.</p> + +<p>In the beauty of his Oriental home the Psalmist caught the vision +of the events in the midst of which you and I are living to-day. +And though he wrought the vision into the wonderful prophecy of +the 68th Psalm, yet so new and strange were the thoughts to men, +that for thousands of years they failed to catch its spirit and +understand its power.</p> + +<p>The vision which appeared to David was a world lost in sin. He +heard its cry for deliverance, he saw its uplifted hands. +Everywhere the eyes of good men were turned toward the skies for +help. For ages had they striven against the forces of evil; they +had sought by every device to turn back the flood-tide of base +passion and avarice, but to no purpose. It seemed as if all men +were engulfed in one common ruin. Patient, sphinx-like, sat +woman, limited by sin, limited by social custom, limited by false +theories, limited by bigotry and by creeds, listening to the +tramp of the weary millions as they passed on through the +centuries, patiently toiling and waiting, humbly bearing the pain +and weariness which fell to her lot.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 357px;"> +<img src="images/gs02.jpg" width="357" height="500" alt="THE REV. ANNA HOWARD SHAW. +Vice-President-at-Large of National-American Woman Suffrage +Association." title="" /> +<span class="caption">THE REV. ANNA HOWARD SHAW.<br /> +Vice-President-at-Large of National-American Woman Suffrage Association.</span> +</div> + +<p>Century after century came forth from the divine life only to +pass into the great eternity—and still she toiled and still she +waited. At last, in the mute agony of despair, she lifted her +eyes above the earth to heaven and away from the jarring strifes +which surrounded her, and that which dawned upon her gaze was so +full of wonder that her soul burst its prison-house of bondage as +she beheld the vision of true womanhood. She knew then it was not +the purpose of the Divine that she should crouch beneath the +bonds of custom and ignorance. She learned that she was created +not from the side of man, but rather by the side of man. The +world had suffered because<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> she had not kept her +divinely-appointed place. Then she remembered the words of +prophecy, that salvation was to come to the race not through the +man, but through the descendant of the woman. Recognizing her +mission at last, she cried out: "Speak now, Lord, for thy servant +heareth thee." And the answer came: "The Lord giveth the Word, +and the women that publish the tidings are a great host."</p> + +<p>To-day the vision is a reality. From every land the voice of +woman is heard proclaiming the word which is given her, and the +wondering world, which for a moment stopped its busy wheel of +life that it might smite and jeer her, has learned at last that +wherever the intuitions of the human mind are called into special +exercise, wherever the art of persuasive eloquence is demanded, +wherever heroic conduct is based upon duty rather than impulse, +wherever her efforts in opening the sacred doors for the benefit +of truth can avail—in one and all these respects woman greatly +excels man. Now the wisest and best people everywhere feel that +if woman enters upon her tasks wielding her own effective armor, +if her inspirations are pure and holy, the Spirit Omnipotent, +whose influence has held sway in all movements and reforms, whose +voice has called into its service the great workmen of every age, +shall, in these last days, fall especially upon woman. If she +venture to obey, what is man that he should attempt to abrogate +her sacred and divine mission? In the presence of what woman has +already accomplished, who shall say that a true woman—noble in +her humility, strong in her gentleness, rising above all +selfishness, gathering up her varied gifts and accomplishments to +consecrate them to God and humanity—who shall say that such an +one is not in a position to do that for which the world will no +longer rank her other than among the first in the work of human +redemption? Then, influenced by lofty motives, stimulated by the +wail of humanity and the glory of God, woman may go forth and +enter into any field of usefulness which opens up before her....</p> + +<p>In the Scripture from which the text is taken we recognize a +universal law which has been the experience of every one of us. +Paul is telling the story of a vision he saw, which became the +inspiration of his life, the turning point where his whole +existence was changed, when, in obedience to that vision, he put +himself in relation with the power to which he belonged, and +recognizing in that One which appeared to him on his way from +Jerusalem to Damascus his Divine Master, he also recognized that +the purpose of his life could be fulfilled only when, in +obedience to that Master, he caught and assimilated to himself +the nature of Him, whose servant he was....</p> + +<p>Every reformer the world has ever seen has had a similar +experience. Every truth which has been taught to humanity has +passed through a like channel. No one of God's children has ever +gone forth to the world who has not first had revealed to him his +mission, in a vision.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span></p> + +<p>To this Jew, bound by the prejudices of past generations, weighed +down by the bigotry of human creeds, educated in the schools of +an effete philosophy, struggling through the darkness and gloom +which surrounded him, when as a persecutor he sought to +annihilate the disciples of a new faith, there came this vision +into his life; there dawned the electric light of a great truth, +which found beneath the hatred and pride and passion which filled +his life and heart, the divine germ that is implanted in the soul +of each one of God's children....</p> + +<p>Then came crowding through his mind new queries: "Can it be that +my fathers were wrong, and that their philosophy and religion do +not contain all there is of truth? Can it be that outside of all +we have known, there lies a great unexplored universe to which +the mind of man can yet attain?" And filled with the divine +purpose, he opened his heart to receive the new truth that came +to him from the vision which God revealed to his soul.</p> + +<p>All down through the centuries God has been revealing in visions +the great truths which have lifted the race, step by step, until +to-day womanhood, in this sunset hour of the nineteenth century, +is gathered here from the East and the West, the North and the +South, women of every land, of every race, of all religious +beliefs. But diverse and varied as are our races, our theories, +our religions, yet we come together here with one harmonious +purpose—that of lifting humanity into a higher, purer, truer +life.</p> + +<p>To one has come the vision of political freedom. She saw how the +avarice and ambition of one class with power made them forget the +rights of another. She saw how the unjust laws embittered +both—those who made them and those upon whom the injustice +rested. She recognized the great principles of universal +equality, seeing that all alike must be free; that humanity +everywhere must be lifted out of subjection into the free and +full air of divine liberty.</p> + +<p>To another was revealed the vision of social freedom. She saw +that sin which crushed the lives of one class, rested lightly on +the lives of the other. She saw its blighting effect on both, and +she lifted up her voice and demanded that there be recognized no +sex in sin.</p> + +<p>Another has come hither, who, gazing about her, saw men +brutalized by the rum fiend, the very life of a nation +threatened, and the power of the liquor traffic, with its hand on +the helm of the Ship of State, guiding it with sails full spread +straight upon the rocks to destruction. Then, looking away from +earth, she beheld a vision of what the race and our nation might +become, with all its possibility of wealth and power, if freed +from this burden, and forth upon her mission of deliverance she +sped her way.</p> + +<p>Another beheld a vision of what it is to be learned, to explore +the great fields of knowledge which the Infinite has spread +before the world. And this vision has driven her out from the +seclusion of her own quiet life that she might give this great +truth to womanhood everywhere....<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span></p> + +<p>And so we come, each bearing her torch of living truth, casting +over the world the light of the vision that has dawned upon her +soul.</p> + +<p>But there is still another vision which reaches above earth, +beyond time—a vision which has dawned upon many, that they are +here not to do their own work, but the will of Him who sent them. +And the woman who sees the still higher truth, recognizes the +great power to which she belongs and what her life may become +when, in submission to that Master, she takes upon herself the +nature of Him whom she serves.</p> + +<p>We will notice in the second place the purpose of all these +visions which have come to us. Paul was not permitted to dwell on +the vision of truth which came to him. God had a purpose in its +manifestation, and that purpose was revealed when He said to the +wonder-stricken servant, "Arise; for I have appeared unto thee +for this purpose, not that thou behold the truth for thyself, but +to make thee a minister and a witness both of that which thou +hast already seen and of other truths which I shall reveal unto +thee. Go unto the Gentiles. Give them the truth which thou shalt +receive that their eyes may be opened, and that they may be +turned from darkness to light; that they, too, may receive a like +inheritance with thyself...."</p> + +<p>This, then, is God's lesson to you and to me. He opens before our +eyes the vision of a great truth and for a moment He permits our +wondering gaze to rest upon it; then He bids us go forth. Jacob +of old saw the vision of God's messengers ascending and +descending, but none of them standing still.</p> + +<p>Herein, then, lies the secret of the success of the reformer. +First the vision, then the purpose of the vision. "I was not +disobedient unto the heavenly vision." This is the manly and +noble confession of one of the world's greatest reformers, and in +it we catch a glimpse of the secrets of the success of his +divinely-appointed mission. The difference between the Saul of +Tarsus and Paul the Prisoner of the Lord was measured by his +obedience. This, too, is a universal law, true of the life of +every reformer, who, having had revealed to him a vision of the +great truth, has in obedience to that vision carried it to +humanity. Though at first he holds the truth to himself, and +longs to be lifted up by its power, he soon learns that there is +a giving forth of that which one possesses which enriches the +giver, and that the more he gives of his vision to men the richer +it becomes, the brighter it grows, until it illuminates all his +pathway....</p> + +<p>Yet Paul's life was not an idle dream; it was a constant struggle +against the very people whom he tried to save; his greatest foes +were those to whom he was sent. He had learned the lesson all +reformers must sooner or later learn, that the world never +welcomes its deliverers save with the dungeon, the fagot or the +cross. No man or woman has ever sought to lead his fellows to a +higher and better mode of life without learning the power of the +world's ingratitude; and though at times popularity may follow in +the wake of a reformer, yet the reformer knows popularity is not +love. The world will support you when you have compelled it to do +so by manifestations<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> of power, but it will shrink from you as +soon as power and greatness are no longer on your side. This is +the penalty paid by good people who sacrifice themselves for +others. They must live without sympathy; their feelings will be +misunderstood; their efforts will be uncomprehended. Like Paul, +they will be betrayed by friends; like Christ in the agony of +Gethsemane, they must bear their struggle alone.</p> + +<p>Our reverence for the reformers of the past is posterity's +judgment of them. But to them, what is that now? They have passed +into the shadows where neither our voice of praise or of blame +disturbs their repose.</p> + +<p>This is the hardest lesson the reformer has to learn. When, with +soul aglow with the light of a great truth, she, in obedience to +the vision, turns to take it to the needy one, instead of finding +a world ready to rise up and receive her, she finds it wrapped in +the swaddling clothes of error, eagerly seeking to win others to +its conditions of slavery. She longs to make humanity free; she +listens to their conflicting creeds, and yearns to save them from +the misery they endure. She knows that there is no form of +slavery more bitter or arrogant than error, that truth alone can +make man free, and she longs to bring the heart of the world and +the heart of truth together, that the truth may exercise its +transforming power over the life of the world. The greatest test +of the reformer's courage comes when, with a warm, earnest +longing for humanity, she breaks for it the bread of truth and +the world turns from this life-giving power and asks instead of +bread a stone.</p> + +<p>It is just here that so many of God's workmen fail, and +themselves need to turn back to the vision as it appeared to +them, and to gather fresh courage and new inspiration for the +future. This, my sisters, we all must do if we would succeed. The +reformer may be inconsistent, she may be stern or even impatient, +but if the world feels that she is in earnest she can not fail. +Let the truth which she desires to teach first take possession of +herself. Every woman who to-day goes out into the world with a +truth, who has not herself become possessed of that truth, had +far better stay at home.</p> + +<p>Who would have dreamed, when at that great anti-slavery meeting +in London, some years ago, the arrogance and pride of men +excluded the women whom God had moved to lift up their voices in +behalf of the baby that was sold by the pound—who would have +dreamed that that very exclusion would be the keynote of woman's +freedom? That out of the prejudice of that hour God should be +able to flash upon the crushed hearts of those excluded the grand +vision which we see manifested here to-day? That out of a longing +for the liberty of a portion of the race, God should be able to +show to women the still larger vision of the freedom of all human +kind?</p> + +<p>Grand as is this vision which meets us here, it is but the +dawning of a new day; and as the first beams of morning light +give promise of the radiance which shall envelop the earth when +the sun shall have arisen in all its splendor, so there comes to +us a prophecy of that glorious day when the vision which we are +now beholding,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> which is beaming in the soul of one, shall enter +the hearts and transfigure the lives of all.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The formal opening of the Council, Monday morning, March 25, was thus +described: "The vast auditorium, perfect in its proportions and +arrangements, was richly decorated with the flags of all nations and +of every State in the Union. The platform was fragrant with evergreens +and flowers, brilliant with rich furniture, crowded with distinguished +women, while soft music with its universal language attuned all hearts +to harmony. The beautiful portrait of the sainted Lucretia Mott, +surrounded with smilax and lilies of the valley, seemed to sanctify +the whole scene and to give a touch of pathos to all the proceedings."</p> + +<p>This great meeting, like so many before and since that time, was +opened by Miss Anthony. After the invocation and the hymn, she said in +part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Forty years ago women had no place anywhere except in their +homes; no pecuniary independence, no purpose in life save that +which came through marriage. From a condition, as many of you can +remember, in which no woman thought of earning her bread by any +other means than sewing, teaching, cooking or factory work, in +these later years the way has been opened to every avenue of +industry, to every profession, whereby woman to-day stands almost +the peer of man in her opportunities for financial independence. +What is true in the world of work is true in education, is true +everywhere.</p> + +<p>Men have granted us, in the civil rights which we have been +demanding, everything almost but the pivotal right, the one that +underlies all other rights, the one with which citizens of this +republic may protect themselves—the right to vote.</p> + +<p>I have the pleasure of introducing to you this morning the woman +who not only joined with Lucretia Mott in calling the first +convention, but who for the greater part of twenty years has been +president of the National Suffrage Association—Mrs. Elizabeth +Cady Stanton.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The entire audience arose with clapping of hands and waving of +handkerchiefs to greet this leader, who had come from England to +attend the Council. In the course of a long and dignified address of +welcome, she said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Whether our feet are compressed in iron shoes, our faces hidden +with veils and masks; whether yoked with cows to draw the plow +through its furrows, or classed with idiots, lunatics and +criminals in the laws and constitutions of the State, the +principle is the same; for the humiliations of spirit are as real +as the visible badges of servitude. A difference in government, +religion, laws and social customs<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> makes but little change in the +relative status of woman to the self-constituted governing +classes, so long as subordination in all countries is the rule of +her being. Through suffering we have learned the open sesame to +the hearts of each other. With the spirit forever in bondage, it +is the same whether housed in golden cages with every want +supplied, or wandering in the dreary deserts of life, friendless +and forsaken. Long ago we of America heard the deep yearnings of +the souls of women in foreign lands for freedom responsive to our +own. Mary Wollstonecraft, Madame de Stael, Madam Roland, George +Sand, Frederica Bremer, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Frances +Wright and George Eliot alike have pictured the wrongs of woman +in poetry and prose. Though divided by vast mountain ranges, +oceans and plains, yet the psalms of our lives have been in the +same strain—too long, alas, in the minor key—for hopes deferred +have made the bravest hearts sometimes despairing. But the same +great over-soul has been our faith and inspiration. The steps of +progress already achieved in many countries should encourage us +to tune our harps anew to songs of victory....</p> + +<p>I think most of us have come to feel that a voice in the laws is +indispensable to achieve success; that these great moral +struggles for higher education, temperance, peace, the rights of +labor, international arbitration, religious freedom, are all +questions to be finally adjusted by the action of government and +thus, without a direct voice in legislation, woman's influence +will be entirely lost.</p> + +<p>Experience has fully proved that sympathy as a civil agent is +vague and powerless until caught and chained in logical +propositions and coined into law. When every prayer and tear +represents a ballot, the mothers of the race will no longer weep +in vain over the miseries of their children. The active interest +women are taking in all the great questions of the day is in +strong contrast with the apathy and indifference in which we +found them half a century ago, and the contrast in their +condition between now and then is equally marked. Those who +inaugurated the movement for woman's enfranchisement, who for +long years endured the merciless storm of ridicule and +persecution, mourned over by friends, ostracized in social life, +scandalized by enemies, denounced by the pulpit, scarified and +caricatured by the press, may well congratulate themselves on the +marked change in public sentiment which this magnificent +gathering of educated women from both hemispheres so triumphantly +illustrates....</p> + +<p>We, who like the children of Israel, have been wandering in the +wilderness of prejudice and ridicule for forty years feel a +peculiar tenderness for the young women on whose shoulders we are +about to leave our burdens. Although we have opened a pathway to +the promised land and cleared up much of the underbrush of false +sentiment, logic and rhetoric intertwisted with law and custom, +which blocked all avenues in starting, yet there are still many +obstacles to be encountered before the rough journey is ended. +The younger women are starting with great advantages over us. +They have the results of our experience; they have superior +opportunities for education;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> they will find a more enlightened +public sentiment for discussion; they will have more courage to +take the rights which belong to them. Hence we may look to them +for speedy conquests. When we think of the vantage-ground woman +holds to-day, in spite of all the artificial obstacles placed in +her way, we are filled with wonder as to what the future mothers +of the race will be when free to have complete development.</p> + +<p>Thus far women have been the mere echoes of men. Our laws and +constitutions, our creeds and codes, and the customs of social +life are all of masculine origin. The true woman is as yet a +dream of the future. A just government, a humane religion, a pure +social life await her coming....</p></blockquote> + +<p>At the close of this address Miss Anthony presented greetings from the +Woman's Liberal Association of Bristol, England, signed by many +distinguished names; from the Woman Suffrage Association of Norway, +and from a number of prominent women in Dublin.<a name="FNanchor_67_67" id="FNanchor_67_67"></a><a href="#Footnote_67_67" class="fnanchor">[67]</a> There were also +individual letters from Mrs. Priscilla Bright McLaren and many other +foreigners.<a name="FNanchor_68_68" id="FNanchor_68_68"></a><a href="#Footnote_68_68" class="fnanchor">[68]</a></p> + +<p>Dr. Elizabeth C. Sargent and eight other women physicians of San +Francisco sent cordial good wishes. Congratulations were received from +many Americans,<a name="FNanchor_69_69" id="FNanchor_69_69"></a><a href="#Footnote_69_69" class="fnanchor">[69]</a> and a cablegram from Mrs. Harriot Stanton Blatch, +of England.</p> + +<p>Miss Anthony then presented the foreign delegates: England, Mrs. Laura +Ormiston Chant, Mrs. Alice Scatcherd, Mrs. Ashton Dilke, Madame Zadel +B. Gustafson; Ireland, Mrs. Margaret Moore; France, Madame Isabella +Bogelot; Finland, Baroness<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> Alexandra Gripenberg; Denmark, Madame Ada +M. Frederiksen; Norway, Madame Sophie Magelsson Groth; Italy, Madame +Fanny Zampini Salazar; India, Pundita Ramabai Sarasvati; Canada, Mrs. +Bessie Starr Keefer.</p> + +<p>After all had acknowledged the introduction with brief remarks, Miss +Anthony presented, amid much applause, Lucy Stone, Frances E. Willard, +Julia Ward Howe, Isabella Beecher Hooker, Matilda Joslyn Gage, Clara +Barton—the most eminent galaxy of women ever assembled upon one +platform. Frederick Douglass and Robert Purvis were introduced as +pioneers in the movement for woman suffrage.</p> + +<p>It would be impossible within the limits of one chapter to give even +the briefest synopsis of the addresses which swept through the week +like a grand procession. The program only could convey an idea of the +value of this intellectual entertainment which called together, day +after day and night after night, audiences that taxed the capacity of +the largest opera house in Washington.<a name="FNanchor_70_70" id="FNanchor_70_70"></a><a href="#Footnote_70_70" class="fnanchor">[70]</a></p> + +<p>On the second Sunday afternoon, Easter Day, the services consisted of +a symposium conducted by sixteen women, of all religious faiths and of +none. In the evening, when as in the morning a vast and interested +audience was present, brief farewells were spoken by a number of the +foreign delegates. The leading address was by Mrs. Zerelda G. Wallace +on the Moral Power of the Ballot. Mrs. Stanton closed the meeting with +a great speech, and the following resolution was adopted:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span></p><blockquote><p>It is the unanimous voice of this International Council that all +institutions of learning and of professional instruction, +including schools of theology, law and medicine, should, in the +interests of humanity, be as freely opened to women as to men, +and that opportunities for industrial training should be as +generally and as liberally provided for one sex as for the other. +The representatives of organized womanhood in this Council will +steadily demand that in all avocations in which both men and +women engage, equal wages shall be paid for equal work; and they +declare that an enlightened society should demand, as the only +adequate expression of the high civilization which it is its +office to establish and maintain, an identical standard of +personal purity and morality for men and women.</p></blockquote> + +<p>During the month of preparation for this International Council, the +idea came many times to Mrs. Sewall that it should result in a +permanent organization. The other members gave a cordial assent to +this proposition, and the necessary committees were appointed. Before +the delegates left Washington both a National and International +Council of Women were formed.<a name="FNanchor_71_71" id="FNanchor_71_71"></a><a href="#Footnote_71_71" class="fnanchor">[71]</a></p> + +<p>Immediately following the Council the National Woman Suffrage +Association held its Twentieth annual convention in the Church of Our +Father, April 3, 4, 1888. As there had been eight days of continuous +speech-making this meeting was devoted principally to the presenting +of State reports and transacting of necessary business. There were, +however, a number of addresses from the distinguished women who +remained after the Council to attend this convention.</p> + +<p>The Committee on National Enrollment, Mrs. Louisa Southworth of Ohio, +chairman, reported 40,000 names of adult citizens who favored equal +suffrage; 9,000 of these were from Ohio and 9,000 from Nebraska. Women +were urged to send petitions to members of Congress from their +respective States. Mrs. Stanton was requested to prepare a memorial to +be presented to each of the national political conventions to be held +during the year, and committees were appointed to visit each for the +purpose of securing in their platforms a recognition of woman +suffrage.</p> + +<p>The most interesting feature was the hearing before the Senate +Committee on Woman Suffrage, which took place April 2.<a name="FNanchor_72_72" id="FNanchor_72_72"></a><a href="#Footnote_72_72" class="fnanchor">[72]</a> Mrs.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> +Stanton made the opening address, in which she took up the provisions +of the Federal Constitution, one by one, and showed how they had been +violated in their application to women, saying:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Even the preamble of the Constitution is an argument for +self-government—"We, the people." You recognize women as people, +for you count them in the basis of representation. Half our +Congressmen hold their seats to-day as representatives of women. +We help to swell the figures by which you are here, and too many +of you, alas, are only figurative representatives, paying little +heed to our rights as citizens.</p> + +<p>"No bill of attainder shall be passed." "No title of nobility +granted." So says the Constitution; and yet you have passed bills +of attainder in every State of the Union making sex a +disqualification for the franchise. You have granted titles of +nobility to every male voter, making all men rulers, governors, +sovereigns over all women.</p> + +<p>"The United States shall guarantee to every State in the Union a +republican form of government." And yet you have not a republican +form of government in a single State. One-half the people have +never consented to one law under which they live. They have +rulers placed over them in whom they have no choice. They are +taxed without representation, tried in our courts by men for the +violation of laws made by men, with no appeal except to men, and +for some crimes over which men should have no jurisdiction....</p> + +<p>Landing in New York one week ago, I saw 400 steerage passengers +leave the vessel. Dull-eyed, heavy-visaged, stooping with huge +burdens and the oppressions endured in the Old World, they stood +in painful contrast with the group of brilliant women on their +way to the International Council here in Washington. I thought, +as this long line passed by, of the speedy transformation the +genial influences of equality would effect in the appearance of +these men, of the new dignity they would acquire with a voice in +the laws under which they live, and I rejoiced for them; but +bitter reflections filled my mind when I thought that these men +are the future rulers of our daughters; these will interpret the +civil and criminal codes by which they will be governed; these +will be our future judges and jurors to try young girls in our +courts, for trial by a jury of her peers has never yet been +vouchsafed to woman. Here is a right so ancient that it is +difficult to trace its origin in history, a right so sacred that +the humblest criminal may choose his juror. But alas for the +daughters of the people, their judges, advocates, jurors, must be +men, and for them there is no appeal. But this is only one wrong +among many inevitable for a disfranchised class. It is +impossible<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> for you, gentlemen, to appreciate the humiliations +women suffer at every turn....</p> + +<p>You have now the power to settle this question by wise +legislation. But if you can not be aroused to its serious +consideration, like every other step in progress, it will +eventually be settled by violence. The wild enthusiasm of woman +can be used for evil as well as good. To-day you have the power +to guide and direct it into channels of true patriotism, but in +the future, with all the elements of discontent now gathering +from foreign countries, you will have the scenes of the French +Commune repeated in our land. What women, exasperated with a +sense of injustice, have done in dire extremities in the nations +of the Old World, they will do here....</p> + +<p>I will leave it to your imagination to picture to yourselves how +you would feel if you had had a case in court, a bill before some +legislative body or a political aspiration for nearly half a +century, with a continual succession of adverse decisions, while +law and common justice were wholly on your side. Such, honorable +gentlemen, is our case....</p> + +<p>In the history of the race there has been no struggle for liberty +like this. Whenever the interest of the ruling classes has +induced them to confer new rights on a subject class it has been +done with no effort on the part of the latter. Neither the +American slave nor the English laborer demanded the right of +suffrage. It was given in both cases to strengthen the Liberal +party. The philanthropy of the few may have entered into those +reforms, but political expediency carried both measures. Women, +on the contrary, have fought their own battles and in their +rebellion against existing conditions have inaugurated the most +fundamental revolution the world has ever witnessed. The +magnitude and multiplicity of the changes involved make the +obstacles in the way of success seem almost insurmountable....</p> + +<p>Society is based on this fourfold bondage of woman—Church, +State, Capital and Society—making liberty and equality for her +antagonistic to every organized institution. Where, then, can we +rest the lever with which to lift one-half of humanity from these +depths of degradation, but on "that columbiad of our political +life—the ballot—which makes every citizen who holds it a full +armed monitor?"</p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Anthony then introduced a number of the foreign delegates who had +been in attendance at the National Council. Mrs. Laura Ormiston Chant +of England, in an eloquent address, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I stand here as the grandniece of one of the greatest orators and +clearest and wisest statesmen that Europe has known, Edmund +Burke. It seems to me an almost overwhelming humility that I +should be compelled to echo the magnificent impeachment that he +made against Warren Hastings, in our House of Commons, on behalf +of the oppressed women of Hindostan, in this my passionate appeal +on behalf of oppressed women all over the world....<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span></p> + +<p>By all you have held most sacred and beautiful in the women who +have loved you and made life possible for you—for their sake and +in their name—I do intreat that you will not allow your grandest +women to plead for another half century. Say rather "the past has +been a long night of wrong, but the day has come and the hour in +which justice shall conquer."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Alice Scatcherd, delegate from the Liberal and the Suffrage +Associations of Leeds and neighboring cities, gave an interesting +account of the manner in which Englishwomen exercise the franchise and +the influence they wield in politics.</p> + +<p>Miss Anthony then said, "I have the pleasure of introducing to you the +woman who, twenty-five years ago, wrote the Battle Hymn of the +Republic, Mrs. Julia Ward Howe." Mrs. Howe spoke briefly, saying: "My +heart has been full with the words of others which have been here +uttered; but a single word will enable me to cast in my voice with +theirs with all the emphasis that my life and such power as I have +will enable me to add. Gentlemen, what a voice you have here to-day +for universal suffrage. Think that not only we American women, your +own kindred, appear here—and you know what we represent—but these +foremost women from other countries, representing not alone the native +intelligence and character of those countries, but deep and careful +study and precious experience, and think that between them and us who +ask for suffrage, there is entire unanimity. We all say the same +words; we are all for the same thing...."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Caroline E. Merrick, wife of the former Chief Justice of +Louisiana, addressed the committee with that deep and touching +earnestness so characteristic of Southern women.</p> + +<p>After saying that women were present from every State and Territory +who would add their pleadings if there were time, Miss Anthony +introduced Mrs. Bessie Starr Keefer of Canada, who told of the good +effects of woman suffrage in that country. Miss Anthony then said: +"Gentlemen of the committee, here stands before you one who is +commander-in-chief of an army of 250,000 women. It is said women do +not want to vote, but this woman has led this vast army to the +ballot-box, or to a wish to get there. I present to you Miss Frances +E. Willard."</p> + +<p>This was the only time Miss Willard ever appeared before a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> Suffrage +Committee in the Capitol, and she was heard with much interest. +Beginning with the playful manner which rendered her speeches so +attractive, she closed with great seriousness:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I suppose these honorable gentlemen think that we women want the +earth, when we only want half of it. We call their attention to +the fact that our brethren have encroached upon the sphere of +woman. They have definitely marked out that sphere, and then they +have proceeded with their incursion by the power of invention. +They have taken away the loom and the spinning-jenny, and they +have obliged Jenny to seek her occupation somewhere else. They +have set even the tune of the old knitting-needle to humming by +steam. So that we women, full of vigor and desire to be active +and useful and to react upon the world around us, finding our +industrial occupations largely gone, have been obliged to seek +out a new territory and to pre-empt from the sphere of our +brothers some of that which they have hitherto considered their +own.</p> + +<p>I know it is a sentiment of chivalry in some good men which +hinders them from giving us the ballot. They think we might not +be what they admire so much; they think we should be lacking in +womanliness of character. I ask you to notice if the women who +have been in this International Council, if the women who are +school teachers all over this nation, if these hundreds of +thousands are not a womanly set of women, and yet they have gone +outside of the old sphere. We believe that in the time of peace +women can come forward and with peaceful plans can use weapons +which are grand and womanly, and that their thoughts, winged with +hope and the force of the heart given to them, will have an +effect far mightier than physical power. For that reason we ask +you that they shall be allowed to stand at the ballot-box, +because we believe that there every person expresses his +individuality. The majesty or the meanness of a person comes out +at the ballot-box more than anywhere else. The ballot is the +compendium of all there is in civilization, and of all that +civilization has done for us. We believe that the mothers who had +the good sense to train noble men, like you who have achieved +high positions, had the good sense to train your sisters in the +same way, and that it is a pity the State has lost that other +half of the conservative power which comes from a Christian +rearing and a Christian character.</p> + +<p>I have spoken thus on the principles which have made me, a +conservative woman, devoted to the idea of the ballot, and one in +heart with all these good and true suffrage women, though not one +in organic community. I represent before you the Woman's +Christian Temperance Union and not a suffrage society, but I +bring these principles to your sight, and I ask you, my brothers, +to be grand and chivalrous towards us in this new departure which +we now wish to make.</p> + +<p>I ask you to remember that it is women who have given the +costliest hostages to fortune, and out into the battle of life +they have sent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> their best beloved into snares that have been +legalized on every hand. From the arms which held him long, the +boy has gone forever, for he will not come back again to the +home. Then let the world in the person of its womanhood go forth +and make a home in the State and in society. By all the pains and +dangers the mother has shared, by the hours of patient watching +over beds where little children tossed in fever and pain, by the +incense of ten thousand prayers wafted to God from earnest lips, +I charge you, gentlemen, give woman power to go forth, so that +when her son undertakes life's treacherous battle, his mother +will still walk beside him clad in the garments of power.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Anthony, who knew better than anyone else when not another word +was needed, said at the close of Miss Willard's touching address: +"Now, gentlemen, we are greatly obliged to you. I feel very proud of +all my 'girls' who have come before you this morning, and you may +consider the meeting adjourned."</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_64_64" id="Footnote_64_64"></a><a href="#FNanchor_64_64"><span class="label">[64]</span></a> The following report was prepared by Mrs. Parker: At a +large and influential gathering of the friends of woman suffrage, at +Parliament Terrace, Liverpool, November 16, 1883, convened by E. +Whittle, M. D., to meet Mrs. Stanton and Miss Anthony prior to their +return to America, a resolution was proposed by Mrs. Parker of +Penketh, seconded by Mrs. McLaren of Edinburgh, and unanimously +passed: "Recognizing that union is strength and that the time has come +when women all over the world should unite in the just demand for +their political enfranchisement; therefore +</p><p> +"<i>Resolved</i>, That we do here appoint a committee of correspondence, +preparatory to forming an International Woman Suffrage Association. +</p><p> +"<i>Resolved</i>, That the committee consist of the following friends, with +power to add to their number. +</p><p> +"For the American Center—Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Miss Susan B. +Anthony, Miss Rachel G. Foster. For Foreign Centers—(An extended +committee was named of prominent persons in Great Britain, Ireland and +France)."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_65_65" id="Footnote_65_65"></a><a href="#FNanchor_65_65"><span class="label">[65]</span></a> There were printed and distributed by mail 10,000 Calls +(four pages each); 10,000 Appeals (two pages each); sketches were +prepared of the lives and work of a number of the delegates and +circulated by means of a Press Committee of over ninety persons in +various cities of many States. On March 10, the first edition (5,000) +of the sixteen-page program was issued; this was followed by five +other editions of 5,000 each and a final seventh edition of 7,000 +copies. Each edition required revision and the introduction of +alterations made necessary by changing conditions. There were written +in connection with the preparations about 4,000 letters. Including +those concerning railroad rates, there were not less than 10,000 more +circulars of various kinds printed and distributed. A low estimate of +the number of pages thus issued (circulars, calls, programs, etc.) +gives 672,000. During the week of the Council and the following +convention of the N. W. S. A., the <i>Woman's Tribune</i> was published by +Mrs. Clara Bewick Colby eight times (four days sixteen pages, four +days twelve pages), the daily edition averaging 12,500 copies. +</p><p> +The receipts from contributions and memberships were in round numbers +$5,000; from sale of seats and boxes at opera-house $5,000, and from +sale of daily <i>Woman's Tribune</i>, photographs and badges, collections, +advertisements, etc., $1,500, making a total of nearly $12,000. The +largest sums were from Julia T. Foster, $400; Elizabeth Thompson, +$250; Mrs. Leland Stanford, $200; Rachel G. Foster, $200; and $100 +each from Adeline Thomson, Ellen Clark Sargent, Emma J. Bartol, +Margaret Caine, Sarah Knox Goodrich, Mary Hamilton Williams, Lucy +Winslow Curtis, Mary Gray Dow, Jane S. Richards, George W. Childs and +Henry C. Parsons. The cost of the <i>Tribune</i> (printing, stenographic +report, mailing, etc.) was over $3,600; hall rent, $1,800. When one +considers the entertainment of so many officers, speakers and +delegates, printing, postage, the salary of one clerk for a year +(whose board was a contribution from Miss Adeline Thomson and Miss +Julia Foster of Philadelphia), and the thousand et ceteras of such a +meeting, the total cost of about $12,000 is not surprising. An +international convention of men, held in Washington within the year, +cost in round numbers $50,000.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_66_66" id="Footnote_66_66"></a><a href="#FNanchor_66_66"><span class="label">[66]</span></a> After the Council Mrs. Stanton, Miss Anthony and Miss +Foster remained in Washington for six weeks preparing a complete +report of the addresses and proceedings which filled nearly 500 pages. +Five thousand copies of these were printed, a large number of which +were placed in the public libraries of the United States and foreign +countries.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_67_67" id="Footnote_67_67"></a><a href="#FNanchor_67_67"><span class="label">[67]</span></a> Anna Maria Haslam, Honorable Secretary Woman's Suffrage +Association; Mary Edmundson, Honorable Secretary Dublin Prison Gate +Mission; Hannah Maria Wigham, President Women's Temperance +Association, Dublin, and Member of Peace Committee; Wilhelmina Webb, +Member of Ladies' Sanitary Committee, Women's Suffrage, etc., Rose +McDowell, Honorable Secretary Women's Suffrage Committee, Isabella +Mulvany, Head Mistress Alexandra School, Dublin, Harriet W. Russell, +Member of Women's Temperance Association; Deborah Webb, late Honorable +Secretary Ladies' Dublin Contagious Diseases Act Repeal Association; +Lucy Smithson, Member of the Sanitary Committee and Women's Suffrage +Association; Emily Webb, Member of Women's Suffrage Association; Agnes +Mason, Medical Student and Member of the Women's Suffrage Committee; +Ellen Allen, Member of Women's Temperance and Peace Associations.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_68_68" id="Footnote_68_68"></a><a href="#FNanchor_68_68"><span class="label">[68]</span></a> Among these were Elizabeth Pease Nichol, Eliza Wigham, +Edinburgh; Mrs. Jacob Bright, Catherine Lucas Thomasson, Margaret E. +Parker, Jane Cobden, Margaret Bright Lucas, Caroline Ashurst Biggs, +Frances Lord, F. Henrietta Muller, England; Isabella M. S. Tod, +Belfast, Caroline de Barrau, Theodore Stanton, Hubertine Auclert, +editor of <i>La Citoyenne</i>, Maria Deraismes, Eugénie Potonié, M. Dupuis +Vincent, France; Johanna Frederika Wecket, Germany, Prince Kropotkin, +Russia.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_69_69" id="Footnote_69_69"></a><a href="#FNanchor_69_69"><span class="label">[69]</span></a> John G. Whittier, T. W. Higginson, Oliver Johnson, +George W. Julian, Samuel E. Sewall, Amelia Bloomer, Dr. James C. +Jackson, Theodore D. Weld, Elizabeth Buffam Chace, Rev. T. De Witt +Talmage, Abigail Scott Dumway, Mrs. Frank Leslie, Dr. Laura Ross +Wolcott, Charlotte B. Wilbour, Dr. Agnes Kemp, Augusta Cooper Bristol, +Dr. Seth and Mrs. Hannah Rogers, Dr. Alida C. Avery, Harriet S. +Brooks, Sarah Burger Stearns, Helen M. Gougar, Caroline B. Buell, Lucy +N. Colman.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_70_70" id="Footnote_70_70"></a><a href="#FNanchor_70_70"><span class="label">[70]</span></a> Among those not mentioned above who gave addresses were +E. Florence Barker, Susan H. Barney, Leonora M. Barry, Isabel C. +Barrows, Cora A. Benneson, Ada M. Bittenbender, Henry B. Blackwell, +Lillie Devereux Blake, Martha McClellan Brown, Dr. Mary Weeks Burnett, +Helen Campbell, Matilda B. Carse, Ednah D. Cheney, Sarah B. Cooper, +"Jennie June" Croly, Caroline H. Dall, Abby Morton Diaz, Mary F. +Eastman, Martha A. Everett, Martha R. Field, Alice Fletcher, J. Ellen +Foster, Caroline M. S. Frazer, Helen H. Gardiner, Anna Gordon, +Elizabeth Boynton Harbert, Frances E. W. Harper, Marilla M. Hills, +Clara C. Hoffman, Laura C. Holloway, John W. Hutchinson, Mary H. Hunt, +Laura M. Johns, Mary A. Livermore, Huldah B. Loud, Ella M. S. Marble, +Marion McBride, Laura McNeir, Prof. Rena A. Michaels, Harriet N. +Morris, Amelia Hadley Mohl, Mrs. John P. Newman, Clara Neymann, ex-U. +S. Senator S. C. Pomeroy, Anna Rice Powell, Amelia S. Quinton, Emily +S. Richards, Victoria Richardson, Harriet H. Robinson, Elizabeth Lisle +Saxon, Lita Barney Sayles, Harriette R. Shattuck, Hannah Whitall +Smith, Elizabeth G. Stuart, Prof. Louisa Reed Stowell, Dr. Sarah +Hackett Stevenson, M. Louise Thomas, Esther M. Warner, Dr. Caroline B. +Winslow, Jennie Fowler Willing, Dr. Ruth M. Wood, Anna M. Worden. +</p><p> +On Pioneers' Evening about forty of the most prominent of the old +workers were on the platform.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_71_71" id="Footnote_71_71"></a><a href="#FNanchor_71_71"><span class="label">[71]</span></a> The officers of the National Council were: President, +Frances E. Willard, Ill.; vice-president-at-large, Susan B. Anthony, +N. Y.; cor. sec., May Wright Sewall, Ind.; rec. sec., Mary F. Eastman, +Mass.; treas., M. Louise Thomas, N. Y. Officers of the International +Council: President, Millicent Garrett Fawcett, England; +vice-president-at-large, Clara Barton, United States; cor. sec. Rachel +G. Foster, United States; rec. sec., Kirstine Frederiksen, Denmark.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_72_72" id="Footnote_72_72"></a><a href="#FNanchor_72_72"><span class="label">[72]</span></a> This committee consisted of Senator Francis M. Cockrell, +Mo.; Joseph E. Brown, Ga.; Samuel Pasco, Fla.; Henry W. Blair, N. H.; +Thomas W. Palmer, Mich.; Jonathan Chace, R. I.; Thomas M. Bowen, Colo. +No hearing was held before the Judiciary Committee of the House, but +on April 24 Mrs. Sallie Clay Bennett of Kentucky obtained an audience +and made an extended and unanswerable argument from two points of +view, the Scriptural and the Constitutional. Her address is printed in +full in the <i>Woman's Tribune</i> of April 28, 1888.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<h3>THE NATIONAL SUFFRAGE CONVENTION OF 1889.</h3> + + +<p>The Twenty-first annual convention of the National Association met in +the Congregational Church at Washington, Jan. 21-23, 1889, in answer +to the official Call:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Neither among politicians, nor among women themselves, is this in +any sense a party movement. While the Prohibition party in Kansas +incorporated woman suffrage in its platform, the Republicans made +it a fact by extending municipal suffrage to the women of that +State. The Democrats of Connecticut on several occasions voted +for woman suffrage while Republicans voted against it. In the New +York Legislature Republicans and Democrats alike have advocated +and voted for the measure. In Congress the last vote in the House +stood eighty Republicans for woman suffrage and nearly every +Democrat against it, while not a single Democrat voted in favor +of it on the floor of the Senate. Both the Labor and Greenback +parties have uniformly recognized woman suffrage in their +platforms.... Our strength for future action lies in the fact +that woman suffrage has some advocates in all parties and that +we, as an association, are pledged to none.</p> + +<p>The denial of the ballot to woman is the great political crime of +the century, before which tariff, finance, land monopoly, +temperance, labor and all economic questions sink into +insignificance; for the right of suffrage involves all questions +of person and of property.</p> + +<p>While each party in power has refused to enfranchise woman, being +skeptical as to her moral influence in government, yet with +strange inconsistency they alike seek the aid of her voice and +pen in all important political struggles. While not morally bound +to obey the laws made without their consent, yet we find women +the most law-abiding class of citizens in the community. While +not recognized as a component part of the Government, they are +most active in all great movements for education, religion, +philanthropy and reform.</p> + +<p>The magnificent convocation of women from the world over—held in +Washington last March—a Council more important than any since +the Diet of Worms—was proof of woman's marvelous power of +organization and her clear comprehension of the underlying +principles of all questions of government. With such evidence of +her keen insight and executive ability, we invite all interested<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> +in good government to give us the inspiration of their presence +in the coming convention.</p></blockquote> + +<p>In the absence of Mrs. Stanton Miss Anthony presided, opening her +address with the sentence, "Here we have stood for the last twenty-one +years, demanding of Congress to take the necessary step to secure to +the women of this nation protection in the exercise of their +constitutional right to a voice in the government." She introduced the +Hon. Albert G. Riddle (D. C.), who in 1871 had made an argument before +the Joint Judiciary Committee in favor of woman's right to vote under +the Fourteenth Amendment; and later had argued before the Supreme +Court her right to vote in the District. In the course of his remarks +he said: "All the changes in favor of woman—everything indeed that +has been achieved—has been in consequence of this contest for woman +suffrage. Its advocates began it; they traveled along with it; and all +that has been gained in the statutes of the various States and of the +United States has been by their efforts; whatever has taken a +crystallized form of irrepealable law is because of this discussion, +because of this agitation."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Isabella Beecher Hooker (Conn.) read the resolution demanding a +representation of women in the Centennial Celebration of the Adoption +of the United States Constitution soon to be held in New York City. +Miss Anthony then introduced Senator Henry W. Blair (N. H.), who was +received with much applause, as the unswerving champion of woman +suffrage. In an address considering the constitutional phase of the +question, he said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>There has been such progress in the formulation of the State and +the national law that it has become necessary for the Supreme +Court of the United States to decide that we are not a sovereign +people, that we have no nation at all, in order to prevent woman +from exercising the right of suffrage throughout this country. In +that decision which deprived Mrs. Virginia L. Minor of her right, +the Supreme Court was driven to the necessity of deciding in +express terms, "The United States has no voters of its own +creation." If the United States has no voters, then the old +doctrine of State sovereignty is the true one and there is no +nation. We are subservient and subordinate to the power of the +States to-day by virtue of this decision just exactly as it was +claimed we were prior to the recent war. We thought the war +established the fact that we were a nation; that the controversy +which led up to the war<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> had been decided in favor of the +sovereignty of the nation. Under our republican form of +government the sovereignty is lodged in the masses of the people. +If, therefore, it is not in the man who votes by virtue of his +membership in the association of the people known as the United +States, then there is no sovereignty there....</p> + +<p>As the law now is, in the Federal Constitution there must always +have been such a voter of the United States, for in the second +clause of the first article it is provided that there shall be a +House of Representatives "elected by the people in the States." +Where that provision is made it says that the electors shall have +the qualifications of the electors in the States. But it does not +say that they shall be the same individuals; it does not say that +they are to act in the same capacity. They might vary in +different portions of the country, in different States; but +nevertheless, in giving to the people of the States the right to +specify the qualifications which should belong to the electors of +the United States, the Constitution did not give up the power to +create electors itself....</p> + +<p>Take the Fifteenth Amendment. There is the first instance in the +entire Constitution where we find the franchise declared to be a +"right," and in specific terms alluded to as such. And there it +is provided that a right already recognized as existing shall not +be abridged by the United States or by the States—a right +already <i>existing</i>, not <i>established</i>. And by virtue of that +amendment and the provision that this existing right shall not be +denied or abridged on account of "race, color or previous +condition of servitude," either by the United States or by the +States, the <i>national existence</i> of the voter is established....</p> + +<p>I think our great difficulty about this is that women perhaps do +not, to the extent that they should, place their cause upon the +platform that it is a right; that to uphold that it is not a +right is a wrong greater than any which has been perpetrated in +the past; that freedom to half the human race is a glorious +achievement which it still remains for mankind to accomplish....</p> + +<p>There is no way in which you can do so much for this world as by +giving liberty to those who are the mothers of the generations +past and to come; so that freedom to think, freedom to formulate +opinions, freedom to decide by the majority of the whole of +mature human nature, shall be the universal boon as far as the +human race extends....</p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Anthony then read a letter from Mrs. Stanton which embodied that +spirit of independence possessed by her almost beyond all other women:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I notice that in some of our conventions resolutions of thanks +are passed to senators, congressmen and legislators for +advocating some minor privileges which have been conceded to +women, such as admission to colleges and professions, limited +forms of suffrage,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> etc. Now I do not see any occasion for +gratitude to these honorable gentlemen who, after robbing us of +all our fundamental rights as citizens, propose to restore a few +minor privileges. There is not one impulse of gratitude in my +soul for any of the fragmentary privileges which by slow degrees +we have wrung out of our oppressors during the last half century, +nor will there be so long as woman is robbed of all the essential +rights of citizenship.</p> + +<p>If strong appeals could induce the highway robber to return a +modicum of what he had stolen, it might mitigate the miseries of +his victim, but surely there would be no reason for gratitude, +and an expression of thanks to him would be quite as much out of +place as are complimentary resolutions passed in our conventions +to legislators for their concessions to women. They deserve +nothing at our hands until they make full restitution of all we +possessed in the original compact under the colonial +constitutions—rights over which in the nature of things men +could have no lawful jurisdiction whatever.... Woman has the same +right to a voice in this government that man has, and it is based +on the same natural desire and capacity for self-government and +self-protection....</p> + +<p>Until woman is recognized as an equal factor in civilization, and +is possessed of her personal property, civil and political +rights, all minor privileges and concessions are but so many +added aggravations, and are insulting mockeries of that justice, +liberty and equality which are the birthright of every citizen of +a republic. "Universal suffrage," said Charles Sumner, "is the +first proof and only basis of a genuine republic."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Stanton referred to the bravery of recent women writers in +attacking social problems, citing Mrs. Humphrey Ward, Margaret Deland, +Olive Schreiner, Mona Caird and Helen Gardiner. She closed with a +tribute to the co-laborers who had died during the past year, among +them the Rev. James Freeman Clarke, Judge Samuel E. Sewall, Dr. +Clemence S. Lozier, Dr. Mary F. Thomas, Miss Abby W. May and numerous +others.</p> + +<p>During the second day's proceedings the Rev. Alexander Kent, of the +Church of Our Father (Universalist), addressed the convention, saying +in part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>It is not uncommon among writers on woman suffrage to find the +root of the trouble in those notions of the creation and fall set +forth in the ancient Jewish Scriptures—notions which have very +generally prevailed throughout Christendom until recently, and +which even yet have a large hold upon many people professing to +be Christians. In the account of the origin of evil given by the +ancient Hebrew writer, woman is the chief offender, and upon her +falls the burden of the penalty. In sorrow she is to bring forth +her children; her desire is to be to her husband and he is to +rule over<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> her. Unquestionably this has tended to prolong the +reign of brute force in Christendom by perpetuating a belief in +the rightful headship of man in the family and State. But it is a +great mistake to see in this Scripture the root of the evil. It +is only the record of a theory offered to explain a fact—which +antedated both the theory and the record. We find the fact to-day +even where we do not find the record—the woman ruled by the man +in places where there is no knowledge whatever of the Hebrew +Scriptures. I doubt not that among the founders of our +Government—meaning the people generally—this doctrine of the +rightful headship of man and the subordination of woman was +sacredly held as a part of the revealed word of God, and that as +such it operated to keep the women as well as the men of that day +from perceiving the full significance, the comprehensive scope of +the principles affirmed by their leaders, in the Constitution and +the Declaration of Independence....</p> + +<p>If the ballot in the hands of woman is to do a great work for +society, it will be first and foremost because of its wholesome +influence on herself—because it rouses in her more of hope, more +of laudable ambition, more of earnest purpose, more of +self-reliance, more independence of the fashions, frivolities and +conventionalities of society and the dictates of the church....</p> + +<p>Praying for the speedy coming of this day, and hoping it may work +gradually toward a purer and happier social life, and a further +companionship in thought and feeling, in purpose and effort, +between men and women, and especially between husbands and wives +in the life of the home, I express my sympathy with the purpose +of this convention.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Caroline Hallowell Miller (Md.) took the ground that, after fifty +years of argument, women now should unite in a continuous demand for +the rights of citizenship.</p> + +<p>In introducing the Hon. William D. Kelley (Penn.) Miss Anthony said +that not only in Congress, where he was known as the Father of the +House, but years ago in his own State Legislature, he advocated the +political equality of women. After paying a tribute to his mother, to +Mary Wollstonecraft and to Frances Wright, he said: "I am here, +because I feel that I should again declare publicly the justice of the +enfranchisement of women, which, having cherished through youth and +early manhood, I asserted in a public address in Independence Hall, at +high noon on the Fourth of July, 1841, before there was any +organization for promoting woman's rights politically." He then +sketched results already achieved and urged women to keep the flame +burning for the benefits which would come to posterity.</p> + +<p>The Rev. Olympia Brown (Wis.) spoke on Foreign Rule,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> and after +pointing out the glory of a country which offered a home to all, and +expressing a belief in universal suffrage, she continued:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In Wisconsin we have by the census of 1880 a population of +910,072 native-born, 405,425 foreign-born. Our last vote cast was +149,463 American, 189,469 foreign; thus you see nearly 1,000,000 +native-born people are out-voted and out-governed by less than +half their number of foreigners. Is that fair to Americans? Is it +just to American men? Will they not, under this influence, in a +little while be driven to the wall and obliged to step down and +out? When the members of our Legislatures are the greater part +foreigners, when they sit in the office of mayor and in all the +offices of our city, and rule us with a rod of iron, it is time +that American men should inquire if we have any rights that +foreigners are bound to respect....</p> + +<p>The last census shows, I think, that there are in the United +States three times as many American-born women as the whole +foreign population, men and women together, so that the votes of +women will eventually be the only means of overcoming this +foreign influence and maintaining our free institutions. There is +no possible safety for our free school, our free church or our +republican government, unless women are given the suffrage and +that right speedily.... The question in every political caucus, +in every political convention, is not what great principles shall +we announce, but what kind of a document can we draw up that will +please the foreigners?...</p> + +<p>When we remember that the first foot to touch Plymouth Rock was a +woman's—that in the first settlement of this country women +endured trials and privations and stood bravely at the post of +duty, even fighting in the ranks that we might have a +republic—and that in our great Western world women came at an +early day to make the wilderness blossom as the rose, and rocked +their babies' cradles in the log cabins when the Indians' +war-whoop was heard on the prairies and the wolves howled around +their doors—when we remember that in the last war thousands of +women in the Northwest bravely took upon themselves the work of +the households and the fields that their husbands and sons might +fight the battles of liberty—when we recollect all this, and +then are told that loyal women, pioneer women, the descendants of +the Pilgrim Fathers, are not even to ask for the right of +suffrage lest the Scandinavians should be offended, it is time to +rise in indignation and ask, Whose country is this? Who made it? +Who have periled their lives for it?</p> + +<p>Our American women are property holders and pay large taxes; but +the foreigner who has lived only one year in the State, and ten +days in the precinct, who does not own a foot of land, may vote +away their property in the form of taxes in the most reckless +manner, regardless of their interests and their rights. Women are +well-educated; they are graduating from our colleges; they are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> +reading and thinking and writing; and yet they are the political +inferiors of all the riff-raff of Europe that is poured upon our +shores. It is unbearable. There is no language that can express +the enormous injustice done to women....</p> + +<p>We can not separate subjects and say we will vote on temperance +or on school matters, for all these questions are part of +government.... When women as well as men are voters, the church +will get some recognition. I marvel that all ministers are not in +favor of woman suffrage, when I consider that their audiences are +almost entirely composed of women and that the church to-day is +brought into disrepute because it is made up of disfranchised +members. The minister would stand a hundred-fold higher than he +does now if women had the suffrage. Everybody would want to know +what the minister was saying to those women voters.</p> + +<p>We are in danger in this country of Catholic domination, not +because the Catholics are more numerous than we are, but because +the Catholic church is represented at the polls and the +Protestant church is not. The foreigners are Catholic—the +greater portion of them; the foreigners are men—the greater part +of them, and members of the Catholic church, and they work for it +and vote for it. The Protestant church is composed of women. Men +for the most part do not belong to it; they do not care much for +it except as something to interest the women of their household. +The consequence is the Protestant church is comparatively +unrepresented at the ballot-box....</p> + +<p>I urge upon you, women, that you put suffrage first and foremost, +before every other consideration upon earth. Make it a religious +duty and work for the enfranchisement of your sex, which means +the growth and development of noble characters in your children; +for you can not educate your children well surrounded by men and +women who hold false doctrines of society, of politics, of +morals. Leave minor issues, leave your differences of opinion +about the Trinity, or the Holy Ghost, or endless misery; about +high license and low license; or Dorcas Societies and Chautauqua +Circles. Let them all go; they are of no consequence compared +with the enfranchisement of women.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Mary Seymour Howell gave a humorous series of Suffrage Pictures +in New York, which was greatly relished by the audience. Mrs. Laura M. +Johns described Municipal Suffrage in Kansas in an enthusiastic and +interesting manner. The Rev. Anna Howard Shaw then delivered her +lecture, which has since become so famous, The Fate of Republics, +tracing the rise and fall of the republics of history, which grew +because of material prosperity and failed because of moral weakness. +All were in the hands of men, and women were excluded from any +share.<a name="FNanchor_73_73" id="FNanchor_73_73"></a><a href="#Footnote_73_73" class="fnanchor">[73]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mrs. Harriette R. Shattuck gave an account of the recent school +election in Boston where 19,490 women voted, a much higher percentage +of those registered than of the men, and thus defeated the dangerous +attempt which had been made by the Church to interfere with the State. +Richard W. Blue, State Senator of Kansas, was called to the platform +by Mrs. Gougar as one who had greatly aided its Municipal Suffrage +Bill.</p> + +<p>Mrs. May Wright Sewall (Ind.) spoke on Women in the Recent Campaign. +In the National Prohibition Convention they sat as delegates and +served on committees. In all parts of the country Republican and +Democratic women organized clubs and marched in processions; but she +called attention to the fact that these methods are not advocated by +the suffrage societies so long as women remain disfranchised. Over two +hundred clubs were formed for political study. All of the parties +placed women on their platforms to speak in behalf of the candidates. +A Central Republican Headquarters was opened in New York and put in +charge of a national committee of women who sent out hundreds of +thousands of campaign documents. When election day came not one of all +these women could put her opinion in the ballot-box.</p> + +<p>At the evening session Mrs. Lillie Devereux Blake (N. Y.) in her +trenchant way discussed Political Methods and pointed out the +inconsistent and illogical declarations of platforms and speakers when +applied to women, also the delight afforded to men by the tin horns +and fireworks. She suggested for President Harrison's Cabinet, +Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Secretary of State; Susan B. Anthony, +Secretary of War; May Wright Sewall, Secretary of the Treasury; +Zerelda G. Wallace, Secretary of the Navy; Clara Barton, Secretary of +the Interior; Laura de Force Gordon, Attorney-General.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sarah M. Perkins (O.) spoke on The Concentration of Forces, +showing how prone women are to organize for every object except +suffrage, and yet the majority of these workers would rejoice to have +the power which lies in the ballot and would be infinitely better +equipped for their work.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Mary B. Clay (Ky.) opened the last day's session with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> a forcible +address entitled, Are American Women Civil and Political Slaves? She +proved the affirmative of her question by quoting the spoken and +written declarations of the greatest statesmen on the right of +individual representation and the exceptions made against women, +citing Walker, the legal writer: "This language applied to males would +be the exact definition of political slavery; applied to females, +custom does not so regard it."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Abigail Scott Duniway (Ore.) described the recent arbitrary and +unwarranted disfranchisement of the women of Washington Territory. +Frederick Douglass was loudly called for and in responding expressed +his gratitude to women, "who were chiefly instrumental in liberating +my people from actual chains of bondage," and declared his full belief +in their right to the franchise.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Helen M. Gougar (Ind.) made a strong speech upon Partisan or +Patriot? In her address on Woman in Marriage Mrs. Clara Bewick Colby, +editor of the <i>Woman's Tribune</i>, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>It is customary to regard marriage as of even more importance to +woman than to man, since the maternal, social and household +duties involved in it consume the greater portion of the time and +thought of a large majority. Love, it is commonly said, is an +incident in a man's life, but makes or mars a woman's whole +existence. This, however, is one of the many popular delusions +crystallized into opinion by apt phraseology. To one who believes +in the divinely intended equality of the sexes it is impossible +to consider that any mutual relation is an incident for the one +and the total of existence for the other. We may lay it down as a +premise upon which to base our whole reasoning that all mutual +relations of the sexes are not only divinely intended to, but +actually do bring equal joys, pains, pleasures and sacrifices to +both. Whatever mistake one has made has acted upon the other, and +reacted equally upon the first.</p> + +<p>The one great mistake of the ages—since woman lost her primal +independence and supremacy—to which is due all the sins and +sorrows growing out of the association of the sexes, has been in +making woman a passive agent instead of an equal factor in +arranging the laws, customs and conditions of this mutual state. +Whether marriage be a purely business partnership for the care +and maintenance of children, or whether it be a sacrament to +which the benediction of the church gives peculiar sanctity and +perpetuity and makes the parties "no more twain but one flesh," +in either case it is an absurdity, which we only tolerate because +of custom, for men alone to make all the regulations and +stipulations concerning it.</p> + +<p>This unnatural and strained assumption by one sex of the control<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> +of everything relating to marriage, and the equally unnatural and +mischievous passivity on the part of the other, have given birth +to the meek maiden waiting for her fate, to the typical +disconsolate and forlorn "superfluous woman," to the two +standards of morality for the sexes, to the mercenary marriage +with all its attendant miseries, to the selfish, exacting, +querulous wife, to the disappointed or tyrannical husband; and of +late, with the wider possibilities of individual pleasure and +satisfaction, to the growing aversion of young people to +matrimony, and the rush of women to the divorce courts for +freedom from the galling bonds; all these and a thousand +variations of each, until the nature of both sexes is so +perverted that it is impossible to decide what is nature.</p></blockquote> + +<p>A letter was read from Mrs. Matilda Joslyn Gage (N. Y.) urging women +individually to petition Senators and Representatives for the removal +of their political disabilities, because by this means these men were +compelled to think on the question.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Virginia L. Minor (Mo.) addressed the convention on The Law of +Federal Suffrage, a legal argument on the right to vote conferred by +the Constitution. Miss Anthony supplemented Mrs. Minor's argument with +a history of the Fourteenth Amendment, in which she said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>When that Fourteenth Amendment was under discussion—when it was +proposed to put the word "male" into the second section—it read: +"If any State shall disfranchise any of its citizens on account +of color, all of that class shall be counted out of the basis of +representation." But there were timid souls on the floor of +Congress at the close of the war, as well as at other periods of +our history, and to prevent the enfranchisement of women by this +amendment they moved to make it read: "If any State shall +disfranchise any of its <i>male</i> citizens, all of that class shall +be counted out of the basis of representation." Male citizens! +For the first time in the history of our Government that +discriminating adjective was placed in the Constitution, and yet +the men on the floor of Congress, from Charles Sumner down, all +declared that this amendment would not in any wise change the +status of women!</p> + +<p>We at once asserted our right to vote under this amendment: "All +persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to +the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and +of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce +any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of +citizens of the United States." Our first trial was on civil +rights, when Mrs. Myra Bradwell of Chicago, who had been for some +time publishing a law journal which every lawyer in the State +said he could not afford to do without, applied for admission to +the bar, and these same lawyers denied it. She appealed to the +Illinois Supreme Court and it confirmed the denial, because she +was not only<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> a woman but a married woman. Then she appealed her +case to the Supreme Court of the United States, and a majority of +this court decided that the right to be a lawyer was not +especially a citizen's right and that therefore the State of +Illinois could legally abridge the privileges and immunities of +its women by denying them admission to the bar.</p> + +<p>I shall never forget how our hearts sank when in 1871 that +decision came, declaring the powerlessness of the Federal +Constitution to protect women in their civil right of being +eligible to the legal profession. When we said if these rights +which it is meant to protect are not civil they must be political +rights, we thought we had the Supreme Court in a corner. But when +my trial for voting came on, Justice Hunt said that the right to +vote was a special right belonging to men alone. We didn't +believe that this decision could be confirmed, but it was, when +Mrs. Minor, who attempted to vote at the same election in her +State of Missouri, appealed her case to the Supreme Court of the +United States. It was argued by her husband, the ablest of +lawyers, and when the Judges brought in their decision it was to +the effect that the Constitution of the United States has no +voters. Thus it is that we have two Supreme Court decisions +relative to the powers of the Fourteenth Amendment to protect +women, and in both cases they have been excluded absolutely from +its provisions.</p> + +<p>I remember, Mrs. Minor (turning to that lady), how we discussed +these questions in those early years. We weren't sleepy in our +talk as we were being cut off inch by inch from the protection of +the Constitution. I remember how Mrs. Stanton said in a public +address: "If you continue to deny to women the protection of this +amendment, you will finally come to the point when it will cease +to protect even black men," and we have lived to see that day.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The address on The Coming Sex by Mrs. Eliza Archard Connor, a +well-known journalist of New York, was declared by the press to be in +its delivery "the gem of the convention." She said in part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>It is my conviction that women are the natural orators of the +race. They have keener sympathies and quicker intuitions than +men. They have a gift of language that not even their worst +enemies will deny, and these are just the qualities which go to +make the orator.... The time is coming when we shall need all our +eloquence, all our intellectual power and all our love. The day +is approaching when men will come with ballots in their hands, +begging women to use them....</p> + +<p>Wherever you go, wake women up, tell them to learn everything. +Tell them to study with all their might history, civil +government, political economy, social and industrial science—for +the time is coming when they will need them all....</p> + +<p>This is the work before us. This is the meaning of the desperate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> +unrest and unhappiness of women. It is this that has drawn us +here to enter our protest against the wicked, old, one-legged +order of things. Our honored Miss Anthony has gone through fire +and hail while she worked for her convictions. All of us have +wrought as best we might for the higher education of women, for +their pecuniary independence, for their civil and political +rights, fighting the world, the flesh and the devil.</p> + +<p>My own work has been in the field of journalism. For nearly +twenty years I have faced here every form of disability because I +am a woman, have met defeat after defeat, till the iron has +entered my soul. Yet every day I have thanked God that I have +been permitted to bear my share in the tremendous struggle for +the development of women in the nineteenth century. Struggle +means development; it can come in no other way, and this will be +the grandest since creation began—the crowned, perfected woman. +For this the cry of womanhood has risen out of the depths through +the centuries. Up through agony and despair it has come, through +sin and shame, through poverty and martyrdom, through torture +which has wrung drops of blood from woman's lips, still up, up, +till it has reached the great white throne itself.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The enrollment committee reported a list of about one hundred thousand +names of persons asking for woman suffrage. The treasurer announced +the receipts for 1888 to be $12,510. All of the expenses of the great +International Council had been paid and a balance of nearly $300 +remained.</p> + +<p>The resolutions might be described as an epitomized recital of wrongs +and a Bill of Rights.</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, Women possessed and exercised the right of suffrage in +the inauguration of this Government; and,</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, They were deprived of this right by the arbitrary Acts +of successive State Legislatures in violation of the original +compact as seen in the early constitutions; therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That it is the duty of the several States to make +prompt restitution of these ancient rights, recognized by +innumerable precedents in English history, and to-day by the +gradual extension of the suffrage over vast territories.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, Woman's title deed to an equal share in the inheritance +left her by the fathers of the Republic has been examined and +proved by able lawyers; and,</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, This right is already exercised in some form in one +hundred localities in different parts of the world; therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That sex is no longer considered a bar to the +exercise of suffrage by civilized nations.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That it is the duty of Congress to pass a declaratory +act, compelling the several States to establish a "republican +form of government" within their borders by securing to women +their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> right to vote, thus nullifying the fraudulent Acts of +Legislatures and making our Government homogeneous from Maine to +Oregon.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the question of enfranchising one-half the +people is superior to that of Indian treaties, admission of new +States, tariff, international copyright or any other subject +before the country, and that it is the foremost duty of the +Fiftieth Congress at this, its last session, to submit an +amendment to the Constitution forbidding States to disfranchise +citizens on account of sex.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That as a question of ethics the difference between +putting a fraudulent ballot in the box and keeping a rightful +ballot out is nothing, and that we condemn the action which +prevents women from casting a ballot at any election as a +shameful evidence of the corruption of dominant political parties +in this country.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, The Legislature of Washington Territory has twice voted +for woman suffrage—women for the most part having gladly +accepted and exercised the right, Governor Squire in his report +to the Secretary of the Interior in 1884 having declared that it +met the approval of a large majority of the people; and,</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, In 1887, after the women had voted for three and a half +years, the Territorial Supreme Court pronounced the law invalid +on the ground that the nature of the bill must be described in +the title of the act; and,</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, In January, 1888, another bill passed by the Legislature +gave to this law an explicit title; and the bill, again granting +suffrage to women, was signed by Governor Semple, thus +triumphantly showing the approval of the people, the Legislature +and the Governor; and,</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, The Territorial Supreme Court, in August, 1888, again +rendered a decision against the right of the women of the +Territory to vote, basing their decision upon the false +assumption that Congress had never delegated to the Territories +the right to define the status of their own voters; and,</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, This decision strikes a blow at the fundamental powers +of the United States Congress, confounding laws delegated to the +Territories by the Organic Act of 1852, which vests in their +Legislatures the power to prescribe their qualifications for +voting and holding office—with State governments which limit +legislative enactments by constitutions of their own making—thus +setting at naught the will of the people; therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That we earnestly and respectfully petition Congress +that in passing an enabling act or acts for the admission of the +other Territories there be incorporated a clause allowing women +to vote for delegates to their constitutional conventions, and at +the election for the adoption of the constitution, in every one +where the Legislature has granted woman suffrage and such law has +not been repealed by a subsequent Legislature.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, In the year 1873 our leader, Susan B. Anthony, was +deprived of the right of trial by jury, by a Judge of the Supreme +Court of the United States, simply because she was a woman, it is +the duty of all women to resent the insult thus offered to +womanhood<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> and demand of the men of this closing century of +constitutional government such condemnation of this infamous +decision of Judge Ward Hunt<a name="FNanchor_74_74" id="FNanchor_74_74"></a><a href="#Footnote_74_74" class="fnanchor">[74]</a> as shall teach the coming +generation of voters that the welfare of the republic demands +that women be protected equally with men in the exercise of +citizenship; and,</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, In the great Centennial Celebration of 1876 women were +denied all participation in the public proceedings commemorating +the birth of the Declaration of Independence, though they sought +earnestly and respectfully to declare their sentiments of loyalty +to the great principles of liberty and responsibility there +enunciated, they should now demand official recognition by +Congress and the State Legislature on all the Boards of +Commissioners which, at the public expense, are to initiate and +carry out the august ceremonials of the coming Constitutional +Celebration in New York in April, 1889, to the end that taxation +without representation shall no longer be acknowledged a just and +constitutional policy in this government nominally of the +<i>people</i>, therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That a committee be appointed by the National W. S. +A. to memorialize Congress on this subject, and to take such +other action as shall bring before the enlightened manhood of our +country their duty of chivalry no less than justice in this +important matter.<a name="FNanchor_75_75" id="FNanchor_75_75"></a><a href="#Footnote_75_75" class="fnanchor">[75]</a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, The question of woman's enfranchisement is fundamental +and of paramount importance; therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That, while the National Woman Suffrage Association +welcomes and claims the support of persons of all parties and +beliefs, it desires to strongly reassert the position which it +has held of being nonpartisan.</p></blockquote> + +<p>A hearing was granted by the Senate Committee on Woman Suffrage the +morning of January 24. Mrs. Hooker, Mrs. Minor, Mrs. Duniway, Mrs. +Johns, the Rev. Olympia Brown, the Rev. Miss Shaw and Miss Alice Stone +Blackwell were introduced to the committee by Miss Anthony, and each +from a different standpoint presented the arguments for the submission +of a Sixteenth Amendment enfranchising women.</p> + +<p>On February 7, Senator Blair reported for the committee—Senators +Charles B. Farwell (Ill.), Jonathan Chace (R. I.), Edward O. Wolcott +(Col.), in favor of the amendment. After an able and exhaustive +argument the report closed as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Unless this Government shall be made and preserved truly +republican in form by the enfranchisement of woman, the great +reforms which her ballot would accomplish may never be; the +demoralization and disintegration now proceeding in the body +politic are not likely soon to be arrested. Corruption of the +male suffrage<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> is already a well-nigh fatal disease; intemperance +has no sufficient foe in the law-making power; a republican form +of government can not survive half-slave and half-free.</p> + +<p>The ballot is withheld from women because men are not willing to +part with one-half the sovereign power. There is no other real +cause for the continued perpetration of this unnatural tyranny.</p> + +<p>Enfranchise women or this republic will steadily advance to the +same destruction, the same ignoble and tragic catastrophe, which +has engulfed the male republics of history. Let us establish a +government in which both men and women shall be free indeed. Then +shall the republic be perpetual.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The women of the nation are deeply indebted to Senator Blair for his +able and persistent efforts in their behalf. Year after year, in the +midst of the great pressure of duties connected with his office, he +carefully prepared these constitutional and legal reports knowing that +they could have only the indirect results of educating public +sentiment and contributing to the history of this great movement for +the political rights of half the race.</p> + +<p>The other members of the committee, Senators Zebulon B. Vance (N. C.), +Joseph E. Brown (Ga.), J. B. Beck (Ky.), announced that they should +present a minority report in opposition, but as "Letters from a +Chimney Corner," by Mrs. Caroline F. Corbin, and "The Law of Woman +Life," by Mrs. A. D. T. Whitney, apparently had been exhausted, and as +no other woman had provided them with the necessary ideas, the report +never materialized. Senator Vance, however, as chairman of this Select +Suffrage Committee asked for a clerk at this time, to be paid out of +the contingent fund.</p> + +<p>The House Judiciary Committee granted a hearing January 28, which was +addressed by Miss Anthony, Mrs. Hooker, Mrs. Duniway, Mrs. Minor, the +Rev. Olympia Brown, Mrs. Colby, Miss Lavina A. Hatch (Mass.) and Mrs. +Ella M. Marble (Minn.). The committee took no action.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_73_73" id="Footnote_73_73"></a><a href="#FNanchor_73_73"><span class="label">[73]</span></a> It is a loss to posterity that Miss Shaw never writes +her addresses. She is beyond question the leading woman orator of this +generation, and is not surpassed in power by any of the men.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_74_74" id="Footnote_74_74"></a><a href="#FNanchor_74_74"><span class="label">[74]</span></a> See <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_647">History of Woman Suffrage, Vol. II, p. 647</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_75_75" id="Footnote_75_75"></a><a href="#FNanchor_75_75"><span class="label">[75]</span></a> This was done, but no representation was allowed women +in the celebration.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<h3>THE NATIONAL-AMERICAN CONVENTION OF 1890.</h3> + + +<p>The winter of 1890 brought the usual crowd of eminent women to +Washington to attend the Twenty-second national convention of the +suffrage association, February 18-21. As the president, Mrs. Elizabeth +Cady Stanton, was to start for Europe on the 19th, the congressional +hearings took place previous to the convention and consisted only of +her address. The Senate hearing on February 8 was held for the first +time in the new room set apart for the Select Committee on Woman +Suffrage, but much objection was made because on account of its size +only a small audience could be admitted. Senators Vance, Farwell, +Blair and John B. Allen of the new State of Washington were present. +Mrs. Stanton said in part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>For almost a quarter of a century a body of intelligent and +law-abiding women have held annual conventions in Washington and +made their appeals before committees of the House and the Senate, +asking to be recognized as citizens of this Republic. A whole +generation of distinguished members, who have each in turn given +us aid and encouragement, have passed away—Seward, Sumner, +Wilson, Giddings, Wade, Garfield, Morton and Sargent—with +Hamlin, Butler and Julian still living, have all declared our +demands just, our arguments unanswerable.</p> + +<p>In consulting at an early day as to the form in which our claims +should be presented, some said by an amendment to the +Constitution, others said the Constitution as it is, in spirit +and letter, is broad enough to protect the rights of every +citizen under our flag. But when the war came and we saw that it +took three amendments to make the slaves of the South +full-fledged citizens, we thought it would take at least one to +make woman's calling and election sure. So we asked for a +Sixteenth Amendment. But learned lawyers, Judges and Congressmen +took the ground that women were already enfranchised by the +Fourteenth Amendment. The House minority report in 1871, signed +by Benjamin F. Butler and William Loughridge, held that view. It +is an able, unanswerable argument on the whole question, based on +the oft-repeated principles of the Republican<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> party at that +time. It stands to-day a living monument of the grossest +inconsistencies of which the Republican party ever was +guilty.<a name="FNanchor_76_76" id="FNanchor_76_76"></a><a href="#Footnote_76_76" class="fnanchor">[76]</a> ...</p> + +<p>We can not play fast and loose with the eternal principle of +justice without being caught sooner or later in the net of our +own weaving. The legitimate results of the war have been all +frittered away by political maneuvering. While Northern statesmen +have made a football of the rights of 12,000,000 women as voters, +and by Supreme Court decisions driven them from the polls, why +arraign the men in the South for treating 1,000,000 freedmen in +the same way? Are the rights of that class of citizens more +sacred than ours? Are the violations of the fundamental +principles of our Government in their case more dangerous than in +ours?...</p> + +<p>In addressing those who already enjoy the right of suffrage, one +naturally would suppose that it would not be necessary to enlarge +on the advantages of having a voice in deciding the laws and the +rulers under which one lives. And neither would it if each member +of this committee understood that woman's wants and needs are +similar to his own; that the cardinal virtues belong to her as +well as to him; that personal dignity, the power of +self-protection, are as important for her as for him; that woman +loves justice, equality, liberty, and wishes the right to give +her consent to the Government under which she lives, as much as +man does. Matthew Arnold says: "The first desire of every +cultured mind is to take part in the great work of government." +...</p> + +<p>If we would rouse new respect for womanhood in the hearts of the +masses, we must place woman in a position to respect herself, +which she can never do as long as her political status is beneath +that of the most degraded, ignorant classes of men. To make women +the political equals of their sons, or even of their gardeners +and coachmen, would add new dignity to their position; and to +change our laws and constitutions in harmony with the new status +would have its influence on the large class of young men now +devoting themselves to the study of the law. Lord Brougham said +long ago that the Common Law of England for women, and all the +statutes based on such principles, were a disgrace to the +Christianity and civilization of the nineteenth century. Do you +think our sons can rise from such studies with a high ideal of +womanhood? And with what feelings do you suppose women themselves +read these laws, and the articles in the State constitutions, +rating them with the disreputable and feeble-minded classes? Can +you not understand the dignity, the pride, the new-born +self-respect which would thrill the hearts of the women of this +nation in their enfranchisement? It would elevate their sphere of +action and every department of labor in which they are occupied; +it would give new force to their words as teachers, reformers and +missionaries, new strength to their work as guardians of the +young, the wayward and the unfortunate. It would transform them +from slaves to sovereigns,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> crowned with the rights of +citizenship, with the ballot, that scepter of power, in their own +right hands....</p> + +<p>If there are any who do not wish to vote, that is the strongest +reason for their enfranchisement. If all love of liberty has been +quenched in their souls by their degraded condition, the duties +of citizenship and the responsibility of self-government should +be laid upon them at once, for their pitiful indifference is +merely the result of their disfranchisement. Would that I could +awake in the minds of my countrywomen the full significance of +this demand for the right of suffrage; what it is to be queens in +their own right, intrusted with the power of self-government, +possessed of all the privileges and immunities of American +citizens....</p> + +<p>Whoever heard of an heir apparent to a throne in the Old World +abdicating her rights because some conservative politician or +austere bishop doubted woman's capacity to govern? History +affords no such example. Those who have had the right to a throne +have invariably taken possession of it and, against intriguing +cardinals, ambitious nobles and jealous kinsmen, fought even to +the death to maintain the royal prerogatives which by inheritance +were theirs. When I hear American women, descendants of +Jefferson, Hancock and Adams, say they do not want to vote, I +feel that the blood of the revolutionary heroes must long since +have ceased to flow in their veins.</p> + +<p>Suppose when the day dawned for Victoria to be crowned Queen of +England she had gone before the House of Commons and begged that +such terrible responsibilities might not be laid upon her, +declaring that she had not the moral stamina nor intellectual +ability for the position; that her natural delicacy and +refinement shrank from the encounter; that she was looking +forward to the all-absorbing duties of domestic life, to a +husband, children, home, to her influence in the social circle +where the Christian graces are best employed. Suppose with a +tremulous voice and a few stray tears in her blue eyes, her head +drooping on one side, she had said she knew nothing of the +science of government; that a crown did not befit a woman's brow; +that she had not the physical strength even to wave her nation's +flag, much less to hold the scepter of power over so vast an +empire; that in case of war she could not fight and hence could +not reign, as there must be force behind the throne, and this +force must be centered in the hand which governed. What would her +Parliament have thought? What would other nations have +thought?...</p> + +<p>None of you would admit, honorable gentlemen, that all the great +principles of government which center round our theories of +justice, liberty and equality in favor of individual sovereignty +have not as yet produced as high a type of womanhood as has a +monarchy in the Old World. We have a large number of women as +well fitted as Victoria for the most responsible positions in the +Government, who could fill the highest places with equal dignity +and wisdom.</p> + +<p>There is no subject more intensely interesting to men than the +science of government, and when their wives are intelligent on +all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> the questions it comprises they will be far more valuable +companions than they are to-day. Marriage means companionship, a +similarity of tastes and opinions, and where one of the parties +has no interest in or knowledge of those subjects most absorbing +to the other, the bonds of union necessarily are weakened. So +long as woman's thought is centered in personal and family +aggrandizement, her strongest influence will be used to keep +man's interest there also. The virtue of patriotism would be far +greater among men, their devotion to the public good far more +earnest, if the influences of home life were not continually +drawing them into a narrow selfishness.</p> + +<p>Women naturally take no interest in questions where their +opinions have no weight, in a sphere of action from which they +are excluded. They are not supposed to know what is necessary for +the public good, hence how could they influence their husbands to +make that their first duty when in public life? But when women +are enfranchised their interest in the State will deepen. They +will see that the welfare of their own children depends as much +on the conditions of the outside world as on the environments of +their own homes. This settled discontent of women is exerting an +insidious influence which is undermining the very foundations of +the home as well as the State. We must rouse them to new hopes, +new ambitions, new aspirations, through the enjoyment of the +blessings of freedom and self-government.</p> + +<p>Moreover, an active participation in the practical duties of +government by educated women would bring a new and needed element +to the State. We can not overestimate the influence women exert, +whether for good or ill, hence the immense importance of their +having right views on all questions of public interest and some +knowledge of the requirements of practical politics. But their +power to-day is wholly irresponsible and hence dangerous. Lay on +them the responsibility of legislating, with all the criticism +and odium of a constituency and a party, in case they make some +blunder, and you render them wiser in judgment and more +deliberate in action. To secure this large disfranchised class as +allies to one of the leading parties would be a wise measure for +that party and bring a new element of morality and intelligence +into the body politic. Women are now taking a more active part in +public affairs than ever before and, with political freedom, +always will be the reserved moral power to sustain great men in +their best endeavors.</p></blockquote> + +<p>An interesting conversation followed. Chairman Zebulon B. Vance (N. +C.) asked Mrs. Stanton if women would be willing to go to war if they +had the ballot. She answered that they would decide whether there +should be war. He inquired whether women would not lose their refining +influence and moral qualities if they engaged in men's work. She +replied that there would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> have to be a definition of "men's work" and +that she found the latter in many avocations, such as washing, +cooking, and selling needles and tape, which might be considered the +work of women. "The moral qualities," she said, "are more apt to grow +when a human being is useful, and they increase in the woman who helps +to support the family rather than in the one who gives herself to +idleness and fashionable frivolities. The consideration of questions +of legislation, finance, free trade, etc., certainly would not degrade +woman, nor is her refinement so evanescent a virtue that it could be +swept away by some work which she might do with her hands. Queen +Victoria looked as dignified and refined in opening Parliament as any +lady one ever had seen."</p> + +<p>Miss Susan B. Anthony, who was never so happy as when her beloved +friend was scoring a victory, said there would always be a division of +labor, in time of war as in time of peace. Women would do their share +in the hospitals and elsewhere, and if they were enfranchised, the +only difference would be that they would be paid for their services +and pensioned at the close of the war. Mrs. Colby reminded the +committee that the report of the U. S. Commissioner of Labor showed +that the largest proportion of immoral women came from home life and +the more feminine occupations.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Stanton drew from the chairman the admission that his wife wanted +the franchise, and he laughingly admitted that he had had the worst of +the discussion. Senator Allen expressed himself in favor of woman +suffrage, and Senator Charles B. Farwell said, "The suffragists have +logic, argument, everything on their side."</p> + +<p>Another heaping was granted by the Senate Committee, February 24, when +they were addressed by the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, Mrs. Sallie Clay +Bennett, Mrs. Virginia L. Minor and Mrs. Clara Bewick Colby.</p> + +<p>Later in the session Senator Henry W. Blair (N. H.) presented the +majority report of the Committee (No. 1576), the usual strong, +dignified statement. It closed as follows: "To deny the submission of +this joint resolution to the action of the Legislatures of the States +is analogous to the denial of the right of justice in the courts. It +is to say that no plaintiff shall bring<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> his suit; no claimant of +justice shall be heard; and whatever may be the result to the friends +of woman suffrage when they reach the Legislatures of the States, it +is, in our belief, the duty of Congress to submit the joint resolution +and give them the opportunity to try their case."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Stanton presented the same address before the House Judiciary +Committee, February 11, with the result that for the first time in +history a majority House report in favor of a Sixteenth Amendment was +submitted. It was presented by Lucien B. Caswell (Wis.) and said in +conclusion: "The disfranchisement of twelve millions of people, who +are citizens of the United States, should command from us an immediate +action. Since the women of this country are unjustly deprived of a +right so essential to complete citizenship in a republic as the +elective franchise, common justice requires that we should submit the +proposition for a change in the fundamental law to the State +Legislatures, where the correction can be made."<a name="FNanchor_77_77" id="FNanchor_77_77"></a><a href="#Footnote_77_77" class="fnanchor">[77]</a></p> + +<p>The fiftieth birthday of Susan B. Anthony had been celebrated in New +York City in 1870 by a large number of prominent men and women, the +first instance of the kind on record. It had been decided by her +friends that her seventieth birthday should receive a similar +recognition, but that it should be more national in character. The +arrangements were made by Mrs. May Wright Sewall and Mrs. Rachel +Foster Avery, and on the evening of February 15 a distinguished +company of two hundred sat around the banquet tables in the great +dining-room of the Riggs House. Miss Anthony occupied the place of +honor, on her right Senator Blair and Mrs. Stanton, on her left Robert +Purvis, Mrs. Isabella Beecher Hooker and Mrs. Sewall, who presided. In +addition to the after-dinner speeches of these distinguished guests +there were clever and sparkling responses to toasts by the Rev. Anna +Howard Shaw, Mrs. Matilda Joslyn Gage, Miss Phoebe W. Couzins, the +Rev. Frederick A. Hinckley, Representative J. A. Pickler (S. D.), Mrs. +Colby, Mrs. Stanton's two daughters—Mrs. Harriot Blatch and Mrs. +Margaret Lawrence—Mrs. Laura Ormiston<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> Chant of England, and others. +Mrs. Stanton began her address by saying: "If there is one part of my +life which gives me more intense satisfaction than another, it is my +friendship of more than forty years' standing with Susan B. Anthony." +The key-note to Miss Anthony's touching response was struck in the +opening sentence: "The thing I most hope for is that, should I stay on +this planet twenty years longer, I still may be worthy of the +wonderful respect you have manifested for me to-night."</p> + +<p>Among the more than two hundred letters, poems and telegrams received +were those of George William Curtis, William Lloyd Garrison, John G. +Whittier, George F. Hoar, Lucy Stone, Frances E. Willard, Speaker +Thomas B. Reed, Mrs. John A. Logan, Thomas W. Palmer, the Rev. Olympia +Brown, Harriet Hosmer, Elizabeth Boynton Harbert, Alice Williams +Brotherton, Charles Nordhoff, Frank G. Carpenter, U. S. Senator Henry +L. Dawes, Neal Dow, Laura M. Johns, T. V. Powderly and Leonora M. +Barry. Most of the prominent newspapers in the country contained +editorial congratulations, and the <i>Woman's Tribune</i> issued a special +birthday edition.</p> + +<p>The convention opened in Metzerott's Music Hall, February 18, 1890, +continuing four days. The feature of this occasion which will +distinguish it in history was the formal union of the National and the +American Associations under the joint name. For the past twenty-one +years two distinctive societies had been in existence, both national +as to scope but differing as to methods. Negotiations had been in +progress for several years toward a uniting of the forces and, the +preliminaries having been satisfactorily arranged by committees from +the two bodies,<a name="FNanchor_78_78" id="FNanchor_78_78"></a><a href="#Footnote_78_78" class="fnanchor">[78]</a> the officers and members of both participated in +this national convention of 1890.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the newly-elected president of the united +societies, faced a brilliant assemblage of men and women as she arose +to make the opening address. Having declared<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> that in going to England +as president of the National-American Association she felt more +honored than if sent as minister plenipotentiary of the United States, +she spoke to a set of resolutions which she presented to the +convention.<a name="FNanchor_79_79" id="FNanchor_79_79"></a><a href="#Footnote_79_79" class="fnanchor">[79]</a> After reviewing the history of the movement for the +rights of woman and naming some of its brilliant leaders she said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>For fifty years we have been plaintiffs in the courts of justice, +but as the bench, the bar and the jury are all men, we are +nonsuited every time. Some men tell us we must be patient and +persuasive; that we must be womanly. My friends, what is man's +idea of womanliness? It is to have a manner which pleases +him—quiet, deferential, submissive, approaching him as a subject +does a master. He wants no self-assertion on our part, no +defiance, no vehement arraignment of him as a robber and a +criminal. While the grand motto, "Resistance to tyrants is +obedience to God," has echoed and re-echoed around the globe, +electrifying the lovers of liberty in every latitude and making +crowned heads tremble on their thrones; while every right +achieved by the oppressed has been wrung from tyrants by force; +while the darkest page on human history is the outrages on +women—shall men still tell us to be patient, persuasive, +womanly?</p> + +<p>What do we know as yet of the womanly? The women we have seen +thus far have been, with rare exceptions, the mere echoes of men. +Man has spoken in the State, the Church and the Home, and made +the codes, creeds and customs which govern every relation in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> +life, and women have simply echoed all his thoughts and walked in +the paths he prescribed. And this they call womanly! When Joan of +Arc led the French army to victory I dare say the carpet knights +of England thought her unwomanly. When Florence Nightingale, in +search of blankets for the soldiers in the Crimean War, cut her +way through all orders and red tape, commanded with vehemence and +determination those who guarded the supplies to "unlock the doors +and not talk to her of proper authorities when brave men were +shivering in their beds," no doubt she was called unwomanly. To +me, "unlock the doors" sounds better than any words of +circumlocution, however sweet and persuasive, and I consider that +she took the most womanly way of accomplishing her object. +Patience and persuasiveness are beautiful virtues in dealing with +children and feeble-minded adults, but those who have the gift of +reason and understand the principles of justice, it is our duty +to compel to act up to the highest light that is in them, and as +promptly as possible.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Stanton urged that women should have more power in church +management, saying:</p> + +<blockquote><p>As women are taking an active part in pressing on the +consideration of Congress many narrow sectarian measures, such as +more rigid Sunday laws, the stopping of travel, the distribution +of the mail on that day, and the introduction of the name of God +into the Constitution; and as this action on the part of some +women is used as an argument for the disfranchisement of all, I +hope this convention will declare that the Woman Suffrage +Association is opposed to all union of Church and State, and +pledges itself as far as possible to maintain the secular nature +of our Government. As Sunday is the only day that the laboring +man can escape from the cities, to stop the street-cars, +omnibuses and railroad trains would indeed be a lamentable +exercise of arbitrary authority. No, no, the duty of the State is +to protect those who do the work of the world, in the largest +liberty, and instead of shutting them up in their gloomy tenement +houses on Sunday, to open wide the parks, horticultural gardens, +museums, libraries, galleries of art and the music halls where +they can listen to the divine melodies of the great masters.</p></blockquote> + +<p>She demanded that women declare boldly and decisively on all the vital +issues of the day, and said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In this way we make ourselves mediums through which the great +souls of the past may speak again. The moment we begin to fear +the opinions of others and hesitate to tell the truth that is in +us, and from motives of policy are silent when we should speak, +the divine floods of light and life flow no longer into our +souls. Every truth we see is ours to give the world, not to keep +for ourselves alone, for in so doing we cheat humanity out of +their rights and check our own development.</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span></p> + +<p>As Mrs. Stanton finished she introduced her daughter, Mrs. Blatch, a +resident of England, who in a few impressive remarks showed that on +the great socialistic questions of the day—capital and labor, woman +suffrage, race prejudice—England was liberal and the United States +conservative; that the latter had beautiful ideas but did not apply +them, and tended too much to the worship of legislation.</p> + +<p>The Hon. Wm. Dudley Foulke, retiring president of the American +Association, an uncompromising advocate of woman's enfranchisement, +then made a strong and scholarly address in the course of which he +said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The fundamental rights of self-government, the right of each man +to cast his single vote and have it counted as it is cast, is of +greater and more lasting importance than any of the temporary +consequences which flow from the result of any election. Beyond +all matters of expediency and good administration lies the great +question of human liberty and equality, which can only be +maintained by the uncorrupted equal suffrage of every citizen; +and so sacred is this in the eyes of the law that years of +penitentiary service are prescribed for the interference with the +right of a single human being of the male sex to cast the vote +which the law allows him.</p> + +<p>But there may be a moral guilt outside the law, of a character +quite similar to that which is so punished when it comes within +the terms of the statute, and it may be the crime, not of a +single lawbreaker, but of the entire community that establishes +the constitutions and enacts the statutes, which denies these +equal rights to citizens who are subject to equal burdens. +Wherever the rule of power is substituted for the just and +equitable principle that all who are subject to government should +have a voice in controlling it, we are guilty under the form of +law of the same violation of the just rights of others for which +the corruptor of elections and the forger of tally-sheets is +tried, convicted and incarcerated. Yet from the remotest times +the world has done this thing, for equal rights have never been +conceded to women, and so warped are our convictions by custom +and prejudice that a denial of their political equality seems as +natural as the breath we draw....</p> + +<p>Paternalism in government, which seeks to do good to the people +against their will, is wrong in the Czar of Russia and in old +King George, but is quite right and just when it affects only our +wives, sisters and daughters! They have everything they need, why +ask the ballot? Ah, my friends, so long as they have not the +right to determine the thing they need, so long as the ultimate +sovereignty remains with men to say what is good and what is bad +for them, they are deprived of that which we, as men, esteem the +most precious of all rights. I suppose there never was a time +when men did not believe that women had everything they ought to +want; that they had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> as much as was good for them. The woman must +obey in consideration of the kind protection which her lord +vouchsafes to her. The wife's property ought to belong to the +husband, because upon him the law casts the burden of sustaining +the family. There must be a ruler, and the husband ought to be +that one. But this is the same principle which, during thousands +of years, maintained the divine right of kings. When we apply it +to our system of suffrage the number of sovereigns is increased, +that is all. It is a recognition of the divine right of man to +legislate for himself and woman too. It is only a difference in +the number of autocrats and the manner in which their decrees are +promulgated....</p> + +<p>By what argument can a man defend his own suffrage as a right and +not concede an equal right to woman? A just man ought to accord +to every other human being, even his own wife, the rights which +he demands himself.</p> + +<p>"But she has her sphere and she ought not go beyond it." My +friend, who gave you the right to determine what that sphere +should be? If nature prescribes it, nature will carry out her own +ordinances without your prohibitory legislation. I have the +greatest contempt for the sort of legislation which seeks to +enable nature to carry out her own immutable laws. I would have +very little respect for any decree, enacted with whatever +solemnity, which should prescribe that an object shall fall +towards the earth and not from it; and I have just as little +respect for any statute of man which enacts that women shall +continue to love and care for their children by shutting them out +from political action and preferment lest they should neglect the +duties of the household....</p> + +<p>"But," say you, "woman is already adequately represented. She +does not form a separate class. She has no interests different +from those of her husband, brother or father." These arguments +have been used even by so eminent an authority as John Bright. Is +it indeed a fact? Wherever woman owns property which she would +relieve from unjust taxation; wherever she has a son whom she +would preserve from the temptations of intemperance, or a +daughter from the enticements of a libertine, or a husband from +the conscriptions of war, she has a separate interest which she +is entitled to protect.</p> + +<p>"But she can control legislation by her influence." If it were +proposed to take away our right to vote, we would think it a +satisfactory answer that our influence would still remain? If she +has influence she is entitled to that and her vote too. You have +no right to burn down a man's house because you leave him his +lot.</p> + +<p>"But woman does not want the suffrage." How do you know? have you +given her an opportunity of saying so? Wherever the right has +been accorded it has been generally exercised, and the best proof +of her wishes is the actual use which she makes of the ballot +when she has it. But it makes no difference whether all women +want to vote or whether most women want to vote, so long as there +is one woman who insists upon this simple right, the justice of +America can not afford to deny it....</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span></p> + +<p>At the close of Mr. Foulke's address Mrs. Stanton was obliged to leave +in order to reach New York City in time for her steamer. The entire +audience arose, the women waving handkerchiefs and the men joining in +three farewell cheers.</p> + +<p>One splendid address followed another, morning and evening, while the +afternoons were occupied with business meetings, and even here there +were many little speeches which were worthy of preservation. Among +them was one of Miss Anthony's, in which she said: "If it is +necessary, I will fight forty years more to make our platform free for +the Christian to stand upon, whether she be a Catholic and counts her +beads, or a Protestant of the straightest orthodox sect, just as I +have fought for the rights of the 'infidels' the last forty years. +These are the principles I want to maintain—that our platform may be +kept as broad as the universe, that upon it may stand the +representatives of all creeds and of no creeds—Jew and Christian, +Protestant and Catholic, Gentile and Mormon, believer and atheist."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Isabella Beecher Hooker (Conn.) discussed The Centennial of 1892, +demanding the recognition of women. Mrs. Mary Seymour Howell (N. Y.) +spoke on the Present, the Destiny of To-day. Mrs. Ormiston Chant +(Eng.) depicted the glory of The Coming Woman. Mrs. Carrie Chapman +Catt made her first appearance on the national platform with an +address on The Symbol of Liberty, describing political conditions with +a keen knowledge of the facts and showing their need of the +intelligence, morality and independence of women. The subject selected +by Miss Phoebe W. Couzins, herself an office-holder, was Woman's +Influence in Official Government.</p> + +<p>Henry B. Blackwell made a strong speech on Woman Suffrage a Growth of +Civilization. He read a letter from Lucy Stone, his wife, who was to +have spoken on The Progress of Women but was prevented by illness, in +which she said: "The time is full of encouragement for us. We look +back to our small beginnings and over the many years of constant +endeavor to secure for women the application of the principles which +are the foundation of a representative government. Now we are a host. +Both Houses of Congress and the legislative bodies in nearly all the +States, have our questions before them. So has the civilized<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> world. +Surely at no distant day the sense of justice which exists in +everybody will secure our claim, and we shall have at last a truly +representative government, of the people, by the people and for the +people. We may, therefore, rejoicing in what is already gained, look +forward with hope to the future."</p> + +<p>A large audience listened to the address of Mrs. Julia Ward Howe on +The Chivalry of Reform, during which she said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The political enfranchisement of woman has long been sought upon +the ground of abstract right and justice. This ground is surely +the soundest and safest basis for any claim to rest upon. But +mankind, after yielding a general obedience to the moral law, +will reserve for themselves a certain freedom in its application +to particular things. Even in so imperative a matter as the +salvation of their own souls they will not be content with +weights and measures. The touch of sentiment must come in, +uplifting what law knocks down, freeing what it trammels, +satisfying man's love for freedom by ministering to his sense of +beauty. When this subtle power joins itself to the demonstrations +of reason, the victory is sure and lasting.</p> + +<p>It is in the grand order of these ideas that I stand here to +advocate the enfranchisement of my sex. Morally, socially, +intellectually equal with men, it is right that we should be +politically equal with them in a society which claims to +recognize and uphold one equal humanity. I do not say it is <i>our</i> +right. I say it is right—God's right and the world's.</p> + +<p>In the name of high sentiment then, in the name of all that good +men profess, I ask that the gracious act may be consummated which +will admit us to the place that henceforth befits us, that of +equal participants with you in the sovereignty of the people. Do +this in the spirit of that mercy whose quality is not strained. +Remember that the neglect of justice brings with it the direst +retribution. Make your debt to us a debt of honor, and pay it in +that spirit; if you do not pay it, dread the proportions which +its arrears will assume. Remember that he who has the power to do +justice and refrains from doing it, will presently find it doing +itself, to his no small discomfiture....</p> + +<p>Women, trained for the moral warfare of the time, armed with the +fine instincts which are their birthright, are not doomed to sit +forever as mere spectators in these great encounters of society. +They are to deserve the crown as well as to bestow it; to meet +the powers of darkness with the powers of light; to bring their +potent aid to the eternal conquest of right. And let me say here +to those women who not only hang back from this encounter but who +throw obstacles in the way of true reform and progress, that the +shallow ground upon which they stand is within the belt of the +moral earthquake, and that what they build upon it will be +overthrown....</p></blockquote> + +<p>The Rev. Miss Shaw, in an address filled with humor as well<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> as logic, +treated of Our Unconscious Allies, among whom she included clergymen +who oppose equal suffrage, the women remonstrants with their weak +documents, the colleges which try to keep out girls, and the many +cases of outrage and wrong committed by "our motherless Government." +The Rev. Olympia Brown replied to the question, Where is the Mistake? +With great power and earnestness she pointed out the mistakes made by +our Government during the century of its existence and demanded the +correction of the greatest one of all—the exclusion of women.</p> + +<p>The address of Mrs. Zerelda G. Wallace (Ind.), A Whole Humanity, +aroused the universal sympathy and appreciation of the audience, +permeated as it was with the spirit of love, charity and justice:</p> + +<blockquote><p>....The animus of this movement for woman's freedom has been +mistaken in the idea that it meant competition between women and +men; to my thought it simply means co-operation in the work of +the world. The man is to bring the physical forces, and he has +done that work magnificently. I never go over this continent and +see what men have done, that I do not feel like bowing my head in +reverence to their wisdom, their strength, their power, and I +think the nearest thing we see to divinity is the incarnation of +the God-head in a grand good man.</p> + +<p>But there are other forces which must be brought into subjection +to humanity before we reach the highest development, and those +are the moral and spiritual forces. That is woman's share +largely, not that I exempt man, but pre-eminently woman is the +teacher of the race; in virtue of her motherhood she is the +character builder; she forms the soul life; she rears the +generations. It is not part of woman's work to contend with man +for supremacy over the material forces. It was never told to +woman that she should earn her bread by the sweat of her brow. +That was man's curse. He was to earn his bread and woman's too, +if he faithfully performed his duty, and we are not "dependents" +even if he does that. I never allow a man to say in my presence +that he "supports" his wife, and I want every woman to take the +same position. I would correct any man and tell him he was +mistaken in his phraseology if he should say anything of that +kind. You have something different to do, my sisters. You shall +hate evil, was said to woman, and evil shall hate you. There +shall go forth from you an influence which shall ultimately +exterminate evil.... The men of this nation would never have made +the success they have in the material world, if some stronger +force had limited them on all sides.</p> + +<p>I said a moment ago that I do not like the idea of dependence of +women on men, or the dependence of men on women. I do not like<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> +the word independence, but I do like the word interdependence. It +is said of this beautiful country, "United we stand, divided we +fall." It is the same with men and women. Men without women would +go back to barbarism, and women without men would be most +frivolous and vain. If we work not in competition but in +co-operation and harmony we shall bring the race to its ultimate +inheritance, which is rulership over the universe.</p> + +<p>Now to deprive woman of the right to express her thought with +authority at the ballot-box in regard to the laws under which she +is governed, puts a mark of imbecility upon her at once. So far +as the Government is concerned we are held in perpetual tutelage, +we are minors always, and while good men will act justly towards +women, it is an excuse for every bad and foolish man to oppress +them, and every unfledged boy to make them the subject of +ridicule....</p> + +<p>I believe the great majority of American men love our free +institutions; I believe they have hope and pride in the future of +this nation; but as sure as you live, every argument you use +against the enfranchisement of women deals a death-blow against +the fundamental principle which lies at the base of our +government, and it is treason to bring an argument against it.</p> + +<p>Another thing which you permit is reacting now to the detriment +of our free institutions; if from prejudice or expediency you +think you have a right to withhold the ballot from the women of +this nation, you have but to go one step further and deprive any +other class of a right they already have, should you think it +expedient to do so. It is beginning to bear its fruit now in your +elections. You are becoming demoralized; ballots are bought and +sold; you have your blocks of five; and in some entire +communities the men are deprived of the right of suffrage. It is +simply a question of time how long you will be able to maintain +the freedom you cherish for yourselves.</p> + +<p>If we women are citizens, if we are governed, if we are a part of +the people, according to the plain declarations of the +fundamental principles which underlie this nation, we are as much +entitled to vote as you, and you can not make an argument against +us that would not disfranchise yourselves.</p> + +<p>I feel this phase of the question more acutely than any other +because I think from a fundamental standpoint the progress of the +race is bound up in republican institutions. It is not a question +of woman's rights, it is a question of human rights, of the +success or failure of these institutions, and the more highly +cultured a woman is the more deeply she feels this +humiliation....</p> + +<p>I do not think it weakness to say that women love, and that love +predominates in their nature, because, my friends, love is the +only immortal principle in the universe. Love is to endure +forever. Faith will be swallowed up in knowledge after a while, +and hope in fruition, but love abides forever. It is peculiarly +an attribute of our feminine nature to love our offspring over +everything else; for them we would peril our lives; and for the +men of this nation, under our form of government, to say to us +that we shall not have the power which will enable us through +laws and legislation to decide the conditions<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> which shall +surround them, and throw the mother love around these children +from the cradle to the grave, is an inhuman use of their +authority....</p></blockquote> + +<p>The Washington <i>Star</i> said: "If the first day of the convention was +Mrs. Stanton's, the rest have belonged to Miss Anthony, 'Saint Susan,' +as her followers love to call her. As vice-president-at-large she +presided over every session, and never was in better voice or more +enthusiastic spirits. As she sat by the table clad in a handsome dress +of black satin, she was the life and soul of the meetings.... She does +not make much noise with her gavel,<a name="FNanchor_80_80" id="FNanchor_80_80"></a><a href="#Footnote_80_80" class="fnanchor">[80]</a> nor does she have to use it +often, but she manages to keep the organization over which she +presides in a state of order that puts to shame many a convention of +the other sex. Business is transacted in proper shape, and every +important measure receives its due share of attention. There is no +filibustering. The speakers who have been invited to address the +convention are listened to with attention and interest. When speeches +are on the program they are made. When resolutions are desired they +are presented, discussed, rejected or adopted as the case may be.... +There are no attempts to push through unsuitable measures in haste and +without the necessary attention. If any of those who have not attended +the meetings of the association are of the opinion that serious +breaches of parliamentary usage are committed through ignorance or +with intent, they are laboring under a decided delusion."</p> + +<p>The business meeting devoted to a discussion of Our Attitude toward +Political Parties proved to be the most exciting of the series. Among +the speakers were Mr. Foulke, Mrs. Sewall, Mrs. Howe, Miss Blackwell, +Mrs. Blake, the Rev. Mr. Hinckley, Mrs. Alice M. A. Pickler, Mrs. +Ellen Sully Fray, Mr. Blackwell, Miss Shaw, Mrs. Martha McClellan +Brown, the Rev. Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Martha E. Root and Miss Mary Desha. +Without exception the sentiment was in favor of keeping strictly aloof +from all political alliances. It was pointed out that repeatedly the +promises made by politicians were violated and the planks in the +platforms ignored; it was shown that the suffrage can be gained only +through the assistance of men in all parties; and it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> was proved +beyond doubt that in the past, where members had allied themselves +with a political party it had injured the cause of woman suffrage.</p> + +<p>In addition to the speakers already mentioned Wm. Lloyd Garrison, Col. +D. R. Anthony, Ellen Battelle Dietrick, Laura Clay, the Hon. J. A. +Pickler, Sallie Clay Bennett, Margaret W. Campbell, Laura M. Johns, +Frances Ellen Burr, Frances Stuart Parker, Dr. Frances Dickinson and +others participated in the various discussions of the convention.</p> + +<p>A deep interest was felt in the pending woman suffrage amendment in +South Dakota. The subject was presented by Representative and Mrs. +Pickler, national speakers were appointed to canvass the State and a +fund of over $5,000 was eventually raised.</p> + +<p>Tributes of respect were paid to Caroline Ashurst Biggs and Margaret +Bright Lucas of England, U. S. Senator Elbridge G. Lapham, Maria +Mitchell, the great astronomer, Prudence Crandall Philleo, Harriet +Winslow Sewall, Amy Post, Wm. D. Kelley, M. C., Dinah Mendenhall, +Emerine J. Hamilton, Amanda McConnell and other friends and supporters +of woman suffrage who had passed away during the year.</p> + +<p>The vote for officers of the united association, which was limited +strictly to delegates, stood as follows: For president, Elizabeth Cady +Stanton, 131; Susan B. Anthony, 90; scattering, 2: for +vice-president-at-large, Susan B. Anthony, 213; scattering, 9.<a name="FNanchor_81_81" id="FNanchor_81_81"></a><a href="#Footnote_81_81" class="fnanchor">[81]</a> +Rachel Foster Avery was elected recording secretary; Alice Stone +Blackwell, corresponding secretary; Jane H. Spofford, treasurer; Lucy +Stone, chairman of the executive committee by unanimous vote; Eliza T. +Ward and the Rev. Frederick A. Hinckley, auditors. The Rev. Anna +Howard Shaw was appointed national lecturer.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_76_76" id="Footnote_76_76"></a><a href="#FNanchor_76_76"><span class="label">[76]</span></a> See <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_464">History of Woman Suffrage, Vol. II, p. 464</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_77_77" id="Footnote_77_77"></a><a href="#FNanchor_77_77"><span class="label">[77]</span></a> The other members in favor of this report were Ezra B. +Taylor, O., <i>Chairman</i>; George E. Adams, Ill.; James Buchanan, N. J.; +Albert C. Thompson, O.; H. C. McCormick, Penn., and Joseph R. Reed, +Ia. The six members from the Southern States were opposed.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_78_78" id="Footnote_78_78"></a><a href="#FNanchor_78_78"><span class="label">[78]</span></a> National:—May Wright Sewall, <i>Chairman</i>; Isabella +Beecher Hooker, Harriette R. Shattuck, Olympia Brown, Helen M. Gougar, +Laura M. Johns, Clara Bewick Colby, Virginia L. Minor, Abigail Scott +Duniway, Matilda Joslyn Gage, Mary B. Clay, Mary F. Eastman, Clara +Neymann, Sarah M. Perkins, Jane H. Spofford, Lillie Devereux Blake, +Elizabeth Boynton Harbert, Rachel Foster Avery, <i>Secretary</i>. +American:—Julia Ward Howe, <i>Chairman</i>; Wm. Dudley Foulke, Margaret W. +Campbell, Anna Howard Shaw, Mary F. Thomas, Hannah M. Tracy Cutler, +Henry B. Blackwell, <i>Secretary</i>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_79_79" id="Footnote_79_79"></a><a href="#FNanchor_79_79"><span class="label">[79]</span></a> The resolutions declared the constitutional right of +women to vote, and continued: +</p><p> +<i>Resolved</i>, That as the fathers violated the principles of justice in +consenting to a three-fifths representation, and in recognizing +slavery in the Constitution, thereby making a civil war inevitable, so +our statesmen and Supreme Court Judges by their misinterpretation of +the Fourteenth Amendment, declaring that the United States has no +voters and that citizenship does not carry with it the right of +suffrage, not only have prolonged woman's disfranchisement but have +undermined the status of the freedman and opened the way for another +war of races. +</p><p> +<span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, It is proposed to have a national law, restricting the right +of divorce to a narrower basis, and +</p><p> +<span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, Congress has already made an appropriation for a report on +the question, which shows that there are 10,000 divorces annually in +the United States and the majority demanded by women, and +</p><p> +<span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, Liberal divorce laws for wives are what Canada was for the +slaves—a door of escape from bondage, therefore, +</p><p> +<i>Resolved</i>, That there should be no farther legislation on this +question until woman has a voice in the State and National +Governments. +</p><p> +<i>Resolved</i>, That the time has come for woman to demand of the Church +the same equal recognition she demands of the State, to assume her +right and duty to take part in the revision of Bibles, prayer books +and creeds, to vote on all questions of business, to fill the offices +of elder, deacon, Sunday school superintendent, pastor and bishop, to +sit in ecclesiastical synods, assemblies and conventions as delegates, +that thus our religion may no longer reflect only the masculine +element of humanity, and that woman, the mother of the race, may be +honored as she must be before we can have a happy home, a rational +religion and an enduring government. +</p><p> +They concluded with a demand that the platform of the suffrage +association should recognize the equal rights of all parties, sects +and races.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_80_80" id="Footnote_80_80"></a><a href="#FNanchor_80_80"><span class="label">[80]</span></a> There is no woman in the world who has wielded the gavel +at as many conventions as has Miss Anthony.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_81_81" id="Footnote_81_81"></a><a href="#FNanchor_81_81"><span class="label">[81]</span></a> For account of Miss Anthony's determination not to +accept the presidency see her Life and Work, p. 631.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<h3>THE NATIONAL-AMERICAN CONVENTION OF 1891.</h3> + + +<p>Immediately preceding the Twenty-third annual suffrage convention in +1891, the first triennial meeting took place of the National Council +of Women, which had been formed in 1888. It was held in Albaugh's +Opera House, Washington, beginning Sunday, February 22, and continuing +four days, an assemblage of the most distinguished women of the nation +in many lines of work. Miss Frances E. Willard presided and the other +officers contributed to the success of the Council—Miss Susan B. +Anthony, vice-president; Mrs. May Wright Sewall, corresponding +secretary; Miss Mary F. Eastman, recording secretary; Mrs. M. Louise +Thomas, treasurer. Ten national organizations were represented by +official delegates and forty sent fraternal delegates.</p> + +<p>The Sunday services were conducted entirely by women, the Rev. Ida C. +Hultin giving the sermon from the text, "For the earth bringeth forth +fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full +corn in the ear." "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth". The +program of the week included Charities, Education, Temperance, +Religion, Organized Work, Political Status of Women, etc.<a name="FNanchor_82_82" id="FNanchor_82_82"></a><a href="#Footnote_82_82" class="fnanchor">[82]</a> On +Saturday evening Mrs. Jane H. Spofford gave a large reception at the +Riggs House to the Council and the Suffrage Association. The latter +held its sessions February 26-March 1, occupying the same beautifully +decorated opera house which had been filled for four days by audiences +in attendance at the Council, who kept on coming, scarcely knowing the +difference.</p> + +<p>The Call for this convention expressed the great joy over the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> action +of Congress during the past year in admitting Wyoming as a State with +woman suffrage in its constitution:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The admission of Wyoming into the Union as a State with equal +rights for women guaranteed in its organic law, not only sets a +seal of approval upon woman suffrage after a practical experience +of twenty-one years, but it makes woman a recognized factor in +national politics. Hereafter the Chief Executive and both Houses +of Congress will owe their election partly to the votes of women. +The injustice and absurdity of allowing women in one State to be +sovereign rulers, and across the line in every direction obliging +them to occupy the position of a subject class, taxed without +representation and governed without consent—and this in a nation +which by its Constitution guarantees equal rights to all the +States and equal protection to all their citizens—must soon be +manifest even to the most conservative and prejudiced. We +therefore congratulate the friends of woman suffrage everywhere +that at last there is one spot under the American flag where +equal justice is done to women. Wyoming, all hail; the first true +republic the world has ever seen!</p></blockquote> + +<p>The program attracted considerable attention from a design on the +cover showing a woman yoked with an ox to the plow, and, looking down +upon them a girl in a college cap and gown with the inscription, +"Above the Senior Wrangler," referring to the recent victory at +Cambridge University, England, by Philippa Fawcett, in outranking the +male student who stood highest in mathematics. The first session was +opened by the singing of Mrs. Elizabeth Boynton Harbert's inspiring +hymn, The New America. After a welcome by Mrs. Ella M. S. Marble, +president of the District W. S. A., Miss Anthony read the address of +Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who was in England, entitled, The +Degradation of Disfranchisement, which said in part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Disfranchisement is the last lingering shadow of the old spirit +of caste which always has divided humanity into classes of +greater or less inferiority, some even below certain animals that +were considered special favorites with Heaven. One can not +contemplate these revolting distinctions among mankind without +amazement and disgust. This spirit of caste which has darkened +the lives of millions through the centuries still lives. The +discriminations against color and sex in the United States are +but other forms of this same hateful spirit, still sustained by +our religion as in the past. It is the outgrowth of the false +ideas of favoritism ascribed to Deity in regard to races and +individuals, but which have their origin in the mind of man. +Banish the idea of divine authority for these machinations of the +human mind, and the power of the throne and the church, of a +royal family and an apostolic order of succession, of kings and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> +queens, of popes and bishops, and man's headship in the State, +the Church, and the Home will be heard of no more forever....</p> + +<p>All men of intelligence appreciate the power of holding the +ballot in their own hands; of having a voice in the laws under +which they live; of enjoying the liberty of self-government. +Those who have known the satisfaction of wielding political +influence would not willingly accept the degradation of +disfranchisement. Yet men can not understand why women should +feel aggrieved at being deprived of this same protection, dignity +and power. This is the Gibraltar of our difficulties to-day. We +can not make men see that women feel the humiliation of their +petty distinctions of sex precisely as the black man feels those +of color. It is no palliation of our wrongs to say that we are +not socially ostracized as he is, so long as we are politically +ostracized as he is not. That all orders of foreigners also rank +politically above the most intelligent, highly-educated +women—native-born Americans—is indeed the most bitter drop in +the cup of our grief which we are compelled to swallow....</p> + +<p>Again, the degradation of woman in the world of work is another +result of her disfranchisement. Some deny that, and say the +laboring classes of men have the ballot yet they are still +helpless victims of capitalists. They have the power and hold the +weapon of defense but have not yet learned how to use it. The +bayonet, the sword, the gun, are of no value to the soldier until +he knows how to wield them. Yet without the weapons of defense +what could individuals and nations do in time of war for their +own protection? The first step in learning to use a gun or a +ballot is to possess one....</p> + +<p>Man has the prestige of centuries in his favor, with the force to +maintain it, and he has possession of the throne, which is +nine-tenths of the law. He has statutes and Scriptures and the +universal usages of society all on his side. What have women? The +settled dissatisfaction of half the race, the unorganized +protests of the few, and the open resistance of still fewer. But +we have truth and justice on our side and the natural love of +freedom and, step by step, we shall undermine the present form of +civilization and inaugurate the mightiest revolution the world +has ever witnessed. But its far-reaching consequences themselves +increase the obstacles in the way of success, for the selfish +interests of all classes are against us. The rulers in the State +are not willing to share their power with a class over whom as +equals they could never obtain absolute control, whose votes they +could not manipulate to maintain the present conditions of +injustice and oppression....</p> + +<p>Again, the rulers in the church are hostile to liberty for a sex +supposed for wise purposes to have been subordinated to man by +divine decree. The equality of woman as a factor in religious +organizations would compel an entire change in church canons, +discipline, authority, and many doctrines of the Christian faith. +As a matter of self-preservation, the church has no interest in +the emancipation of woman, as its very existence depends on her +blind faith....<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span></p> + +<p>Society at large, based on the principle that might makes right, +has in a measure excluded women from the profitable industries of +the world, and where she has gained a foothold her labor is at a +discount. Man occupies the ground and holds the key to the +situation. As employer, he plays the cheap labor of a +disfranchised class against the employe, thus in a measure +undermining his independence, making wife and daughter in the +world of work the rivals of husband and father.</p> + +<p>The family, too, is based on the idea of woman's subordination, +and man has no interest, as far as he sees, in emancipating her +from that despotism by which his narrow, selfish interests are +maintained under the law and religion of the country.</p> + +<p>Here, then, is a fourfold bondage, so many cords tightly twisted +together, strong for one purpose. To attempt to undo one is to +loosen all.... To my mind, if we had at first bravely untwisted +all the strands of this fourfold cord which bound us, and +demanded equality in the whole round of the circle, while +perhaps, we should have had a harder battle to fight, it would +have been more effective and far shorter. Let us henceforth meet +conservatives on their own ground and admit that suffrage for +woman does mean political, religious, industrial and social +freedom—a new and a higher civilization....</p> + +<p>Woman's happiness and development are of more importance than all +man's institutions. If constitutions and statute laws stand in +the way of woman's emancipation, they must be amended to meet her +wants and needs, of which she is a better judge than man possibly +can be. If church canons and scriptures do not admit of woman's +equal recognition in all the sacred offices, then they must be +revised in harmony with that idea. If the present family life is +necessarily based on man's headship, then we must build a new +domestic altar, at which the mother shall have equal dignity, +honor and power; and we do not propose to wait another century to +secure all this; the time has come....</p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Anthony, with an allusion to pioneer days, then introduced Lucy +Stone, who, amid much applause, said that, while this was the first +time she had stood beside Susan B. Anthony in a Washington suffrage +convention, she had stood beside her on more than one hard-fought +battle-field before many of those present were born. After sketching +briefly the progress of the last forty years and giving some trying +personal experiences, she said in conclusion: "The vote will not make +a man of a woman, but it will enable her to demand and receive many +things which are hers by right; to do the things which ought to be +done, to prevent what ought not to be done. Women and men can help +each other in making the world better. This is not an anti-man +movement, but an effort toward the highest good of the race. We can<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> +congratulate ourselves upon what we have gained, but the root of the +evil still remains—the root of disfranchisement. All organizations of +women should join with us in pulling steadily at this deeply-planted +and obstinate root."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Isabella Beecher Hooker (Conn.) read an able paper on Woman in +Politics and Jurisprudence, in which she showed the necessity in +politics and in law of a combination of the man's and the woman's +nature, point of view and distinguishing characteristics.</p> + +<p>The second evening Mrs. Julia Ward Howe gave an address on The +Possibilities of the American Salon, and the Rev. Anna Garlin Spencer +considered The Democratic Principle. Mrs. Spencer pointed out that the +reason why the advance in the specific line of woman suffrage had not +been so great as in some other directions was because its advocates +had to contend with a reaction of disbelief in the democratic +principle. In expressing her own faith in this principle she said: +"There are wisdom enough and virtue enough in this country to take +care of all its ignorance and wickedness. The difficulty is that the +average American citizen does not know that he wears a crown. And oh, +the pity of it, and the shame of it, when some of us women, who do +feel the importance of the duty of suffrage and who need no man to +teach us patriotism, wish to help in this work that any man should say +us nay!"</p> + +<p>Miss Florence Balgarnie, who brought the greetings of a number of +great English associations,<a name="FNanchor_83_83" id="FNanchor_83_83"></a><a href="#Footnote_83_83" class="fnanchor">[83]</a> gave a comprehensive sketch of The +Status of Women in England. The Rev. Ida C. Hultin (Ills.) followed in +an eloquent appeal that there should be no headship of either man or +woman alone, but that both should represent humanity; government is a +development of humanity and if woman is human she has an equal right +in that development. Mrs. Ellen Battelle Dietrick (Mass.) showed that +the present supremacy of men was a reaction from the former undue +supremacy of women, and brought out many historical points of deep +interest. Mrs. Josephine K. Henry spoke on The Kentucky Constitutional +Convention, illustrating the terrible injustice<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> of the laws of that +State in regard to women and the vain efforts of the latter to have +them changed. The Rev. Frederick A. Hinckley (R. I.) lifted the +audience to the delectable heights, taking as a text, "Husband and +Wife are One." After illustrating the tendency of all nature and all +science toward unity and harmony, he said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Humanity is the whole. Men alone are half a sphere; women alone +half a sphere; men and women together the whole of truth, the +whole of love, the whole of aspiration. We have come to recognize +this thought in nearly all the walks of life. We want to +acknowledge it in the unity of mankind. The central thought we +need in our creeds and in our lives is that of the solidarity and +brotherhood of the race. This movement derives its greatest +significance not because it opens a place here and there for +women; not because it enables women to help men; but because in +all the concerns of life it places man and woman side by side, +hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, putting their best thought, +their finest feeling, their highest aspiration, into the work of +the world. This reflection gives us a lasting and sublime +satisfaction amid defeat and derision. Whatever of fortune or +misfortune befalls the Suffrage Association in the carrying on of +its work, this belief is the root which is calculated to sustain +and inspire us—that this movement is the next step in the +progress of the race towards the unification of humanity....</p> + +<p>I look forward to the time when men and women, labor and capital, +all classes and all sections, shall work side by side with one +great co-operative spirit, the denizens of the world and the +keepers of human progress. When that time comes we may not have +reached the millennium but we shall be nearer to it. We shall +then together establish justice, temperance, purity of life, as +never has been done before. Earth's aspirations then shall grow +to events. The indescribable—that shall then be done.</p></blockquote> + +<p>U. S. Senator Joseph M. Carey was introduced by Miss Anthony as "the +man who on the floor of Congress fought Wyoming's battle for +Statehood." His address on Wyoming, the True Republic, was a leading +feature of the convention. He said in part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>On the tenth day of July last, the State of Wyoming was born and +the forty-fourth star took its place on the old flag. Never was +first-born more warmly welcomed, for not only had a commonwealth +been created, but the principle of equality of citizenship +without regard to sex had been fully recognized and incorporated +as a part of the constitution of the new State.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The adoption of a woman suffrage bill by the first Territorial +Legislature was graphically described, and after relating the +subsequent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> efforts for its repeal, and its incorporation finally into +the State constitution, he told of the struggle in Congress and said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>While I would not make invidious distinctions by giving the names +of those in both branches of Congress who favored Wyoming's +admission, I wish to say that I was agreeably surprised to have +many of the ablest members, both in public and private, disclose +the fact that they firmly believed the time would come when women +would be permitted to exercise full political rights throughout +the United States. They rejoiced that an opportunity had +presented itself by which they could show they had no prejudice +or opposition in their hearts to women's exercising the rights of +citizenship.</p></blockquote> + +<p>He closed with the following strong argument for the enfranchisement +of women:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Suffrage should be granted to women for two reasons: first, +because it will help women; and second, because it will promote +the interests of the State. Whatever doubt I may have entertained +in the past concerning either the first or second proposition, +has entirely disappeared. From the experiment made under my own +eyes I can state in all candor that suffrage has been a real +benefit to women. It gives them a character and standing which +they would not otherwise possess. It does not lower a woman to be +consulted about public affairs, but is calculated to make her +more intelligent and thoughtful in matters that concern her own +household, especially in bringing up her sons and daughters. It +increases her interest in those things which concern the great +body of the people. Men in office and out of office, particularly +those who expect to serve the public, are compelled to be more +considerate of her wishes, and more desirous of doing those +things which will secure her approval. The greater the number of +persons living under a government who are interested in the +administration of its affairs, its well-being and the perpetuity +of its institutions, the stronger the government and the more +difficult it will be to compass its overthrow....</p> + +<p>We frequently hear it said that women will not vote if they have +the opportunity; or, if permitted to vote, such an inconsiderable +number will exercise the privilege that it will not be worth +while to encumber the electoral system by granting it. In all +matters in which women have an interest, as large a percentage +vote as of the other sex. They have the same interest in all +which pertains to good government. They have exercised the +privilege of voting not in a careless and indifferent manner but +in a way reflecting credit on their good sense and judgment.</p> + +<p>I know women who have exercised the fullest political rights for +a period of more than twenty years. They have taken the deepest +interest in the political affairs of the Territory and young +State. Neither in their homes nor in public places have they lost +one womanly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> quality; but their minds have broadened and they +have become more influential in the community in which they live. +During these years I have never heard of any unhappiness brought +into the home on account of women's exercising their political +rights. A fair and unbiased test of this question has been made +by the people of Wyoming, and no unprejudiced man or woman who +has seen its workings, can now raise a single honest objection. +Where women have voted, the family relation has not been +destroyed, men have loved them none the less, the mountains have +not been shaken from their foundations, nor have social +earthquakes or political convulsions taken place....</p> + +<p>In order that women shall be more influential citizens of the +State and better qualified to raise noble men and women to fight +the battles of life, and to carry out the true purpose of this +republic, they must possess the full rights of citizenship.</p></blockquote> + +<p>At the close of his speech the Senator was presented with a large +basket of roses from the delegates.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lillie Devereux Blake (N. Y.) spoke on The Right of a Citizen to +a Trial by a Jury of His Peers, showing that women never have +possessed this right; that in many criminal cases, such as seduction +and infanticide, women could better understand the temptations than +could men; that the feminine heart, the maternal influence, are needed +in the court-room as well as in the home. Mrs. Lida A. Meriwether +(Tenn.) spoke in a keen, sarcastic but humorous manner of The Silent +Seven, "the legally mute"—minors, aliens, paupers, criminals, +lunatics, idiots and women.</p> + +<p>The Rev. Anna Howard Shaw took for her subject Women vs. Indians, and +reviewed the suffrage amendment campaign in South Dakota the previous +year. In an address brimming and bubbling over with wit, satire and +pathos, she showed how much greater consideration the Indians received +from the men of that State than did women. She told how 45 per cent. +of the votes cast the preceding year were for male Indian suffrage and +only 37 per cent. for woman suffrage; how Indians in blankets and +moccasins were received in the State convention with the greatest +courtesy, and Susan B. Anthony and other eminent women were barely +tolerated; how, while these Indians were engaged in their ghost +dances, the white women were going up and down the State pleading for +the rights of citizens; how the law in that State gives not only the +property but the children to the husband, in the face of all the +hardships endured by those pioneer wives and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> mothers. She suggested +that the solution of the Indian question should be left to a +commission of women with Alice Fletcher at its head, and said in +closing: "Let all of us who love liberty solve these problems in +justice; and let us mete out to the Indian, to the negro, to the +foreigner, and to the woman, the justice which we demand for +ourselves, the liberty which we love for ourselves. Let us recognize +in each of them that One above, the Father of us all, and that all are +brothers, all are one."</p> + +<p>The Moral and Political Emergency was presented by Mrs. Emma Smith +DeVoe (S. D.). Henry B. Blackwell and Mrs. Alice M. A. Pickler +described the South Dakota Campaign. Representative J. A. Pickler was +introduced by Miss Anthony as the candidate who, when told that if he +expressed his views on woman suffrage he would lose votes, expressed +them more freely than ever and ran ahead of his ticket; and his wife +as the woman who bade her husband to speak even if it lost him the +office, and who was herself the only Congressman's wife that ever took +the platform for the enfranchisement of women.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Clara Bewick Colby took for her subject Ibsen's drama, A Doll's +House, and discussed its ethical problems, closing with the sentence: +"As long as the fighting qualities of woman remain, there is a chance +for the nation to make a robust, steady progress; but if these die out +and woman willingly surrenders herself for the sake of selfish ease to +the dominance of man, civilization is arrested and true manhood +becomes impossible." The convention ended with a scholarly address by +Wm. Lloyd Garrison (Mass.) on The Social Aspect of the Woman Question.</p> + +<p>The present officers were re-elected. Mrs. Lucia E. Blount (D. C.), +chairman of the committee appointed to push the claim of Anna Ella +Carroll, reported that a great deal of work had been done by Mr. and +Mrs. Melvin A. Root of Michigan, Mrs. Colby and herself. Every +possible effort had been made but the prospect was that Congress would +do nothing for Miss Carroll. Miss Frances E. Willard brought an +invitation from Mrs. Harrison to the National Council of Women and the +members of all its auxiliary societies to attend a reception at the +White House, which was accepted by the convention. Mrs. Ellen M. +Henrotin presented<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> in the name of Mrs. Bertha Honoré Palmer an +official invitation to the association to meet in Chicago during the +Columbian Exposition, promising a hall which would seat five thousand.</p> + +<p>Miss Anthony announced that she had engaged permanent headquarters for +the association in the Wimodaughsis club building, which action was +ratified. It was decided to give especial attention to suffrage work +in the Southern States during the year. The wives of the two senators +from Wyoming, Mrs. Warren and Mrs. Carey, occupied seats on the +platform.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Blake reported the work done by the Platform Committee in having +suffrage resolutions endorsed by a large number of Labor Unions. Miss +Sara Winthrop Smith had been equally successful in Granges and +branches of the Knights of Labor. Dr. Frances Dickinson, Dr. Lucy +Waite, Mrs. Corinne S. Brown and Mrs. Colby had visited the National +Convention of Locomotive Engineers and secured the endorsement of a +suffrage petition. They obtained also the cordial approval of T. V. +Powderly and the Knights of Labor, and of Samuel Gompers and the +Federation of Labor. The Illinois Trade and Labor Assembly endorsed +their petition. All of these bodies circulated suffrage petitions +among their members, as also did the Illinois Farmers' Mutual Benefit +Association and the Grand Army Posts, a number of which were reported +as heartily recommending the enfranchisement of women. Signatures +representing millions of voters were thus obtained.<a name="FNanchor_84_84" id="FNanchor_84_84"></a><a href="#Footnote_84_84" class="fnanchor">[84]</a></p> + +<p>In addition to the resolutions adopted by the convention bearing +directly on suffrage, there was a demand for women on school boards +and as physicians, matrons and managers in all public institutions +containing women and children; and for a revision of the laws on +marriage and property.</p> + +<p>On Sunday afternoon a great audience assembled for the closing +exercises. The sermon was given by the Rev. Caroline J. Bartlett from +the text, "The night is far spent, the day is at hand." It had been +said on the preceding Sunday that the sermon of Miss Hultin could not +be equalled. The verdict now was that the honors must be evenly +divided.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_82_82" id="Footnote_82_82"></a><a href="#FNanchor_82_82"><span class="label">[82]</span></a> A complete report of the able addresses made by +specialists in these subjects was prepared by the new corresponding +secretary, Mrs. Rachel Foster Avery, and placed by Miss Anthony in the +large libraries of the country.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_83_83" id="Footnote_83_83"></a><a href="#FNanchor_83_83"><span class="label">[83]</span></a> The Central National Society for Women's Suffrage; the +Women's Franchise Leagues of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Bedford, Bridgeport, +Leicester, Nottingham and York; the Bristol Woman's Temperance +Association; the International Arbitration and Peace Society; the +Woman Councillors' Society; the Women's Federal Association of Great +Britain.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_84_84" id="Footnote_84_84"></a><a href="#FNanchor_84_84"><span class="label">[84]</span></a> The funds necessary for this work were furnished by J. +W. Hedenberg of Chicago, who also made a personal appeal to many of +these bodies; but he claimed possession of the petitions, and for some +reason never permitted them to be presented to Congress.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<h3>NATIONAL-AMERICAN CONVENTION AND HEARINGS OF 1892.</h3> + + +<p>The Twenty-fourth annual woman suffrage convention, held in the Church +of Our Father, Washington, D. C., Jan. 17-21, 1892, was preceded by +the usual services at three o'clock on Sunday afternoon. The text of +the sermon, by the Rev. Mila Tupper, was "Think on these things" and +it was devoted to a lofty consideration of "success through the moral +power of ideals." Unexpectedly the congressional hearings were set for +Monday morning, which called to the Capitol both Mrs. Elizabeth Cady +Stanton and Miss Susan B. Anthony, president and vice-president of the +association. The convention was called to order by the Rev. Anna +Howard Shaw, and Mrs. Caroline McCullough Everhard (O.) was made +chairman <i>pro tem</i>. Twenty-six States were represented by seventy-six +delegates, the reports showed a year of unprecedented activity and +there were requests from every State for speakers and organizers. The +treasurer reported receipts for the past year, $3,830.</p> + +<p>The executive sessions throughout the convention were spirited and +interesting. After some discussion it was decided to carry the work +into the Southern States, and also to appropriate money and workers +for Kansas, where it was likely that an amendment for full suffrage +soon would be submitted. It was voted to accept the space offered at +the Columbian Exposition, to furnish and decorate a booth, circulate +literature, etc. The motion to have the next meeting in Chicago during +the Fair renewed the question of holding alternate conventions in some +other city besides Washington, but the measure was defeated.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Stanton introduced a resolution in favor of keeping the World's +Fair open on Sunday, which was advocated and opposed with great +earnestness. The majority of opinion evidently was in favor of opening +the gates on Sunday but many felt that the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> subject was not germane to +the purposes of the association, while others were conscientiously +opposed to Sunday opening. Finally, in the midst of the controversy +Mrs. Stanton withdrew her resolution, saying that she had offered it +largely for the sake of discussion. Miss Shaw presented a resolution +opposing the sale of intoxicating liquor on the Fair Grounds, saying +that she did so as a matter of conscience and in order that it might +go on record. It was voted to call an international suffrage meeting +at Chicago during the Columbian Exposition. Miss Anthony urged more +systematic organization, special efforts with the Legislatures, the +securing of a Woman's Day at all Chautauqua Assemblies, county fairs, +camp meetings, etc.</p> + +<p>At the earnest request of Mrs. Stanton, who had now reached the age of +seventy-six, she was permitted to retire from the presidency, and Miss +Anthony, aged seventy-two, was elected in her place. The Rev. Anna +Howard Shaw was made vice-president-at-large. Lucy Stone, who was now +seventy-four, begged to be released as chairman of the executive +committee, which was then abolished, the duties being transferred to +the business committee consisting of all the officers of the +association. Mrs. Stanton and Mrs. Stone were made honorary +presidents.</p> + +<p>This was Mrs. Stanton's last appearance at a national convention after +an attendance of forty years, but she never failed to take an active +interest in the proceedings and to send her speech to be read by Miss +Anthony. This also was the last time Lucy Stone appeared upon the +national platform, as she died the next year, and Miss Anthony alone, +of this remarkable trio of women, was left to carry forward the great +work.</p> + +<p>The addresses of this convention were up to the high standard of those +which had preceded them during the past years, and no organization in +existence, of either men or women, can show a more brilliant record of +oratory. As Mrs. Stanton, Lucy Stone and Miss Anthony came on the +platform the first evening they were enthusiastically applauded. The +mental and physical vigor of Mrs. Stanton was much commented upon as +in a rich and resonant voice she read the speech which she had that +morning delivered before the Judiciary Committee of the House. It was +entitled The Solitude of Self, and is considered by many to be her +masterpiece.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span></p> + +<p>Lucy Stone discussed The Outlook with clear vision. She contrasted the +woman of the past, her narrow life, her limited education, her +inferior position, with the educated, ambitious, independent woman of +to-day, and urged that the latter should be equal to her +opportunities, lay aside all frivolous things and labor unceasingly to +secure for her sex an absolute equality of civil and political rights.</p> + +<p>In the half-humorous address of Mrs. Caroline Hallowell Miller (Md.) +on The Golden Rule, she said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I am firmly convinced that our present powerless—I may almost +say ignominious—position arises not so much, as many aver, from +the lukewarmness of our own sex as from the supreme and absolute +indifference of men. With a few honorable exceptions, men do not +care one iota whether we vote or not....</p> + +<p>Now if only men would take to betting on this question of woman +suffrage, if we could open it up as a field of speculation, if we +could manipulate it by some sort of patent process into stocks or +bonds and have it introduced into Wall Street, we should very +soon find ourselves emancipated. I keep on hoping that, by some +fortuitous chance, fate may eventually execute for us as +brilliant a <i>coup d'etat</i> as did General Butler for the colored +slaves when he made them contraband of war, so that we shall just +tumble into freedom as they did very soon thereafter. Until then +let us trust in God, keep our powder very dry and our armies well +drilled and disciplined.</p></blockquote> + +<p>In an inspiring address on The True Daughters of the Republic, Mme. +Clara Neymann (N. Y.) pointed out the splendid material progress of +our country under the guidance of men, and urged that women should be +the power to lift it up to an equally exalted spiritual plane. The +paper of Mrs. Clara Bewick Colby (D. C.) on Wyoming, in which as a +Territory women had voted for twenty years and as a State for two +years, presented a most convincing array of statistics proving the +benefits of equal suffrage. Ex-Governor John W. Hoyt of Wyoming came +to the platform and corroborated these statements, paying a fine +tribute to the political influence of women. He was followed by Mrs. +Lida A. Meriwether (Tenn.), whose reputation as a humorist was fully +sustained in her clever portrayal of Dreams that Go by Contraries. +Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt (N. Y.) gave a brilliant address on The +Mission of a Republic.</p> + +<p>In discussing The Value of Organizations for Women, Mrs. Elizabeth +Lyle Saxon (La.) said:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>Among the various organizations of women the suffrage society +must rank first, for its demands have reached out and embraced +every reform which comes under the head of right, justice or +charity; and I am firmly persuaded that if the demand for the +ballot, the full right of citizenship, had not been made the +foundation of all other advantages, our organization would have +fallen apart and drifted into the more conservative and popular +lines along which less courageous women have successfully +worked....</p> + +<p>Financial independence has been gained by many women, who, proud +of their own success, never try to benefit others, and fail to +comprehend the debt they owe to the brave, unselfish ones who +first made demands for them and who never ceased their efforts +until one after another the barriers were removed and +opportunities secured for thousands which they never could have +found themselves. It was this stanch band of pioneers, defying +criticism, scorn and hate, who forced open college doors, invaded +the law courts and stubbornly contested every inch of ground so +persistently held by fraud or force from the daughters of the +great republic....</p> + +<p>Organized as women now are, they could pour such an overwhelming +moral influence into the political life of the country as to +become its saving grace; for when women vote they will show good +men, who have weakly shrunk from political duty, that they have a +moral and clean constituency to stand with them.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The platform proceedings of the convention closed with Miss Shaw's +splendid delineation of The Injustice of Chivalry.</p> + +<p>Every suffrage convention for the last twelve years had been preceded +by a handsome reception at the Riggs House. This well-known and +commodious hotel had been the convention headquarters, and it also had +been the winter home of Miss Anthony, where she remained as a guest of +the proprietor, C. W. Spofford, and his wife, being thus enabled to do +a vast amount of congressional and political work, such as never has +been done since. The hotel now had passed into other hands and the +Washington <i>Post</i>, in speaking of this matter, said: "The delegates +feel like lost sheep without Mrs. Spofford's hospitality at the Riggs +House, which has always been headquarters for suffragist and all +women's conventions. Probably no one but those in the inner circle +will ever know just how much Mrs. Spofford has done for the +advancement of women in every direction. Whatever was hers was at the +disposal of the leaders, and in the absence of so much assistance it +is appreciated more nearly at its real worth."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 344px;"> +<img src="images/gs03.jpg" width="344" height="500" alt="MRS. ELIZABETH CADY STANTON. +Honorary President of National-American Woman Suffrage Association." title="" /> +<span class="caption">MRS. ELIZABETH CADY STANTON.<br /> +Honorary President of National-American Woman Suffrage Association.</span> +</div> + +<p>The new club house of Wimodaughsis was opened for a reception to the +delegates by the District W. S. A., with Miss Anthony,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> Lucy Stone, +Mrs. Stanton, Henry B. Blackwell, and Miss Shaw, president of +Wimodaughsis, as guests of honor. All made clever little speeches +toward the close of the evening, which were supplemented with remarks +by Senator Joseph M. Carey (Wy.), Representatives J. A. Pickler (S. +D.), Martin N. Johnson (N. D.) and the Rev. Dr. Corey of the +Metropolitan church.</p> + +<p>The hearing on January 17 was held for the first time before a +Judiciary Committee of the House, the majority of which was +Democratic.<a name="FNanchor_85_85" id="FNanchor_85_85"></a><a href="#Footnote_85_85" class="fnanchor">[85]</a> The Washington <i>Star</i> said: "The new members of the +committee were apparently surprised at receiving such a talk from a +woman and there was the most marked attention on the part of every one +present. Their surprise was still greater when they found that Mrs. +Stanton was not a phenomenal exception, but that every woman there +could make an argument which would do credit to the best of public +men."</p> + +<p>The hearing before the Senate Committee on Woman Suffrage was held the +morning of February 20. Four of the greatest women this nation ever +produced addressed this committee, asking for themselves and their sex +a privilege which is freely granted without the asking to every man, +no matter how humble, how ignorant, how unworthy, who is not included +within the category of the insane, the idiotic, the convicted +criminal—Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Lucy Stone, +Isabella Beecher Hooker. Mrs. Stanton (N. Y.) gave her address, The +Solitude of Self, in place of the old arguments so many times +repeated, saying in part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The point I wish plainly to bring before you on this occasion is +the individuality of each human soul—our Protestant idea, the +right of individual conscience and judgment—our republican idea, +individual citizenship. In discussing the rights of woman, we are +to consider, first, what belongs to her as an individual, in a +world of her own, the arbiter of her own destiny, an imaginary +Robinson Crusoe with her woman Friday on a solitary island. Her +rights under such circumstances are to use all her faculties for +her own safety and happiness.</p> + +<p>Secondly, if we consider her as a citizen, as a member of a +great<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> nation, she must have the same rights as all other +members, according to the fundamental principles of our +Government.</p> + +<p>Thirdly, viewed as a woman, an equal factor in civilization, her +rights and duties are still the same—individual happiness and +development.</p> + +<p>Fourthly, it is only the incidental relations of life, such as +mother, wife, sister, daughter, which may involve some special +duties and training. In the usual discussion in regard to woman's +sphere, such men as Herbert Spencer, Frederick Harrison and Grant +Allen uniformly subordinate her rights and duties as an +individual, as a citizen, as a woman, to the necessities of these +incidental relations, some of which a large class of women never +assume. In discussing the sphere of man we do not decide his +rights as an individual, as a citizen, as a man, by his duties as +a father, a husband, a brother or a son, some of which he may +never undertake. Moreover he would be better fitted for these +very relations, and whatever special work he might choose to do +to earn his bread, by the complete development of all his +faculties as an individual. Just so with woman. The education +which will fit her to discharge the duties in the largest sphere +of human usefulness, will best fit her for whatever special work +she may be compelled to do.</p> + +<p>The isolation of every human soul and the necessity of +self-dependence must give each individual the right to choose his +own surroundings. The strongest reason for giving woman all the +opportunities for higher education, for the full development of +her faculties, her forces of mind and body; for giving her the +most enlarged freedom of thought and action; a complete +emancipation from all forms of bondage, of custom, dependence, +superstition; from all the crippling influences of fear—is the +solitude and personal responsibility of her own individual life. +The strongest reason why we ask for woman a voice in the +government under which she lives; in the religion she is asked to +believe; equality in social life, where she is the chief factor; +a place in the trades and professions, where she may earn her +bread, is because of her birthright to self-sovereignty; because, +as an individual, she must rely on herself....</p> + +<p>To throw obstacles in the way of a complete education is like +putting out the eyes; to deny the rights of property is like +cutting off the hands. To refuse political equality is to rob the +ostracized of all self-respect, of credit in the market place, of +recompense in the world of work, of a voice in choosing those who +make and administer the law, a choice in the jury before whom +they are tried, and in the judge who decides their punishment. +Shakespeare's play of Titus and Andronicus contains a terrible +satire on woman's position in the nineteenth century—"Rude men +seized the king's daughter, cut out her tongue, cut off her +hands, and then bade her go call for water and wash her hands." +What a picture of woman's position! Robbed of her natural rights, +handicapped by law and custom at every turn, yet compelled to +fight her own battles, and in the emergencies of life to fall +back on herself for protection....</p> + +<p>How the little courtesies of life on the surface of society, +deemed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> so important from man towards woman, fade into utter +insignificance in view of the deeper tragedies in which she must +play her part alone, where no human aid is possible!</p> + +<p>Nothing strengthens the judgment and quickens the conscience like +individual responsibility. Nothing adds such dignity to character +as the recognition of one's self-sovereignty; the right to an +equal place, everywhere conceded—a place earned by personal +merit, not an artificial attainment by inheritance, wealth, +family and position. Conceding then that the responsibilities of +life rest equally on man and woman, that their destiny is the +same, they need the same preparation for time and eternity. The +talk of sheltering woman from the fierce storms of life is the +sheerest mockery, for they beat on her from every point of the +compass, just as they do on man, and with more fatal results, for +he has been trained to protect himself, to resist, to conquer....</p> + +<p>In music women speak again the language of Mendelssohn, +Beethoven, Chopin, Schumann, and are worthy interpreters of their +great thoughts. The poetry and novels of the century are theirs, +and they have touched the keynote of reform in religion, politics +and social life. They fill the editor's and professor's chair, +plead at the bar of justice, walk the wards of the hospital, +speak from the pulpit and the platform. Such is the type of +womanhood that an enlightened public sentiment welcomes to-day, +and such the triumph of the facts of life over the false theories +of the past.</p> + +<p>Is it, then, consistent to hold the developed woman of this day +within the same narrow political limits as the dame with the +spinning wheel and knitting needle occupied in the past? No, no! +Machinery has taken the labors of woman as well as man on its +tireless shoulders; the loom and the spinning wheel are but +dreams of the past; the pen, the brush, the easel, the chisel, +have taken their places, while the hopes and ambitions of women +are essentially changed.</p> + +<p>We see reason sufficient in the outer conditions of human beings +for individual liberty and development, but when we consider the +self-dependence of every human soul, we see the need of courage, +judgment and the exercise of every faculty of mind and body, +strengthened and developed by use, in woman as well as man....</p></blockquote> + +<p>With the earnest persuasiveness for which she had been noted nearly +half a century, Lucy Stone (Mass.) said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I come before this committee with the sense which I always feel, +that we are handicapped as women in what we try to do for +ourselves by the single fact that we have no vote. This cheapens +us. You do not care so much for us as if we had votes, so that we +come always with that infinite disadvantage.</p> + +<p>But the thing I want to say particularly is that we have our +immortal Declaration of Independence and the various bills of +rights of the different States (George Washington advised us to +recur often to first principles), and in these nothing is clearer +than the basis of the claim that women should have equal rights +with men. A complete government is a perfectly just +government....<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span></p> + +<p>What I desire particularly to impress upon this committee is the +gross and grave injustice of holding thirty millions of women +absolutely helpless under the Government. The laws touch us at +every point. From the time the girl baby is born until the time +the aged woman makes her last will and testament, there is not +one of her affairs which the law does not control. It says who +shall own the property, and what rights the woman shall have; it +settles all her affairs, whether she shall buy or sell or will or +deed....</p> + +<p>Persons are elected by men to represent them in Congress and the +State Legislatures, and here are these millions of women, with +just the same stake in the Government that men have, with a class +interest of their own, and with not one solitary word to say or +power to help settle any of the things which concern them.</p> + +<p>Men know the value of votes and the possession of power, and I +look at them and wonder how it is possible for them to be willing +that their own mothers, sisters, wives and daughters should be +debarred from the possession of like power. We have been going to +the Legislature in Massachusetts longer than Mrs. Stanton has +been coming here. We asked that when a husband and wife make a +contract with each other, as for instance, if the wife loan the +husband her money, the contract should be considered valid just +as it would be between any other parties—for now in case the +husband fails in business, she can not get her money—and the +Legislature very kindly gave us leave to withdraw. Then we asked +that when a man dies and the wife is left alone, with the whole +burden of life on her shoulders, the law might give her more than +forty days in which to stay in her home without paying rent. But +we could not defeat one of our legislators, and they cared not a +cent for our petition and less than a cent for our opinion; and +so when we asked for this important measure they gave us leave to +withdraw.</p> + +<p>They respect the wants of the voter, but they care nothing about +the wants of those who do not have votes. So, when we asked for +protection for wives beaten by their husbands, and that the +husband should be made to give a portion of his earnings to +support the minor children, again we had leave to withdraw....</p> + +<p>I can think of nothing so helpless and humiliating as the +position of a disfranchised person. I do not know whether I am +treading on dangerous toes when I say that, after the late war +the Government in power wished to punish Jefferson Davis, and it +considered that the worst punishment it could inflict upon him +was to take away his right to vote. Now, the odium which attached +to him from his disfranchisement is just the same as attaches to +women from their disfranchisement. The only persons who are not +allowed to vote in Massachusetts are the lunatics, idiots, felons +and people who can not read and write. In what a category is this +to place women, after one hundred years and at the close of this +nineteenth century? And yet that is history. In Massachusetts we +are trying to get a small concession—the right to vote in the +cities and towns in which we live in regard to the taxes we have +to pay. In 1792, in Newburyport, Mass., it was not thought +necessary to give women education.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> At that time there were no +schools for girls; the public money was not so used, and when one +man said he had five daughters, and paid his taxes like other +men, and his girls were not allowed to attend school, and that +they ought to give the girls a chance, another man said, "Take +the public money and educate shes? Never!"</p> + +<p>Remember this was one hundred years ago. Some of the fathers +urged that the girls should be educated in the public schools, +and so the men—God forgive them!—said, "We will let the girls +go in the morning between 6 and 8 o'clock, before the boys want +the schoolhouse." Just think of the time those girls would have +to rise in order to have a little instruction before the boys got +there! This plan did not work well, and the teacher was directed +not to teach females any longer. Every descendant of those men +now feels ashamed of them; and I think that in one hundred years +the children of the men who are now letting us come here, year +after year, pleading for suffrage, will feel ashamed. Men would +rather lose anything than their votes; they would fight for their +right of suffrage, and if anybody attempted to deprive them of it +there would be war to the knife and the knife to the hilt. We +come here to carry on our bloodless warfare, praying that the +privilege granted in the foundation of the Government should be +applied to women....</p> + +<p>What we look forward to is part of the eternal order. It is not +possible that thirty millions of women should be held forever as +lunatics, fools and criminals. It is not possible, as the years +go on, that each person should not at least have the right to +look after his or her own interests. As the home is at its best +when the father and mother consult together in regard to the +family interests, so it is with the Government. I do not think a +man can see from a man's point of view all the things that a +woman needs, or a woman from her single point of view all the +things that a man needs. Now men have brought their best, and +also brought their worst, into the Government, and it is all +here, but the thing you have not at all is the qualities which +women possess, the feminine qualities. It has been said that +women are more economical, peaceful and law-abiding than men, and +all these qualities are lacking in the Government today.... But +whether this be so or not, it is right that every class should be +heard in behalf of its own interest....</p> + +<p>Now, gentlemen, I hope you will try to make this case your own. +It is simple justice and fair play, and it is also a fundamental +principle of the Government. Here we are trying to have a +complete republic, and yet there are twelve millions of +disfranchised adults. I believe that among the great people—and +by the people I do not mean men, but men and women, the whole +people—nothing creates such disrespect for a fundamental +principle as not to apply it. The Government was founded upon the +principle that those who obey the laws should make them, and yet +it shuts out a full half. As long as this continues to be done, +it certainly tends to create disrespect for the principle itself. +Do you not see it? Why not reach out a hand to woman and say, +"Come and help us make the laws and secure fair play"?</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span></p> + +<p>At the close of this argument Miss Anthony said: "We have with us one +not so old in our cause as Mrs. Stone—I never call myself old because +I shall be young until the crack of doom—and that is Mrs. Hooker, a +sister of Harriet Beecher Stowe and Henry Ward Beecher. The world has +always made special place for the family of Beechers."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Hooker (Conn.) spoke very briefly, saying: "You all know those +old Jewish words in the Decalogue, 'Honor thy father and thy mother +that thy days may be long in the land that the Lord thy God giveth +thee.' If we want to help the republic, if we want to perpetuate the +institutions our fathers brought across the water, we must honor the +mothers equally with the fathers in the Government. To-day the laws +compel our sons the moment they are twenty-one to come to us and say: +'My mother, I owe you much; sometimes I think all that is good in me +has come from you, but to-day you will retire and I will rule. I will +no longer listen to your counsel; but I will make the laws for you and +my sisters, and you must obey them. Henceforth I am your ruler.' Now, +friends, a Government can not last long which teaches its sons +disrespect to its mothers. It is in line with our principles that we +recognize the mother element in the Government as well as in the +family."</p> + +<p>Miss Anthony closed the hearing with a strong appeal for a report from +the committee which should recommend Congress to submit a Sixteenth +Amendment and allow the women of the country to carry their case to +the State Legislatures. The committee seemed much impressed by the +arguments, but evidently there was no change of opinion.<a name="FNanchor_86_86" id="FNanchor_86_86"></a><a href="#Footnote_86_86" class="fnanchor">[86]</a></p> + +<p>A hearing was granted February 17 by the House Judiciary Committee, +with delegates present from twenty-six States. Addresses were made in +part as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chapman Catt</span>: ... You know that in these modern years there +has been a great deal of talk about natural rights, and we have +had an innumerable host of philosophers writing books to tell us +what natural rights are. I believe that to-day both scientists +and philosophers are agreed that they are the right to life, the +right to liberty, the right to free speech, the right to go where +you will and when you please, the right to earn your own living +and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> right to do the best you can for yourself. One of the +greatest of those philosophers and writers, Herbert Spencer, has +accorded to woman the same natural rights as to man. I believe +every thoughtful man in the United States to-day concedes that +point.</p> + +<p>The ballot has been for man a means of defending these natural +rights. Even now in some localities of the world those rights are +still defended by the revolver, as in former days, but in +peaceable communities the ballot is the weapon by means of which +they are protected. We find, as women citizens, that when we are +wronged, when our rights are infringed upon, inasmuch as we have +not this weapon with which to defend them, they are not +considered, and we are very many times imposed upon. We find that +the true liberty or the American people demands that all citizens +to whom these rights have been accorded should have that +weapon....</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Lida A. Meriwether</span> (Tenn.): "Oh, Cćsar, we who are about to +die salute you!" was the gladiators' cry in the arena, standing +face to face with death and with the Roman populace. All over +this fair city, youth and beauty, freshness and joy, stand with +welcoming hands, calling you to all pleasures of ear and eye, of +soul and sense. But here, into the inner sanctuary of your +deepest, gravest thought, come, year after year, a little band of +women over whose heads the snows of many winters and of many +sorrows have sifted. Here "we who are about to die salute you." +We do not come asking for gifts of profit or preferment for +ourselves; for us the day for ban or benison has almost passed. +But we ask for greater freedom, for better conditions for the +children of our love, whom we shall so soon leave behind. In the +short space allowed each petitioner we have not time to ask for +much. But in my State the grandmothers of seventy are growing +weary of being classed with the grandsons of seven. They fail to +find a valid reason why they should be relegated to perpetual +legal and political childhood.</p> + +<p>Years ago, when the bugle call rang out over this unhappy land, +as the men rallied to the standard of their State, we, the wives +and mothers, who had no voice in bringing about those cruel +conditions, were called to give up our brightest and best for +cannons' food. We furnished the provisions, ministered on the +battlefield, nursed in the hospital; we, equally with our +brothers, regarded "our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor" +only as gifts held in trust to spend and be spent for home and +State. And to-day when we see the wayfaring man, who probably +hails from a penal institution of the Old World, who honors no +home, no country and no political faith, freely enjoying the +right to say who shall make and who shall enforce the laws by +which we women are governed, we grow weary of being classed as +perpetual aliens upon our nation's soil.</p> + +<p>The honest, industrious, bread-winning women of Tennessee do not +enjoy the knowledge that the pauper of their State is their +political superior. Four years ago we saw it practically +demonstrated that when a great moral issue was at stake the male +pauper could cast his ballot without hindrance from the penal +code, but if the widow or the single woman, who earned and owned +property and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> paid her quota of the tax for his support, should +attempt to cast a counteracting ballot, her penalty would be fine +or imprisonment.</p> + +<p>Year after year we have journeyed to the Mecca of the +petitioner—the legislative halls. There we have asked protection +for our boys from the temptation of the open saloon; we have +asked that around our baby girls the wall of protection might be +raised at least a little higher than ten years; we have asked for +reform schools for boys, where they should not be thrown in daily +contact with old and hardened criminals. Year after year we have +pleaded for better conditions for the children to whom we have +given the might of our love, the strength and labor of our lives; +but in not one instance has that prayer been granted. And at last +we have found the reason why. A senator in a sister State said to +a body of petitioners: "Ladies, you won't get your bill, but your +defeat will be a paying investment if it only teaches you that +the politician, little or big, is now, always was, and always +will be, the drawn image, pocket edition, safety valve and +speaking-trumpet of the fellow that voted him in."</p> + +<p>Gentlemen, we ask your help to the end that not we, perhaps, but +the daughters and granddaughters whom we leave behind, may be +counted with "those that voted him in."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Jean Brooks Greenleaf</span> (N. Y.): Soon after I came to +Washington to make it my home for two years, one clear, bright +morning I drove up to this Capitol with a friend. As we ascended +the hill on the left we warmly expressed our admiration for the +beautiful structure within whose walls we are now standing, and +were enthusiastic in our admiration for those who so nobly +planned that, with the growth of the nation, there could be a +commensurate outstretching of its legislative halls without loss +to the dignity of the whole. We drove slowly around the front and +commenced the descent on the opposite side, when I called to the +driver to stop in order that we might feast our eyes on the +inspiring view which lay before us. There rose Washington +Monument so simple yet so grand, and I recalled the fact that in +its composition it fitly represented the Union of the States. My +heart swelled and my eyes overflowed as I thought of the grand +idea embodied in this Government, the possibilities of this +country's future. The lines of "My country, 'tis of thee," rose +to my lips, but they died there.</p> + +<p>Whence came my right to speak those words? True I was born here; +true I was taught from my earliest youth to repeat the glorious +words of Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman and other patriots; but +when I grew to womanhood I had to learn the bitter lesson that +these words applied only to men; that I simply counted as one in +the population; that I must submit to be governed by the laws in +the selection of whose makers I had no choice; that my consent to +be governed would never be asked; that for my taxation there +would be no representation; that, so far as my right to "life, +liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" was concerned, others must +judge for me; that I had no voice for myself; that I was a woman +without a country, and only on the plane of political equality +with the insane, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> idiot, the pauper, Indians not taxed, the +criminal, and the unnaturalized foreigner.</p> + +<p>Honorable gentlemen, women come here annually to ask that these +wrongs be righted. To-day we have come again to entreat that, as +you have extended this building to meet the needs of the people, +you will extend your thought of the people and make it possible +that the principle underlying the Government of this country may +be embodied in a law which will make the daughters of the land +joint heirs with the sons to all the rights and privileges of an +enfranchised people. In the name of the women of the State of New +York, I ask it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Miss Alice Stone Blackwell</span> (Mass.): Except where there is some +very strong reason to the contrary, it is generally admitted that +every man has a right to be consulted in regard to his own +concerns. The laws which he has to obey and the taxes he has to +pay are things that do most intimately concern him, and the only +way of being directly consulted in regard to them, under our form +of government, is through the ballot. Is there any very good +reason why women should not be free to be consulted in this +direct manner? Let us consider a few of the reasons which are +generally given against this freedom of women, and see whether +they are good.</p> + +<p>It is said that women do not need to vote, because they are +virtually represented by their husbands, fathers and brothers. +The first trouble with this doctrine of virtual representation is +that it is not according to numbers. I know a man who had a wife, +a widowed mother, four unmarried daughters and five unmarried +sisters. According to this theory his vote represented himself +and all those eleven women. Yet it counted but one, just the same +as the vote of his next-door bachelor neighbor without a female +relative in the world.</p> + +<p>Then, again, suppose that all the women in one family do not +think alike. A member of our Massachusetts Legislature had two +daughters. One was a suffragist, the other was so much opposed +that she used to burn the <i>Woman's Journal</i> as soon as it came in +the house. How was that man to represent both his daughters by +his single vote on the suffrage question? Instead of two +daughters he might have had three, one a Republican, one a +Democrat and the other a Prohibitionist. How could he have +represented all of them by his one vote unless he had voted +"early and often?"</p> + +<p>Again, in order to represent the women of his family a man may +have to go without representation himself. There was a case of an +old gentleman in Chicago, a Greenbacker, who had three daughters, +all of whom were Republicans. When election day approached his +three daughters said to him that he was the natural +representative of their family—he had always told them so, and +they fully agreed with him—and they pointed out to him how very +wrong it would be, when that family consisted of three +Republicans and only one Greenbacker, with but one ballot to +represent the family, that it should be cast for the Greenback +candidate. The old gentleman was conscientious and consistent +and, although he was a man of strong Greenback<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> convictions, he +actually voted the Republican ticket in order to represent his +daughters. It was the nearest he could come to representing them +under this theory. But did it give that family any accurate or +adequate representation? Evidently not. The Greenback candidate +was entitled to one vote from that family, and he did not get it; +and the Republican candidate was entitled to three ballots, and +he got only one. And then, in order to represent his daughters, +that chivalrous father had to go without any representation +himself. It is evident that the only fair way to get at public +sentiment in such a case is for each member of the family to have +one vote, and thus represent himself or herself.</p> + +<p>Another proof that women are not virtually represented is to be +found in the laws as they actually exist. These one-sided laws +were not made because men meant to be unjust or unkind to women, +but simply because they naturally looked at things mainly from +their own point of view. It does not indicate any special +depravity on the part of men. I have no doubt that if women alone +had made the laws, those laws would be just as one-sided as they +are to-day, only in the opposite direction.</p> + +<p>It is said that if women are enfranchised, husbands and wives +will vote just alike, and you will simply double the vote and +have no change in the result. Then, in the next breath, it is +said that husbands and wives would vote for opposing candidates, +and then there would be matrimonial quarrels. If they vote just +alike there will be no harm done, and this good may be done—the +women will be broadened by a knowledge of public affairs, and +husband and wife will have a subject of mutual interest in which +they can sympathize with each other. In cases where husband and +wife do not think alike as to who will make the best selectmen, +for instance, you will admit that is hardly sufficient to cause +them to quarrel; but if they should think differently on very +many other points, they would quarrel anyway, so that politics +would not make much difference with them.</p> + +<p>Then it is said that women do not want to vote, and in proof it +is said they do not vote generally for school committeemen where +allowed to do so. We all know that the size of the vote cast at +any election is just in proportion to the amount of interest that +election calls forth. At a Presidential election nearly all the +voters turn out; in an ordinary State election only about half; +at a municipal election only a small fraction of the men take the +trouble to vote. The Troy <i>Press</i> states that at a recent +election in Syracuse for a board of education, out of about 3,000 +qualified voters only 40 voted.</p> + +<p>Then, it is said that this movement is making no progress; that +while the movements along other lines are largely succeeding, +there has been no advance along this line. Twenty-five years ago, +with insignificant exceptions, women could not vote anywhere. +To-day they have school suffrage in twenty-three States, full +suffrage in Wyoming, municipal suffrage in Kansas, and municipal +suffrage for single women and widows in England, Scotland and +most of the British provinces. The common sense of the world is +slowly but surely working toward the enfranchisement of women.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Annie L. Diggs</span> (Kan.): You remember the time when the +theoretical objection was often urged that if the suffrage was +given to women, men would cease to show them the proper respect. +For instance, the weighty argument was made that they would not +raise their hats when they met women on the street, and that they +would not give up their seats in the cars. But, gentlemen, you +should just see how they take off their hats to us in Kansas, and +how every man of them gets up and offers us his seat when we come +into a street car!</p> + +<p>It was also urged that if the ballot were put into the hands of +women it would be detrimental to the interests of the home. There +is not a man in the State to-day who would venture to go before a +Kansas audience and urge that objection. There is not a man there +who would be willing to jeopardize his political, social or +business interests by casting any kind of obloquy upon the women +who have exercised the right of the elective franchise for the +last five years. This is the result of success. We have Municipal +Suffrage. One little ounce of fact outweighs whole tons of +theory....</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Rev. Anna Howard Shaw</span> (Penn.): Yesterday I noticed in a +report of our hearing before the Judiciary Committee of the House +the headline, "Appeals to Deaf Ears". And I said, "Has it come to +this, that when earnest and sincere women of this great country +make an appeal to the heads of the Government it is dubbed an +'Appeal to Deaf Ears'?" Time was when the British Government +thought our ancestors had not sufficient merit in their cause to +be heard, and when they made an "appeal to deaf ears". But the +time came when those ears were unstopped and they heard, and what +they heard was the cry of victory by a free people. We may be +appealing to deaf ears to-day, but the time is coming when it +will not be so. Men will hear and, hearing, they will answer, +because ultimately men desire the right. If I were asked what I +conscientiously believe the real condition of the hearts of most +men to be, I should say they are positively ignorant in regard to +the justice of this matter, and if it could be brought properly +before them, they would stand on the side of justice and right +for women.</p> + +<p>Therefore I desire only to say that I know from my travels all +over the country, conferring with the intelligent women to bring +before them this great principle, that the good work is going on. +It may be deafness yesterday and partial hearing to-day, but it +will be full hearing to-morrow. To-day we may be blind to the +truth; to-morrow we shall see the whole truth. We may not have +another centennial before we shall see justice for all human +kind.</p> + +<p>You know, gentlemen, that this Government exists for only three +things, and in those every woman is as much interested as every +man. It exists for the administration of justice, for the +protection of person and property, and for the development of +society. Just as you and all men have persons and property to +protect, so we women have. We are because of our nature and +because it seems as if the Almighty had intended it should be so, +more interested than men in the development of society. Wherever +there is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> any movement for the uplifting of society you will find +women in the forefront. There never has been any great movement +in this nation when women have not stood side by side with the +noblest and truest men.</p> + +<p>We do to-day nine-tenths of the philanthropic work, nine-tenths +of the church work, and form three-fourths of the church +membership. We are the teachers of the young; we are the mothers +of the race. If you want the noblest men you must have the +noblest mothers. "Eye hath not seen, nor hath ear heard, nor hath +it entered into the heart of man to conceive" the kind of men and +women God had in view when He created man in His own likeness and +gave to male and female dominion over the world, to subdue it and +to bring out of it the best things.</p> + +<p>You who talk of a great Government in which the voice of God is +heard must remember that, if "the voice of the people is the +voice of God," you never will know what that is until you get the +voice of the people, and you will find it has a soprano as well +as a bass. You must join the soprano voice of God to the bass +voice in order to get the harmony of the Divine voice. Then you +will have a law which will enable you to say, "We are a people +justly ruled, because in this nation the voice of the people is +the voice of God, and the voice of the people has been heard."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Ellen M. Bolles (R. I.) said in the course of her remarks: "The +conditions surrounding women to-day are quite different from what they +were in the days of our grandmothers. Women are becoming property +earners and owners, as they were not in those former times before they +began asking for the ballot. Twenty-five per cent. or more of the +women of this country are property owners. Nearly nine-tenths of the +laws are made for the protection of property and of those who own it +and who earn wages. Now it seems to me that this twenty-five per cent. +of the women should have a voice in the making of laws for the +protection of their property and of their right to earn a living...."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Colby thus closed her address on Wyoming: "Having thus shown that +the twenty-two years' experience of woman suffrage has been +satisfactory to the citizens of Wyoming; that it has conduced to good +order in the elections and to the purity of politics; that the +educational system is improved and that teachers are paid without +regard to sex; that Wyoming stands alone in a decreased proportion of +crime and divorce; and that it has elevated the personal character of +both sexes—what possible good is there left to speak of as coming to +that State from woman suffrage save its position as the vanguard of +progress and human<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> freedom. Not the Bartholdi statue in New York +harbor, but Wyoming on the crest of the continent, the first true +republic, represents Liberty enlightening the world."</p> + +<p>Short addresses were made also by Mrs. Caroline McCullough Everhard, +Mrs. Mary Jewett Telford, the Rev. Mila F. Tupper, Mrs. Marble, Dr. +Frances Dickinson, Miss H. Augusta Howard, Mrs. Saxon, Mrs. Hannah J. +Bailey, Mrs. Evaleen L. Mason and Mrs. Olive Pond Amies.<a name="FNanchor_87_87" id="FNanchor_87_87"></a><a href="#Footnote_87_87" class="fnanchor">[87]</a></p> + +<p>The <i>Post</i>, in an account of the Senate hearing, said: "Miss Anthony +called attention to Senator Hoar as the gentleman who had presented +the first favorable suffrage report to the Senate in 1879. Everybody +shouted "Stand up," and as he retired deeper into his leather chair +they continued to cry, "Up, up!" It was a tableau when the Senator +found his feet, and at the same time was confronted with a round of +applause and a volley of white handkerchiefs waved at him in +Chautauqua style. He capped the climax by moving at once a favorable +report. Laurel wreaths and bouquets would have been Senator Hoar's +portion if they had been available, but the women all assured him +afterward of their sincere appreciation. The hearing was held in the +ladies' reception room, which was completely filled."</p> + +<p>These matchless arguments had no effect upon the Democratic members of +the committee, but Senator Warren of Wyoming made a favorable report +for himself, Senators Hoar of Massachusetts, Quay of Pennsylvania and +Allen of Washington, which concluded by saying: "The majority of the +members of this committee, believing that equal suffrage, regardless +of sex, should be the legitimate outgrowth of the principles of a +republican form of government, and that the right of suffrage should +be conferred upon the women of the United States, earnestly recommend +the passage of the amendment submitted herewith."</p> + +<p>Senators Vance of North Carolina and George of Mississippi filed the +same minority report which already had done duty several times, +although the former was said to have declared that the speeches of the +women surpassed anything he ever had heard, and that their logic, if +used in favor of any other measure, could not fail to carry it.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_85_85" id="Footnote_85_85"></a><a href="#FNanchor_85_85"><span class="label">[85]</span></a> David B. Culberson, Tex.; William C. Oates, Ala.; Thomas +R. Stockdale, Miss.; Charles J. Boatner, La.; Isaac H. Goodnight, Ky.; +John A. Buchanan, Va.; William D. Bynum, Ind.; Alfred C. Chapin, N. +Y.; Fernando C. Layton, O.; Simon P. Wolverton, Penn.; Case Broderick; +Kan.; James Buchanan, N. J.; George W. Ray, N. Y.; H. Henry Powers, +Vt.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_86_86" id="Footnote_86_86"></a><a href="#FNanchor_86_86"><span class="label">[86]</span></a> Zebulon B. Vance, N. C.; John G. Carlisle, Ky.; J. Z. +George, Miss.; George F. Hoar, Mass.; John B. Allen, Wash.; Matthew S. +Quay, Penn.; Francis E. Warren, Wyo.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_87_87" id="Footnote_87_87"></a><a href="#FNanchor_87_87"><span class="label">[87]</span></a> After the convention had adjourned Miss Sara Winthrop +Smith (Conn.) made an argument on Federal Suffrage before the +Judiciary Committee of the House. See <a href="#CHAPTER_I">Chap. I</a> for general statement of +position taken by its advocates.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<h3>THE NATIONAL-AMERICAN CONVENTION OF 1893.</h3> + + +<p>At the close of the Twenty-fifth annual meeting the Washington +<i>Evening News</i> said: "There will be an exodus from Washington during +the next three days—an exodus of some of the intellectually powerful +and brilliant women who participated in what was agreed to be the +brightest and most successful convention ever held by the National +Suffrage Association. Whatever may be the opinion of the world at +large upon the feasibility or desirability of granting the franchise +to women, none who attended their annual reunion of delegates or +listened to the addresses of their orators and leaders, can deny that +the convention was composed of clever, sensible and attractive women, +splendidly representative of their sex and of the present time."</p> + +<p>After complimentary notices of the leading members, it continued: +"'One very pleasant thing connected with our business committee is the +beautiful relations existing among its members,' said one of the +officers the other evening. 'We all have our opinions and they often +differ, but we are absolutely true to each other and to the cause. We +are most of us married, and all of us have the co-operation of our +husbands and fathers. Of the business committee of nine, six are +married. For the past two years we have had one man on our board, the +Hon. Wm. Dudley Foulke, but as a rule men have not the time and +thought to give this subject, as they are engaged in more remunerative +employment.' The self-control and good-nature prevailing even in the +heated debate on the religious liberty interference resolution have +already been alluded to in our columns."</p> + +<p>Miss Susan B. Anthony presided over the convention, Jan. 16-19, 1893, +held in Metzerott's Music Hall and preceded by the usual religious +services Sunday afternoon. The sermon was given by the Rev. Annis F. +Eastman (N. Y.), an ordained Congregational minister, from the text in +Isaiah, "Take away the yoke."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span></p> + +<p>The memorial service, which was of unusual impressiveness, opened with +the reading by Miss Anthony of Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton's tribute +to the distinguished dead of the past year who advocated equality of +rights for women—George William Curtis, John Greenleaf Whittier, +Ernestine L. Rose, Abby Hutchinson Patton and others.<a name="FNanchor_88_88" id="FNanchor_88_88"></a><a href="#Footnote_88_88" class="fnanchor">[88]</a> Of Mr. +Curtis she said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>If the success of our cause could be assured by the high +character of the men who from the beginning have identified +themselves with it, woman would have been emancipated long ago. A +reform advocated by Garrison, Phillips, Emerson, Alcott, Theodore +Parker, Gerrit Smith, Samuel J. May and George William Curtis +must be worthy the consideration of statesmen and bishops.</p> + +<p>For more than one generation Mr. Curtis maintained a brave +attitude on this question. As editor of <i>Harper's Magazine</i>, and +as a popular lecturer on the lyceum platform, he was ever true to +his convictions. Before the war his lecture on Fair Play for +Women aroused much thought among the literary and fashionable +classes. In the New York Constitutional Convention in 1867, a +most conservative body, Mr. Curtis, though a young man and aware +that he had but little sympathy among his compeers, bravely +demanded that the word "male" should be stricken from the +suffrage article of the proposed constitution. His speech on that +occasion, in fact, philosophy, rhetoric and argument never has +been surpassed in the English language. From the beginning of his +public life to its close Mr. Curtis was steadfast on this +question. <i>Harper's Magazine</i> for June, 1892, contains his last +plea for woman and for a higher standard for political +parties....</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Ernestine L. Rose, exiled from Poland on account of her religious +faith, married an Englishman and came to America, where she was one of +the first and most eloquent of the women who spoke on the public +platform. In 1836 she circulated petitions for the property rights of +married women, in company with Mrs. Paulina Wright (Davis), and +presented them to the New York Legislature. For forty years she was +among the ablest advocates of the rights of women, lecturing also on +religion, government and other subjects. Mrs. Abby Hutchinson Patton +was lovingly referred to, the last but one of that family who had sung +so many years for freedom, not only for the negro but for woman. +Whittier, the uncompromising advocate of liberty for woman as well as +for man, was eulogized in fitting terms.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Hon. A. G. Riddle (D. C.) offered a fine testimonial to Francis +Minor and Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, saying: "Mr. Minor was the first to +urge the true and sublime construction of that noble amendment born of +the war. It declares that all persons—not simply males—born or +naturalized in the United States are citizens of the United States and +of the State wherein they reside. Those who are denied or are refused +the right to exercise the privileges and franchises of citizenship are +less than citizens. Those who still declare that women may not vote, +simply write 'falsehood' across that glorious declaration." General +Butler, as a leading member of the House Judiciary Committee, in a +matchless argument had asserted the right of women to vote under the +Fourteenth Amendment,<a name="FNanchor_89_89" id="FNanchor_89_89"></a><a href="#Footnote_89_89" class="fnanchor">[89]</a> and used all his influence to secure +suffrage for women. Miss Anthony said in part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The good of this hour is that it brings to the knowledge of the +young the work of the pioneers who have passed away. It seems +remarkable to those standing, as I do, one of a generation almost +ended, that so many of these young people know nothing of the +past; they are apt to think they have sprung up like somebody's +gourd, and that nothing ever was done until they came. So I am +always gratified to hear these reminiscences, that they may know +how others have sown what they are reaping to-day.</p> + +<p>One of the earliest advocates of this cause was Sally Holly, the +daughter of Myron Holly, founder of the Liberty Party in the +State of New York, and also founder of Unitarianism in the city +of Rochester. Frederick Douglass will say a few words in regard +to Sally Holly, and of such of the others as he may feel moved to +speak; and I want to say that when, at the very first convention +called and managed by women, Elizabeth Cady Stanton read her +resolution that the elective franchise is the underlying right, +there was but one man to stand with her, and that man was +Frederick Douglass.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mr. Douglass (D. C.) told of attempting to speak in Buffalo against +slavery in 1843, when every hall was closed to him and he went into an +abandoned storeroom:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I continued from day to day speaking in that old store to +laborers from the wharves, cartmen, draymen and longshoremen, +until after awhile the room was crowded. No woman made her +appearance at the meetings, but day after day for six days in +succession I spoke—morning, afternoon and evening. On the third +day there came into the room a lady leading a little girl. No +greater contrast could possibly have been presented than this +elegantly dressed, refined and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> lovely woman attempting to wend +her way through that throng. I don't know that she showed the +least shrinking from the crowd, but I noticed that they rather +shrank from her, as if fearful that the dust of their garments +would soil hers. Her presence to me at that moment was as if an +angel had been sent from Heaven to encourage me in my +anti-slavery endeavors. She came day after day thereafter, and at +last I had the temerity to ask her name. She gave it—Sally +Holly. "A daughter of Myron Holly?" said I. "Yes," she answered. +I understood it all then, for he was amongst the foremost of the +men in western New York in the anti-slavery movement. His home +was in Rochester and his dust now lies in Mt. Hope, the beautiful +cemetery of that city. Over him is a monument, placed there by +that other true friend of women, Gerrit Smith of Peterboro....</p> + +<p>I have seen the Hutchinson family in a mob in New York. When +neither Mr. Garrison, Mr. Phillips nor Mr. Burleigh, nor any one +could speak, when there was a perfect tempest and whirlwind of +rowdyism in the old Tabernacle on Broadway, then this family +would sing, and almost upon the instant that they would raise +their voices, so perfect was the music, so sweet the concord, so +enchanting the melody, that it came down upon the audience like a +summer shower on a dusty road, subduing, settling everything.</p> + +<p>I can not add to the paper which Mrs. Stanton has sent. After +her—silence. Your cause has raised up no voice so potent as that +of Elizabeth Cady Stanton—no living voice except yours, Madame +President.</p> + +<p>How delighted I am to see that you have the image of Lucretia +Mott here [referring to her marble bust on the stage]. I am glad +to be here, glad to be counted on your side, and glad to be able +to remember that those who have gone before were my friends. I +was more indebted to Whittier perhaps than to any other of the +anti-slavery people. He did more to fire my soul and enable me to +fire the souls of others than any other man. It was Whittier and +Pierpont who feathered our arrows, shot in the direction of the +slave power, and they did it well. No better reading can now be +had in favor of the rights of woman or the liberties of man than +is to be found in their utterances....</p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Clara Barton (D. C.) spoke in a touching manner of the great +service rendered to humanity by Dr. Harriet N. Austin, who assisted +Dr. James C. Jackson to establish the "Home on the Hillside," the +Dansville (N. Y.) Sanitorium. Henry B. Blackwell told of John L. +Whiting, "a power and a strength to the Massachusetts Suffrage +Association for many years, one of those rare men not made smaller by +wealth, and always willing to give himself, his mind, his heart, his +money, to help the cause of woman." The Rev. Anna Howard Shaw said in +part:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>I have been asked to speak a word of Mrs. Ralph Waldo Emerson. It +has been said by some people that we have wrongfully quoted Mr. +Emerson as being on our side. His biographers appear to have put +in his early statements and forgotten to include his later +declarations, which were all in favor of the enfranchisement of +women.</p> + +<p>I was once sent to Concord by the Massachusetts society to hold a +meeting. The churches were closed against suffrage speakers and +there was not money enough to pay for a hall. Mrs. Ralph Waldo +Emerson heard the meeting was to be given up, and she sent a +message to the lady having the work in charge, saying: "Shall it +be said that here in Concord, where the Revolutionary war began, +there is no place to speak for the freedom of women? Get the best +hall in town and I will pay for it." So on that occasion and on +another Mrs. Emerson paid for the hall and sent a kind word to +the meeting, declaring herself in favor of the suffrage for +women, and stating that her husband's views and her own were +identical on this question. She had the New England trait of +being a good wife, a good mother and a good housekeeper, and Mr. +Emerson's home was a restful and blessed place. We sometimes +forget the wives of great men in thinking of the greatness of +their husbands, but Mrs. Emerson was as great in her way as Mr. +Emerson in his, and no more faithful friend to woman and to +woman's advancement ever has lived among us.<a name="FNanchor_90_90" id="FNanchor_90_90"></a><a href="#Footnote_90_90" class="fnanchor">[90]</a></p> + +<p>A word as to the Rev. Anna Oliver, the first woman to enter the +theological department of Boston University. She was much beloved +by her class. She was a devoted Christian, eminently orthodox, +and a very good worker in all lines of religious effort. After +Miss Oliver graduated she was ambitious to become ordained, as +all women ought to be who desire to preach the gospel; and so +after I had graduated from the theological school, the year +following, we both applied to the conference of the Methodist +Episcopal Church for admission. Miss Oliver's name beginning with +O and mine with S, her case was presented first. She was denied +ordination by Bishop Andrews. Our claims were carried to the +general conference in Cincinnati, and the Methodist Episcopal +Church denied ordination to the women whom it had graduated in +its schools and upon whom it had conferred the degree of bachelor +of divinity. It not only did this, but it made a step backwards; +it took from us the licenses to preach which had been granted to +Miss Oliver for four years and to myself for eight years.</p> + +<p>But Miss Oliver was earnest in her efforts, and so she began to +preach in the city of Brooklyn, and with great courage bought a +church in which a man had failed as a minister, leaving a debt of +$14,000. She was like a great many other women—and here is a +warning for all women. God made a woman equal to a man, but He +did not make a woman equal to a woman <i>and</i> a man. We usually try +to do the work of a man and of a woman too; then we break down, +and they say that women ought not to be ministers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> because they +are not strong enough. They do not get churches that can afford +to send them to Europe on a three months' vacation once a year. +Miss Oliver was not only the minister and the minister's wife, +but she started at least a dozen reforms and undertook to carry +them all out. She was attacked by that influential Methodist +paper, the <i>Christian Advocate</i>, edited by the Rev. Dr. James M. +Buckley, who declared that he would destroy her influence in the +church, and so with that great organ behind him he attacked her. +She had that to fight, the world to fight and the devil to fight, +and she broke down in health. She went abroad to recover, but +came home only to die.<a name="FNanchor_91_91" id="FNanchor_91_91"></a><a href="#Footnote_91_91" class="fnanchor">[91]</a></p></blockquote> + +<p>The death of those less widely known was touchingly referred to by +women of the different States. Miss Anthony closed the services by +saying: "I am just informed that we must add to this list the revered +name of Abby Hopper Gibbons, of four-score-and-ten, who with her +father, Isaac T. Hopper, formed the Women's Prison Association, and +who has stood for more than the allotted years of man the sentinel on +the watch-tower to guard unfortunate women and help them back into +womanly living."</p> + +<p>At the first evening session Miss Anthony, in her president's address, +answered the question, "What has been gained by the forty years' +work?" She called attention to the woman who had preached the day +before, ordained by an orthodox denomination; to the women alternate +delegates to the late National Republican Convention; to the +recommendation of Gov. Roswell P. Flower that women should be +delegates to the approaching New York Constitutional Convention. She +pointed out rapidly many other straws showing the direction of the +wind, saying: "Wendell Phillips said what he wanted to do on the +abolition question was to turn Congress into an anti-slavery debating +society. That is what we have done with every educational, industrial, +religious and political body—we have turned them all into debating +societies on the woman question."</p> + +<p>U. S. Senator Joseph M. Carey (Wy.) sent a letter reaffirming his +conviction that the granting of full political rights to women would +be for the best interests of the country. Mr. Blackwell sketched the +successive extensions of suffrage to women, and set forth the special +importance of their trying to secure the Municipal and the +Presidential franchises, both of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> which could be granted by the +Legislature. Mrs. Ellen Battelle Dietrick (Mass.) read an able paper +on The Best Methods of Interesting Women in Suffrage, in which she +said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The truth is, the American woman has been so pleasantly soothed +by the sweet opiate of that high-sounding theory of her +"sovereignty," that until very recently she could not be aroused +to examine the facts. Forty years ago the voices of a few crying +in the wilderness began to prepare the way for the present +awakening....</p> + +<p>The deliverance of woman must have as its corner-stone +self-support. The first step in this direction must be to explode +the fallacy that marriage is a state of being supported. As men +are most largely the gatherers of money, it is mistakenly assumed +that they are most largely the creators of wealth. The man goes +abroad and gives his daily labor toward earning his board and +clothes; but what he actually receives for his work can neither +be eaten nor worn. It does nothing whatever until he puts it into +his wife's hands, and upon her intelligence, energy and ability +depend how much can be done through the using of it. Not until +her labor in transforming raw material, in cooking, sewing, and +rendering a house habitable, is joined to his, can a man be said +to have really received anything worth having. He begins, she +completes, the making of their joint wealth. Their dependence is +mutual; the position of the one who turns the money into usable +material by her labor being equally important, equally valuable, +with that of him who turned his labor into money; and this must +be fully recognized if woman is ever to come into her true +relation to man. She supports him exactly as he supports her, and +this is equally the case with the wife who herself produces +directly, or the one who gives her time and intelligence to +direct the production of others....</p> + +<p>Closely allied to the fallacy that man supports woman is the +fallacy that man protects woman, and has a right to control her +by virtue of this protection. There was a period in the world's +transition from savagery to civilization when mankind had so +little conception of the mutuality of human interests that war +was a perpetual condition of society. Originally women also were +fighters; just as the lioness or tigress is as capable as her +mate of self-defense and protection of her young, so the savage +woman, when necessity required, was equally capable of conducting +warfare in the same cause. But long before men had given up +killing each other for the better business of trading with and +helping each other woman had ceased to be a fighter. She was the +first to see the advantages of peace, both because she was the +earliest manufacturer and trader and because it cost her more in +the production of every soldier than it cost man. Instinct +directed her toward peace long before reason made it possible for +her to explain why she hated war, and she hated it as an +occupation for herself long before it occurred to her to despise +it as an occupation for man. To-day the love of peace and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> hatred +for war which she is rapidly spreading through the world is the +real protector of woman; she is a self-protector by virtue of +this proclivity, and, as war is equally the enemy of man, here +again woman gives to man as much as she receives. Whatever force +the argument based on the right of soldiers to rule may once have +had is rapidly passing away. The era of the destroyer is dying, +the epoch of the Creator is coming in....</p> + +<p>The subjugation of woman doubtless arose from an honest desire of +man to protect her. His mistake lay in assuming that his mind and +will could do private and public duty for both. Woman's mistake +lay in assuming that she might with safety permit man's mind and +will to discharge the duties nature meant to be fulfilled by her +own. Unhappily nature has a way of allowing the human race to +learn by its own experience, even though the lesson consume ages +of time; and she has also a rule that unused faculties and +functions fall into a state of atrophy. It was by such a +substitution of masculine for feminine will that woman fell so +far behind him whom she originally led in the race, industrial +and intellectual. If they are ever to march side by side as true +comrades and free partners, it must be by a voluntary resumption +of independence in feminine mind and will. In this man can assist +by stimulating her spirit of independence, or he can discourage +it by a contrary course, but the final result lies with woman +herself. She alone can free herself from the habits of thought +and action engendered by thousands of years of slavery.</p> + +<p>The steps toward the emancipation of women are first +intellectual, then industrial, lastly legal and political. Great +strides in the first two of these stages already have been made +by millions of women who do not yet perceive that it is surely +carrying them towards the last.</p></blockquote> + +<p>In the address of Mrs. Ruth C. D. Havens (D. C.) on The Girl of the +Future, which was greatly enjoyed, she said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The training and education of the girl of the present have seldom +been discussed except from one standpoint—her suitable +preparation for becoming an economical housekeeper, an +inexpensive wife, a willing and self-forgetful mother, a cheap, +unexacting, patient, unquestioning, unexpectant, ministering +machine. The girl's usefulness to herself, to her sex and race, +her preferences, tastes, happiness, social, intellectual or +financial prosperity, hardly have entered into the thought upon +this question....</p> + +<p>If woman would be a student, a scientist, a lecturer, a +physician; if she would be a pioneer in a wilderness of scoffers +to make fair roads up which her sex might easily travel to equal +educational and legal rights, equal privileges and pay in fields +of labor, equal suffrage—she must divide her eager energies and +give the larger half to superior homekeeping, wifehood and +motherhood, in order that her new gospel shall be received with +any respect or acceptance.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> And probably no class of women have +been such sticklers for the cultivation of all woman's modest, +unassuming home duties as have been the great, ambitious teachers +on this suffrage platform....</p> + +<p>But this will not be the training of the girl of the future. It +is not the sort of preparation to which the boy of the present is +urged. "Jack of all trades, good at none" is the old epithet +bestowed upon a man who thus diffuses his energies. You do not +expect a distinguished lawyer to clean his own clothes, a doctor +to groom his horse, a teacher to take care of the schoolhouse +furnace, a preacher to half-sole his shoes. This would be +illogical, and men are nothing if not logical. Yet a woman who +enters upon any line of achievement is invariably hampered, for +at least the early years, with the inbred desire to add to the +labor of her profession all the so-called feminine duties, which, +fulfilled to-day, are yet to be done to-morrow, which bring to +her neither comfort, gain nor reputation, and which by their +perpetual demand diminish her powers for a higher quality of +work....</p> + +<p>Everywhere there is too much housekeeping. It is not economy of +time or money for every little family of moderate means to +undertake alone the expensive and wearing routine. The married +woman of the future will be set free by co-operative methods, +half the families on a square, perhaps, enjoying one luxurious, +well-appointed dining-room with expenses divided <i>pro rata</i>. In +many other ways housekeeping will be simplified. Homes have no +longer room for people—they are consecrated to things. Parlors +and bedrooms are full of the cheap and incongruous or expensive +and harmonious belongings of a junk shop. Plush gods hold the +fort. All the average house needs to make it a museum is the +sign, "Hands off." ...</p> + +<p>The girl of the future will select her own avocation and take her +own training for it. If she be a houseworker, and many will +prefer to be, she will be so valuable in that line as to command +much respect and good wages. If she be an architect, a jeweler, +an electrical engineer, she will not rob a cook by mutilating a +dinner, or a dressmaker by amateur cutting and sewing, or a +milliner by creating her own bonnet. The house helper will not be +incompetent, because the development and training of woman for +her best and truest work will have extended to her also, and she +will do housework because she loves it and is better adapted to +it than to any other employment. She will preside in the kitchen +with skill and science.</p> + +<p>The service girl of the future will be paid perhaps double or +treble her present wages, with wholesome food, a cheerful room, +an opportunity to see an occasional cousin and some leisure for +recreation. At present this would be ruinous, and why? Because +too frequently the family has but one producer. The wife, herself +a consumer, produces more consumers. Daughters grow up around a +man like lilies of the field, which toil not, neither do they +spin. Every member of every family in the future will be a +producer of some kind and in some degree. The only one who will +have the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> right of exemption will be the mother, for a child can +hardly be born with cheerful views of living whose mother's life +has been, for its sake, a double burden. From this root spring +melancholy, insanity, suicide. The production of human souls is +the highest production of all, the one which requires most +preparation, truest worth, gravest care and holiest consecration. +If the girl of the future recognizes this truth, she will have +made an advance indeed. But apart from the mother every member of +the family should be a material producer; and then there will be +means sufficient for the producer in the kitchen to get such +remuneration for her skill as will eliminate the incompetent, +shirking, migratory creature of today....</p> + +<p>I hardly need say to this audience that the girl of the future +will vote. She will not plead for the privilege—she will be +urged to exercise the right, and no one will admit that he ever +opposed it, or remember that there was a time when woman's ballot +was despised and rejected of men. She will not be told that she +needs the suffrage for her own protection, but she will be urged +to exercise it for the good of her country and of humanity. It +will not be known that the Declaration of Independence was once a +dead letter. No one will believe that it ever was declared that +the Constitution did not protect this right. It will be +incredible that women were once neither people nor citizens, <i>and +yet were the mothers, and in so much the creators, of the men who +governed them</i>.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Mary S. Lockwood (D. C.), member-at-large of the World's Fair +Board of Lady Managers, read a carefully prepared statement of the +methods and aims of that body, which began: "The Board of Lady +Managers owe their existence to Susan B. Anthony and her co-workers. +It was these women who went before Congress and not only asked but +demanded that women should have a place in the management of this +Columbian Exposition—and they got it"!<a name="FNanchor_92_92" id="FNanchor_92_92"></a><a href="#Footnote_92_92" class="fnanchor">[92]</a> She closed as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I have been greatly impressed as I have come into this hall from +day to day, and have looked upon the sweet representative face in +marble of Lucretia Mott and the benign, glorified face of Mrs. +Stanton, with Susan B. Anthony as the central figure of the trio, +and have thought of the years they have lifted up their voices +praying they might see the glory of the coming of the Lord; and I +have felt if only I could bring before them the sheaves which we +are gathering from the women of the earth for this great +exposition; if only I could show them how their work has put the +women of this nation in touch with the women of every other +country, awakening them to new aspirations, new hopes, new +efforts, to whom the dawn of a brighter day is visible—these +pioneers would say, "Our eyes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> are indeed opened; a handful of +corn planted on the top of the mountain has been made to shake +all Lebanon."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Mary H. Williams (Neb.) reported that, as chairman of a committee +for this purpose, she had sent letters to forty-nine Governors of +States and Territories; twenty-one replies had been received—nine in +favor of full suffrage for women, two of school suffrage only, three +were totally opposed and the others made evasive replies. The nine in +favor were Governors Barber of Wyoming, Routt of Colorado, Mellette of +South Dakota, Winans of Michigan, Thomas of Utah, Burke of North +Dakota, Humphrey of Kansas, Colcord of Nevada, Knapp of Alaska. All of +these were Western men and all Republicans but Winans. Tillman of +South Carolina and Willey of Idaho favored school suffrage alone. +Stone of Mississippi and Fleming of West Virginia answered "no". Gov. +James E. Boyd of Nebraska was opposed, although he would allow women +to vote on school questions. Governor Boyd's election had been +contested on the ground that his father had not been properly +naturalized.</p> + +<p>Gov. Thomas M. Holt of North Carolina replied: "I am utterly opposed +to woman suffrage in any shape or form. I have a wife and three +daughters, all married, who are as much opposed to women going into +politics as I am, and they <i>reflex</i> the sentiment of our Southern +women generally."</p> + +<p>Gov. Francis P. Fleming of Florida gave nine reasons why he was +opposed, but concluded: "The above objections would not as a rule +apply to church or school elections, and as women are usually much +more pious than men and take more interest in church matters, I am +inclined to think it would be well for them to vote at church +elections, and am not aware of any particular objection to their +voting at school elections."</p> + +<p>The address of Mrs. Orra Langhorne (Va.) was read by her niece, Miss +Henderson Dangerfield. It gave a charming picture of the oldtime +Southern woman, her responsible social position, her care for her +great household in her own small world; described how she was +handicapped by tradition and lack of intellectual training; depicted +the changed conditions since the war and her gradual awakening to the +demands of modern life and the need of larger rights.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span></p> + +<p>Lucy Stone was not able to be present and a letter from her was read +by her husband, Mr. Blackwell:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Dear Friends</span>:—Wherever woman suffragists are gathered together +in the name of equal rights, there am I always in spirit with +them. Although unable to be present in person, my glad greeting +goes to you, every one, to those who have borne the heat and +burden of the day, and to the strong, brave, younger workers who +have come to lighten the load and help bring the victory. The +work still calls for patient perseverance and ceaseless endeavor; +but we have every reason to rejoice when there are so many gains +and when favorable conditions abound on every hand. The end is +not yet in sight, but it can not be far away. The road before us +is shorter than the road behind.</p></blockquote> + +<p>This was her last message to the association. She passed away in +October of this year, having labored nearly half a century for the +enfranchisement of women.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, in an address entitled Comparisons Are +Odious, showed the contrast between the Government's treatment of the +Sioux Indians, exempted from taxation and allowed to vote, and of +law-abiding, intelligent women in the same section of the country, +compelled to pay taxes and not allowed to vote.<a name="FNanchor_93_93" id="FNanchor_93_93"></a><a href="#Footnote_93_93" class="fnanchor">[93]</a> Miss Elizabeth +Upham Yates closed the evening with a brilliant address.</p> + +<p>Before adjourning Miss Anthony read Gov. Roswell P. Flower's +certificate appointing her a member of the Board of Managers of the +State Industrial School at Rochester, N. Y. She took considerable +satisfaction in pointing out that it referred to her as "him," because +she had always contended that, if the masculine pronoun in an official +document is sufficient to send a woman to the jail or the gallows, it +is sufficient to enable her to vote and hold office.</p> + +<p>On the last evening, the Hon. Carroll D. Wright, U. S. Commissioner of +Labor, delivered a valuable address on The Industrial Emancipation of +Women, in which he said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Until within a comparatively recent period, woman's subjection to +man has been well-nigh complete in all respects, whether such +subjection is considered from a social, political, intellectual +or even a physical point of view. At first the property of man, +she emerged under civilization from the sphere of a drudge to +that of a social<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> factor and, consequently, into the liberty of +cultivating her mental faculties....</p> + +<p>Industrial emancipation, using the term broadly, means the +highest type of woman as the result, the word "industrial" +comprehending in this sense all remunerative employment. The +entrance of woman into the industrial field was assured when the +factory system of labor displaced the domestic or hand labor +system. The age of invention, with the wonderful ramifications +which invention always has produced, must be held accountable for +bringing woman into a field entirely unknown to her prior to that +age. As an economic factor, either in art, literature or +industry, she was before that time hardly recognizable. With the +establishment of the factory system, the desire of woman to have +something more than she could earn as a domestic or in +agricultural labor, or to earn something where before she had +earned nothing, resulted in her becoming an economic factor, and +she was obliged to submit to all the conditions of this new +position. It hardly can be said that in the lower forms of +industrial pursuits she superseded man, but it is true that she +supplemented his labors....</p> + +<p>Each step in industrial progress has raised her in the scale of +civilization rather than degraded her. As a result she has +constantly gone up higher and gained intellectual advantages, +such as the opening to her of the higher institutions of +learning, which have in turn equipped her for the best +professional employment. The moral plane of the so-called +workingwoman certainly is higher than that of the woman engaged +in domestic service, and is equal to that of any class of women +in the community....</p> + +<p>As women have occupied the positions of bookkeepers, telegraphers +and many of what might be called semi-professional callings, men +have entered engineering, electrical, mechanical and other +spheres of work which were not known when women first stepped +into the industrial field. As the latter have progressed from +entire want of employment to that which pays a few dollars per +week, men, too, have progressed in their employments, and +occupied larger fields not existing before....</p> + +<p>Woman is now stepping out of industrial subjection and coming +into the industrial system of the present as an entirely new +economic factor. If there were no other reasons, this alone would +be sufficient to make her wages low and prevent their very rapid +increase.... The growing importance of woman's labor, her general +equipment through technical education, her more positive +dedication to the life-work she chooses, the growing sentiment +that an educated and skilful woman is a better and truer +companion in marriage than an ignorant and unskilful one, her +appreciation of the value of organization, the general uplifting +of the principle of integrity in business circles, woman's +gradual approach to man's powers in mental achievement also, her +possible and probable political influence—all these combined, +working along general avenues of progress and evolution, will +bring her industrial emancipation, by which she will stand on an +equality with man in those callings<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> in life for which she may be +fitted. As she approaches this equality her remuneration will be +increased and her economic importance acknowledged....</p> + +<p>If woman's industrial emancipation leads to what many are pleased +to call "political rights," we must not quarrel with it. It is +not just that all other advantages which may come through this +emancipation shall be withheld simply because one great privilege +on which there is a division of sentiment may also come.</p> + +<p>One of the greatest boons which will result from the industrial +emancipation of woman will be the frank admission on the part of +the true and chivalric man that she is the sole and rightful +owner of her own being in every respect, and that whatever +companionship may exist between her and man shall be as +thoroughly honorable to her as to him.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Harriet May Mills (N. Y.) gave a paper on The Present Political +Status of Woman, which showed the trained mind and logical method of +thought one would expect from a graduate of Cornell University. The +last address of the convention was given by the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, +entitled The America Undiscovered by Columbus. This, like so many of +Miss Shaw's unsurpassed lectures, will be lost to posterity because +unwritten and not stenographically reported.</p> + +<p>In her report as vice-president-at-large Miss Shaw announced that she +had given during the year 215 lectures for which she had received pay, +twenty-five of these for suffrage associations and the rest for +temperance and literary organizations, but on every occasion it had +been a suffrage lecture. In addition she had given gratuitously to the +service of this cause lectures which at her regular price would have +amounted to $1,265. She also related the following incident: "I was +present at the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union in Denver, +and Miss Willard introduced me as a fraternal delegate from the +National Suffrage Association. I made my little speech and the whole +convention arose and waved their handkerchiefs at the message sent by +this body. One woman jumped to her feet and moved that a telegram be +returned from that convention, giving its sisterly sympathy. Miss +Willard got up and said, 'Shoo, ladies; this is different from what it +was in Washington in 1881, when you refused to let me have Miss +Anthony on my platform. Things are coming around, girls.'"</p> + +<p>The corresponding secretary, Mrs. Rachel Foster Avery, announced<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> that +thirty-three State associations were auxiliary to the national. Miss +Adelaide Johnson was introduced as the sculptor who had modeled the +fine busts of Lucretia Mott, Mrs. Stanton and Miss Anthony, which were +on the platform. Miss Laura Clay reported on the work that had just +been commenced in the Southern States, which she considered a most +hopeful field. In the discussion on Press Work, when it was proposed +that the association start an official paper, Miss Anthony said with +much feeling: "I had an experience in publishing a paper about +twenty-five years ago and I came to grief. I never hear of a woman +starting a suffrage paper that my blood does not tingle with agony for +what that poor soul will have to endure—the same agony I went +through. I feel, however, that we shall never become an immense power +in the world until we concentrate all our money and editorial forces +upon one great national daily newspaper, so we can sauce back our +opponents every day in the year; once a month or once a week is not +enough.</p> + +<p>The resolutions presented by the chairman, Mrs. Dietrick, were adopted +without dissent,<a name="FNanchor_94_94" id="FNanchor_94_94"></a><a href="#Footnote_94_94" class="fnanchor">[94]</a> except the last:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, The Constitution of the United States promises +noninterference with the religious liberty of the people; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, Congress is now threatening to abridge the liberties of +all in response to ecclesiastical dictation from a portion of the +people; therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That this association enters a protest against any +national attempt to control the innocent inclinations of the +people either on the Jewish Sabbath or the Christian Sunday, and +this we do quite irrespective of our individual opinions as to +the sanctity of Sunday.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That we especially protest against this present +attempt to force all the people to follow the religious dictates +of a part of the people, as establishing a precedent for the +entrance of a most dangerous complicity between Church and State, +thereby subtly undermining the foundation of liberty, so +carefully laid by the wisdom of our fathers.</p></blockquote> + +<p>This precipitated the discussion as to the opening of the World's Fair +on Sunday which had been vigorously waged during two preceding +conventions without resulting in definite action. It was now continued +during three sessions and then, by majority vote, indefinitely +postponed. Mrs. Avery, chairman of the Columbian Exposition +Committee,<a name="FNanchor_95_95" id="FNanchor_95_95"></a><a href="#Footnote_95_95" class="fnanchor">[95]</a> closed her report as follows: "As we are to be +represented in so many ways during the World's Fair—i. e., at the +World's Congress of Representative Women, in the Suffrage Congresses, +in the meetings to be held in the auditorium of the Woman's Building, +in the program to be presented by us for the approval of the Committee +on General Meetings of the Board of Lady Managers—I would strongly +urge against attempting to hold a separate Suffrage Congress, either +national or international, during the Exposition." This was agreed to.</p> + +<p>The Congressional Committee, through Mrs. Harriet Taylor Upton, +reported that 375 letters had been sent to members of Congress asking +for an expression on the question of woman suffrage. Of those who +responded fifty-nine were in favor of full suffrage; twenty-five of +qualified suffrage; sixty-five wholly opposed. The remainder did not +reply, although stamps were enclosed. This committee also arranged for +the printing, purchasing and distributing of 23,000 copies of the +Senate and House hearings. The report concluded: "The time has come<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> +when women wanting legislation must proceed exactly as men do who want +it. No man procures an office for himself or a friend, nor does any +man or association get an Act passed, unless the claim is persistently +pressed, not only upon the members of the committee in charge of it +but upon his friends and acquaintances in Congress. There is no use in +supposing the justice or right of a question, without persistent work, +is going to bring about a reform."<a name="FNanchor_96_96" id="FNanchor_96_96"></a><a href="#Footnote_96_96" class="fnanchor">[96]</a></p> + +<p>Mrs. Colby, chairman of the Committee on Federal Suffrage, appointed +to urge the legal right of women to vote for Representatives under the +U. S. Constitution, reported that she had sent a copy of Francis +Minor's argument to every member of the Judiciary Committee of the +House of Representatives, with a personal letter asking for an +opinion, and that not one replied. Petitions were sent from twenty +States, including suffrage associations, temperance societies, +granges, etc. Letters asking an opinion were written to nineteen +Senators who were considered friendly to the enfranchisement of women, +and only one answered, Joseph N. Dolph of Oregon. Miss Sara Winthrop +Smith (Conn.) opened the discussion.<a name="FNanchor_97_97" id="FNanchor_97_97"></a><a href="#Footnote_97_97" class="fnanchor">[97]</a></p> + +<p>The motion of Miss Alice Stone Blackwell to amend the constitution so +that it would not be obligatory to hold every annual convention in +Washington, was amended by Mrs. Avery to the effect that "the annual +delegate convention shall be held in Washington during the first +session of each Congress, in order to influence national legislation; +the meeting of the alternate conventions to be left an open question." +Miss Anthony was greatly opposed to holding any of the national +meetings outside of Washington, and in a forcible speech she said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The sole object, it seems to me, of this organization is to bring +the combined influence of all the States upon Congress to secure +national legislation. The very moment you change the purpose of +this great body from National to State work you have defeated its +object. It is the business of the States to do the district work; +to create public sentiment; to make a national organization +possible;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> and then to bring their united power to the capital +and focus it on Congress. Our younger women naturally can not +appreciate the vast amount of work done here in Washington by the +National Association in the last twenty-five years. The delegates +do not come here as individuals but as representatives of their +entire States.</p> + +<p>We have had these conventions here for a quarter of a century, +and every Congress has given hearings to the ablest women we +could bring from every section. In the olden times the States +were not fully organized—they had not money enough to pay their +delegates' expenses. We begged and worked and saved the money and +the National Association paid the expenses of delegates from +Oregon and California in order that they might come and bring the +influence of their States to bear upon Congress.</p> + +<p>Last winter we had twenty-three States represented by delegates. +Think of those twenty-three women going before the Senate +committee, each making her speech, and showing these Senators the +interest in all these States. We have educated at least a part of +three or four hundred men and their wives and daughters every two +years to return as missionaries to their respective localities. I +shall feel it a grave mistake if you vote in favor of a movable +convention. It will lessen our influence and our power; but come +what may, I shall abide by the decision of the majority.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Anthony was strongly supported by Miss Shaw, Mrs. Colby, Mrs. +Louisa Southworth, Mrs. Rosa L. Segur, Mrs. Olivia B. Hall, Mrs. Jean +Brooks Greenleaf and others.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Claudia Quigley Murphy (O.) expressed the sentiment of the other +side in saying:</p> + +<blockquote><p>It seems better to sow the seed of suffrage throughout the +country by means of our national conventions. We may give the +people mass meetings and district and State conventions and +various other things, but we can never give them anything as good +as the national convention. We must get down to the unit of our +civilization, which is the individual voter or person. We have +worked for twenty-five years here among the legislators at +Washington; we have gone to the halls of Congress and to the +Legislatures, and we have found the average legislator to be but +a reflex of the sentiment of his constituents. If we wish +representation at Washington we can send our delegation to the +halls of Congress this year and next year, the same as we have +done in the past. This great convention does not go to Congress; +it sends a committee.... Let us get down to the people and sow +the seed among them. It is the people we want to reach if we +expect good results.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The amendment was warmly advocated by Mr. and Miss Blackwell, Miss +Clay, Mrs. Dietrick, Mrs. Esther F. Boland and others. It was finally +adopted by a vote of 37 yeas, 28 nays.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span></p> + +<p>Among the many excellent State reports that of Kansas, prepared by +Mrs. Laura M. Johns and read by Miss Jennie, daughter of +Representative Case Broderick, was of special interest, as a suffrage +campaign was imminent in that State and the National Association had +resolved to contribute speakers and money. It spoke of the great +canvass of thirty conventions the previous year, with Mrs. Johns as +chairman and a large corps of speakers from outside and inside the +State; of their cordial reception by the Republican State Convention; +of the benefits of Municipal Suffrage; and ended with an earnest +appeal for the friends to rally to the support of Kansas.</p> + +<p>Brief remarks were made by the wives of Representatives John G. Otis +of Kansas and Halbert S. Greenleaf of New York. Letters of greeting +were received from Mrs. Annie Besant of England, and many others. +Bishop John F. Hurst, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in regretting +that it was impossible to accept the invitation to address the +convention, said: "I have the fullest sympathy with your work and have +had for many years. I believe that every year brings nearer the great +achievement when women will have the right of the ballot if they +please to use it."</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_88_88" id="Footnote_88_88"></a><a href="#FNanchor_88_88"><span class="label">[88]</span></a> Bishop Phillips Brooks, who declared himself +unequivocally for woman suffrage, died the week following the +convention.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_89_89" id="Footnote_89_89"></a><a href="#FNanchor_89_89"><span class="label">[89]</span></a> See <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_482">History of Woman Suffrage, Vol. II, p. 482</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_90_90" id="Footnote_90_90"></a><a href="#FNanchor_90_90"><span class="label">[90]</span></a> For other instances see Life and Work of Susan B. +Anthony, pp. 132, 251.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_91_91" id="Footnote_91_91"></a><a href="#FNanchor_91_91"><span class="label">[91]</span></a> The Rev. Anna Oliver left $1,000 to the National +Suffrage Association.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_92_92" id="Footnote_92_92"></a><a href="#FNanchor_92_92"><span class="label">[92]</span></a> For the part of Miss Anthony and others in securing this +board, see <a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">Chap. XIV</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_93_93" id="Footnote_93_93"></a><a href="#FNanchor_93_93"><span class="label">[93]</span></a> As Mrs. Chapman Catt spoke always without MS., it is +impossible to give extracts from her speeches, which were among the +ablest made at the national conventions.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_94_94" id="Footnote_94_94"></a><a href="#FNanchor_94_94"><span class="label">[94]</span></a> <i>Resolved</i>, That without expressing any opinion on the +proper qualifications for voting, we call attention to the significant +facts that in every State there are more women who can read and write +than the whole number of illiterate male voters; more white women who +can read and write than all negro voters; more American women who can +read and write than all foreign voters; so that the enfranchisement of +such women would settle the vexed question of rule by illiteracy, +whether of home-grown or foreign-born production. +</p><p> +<i>Resolved</i>, That as all experience proves that the rights of the +laboring man are best preserved in governments where he has possession +of the ballot, we therefore demand on behalf of the laboring woman the +same powerful instrument, that she may herself protect her own +interests; and we urge all organized bodies of working women, whether +in the field of philanthropy, education, trade, manufacture or general +industry, to join our association in the endeavor to make woman +legally and politically a free agent, as the best means for furthering +any and every line of woman's work. +</p><p> +<i>Resolved</i>, That in all States possessing School Suffrage for women, +suffragists are advised to organize in each representative district +thereof, for the purpose of training and stimulating women voters to +exercise regularly this right, using it as a preparatory school for +the coming work of full-grown citizenship with an unlimited ballot. We +also advise that women everywhere work for the election of an equal +number of women and men upon school boards, that the State in taking +upon itself the education of children may provide them with as many +official mothers as fathers. +</p><p> +<span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, Many forms of woman suffrage may be granted by State +Legislatures without change in existing constitutions; therefore, +</p><p> +<i>Resolved</i>, That the suffragists in every State should petition for +Municipal, School and Presidential Suffrage by statute, and take every +practicable step toward securing such legislation. +</p><p> +<i>Resolved</i>, That we urge all women to enter protest, at the time of +paying taxes, at being compelled to submit to taxation without +representation.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_95_95" id="Footnote_95_95"></a><a href="#FNanchor_95_95"><span class="label">[95]</span></a> Rachel Foster Avery, Susan B. Anthony, Alice Stone +Blackwell, Ellen Battelle Dietrick, Elizabeth Boynton Harbert, the +Rev. Florence Kollock, Lida A. Meriwether, the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, +May Wright Sewall, Mrs. Leland Stanford, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucy +Stone, Jane H. Spofford, Harriet Taylor Upton.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_96_96" id="Footnote_96_96"></a><a href="#FNanchor_96_96"><span class="label">[96]</span></a> During the years when Mrs. Upton's father, the Hon. Ezra +B. Taylor of Ohio, was in Congress, she made it her especial business +to press this matter upon the members. At least two favorable reports +were due to her efforts, and the association greatly missed her +congressional work when she left Washington.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_97_97" id="Footnote_97_97"></a><a href="#FNanchor_97_97"><span class="label">[97]</span></a> The arguments for Federal Suffrage are contained in +<a href="#CHAPTER_I">Chapter I</a>.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<h3>THE NATIONAL-AMERICAN CONVENTION OF 1894.</h3> + + +<p>The Call for the Twenty-sixth annual convention contained this +paragraph of hope and joy: "The Government's recognition of women on +the Board of Managers for the World's Columbian Exposition; the +World's Congress of Representative Women—the greatest convocation of +women ever assembled; their participation in the entire series of +Congresses; the gaining of Full Suffrage in Colorado—all give to our +demand for equality for women unprecedented prestige in the world of +thought."</p> + +<p>The meetings were held in Metzerott's Music Hall, Washington, D. C., +Feb. 15-20, 1894. An excellent summary of the week was given by the +secretary, Miss Alice Stone Blackwell, in the <i>Woman's Journal</i>, of +which she was editor:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Over the platform was draped a large suffrage flag, bearing two +full stars for Wyoming and Colorado, and two more merely outlined +in gold for Kansas and New York, which have equal suffrage +amendments now pending and hope to add their stars to the galaxy +next November. Instead of "Old Glory," the equal rights banner +might be called "New Glory." Beside it hung the American flag, +the great golden flag of Spain with its two red bars, the crimson +flag of Turkey with its crescent and star, and the British +flag—these last three in honor respectively of Senorita Catalina +de Alcala of Spain, Madame Hanna Korany of Syria and Miss +Catherine Spence of Australia, who were on the program. At one +side the serene face of Lucy Stone looked down upon the audience. +On the afternoon of the memorial service the frame of the +portrait was draped with smilax, entwining bunches of violets +from South Carolina, and beneath stood a jar of great white +lilies....</p> + +<p>Kansas and New York divided the interest of the convention, and +the importance of the two campaigns was ably presented by the +respective State presidents, stately Mrs. Greenleaf and graceful +Mrs. Johns. The appeals of the former were warmly supported by +Mrs. Lillie Devereux Blake, and of the latter by Mrs. Annie L. +Diggs. Mrs. Johns is a strong Republican, and Mrs. Diggs an +equally ardent Populist, but they were perfectly agreed in their +devotion to the woman suffrage amendment and in their desire +that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> help should be given to the Kansas campaign. Both are small +women of gentle and feminine aspect, though known as mighty +workers; and when Mrs. Diggs, a soft-voiced, bright-eyed morsel +of humanity, said in presenting the needs of the Kansas Equal +Suffrage Association, "Mrs. Johns is our president, and I am +vice-president; she is the gentle officer, I am the savage one; +my business is to frighten people"—the audience roared with +laughter. The New York women generously declared that they would +carry the financial burden of their own campaign and would ask no +outside help except in speakers and sympathy. This left the field +clear for Kansas and more than $2,200 were raised at one session +towards the expenses of the campaign....</p> + +<p>The two delegates from Colorado, Mrs. Ellis Meredith and Mrs. +Hattie E. Fox, were the objects of much interest and of hearty +congratulations. They seemed very happy over their recent +enfranchisement, as they well might be. Mrs. Meredith, who is +very small, looked up brightly at a tall Maryland lady, who was +congratulating her, and said, "I feel as tall as you." These two +ladies looked just like other women and had developed no horns or +hoofs or other unamiable and unfeminine characteristics in +consequence of their having obtained the right to vote.... The +Southern women have distinguished themselves in the national +suffrage conventions during the last few years. This year, on +"presidents' evening," among a number of brilliant addresses that +of Mrs. Virginia D. Young of South Carolina fairly brought down +the house....</p> + +<p>A beautiful silk flag, bearing the two suffrage stars, was +presented to Miss Anthony in honor of her seventy-fourth +birthday, on the first evening of the convention, a gift from the +enfranchised women of Wyoming and Colorado. One of these women +had been called upon to act as a judge of elections and had +received three dollars for her services. She spent two dollars on +shoes for her little boy and sent the third dollar as her +contribution toward the suffrage flag.</p> + +<p>It was a pleasure to see the gathering of the clans—so many good +and able and interesting women assembled together to report their +work for equal rights and to plan more for the future. One with a +pleasant, honest face and wistful brown eyes, had been lecturing +in the interest of the amendment in the country districts of New +York, riding from village to village in an open sleigh, with the +thermometer many degrees below zero, and speaking sometimes in +unwarmed halls. She did not expect to take a day's rest until the +6th of next November, and then if the amendment carried, she said +quietly, she should be willing to lie down and die....</p> + +<p>It is pleasant also to note the increasing number of bright, +sensible, earnest young women coming from all parts of the +country to aid the older workers and to close up their thinning +ranks. The sight would be a revelation to that Massachusetts +legislator who was lately reported as saying that the petitioners +who had been asking for suffrage for so many years were fast +dying off, and soon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> there would be none left. He would have seen +how greatly he was reckoning without his host—or his hostesses. +A sound and righteous reform does not die with any leader, +however beloved.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The Rev. Anna Howard Shaw pronounced the invocation at the opening +session. In the course of her president's address Miss Susan B. +Anthony said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>For the twenty-sixth time we have come together under the shadow +of the Capitol, asking that Congress shall take the necessary +steps to secure to the women of the nation their right to a voice +in the national government as well as that of their respective +States. For twelve successive Congresses we have appeared before +committees of the two Houses making this plea, that the +underlying principle of our Government, the right of consent, +shall have practical application to the other half of the people. +Such a little simple thing we have been asking for a quarter of a +century. For over forty years, longer than the children of Israel +wandered through the wilderness, we have been begging and praying +and pleading for this act of justice. We shall some day be +heeded, and when we shall have our amendment to the Constitution +of the United States, everybody will think it was always so, just +exactly as many young people believe that all the privileges, all +the freedom, all the enjoyments which woman now possesses always +were hers. They have no idea of how every single inch of ground +that she stands upon to-day has been gained by the hard work of +some little handful of women of the past.</p></blockquote> + +<p>This was Miss Anthony's birthday and Mrs. Chapman Catt concluded her +little speech in presenting a silk flag by saying: "And now, our +beloved leader, the enfranchised women of Wyoming and Colorado, upon +this the seventy-fourth anniversary of your life—a life every year of +which has been devoted to the advancement of womankind—have sent this +emblem and with it the message that they hope you will bear it at the +head of our armies until there shall be on this blue field not two +stars but forty-four. They have sent it with the especial wish that +its silent lesson shall teach such justice to the men of the State of +New York that in November they will rise as one man to crown you, as +well as their own wives and daughters, with the sovereignty of +American citizenship."</p> + +<p>For a few moments Miss Anthony was unable to reply and then she said: +"I have heard of standard bearers in the army who carried the banner +to the topmost ramparts of the enemy, and there I am going to try to +carry this one. You know without<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> my telling how proud I am of this +flag and how my heart is touched by this manifestation." Large boxes +of flowers were sent her from Georgia and South Carolina, a telegram +of greeting was received from ex-Governor and Mrs. Routt of Colorado, +and there were many other pleasant remembrances.</p> + +<p>The convention was welcomed by the Hon. John Ross, commissioner of the +District of Columbia. Miss Catherine H. Spence of South Australia said +in speaking of the suffrage there: "This country was not only the +birthplace of the Australian ballot, by which you now vote in the +United States, but it was the birthplace of woman suffrage, because +six years before the Municipal Franchise was granted to women in +England it was in effect in the towns and cities in South Australia." +At a later session Miss Spence gave a practical illustration of what +is known as proportional representation. Miss Windeyer also +represented the women electors of Australia.</p> + +<p>In response to Mrs. Young, bearing the greetings of South Carolina, +Miss Anthony said with much feeling:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I think the most beautiful part of our coming together in +Washington for the last twenty-five years has been that more +friendships, more knowledge of each other, have come through the +hand-shakes here than would have been possible through any other +instrumentality. I shall never cease to be grateful for all the +splendid women who have come up to this great center for these +twenty-six conventions, and have learned that the North was not +such a cold place as they had believed; I have been equally glad +when we came down here and met the women from the sunny South and +found they were just like ourselves, if not a little better. In +this great association we know no North, no South, no East, no +West. This has been our pride for all these years. We have no +political party. We never have inquired what anybody's religion +is. All we ever have asked is simply, "Do you believe in perfect +equality for women?" This is the one article in our creed.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Senator Joseph M. Carey of Wyoming and Representative Lafayette Pence +of Colorado referred with great pride to the enfranchisement of the +women of their respective States. Mrs. Johns was introduced by Miss +Anthony as "the general of the Kansas army;" Mrs. Greenleaf as the +Democratic nominee for member of the N. Y. Constitutional Convention; +Mrs. Henry as the woman who received 4,500 votes for Clerk of the +Supreme<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> Court of Kentucky. Miss Anthony's spicy introductions of the +various speakers were always greatly relished by the audiences.</p> + +<p>No more impressive or beautiful memorial service ever was held than +that in remembrance of Lucy Stone. The principal address was made by +Mrs. Julia Ward Howe (Mass.), in the course of which she said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In all action taken under her supervision, Mrs. Stone was most +careful that the main issue should be constantly presented and +kept in view. While welcoming every reform which gave evidence of +the ethical progress of the community, she yet held to woman +suffrage, pure and simple, as the first condition upon which the +new womanhood should base itself. Efforts were often made to +entangle suffrage with the promise of endless reforms in various +directions, but firm as Cato, who always repeated his words that +Carthage should be destroyed, Lucy Stone always asked for +suffrage because it is right and just that women should have it, +and not on the ground of a swiftly-coming millennium which should +follow it....</p> + +<p>When Lucy Stone first resolved to devote her life to the +rehabilitation of her sex, to what a task did she pledge herself! +The high road to reform which she held so dear was not even +measured before her. The ground was covered with a growth of +centuries. Could this small hand that held a sickle hope to cut +down those forests of time-honored prejudice and superstition? +What had she to work with? A silver voice, a winning smile, the +great gift of a persuasive utterance. What had she to work from? +A deep and abiding faith in divine justice and in man's ability +to follow its laws and to execute its decrees.</p> + +<p>The prophetic sense of good to come, vouchsafed to her in the +morning of life, did not forsake her at its close. Her mind was +of a very practical cast and in her many days of labor her eyes +were always fixed upon her work. But when her work was taken from +her, she saw at once the heavens open before her and the eternal +life and light beckoning to her to go up higher. With a smile she +passed from the struggle of earthly existence to the peace of the +saints made perfect. Here she was still debarred the right to +cast her ballot at the polls, but lo, in the blue urn of heaven +her life was received, one glowing and perfect vote for the +rights of women, for the good of humanity, for the Kingdom of God +on earth.</p></blockquote> + +<p>A few sentences may be given as the key-note of the eulogy of the Hon. +Wm. Dudley Foulke (Ind.): "Her career, while different from that of +most women, was characterized throughout by entire and consistent +womanliness. Among the many admirable qualities that she possessed, it +is difficult to single out<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> the one for which she will hereafter be +best remembered, but as dauntless moral courage is a rarer quality +perhaps than any other, it seems to me that this will remain her +brightest jewel."</p> + +<p>In the address of Mrs. Josephine K. Henry (Ky.) she referred to the +marriage of Lucy Stone and Henry B. Blackwell as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Their matrimonial contract is the grandest chart of the absolute +equality of man and woman that has ever been made, and it throws +a new halo of consecration and sanctity around the institution of +marriage. It has not yet been written in our ecclesiastical and +civil codes that every woman shall retain and dignify her own +name through life, but civilization is preparing now to issue +this edict. The coming woman will not resign her name at the +marriage altar, and it will be told in future years of these two +great souls who were the first to recognize the dignity of human +individuality. The domestic life of this couple who set up the +standard of absolute equality of husband and wife was an +exquisite idyl, fragrant with love and tenderness, a poem whose +rhythm was not marred, a divine melody that rose above the +discords and dissensions of domestic life upon the lowlands where +man is the ruler and woman the subject.</p></blockquote> + +<p>In the touching tribute of Miss Laura Clay (Ky.) she said: "Lucy Stone +is one of those who paid what must be paid for liberty or for any high +good of humanity. She made sacrifices and did things that none of us +to-day would be called upon to do, did them bravely, did them without +shrinking, did them almost without knowing that she was doing anything +which would call forth the blessing, the gratitude of the human race."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lillie Devereux Blake (N. Y.) referred more especially to the +domestic qualities, saying:</p> + +<blockquote><p>When the gift of a little child came it was more to her than all +else beside. For a while the world centered in that tiny cradle, +and the hand which rocked that cradle had rather perform this +gentle office than rule the world. It will ever be thus. With the +true woman, dearer than wealth or fame is the touch of baby +hands, sweeter than the applause of multitudes is the ripple of a +baby's laughter. As the years passed by, the mother gave more of +her life to the public, but always with the thought of the young +girl who was growing up beside her and making of her home the +dearest and most sacred spot.</p></blockquote> + +<p>This part of the memorial services appropriately closed with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> the +tender reminiscences of forty-five years of married life, by the +husband, Mr. Blackwell.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton (N. Y.) sent an eloquent tribute to the +memory of Lucy Stone, Leland Stanford, George W. Childs, Elizabeth +Oakes Smith and Elizabeth Peabody. After reciting the contributions of +each in the cause of woman, she closed with these words from The +Prince of India in reference to the last great record: "There is thy +history and mine, and all of little and great and good and bad that +shall befall us in this life. Death does not blot out the records. +Everlastingly writ, they shall be everlastingly read; for the shame of +some, for the glory of others."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lucretia L. Blankenburg of Philadelphia told of the loyalty to +women of Mr. Child's paper, the <i>Public Ledger</i>, and of his many +benefactions. Frederick Douglass gave the offering of his eloquence +and ended as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>It is not alone because of the goodness of any cause that men can +safely predicate success. Much depends on the character and +quality of the men and women who are its advocates. The Redeemer +must ever come from above. Only the best of mankind can afford to +support unpopular opinions. The common sort will drift with the +tide. No good cause can fail when supported by such women as were +Lucretia Mott, Abby Kelly, Angelina Grimke, Lydia Maria Child, +Maria W. Chapman, Thankful Southwick, Sally Holly, Ernestine L. +Rose, E. Oakes Smith, Elizabeth Peabody and the noble and gifted +Lucy Stone. Not only have we a glorious constellation of women on +the silent continent to assure us that our cause is good and that +it must finally prevail, but we have such men as William Lloyd +Garrison, Wendell Phillips, William Henry Channing, Francis +Jackson, Gerrit Smith, Samuel J. May, Samuel E. Sewall—now no +longer with us in body, but in spirit and memory to cheer us on +in the good work of lifting women in the fullest sense to the +dignity of American liberty and American citizenship.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Anthony closed the services with heartfelt testimonials to Mrs. +Myra Bradwell, one of the first woman lawyers and founder and editor +of <i>The Legal News</i>; Miss Mary F. Seymour, founder of <i>The Business +Woman's Journal</i>; and Col. John Thompson, a founder of the Patrons of +Husbandry, the first national organization of men to indorse woman +suffrage.</p> + +<p>At one of the evening sessions Miss Anthony presented Dr. John +Trimble, secretary of the National Grange, and Leonard<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> Rhone, +chairman of its executive committee. The latter said in course of a +few brief remarks: "When the farmers of this country organized they +took with them their wives and daughters, and for twenty-seven years +we have tried woman suffrage in the Grange and it has worked well. +What we have demonstrated by experience in our organization we are +ready to indorse, and by almost a unanimous vote at our last national +convention we passed a resolution in favor of woman suffrage."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Orra Langhorne read a clever paper on House Cleaning in Old +Virginia, describing present social and political conditions and +showing the need of woman's participation. Mrs. Mary Lowe Dickinson +(N. Y.), secretary of the King's Daughters, gave a talk which sparkled +with anecdotes and illustrations, every one scoring a point for woman +suffrage. Madame Hanna Korany, from Syria, told in her soft, broken +English how the women of the old world looked to those of America to +free them from the slavery of customs and laws.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Miriam Howard DuBose took for her subject Some Georgia +Curiosities, which she showed to be "men who love women too dearly to +accord them justice; women who are deceived by such affection; the +self-supporting woman, who crowds all places where there is any money +to be made without encountering the masculine frown and declares she +has all the rights she wants. Georgia's motto should read: Unwisdom, +Injustice, Immoderation."</p> + +<p>Miss Harriet A. Shinn (Ills.), president of the National Association +of Women Stenographers, gave unanswerable testimony from employers in +many different kinds of business expressing a preference for women +stenographers. Miss Elizabeth Upham Yates (Me.) illustrated how class +distinctions, public schools, religious liberty and social life have +been affected by the thought of the times, by fashionable thought. The +official report said: "So bristling with humor was this address that +there were several times when the speaker had to stop and wait for the +laughter to subside. At the conclusion, her effort was acknowledged by +long applause."</p> + +<p>Miss Shaw closed an evening which had been full of mirth, saying in +the course of her vivacious remarks:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>I spoke at a woman's club in Philadelphia yesterday and a young +lady said to me afterwards: "Well, that sounds very nice, but +don't you think it is better to be the power behind the throne?" +I answered that I had not had much experience with thrones, but a +woman who has been on a throne, and who is now behind it, seems +to prefer to be on the throne.<a name="FNanchor_98_98" id="FNanchor_98_98"></a><a href="#Footnote_98_98" class="fnanchor">[98]</a> Mr. Edward Bok, editor of the +<i>Ladies' Home Journal</i>, says that by careful watching for many +years, he has come to the conclusion that no woman has had any +business relations with men who has not been contaminated by +them; and this same individual who does not want us to have +business relations with men, lest we be contaminated by the +association, wants us to marry these same men and live with them +three hundred and sixty-five and one-fourth days a year!</p></blockquote> + +<p>On Sunday Mrs. Chapman Catt gave a sermon in the People's Church, Mrs. +Ellen Battelle Dietrick in All Soul's Church (Unitarian), and the Rev. +Anna Howard Shaw in Metzerott's Music Hall. At the last named meeting +Mrs. Howe offered the prayer and, at the close, recited her Battle +Hymn of the Republic. Miss Shaw preached from the text, "Let no man +take thy crown."</p> + +<blockquote><p>....Since the beginning of the Christian era those who have +expounded the Scriptures have been principally men, and the +Gospel has been presented to us from the standpoint of men. In +all these interpretations Heaven has been peopled with men, God +has been pictured as a man, and even the earth has been +represented as masculine.</p> + +<p>In the beginning this was wise, because people have always been +more impressed by law, order, system and government than by the +spirit of faith. But we have passed the stage of force in nature, +of force in physical life, and have arrived at the age of +spiritual thought and earthly needs when the mother comes to the +front. In the Old World I have seen venerable men, strong men, +and women kneeling together at the shrine of Mary pouring out +their sufferings into the mother heart of the Virgin and rising +refreshed and solaced. What Catholicism has done for its church, +Protestantism must do for Christianity everywhere, by revealing +the mother-life and the mother-spirit of divine nature. In the +lesson of life there is not only a father but a mother-love.</p> + +<p>Jesus Christ, we are told, was a man and so were His disciples, +and this is given as the reason why men only should preach the +Gospel, yet the Scriptures tell us that the first +divinely-ordained preacher was a woman. All the way down in the +history of Christianity are found women side by side with men, +always ready and willing to bear the burdens and sorrows of life +in order to better their fellows. In this country every +reformation has been urged by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> women as well as men. The names of +William Lloyd Garrison and Wendell Phillips will go down to +posterity linked with those of Lucretia Mott, Harriet Beecher +Stowe and Susan B. Anthony. In the great temperance movement the +name of Gough will at once bring to mind Frances E. Willard. +There is no name more prominently identified in the effort to +uplift the Indian than that of Helen Hunt Jackson. Wherever there +has been a wrong committed there have always been women to defend +the wronged. Julia Ward Howe gave us the "Battle Hymn of the +Republic," while Lucy Stone's last words should be the motto of +every young girl's life, "Make the world better."</p> + +<p>With respect to my text, "Let no man take thy crown," these words +were written to the church, and not to the men alone, and the +command should be obeyed by every woman. If the churches then +were anything like the churches of to-day, they were composed of +three-fourths women. Hence this injunction was intended +especially for women. This crown, I take it, means the crown of +righteousness, of regeneration, of redemption, of purity, and +applies to the whole body of the church. I believe the crown of +womanhood in its highest sense means womanly character and +nature. We never can wear a higher or nobler crown than pure and +womanly womanhood....</p> + +<p>The world has always been more particular how we did things than +what things we did.... All human beings are under obligations +first to themselves. If self-sacrifice seems best, then we should +practice that; while if self-assertion seems best, then we should +assert ourselves. The abominable doctrine taught in the pulpit, +the press, in books and elsewhere, is that the whole duty of +women is self-abasement and self-sacrifice. I do not believe +subjection is woman's duty any more than it is the duty of a man +to be under subjection to another man or to many men. Women have +the right of independence, of conscience, of will and of +responsibility.</p> + +<p>Women are robbed of themselves by the laws of the country and by +fashion. The time has not passed when women are bought and sold. +Social custom makes the world a market-place in which women are +bought and sold, and sometimes they are given away. In the +marriage ceremony woman loses her name, and under the old Common +Law a married woman had no legal rights. She occupied the same +position to her husband as the slave to his master. These things +degraded marriage, but the home would be the holiest of spots if +the wife asserted her individuality and worked hand-in-hand with +her husband, each uplifting the other. Women are robbed of the +right of conscience. Their silence and subjection in the church +have been the curse not only of womanhood but of manhood. No +other human being should decide for us in questions pertaining to +our own moral and spiritual welfare. Women are beginning to +believe that God will listen to a woman as quickly as to a man. +The time has come when councils of women will gather and do their +work in their quiet way without regard to men.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span></p> + +<p>No person is human who may not "will" to be anything he can be. +When the woman says "I will," there is not anything this side of +the throne of God to stop her, and the girls of the present day +should learn this lesson. Now there is placed upon women the +obligation of service without the responsibility of their +actions. The man who leads feels the responsibility of his acts, +and this urges him to make them noble. Women should have this +same responsibility and be made to feel it. The most dangerous +thing in the world is power without responsibility....</p></blockquote> + +<p>Monday night's session was designated "president's evening" and many +short, clever talks were given.<a name="FNanchor_99_99" id="FNanchor_99_99"></a><a href="#Footnote_99_99" class="fnanchor">[99]</a> James L. Hughes, Superintendent of +Schools in Toronto and president of the Equal Suffrage Association of +that city, told how the women of Canada voted, sat on the public and +High School boards and even served as president of the Toronto board.</p> + +<p>At the Tuesday evening meeting Miss Anthony introduced Senator W. A. +Peffer and Representatives Jerry Simpson, John C. Davis, Case +Broderick and Charles Curtis of Kansas, and Henry A. Coffeen of +Wyoming. Ex-Senator Blanche K. Bruce of Mississippi was invited to the +platform and responded by saying he hoped to see the day when every +qualified woman could exercise the suffrage. The Hon. Simon Wolf, +commissioner of the District, urged equality of rights for women.</p> + +<p>Grace Greenwood was presented as one of the pioneer woman suffragists. +Mrs. Mary Seymour Howell (N. Y.), the heroine of many campaigns, in a +stirring speech related her varied experiences and said: "Ours is one +of the greatest wars of the centuries. Indeed, it is a continuation of +the same battle which has been waged almost since the world began but +carried on with different tactics. It stands unique. No cannon is +heard. No smoke tells of defeat or victory. No bloody battlefields +lift their blushing faces to the heavens. It is a battle of ideas, a +battle of prejudices, the right and the wrong, the new and the old, +meeting in close contact. It is the 'war of the roses,' if you so +please to call it. It is the motherhood of the republic asking for +full political recognition."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span></p> + +<p>The last address of the convention was made by the Rev. Ida C. Hultin, +on the Crowning Race, whose men and women should be equally free. Gov. +Davis H. Waite of Colorado sent a letter in relation to the +enfranchising of women the previous year, in which he said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The Populists more than any other political party in Colorado +favored equal suffrage, but many Republicans and Democrats also +voted for it, and in my opinion the result may be considered as +due to the enlightened public sentiment of the common people of +the State. The more I consider the matter the more it grows upon +me in importance, and the more I realize the fact that all the +patriotism, all the intelligence and all the virtue of the +commonwealth are necessary to preserve it from the corrupt and +mercenary attacks made upon it from all points by corporate +trusts and monopolies. Equal suffrage can not fail to encourage +purity in both private and public life, and to elevate the +official standard of fitness.</p></blockquote> + +<p>A letter from Mrs. May Wright Sewall, regretting her enforced absence, +closed by saying:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Many of you know that the last few months I have spent in editing +the papers presented at the World's Congress of Representative +Women, held in Chicago last May. It is a remarkable and to me +quite an unexpected fact that the papers upon the subject of +Civil and Political Reform are hardly more earnest appeals for +political equality than are the addresses to be found in every +other chapter. Hereafter if one asserts that the interest in the +woman suffrage movement is not growing, let him be cited to this +galaxy of witnesses, whose testimony is all the more valuable +because in the large majority of instances it proceeds from women +who never have identified themselves with it, and are not at all +known as advocates of political equality. The meaning of the +entire report is equality, co-operation, organization; that is, +the demand made by the National Suffrage Association is the +demand borne to us by the echoes of that great congress.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Among the committee reports that of Mrs. Rachel Foster Avery, Chairman +of Columbian Exposition Work, attracted especial attention and was in +part as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>There is a most valuable and interesting bit of unpublished +history which seems to me to form an integral part of your +committee's report. It concerns the origin of the Board of Lady +Managers, and this association should be proud to be able to feel +that to our president is largely due the recognition of women in +official capacity at the World's Fair. The fact that women were +not officially recognized during the Centennial Exposition in +1876 was a great disappointment to all interested in the +advancement of womankind,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> and while it was suggested on every +side that women must have a voice in the management of the +World's Fair in 1893, it remained for Susan B. Anthony to take +the initiatory step which led to the creation of the Board of +Lady Managers. She had invitations sent to women of official and +social position to meet in the Riggs House parlors to consider +this matter, in December, 1889. At this meeting Mrs. Conger, wife +of Senator Omar D. Conger of Michigan, was made chairman, and +Mrs. Harriet Taylor Upton, secretary. Miss Anthony was not +present, fearing lest her well-known radical views might hinder +the progress of affairs in the direction she wished them to take, +but she restlessly walked about her room in the hotel anxiously +awaiting the result.</p> + +<p>Several meetings followed this and a committee was appointed to +wait upon Congress, asking that the commission should consist of +both men and women. Meanwhile the World's Fair Bill had been +brought before the House and Miss Anthony soon saw that there +would not be time for this committee to act. She therefore +prepared petitions, sent them to women in official life and asked +them to obtain signatures of official people.<a name="FNanchor_100_100" id="FNanchor_100_100"></a><a href="#Footnote_100_100" class="fnanchor">[100]</a> On the +strength of these petitions there was added to the bill, in +March, 1890, an amendment providing for the appointment of women +on the Board.</p> + +<p>Miss Anthony's self-effacement was perhaps the wisest thing under +the circumstances, for the Board, as appointed, being unconnected +with woman suffrage, proved an immense source of education to the +conservative women of the whole world—an education not needed by +the radical women of our own ranks. I think the time has surely +come when the truth of this history should be known to all.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The election of officers resulted in Miss Anthony's receiving for +president 139 out of 140 possible votes; Miss Shaw for +vice-president-at-large, 130; Rachel Foster Avery for corresponding +secretary, unanimous; Alice Stone Blackwell for recording secretary, +136; Harriet Taylor Upton for treasurer, unanimous.</p> + +<p>During the convention the death of Miss Anna Ella Carroll was +announced. A resolution of sympathy with her sister was adopted and a +collection was taken up, as had been done for Miss<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> Carroll a number +of times during the past twenty-five years, which resulted in over +forty dollars.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sallie Clay Bennett (Ky.), the faithful champion of Federal +Suffrage, insisted that, instead of asking for an amendment to confer +suffrage, we should demand protection in the right already guaranteed +by the U. S. Constitution: "Even when asking for Municipal Suffrage, +we never should fail to assert that it is already ours under the +Constitution, and that there is strength enough in our national +government to protect every woman in the Union provided the men had +interpreted the laws right." Miss Sara Winthrop Smith (Conn.) +supported Mrs. Bennett, saying: "It is useless labor to petition for a +Sixteenth Amendment—we do not need it. Our fundamental institutions +most adequately protect the rights of all citizens of the United +States, irrespective of sex. In the twenty-four years since the +passage of the Fifteenth Amendment, 300 amendments to the Constitution +have been introduced into Congress which never met with any approval +from either House. I think it is wasted time for us to continue in +this work, and therefore I feel that it concerns our dignity as a part +of the people of this great United States that we declare and ask only +for that which recognizes the dignity of such citizens." Mrs. Diggs, +Mrs. Dietrick, Mrs. Colby and others supported this view.</p> + +<p>In expressing his dissent Mr. Blackwell said: "I do not believe in +Federal Suffrage. I agree with the State's Rights party in their +views." Miss Blackwell and others took the same position, and Miss +Anthony closed the debate by saying: "There is no doubt that the +spirit of the Constitution guarantees full equality of rights and the +protection of citizens of the United States in the exercise of these +rights, but the powers that be have decided against us, and until we +can get a broader Supreme Court—which will not be until after the +women of every State in the Union are enfranchised—we never will get +the needed liberal interpretation of that document." The majority +concurred in this view.</p> + +<p>The most spirited discussion of the convention was in regard to the +place of holding the next annual meeting. Urgent invitations were +received from Detroit and Cincinnati, but the persuasive<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> Southern +advocates, Claudia Howard Maxwell, Miriam Howard DuBose and H. Augusta +Howard, three Georgia delegates, carried off the prize for Atlanta.</p> + +<p>This was the first and last appearance on the suffrage platform of +Miss Kate Field, who was introduced by Miss Anthony with her +characteristic abruptness: "Now, friends, here is Kate Field, who has +been talking all these years against woman suffrage. She wants to tell +you of the faith that is in her." Miss Field responded quickly:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I take exception to what Miss Anthony has said, because I think +she has misconstrued my position entirely. I never have been +against woman suffrage. I have been against universal suffrage of +any kind, regardless of sex. I think that morally woman has +exactly as much right to the suffrage as man. It is a disgrace +that such women as you and I have not the suffrage, but I do +think that all suffrage should be regarded as a privilege and +should not be demanded as a right. It should be the privilege of +education and, if you please—I will not quarrel about that—of a +certain property qualification. I have not changed my opinion, +but I did say that I was tired of waiting for men to have common +sense, that there evidently never would be any restriction in +suffrage and that I should come in for the whole thing, woman +included. Now, that is my position.... I withdraw my former +attitude and take my stand on this platform.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The usual able "hearings" were held. Before the Senate +committee—Senators Hoar, Teller, Wolcott, Blackburn and Hill—the +speakers were the Rev. Ida C. Hultin, Miss Blackwell, Mrs. Lucretia +Mitchell, Mrs. Diggs, Mrs. Phoebe C. Wright, Miss Alice Smith, Mrs. +Bennett, Mrs. Colby, Representative John C. Davis of Kansas. Although +the majority of the committee were in favor of woman suffrage no +report was made.</p> + +<p>The Hon. Isaac H. Goodnight (Ky.) was in the chair of the House +Judiciary Committee, which was addressed by the Reverends Miss Shaw +and Miss Hultin, Mrs. Young, Mrs. Emily G. Ketcham, Miss Lavina A. +Hatch, Prof. Jennie Gifford, Mrs. Alice Waugh, Mrs. Pickler, Miss +Howard, Mrs. Meredith, Mrs. Greenleaf, Mr. Blackwell. Miss Anthony +presented the speakers and closed the discussion. Later Mr. Goodnight +submitted an adverse report for a majority of the committee.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_98_98" id="Footnote_98_98"></a><a href="#FNanchor_98_98"><span class="label">[98]</span></a> The Hawaiian ex-queen, then in the United States +endeavoring to have her throne restored to her.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_99_99" id="Footnote_99_99"></a><a href="#FNanchor_99_99"><span class="label">[99]</span></a> Among the speakers were Mrs. Mary L. Bennett, Mrs. +Lucretia L. Blankenburg, Miss Laura Clay, Mrs. Clara Bewick Colby, +Mrs. Etta Grymes Farrah, Mrs. Jean Brooks Greenleaf, Mrs. Florence +Howe Hall, Mrs. Rebecca Henry Hayes, Mrs. Laura M. Johns, Mrs. Emily +B. Ketcham, Mrs. Claudia Howard Maxwell, Mrs. Ellis Meredith, Mrs. +Mary Bentley Thomas, Mrs. Emmeline B. Wells, Mrs. Virginia D. Young.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_100_100" id="Footnote_100_100"></a><a href="#FNanchor_100_100"><span class="label">[100]</span></a> Miss Anthony herself also went among prominent persons +of her own acquaintance obtaining signatures. In a few days 111 names +were secured of the wives and daughters of Judges of the Supreme +Court, the Cabinet, Senators, Representatives, Army and Navy +officers—as influential a list as the national capital could offer. +These names may be found in the published minutes of this convention +of 1894, p. 135. +</p><p> +At the time Miss Anthony secured this petition no organization of +women had considered the question and, if she had not been on the +ground and taken immediate action, there is every reason to believe +that the bill would have passed Congress without any provision for a +board of women. For a further account of this matter, and for a +description of this great Congress of Women, see Life and Work of +Susan B. Anthony, Chap. XLI; also chapter on Illinois in this volume +of the History.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<h3>THE NATIONAL-AMERICAN CONVENTION OF 1895.</h3> + + +<p>The Twenty-seventh annual convention—Jan. 31-Feb. 5, 1895—possessed +an unusual interest because of its being held outside of Washington. +The American society had been accustomed to migratory conventions, but +the National had gone to the capital for twenty-six winters. The +<i>Woman's Journal</i>, whose editors were strongly in favor of the former +plan, said of the Atlanta meeting:</p> + +<blockquote><p>There had been some fears that holding the convention so far +south might result in a smaller attendance of delegates than +usual; but there were ninety-three delegates, representing +twenty-eight States, and also a large number of visitors. Some, +like Mrs. Abigail Scott Duniway of Oregon, had come nearly 4,000 +miles to be present. De Give's Opera House was crowded. Even at +the morning meetings the seats were full and men stood for hours, +several rows deep all around the sides and back of the house—a +novel and gratifying sight at a business meeting. The proportion +of men among the delegates and in the audiences, both day and +evening, was larger than usual....</p> + +<p>Over the platform hung two large flags, that of the association, +with the two stars of Wyoming and Colorado, and another flag, the +work of Georgia ladies, on which was ingeniously depicted the +relative standing of the different States on this question. The +States where women have no form of suffrage were represented by +black stars. Those where they can vote for school committee or on +certain local questions had a golden rim. Kansas and Iowa had a +wider golden rim, to indicate municipal and bond suffrage. +Wyoming and Colorado shone with full and undimmed luster. +Portraits of Lucy Stone and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, draped in +yellow, adorned opposite sides of the platform.</p> + +<p>Many of the delegates were from the Southern States, and some of +them strikingly illustrated Miss Anthony's assertion, "These +Southern women are born orators." In sweetness of voice, grace of +manner and personal charm they have all the qualities to make +most effective speakers, while in the fervor of their equal +rights sentiments they go even beyond their sisters from the +North and West. One handsome young lady, who sat on the platform +a good<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> deal of the time, was supposed to be from New England, +because she wore her hair short. It turned out, however, that she +was from New Orleans and was a cousin of Jefferson Davis. The +announcement of this fact caused her to be received by the +audience with roars of enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>The Atlanta papers devoted columns every day to friendly reports +and innumerable portraits. Ministers of different denominations +opened the convention with prayer and their pulpits afterwards +for addresses by the ladies. Some of the best people of the city +took visitors into their homes, entertaining them hospitably and +delightfully, and showing them what a Southern home is like. The +national officers and speakers were entertained by the Georgia W. +S. A. at the Aragon, and the State officers generously insisted +upon taking almost the entire expenses of the great convention +upon their own young shoulders. These "Georgia girls" devoted +unlimited time, thought and work to getting up the convention, +and then effaced themselves as far as possible....<a name="FNanchor_101_101" id="FNanchor_101_101"></a><a href="#Footnote_101_101" class="fnanchor">[101]</a></p> + +<p>Perhaps no one person did more, unintentionally, to promote the +enthusiasm of the convention than the Rev. Dr. Hawthorne, a +Baptist preacher. He had felt called upon to denounce all woman +suffragists from his pulpit, not only with severity but with +discourtesy, and had been so misguided as to declare that the +husbands of suffragists were all feeble-minded men. As the +average equal-rights woman is firmly convinced that her husband +is the very best man in the world, this remark stirred the women +up to a degree of wrath which no amount of abuse leveled against +themselves would have aroused. On the other hand, the Atlanta +people, even those who were not in favor of suffrage, felt +mortified by this unprovoked insult to their guests, and many of +them took occasion in private to express their regret. Several +speakers at the convention criticised Dr. Hawthorne's utterances, +and every such allusion was received with warm applause by the +audience....</p></blockquote> + +<p>At the beginning of the convention four announcements were made which +added much to the general good cheer—that South Australia had +followed the example of New Zealand in extending Full Suffrage to +women; that the Supreme Court of Ohio had pronounced the School +Suffrage Law constitutional; that the Governor of Illinois had filled +a vacancy on the Board of Trustees of the State University by +appointing a woman; that the Idaho Legislature had submitted a woman +suffrage amendment.</p> + +<p>The most perfect arrangements had been made for the meetings, and the +novelty of the occasion attracted large crowds, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> there was also +much genuine interest. The success was partly due to the excellent +work of the press of Atlanta. There was, however, no editorial +endorsement except by <i>The Sunny South</i>, Col. Henry Clay Fairman, +editor.</p> + +<p>The national president, Miss Susan B. Anthony, said in opening the +convention: "With this gavel was called to order in 1869 that +Legislature of Wyoming which established the first true republic under +the Stars and Stripes and gave the franchise to what men call the +better-half of the people. We women do not say that, but we do claim +to be half."</p> + +<p>Miss Anthony seldom made a stated address either in opening or +closing, but throughout the entire convention kept up a running fire +of quaint, piquant, original and characteristic observations which +delighted the audience and gave a distinctive attraction to the +meetings. It was impossible to keep a record of these and they would +lose their zest and appropriateness if separated from the +circumstances which called them forth. They can not be transmitted to +future generations, but the thousands who heard them during the fifty +years of her itineracy will preserve them among their delightful +memories. Perfectly at home on the platform, she would indulge in the +same informality of remarks which others use in private conversation, +but always with a quick wit, a fine satire and a keen discrimination. +Words of praise or criticism were given with equal impartiality, and +accepted with a grace which would have been impossible had the giver +been any other than the recognized Mentor of them all. Her wonderful +power of reminiscence never failed, and she had always some personal +recollection of every speaker or of her parents or other relatives. +She kept the audience in continuous good-humor and furnished a variety +to the program of which the newspaper reporters joyfully availed +themselves. At the morning business meetings which were always +informal there would often be a running dialogue something like the +following, when Mrs. Alberta C. Taylor was called to the platform:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Miss Anthony</span>: This is an Alabama girl, transplanted to the +Rockies—a daughter of Governor Chapman of Alabama. She is as +good a Southerner as any one, and also as good a Northerner and +Westerner.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Taylor</span>: A Southern paper lately said no Southern woman<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> +could read the report of the late election in Colorado without +blushing. I went through the election itself without blushing, +except with gratification.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Miss Anthony</span>: Instead of degrading a woman it makes her feel +nobler not to be counted with idiots, lunatics and criminals. It +even changes the expression of her face.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Voice in the Audience</span>: How many women are there in the Colorado +Legislature?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Taylor</span>: Three.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Miss Anthony</span>: It has always been thought perfectly womanly to be +a scrub-woman in the Legislature and to take care of the +spittoons; that is entirely within the charmed circle of woman's +sphere; but for women to occupy any of those official seats would +be degrading.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Miss Lucy E. Anthony</span>: What salaries do the women legislators +receive?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Taylor</span>: The same as the men, $4 a day. The pay of our +legislators is small. A prosperous business man has to make a +great sacrifice to go to the Legislature, and we can not always +get the best men to serve. This is an additional reason for +making women eligible. There are more first-class women than +first-class men who have the leisure.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Miss Shaw</span>: We are accused of wishing to belittle men, but in +Colorado they think a man's time is worth only as much as a +woman's.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Clara B. Colby</span>: The Hon. Mrs. Holley has just introduced in +the Colorado House, and carried through it against strong +opposition, a bill raising the age of protection for girls to +eighteen years.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Duniway</span>: I was in the Colorado House and saw it done. The +women members are highly respected. I have never seen women so +honored since those of Washington were disfranchised. The leading +men are as proud of the enfranchisement of their women as Georgia +men will be when the time comes. The Colorado women have +organized a Good Government League to promote education, +sanitation and general prosperity.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Taylor</span>: A bookseller in Denver told me that since women were +given the suffrage he had sold more books on political economy +than he had sold since Colorado was admitted into the Union.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Miss Anthony</span>: The bill raising the age of protection for girls +shows that suffrage does not make a woman forget her children, +and the bookseller's remark shows that she will study the science +of government.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Mary Bentley Thomas</span>: One of our most conservative Maryland +women, who married in Colorado ten years ago, writes to me: "I +enjoyed every moment of the campaign, especially the primary +meetings." A Virginia woman who also married a Colorado man +writes back: "Come West, where women are appreciated, and where +they are proud and happy citizens." She adds:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> "If you will come +I will show you the sweetest girl baby you ever saw."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Henry</span>: Let it be recorded that the first bill introduced by +a woman member in any State Legislature was a bill for the +protection of girls.</p> + +<p>On motion of Mrs. Colby, it was voted to send a telegram of +congratulation to the Hon. Mrs. Holley.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Again:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Before introducing the president of the Florida W. S. A. Miss +Anthony said: "For several years a big box of oranges has come to +me from Florida. Not long ago, I got home on one of the coldest +nights of the year, and found a box standing in my woodshed, full +of magnificent oranges. Next morning the papers reported that all +the oranges in Florida were frozen; but the president of the +suffrage association saved that boxful for me."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Ella C. Chamberlain</span>: Those were all we saved.... A man in +Florida who hires himself and his wife out to hoe corn, charges +$1.25 for his own services and 75 cents for hers, although she +does just as much work as he, so the men who employ them tell me. +It costs his wife 50 cents a day to be a woman.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Voice in the Audience</span>: And the 75 cents paid for her work belongs +to her husband.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Miss Anthony</span>: I suppose those are colored men.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Chamberlain</span>: No, they are white.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Miss Anthony</span>: White men have always controlled their wives' +wages. Colored men were not able to do so until they themselves +became free. Then they owned both their wives and their wages.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The delegate from the District of Columbia answered in a very faint +tone of voice, and Miss Anthony remarked that "this was through +mortification because even the men there had no more rights than +women." When another delegate could not be heard she said: "Women have +always been taught that it is immodest to speak in a loud voice, and +it is hard for them to get out of the old rut." At another time:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Miss Lavina A. Hatch</span>: In Massachusetts there are between 103,000 +and 105,000 families which have no male head. Some of these pay +large taxes and none of them has any representation.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Mariana W. Chapman</span>: In about two-thirds of the State of New +York, and not including New York City, women are assessed on +$348,177,107.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Louisa Southworth</span>: This year, with the new income tax, I +shall pay in taxes, national, State and municipal, $5,300.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Miss Anthony</span>: Yet why should she have a right to vote? +Inconsistency is the jewel of the American people.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Meriwether</span>: Tennessee caps the climax in taxation without<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> +representation. In Shelby County there are two young women, +sisters, who own farms. Both are married, and both were sensible +enough to have their farms secured to themselves and their +children. In one case, at least, it proved a wise precaution. One +of these young women asked the other, when she went to town, to +pay a few bills for her and settle her taxes. Accordingly she +went to the tax office, and as she handed in the papers she +noticed written at the foot of her sister's tax bill, "Poll tax, +$1.00." She exclaimed, "Oh, when did Mrs. A. become a voter? I am +so glad Tennessee has granted suffrage to women!" "Oh, she +hasn't; it doesn't," said the young clerk with a smile. "That is +her husband's poll tax." "And why is she required to pay her +husband's poll tax?" "It is the custom," he said. She replied, +"Then Tennessee will change its custom this time. I will see the +tax collector dead and very cold before I will pay Mr. A.'s poll +tax out of my sister's property in order that he may vote, while +she is not allowed to do so!"</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Miss Anthony</span>: It seems to me that these Southern women are in a +state of chronic rebellion.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Meriwether</span>: We are.</p></blockquote> + +<p>In closing this meeting Miss Anthony said: "Now, don't all of you come +to me to tell me how glad you are that I have worked for fifty years, +but say rather that you are going to begin work yourselves."</p> + +<p>The delegates were eloquently welcomed in behalf of the South by +Bennett J. Conyers of Atlanta, who declared that "suffrage for women +is demanded by the divine law of human development." He said in part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The work of Miss Anthony needs no apology. She has blazed a way +for advanced thought in her lonely course over the red-hot +plowshares of resistance. Now almost at the summit she looks back +to see following her an army with banners. May she long worship +where she stands at Truth's mountain altar, as, with the royal +sunset flush upon her brow, she catches the beckoning of the +lights twinkling on the heavenly shore.... The South is a maiden +well worthy of the allegiance of this cause, and when her aid is +given it will be as devoted as it has been reserved. The South is +the land where has lingered latest on earth the chivalry which +idealized its objects of worship. What though it may have meant +repression? Is it any wonder that the tender grace of a day that +is dead even now lingers and makes men loath to welcome change? +Perhaps it can not be told how much it has cost men to surrender +the ideal, even though it be to change it for the perfected +womanhood....</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span></p> + +<p>The address of welcome for the State was made by Mrs. Mary L. +McLendon, who spoke earnestly in favor of equal suffrage, saying:</p> + +<blockquote><p>If Georgia women could vote, this National Convention could hold +its session in our million dollar capitol, which rears its grand +proportions on yonder hill. Crowning its loftiest pinnacle is the +statue of a woman representing Liberty, and on its front the +motto, "Justice, Wisdom and Moderation." It was built with money +paid into our State's treasury by women as well as men, both +white and black; but men alone, white and black, have the +privilege of meeting in legislative session to make laws to +govern women. Men are also allowed to hold their Democratic, +Republican, Prohibition and Populist Conventions in its halls. It +is with difficulty that women can secure a hearing before a +legislative committee to petition for laws to ameliorate their +own condition, or to secure compulsory training in the public +schools, that their children may be brought up in the way they +should go, and become sober, virtuous citizens.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Major Charles W. Hubner extended the welcome of the city, saying in +conclusion: "Reason and right are with you, and these, in the name of +God, will at last prevail." Afterwards he contributed the poem, "Thank +God that Thought is Free." Miss Anthony was presented by Miss H. +Augusta Howard and, after a speech complimentary to Southern women, +introduced Mrs. Lillie Devereux Blake (N. Y.), who eulogized Southern +Chivalry, and Mrs. Lida A. Meriwether (Tenn.), who spoke in behalf of +Motherhood. Miss Elizabeth Upham Yates (Me.) made the closing address, +in which she said: "As surely as I want to vote—and nothing is more +certain—the man for whom I have most wished to vote was your own +beloved Henry W. Grady. There is something else for women to do than +to sit at home and fan themselves, 'cherishing their femininity.' +Womanliness will never be sacrificed in following the path of duty and +service."</p> + +<p>One of the principal addresses of the convention was that of Gen. +Robert R. Hemphill of South Carolina, who began by saying that in 1892 +he introduced a woman suffrage resolution in his State Senate, which +received fourteen out of thirty-five votes. He closed as follows: "The +cause is making headway, though slowly it is true, for it has the +prejudices of hundreds of years to contend against. The peaceful +revolution is upon us. It will not turn backward but will go on +conquering until its final triumph. Woman will be exalted, she will +enjoy equal rights; pure<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> politics and good government will be +insured, the cause of morality advanced, and the happiness of the +people established."</p> + +<p>Miss Alice Stone Blackwell (Mass.) discussed The Strongholds of +Opposition, showing what they are and how they must be attacked. Woman +as a Subject was presented by Mrs. Caroline E. Merrick (La.), who said +in part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Women are, and ever will be, loyal, tender, true and devoted to +their well beloved men; for they naturally love them better than +they do themselves. It is the brave soldier submissive to +authority who deserves promotion to rank and honor; so woman, +having proved herself a good subject, is now ready for her +promotion and advancement. She is urgently asking, not to rule +over men, but to take command of herself and all her rightful +belongings....</p> + +<p>As a self-respecting, reasonable being, she has grave +responsibilities, and from her is required an accountability +strict and severe. If she owns stock in one of your banks, she +has an influence in the management of the institution which takes +care of her money. The possession of children makes her a large +stockholder in public morality, but her self-constituted agents +act as her proxy without her authorization, as though she were of +unsound mind, or not in existence.</p> + +<p>The great truths of liberty and equality are dear to her heart. +She would die before she would imperil the well-being of her +home. She has no design to subvert church government, nor is she +organized to tear up the social fabric of polite society. But she +has now come squarely up to a crisis, a new epoch in her history +here in the South, and asks for a womanly right to participate by +vote in this representative government.</p> + +<p>Gentlemen, you value the power and privilege which the right of +suffrage has conferred upon you, and in your honest, manly souls +you can not but disdain the meanness and injustice which might +prompt you to deny it to women. Language utterly fails me when I +try to describe the painful humiliation and mortification which +attend this abject condition of total disfranchisement, and how +anxiously and earnestly women desire to be taken out of the list +of idiots, criminals and imbeciles, where they do not belong, and +placed in the respectable company of men who choose their +lawmakers, and give an intelligent consent to the legal power +which controls them.</p> + +<p>Do women deserve nothing? Are they not worthy? They have a noble +cause, and they beg you to treat it magnanimously.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Elizabeth Lyle Saxon (La.) described in an interesting manner +Club Life among the Women of the South. Mrs. Blake gave a powerful +address on Wife, Mother and Citizen. Miss Shaw closed the meeting with +an impromptu speech in which, according to the reporter, she said: "It +is declared that women<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> are too emotional to vote; but the morning +paper described a pugilistic encounter between two members of Congress +which looked as if excitability were not limited to women. It is said +that 'the legal male mind' is the only mind fit for suffrage." Miss +Shaw then made her wit play around the legal male mind like chain +lightning. "It is said that women are illogical, and jump to their +conclusions, flea-like. I shall not try to prove that women are +logical, for I know they are not, but it is beyond me how men ever got +it into their heads that <i>they</i> are. When we read the arguments +against woman suffrage, we see that flea-like jumping is by no means +confined to women."</p> + +<p>On one evening the Hon. Henry C. Hammond of Georgia made the opening +address, which was thus reported:</p> + +<blockquote><p>After declaring that the atmosphere of the nineteenth century is +surcharged with the sentiment of woman's emancipation, he traced +the gradual evolution of this sentiment, showing that one by one +the shackles had been stricken from the limbs of woman until now +she was making her final protest against tyranny and her last +appeal for liberty. "What is meant," said he, "by this mysterious +dictum, 'Out of her sphere?' It is merely a sentimental phrase +without either sense or reason." He then proceeded to say that if +woman had a sphere the privilege of voting was clearly within its +limitations. There was no doubt in his mind as to woman's moral +superiority, and the politics of the country was in need of her +purifying touch. In its present distracted and unhappy condition, +the adoption of the woman suffrage platform and the incorporation +of equal rights into the supreme law of the land was the only +hope of its ultimate salvation....</p></blockquote> + +<p>J. Colton Lynes of Georgia, taking for his subject Women to the Front, +gave a valuable historical review of their progress during the last +half century. Mrs. Josephine K. Henry was introduced as "the daughter +of Kentucky," and the <i>Constitution</i> said the next day: "If the spirit +of old Patrick Henry could have heard the eloquent plea of his +namesake, he would have had no reason to blush for a decadence of the +oratory which gave the name to the world." In considering Woman +Suffrage in the South, Mrs. Henry said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>It is asserted on all sides that the women of the South do not +want the ballot. The real truth is the women of the South never +have been asked what they want. When Pundita Ramabai was in this +country she saw a hen carried to market with its head downward.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> +This Christian method of treating a poor, dumb creature caused +the heathen woman to cry out, "Oh, how cruel to carry a hen with +its head down!" and she quickly received the reply, "Why, the hen +does not mind it"; and in her heathen innocence she inquired, +"Did you ask the hen?" Past civilization has not troubled either +dumb creatures or women by consulting them in regard to their own +affairs. For woman everything in sociology, law or politics has +been arranged without consulting her in any way, and when her +rights are trampled on and money extorted from her by the votes +of the vicious and ignorant, the glib tongue of tyranny says, +"Tax her again, she has no wish or right to tell what she wants." +...</p> + +<p>Where the laws rob her in marriage of her property, she does want +possession and control of her inheritance and earnings. Where she +is a mother, she wants co-guardianship of her own children. Where +she is a breadwinner she wants equal pay for equal work. She +wants to wipe out the law that in its savagery protects brutality +when it preys upon innocent, defenseless girlhood. She wants the +streets and highways of the land made safe for the child whose +life cost her a hand to hand conflict with death. She wants a +single standard of morals established, where a woman may have an +equal chance with a man in this hard, old world, and it may not +be possible to crowd a fallen woman out of society and close +against her every avenue whereby she can make an honest living, +while the fallen man runs for Congress and is heaped with honors. +More than all, she needs and wants the ballot, the only weapon +for the protection of individual rights recognized in this +government.</p> + +<p>In short, this New Woman of the New South wants to be a citizen +queen as well as a queen of hearts and a queen of home, whose +throne under the present regime rests on the sandy foundation of +human generosity and human caprice. It should be remembered that +the women of the South are the daughters of their fathers, and +have as invincible a spirit in their convictions in the cause of +liberty and justice as had those fathers.</p> + +<p>We come asking the men of our section for the right of suffrage, +not that it be bestowed on us as a gift on a suppliant, but that +our birthright, bequeathed to us by the immortal Jefferson, be +restored to us....</p> + +<p>The most pathetic picture in all history is this great conflict +which women are waging for their liberty. Men armed with all the +death-dealing weapons devised by human ingenuity, and with the +wealth of nations at their backs, have waged wars of +extermination to gain freedom; but women with no weapon save +argument, and no wealth save the justice of their cause, are +carrying on a war of education for their liberty, and no earthly +power can keep them from winning the victory.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The Next Phase of the Woman Question was considered by Miss Mary C. +Francis (O.) from the standpoint of a practical newspaper woman. Mrs. +Chapman Catt, chairman of the national<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> organization committee, made +the last address, taking for a subject Eternal Justice. The +<i>Constitution</i> said: "As a rapid, logical and fluent speaker it is +doubtful if America ever has produced one more gifted, and the +suffrage movement is fortunate in having so brilliant a woman for its +champion."</p> + +<p>Henry B. Blackwell urged the South to adopt woman suffrage as one +solution of the negro problem:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Apply it to your own State of Georgia, where there are 149,895 +white women who can read and write, and 143,471 negro voters, of +whom 116,516 are illiterates.</p> + +<p>The time has come when this question should be considered. An +educational qualification for suffrage may or may not be wise, +but it is not necessarily unjust. If each voter governed only +himself, his intelligence would concern himself alone, but his +vote helps to govern everybody else. Society in conceding his +right has itself a right to require from him a suitable +preparation. Ability to read and write is absolutely necessary as +a means of obtaining accurate political information. Without it +the voter is almost sure to become the tool of political +demagogues. With free schools provided by the States, every +citizen can qualify himself without money and without price. +Under such circumstances there is no infringement of rights in +requiring an educational qualification as a pre-requisite of +voting. Indeed, without this, suffrage is often little more than +a name. "Suffrage is the authoritative exercise of rational +choice in regard to principles, measures and men." The comparison +of an unintelligent voter to a "trained monkey," who goes through +the motion of dropping a paper ballot into a box, has in it an +element of truth. Society, therefore, has a right to prescribe, +in the admission of any new class of voters, such a qualification +as every one can attain and as will enable the voter to cast an +intelligent and responsible vote.</p> + +<p>In the development of our complex political society we have +to-day two great bodies of illiterate citizens: In the North, +people of foreign birth; in the South, people of the African race +and a considerable portion of the native white population. +Against foreigners and negroes, as such, we would not +discriminate. But in every State, save one, there are more +educated women than all the illiterate voters, white and black, +native and foreign.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The convention proper closed on Saturday night, but the exercises +Sunday afternoon may be said to have been a continuation of it. The +official report said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The services began at 3 o'clock and more than half an hour before +this time the theatre was filled almost to its fullest capacity. +When the opening hour arrived there was not an empty chair in the +house, every aisle was crowded, and people anxious to hear the +sermon of the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw had invaded the stage. So<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> +dense became the crowd that the doors were ordered closed and +people were refused admission even before the services began. +After the doors were closed the disappointed ones stood on the +stairs and many of them remained in the streets. The vast +congregation was made up of all classes of citizens. Every chair +that could be found in the theatre had been either placed in the +aisles or on the stage, and then boxes and benches were pressed +into service. Many of the most prominent professional and +business men were standing on the stage and in different parts of +the house.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Shaw gave her great sermon The Heavenly Vision. She told of the +visions of the man which it depended upon himself to make reality; of +the visions of the woman which were forever placed beyond her reach by +the church, by society and by the laws, and closed with these words: +"We ask for nothing which God can not give us. God created nature, and +if our demands are contrary to nature, trust nature to take care of +itself without the aid of man. It is better to be true to what you +believe, though that be wrong, than to be false to what you believe, +even if that belief is correct."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Clara Bewick Colby (D. C.) preached to more than a thousand +people at the Bethel (colored) Church; Mrs. Meriwether at the +Unitarian Church; Miss Yates and Miss Emily Howland (N. Y.) also +occupied pulpits.</p> + +<p>The evening programs with their formal addresses naturally attracted +the largest audiences and occupied the most space in the newspapers, +but the morning and afternoon sessions, devoted to State and committee +reports and the business of the association, were really the life and +soul of this as of all the conventions. Among the most interesting of +the excellent State reports presented to the Atlanta meeting were +those of New York and Kansas, because during the previous year +suffrage campaigns had been carried on in those States. The former, +presented by Mrs. Jean Brooks Greenleaf, State president, said in +part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The New York Constitutional Convention before whom we hopefully +carried our cause—"so old, so new, so ever true"—is a thing of +the past. We presented our petition, asking that the word "male" +be eliminated from the organic law, with the endorsement of <i>over +half a million</i> citizens of the State. We laid before the +convention statistics showing that outside the city of New York +the property on which women pay taxes is assessed at +$348,177,107; the number of women taxed, 146,806 in 571 cities +and towns; not reported, 389.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span></p> + +<p>We had the satisfaction of knowing that the delegates assembled +were kept upon a strong equal suffrage diet for days and nights +together. At the public hearings, graciously granted us, we saw +the great jury listen not only with patience but with evident +pleasure and enthusiasm, while women representing twenty-six +districts gave reasons for wanting to be enfranchised; and we +also saw the creative body itself turned into a woman suffrage +meeting for three evenings. At the close of the last we learned +that there were in this convention ninety-eight men who dared to +say that the freemen of the State should not be allowed to decide +whether their wives, mothers and daughters should be enfranchised +or not. We learned also, that there were fifty-eight men, +constituting a noble minority, who loved justice better than +party power, and were willing to risk the latter to sustain the +former.<a name="FNanchor_102_102" id="FNanchor_102_102"></a><a href="#Footnote_102_102" class="fnanchor">[102]</a></p></blockquote> + +<p>The report of the Press Committee Chairman, Mrs. Ellen Battelle +Dietrick (Mass.), called especial attention to the flood of matter +relating to the woman question which was now appearing in the +newspapers and magazines of the country, to the activity of the enemy +and to the necessity for suffragists to "publish an antidote wherever +the poison appears." The Legislative Committee, Mrs. Blake, Mrs. Henry +and Mrs. Diggs, closed their report as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In a State where there is hope of support from the political +parties, where there has been long agitation and everything +points to a favorable result, it is wise to urge a constitutional +amendment striking out the word "male" as a qualification for +voters. This must pass both Houses in the form of concurrent +resolution; in some States it must pass two successive +Legislatures; and it must be ratified at the polls by a majority +of the voters.</p> + +<p>When the conditions are not yet ripe for a constitutional +amendment, there are many measures which are valuable in arousing +public interest and preparing the way for final triumph, as well +as important in ameliorating the condition of women. Among these +are laws to secure school suffrage for women; women on boards of +education and as school trustees; equality of property rights for +husbands and wives; equal guardianship of children for mother and +father; women factory inspectors; women physicians in hospitals +and insane asylums; women trustees in all State institutions; +police matrons; seats for saleswomen; the raising of "the age of +consent."</p></blockquote> + +<p>The report of the Plan of Work Committee, Mrs. Chapman Catt, chairman, +began by saying:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span></p><blockquote><p>The great need of the hour is organization. There can be no +doubt that the advocates of woman suffrage in the United States +are to be numbered by millions, but it is a lamentable fact that +our organization can count its numbers only by thousands. There +are illustrious men and women in every State, and there are men +and women innumerable, who are not known to the public, who are +openly and avowedly woman suffragists, yet we do not possess the +benefit of their names on our membership lists or the financial +help of their dues. In other words, the size of our membership is +not at all commensurate with the sentiment for woman suffrage. +The reason for this condition is plain; the chief work of +suffragists for the past forty years has been education and +agitation, and not organization. The time has come when the +educational work has borne its fruit, and there are States in +which there is sentiment enough to carry a woman suffrage +amendment, but it is individual and not organized sentiment, and +is, therefore, ineffective.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The audience was greatly amused when Miss Anthony commented on this: +"There never yet was a young woman who did not feel that if she had +had the management of the work from the beginning the cause would have +been carried long ago. I felt just so when I was young." There was +much laughter also over one of Mrs. Abigail Scott Duniway's short +speeches in which she said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>There are in Oregon three classes of women opposed to suffrage. +1. Women who are so overworked that they have no time to think of +it. They are joined to their wash-tubs; let them alone. But the +children of these overworked women are coming on. 2. Women who +have usurped all the rights in the matrimonial category, their +husbands' as well as their own. The husbands of such women are +always loudly opposed to suffrage. The "sassiest" man in any +community is the hen-pecked husband away from home. 3. Young +girls matrimonially inclined, who fear the avowal of a belief in +suffrage would injure their chances. I can assure such girls that +a woman who wishes to vote gets more offers than one who does +not. Their motto should be "Liberty first, and union afterwards." +The man whose wife is a clinging vine is apt to be like the oaks +in the forest that are found wrapped in vines—dead at the top.</p></blockquote> + +<p>When Miss Anthony said, "One reason why politicians hesitate to grant +suffrage to woman is because she is an unknown quantity," Mrs. Henry +responded quickly, "There are two great unknown forces to-day, +electricity and woman, but men can reckon much better on electricity +than they can on woman." A resolution was adopted for a public +celebration in New York City<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> of Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton's +eightieth birthday, November 12, by the association.<a name="FNanchor_103_103" id="FNanchor_103_103"></a><a href="#Footnote_103_103" class="fnanchor">[103]</a></p> + +<p>The treasurer, Mrs. Harriet Taylor Upton, reported the receipts of the +past year to be $5,820, of which $2,571 went to the Kansas campaign. +The contributions and pledges of this convention for the coming year +were about $2,000. In addition, Mrs. Louisa Southworth of Cleveland +gave $1,000 to Miss Anthony to use as she thought best, and she +announced that it would be applied to opening national headquarters. A +National Organization Committee was for the first time formally +organized and Mrs. Chapman Catt was made its chairman by unanimous +vote.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Colby presented the memorial resolutions, saying in part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>During the past year our association has lost by death a number +of members whose devotion to the cause of woman's liberty has +contributed largely to the position she holds to-day, and whose +labors are a part of the history of this great struggle for the +amelioration of her condition. Among these beloved friends and +co-workers three stood, each as the foremost representative in a +distinct line of action: Myra Bradwell of Chicago, Virginia L. +Minor of St. Louis, Amelia Bloomer of Council Bluffs, Ia.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Bradwell was the first to make a test case with regard to +the civil rights of women, and to prove that the disfranchised +citizen is unprotected. [Her struggle to secure from the U.S. +Supreme Court a decision enabling women to practice law was +related.] The special importance of Mrs. Minor's connection with +the suffrage work lies in the fact that she first formulated and +enunciated the idea that women have the right to vote under the +United States Constitution. [The story was then told of Mrs. +Minor's case in the U.S. Supreme Court to test the right of women +to vote under the Fourteenth Amendment.]<a name="FNanchor_104_104" id="FNanchor_104_104"></a><a href="#Footnote_104_104" class="fnanchor">[104]</a> Mrs. Amelia Bloomer +was the first woman to own and edit a paper devoted to woman +suffrage and temperance, the <i>Lily</i>, published in Seneca Falls, +N. Y. She was also an eloquent lecturer for both these reforms +and one of the first women to hold an office under the +Government, as deputy postmaster. The costume which bears her +name she did not originate, but wore and advocated for a number +of years.</p> + +<p>Of the noble band that started in 1848, few now remain, but a +host of young women are already on the stage of action, even +better<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> equipped than were our pioneers to plead their own cases +in the courts, the halls of legislation, the pulpit and the +press.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Two large receptions were given to the delegates and visitors, one at +the Hotel Aragon, and one by Mrs. W. A. Hemphill, chairman of the +Committee on the Professional Work of Women at the approaching Cotton +States Exposition soon to be held in Atlanta. She was assisted by Mrs. +W. Y. Atkinson, wife of the newly-elected Governor of Georgia.</p> + +<p>During several weeks before the convention Miss Anthony and Mrs. +Chapman Catt had made a tour of the Southern States, speaking in the +principal cities to arouse suffrage sentiment, as this section was +practically an unvisited field. Immediately after the convention +closed a mass meeting was held in the court-house of Atlanta. +Afterwards Mrs. Blake was requested to address the Legislature of +North Carolina, Miss Anthony lectured in a number of cities on the way +northward, and others were invited to hold meetings in the neighboring +States. Most of the speakers and delegates met in Washington on +February 15 to celebrate Miss Anthony's seventy-fifth birthday and +participate in the triennial convention of the National Council of +Women.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_101_101" id="Footnote_101_101"></a><a href="#FNanchor_101_101"><span class="label">[101]</span></a> The three sisters, Claudia Howard Maxwell, Miriam +Howard Du Bose and H. Augusta Howard, who as delegates at Washington +the previous winter had invited the association to Atlanta, bore the +principal part of these expenses and were largely responsible for the +success of the convention.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_102_102" id="Footnote_102_102"></a><a href="#FNanchor_102_102"><span class="label">[102]</span></a> The facts and figures presented in the report from +Kansas by the president, Mrs. Laura M. Johns, will be found in the +chapter on that State.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_103_103" id="Footnote_103_103"></a><a href="#FNanchor_103_103"><span class="label">[103]</span></a> For an account of this beautiful celebration in the +Metropolitan Opera House with an audience of 3,000, see Life and Work +of Susan B. Anthony, p. 848; also Reminiscences of Elizabeth Cady +Stanton.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_104_104" id="Footnote_104_104"></a><a href="#FNanchor_104_104"><span class="label">[104]</span></a> For account of Mrs. Bradwell's case see +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_601">History of Woman Suffrage, Vol. II, p. 601</a>; +of Mrs. Minor's, <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_715">same, p. 715</a>. +</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<h3>THE NATIONAL-AMERICAN CONVENTION OF 1896.</h3> + + +<p>The suffrage association held its Twenty-eighth annual convention in +the Church of Our Father, Washington, D. C., Jan. 23-28, 1896. In her +opening remarks the president, Miss Susan B. Anthony, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The thought that brought us here twenty-eight years ago was that, +if the Federal Constitution could be invoked to protect black men +in the right to vote, the same great authority could be invoked +to protect women. The question has been urged upon every Congress +since 1869. We asked at first for a Sixteenth Amendment +enfranchising women; then for suffrage under the Fourteenth +Amendment; then, when the Supreme Court had decided that against +us, we returned to the Sixteenth Amendment and have pressed it +ever since. The same thing has been done in this Fifty-fourth +Congress which has been done in every Congress for a decade, +namely, the introducing of a bill providing for the new +amendment....</p> + +<p>You will notice that the seats of the delegation from Utah are +marked by a large United States flag bearing three stars, a big +one and two smaller ones. The big star is for Wyoming, because it +stood alone for a quarter of a century as the only place where +<i>women had full suffrage</i>. Colorado comes next, because it is the +first State where a majority of the men voted to grant women +equal rights. Then comes Utah, because its men in convention +assembled—in spite of the bad example of Congress, which took +the right away from its women nine years ago—those men, having +seen the good effects of woman suffrage for years, voted by an +overwhelming majority to leave out the little word "male" from +the suffrage clause of their new State Constitution, and their +action was ratified by the electors. Next year, if I am here, I +hope to rejoice with you over woman suffrage in California and +Idaho.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Some one whispered to Miss Anthony that the convention had not been +opened with prayer, and she answered without the slightest confusion: +"Now, friends, you all know I am a Quaker. We give thanks in silence. +I do not think the heart of any one here has been fuller of silent +thankfulness than mine, but I should not have remembered to have the +meeting formally opened with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> prayer if somebody had not reminded me. +The Rev. Anna Howard Shaw will offer prayer."</p> + +<p>Miss Shaw's report as vice-president-at-large was full of the little +touches of humor for which she was noted:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The report of my specific work would not take long; but the work +that really did count for our association began last May, when +your president and I were invited to California. On the way we +stopped first at St. Louis, where Miss Anthony spoke before the +Women's Federation, the Woman's Council, and the State W. S. A. +From there we went to Denver, where we had a remarkable meeting, +and a warm greeting was given to Miss Anthony by the newly +enfranchised women of Colorado. It was pleasant to find them so +grateful to the pioneers. The large opera house was packed, and a +reception, in which the newspapers estimated that 1,500 persons +took part, was afterwards given at the Palace Hotel.</p> + +<p>From Denver we went to Cheyenne, where we addressed the citizens, +men and women. For once there were present at our meeting quite +as many men as women, and not only ordinary but extraordinary +men. After introducing us to the audience, Mrs. Theresa A. +Jenkins introduced the audience to us. It included the Governor, +Senators, Representatives, Judges of the Supreme Court, city +officials, and never so many majors and colonels, and it showed +that where women have a vote, men think their meetings are worth +going to. We were the guests of the Governor during our stay in +Colorado, and guests of a U. S. Senator in Wyoming. At Salt Lake +all the city turned out, and I spoke in the Tabernacle to the +largest audience I ever had. It was sympathetic too, for Utah +people are accustomed to go to church and listen. At Ogden they +had to take two buildings for the meeting. At Reno, Nevada, there +was a large audience.</p> + +<p>The Woman's Congress at San Francisco was the most marvelous +gathering I ever saw. The newspapers said the men were all +hypnotized, or they would not stand on the sidewalk two hours to +get into a church. Every subject considered during the whole +week, whether it was the care of children or the decoration of +the home, turned on the ballot for women, and Susan B. Anthony +was the belle of the ball. The superintendent of San Francisco +closed the schools that Miss Anthony might address the 900 +teachers. The Ministers' Association passed resolutions favoring +the amendment. We went the whole length of the State and the +meetings were just as enthusiastic.</p> + +<p>The Citizens' Committee asked women to take part in the Fourth of +July celebration. The women accepted more than the men meant they +should, for they insisted that a woman should be on the program. +The Program Committee refused, and the Executive Committee said +if they did not put a woman on they should be discharged. Instead +of this they proposed that Mrs. Sarah B. Cooper should provide +sandwiches for over 5,000 kindergarten children. That was the +kind of work they invited such women to do.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Program Committee discussed the matter, and their discussion +could be heard four blocks away, but they finally yielded and +invited me to speak. So Miss Anthony and I rode for three miles +in a highly-decorated carriage, just behind the mayor and +followed by a brass band and the fire brigade, and I wore a big +badge that almost covered me, just like the badge worn by the +masculine orator. The dispute between the Executive and the +Program Committees had excited so much interest that there were +more cheers for your president and vice-president as we passed +along than there were for the mayor....</p> + +<p>They wanted us both to come back in the fall. I went and spoke +thirty-four times in thirty-seven evenings.</p></blockquote> + +<p>As the vice-president finished, Miss Anthony observed in her +characteristic manner: "Miss Shaw said she only went to California to +hold Miss Anthony's bonnet, but, when we left, everybody thought that +I had come to hold her bonnet. It is my delight to see these girls +develop and outdo their elders. There is another little woman that I +want to come up here to the platform, Mrs. Chapman Catt. While she is +blushing and getting ready, there is a delegation here from the +Woman's National Press Association." Mesdames Lockwood, Gates, +Cromwell and Emerson were introduced, and Miss Anthony remarked: "Our +movement depends greatly on the press. The worst mistake any woman can +make is to get crosswise with the newspapers."<a name="FNanchor_105_105" id="FNanchor_105_105"></a><a href="#Footnote_105_105" class="fnanchor">[105]</a></p> + +<p>By this time Mrs. Chapman Catt had reached the platform, and Miss +Anthony continued: "Mrs. Catt went down South with me last year to +hold my bonnet; and wherever we were, at Memphis or New Orleans or +elsewhere, when she had spoken, Miss Anthony was nowhere. It is she +who has done the splendid organization work which has brought into the +association nearly every State in the Union, and every Territory +except the Indian and Alaska and we shall have them next year."</p> + +<p>An able address was given by Mrs. Clara Bewick Colby (D. C.) on The +Philosophy of Woman Suffrage, in which she said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Woman suffrage is in harmony with the evolution of the race. The +progress of civilization has developed the finer forces of +mankind and made ready for the entrance of woman into government. +As long as man was merely a slayer of men and animals he did not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> +feel the need of the co-partnership of woman, but as his +fatherhood was developed he felt his inadequacy and the necessity +of the maternal element by his side. Woman suffrage is in harmony +with the growth of the idea of the worth of the individual, which +has its best expression in our republic. Our nation is heir of +all the struggles for freedom which have been made....</p> + +<p>The Magna Charta belongs to us as much as does the Declaration of +Independence. In all these achievements for liberty women have +borne their share. Not only have they inspired men but the record +of the past is illumined with the story of their own brave deeds. +Women love liberty as well as men do. The love of liberty is the +corollary of the right of consent to government. All the progress +of our nation has been along the line of extending the +application of this basic idea....</p> + +<p>Woman suffrage is in harmony with the evolution in the status of +women. They always have done their share in the development of +the race. There always has been a "new woman," some one stepping +out in advance of the rest and gaining a place for others to +stand upon.... We have no cause to blush for our ancestors. We +may save our blushes for the women of to-day who do not live up +to their privileges.</p> + +<p>Now that woman has made such advance in personal and property +rights, educational and industrial opportunities, to deny her the +ballot is to force her to occupy a much more degrading position +than did the women of the past. We think the savage woman +degraded because she walks behind her husband bearing the burden +to leave his hands free for the weapon which is his sign of +sovereignty; what shall we say of the woman of to-day who may not +follow her husband and brother as he goes forth to wield the +weapon of civilization, the ballot? If the evolution in the +status of woman does not point to the franchise it is +meaningless.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Colby was followed by Miss Julie R. Jenney, a member of the bar +in Syracuse, N. Y., with a thoughtful address on Law and the Ballot. +She showed that woman's present legal rights are in the nature of a +license, and therefore revocable at the will of the bodies granting +them, and that until women elect the lawmakers they can not be +entirely sure of any rights whatever. Between Daybreak and Sunrise was +the title of the address of Mrs. May Stocking Knaggs (Mich.), who +pleaded for the opportunity of complete co-operation between men and +women, declaring that "each human being is a whole, single and +responsible; each human unit is concerned in the social compact which +is formed to protect individual and mutual rights."</p> + +<p>This was the first appearance of Mrs. Stetson on this national +platform. She came as representative of the Pacific Coast<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> Woman's +Congress and California Suffrage Association. The <i>Woman's Journal</i> +said: "Those of us who have for years admired Mrs. Stetson's +remarkably bright poems were delighted to meet her, and to find her +even more interesting than her writings. She is still a young woman, +tall, lithe and graceful, with fine dark eyes, and spirit and +originality flashing from her at every turn like light from a diamond. +She read several poems to the convention, made an address one evening +and preached twice on Sunday; and the delegates followed her around, +as iron filings follow a magnet."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Catharine E. Hirst, president of the Ladies of the G. A. R.; Mrs. +Lillian M. Hollister, representing the Supreme Hive Ladies of the +Maccabees; Miss Harriette A. Keyser, from the Political Study Club of +New York; Mrs. Rose E. Lumpkin, president Virginia King's Daughters, +were presented as fraternal delegates. Grace Greenwood and Mrs. +Caroline B. Buell were introduced to the convention.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Chapman Catt spoke for the Course of Study in Political Science, +which had been in operation only five months, had sold five hundred +full sets of books and reported over one hundred clubs formed. The +committee on credentials reported 138 delegates present, and all the +States and Territories represented except thirteen. A very +satisfactory report of the first year's work of the organization +committee was presented by its chairman, Mrs. Chapman Catt, which +closed as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Our committee are more than ever convinced that it is possible to +build a great organization based upon the one platform of the +enfranchisement of women. With harmony, co-operation and +determination we shall yet build this organization, of such +numbers and political strength that through the power of +constituency it can dictate at least one plank in the platform of +every political party, and secure an amendment from any +Legislature it petitions. We believe it will yet have its +auxiliaries in every village and hamlet, township and school +district, to influence majorities when the amendment is +submitted. More—we believe ere many years its powers will be so +subtle and widespread that it can besiege the conservatism of +Congress itself, and come away with the laurel wreath of victory.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Nearly $3,300 were at once pledged for the committee, Miss Anthony +herself agreeing to raise $600 of this amount.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Chapman Catt presented also a detailed Plan of Work, which +included Organization, Club Work, Letter Writing, Raising<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> of Money +and Political Work. Of the last she said: "The time has fully come +when we should carry the rub-a-dub of our agitation into 'the +political Africa,' that is into every town meeting of every township +of every county, and every caucus or primary meeting of every ward of +every city of every State.... For a whole half century we have held +special suffrage meetings, with audiences largely of women; that is, +women have talked to women. We must now carry our discussion of the +question into all of the different political party gatherings, for it +is only there that the rank and file of the voters ever go. They won't +come to our meetings, so we must carry our gospel into theirs. It will +be of no more avail in the future than it has been in the past to send +appeals to State and national conventions, so long as they are not +backed by petitions from a vast majority of the voting constituents of +their members."</p> + +<p>With the thousand dollars which had been put into Miss Anthony's hands +by Mrs. Louisa Southworth of Cleveland the preceding year, national +headquarters had been opened in Philadelphia with Mrs. Rachel Foster +Avery, corresponding secretary, in charge. Mrs. Harriet Taylor Upton, +treasurer, reported total receipts for 1895 to be $9,835, with a +balance of several hundred dollars in the treasury.</p> + +<p>The principal feature of the Saturday evening meeting was the address +of Miss Elizabeth Burrill Curtis, daughter of George William Curtis, +on Universal Suffrage. She said in part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I find many people in my native State of New York who are leaning +toward a limited suffrage, and therefore I am beginning to ask, +"What does it mean? Is democratic government impossible after +all?" For a government in order to be democratic must be founded +on the suffrages of all the people, not a part. A republic may +exist by virtue of a limited suffrage, but a democracy can not, +and a democratic government has been our theoretical ideal from +the first. Are we prepared, after a hundred and twenty years, to +own ourselves defeated?... Universal suffrage, to me, means the +right of every man and woman who is mentally able to do so, and +who has not forfeited the right by an ill use of it, to say who +shall rule them, and what action shall be taken by those rulers +upon questions of moment....</p> + +<p>This brings me to what I wish to say about those who desire a +limited suffrage. Who are they, and to what class do they belong? +For the most part, as I know them, they are men of property, who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> +belong to the educated classes, who are refined and cultivated, +and who see the government about them falling into the hands of +the unintelligent and often illiterate classes who are voted at +the polls like sheep. Therefore these gentlemen weep aloud and +wail and say: "If we had a limited suffrage, if we and our +friends had the management of affairs, how much better things +would be!"</p> + +<p>Do not misunderstand me here. I am far from decrying the benefits +of education. Nobody believes in its necessity more sincerely +than I do. In fact I hold that, other things being equal, the +educated man is immeasurably in advance of the uneducated one; +but the trouble is that other things are often very far from +being equal and it is utterly impossible for the average man, +educated or not, to be trusted to decide with entire justice +between himself and another person when their interests are +equally involved....</p> + +<p>The intelligent voter in a democratic community can not abdicate +his responsibility without being punished. He is the natural +leader, and if he refuses to fulfil his duties the leadership +will inevitably fall into the hands of those who are unfitted for +the high and holy task—and who is to blame? It is the educated +men, the professional men, the men of wealth and culture, who are +themselves responsible when things go wrong; and the refusal to +acknowledge their responsibility will not release them from +it....</p> + +<p>The principle of universal suffrage, like every other high ideal, +will not stand alone. It carries duties with it, duties which are +imperative and which to shirk is filching benefits without +rendering an equivalent. How dare a man plead his private ease or +comfort as an excuse for neglecting his public duties? How dare +the remonstrating women of Massachusetts declare that they fear +the loss of privileges, one of which is the immunity from +punishment for a misdemeanor committed in the husband's presence? +"When I was a child, I spake as a child, I thought as a child, I +understood as a child; but when I became a man, I put away +childish things."</p> + +<p>Throughout history all women and many men have been forced, so +far as government has been concerned, to speak, think and +understand as children. Now, for the first time, we are asking +that the people, as a whole body, shall rise to their full +stature and put away childish things.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The sermon on Sunday afternoon was given by Mrs. Stetson from the +topic which was to have been considered by the Rev. Anna Garlin +Spencer, The Spiritual Significance of Democracy and Woman's Relation +to It. She spoke without notes and illustrated the central thought +that love grows where people are brought together, and that they are +brought together more in a democracy than in any other mode of living. +"Women have advanced less rapidly than men because they have always +been more isolated. They have been brought into relation with their +own families only. It is men who have held the inter-human +relation....<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> Everything came out of the home; but because you began +in a cradle is no reason why you should always stay there. Because +charity begins at home is no reason why it should stop there, and +because woman's first place is at home is no reason why her last and +only place should be there. Civilization has been held back because so +many men have inherited the limitations of the female sex. You can not +raise public-spirited men from private-spirited mothers, but only from +mothers who have been citizens in spite of their disfranchisement. In +holding back the mothers of the race, you are keeping back the race."</p> + +<p>At the memorial services loving tributes were paid to the friends of +woman suffrage who had passed away during the year. Among these were +ex-Secretary of the Treasury Hugh McCulloch, ex-Governor Oliver Ames +(Mass.), Dr. James C. Jackson of Dansville (N. Y.), Dr. Abram W. +Lozier of New York City, Thomas Davis, Sarah Wilbur of Rhode Island, +Marian Skidmore of Lily Dale, N. Y., and Amelia E. H. Doyon of +Madison, Wis., who left $1,000 to the National Association.</p> + +<p>Henry B. Blackwell spoke of Theodore D. Weld, the great abolitionist, +leader of the movement to found Oberlin, the first co-educational +college, and one of the earliest advocates of equal rights for women. +He told also of Frederick Douglass, whose last act was to bear his +testimony in favor of suffrage for women at the Woman's Council in +Washington on the very day of his death. Mrs. Avery gave a tender +eulogy of Theodore Lovett Sewall of Indianapolis, his brilliancy as a +conversationalist, his charm as a host, his loyalty as a friend, his +beautiful devotion to his wife, Mrs. May Wright Sewall, and his +lifelong adherence to the cause of woman.</p> + +<p>The loss of Mrs. Ellen Battelle Dietrick came with crushing force, as +her services to the association were invaluable. To her most intimate +friend, the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, was assigned the duty of speaking a +word in her memory, and in broken sentences she said: "I never knew +such earnest purpose and consecration or such a fund of knowledge in +any one as Mrs. Dietrick possessed. She never stopped thinking because +she had reached the furthest point to which some one else had thought. +She was the best antagonist I ever saw; I never knew any one who could +differ so intensely, and yet be so perfectly calm and good-tempered.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> +What she was as a friend no one can tell. Her death is a great loss to +our press work. Perhaps no one ever wrote so many articles in the same +length of time. This was especially the case last summer. It seemed as +if she had a premonition that her life would soon end, for she sat at +her desk writing hour after hour. I believe it shortened her life. She +had just finished a book—Women in the Early Christian Ministry—and +she left many other manuscripts. It would be a pity if the rich, ripe +thought of this woman should not be preserved. Her funeral was like +her life, without show or display. No one outside the family was +present except myself. No eulogy was uttered there; she would not have +wanted it. Tennyson's last poem, Crossing the Bar, was recited by her +brother-in-law, the Rev. J. W. Hamilton.<a name="FNanchor_106_106" id="FNanchor_106_106"></a><a href="#Footnote_106_106" class="fnanchor">[106]</a>" Miss Shaw ended her +remarks by reciting this poem.</p> + +<p>Miss Anthony, who was to close the exercises, was too much affected to +speak and motioned that the audience was dismissed, but no one +stirred. At length she said: "There are very few human beings who have +the courage to utter to the fullest their honest convictions—Mrs. +Dietrick was one of these few. She would follow truth wherever it led, +and she would follow no other leader. Like Lucretia Mott, she took +'truth for authority, not authority for truth.' Miss Anthony spoke +also of the "less-known women": "Adeline Thomson, a most remarkable +character, was a sister to J. Edgar Thomson, first president of the +Pennsylvania railroad. She lived to be eighty, and for years she stood +there in Philadelphia, a monument of the past. Her house was my home +when in that city for thirty years. We have also lost in Julia Wilbur +of the District a most useful woman, and one who was faithful to the +end. This is the first convention for twenty-eight years at which she +has not been present with us. We should all try to live so as to make +people feel that there is a vacancy when we go; but, dear friends, do +not let there be a vacancy long. Our battle has just reached the place +where it can win, and if we do our work in the spirit of those who +have gone before, it will soon be over."</p> + +<p>There was special rejoicing at this convention over the admission of +Utah as a State with full suffrage for women. Senator and Mrs. Frank +J. Cannon and Representative and Mrs. C. E.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> Allen of Utah were on the +platform. In her address of welcome Miss Shaw said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Every star added to that blue field makes for the advantage of +every human being. We are just beginning to learn that we are all +children of one Father and members of one family; and when one +member suffers or is benefited, all the members suffer or +rejoice. So when Utah comes into the Union with every one free, +it is not only that State which is benefited, but we and all the +world. As the stars at night come out one by one, so will they +come out one by one on our flag, till the whole blue field is a +blaze of glory.</p> + +<p>We expected it of the men of Utah. No man there could have stood +by the side of his mother and heard her tell of all that the +pioneers endured, and then have refused to grant her the same +right of liberty he wanted for himself, without being unworthy of +such a mother. They are the crown of our Union, those three +States on the crest of the Rockies, above all the others. In the +name of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, we +extend our welcome, our thanks and our congratulations to Utah, +as one of the three so dear to the heart of every woman who loves +liberty in these United States.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Senator Cannon said in response: " ... Only one serious question came +before our constitutional convention, and that was whether the +adoption of woman suffrage would hinder the admission of our Territory +as a State.... But our women had furnished courage, patience and +heroism to our men, and so we said: 'Utah shall take another +forty-nine years of wandering in the wilderness as a Territory before +coming in as a State without her women.' My mother wandered there for +twelve years. Women trailed bleeding feet and lived on roots that +those of to-day might reap bounteous harvests. Utah gave women the +suffrage while still a Territory. Congress, in its not quite infinite +wisdom, took it away after they had exercised it intelligently for +seventeen years; but the first chance that the men of Utah had they +gave it back."</p> + +<p>Representative Allen was called on by Miss Anthony to "tell us how +nice it seems to feel that your wife is as good as you are," and said +in part: "Perhaps you have read what the real estate agents say about +Utah—how they praise her sun and soil, her mountains and streams, and +her precious metals. They tell you that she is filled with the basis +of all material prosperity, with gold, silver, lead and iron: but +greatness can not come from material resources alone—it must come +from the people who till<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> and delve. Utah is great because her people +are great. When she has centuries behind her she will make a splendid +showing because she has started right. She has given to that part of +the people who instinctively know what is right, the power to +influence the body politic.... This movement is destined to go on +until it reaches every State in the Union."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Allen and Mrs. Sarah A. Boyer told of the heroic efforts the +women had made for themselves; and Mrs. Emily S. Richards, +vice-president of the Territorial suffrage association, described in a +graphic manner the systematic and persistent work of this +organization. The tribute to its president, Mrs. Emmeline B. Wells, +whose influence had been paramount in securing the franchise for the +women of Utah, was heartily applauded and a telegram of congratulation +was sent to her.<a name="FNanchor_107_107" id="FNanchor_107_107"></a><a href="#Footnote_107_107" class="fnanchor">[107]</a></p> + +<p>The address of Mrs. Ella Knowles Haskell, Assistant Attorney-General +of Montana, on The Environments of Woman as Related to her Progress, +attracted much attention. She had been the Populist candidate for +Attorney-General and made a strong canvass but went down to defeat +with the rest of her party. Soon afterward she married her competitor, +who appointed her his assistant. She reviewed the laws of past ages, +showing how impossible it was then for women to rise above the +conditions imposed upon them, and pointed out the wonderful progress +they had made as soon as even partial freedom had been granted.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Virginia D. Young (S. C.), taking as a subject The Sunflower +Bloom of Woman's Equality, gave an address which in its quaint speech, +dialect stories and attractive provincialisms captivated the audience.</p> + +<p>The convention received an invitation from Mrs. John R. McLean for +Monday afternoon to meet Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant on her seventieth +birthday. The ladies were welcomed by their hostess and Mrs. Nellie +Grant Sartoris, while Miss Anthony, who had attended the luncheon +which preceded the reception, presented the ladies to Mrs. Grant.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Rachel Foster Avery, corresponding secretary, devoted a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> portion +of her report to an account of the visit made by the delegates of the +association in response to an invitation from the Woman's Board of +Congresses of the Atlanta Exposition, Oct. 17, 1895. The principal +address on that occasion was made by Mrs. Helen Gardiner.</p> + +<p>This convention was long remembered on account of the vigorous contest +over what was known as the Bible Resolution. Mrs. Elizabeth Cady +Stanton recently had issued a commentary on the passages of Scripture +referring to women, which she called "The Woman's Bible." Although +this was done in her individual capacity, yet some of the members +claimed that, as she was honorary president of the National +Association, this body was held by the public as partly responsible +for it and it injured their work for suffrage. A resolution was +brought in by the committee declaring: "This association is +non-sectarian, being composed of persons of all shades of religious +opinion, and has no official connection with the so-called 'Woman's +Bible' or any theological publication."</p> + +<p>The debate was long and animated, but although there was intense +feeling it was conducted in perfectly temperate and respectful +language. Those participating were Rachel Foster Avery, Katie R. +Addison, Henry B. Blackwell, Alice Stone Blackwell, Carrie Chapman +Catt, Annie L. Diggs, Laura M. Johns, Helen Morris Lewis, Anna Howard +Shaw, Frances A. Williamson and Elizabeth U. Yates speaking for the +resolution; Lillie Devereux Blake, Clara B. Colby, Cornelia H. Cary, +Lavina A. Hatch, Harriette A. Keyser, J. B. Merwin, Caroline Hallowell +Miller, Althea B. Stryker, Charlotte Perkins Stetson, Mary Bentley +Thomas and Victoria C. Whitney speaking against it.</p> + +<p>Miss Anthony was thoroughly aroused and, leaving the chair, spoke +against the resolution as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The one distinct feature of our association has been the right of +individual opinion for every member. We have been beset at each +step with the cry that somebody was injuring the cause by the +expression of sentiments which differed from those held by the +majority. The religious persecution of the ages has been carried +on under what was claimed to be the command of God. I distrust +those people who know so well what God wants them to do, because +I notice it always coincides with their own desires. All the way +along the history of our movement there has been this same +contest on account of religious theories. Forty years ago one of +our noblest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> men said to me: "You would better never hold another +convention than allow Ernestine L. Rose on your platform;" +because that eloquent woman, who ever stood for justice and +freedom, did not believe in the plenary inspiration of the Bible. +Did we banish Mrs. Rose? No, indeed!</p> + +<p>Every new generation of converts threshes over the same old +straw. The point is whether you will sit in judgment on one who +questions the divine inspiration of certain passages in the Bible +derogatory to women. If Mrs. Stanton had written approvingly of +these passages you would not have brought in this resolution for +fear the cause might be injured among the <i>liberals</i> in religion. +In other words, if she had written <i>your</i> views, you would not +have considered a resolution necessary. To pass this one is to +set back the hands on the dial of reform.</p> + +<p>What you should say to outsiders is that a Christian has neither +more nor less rights in our association than an atheist. When our +platform becomes too narrow for people of all creeds and of no +creeds, I myself can not stand upon it. Many things have been +said and done by our <i>orthodox</i> friends which I have felt to be +extremely harmful to our cause; but I should no more consent to a +resolution denouncing them than I shall consent to this. Who is +to draw the line? Who can tell now whether these commentaries may +not prove a great help to woman's emancipation from old +superstitions which have barred its way?</p> + +<p>Lucretia Mott at first thought Mrs. Stanton had injured the cause +of all woman's other rights by insisting upon the demand for +suffrage, but she had sense enough not to bring in a resolution +against it. In 1860 when Mrs. Stanton made a speech before the +New York Legislature in favor of a bill making drunkenness a +ground for divorce, there was a general cry among the friends +that she had killed the woman's cause. I shall be pained beyond +expression if the delegates here are so narrow and illiberal as +to adopt this resolution. You would better not begin resolving +against individual action or you will find no limit. This year it +is Mrs. Stanton; next year it may be I or one of yourselves who +will be the victim.</p> + +<p>If we do not inspire in women a broad and catholic spirit, they +will fail, when enfranchised, to constitute that power for better +government which we have always claimed for them. Ten women +educated into the practice of liberal principles would be a +stronger force than 10,000 organized on a platform of intolerance +and bigotry. I pray you vote for religious liberty, without +censorship or inquisition. This resolution adopted will be a vote +of censure upon a woman who is without a peer in intellectual and +statesmanlike ability; one who has stood for half a century the +acknowledged leader of progressive thought and demand in regard +to all matters pertaining to the absolute freedom of women.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Notwithstanding this eloquent appeal the original resolution was +adopted by 53 yeas, 41 nays.<a name="FNanchor_108_108" id="FNanchor_108_108"></a><a href="#Footnote_108_108" class="fnanchor">[108]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span></p> + +<p>At the request of about thirty of the delegates, mostly from the far +Western States, Miss Anthony sent a message to Mrs. Cleveland asking +that they might be permitted to call upon her, and she received them +with much courtesy.</p> + +<p>The association decided to help California and Idaho in whatever +manner was desired in their approaching campaigns for a woman suffrage +amendment. Invitations for holding the national convention were +received from Springfield, Ill.; Denver, Col.; Cincinnati, O.; St. +Louis, Mo.; Portland, Ore.; Charleston, S. C. It was voted to leave +the matter to the business committee, who later accepted an invitation +from Des Moines, Ia., as the suffrage societies of that State were +organizing to secure an amendment from the Legislature.</p> + +<p>At the last meeting, on Tuesday evening, every inch of space was +occupied and people were clinging to the window sills. Miss Anthony +stated that since Frederick Douglass was no longer among them as he +had been for so many years, his grandson, Joseph Douglass, who was an +accomplished violinist, would give two selections in his memory.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lillie Devereux Blake (N. Y.), spoke on Presidential Candidates +and the Interests of Women, outlining the attitude of the various +nominees and parties. Miss Harriet May Mills (N. Y.) discussed Our +Unconscious Allies, the Remonstrants, illustrating from her experience +as organizer how their efforts really help the cause they try to +hinder. Mrs. Emma Smith DeVoe (Ills.),<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> in demonstrating that The +Liberty of the Mother means the Liberty of the Race, showed the need +of truer companionship between man and woman and that the political +disabilities of women affect all humanity. This was further +illustrated by Mrs. Annie L. Diggs (Kas.) under the topic Women as +Legislators. She said in part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>You have before you a great problem as to whether republican +government itself is to be successful at this time, and statesmen +to save their souls can not tell what will be the outcome. We +believe that women have in their possession what is needed to +make it a success—those things upon which are built the home +life and the ethical life of the nation. We can supply what is +lacking, not because women are better than men, but because they +are other than men; because they have a supplementary part, and +it is their mission to guard most sacredly and closely those +things which protect the home life. Because of their womanhood, +because of their divine function of motherhood, women must always +be most closely concerned with the matters that pertain to the +home. It belongs to man, with his strong right arm, to pioneer +the way, and then woman comes along to help him build the +enduring foundation upon which everything rests.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Shaw, in a short, good-naturedly sarcastic speech on The Bulwarks +of the Constitution, showed the illogical position of President Eliot +of Harvard in declaiming grand sentiments in favor of universal +suffrage and then protesting against having them applied to women. The +last number on the program was The Ballot as an Improver of +Motherhood, by Mrs. Stetson. It was an address of wonderful power +which thrilled the audience. Among other original statements were +these:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We have heard much of the superior moral sense of woman. It is +superior in spots but not as a whole.... Here is an imaginary +case which will show how undeveloped in some respects woman's +moral sense still is: Suppose a train was coming with a +children's picnic on board—three hundred merry, laughing +children. Suppose you saw this train was about to go through an +open switch and over an embankment, and your own child was +playing on the track in front of it. You could turn the switch +and save the train, or save your own child by pulling it off the +track, but there was not time to do both. Which would you do? I +have put that question to hundreds of women. I never have found +one but said she would save her own child, and not one in a +hundred but claimed this would be absolutely right. The maternal +instinct is stronger in the hearts of most women than any moral +sense....</p> + +<p>What is the suffrage going to do for motherhood? Women enter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> +upon this greatest function of life without any preparation, and +their mothers permit them to do it because they do not recognize +motherhood as a business. We do not let a man practice as a +doctor or a druggist, or do anything else which involves issues +of life and death, without training and certificates; but the +life and death of the whole human race are placed in the hands of +utterly untrained young girls. The suffrage draws the woman out +of her purely personal relations and puts her in relations with +her kind, and it broadens her intelligence. I am not disparaging +the noble devotion of our present mothers—I know how they +struggle and toil—but when that tremendous force of mother love +is made intelligent, fifty per cent of our children will not die +before they are five years old, and those that grow up will be +better men and women. A woman will no longer be attached solely +to one little group, but will be also a member of the community. +She will not neglect her own on that account, but will be better +to them and of more worth as a mother.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Stetson closed with her own fine poem, Mother to Child.</p> + +<p>The usual congressional hearings were held on Tuesday morning, January +28.<a name="FNanchor_109_109" id="FNanchor_109_109"></a><a href="#Footnote_109_109" class="fnanchor">[109]</a> The speakers were presented by Miss Shaw, who made a very +strong closing argument. At its conclusion Senator Peffer announced +his thorough belief in woman suffrage, and Senator Hoar planted +himself still more firmly in the favorable position he always had +maintained.<a name="FNanchor_110_110" id="FNanchor_110_110"></a><a href="#Footnote_110_110" class="fnanchor">[110]</a></p> + +<p>Miss Anthony led the host before the Judiciary Committee of the House, +and opened with the statement that the women had been coming here +asking for justice for nearly thirty years. She gave a brief account +of the status of the question before Congress and then presented her +speakers, each occupying the exact limit of time allotted and each +taking up a different phase of the question.<a name="FNanchor_111_111" id="FNanchor_111_111"></a><a href="#Footnote_111_111" class="fnanchor">[111]</a> Miss Anthony called +on Representative John F. Shafroth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> of Colorado, who was among the +listeners, to say something in regard to the experiment in his State. +He spoke in unqualified approval, saying: "In the election of 1894 a +greater per cent. of women voted than men, and instead of their being +contaminated by any influence of a bad nature at the polls, the effect +has been that there are no loafers, there are no drunkards, there are +no persons of questionable character standing around the polls. One of +the practical effects of woman suffrage will be to inject into +politics an element that is independent and does not have to keep a +consistent record with the party. We find that the ladies of Colorado +do not care whether they vote for one ticket or the other, but they +vote for the men they think the most deserving. Consequently if a man +is nominated who has a questionable record invariably they will strike +the party that does it. That tendency, I care not where it may exist, +must be for good."</p> + +<p>Miss Anthony closed with an earnest appeal that the committee would +report in favor of a Sixteenth Amendment to the Constitution, thus +enabling the women to carry their case to the Legislatures of the +different States instead of to the masses of voters. She then +submitted for publication and distribution the address of Mrs. +Stanton, which said in part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>There is not a principle of our Government, not an article or +section of our Constitution, from the preamble to the last +amendment, which we have not elucidated and applied to woman +suffrage before the various committees in able arguments that +have never been answered. Our failure to secure justice thus far +has not been due to any lack of character or ability in our +advocates or of strength in their propositions, but to the +popular prejudices against woman's emancipation. Eloquent, +logical arguments on any question, though based on justice, +science, morals and religion, are all as light as air in the +balance with old theories, creeds, codes and customs.</p> + +<p>Could we resurrect from the archives of this Capitol all the +petitions and speeches presented here by women for human freedom +during this century, they would reach above this dome and make a +more fitting pedestal for the Goddess of Liberty than the +crowning point of an edifice beneath which the mother of the race +has so long pleaded in vain for her natural right of +self-government—a right her sons should have secured to her long +ago of their own free will by statutes carved indelibly on the +corner-stones of the Republic.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span></p> + +<p>As arguments have thus far proved unavailing, may not appeals to +your feelings, to your moral sense, find the response so long +withheld by your reason? Allow me, honorable gentlemen, to paint +you a picture and bring within the compass of your vision at once +the comparative position of two classes of citizens: The central +object is a ballot box guarded by three inspectors of foreign +birth. On the right is a multitude of coarse, ignorant beings, +designated in our constitutions as male citizens—many of them +fresh from the steerage of incoming steamers. There, too, are +natives of the same type from the slums of our cities. Policemen +are respectfully guiding them all to the ballot box. Those who +can not stand, because of their frequent potations, are carefully +supported on either side, each in turn depositing his vote, for +what purpose he neither knows nor cares, except to get the +promised bribe.</p> + +<p>On the left stand a group of intelligent, moral, +highly-cultivated women, whose ancestors for generations have +fought the battles of liberty and have made this country all it +is to-day. These come from the schools and colleges as teachers +and professors; from the press and pulpit as writers and +preachers; from the courts and hospitals as lawyers and +physicians; and from happy and respectable homes as honored +mothers, wives and sisters. Knowing the needs of humanity +subjectively in all the higher walks of life, and objectively in +the world of work, in the charities, in the asylums and prisons, +in the sanitary condition of our streets and public buildings, +they are peculiarly fitted to write, speak and vote intelligently +on all these questions of such vital, far-reaching consequence to +the welfare of society. But the inspectors refuse their votes +because they are not designated in the Constitution as "male" +citizens, and the policemen drive them away.</p> + +<p>Sad and humiliated they retire to their respective abodes, +followed by the jeers of those in authority. Imagine the feelings +of these dignified women, returning to their daily round of +duties, compelled to leave their interests, public and private, +in the State and the home, to these ignorant masses. The most +grievous result of war to the conquered is wearing a foreign +yoke, yet this is the position of the daughters of the +Puritans....</p> + +<p>What a dark page the present political position of women will be +for the future historian! In reading of the republics of Greece +and Rome and the grand utterances of their philosophers in pćans +to liberty, we wonder that under such governments there should +have been a class of citizens held in slavery. Our descendants +will be still more surprised to know that our disfranchised +citizens, our pariahs, our slaves, belonged to the most highly +educated, moral, virtuous class in the nation, women of wealth +and position who paid millions of taxes every year into the State +and national treasuries; women who had given thousands to build +colleges and churches and to encourage the sciences and arts. +From the dawn of creation to this hour history affords no other +instance of so large a class of such a character subordinated +politically to the ignorant masses.</p></blockquote> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_105_105" id="Footnote_105_105"></a><a href="#FNanchor_105_105"><span class="label">[105]</span></a> Letters and telegrams of greeting were received from +the Hon. Mrs. C. C. Holly, member Colorado Legislature, Mrs. Henry M. +Teller, Mrs. Francis E. Warren, Mrs. Foster, from the National Woman's +Christian Temperance Union, State and local associations of various +kinds.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_106_106" id="Footnote_106_106"></a><a href="#FNanchor_106_106"><span class="label">[106]</span></a> Now Bishop in the Methodist Episcopal Church.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_107_107" id="Footnote_107_107"></a><a href="#FNanchor_107_107"><span class="label">[107]</span></a> George W. Catt presented a significant paper showing +that the victory of Utah was almost wholly due to the excellent +organization of the suffrage forces, as with a population of 206,000 +it had over 1,000 active workers for the franchise. If the same +proportion existed in other States nothing could prevent the success +of the movement to enfranchise women. This report was printed by the +association as a leaflet.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_108_108" id="Footnote_108_108"></a><a href="#FNanchor_108_108"><span class="label">[108]</span></a> <i>Yeas</i>: Rachel Foster Avery, Katie R. Addison, Lucy E. +Anthony, Mary O. Arnold, Lucretia L. Blankenburg, Caroline Brown +Buell, Sallie Clay Bennett, Henry B. Blackwell, Alice Stone Blackwell, +Emma E. Bower, Jennie Broderick, Jessie J. Cassidy, Carrie Chapman +Catt, Mariana W. Chapman, Mary N. Chase, Laura Clay, Elizabeth B. +Dodge, Annie L. Diggs, Matilda E. Gerrigus, Caroline Gibbons, John T. +Hughes, Mary Louise Haworth, Mrs. Frank L. Hubbard, Mary N. Hubbard, +Mary G. Hay, Mary D. Hussey, Hetty Y. Hallowell, Laura M. Johns, Mary +Stocking Knaggs, Helen Morris Lewis, Mary Elizabeth Milligan, Rebecca +T. Miller, Jessie G. Manley, Alice M. A. Pickler, Florence M. Post, +Florence Post, the Rev G. Simmons, Anna R. Simmons, Alice Clinton +Smith, Sarah H. Sawyer, Amanthus Shipp, Mrs. M. R. Stockwell, Mary +Clarke Smith, D. Viola Smith, Anna H. Shaw, Sarah Vail Thompson, +Harriet Taylor Upton, Laura H. Van Cise, Frances A. Williamson, Mary +J. Williamson, Eliza R. Whiting, Elizabeth A. Willard, Elizabeth Upham +Yates—53 +</p><p> +<i>Nays:</i> Susan B. Anthony, Mary S. Anthony, S. Augusta Armstrong, +Elizabeth D. Bacon, Lillie Devereux Blake, Elisan Brown, Annie +Caldwell Boyd, Cornelia H. Cary, Clara Bewick Colby, Dr. Cora Smith +Eaton, Caroline McCullough Everhard, Dr. M. Virginia Glauner, Mary E. +Gilmer, Mrs. L. C. Hughes, Lavina A. Hatch, Emily Howland, Isabel +Howland, Julie R. Jenney, Harriette A. Keyser, Jean Lockwood, Orra +Langhorne, Mary E. Moore, J. B. Merwin, Harriet May Mills, Mrs. M. J. +McMillan, Julia B. Nelson, Adda G. Quigley, Charlotte Perkins Stetson, +Althea B. Stryker, Mary B. Sackett, Harriet Brown Stanton, Mrs. R. W. +Southard, Ellen Powell Thompson, Helen Rand Tindall, Mary Bentley +Thomas, Martha S. Townsend, Mary Wood, Victoria Conkling Whitney, Mary +B. Wickersham, Mrs. George K. Wheat, Virginia D. Young—41.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_109_109" id="Footnote_109_109"></a><a href="#FNanchor_109_109"><span class="label">[109]</span></a> The Senate Committee on Woman Suffrage—Senators +Wilkinson Call, James Z. George, George F. Hoar, Matthew S. Quay and +William A. Peffer—were addressed by Elizabeth D. Bacon (Conn.), +Sallie Clay Bennett (Ky.), Lillie Devereux Blake (N. Y.), Lucretia L. +Blankenburg (Penn.), Mariana W. Chapman (N. Y.), Mary N. Chase (Vt.), +Dr. Mary D. Hussey (N. J.), Mrs. Frank Hubbard (Ills.), Lavina A. +Hatch (Mass.), May Stocking Knaggs (Mich.), Helen Morris Lewis (N. +C.), Orra Langhorne (Va.), Mary Elizabeth Milligan (Del.), Caroline +Hallowell Miller (Md.), Julia B. Nelson (Minn.), Mrs. R. W. Southard +(Ok.), Ellen Powell Thompson (D. C.), Victoria Conkling Whitney (Mo.), +Virginia D. Young (S. C.).</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_110_110" id="Footnote_110_110"></a><a href="#FNanchor_110_110"><span class="label">[110]</span></a> On April 23 Senator Call submitted the Bill for a +Sixteenth Amendment without recommendation, and for himself and +Senator George the same old adverse report which had begun to do duty +in 1882, and which, he said, expressed their views. It will be found +in the <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28556/28556-h/28556-h.htm#Page_237">History of Woman Suffrage, Vol. III, p. 237</a>. Senator Quay +evidently allowed himself to be counted in the opposition.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_111_111" id="Footnote_111_111"></a><a href="#FNanchor_111_111"><span class="label">[111]</span></a> The members of the committee present were +Representatives David B. Henderson (chairman), Broderick, Updegraff, +Gillett (Mass.) Baker (N. H.), Burton (Mo.), Brown, Culberson, +Boatner, Washington, Terry and De Armond. Absent: Ray, Connolly, +Bailey, Strong and Lewis. The speakers were Mrs. L. C. Hughes (Ariz.), +Charlotte Perkins Stetson (Cal.), Annie L. Diggs, Katie R. Addison +(Kan.), Elizabeth Upham Yates (Me.), Henry B. Blackwell (Mass.), +Harriet P. Sanders (Mont.), Clara B. Colby (Neb.), Frances A. +Williamson (Nev.), Dr. Cora Smith Eaton (N. D.), Caroline McCullough +Everhard (O.), Anna R. Simmons (S. D.), Emily S. Richards (Utah), +Jessie G. Manley (W. Va.).</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + +<h3>THE NATIONAL-AMERICAN CONVENTION OF 1897.</h3> + + +<p>This year the suffrage association took its convention west of the +Mississippi River, the Twenty-ninth annual meeting being held in Des +Moines, Ia., Jan. 26-29, 1897. Circumstances were unfavorable, the +thermometer registering twenty-four degrees below zero and a heavy +blizzard prevailing throughout the West. Nevertheless sixty-three +delegates, representing twenty States, were present. All the visitors +were entertained in the hospitable homes of this city, and the entire +executive board were the guests of James and Martha C. Callanan at +their handsome home in the suburbs. Receptions were given by the Des +Moines Woman's Club, by the Young Women's Christian Association and by +Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Hubbell at their palatial residence, Terrace Hill. +The convention was welcomed in behalf of the State by Gov. Francis M. +Drake, who paid the highest possible tribute to the social and +intellectual qualities of women, pointed out the liberality of Iowa in +respect to manhood suffrage and congratulated the association +generally, but was extremely careful not to commit himself on the +question of woman suffrage. Mayor John McVicar extended the welcome of +the city in eloquent language. He also skirted all around the suffrage +question, came much nearer an expression of approval than did the +Governor, but cleverly avoided a direct assertion in favor. He was +followed by the Rev. H. O. Breeden, pastor of the Christian Church in +which the convention was assembled. Not being in politics he dared +express an honest opinion and said in the course of his remarks:</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 458px;"> +<img src="images/gs04.jpg" width="458" height="663" alt="(Miss Anthony's Cabinet in 1900.) +CATHARINE WAUGH McCULLOCH. Second Auditor. +ALICE STONE BLACKWELL. Recording Secretary. +RACHEL FOSTER AVERY. Corresponding Secretary 21 Years. +LAURA CLAY. First Auditor. +HARRIET TAYLOR UPTON. Treasurer." title="" /> +</div> + +<div class="center"> +<table class="smallprint" summary=""> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><span class="sc">(Miss Anthony's Cabinet in 1900.)</span></td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">CATHARINE WAUGH McCULLOCH.</td><td> </td><td align="center">ALICE STONE BLACKWELL.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Second Auditor.</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center">Recording Secretary.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">RACHEL FOSTER AVERY.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">Corresponding Secretary 21 Years.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">LAURA CLAY.</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center">HARRIET TAYLOR UPTON.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">First Auditor.</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center">Treasurer.</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<blockquote><p>It is my privilege to address you in behalf of the churches, and +I do so with great pleasure, because I have a robust faith that +you are right, and also that the churches are with you in +sympathy and heart. I belong to one which welcomes women to its +pulpit and to all its offices. I should distrust the Christianity +of any that would deny to my mother and wife the rights it +accords to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span> my father and myself. We welcome you to this city of +churches and to the churches of the city, and to its homes.</p> + +<p>Woman shows her capacity for the highest functions in proportion +as she is admitted to them. I hold it true, with Dr. Storrs, that +as Dante measured his progress in Paradise not by outer objects +but by the increased beauty upon the face of Beatrice, so the +progress of the race is measured by the increasing beauty of +character shown in its women. The fanaticism of yesterday is the +reform of to-day, and the victory of to-morrow. Truth always goes +onward and never back. The day of equal rights for women is +surely coming. You are fighting a good warfare, with God, with +conscience and with right to inspire you, and the triumph is near +at hand.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Mattie Locke Macomber extended the greetings of the Women's Clubs +of the State; Mrs. Adelaide Ballard, president of the Iowa Suffrage +Association, presented its welcome, and greetings were read from +various Women's Christian Temperance Unions. Miss Anthony responded +briefly, contrasting the welcome by Governor, mayor and different +societies with the olden times when perhaps not one person would +extend a friendly hand to those who attempted to hold a suffrage +meeting. "I hardly know what to say now," she continued. "It is so +much easier to speak when brickbats are flying. But I do rejoice with +you over the immense revolution and evolution of the past twenty-five +years, and I thank you for this cordial greeting."</p> + +<p>The meetings were held in the large and well-arranged Christian +Church, with an auditorium seating 1,500. The four daily papers gave +full and fair reports and, although there was no editorial +endorsement, there was no adverse comment. The <i>Leader</i> thus described +the opening session, Tuesday afternoon:</p> + +<blockquote><p>It is doubtful if the church ever before held so many people. +They poured in at all the doors, and the great audience room, +with the balconies and the windows, the choir and the aisles, the +platform and every foot of available space, was early occupied. +There were many gentlemen in the audience, but probably four of +every five were women. The men had come, apparently, to see and +hear Miss Anthony; and when she was done many of them left. It +was such an audience as is not often seen. The ladies were +generally elderly, the great majority beyond middle-age; they had +braved the cold and wind to hear the leader whom they had known +and loved for many years, but whom most of them had never seen. +Their bright faces framed in silvery hair, with brighter eyes +upturned to the speakers, must have been an inspiration to those +on the platform; in the case<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> of Miss Anthony it was plain that +she was indeed inspired by her audience.</p></blockquote> + +<p>There was much rejoicing over the enfranchisement of the women of +Idaho by an amendment to the State constitution during the past year; +and much sorrow over the defeat of a similar amendment in California. +In her president's address Miss Anthony said in part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The year 1896 witnessed greater successes than any since the +first pronunciamento was made at Seneca Falls, N. Y., July 19, +1848. On January 6 President Cleveland proclaimed Utah to be a +State, with a constitution which does not discriminate against +women. With Utah and Wyoming we have two States coming into the +Union with the principle of equal rights to women guaranteed by +their constitutions.</p> + +<p>On November 3 the men of Idaho declared in favor of woman +suffrage, and for the first time in the history of judicial +decisions upon the enlargement of women's rights, civil and +political, a Supreme Court gave a broad interpretation of the +constitution. The Supreme Court of Idaho—Isaac N. Sullivan, +Joseph W. Huston, John T. Morgan—unanimously decided that the +amendment was carried constitutionally. This decision is the more +remarkable because the Court might as easily have declared that +the constitution requires amendments to receive a majority of the +total vote cast at the election, instead of a majority of the +votes cast on the amendment itself. By the former construction it +would have been lost, notwithstanding two to one of all who +expressed an opinion were in favor.</p> + +<p>If anyone will study the history of our woman suffrage movement +since the days of reconstruction and the adoption of the +Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the Federal +Constitution—taking the decisions of the Supreme Court of the +United States in the cases of Mrs. Myra Bradwell for the +protection of her civil rights; of Mrs. Virginia L. Minor for the +protection of her political rights; of the law granting Municipal +Suffrage to women in Michigan; on giving women the right to vote +for County School Commissioners in New York, and various other +decisions—he will find that in every case the courts have put +the narrowest possible construction upon the spirit and the +letter of the constitution. The Judges of Idaho did themselves +the honor to make a decision in direct opposition to judicial +precedent and prejudice. The Idaho victory is a great credit not +only to the majority of men who voted for the amendment, but to +the three Judges who made this broad and just decision.</p></blockquote> + +<p>After sketching the situation in California, and relating the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> part +taken by the National Association in these two campaigns, she +concluded:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In every county which was properly organized, with a committee in +every precinct, who visited every voter and distributed leaflets +in every family, the amendment received a majority vote. This +ought to be sufficient to teach the women of all the States that +what we need is house-to-house educational work throughout every +voting precinct. We may possibly carry amendments with education +short of this, but we are not likely to. I believe if the slums +of San Francisco and Oakland had been thus organized, even the +men there could have been made to see that it was for their +interest and that of their wives and daughters to vote for the +amendment. But, while the suffragists had no committees whatever +in those districts, the "liquor men" had an active committee in +every saloon, "dive" and gambling house. I am, therefore, more +and more convinced that it is educational work which needs to be +done. It is of little use for us to make our appeals to political +party conventions, State Legislatures or Congress for resolutions +in favor of woman's enfranchisement, while no appeal comes up to +them from the rank and file of the voters.</p> + +<p>Until we do this kind of house-to-house work we can never expect +to carry any of the States in which there are large cities. If +Idaho had had San Francisco, with all its liquor interests and +foreigners banded together, she would probably have been defeated +as was California.</p> + +<p>So, friends, I am not in any sense disheartened, and while I +rejoice exceedingly over Idaho, I also rejoice exceedingly over +the grand work done in California, and over the 110,000 votes +given for woman suffrage in that State. It was vastly more than +was ever done in any other amendment campaign. Study then the +methods of California and Idaho and improve on them as much as +you possibly can.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The Des Moines <i>Leader</i> thus finished its report:</p> + +<blockquote><p>It was not difficult for one who saw Miss Anthony for the first +time to understand why she is so well beloved by her associates. +Seventy-seven years old, she is the most earnest worker of them +all; she is not only their leader but their counsellor and +friend. While she occupied the platform the utmost solicitude was +manifested for her on the part of everybody. Once a glass of +water was sent for but did not come as soon as it should, and +everyone on the stage was visibly concerned except Miss Anthony +herself, who calmly observed, by way of apology for a trifling +difficulty with her voice, that she was not accustomed to speak +in public, at which a laugh went round.... Her silvery hair was +parted in the middle and brushed down over her ears. Her eyes +have the deep-set appearance which is characteristic of elderly +people who have been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> hard mental laborers, but on the whole she +did not look all her years, though older than most of her hearers +had expected to see her. But those beaming, earnest eyes, taking +in her whole audience as she talked, told of a nature tenacious +of purpose and not to be daunted by any obstacle—the qualities +which in her many years' work in the cause Miss Anthony has so +many times manifested.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The Rev. Anna Howard Shaw devoted the most of her report as +vice-president-at-large to the California campaign, as she had spent +the greater part of the past year in that State. She closed by saying: +"Our reception by the Californians was such as to make them forever +dear to us. I wish you could have seen Miss Anthony for once walking +ankle-deep in roses. It showed that the sentiment for suffrage had +reached the point where its advocates not only were tolerated but +honored. I used to like to see her sitting in a chair all adorned with +flowers and with a laurel crown suspended over her head, and to feel +that it was woman suffrage that was crowned. The work was hard, but we +all came back from California better in health and stronger in hope."</p> + +<p>On Wednesday evening the crowd was so great it became necessary to +hold an overflow meeting, which was attended by five hundred persons. +Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, who was introduced as "one of Iowa's own +daughters," was received with great applause. She said in part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I have a deep and tender love for Iowa. When I cross her +boundary, I always feel that I am coming home. In my travels +through the West I meet many men and women who give me a warmer +hand-shake because they too are from Iowa. But this State no +longer occupies the first place in my heart. There are four that +I love better, and every woman here feels the same. The first is +Wyoming. Many pass through that State and see only a barren plain +covered with sage brush, but when I cross her border, I feel a +thrill as sacred as ever the crusaders felt in visiting the Holy +Land. The second State is Colorado, the third Utah, and the +fourth Idaho. All of us Iowa women will love these States better +than our own until it shall arouse and place its laws and +institutions on an equality for women and men....</p> + +<p>We ask suffrage in order to make womanhood broader and motherhood +nobler. Men and women are inextricably bound together. If we are +to have a great race, we must have a great motherhood. Do you ask +why people can not see this? In all history no class has been +enfranchised without some selfish motive underlying. If to-day we +could prove to Republicans or Democrats that every woman would +vote for their party, we should be enfranchised.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span></p> + +<p>Do you say that whenever all women wish the ballot they will have +it? That time will never come. Not all of any class of men ever +wanted to vote till the ballot was put into their hands. When the +first woman desired to study medicine, not one school would admit +her. Since that time, only half a century ago, 25,000 women have +been admitted to the practice of medicine. If a popular vote had +been necessary, not one of them would yet have her diploma. We +have gained these advantages because we did not have to ask +society for them. If woman suffrage were granted in Iowa, women +would soon wish to vote, and every home would become a forum of +education....</p></blockquote> + +<p>There never had been so many deaths in the ranks as during the past +year. The following were among the names presented by Mrs. Clara +Bewick Colby as those whom the association would ever hold in reverent +memory:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Hannah Tracy Cutler of Illinois, former president of the American +Association and one of the earliest and most self-sacrificing of +woman suffrage lecturers; Sarah B. Cooper of California, auditor +of this association, whose labors for the enfranchisement of the +women of the Pacific coast will be remembered and honored equally +with her beneficent work in founding and sustaining free +kindergartens, and in whatever promoted justice, truth and mercy, +so that on the day of her funeral all the flags in San Francisco +were placed at half-mast; Mary Grew, who began her work for +freedom as corresponding secretary of the Philadelphia Female +Anti-Slavery Society in 1834, one of the founders of the New +Century Club of Philadelphia, and of the Pennsylvania Woman +Suffrage Association, of which she was president for twenty-three +years; Elizabeth McClintock Phillips, who in 1848 signed the call +for the first convention which demanded the ballot for women; J. +Elizabeth Jones of New York, a pioneer in anti-slavery and woman +suffrage; Judge E. T. Merrick of New Orleans, whose home was ever +open to the woman suffrage lecturers in that section, and who by +his eminent position as Chief Justice of Louisiana for many +years, sustained his wife in work which in earlier days but for +him would have been impossible; Eliza Murphy of New Jersey, who +bequeathed five hundred dollars to this association; Harriet +Beecher Stowe of Connecticut, who, although the apostle of +freedom in another field, yet held as firmly and expressed as +steadfastly her allegiance to the cause of woman suffrage; Dr. +Caroline B. Winslow, the earliest woman physician in the District +of Columbia, intrepid as a journalist, successful in practice, a +leader in many lines of reform; Maria G. Porter of Rochester, N. +Y.; Sarah Hussey Southwick of Massachusetts, a worker in the +cause of liberty for more than sixty years; Kate Field of +Washington, D. C.; Gov. Frederick T. Greenhalge of Massachusetts; +Dr. Hiram Corson of Pennsylvania, who stood for the full +opportunities of women in medicine, and secured<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> the opening to +them of the conservative medical societies of Philadelphia.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The names of over thirty other tried and true friends who had passed +away during the months since the last meeting were given. Mrs. Colby +closed the memorial service by saying:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The best that comes to this world comes through the love of +liberty. These were souls of noble aspiration and undaunted +courage. We enter into their labors; we will enshrine them in the +history of the suffrage movement and bear them gratefully in our +hearts forever. May our lives be as fruitful as theirs, and when +we too pass away may we</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Join the choir invisible<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of these immortal dead who live again,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In minds made better by their presence."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +</blockquote> + +<p>Among letters received was one from Parker Pillsbury (N. H.), now 88 +years old, who had spoken so eloquently in early days for the +emancipation of the slaves and the freedom of women. One of the many +excellent addresses was on the general topic Equal Rights, by Miss +Alice Stone Blackwell (Mass.), illustrated by a number of the piquant +and appropriate stories for which she is noted and which perhaps leave +a more lasting impression than a labored argument. Mrs. Catharine +Waugh McCulloch, a practicing lawyer of Chicago, considered the +hackneyed phrase All the Rights We Want, showing up in a humorous way +the legal disabilities of women in her own State. The wife's earnings +may be seized to pay for her husband's clothes; she can not testify +against her husband; she can not enter into a business partnership +without his consent; a married mother has no right to her children; +the age of protection for girls is only fourteen, etc.</p> + +<p>President George A. Gates of Iowa College said in part: "I never heard +or read a single sound argument against the suffrage of women in a +democracy. There are a hundred arguments for it. The question now is +one of organization, of agitation, of perseverance. In my judgment he +who sneers at suffrage not only proclaims himself a boor and casts +discredit on at least four women—his mother, his wife, his sister and +his daughter—but he reveals a depth of ignorance that is pitiable. +Let the appeal be to experience. Not one of the direful consequences +predicted has come to pass where suffrage is enjoyed. Homes have not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span> +been deserted, bad women have not flocked to the polls, conjugal +strife has not been aroused, bad effects have not come but good +effects have. Bad men seek office in vain where women have the ballot. +New States are coming into line and the triumph of the cause can not +much longer be delayed."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Charlotte Perkins Stetson spoke with her usual ability on Duty +and Honor:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Underlying the objections to woman suffrage is a reason of which, +as an American, I am deeply ashamed. I do not think either men or +women have the same honest pride in our democracy that they had +fifty years ago. We are becoming a little afraid of what Europe +has always told us was an experiment, but one reason it has not +yet been all we could wish is that it is not a democracy at all, +but a semi-democracy, one-half of the race ruling over the other +half.</p> + +<p>Another deep-seated feeling is that, while development is the +general rule, yet the production of the best men and women +requires "the maternal sacrifice," <i>i. e.</i> that the mother shall +be sacrificed to her children, and incidentally to her husband. +If the sacrifice is necessary, well and good; but how if it is +not?... It has been regarded as dangerous to improve the +condition of women for fear they would not be as good mothers. If +gain to the mother means robbery to the child, let the mother +remain as she is. But the standard is the amount of good done to +the children, not the amount of evil done to herself....</p> + +<p>Grant that it is a woman's business to take care of her +children—not merely of her own children. If children anywhere +are not under right conditions, women ought to see to it. The +trouble is we are too wrapped up in <i>my</i> children to think of +<i>our</i> children. We can not keep out disease by shutting our own +front door. We have to know and care about the world outside our +gates. In order to do our duty to our children we must make this +world a better place to live in.</p> + +<p>Our children are not born with that degree of brain power that we +could wish. They will not be, until our minds are widened by +study of the whole duty of a human being.... What is needed for +women is an enlargement of their moral sense so as to include +social as well as private virtues. We have been taught that there +is only one virtue for us. Our morality is high but narrow. It is +not wholesome to limit oneself to one virtue, or to six or to +ten. Sons resemble their mothers. While mothers limit their +interests to their own narrow domestic affairs, regardless of the +world outside, their sons will betray the interests of the +country for their own private business interests.... Women and +men are so connected that we can not improve one without +improving the other. Under equal rights we shall raise the moral +sense of the community by the natural laws of transmission +through the mothers. We shall<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> learn to blame a man as much if he +betrays a public trust as we do if he deserts his wife.</p> + +<p>Have we done our full duty when we have loved and served and +taken care of those that every beast on earth loves and serves +and takes care of—our own young? That is the beginning of human +duty but not the whole of it. The duty of woman is not confined +to the reproduction of the species; it extends to the working of +the will of God on earth. The family is a leaf on the tree of the +State. It can grow in strength and purity while the State is +healthy, but when the State is degraded the family becomes +degraded with it. We have not done our full duty to the family +till we have done our best to serve the State.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Shaw took up this subject, saying:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The millennium will not come as soon as women vote, but it will +not come until they do vote. If a woman has only a little brain, +she has a right to the fullest development of all she has.... If +we are to keep our children healthy, as Mrs. Stetson says is our +duty, pure water is essential. I know a city (Philadelphia) where +you can fast for forty days, drinking only water, and grow +fat—because you have chowder every time. Is there any reason why +women should not have a vote in regard to water-works? A woman +knows as much about water as a man. Generally, she drinks more of +it. See how the street cleaners sweep the dirt into heaps on +Monday and leave it to blow about until Saturday, before it is +taken up. Any housekeeper would know better. Sewers and man-traps +spread disease literally and also metaphorically. You may teach +your boy every precept in the Bible from beginning to end, and he +will go out into the street and be taught to violate every one of +them, under the protection of law, and you can't help yourself or +him.</p></blockquote> + +<p>At one of the morning meetings Miss Anthony said in response to a +message from the W. C. T. U. accompanied by a great bunch of daisies: +"We always are glad to receive greetings from this society, because +one of its forty departments is for the franchise. The suffrage +association has only one, but that one aims to make every State a true +republic." She continued: "A newspaper of this city has criticized the +suffrage banner with its four stars and has accused us of desecrating +our country's flag. But no one ever heard anything about desecration +of the flag during the political campaign, when the names and +portraits of all the candidates were tacked to it. Our critics compare +us to Texas and its lone star. We have not gone out of the Union, but +four States have come in. Keep your flag flying, and do not let any +one persuade you that you are desecrating it by putting on stars for +the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> States where government is based on the consent of the governed, +and leaving them off for those which are not."</p> + +<p>State Senators Rowen, Kilburn and Byers brought an official message +inviting the convention to visit the Senate and select certain of +their members to address that body. Each of these gentlemen spoke +briefly but unequivocally in favor of the enfranchisement of women.</p> + +<p>The ladies found the Senate Chamber crowded from top to bottom on the +occasion of their visit Friday morning, and they were welcomed by +Lieutenant-Governor Parrott. In her response Miss Anthony called +attention to the fact that the women of Iowa had been pleading their +cause in vain before the Legislature for nearly thirty years. Mrs. +Mary C. C. Bradford, Mrs. Emmeline B. Wells and Mrs. Mell C. Woods +spoke for the States of Colorado, Utah and Idaho, which had +enfranchised women; Mrs. Colby represented Wyoming. Clever two-minute +speeches were made by Mrs. Ballard, Miss Shaw and Mrs. Chapman Catt, +which were highly appreciated by the legislators and the rest of the +audience.</p> + +<p>During the convention an informal speech of Mrs. Harriet Taylor Upton +(O.), As the World Sees Us, was much enjoyed. In the course of her +remarks she said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The world thinks our husbands are inferior men, and I do not like +it. For fifty years they have said all sorts of things about the +overbearing suffragists—that they were crazy, tyrannical, etc., +but they never have said we were fools. Why should they think +that we would pick out fools for our husbands?...</p> + +<p>The world also thinks the suffrage advocates are poor +housekeepers. I know, for I was in the world a long time and I +thought so. When I was brought into the movement and visited the +leaders, I was surprised to find the order and executive ability +with which their homes were conducted.</p> + +<p>The world thinks we are office-seekers. Most of us have not the +slightest wish for office, but we do want to see women serving on +all boards that deal with matters where woman's help is needed.</p> + +<p>The world thinks we are irreligious; but our individual churches +do not think so—for most of us are members of churches in good +and regular standing, and we are not denied communion. We can not +be vestrymen, but if the church wants a steam heater it is voted +to have one, without a cent in the treasury, because the women +are relied upon to raise the money. We are religious enough to +have oyster suppers in aid of the church and to make choir-boys' +vestments<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> and to raise the minister's salary and to make up the +congregation. Religion is love to God and man. If it is not +religion to promote a cause that will make men better and women +wiser and happier, what is it? The world thinks we are +irreligious because in the early days some of our leaders were +held to be unorthodox. But most of those who years ago were +looked upon as such are regarded as orthodox to-day. The +eye-sight of the world is much better than it used to be....</p></blockquote> + +<p>The discussion—<i>Resolved</i>, That the propaganda of the woman suffrage +idea demands a non-partisan attitude on the part of individual +workers—was led by Miss Laura Clay in the affirmative and Henry B. +Blackwell in the negative. Miss Clay said in part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>It is a well established rule that the greater should never be +subordinated to the less. Therefore, suffrage should never be +made a tail to the kite of any political party. There are +momentous issues now before the people, but none so momentous as +woman suffrage. This principle appeals to the conscience of the +people, and will ultimately convince all those who cherish the +political principles of our fathers. Already we believe we have +convinced a sufficient number to make this a practical question. +We have now to deal with the politicians. They may be divided +into two classes, men of high ideals and those who cling to +party, right or wrong. It is necessary to gain both classes.</p> + +<p>Partisan methods are not suited to the discussion of this +question. We must show that when enfranchised we shall hold a +self-preservative attitude; that we know our rights, and, knowing +them, dare maintain. Wisdom is less tangible than force but more +powerful in the end. Women are different from men and their +political methods will differ from those of men. Women will never +win so long as they consent to barter their services for vague +promises of what will be done for them in the future, or to +subordinate woman suffrage to the interests of any party.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mr. Blackwell</span>: We are all agreed that Woman Suffrage +Associations, local, State and national, are and must be +non-partisan. But a clear distinction should be made between the +attitude of a society and that of the individual women and men +who compose its membership. Suffrage societies, being composed of +men and women of all shades of political belief, can not take +sides on any other question without violating each member's right +and duty to have and express personal political opinions. But, as +individuals, it is our duty to be partisans. Woman suffrage is +not the only issue. In almost every political contest one party +is right and the other wrong. Everybody is bound to do what he or +she can to promote the success of the right side. If no moral +questions were involved, political contests would be ignoble and +insignificant. We value suffrage mainly because questions of +right and wrong are settled by votes....<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span></p> + +<p>Every woman, equally with every man, should be affiliated with +some political party.... Every manifestation by women of +intelligent interest in political questions helps woman suffrage. +Political questions necessarily become party questions, for we +live under a government of parties.</p> + +<p>A non-partisan attitude is a phrase which needs definition. If +"partisan" means "our party, right or wrong," then no woman and +no man should be a partisan. An attitude of moderation and +conciliation befits every candid person. I am for holding equal +suffrage paramount to ordinary political questions, but I am not +for repudiating party ties altogether. Woman suffrage, though the +most important question, is not always the one to be first +settled. It is not the only question. Voting, though the most +direct form of political power, is not the only political power. +Women's interests and those of their children are involved, +equally with those of men, in every question of finance, +currency, tariff, domestic and foreign relations. They have no +right to be neutral or apathetic. So long as they remain silent +and inert they command no attention or respect. I maintain, +therefore, that affirmative political activity, working by and +through party machinery, is the duty of every individual +citizen—whether man or woman.</p> + +<p>In States where a suffrage amendment is pending, in meetings +where suffrage is advocated, party politics should be laid aside +for the time being. In religious meetings no distinction should +be made between Republicans, Democrats or Populists. In political +meetings no distinction should be made between Methodists, +Baptists or Presbyterians. In suffrage meetings there should be +no distinction of sect or party. But we hold our individual +opinions all the same.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Miss Anthony</span>: I want to say that you can not possibly divide +yourself up as Mr. Blackwell suggests. You can not be a +Republican in one convention to-day and non-partisan in another +to-morrow. The men who believe in suffrage are voters, and must +have their parties, of course. But any woman who champions either +political party makes more votes against than for suffrage. I +could give numerous examples. Do not be deluded with this idea +that one party is right and the other wrong. Which is it? One +party seems right to one-half of the people, and the other party +to the other half. As long as women have no votes, any one of +them who will make a speech either for gold or silver or for any +party issue is lacking in self-respect.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Miss Blackwell</span>: Miss Clay seems to have understood the question +presented for discussion in a different sense from what I did. I +do not believe in making suffrage a tail to any party kite, of +course; but women as well as men are bound to do what they can to +promote good government, and hence to promote by all legitimate +means the party which they believe to be in the right. They will +inevitably do this more and more as they become more interested +in public questions. See how many women took part in the late +campaign, making speeches for gold or silver, not with any eye +to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> woman suffrage—for neither party was committed to it—but +purely for the sake of the welfare of the country, as they +understood it. I can not agree that they were lacking in +self-respect....</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Miss Shaw</span>: I have made only one party speech in my life. That was +ten years ago, for the Prohibition Party; and if the Lord will +forgive me, I will never do it again till women vote.</p></blockquote> + +<p>In spite of the lively difference of opinion, the meeting adjourned in +great good humor and amid considerable laughter.</p> + +<p>The last session of the convention was a celebration of the suffrage +victory in Idaho, conducted by representatives of what the association +liked to call "the free States." Mrs. Colby said in behalf of Wyoming:</p> + +<blockquote><p>....No matter if we fill the field of blue with stars, one will +always shine with peculiar lustre, the star of Wyoming, who +opened the door of hope for women.</p> + +<p>There is a beautiful custom in Switzerland among the Alpine +shepherds. He who, tending his flock among the heights, first +sees the rays of the rising sun gild the top of the loftiest +peak, lifts his horn and sounds forth the morning greeting, +"Praise the Lord." Soon another shepherd catches the radiant +gleam, and then another and another takes up the reverent +refrain, until mountain, hill and valley are vocal with praise +and bathed in the glory of a new day.</p> + +<p>So the dawn of the day that shall mean freedom for woman and the +ennobling of the race was first seen by Wyoming, on the crest of +our continent, and the clarion note was sounded forth, "Equality +before the law." For a quarter of a century she was the lone +watcher on the heights to sound the tocsin of freedom. At last +Colorado, from her splendid snow-covered peaks, answered back in +grand accord, "Equality before the law." Then on Utah's brow +shone the sun, and she, too, exultantly joined in the trio, +"Equality before the law." And now Idaho completes the quartette +of mountain States which sing the anthem of woman's freedom. Its +echoes rouse the sleepers everywhere, until from the rock-bound +coast of the Atlantic to the golden sands of the Pacific resounds +one resolute and jubilant demand, "Equality before the law," and +lo, the whole world wakes to the sunlight of liberty!</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Mary C. C. Bradford, in speaking for Colorado, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Civilization means self-realization. The level is being slowly +but surely raised and the atmosphere improved. Freedom for the +individual, properly guarded, is the ideal to-day. When woman is +free, the eternal feminine shows itself to be also the truly +human. Witness Wyoming, with its magnificent school system, its +equal pay for equal work. Witness Colorado, where women cast 52 +per cent. of the total vote though the State contains a large +majority of men. What does this show if not that women wish to +vote? We women<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span> believe that election day administers to each of +us the sacrament of citizenship, and we go, most of us, +prayerfully and thankfully to partake in this outward and visible +sign of an inward and spiritual grace....</p> + +<p>The first time I went to vote I was out of the house just nine +minutes. The second time I took my little girl along to school, +stopped in to vote, and then went down town and did my marketing; +and I was gone twenty minutes. While I was casting my vote the +men gave my little one a flower. They always decorate the +polling-places with flowers now, for they know women love beauty.</p> + +<p>The tone of political conventions has improved since suffrage was +granted to women. So has the character of the candidates.... +There is no character-builder like responsibility. Every woman's +club in the State has been turned into a study club, and the +women are examining public questions for themselves. This is one +of the best results of equal suffrage.</p> + +<p>When women obtained the ballot they wanted to know about public +affairs, and so they asked their husbands at home (every woman +wants to believe that her husband knows everything), and the +husbands had to inform themselves in order to answer their wives' +questions. Equal suffrage has not only educated women and +elevated the primaries, but it has given back to the State the +services of her best men, large numbers of whom had got into the +habit of neglecting their political duties....</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Emmeline B. Wells said in describing the conditions in Utah:</p> + +<blockquote><p>After the ballot was given to women the men soon came to us and +asked us to help them. We divided on party lines but not rigidly +so. We helped not only the good men and women of our own party, +but those of the other. If they put up a Republican or a Democrat +who is not fit for the position, the women vote against him. In +all the work I do for the Republicans, I never denounce the +Democrats....</p> + +<p>This year the men were more willing to have us go to the +primaries than we were to go. Even the women who had not wished +for suffrage voted. I do not mind going to the primaries. I am +not afraid of men—not the least in the world. I have often been +on committees with men. I don't think it has hurt me at all, and +I have learned a great deal. They have always been very good to +me. We must stand up for the men. We could not do without them. +Certainly we could not have settled Utah without them. They built +the bridges and killed the bears; but I think the women worked +just as hard, in their way....</p></blockquote> + +<p>When Mrs. Mell C. Woods came forward to speak for Idaho the audience +arose and received her with cheers and the waving of handkerchiefs. +She brought letters of greeting from most of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span> the women's clubs of +that State, and in a long and beautiful address she said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>With her head pillowed in the lap of the North, her feet resting +in the orchards of the South, her snowy bosom rising to the +clouds, Idaho lies serene in her beauty of glacier, lake and +primeval forest, guarding in her verdure-clad mountains vast +treasures of precious minerals, with the hem of her robe +embroidered in sapphires and opals.... As representing Idaho, +first I wish to express the heartfelt gratitude of every equal +suffragist in our proud and happy State to the National +Association for the most generous help afforded us in our two +years' campaign. Without the aid of the devoted women, Mrs. +DeVoe, Mrs. Chapman Catt, Mrs. Bradford and Mrs. Johns, who made +the arduous journey to organize our clubs, plead our cause and +teach us how to work and win, we should not be celebrating +Idaho's victory to-night....</p></blockquote> + +<p>After describing the great output of the mines and the fruit-producing +value of the State, she continued:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I fancy few of you know much of the conditions existing in the +mining country, dotted with camps in every gulch; the +preponderance of the adult males over the women of maturity; the +power of the saloon element, and the cosmopolitan character of +the people—men from all parts of the world, ignorant and +cultured, depraved and respectable, seeking fame and fortune in +the far West—no reading-rooms, no lectures, no lyceums, no +spelling-bees or corn-huskings, the relaxation of the farm hand; +single men away from home and its influences, forced from the +draughty lobby of the hotel or tavern to the warmth and comfort +of the well-appointed saloon.</p> + +<p>The missionary suffrage work in such places was obliged to be +quietly done, without any apparent advocacy on the part of men +who were in reality ardent supporters of our cause, lest the +saloon element should organize and, by concerted action, crush +the movement as they did in the State of Washington in 1889; and +California, too, owes her defeat of the amendment at least +partially to this cause. Yet you may go far to find nobler men +than we have in Idaho, and we did not lack able champions. Our +amendment was carried by more than a two-thirds majority of the +votes cast upon it.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The last address, by the Rev. Ida C. Hultin (Ills.), The Point of +View, was a masterly effort. She said in part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Before any woman is a wife, a sister or a mother she is a human +being. We ask nothing as women but everything as human beings. +The sphere of woman is any path that she can tread, any work that +she can do. Let no one imagine that we wish to be men. In the +beginning God created them male and female. The principle of +co-equality is recognized in all of God's kingdom. We are +beginning<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> to find in the human race, as in the vegetable and the +animal, that the male and the female are designed to be the +equals of each other.</p> + +<p>It is because woman loves her home that she wants her country to +be pure and holy, so that she may not lose her children when they +go out from her protection. We want to be women, womanly women, +stamping the womanliness of our nature upon the country, even as +the men have stamped the manliness of their nature upon it. The +home is the sphere of woman and of man also. The home does not +mean simply bread-making and dish-washing, but also the place +into which shall enter that which makes pure manhood possible. +Give woman a chance to do her whole duty. What is education for, +what is religion for, but as a means to the end of the +development of humanity? If national life is what it ought to be +also, a means to the same end, it needs then everything that +humanity has to make it sweet and hopeful. Women have moral +sentiments and they want to record them. That is the only +difference between voting and not voting. The national life is +the reflected life of the people. It is strong with their +strength and weak with their weakness.</p></blockquote> + +<p>A letter was read to the convention by Miss Anthony from Miss Kitty +Reed, daughter of Speaker Thomas B. Reed, who had been with her father +in California during the recent suffrage campaign. In referring to +this she said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>There and elsewhere the thinking women who opposed it used this +argument: There are too many people voting already; the practical +effect of woman suffrage would be an increase in the illiterate +vote, without a proportionate increase in the intelligent vote. +They were not in favor of it unless there could be an educational +qualification. In other words, they were opposed to woman +suffrage because they were opposed to universal suffrage. I have +always regarded universal suffrage as the foundation principle of +our government. If "governments deriving their just powers from +the consent of the governed" does not mean that, what can it +mean? So I tried to persuade these women of the truth of that +which I supposed had been settled about one hundred and +twenty-one years ago. It is necessary to make women believe that +suffrage is a natural right rather than a privilege; that, while +abstractly it seems well for an intelligent citizen to govern an +ignorant one, human nature is such that the intelligent will +govern selfishly and leave the ignorant no opportunity to +improve.</p> + +<p>It seems to me that the worst obstacle we have to encounter now +is not the prejudice of men against women's voting, but a +misunderstanding on the part of women of the real meaning of +government by the people. This may be ancient history to you, but +it impressed me deeply while I was in California and that is why +I write it. Of course there are many women who do not think. When +they hear woman suffrage spoken of, they go to their husbands and +ask them what they think about it, and their husbands tell them +that they are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span> too good to vote, and those women are content. It +does not occur to them to ask why, if they are too pure and good +to vote, they are not excused from obeying the laws and paying +taxes.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The report of the first year's work done at national headquarters was +very satisfactory. In regard to the Press it contained the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The year 1896 has seen the beginning of an effort by our National +Association to use systematically the mighty lever of the public +press in behalf of our work. We have sent out in regular weekly +issues since March hundreds of copies of good equal suffrage +articles. These go into the hands of Press Committees in +forty-one States, and now between six and seven hundred papers +publish them each week. Of forty-one different articles by about +thirty different writers, nearly 25,000 copies have been +distributed to newspapers. These articles reach, in local papers, +not less than one million readers weekly.</p> + +<p>We have taken charge of the National Suffrage Bulletin which is +edited by the chairman of the organization committee, have had it +printed in Philadelphia and mailed from the headquarters. In the +past twelve months there have been wrapped and sent out +separately 17,700 copies of the Bulletin. A portion of the +expenses has been defrayed by special contributions of $900 of +the $1,000 given to Miss Anthony by Mrs. Southworth, and $400 +through the New York State Association, from the bequest of Mrs. +Eliza J. Clapp of Rochester to Miss Anthony.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mr. Blackwell, as usual, reported for the Committee on Presidential +Suffrage, suggesting a form of petition as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, The Constitution of the United States, the supreme law +of the land, expressly confers upon the Legislature of every +State the sole and exclusive right to appoint or to delegate the +appointment of presidential electors, in article II, section 1, +paragraph 2, as follows: "Each State shall appoint in such manner +as the Legislature thereof may direct a number of electors equal +to the whole number of Senators and Representatives to which the +State may be entitled in the Congress;" and</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, In some of the States said appointment has been +repeatedly made by the Legislature; and</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, Women equally with men are citizens of this State and of +the United States; therefore,</p> + +<p><i>The undersigned</i>, citizens of the State of ——, 21 years of age +and upwards, respectfully petition your honorable bodies so to +amend the election laws as to enable women to vote in the +appointment of presidential electors.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The report of the treasurer, Mrs. Upton, showed that the receipts<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> had +risen to $11,825 during the year just passed. It ended thus: "In +closing this report the treasurer would like to say that no one person +has ever been to the treasury what Miss Anthony has been and is. Every +dollar given to her for any purpose whatever, she feels belongs to the +work and is most happy when she turns it in. On the other hand the +association does very little for her. She pays her own traveling +expenses and her own clerk hire. It is to be hoped that this is the +last year we may be so neglectful in this direction."</p> + +<p>The Congressional Committee, Mrs. Ellen Powell Thompson, acting +chairman, reported as a part of the work done: "To still further +advance the matter we determined to address a letter to each member of +the House and Senate, asking his opinion on the proposed amendment to +enfranchise women. At least three-fourths of these letters were +promptly answered in most gracious terms, and in many of them hearty +sympathy with the purpose of the amendment was expressed. Not a small +number declared they were ready to vote for the amendment when +opportunity should be given."</p> + +<p>Among the State reports those of California, by Mrs. Ellen Clark +Sargent, and of Idaho, by Mrs. Eunice Pond Athey, were of special +interest, as they contained an epitomized history of the recent +campaigns in these States. It was decided that there should be a +special effort to make the next annual meeting a noteworthy affair, as +it would celebrate the Fiftieth Anniversary of the First Woman's +Rights Convention.</p> + + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> + +<h3>THE NATIONAL-AMERICAN CONVENTION OF 1898.</h3> + + +<p>The Thirtieth annual convention of the suffrage association took place +in the Columbia Theatre, Washington, D. C., Feb. 13-19, 1898, and +celebrated the Fiftieth Anniversary of the First Woman's Rights +Convention.<a name="FNanchor_112_112" id="FNanchor_112_112"></a><a href="#Footnote_112_112" class="fnanchor">[112]</a> In the center of the stage was an old-fashioned, +round mahogany table, draped with the Stars and Stripes and the famous +silk suffrage flag with its four golden stars. In her opening address +the president, Miss Susan B. Anthony, said: "On this table the +original Declaration of Rights for Women was written at the home of +the well-known McClintock family in Waterloo, N. Y., just half a +century ago. Around it gathered those immortal four, Elizabeth Cady +Stanton, Lucretia Mott, Martha C. Wright and Mary Ann McClintock, to +formulate the grievances of women. They did not dare to sign their +names but published the Call for their convention anonymously.<a name="FNanchor_113_113" id="FNanchor_113_113"></a><a href="#Footnote_113_113" class="fnanchor">[113]</a> We +have had that remarkable document printed for distribution here, and +you will notice that those demands which were ridiculed and denounced +from one end of the country to the other, all have now been conceded +but the suffrage, and that in four States."</p> + +<p>This convention was the largest in number of delegates and States +represented of any in the history of the association, 154 being in +attendance and all but four of the States and Territories represented.</p> + +<p>The Rev. Anna Howard Shaw devoted the most of her vice-president's +report to an account of the work to secure a suffrage amendment from +the Legislature which was being done in Iowa, where she had been +spending considerable time. The report on Press Work by the chairman, +Miss Jessie J. Cassidy, stated that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span> 30,000 suffrage articles had been +sent from headquarters to the various newspapers of the country and +the number willing to accept these was constantly increasing. The +headquarters had been removed from Philadelphia to New York City +during the year and united with the organization office. The Committee +on Course of Study, Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, chairman, reported that +during the past three years they had published 25,000 books and +pamphlets, purchased from publishers 3,100 and had 9,000 contributed. +The treasurer, Mrs. Harriet Taylor Upton, announced the receipts of +the past year to be $14,055. Bequests had been received of $500 by the +will of Mrs. Eliza Murphy of New Jersey, and $500 from Mrs. A. Viola +Neblett of South Carolina.</p> + +<p>The report of the Organization Committee, Mrs. Chapman Catt, chairman, +showed a large amount of work done in Iowa, Illinois, South Dakota and +the Southern States, the writing of 10,000 letters, the holding of +1,000 public meetings under the auspices of this committee. It closed +by saying:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The chief obstacle to organization is not found in societies +opposed to the extension of suffrage to woman, nor in ignorance, +nor in conservatism; it is to be found in that large body of +suffragists who believe that the franchise will come, but that it +will come in some unaccountable way without effort or concern on +their part. It is to be found in the hopeless, faithless, +lifeless members of our own organization. They are at times the +officers of local clubs, and the clubs die on their hands; in +State executive committees, and there, appalled by the magnitude +of the undertaking, they decide that organization is impossible +because there is no money, and they make no effort to secure +funds. They are in our national body, ready to find fault with +plans and results and to criticise the conscientious efforts of +those who are struggling to accomplish good—yet they are never +ready to propose more helpful methods. In short, we find them +everywhere, doing practically nothing themselves, but "throwing +cold water" upon every effort inaugurated by others. "It can not +be done" is their motto, and by it they constantly discourage the +hopeful and extract all enthusiasm from new workers. Judging from +the intimate knowledge of the condition of our association gained +in the last three years, I am free to say that these are our most +effective opponents to-day, and, without question, the best +result of the three years' work is the gradual strengthening of +belief in the possibility of organization.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Sallie Clay Bennett, chairman, presented the report on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span> Federal +Suffrage;<a name="FNanchor_114_114" id="FNanchor_114_114"></a><a href="#Footnote_114_114" class="fnanchor">[114]</a> Mrs. Lillie Devereux Blake, chairman, on Legislation; +and Miss Laura Clay on the Suffrage Convocation at the Tennessee +Exposition the preceding year. The Plan of Work, offered by the +chairman, Mrs. Mariana W. Chapman, and adopted, represented the best +result of many years' experience and exemplified the aims and methods +of the association. The old board of officers was almost unanimously +re-elected.</p> + +<p>The afternoon Work Conferences, to exchange ideas as to methods for +organizing, raising funds, etc., which met in a small hall, aroused so +much interest and attracted so many people that it was necessary to +transfer them to the large auditorium. The Resolutions Committee +presented by its chairman, Mrs. Ida Husted Harper, a brief summary of +the results already accomplished and the rights yet to be secured, in +part as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The National-American Woman Suffrage Association, at this its +thirtieth annual meeting, celebrates the semi-centennial +anniversary of the first Woman's Rights Convention, held in 1848 +in Seneca Falls, N. Y., and reaffirms every principle then and +there enunciated. We count the gains of fifty years. Woman's +position revolutionized in the home, in society, in the church +and in the State; public sentiment changed, customs modified, +industries opened, co-education established, laws amended, +economic independence partially secured, and equal suffrage a +recognized subject of legislation. Fifty years ago women voted +nowhere in the world; to-day Wyoming, Colorado, Utah and Idaho +have established equal suffrage for women, and have already in +the Congress of the United States eight Senators and seven +Representatives with women constituents. Kansas has granted women +Municipal Suffrage, and twenty-three other States have made women +voters in school elections. This movement is not confined to the +United States; in Great Britain and her colonies women now have +Municipal and County Suffrage, while New Zealand and South +Australia have abolished all political distinctions of sex. +Therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That we hereby express our profound appreciation of +the prophetic vision, advanced thought and moral courage of the +pioneers in this movement for equality of rights, and our sincere +gratitude for their half century of toil and endurance to secure +for women the privileges they now enjoy, and to make the way +easier for those who are to complete the work. We, their +successors, a thousandfold multiplied, stand pledged to unceasing +effort until women have all the rights and privileges which +belong equally to every citizen of a republic.</p> + +<p>That in every State we demand for women citizens equality with +male citizens in the exercise of the elective franchise, upon +such terms and conditions as the men impose upon themselves.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span></p> + +<p>That we appeal to Congress to submit a Sixteenth Amendment to the +United States Constitution, thereby enabling the citizens of each +State to carry this question of woman suffrage before its +Legislature for settlement.</p> + +<p>That we will aid, so far as practicable, every State campaign for +woman suffrage; but we urgently recommend our auxiliary State +societies to effect thorough county organizations before +petitioning their Legislatures for a State constitutional +amendment.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, The good results of woman suffrage in Wyoming since 1869 +have caused its adoption successively by the three adjoining +States; therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That we earnestly request the citizens of these four +free States to make a special effort to secure the franchise for +women in the States contiguous to their own.</p> + +<p>That we demand for mothers equal custody and control of their +minor children, and for wives and widows an equal use and +inheritance of property.</p> + +<p>That we ask for an equal representation of women on all boards of +education and health, of public schools and colleges, and in the +management of all public institutions; and for their employment +as physicians for women and children in all hospitals and +asylums, and as police matrons and guards in all prisons and +reformatories.</p> + +<p>That this Association limits its efforts exclusively to securing +equal rights for women, and it appeals for co-operation to the +whole American people.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Alice Stone Blackwell, Mrs. Ida Porter Boyer and Mrs. Harper were +appointed fraternal delegates to the Woman's Press Association, in +session at this time in Washington.</p> + +<p>A beautiful feature of this occasion was the luncheon given by Mrs. +John R. McLean to Miss Anthony on her seventy-eighth birthday, +February 15, attended by thirty-six of the most distinguished ladies +in the national capital, and followed by a reception to the members of +the convention. Mrs. McLean was assisted in receiving by Miss Anthony +and Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant. Seventy-eight wax tapers burned upon the +birthday cake, which was three feet in diameter and decorated with +flowers. It was presented to Miss Anthony, who carried it in triumph +to the convention in Columbia Theatre, where it was cut into slices +that were sold as souvenirs and realized about $120, which she donated +to the cause.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, at the age of eighty-two, sent two papers +for this fiftieth anniversary, one for the congressional hearing, on +The Significance of the Ballot; the other, Our Defeats and our +Triumphs, was read to the convention by Mrs.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span> Colby. Both displayed +all the old-time vigor of thought and beauty of expression. The +latter, filled with interesting reminiscence, closed with these words:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Another generation has now enlisted for a long or short campaign. +What, say they, shall we do to hasten the work? I answer, the +pioneers have brought you through the wilderness in sight of the +promised land; now, with active, aggressive warfare, take +possession. Instead of rehearsing the old arguments which have +done duty fifty years, make a brave attack on every obstacle +which stands in your way.... Lord Brougham said: "The laws for +women [in England and America] are a disgrace to the civilization +of the nineteenth century." The women in every State should watch +their law-makers, and any bill invidious to their interests +should be promptly denounced, and with such vehemence and +indignation as to agitate the whole community....</p> + +<p>There is no merit in simply occupying the ground which others +have conquered. There are new fields for conquest and more +enemies to meet. Whatever affects woman's freedom, growth and +development affords legitimate subject for discussion here.... +Some of our opponents think woman would be a dangerous element in +politics and destroy the secular nature of our Government. I +would have a resolution on that point discussed freely, and show +liberal thinkers that we have a large number in our association +as desirous to preserve the secular nature of our Government as +they themselves can possibly be.... When educated women, teachers +in all our schools, professors in our colleges, are governed by +rulers, foreign and native, who can neither read nor write, I +would have this association discuss and pass a resolution in +favor of "educated suffrage." ...</p> + +<p>The object of our organization is to secure equality and freedom +for woman: First, in the State, which is denied when she is not +permitted to exercise the right of suffrage; second, in the +Church, which is denied when she has no voice in its councils, +creeds and discipline, or in the choice of its ministers, elders +and deacons; third, in the Home, where the State makes the +husband's authority absolute, the wife a subject, where the +mother is robbed of the guardianship of her own child, and where +the joint earnings belong solely to the husband.</p> + +<p>....Let this generation pay its debt to the past by continuing +this great work until the last vestige of woman's subjection +shall be erased from our creeds and codes and constitutions. Then +the united thought of man and woman will inaugurate a pure +religion, a just government, a happy home and a civilization in +which ignorance, poverty and crime will exist no more. They who +watch behold already the dawn of a new day.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The Rev. Antoinette Brown Blackwell (N. Y.), the first woman to +graduate in theology and be ordained, delineated The Changing Phases +of Opposition, pointing out that when the first<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span> Woman's Rights +Convention was held the general tone of the press was shown in that +newspaper which said: "This bolt is the most shocking and unnatural +incident ever recorded in the history of humanity; if these demands +were effected, it would set the world by the ears, make confusion +worse confounded, demoralize and degrade from their high sphere and +noble destiny women of all respectable and useful classes, and prove a +monstrous injury to all mankind." Yet this present convention was +celebrating the granting of all those demands except the suffrage and +not one of the predicted evils had come to pass. The direful +prophecies of the early days were taken up, one by one, and their +utter absurdity pointed out in the light of experience. Now all of +those ancient, stereotyped objections were concentrated against +granting the suffrage.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Virginia D. Young (S. C.) delighted the audience with one of her +characteristic addresses. Prof. Frances Stewart Mosher, of Hillsdale +College (Mich.), gave an exhaustive review of the great increase and +value of Woman's Work in Church Philanthropies. Mrs. May Wright Sewall +(Ind.) demonstrated the wonderful Progress of Women in Education. The +New Education possessed the charm of novelty in being presented by +Miss Grace Espy Patton, State Superintendent of Public Instruction in +Colorado, a lady so delicate and dainty that, when Miss Anthony led +her forward and said, "It has always been charged that voting and +officeholding will make women coarse and unwomanly; now look at her!" +the audience responded with an ovation.</p> + +<p>Miss Belle Kearney (Miss.) discussed Social Changes in the South, +depicting in a rapid, magnetic manner, interspersed with flashes of +wit, the evolution of the Southern woman and the revolution in customs +and privileges which must inevitably lead up to political rights. Mrs. +Mary Seymour Howell (N. Y.) gave an eloquent review of the splendid +services of Women in Philanthropy.</p> + +<p>At the memorial services Mrs. Clara Bewick Colby (D. C.) offered the +following resolutions:</p> + +<blockquote><p>It is fitting in this commemorative celebration to pause a moment +to place a laurel in memory's chaplet for those to whom it was +given to be the earliest to voice the demand that woman should be +allowed to enter into the sacred heritage of liberty, as one +made<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span> equally with man in the image of the Creator and divinely +appointed to co-sovereignty over the earth. To name them here is +to recognize their presence with us in spirit and to invoke their +benediction upon this generation which, entering into the results +of their labors, must carry them forward to full fruition.</p> + +<p>Lucretia Mott always will be revered as one of those who +conceived the idea of a convention to make an organized demand +for justice to women. She became a Quaker preacher in 1818 at the +age of twenty-five, and the last suffrage convention she attended +was in her eighty-sixth year. Her motto, "Truth for authority and +not authority for truth," is still the tocsin of reform. Sarah +Pugh, the lovely Quaker, was ever her close friend and helper.</p> + +<p>Frances Wright, a noble Scotchwoman, a friend of General +Lafayette, early imbibed a love for freedom and a knowledge of +the principles on which it is based. In this the land of her +adoption she was the first woman to lecture on political +subjects, in 1826.</p> + +<p>Ernestine L. Rose, the beautiful Polish patriot, sent the first +petition to the New York Legislature to give a married woman the +right to hold real estate in her own name. This was in 1836, and +she continued the work of securing signatures until 1848, when +the bill was passed. She was a matchless orator and lectured on +woman suffrage for nearly fifty years.</p> + +<p>Lucy Stone's voice pleaded the wide continent over for justice +for her sex. Her life-long devotion to the woman suffrage cause +was idealized by the companionship and assistance of her husband, +Henry B. Blackwell, the one man in this nation who under any and +all circumstances has made woman's cause his chief consideration. +Her first lecture on woman's rights was given in 1847, the year +of her graduation at Oberlin College, and her life work was +epitomized in her dying words, "Make the world better."</p> + +<p>Martha C. Wright, Jane Hunt and Mary Ann McClintock were three of +those noble women who issued the call for the Seneca Falls +Convention, and were ever ready for service.</p> + +<p>Paulina Wright Davis, who called the first National Convention in +1850 and presided over its twentieth celebration in 1870, was one +of the moving spirits of the work for more than twenty-five +years. Assisted by Caroline H. Dall, she edited the <i>Una</i>, +founded in 1853, the first distinctively woman suffrage paper.</p> + +<p>Frances Dana Gage, better known by her pen-name, "Aunt Fanny," +was farmer, editor, lecturer and worker in the Sanitary +Commission. Of her eight children six were stalwart sons, and she +used to boast that she was the mother of thirty-six feet of boys. +She was a pillar of strength to the movement in early days.</p> + +<p>Clarina Howard Nichols is associated with the seed-sowing in +Vermont, in Wisconsin and especially in Kansas, where her labors +with the first constitutional convention, in 1859, engrafted in +organic law many rights for women which were obtained elsewhere, +if at all, only by slow and difficult legislative changes. Susan +E. Wattles led the Kansas campaign of 1859 with Mrs. Nichols.</p> + +<p>Emily Robinson of Salem, Ohio, was one of the chief movers in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span> +the second Woman's Rights Convention, and this was held in her +own town in 1850. From that time until the present year she has +been unfaltering in her devotion.</p> + +<p>Dr. Susan A. Edson, who was graduated in medicine in 1854, was a +fellow-pioneer in the District of Columbia with Dr. Caroline B. +Winslow, whose death preceded hers by about one year. She was one +of the most distinguished army nurses and the friend and faithful +attendant of President Garfield. For many years she was the +president of the District Woman Suffrage Association. Among the +earlier woman physicians who espoused the cause were Dr. Harriot +K. Hunt, Dr. Mary B. Jackson, Dr. Ann Preston, one of the +founders and physicians of the Woman's Hospital of Philadelphia, +and Dr. Clemence S. Lozier, a founder and physician of the New +York Medical College for Women.</p> + +<p>Sarah Helen Whitman was the first literary woman of reputation +who gave her name to the movement, which later counted among its +warmest friends Lydia Maria Child, Alice and Phoebe Cary and Mary +Clemmer.</p> + +<p>Amalia B. Post of Cheyenne, to whom the enfranchisement of the +women of Wyoming was largely due, was ready, as she often said, +at the first tap of the drum at Seneca Falls. She occupied the +place of honor by the side of the Governor on that proud day when +the admission of Wyoming as a State was celebrated.</p> + +<p>Josephine S. Griffing, organizer of the Freedman's Bureau; Amelia +Bloomer, editor of the <i>Lily</i>, the first temperance and woman's +rights paper; Mary Grew, for twenty-three years president of the +Pennsylvania Woman Suffrage Association; Myra Bradwell, the first +woman to enter the ranks of legal journalism; Virginia L. Minor, +the dove with the eagle's heart, who took to the U. S. Supreme +Court her suit against the Missouri officials for refusing her +vote—all these, and many more who might be added, form the noble +galaxy who brought to the cause of woman's liberty rare personal +beauty, social gifts, intellectual culture, and the +all-compelling eloquence of earnestness and sincerity.</p> + +<p>Albert O. Willcox of New York, whose eighty-seven years were +filled with valuable work for reforms, was drawn to the +conviction that women should have a share in the Government by a +sermon preached by Lucretia Mott in 1831, and from that time +declared himself publicly for the movement and was its life-long +supporter.</p> + +<p>James G. Clark, the sweet-souled troubadour of reform, sang for +woman's freedom in suffrage conventions all over the land.</p> + +<p>Joseph N. Dolph was always to be counted on to further the +political emancipation of women, both in his own State of Oregon +and in the U. S. Senate, of which he was long an honored member.</p> + +<p>To name the men who have been counselors and friends of the woman +suffrage movement is to name the greatest poets, preachers and +statesmen of the last half century. Wherever there has been a +woman strong enough to demand her rights there has been a man +generous and just enough to second her. Surely we may say<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span> that +"the spirits of just men made perfect" are our strength and our +inspiration.</p> + +<p>No less entitled to remembrance and gratitude are the unnamed +multitude who have helped the onward march of freedom by standing +for the truth that was revealed to them. Whether they pass away +in the beauty of youth, the strength of maturity or the glory of +old age, they who have given to the world one impulse on the +upward path to freedom and to light are not dead. They live here +in the life of all good things, and, because of strength gained +in earthly activity, have strength to perfect in other spheres +what here they but dreamed of.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The <i>Woman's Tribune</i> thus described one scene of the convention:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The opening address of Wednesday evening was by Mrs. Isabella +Beecher Hooker (Conn.) on United States Citizenship. She was not +heard distinctly and the audience was very fidgety. Miss Anthony +came forward and told them they ought to be perfectly satisfied +just to sit still and look at Mrs. Hooker. She is always a +commanding presence on the stage, and on this evening, impressed +with the deep significance of the event, and clad in silver gray, +which harmonized beautifully with her whitening curls, she was a +picture which would delight an artist. But notwithstanding Miss +Anthony's admonition, the audience really wanted to hear as well +as to see. Mrs. Hooker realizing this at last said impatiently, +"I never could give a written speech, but Susan insisted that I +must this time," and, discarding her manuscript, she spoke +clearly and forcibly with her old-time power. A portion of her +address was a graphic recital of Miss Anthony's trial for illegal +voting in 1872.</p> + +<p>When Mrs. Hooker's time had expired Miss Anthony rose and put her +arm around her, and thus these striking figures, representing the +opposite poles of the woman suffrage force, made a tableau which +will never pass from the mental vision of those who witnessed it. +At the close of her remarks Mrs. Hooker threw her arms around +Miss Anthony and kissed her. The latter, more moved than was her +wont, gave vent to that strong feeling of the injustice of +woman's disfranchisement which is ever present with her, and +exclaimed: "To think that such a woman, belonging by birth and +marriage to the most distinguished families in our country's +history, should be held as a subject and have set over her all +classes of men, with the prospect of there being added to her +rulers the Cubans and the Sandwich Island Kanakas. Shame on a +government that permits such an outrage!"</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Caroline Hallowell Miller (Md.), one of the first suffrage +advocates south of Mason and Dixon's line, gave A Glimpse of the Past +and Present. Dr. Clara Marshall, Dean of the Woman's Medical College +of Pennsylvania, presented the history of Fifty Years in Medicine. She +related in a graphic manner the struggle<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span> of women to gain admission +to the colleges, the embarrassments they suffered, the obstacles they +were obliged to overcome, reading from published reports the hostile +demonstrations of the male students. In closing she bore testimony to +the encouragement and assistance rendered by those men who were +broad-minded and generous enough to recognize the rights of women in +this profession and help secure them. The Ministry of Religion as a +Calling for Women was the subject of an able and interesting address +by the Rev. Florence Buck of Unity Church, Cleveland, Ohio. Mrs. Ella +Knowles Haskell, assistant attorney-general of Montana, spoke on Women +in the Legal Profession, giving many incidents of the practice of law +in the far West.</p> + +<p>Samuel J. Barrows, member of Congress from Massachusetts, was called +from the audience by Miss Anthony, and closed his brief remarks by +saying: "I believe in woman suffrage; it has in it the elements of +justice which entitle it to every man's support, and we all ought to +help secure it." A leading feature of the program was the speech of +August W. Machen, head of the free delivery division of the national +post office, on Women in the Departmental Service of the United +States. He gave the history of their employment by the government, +declared they had raised the standard of work and testified to their +efficiency and faithfulness.</p> + +<p>The Civil Rights of Women were ably discussed by the Rev. Frederick A. +Hinckley of the Second Unitarian Church, Philadelphia, who reviewed +the existing laws and pointed out the changes in favor of women. In +regard to the prevalence of divorce he said: "There is a large class +of our fellow-citizens who greatly misinterpret, in my opinion, the +significance of the increase in the number of divorces. No one would +counsel more earnestly than I, patience and consideration and every +reasonable effort on the part of people once married to live together. +But I can not dispute the proposition, nor do I believe any one can +dispute it, that in the great process of evolution divorce is an +indication of growing independence and self-respect in women, a +proclamation that marriage must be the union of self-respecting and +mutually respected equals, and that in the ideal home of the future +that hideous thing, the subjugation of woman, is to be unknown."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Catharine Waugh McCulloch (Ills.) discussed The Economic<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span> Status +of Women. Madame Clara Neymann (N. Y.) read a philosophical paper on +Marriage in the Light of Woman's Freedom. The Progress of Colored +Women was pictured in an impassioned address by Mrs. Mary Church +Terrell, president of the National Association of Colored Women. She +received numerous floral tributes at its close. Mrs. Emmy C. Evald of +Chicago, with an attractive foreign enthusiasm, told of the work of +Swedish women in their own country and in the United States. Mrs. +Lillie Devereux Blake (N. Y.) with clever satire and amidst laughter +and applause, considered Women in Municipalities.</p> + +<p>The Pioneers' Evening was one of great interest, when Miss Anthony +marshalled her hosts and made "the roll-call of the years." As each +decade was called, beginning with 1848, those who began the suffrage +work at that time rose on the stage and in all parts of the house and +remained standing. Not one was there who was present at the original +Seneca Falls Convention, but it had held an adjourned meeting at +Rochester, three weeks later, and Miss Anthony's sister, Mary S., +responded as having attended then and signed the Declaration of +Rights. The daughters of Mrs. Martha C. Wright, who called this +convention—Mrs. Eliza Wright Osborne and Mrs. Wm. Lloyd Garrison—and +also Mrs. Millie Burtis Logan, whose mother, Miss Anthony's cousin, +served as its secretary, were introduced to the audience. The children +of Frederick Douglass, who had spoken at both meetings, were present +and should have come forward with this group. The Rev. Antoinette +Brown Blackwell stated that she had spoken in favor of woman's rights +in 1846. Among the earliest of the pioneers present were John W. +Hutchinson, the last of that famous family of singers; Henry B. +Blackwell, Mrs. Helen Philleo Jenkins (Mich.), Miss Sarah Wall (Mass.) +and Mrs. Hooker. Many of those who arose made brief remarks and the +occasion was one which will not be forgotten by those who witnessed +it.</p> + +<p>Among the letters received from the many pioneers still living was one +from Mrs. Abigail Bush, now eighty-eight years old and residing in +California, who presided over the Rochester meeting, Aug. 2, 1848. It +is especially interesting as showing that even so advanced women as +Lucretia Mott and Mrs. Stanton, although they dared call such a +meeting, were yet so conservative as to object to a woman's presiding +over it:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">To Susan B. Anthony, Greeting</span>: You will bear me witness that the +state of society is very different from what it was fifty years +ago, when I presided at the first Woman's Rights Convention. I +had not been able to meet in council at all with the friends +until I met them in the hall as the congregation was gathering, +and then fell into the hands of those who urged me to take part +with the opposers of a woman serving, as the party had with them +a fine-looking man to preside at all of their meetings, James +Mott, who had presided at Seneca Falls. Afterward I fell in with +the old friends, Amy Post, Rhoda de Garmo and Sarah Fish, who at +once commenced labors with me to prove that the hour had come +when a woman should preside, and led me into the church. Amy +proposed my name as president; I was accepted at once, and from +that hour I seemed endowed as from on high to serve.</p> + +<p>It was a two days' meeting with three sessions per day. On my +taking the chair, Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton left +the platform and took their seats in the audience, but it did not +move me from performing all my duties, and at the close of the +meeting Lucretia Mott came forward, folded me tenderly in her +arms and thanked me for presiding. That settled the question of +men's presiding at a woman's convention. From that day to this, +in all the walks of life, I have been faithful in asserting that +there should be "no taxation without representation." It has +seemed long in coming, but I think the time draws near when woman +will be acknowledged as equal with man. Heaven grant the day to +dawn soon!</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Catharine A. F. Stebbins (Mich.), who had attended the Seneca +Falls Convention and signed the Declaration of Rights, sent an +interesting descriptive letter. Mrs. Lucinda H. Stone (Mich.), the +mother of women's clubs and a pioneer on educational lines, wrote:</p> + +<blockquote><p>You wanted I should write you any anecdotes of early interest in +woman suffrage. The remembrance of Dr. Stone's waking up to that +subject has come to me, and I have thought I would tell you about +it.</p> + +<p>It was some time in the forties that he was requested to deliver +a Fourth of July oration in Kalamazoo. I can not tell the exact +year, but it was before I had ever heard of the Rochester +Convention, or of you or Mrs. Stanton, and he was looking up all +that he could find in the early history of our Declaration of +Independence, and the principles of Jefferson and the early +revolutionists. I remember his coming in one day (it must have +been before 1848), seeming very much absorbed in something that +he was thinking about. He threw down the book he had been +reading, and said to me: "The time will come when women will +vote. Mark my words! We may not live to see it, we probably shall +not, but it will come. It is not a woman's right or a man's +right; it is a human right, and their voting is but a natural +process of evolution." ...</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mrs. Esther Wattles, who helped secure School Suffrage and equal +property laws for women in the State constitution of Kansas in 1859, +sent this message: "My attention was first called to the injustice +done to women by a lecture given near Wilmington, Ohio, by John O. +Wattles in 1841. He devoted most of his time to lecturing on Woman's +Rights, The Sin of Slavery, The Temperance Reform and Peace. I heard +him on all these subjects, off and on, till 1844, when we were +married.... Seventy-nine summers with their clouds and sunshine, make +it fitting I should greet you by letter rather than personal presence. +May the cause never falter till the victory is won."</p> + +<p>Most of the letters were sent to Miss Anthony personally. Among these +were the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We, the members of the National Association of Woman +Stenographers, take great pleasure in extending congratulations +to you on the occasion of your seventy-eighth birthday, and hope +that the days of your years may still be many and happy. We also +desire to express our appreciation of and gratitude for the work +you have done in securing freedom and justice for women. As +business women we are better able to comprehend what you have +accomplished, especially for those who are bread-winners, and we +trust the time may soon come when we shall not be limited to +understanding what freedom is, but be able to act in accordance +with its principles.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Nevada Equal Suffrage Association</span>: Although we are young in +the ranks and few in number compared with the older States, yet +we are none the less loyal to the principles advocated and +established by the National Association. We are brave because we +draw inspiration from the thoughts and acts of that Spartan band +of suffragists of fifty years ago, who devoted the sunshine of +their lives and the energies of their philosophic minds to the +effort to obtain for womankind their inherent right to have a +voice in the Government which derives its just powers from the +consent of the governed.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alfred H. Love</span>, president of the Universal Peace Union: From our +rooms in the east wing of Independence Hall, I send greetings to +you and your cause. Your cause is ours, and has been one of our +essential principles since our organization. Your success is a +triumph for peace.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary Lowe Dickinson</span>, secretary of the International Order of the +King's Daughters and Sons: I hope you will live to see the full +day for the cause whose dawn owed so much to your labors, and I +can ask nothing better for you than that you have "the desire of +your heart," which I am sure will be the ballot for us all.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell</span>, the first woman physician: Although<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span> I +can not respond in person to your very friendly invitation to be +a representative of "the pioneers," yet I gladly send my hearty +greeting to you and to the other brave workers for the progress +of the race—a progress slow but inevitable. Amongst all its +steps I consider the admission of women to the medical profession +as the most important. Whilst thankfully recognizing the +wonderful accumulations of knowledge which generations of our +brethren have gathered together, our future women physicians will +rejoice to help in the construction of that noble temple of +medicine, whose foundation stone must be sympathetic justice. +Pray allow me to send my warm greeting to the Congress through +you.</p></blockquote> + +<p>There were messages and grateful recognition from so many societies +and individuals in the United States that it would be impossible even +to call them by name; also from the Dominion of Canada Suffrage Club, +through Dr. Augusta Stowe Gullen; the National Union of Women's +Suffrage Societies in Great Britain, with individual letters from Lady +Aberdeen, Mrs. Millicent Garrett Fawcett, Mrs. Priscilla Bright +McLaren and others; on behalf of the Swedish Frederika Bremer +Förbundet, by Carl Lindhagen; on behalf of Finnish women by Baroness +Alexandra Gripenberg; on behalf of German women by Frau Hanna +Bieber-Bohm, president of the National Council of Women; on behalf of +the Woman Suffrage Society of Holland by its secretary, Margarethe +Gallé; from the Norwegian Woman Suffrage Club; from the Verein +Jugendschutz of Berlin, and from the Union to Promote Woman's Rights +in Finland.</p> + +<p>The remarkable scenes of the closing evening made a deep impression +upon the large audience. After fifty years of effort to overcome the +most stubborn and deeply-rooted prejudices of the ages, the results +were beginning to appear. Among the speakers were a woman State +senator from Utah, Mrs. Martha Hughes Cannon; a woman member of the +Colorado Legislature, Mrs. Martha A. B. Conine; a woman State +Superintendent of Public Instruction, Miss Estelle Reel of Wyoming; U. +S. Senators Henry M. Teller of Colorado, and Frank J. Cannon of Utah, +States where women have full suffrage; Representative John F. Shafroth +of Colorado—and in the center of this distinguished group, Susan B. +Anthony, receiving the fruits of her half century of toil and +hardship.</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Miss Reel</span>: I want to tell you a little about our work in +Wyoming,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span> where women have been voting and holding office for +nearly thirty years, and where our people are convinced that it +has been of great benefit. Our home life there is as sacred and +sweet as anywhere else on the globe. Equal suffrage has been +tried and not found wanting. You may ask, What reforms has +Wyoming to show? We were the first State to adopt the Australian +ballot, and to accept a majority verdict of juries in civil +cases. We are noted for our humane treatment of criminals, our +care of the deserving poor and the education of our young. Child +labor is prohibited. The Supreme Court has just decided that +every voter must be able to read the Constitution in English. We +have night schools all over the State for those who can not +attend school by day. Equal suffrage was given to help protect +the home element, and the home vote is a great conservative +force. Woman suffrage means stable government, anchored in the +steadfast rock of American homes.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Conine was commissioned as a delegate to the convention by Gov. +Alva Adams of Colorado. She read the statement recently put forth, +testifying to the good results of equal suffrage and signed by the +Governor, three ex-Governors, all the State Senators and the +Representatives in Congress, the Chief Justice and the Associate +Justices of the Supreme Court, the Judges of the Court of Appeals, the +Judges of the District Court, the Secretary of State, the State +treasurer, auditor, attorney-general, the mayor of Denver, the +presidents of the State University and of Colorado College, the +president of the General Federation of Women's Clubs and the +presidents of thirteen women's clubs, and said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>During the session of the Legislature last winter, there were +three women in the House. We met the other members upon terms of +absolute equality. No thought of incongruity or unfitness seems +to have arisen, and at the same time those little courtesies +which gentlemen instinctively pay to ladies were never omitted. +Each of the ladies was given a chairmanship, one of them that of +the Printing Committee, and the printing bill was lower by +thousands of dollars than for any previous session. The women +were as frequently called to the chair in Committee of the Whole +as were the men. One of them was placed upon the Judiciary +Committee at the request of its chairman. Every honorary +committee appointed during the session included one or more of +the ladies.</p> + +<p>Our State Federation of Women's Clubs now numbers about 100, +representing a united membership of 4,000. They are largely +occupied in studying social and economic questions, earnestly +seeking for the best methods of educating their children, +reforming criminals, alleviating poverty and purifying the +ballot; in short, striving to make their city and their State a +cleaner, better home for their families. Their work receives +added encouragement from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span> the knowledge that by their ballots +they may determine who shall make and administer the laws under +which their children must be reared. The home has always been +conceded to be the woman's kingdom. In the free States she has +but expanded the walls of that home, that she may afford to the +inmates, and also to those who unfortunately have no other home, +the same protection and loving care which was formerly limited to +the few short years of childhood passed beneath the parental +roof.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Senator Teller</span>: I want to indorse what has been said by the two +members from Colorado and Wyoming. The former is rather young as +a suffrage State, but we are living side by side with the latter, +where they have had equal suffrage for nearly thirty years. The +results of woman suffrage have proved entirely satisfactory—not +to every individual, but to the great mass of the people: I hear +it said in this city every day that if women are allowed to vote +the best women will not take part. I want to say to you that this +is a mistake. To my certain knowledge, the best women do take +part. When I went back to Colorado, after the granting of equal +suffrage, a prominent society woman, whom I had known for years, +telephoned me to come up and speak to the ladies at her house. I +found her big parlors full of representative women—the wives of +bankers, lawyers, preachers—society women. If you put any duty +upon women they are not going to shirk it. Those who feared the +responsibility are now as enthusiastic as those who had been +"clamoring" for it. In the past, women have had no object in +studying political questions; now they have, and they are taking +them up in their clubs. We find that women are less partisan than +men. Why? Because they generally have more conscience than men. +They will not vote for a dissolute and disreputable man who may +happen to force himself on a party ticket....</p> + +<p>We are an intelligent community; we have long had a challenge to +our fellow-citizens to show any other city that has as large a +proportion of college graduates as Denver. Colorado people are +proud of equal suffrage. The area where it prevails spread last +year and took in Utah and Idaho. It will take in more neighboring +States. I predict that in ten years, instead of four suffrage +States, we shall have twice as many—perhaps three or four times +that number.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Representative Shafroth</span>: I want to say this, as coming from +Colorado: The experience we have had ought to demonstrate to +every one that woman suffrage is not only right but practical. It +tends to elevate. There is not a caucus now but is better +attended and by better people, and held in a better place. I have +seen the time when a political convention without a disturbance +and the drawing of weapons was rare. That time is past in +Colorado, and it is due to the presence of women. Every man now +shows that civility which makes him take off his hat and not +swear, and deport himself decently when ladies are present. +Instead of women's going to the polls corrupting them it has +purified the polls. Husband and wife go there together. No one +insults them. There are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span> no drunken men there, nothing but what +is pleasant and decorous.</p> + +<p>Woman is an independent element in politics. She has no +allegiance to any party. When a ticket is presented to her, she +asks, "Are these good men?" A man is apt to say, "Well, this is a +bad ticket, but I must stand by my party." He wants to keep his +party record straight. She votes for the best man on the ticket. +That element is bound to result in good in any State.</p> + +<p>People say they don't know how it will work; they are afraid of +it. Can it be that we distrust our mothers and sisters? We shall +never have the best possible government till women participate in +it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Senator Cannon</span>: No nation can exist half slave and half free. Ten +years before I was old enough to vote, my mother was a voter. I +learned at her knee to vote according to my conscience, and not +according to the dictation of the bosses. The strongest argument +for the suffrage of any class exists in behalf of womankind, +because women will not be bound by mere partisanship. If the +world is to be redeemed, it must be by the conscience of the +individual voter. The woman goes to the truth by instinct. Men +have to confer together and go down street and look through +glasses darkly. The woman stays at home and rocks the cradle, and +God tells her what to do. The suffrage never was abused by women +in Utah. During the seventeen years that they voted in the +Territory there was not a defalcation in any public office.</p> + +<p>I believe in the republic. I believe that its destiny is to shed +light not only here, but all over the world. If we can trust +woman in the house to keep all pure and holy there, so that the +little ones may grow up right, surely we can trust her at the +ballot-box. When children learn political wisdom and truth from +their mother's lips, they will remember it and live up to it; for +those lessons are the longest remembered. When Senator Teller +withdrew from a political convention for conscience's sake, a man +said, commenting on his action: "It is generally safe to stay +with your party." His wife said: "And it is always safe to stay +with your principles."</p></blockquote> + +<p>In the midst of the convention came the sad news on February 17 of the +death of Miss Frances E. Willard, president of the National Woman's +Christian Temperance Union. Affectionate tributes were offered by Miss +Anthony, Miss Shaw and other members; a telegram of sympathy was sent +to her secretary and close companion, Miss Anna Gordon, by a rising +vote, and the audience remained standing for a few moments in silent +prayer. A large wreath of violets and Southern ivy, adorned with +miniatures of Mrs. Stanton, Miss Anthony and other pioneer suffrage +workers was sent by the delegates to be laid on her coffin.</p> + +<p>The congressional hearings on the morning of February 15, Miss +Anthony's birthday, attracted crowds of people to the Capitol.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span> The +hearing before the Senate Committee was conducted by the Rev. Anna +Howard Shaw, and considered The Philosophy of the Movement for Woman +Suffrage. Only two members of the committee were present—James H. +Berry of Arkansas, and George P. Wetmore of Rhode Island—but a number +of other senators were interested listeners, and the large Marble Room +was crowded with delegates and spectators. The first paper, by Wm. +Lloyd Garrison (Mass.) considered The Nature of a Republican Form of +Government:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The advocates of complete enfranchisement of women base their +demand upon the principles underlying all suffrage, rather than +upon the question of sex. If manhood suffrage is a mistake; if +voting is a privilege and not a right; if government does not +derive its just powers from the consent of the governed; if +Lincoln's aphorism that ours is a "government of the people, for +the people and by the people" is only a rhetorical generality, +then women have no case. If not, they see no reason why, as they +are governed, they should not have a voice in choosing their +rulers; why, as people, they are not covered by Lincoln's +definition. They feel naturally that their exclusion is unjust.</p> + +<p>Woman suffragists are not unconscious of the glaring contrast +between declared principles and actual practice, and they venture +to believe that a professed self-government which deliberately +ignores its own axioms is tending to decadence. They are not +unmindful of the slow evolution of human government from earliest +history, beginning in force and greed, reaching through struggles +of blood, in the course of time, to the legislative stage where +differences are adjudicated by reason, and the sword reserved as +the last resort. This vantage ground has been gained only by a +recognition of the primal right of the people to be consulted in +regard to public affairs; and in proportion as this right has +been respected and the franchise extended has government grown +more stable and society more safe. It has come through a +succession of steps, invariably opposed by the dominant classes, +and only permitted after long contest and a changed public +opinion.</p> + +<p>In England, where the progress of constitutional government can +be most accurately traced, there was a time when the landowning +aristocracy controlled the franchise and elected the members of +Parliament. The dawn of a sense of injustice in the minds of the +mercantile classes brought with it a demand for the extension of +the suffrage, which was of course vigorously combated. It was an +illogical resistance, which ended in the admission of the +tradesmen. Later the workingmen awakened to their political +disability and asserted their rights, only to be promptly +antagonized by both classes in power. Eventually logic and +justice won in this issue. In the light of history none of the +objections urged against<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span> the extension of the right of voting +have been sustained by subsequent facts. On the contrary, the +broadening of the suffrage base has been found to add stability +to the superstructure of British government and to have been in +the interest of true conservatism.</p> + +<p>In the course of time the woman's hour has struck. Her cause is +now going through the same ordeal suffered by the classes +referred to. Her triumph is as sure as theirs. The social and +industrial changes of constitutional government in all countries +have revolutionized her condition. Fifty years ago the avenues of +employment open to women were few and restricted. To-day, in +every branch of manufacture and trade, and in the professions +formerly monopolized by men, they are actively and successfully +engaged. Every law put upon the statute books affects their +interests directly and indirectly—undreamed of in a social order +where household drudgery and motherhood limited a woman's +horizon.</p> + +<p>It is inevitable, therefore, that, feeling the pressure of +legislation under which they suffer, a new intelligence should +stir the minds of women such as stirred the once disfranchised +classes of men in Great Britain. It leads to an examination of +the principles of self-government and to their application on +lines of equality and not of sex. In them is found no +justification for the present enforced political disability. +Therefore all legislative bodies vested with the power to change +the laws are petitioned to consider the justice and expediency of +allowing women to register their opinions, on the same terms with +men, at the ballot-box.</p> + +<p>The principles at stake are rarely alluded to by the opponents of +woman suffrage. The battle rages chiefly upon the ground of +expediency. Every argument formerly used by the English Tories is +to-day heard in the mouths of men who profess a belief in a +democratic form of government....</p> + +<p>In the discussion of the rights of labor, the inadequacy of +wages, the abuses of the factory system, the management of +schools, of reformatory and penal institutions, the sanitary +arrangements of a city, the betterment of public highways, the +encroachment of privileged corporations, the supervision of the +poor, the improvement of hospitals, and the many branches of +collective housekeeping included in a municipality—women are by +nature and education adapted to participate. In many States, +certainly in Massachusetts, it is a common practice to appoint +women to responsible positions demanding large organizing and +directing power. If thus fitted to rule, are women unfitted to +have a voice in choosing rulers?</p> + +<p>The true advancement of common interest waits for the active and +responsible participation of women in political matters. Indirect +and irresponsible influence they have now, but indirection and +irresponsibility are dangerous elements in governments which +assume to be representative, and are a constant menace. If this +whole question of equal political rights of women is considered +in the light of common sense and common justice, the sooner will +the present intolerable wrong be wiped out and self-government be +put upon a broader and safer basis.</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mrs. May Wright Sewall (Ind.) discussed the Fitness of Women to Become +Citizens from the Standpoint of Education and Mental Development.</p> + +<blockquote><p>From the close of the Revolution, we find all the distinguished +American patriots expressing the conviction that a self-governing +people must be an educated people. Hancock, Jay, Franklin, +Morris, Paine, Quincy Adams, Jefferson, Hamilton, Washington, all +urge the same argument in support of education. It is no longer +to produce an educated ministry, but to insure educated citizens, +that schools are maintained and colleges multiplied....</p> + +<p>In this year of 1897-98 not less than 20,000,000 pupils and +students of all ages, from the toddlers in the kindergartens to +the full-grown candidates for post-graduate honors, are +registered in the schools, academies, colleges and universities +of the United States. The average length of time which girls +spend in school exceeds by nearly three years the average length +of time which boys stay there; while the number of girls +graduating from high-school courses, those which include United +States history and civil government, is almost double the number +of boys. Thus, at the present time, largely more than one-half of +the moneys spent by the governments, local and national, in +support of free schools, is used in the education of girls. By +what authority does the Government tax its citizens to support +schools for the education of millions of women to whom, after +they have received the education declared necessary to +citizenship, this is denied?</p> + +<p>Is it urged that the Government gets its return upon its +investment in the education of women through the increased +intelligence with which women rear their children, manage their +homes and conduct the larger social affairs outside the boundary +of their home life? I have no disposition to diminish the +Government's recognition of such return, but I wish to remind you +that no one has ever justified the maintenance of public schools, +and an enforced attendance upon them, on the theory that the +Government has a right to compel <i>men</i> to be agreeable husbands +and wise fathers, or that it is responsible for teaching <i>men</i> +how to conduct their own business with discretion and judgment. +Quite in another tone is it urged that the schools are the +fountains of the nation's liberties and that a government whose +policy is decided by a majority of the votes cast by its men is +not safe in the hands of uneducated voters. ....It is the +political life of our nation which stands in the sorest need; yet +this is the only department of our national life which rejects +the aid of women.</p> + +<p>If intelligence is vital to good citizenship in a republic, it +would seem that, to justify the exclusion of the present +generation of American women, whose intelligence is bought at so +high a price and at the expense of the whole people, there must +be some proof that they have qualities which so vitiate it as to +render it unserviceable. Such proof has never yet been presented.</p> + +<p>At the present moment the education and the intellectual culture<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span> +of American women has reached a plane where its further +development is a menace, unless it is to be accompanied by the +direct responsibility of its possessors—a responsibility which +in a republic can be felt only by those who participate directly +in the election of public officers and in the shaping of public +policies.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The Rev. Anna Garlin Spencer (R. I.) considered the Fitness of Women +to Become Citizens from the Standpoint of Moral Development.</p> + +<blockquote><p>Government is not now merely the coarse and clumsy instrument by +which military and police forces are directed; it is the +flexible, changing and delicately adjusted instrument of many and +varied educative, charitable and supervisory functions, and the +tendency to increase the functions of government is a growing +one. Prof. Lester F. Ward says: "Government is becoming more and +more the organ of the social consciousness and more and more the +servant of the social will." The truth of this is shown in the +modern public school system; in the humane and educative care of +dependent, defective and wayward children; in the increasingly +discriminating and wise treatment of the insane, the pauper, the +tramp and the poverty-bound; in the provisions for public parks, +baths and amusement places; in the bureaus of investigation and +control and the appointment of officers of inspection to secure +better sanitary and moral conditions; in the board of arbitration +for the settlement of political and labor difficulties; and in +the almost innumerable committees and bills, national, State and +local, to secure higher social welfare for all classes, +especially for the weaker and more ignorant. Government can never +again shrink and harden into a mere mechanism of military and +penal control.</p> + +<p>It is, moreover, increasingly apparent that for these wider and +more delicate functions a higher order of electorate, ethically +as well as intellectually advanced, is necessary. Democracy can +succeed only by securing for its public service, through the rule +of the majority, the best leadership and administration the State +affords. Only a wise electorate will know how to select such +leadership, and only a highly moral one will authoritatively +choose such....</p> + +<p>When the State took the place of family bonds and tribal +relationships, and the social consciousness was born and began +its long travel toward the doctrine of "equality of human rights" +in government and the principle of human brotherhood in social +organization, man, as the family and tribal organizer and ruler, +of course took command of the march. It was inevitable, natural +and beneficent so long as the State concerned itself with only +the most external and mechanical of social interests. The +instant, however, the State took upon itself any form of +educative, charitable or personally helpful work, it entered the +area of distinctive feminine training and power, and therefore +became in need of the service of woman. Wherever the State +touches the personal life of the infant, the child, the youth, or +the aged, helpless, defective in mind, body or moral<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span> nature, +there the State enters "woman's peculiar sphere," her sphere of +motherly succor and training, her sphere of sympathetic and +self-sacrificing ministration to individual lives. If the service +of women is not won to such governmental action (not only through +"influence or the shaping of public opinion," but through +definite and authoritative exercise), the mother-office of the +State, now so widely adopted, will be too often planned and +administered as though it were an external, mechanical and +abstract function, instead of the personal, organic and practical +service which all right helping of individuals must be.</p> + +<p>In so far as motherhood has given to women a distinctive ethical +development, it is that of sympathetic personal insight +respecting the needs of the weak and helpless, and of +quick-witted, flexible adjustment of means to ends in the +physical, mental and moral training of the undeveloped. And thus +far has motherhood fitted women to give a service to the modern +State which men can not altogether duplicate....</p> + +<p>Whatever problems might have been involved in the question of +woman's place in the State when government was purely military, +legal and punitive have long since been antedated. Whatever +problems might have inhered in that question when women were +personally subject to their families or their husbands are +well-nigh outgrown in all civilized countries, and entirely so in +the most advanced. Woman's nonentity in the political department +of the State is now an anachronism and inconsistent with the +prevailing tendencies of social growth....</p> + +<p>The earth is ready, the time is ripe, for the authoritative +expression of the feminine as well as the masculine +interpretation of that common social consciousness which is +slowly writing justice in the State and fraternity in the social +order.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Laura Clay (Ky.) illustrated the Fitness of Women to Become +Citizens from the Standpoint of Physical Development.</p> + +<blockquote><p>Among the objections brought against the extension of suffrage to +women, that of their physical unfitness to perform military +duties is the most plausible, because in the popular mind there +is an idea that the right of casting a ballot is in its final +analysis dependent upon the ability to defend it with a +bullet....</p> + +<p>It is by no means self-evident that women are naturally unfitted +for fighting or are unwarlike in disposition. The traditions of +Amazons and the conduct of savage women give room to believe that +the instinct for war was primitively very much the same in both +sexes. Though the earliest division of labor among savages known +to us is that of assigning war and the chase to men, yet we have +no reason to believe that this was done by way of privilege to +women; but in the struggle for tribal supremacy that tribe must +have ultimately survived and succeeded best which exposed its +women the least. Polygamy, universal among primitive races, could +in a degree sustain population against the ravages among men of +continual<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span> warfare, but any large destruction of women must +extinguish a tribe that suffered it. So those tribes which +earliest engrafted among their customs the exclusion of women +from war were the ones that finally survived....</p> + +<p>Military genius among women has appeared in all ages and people, +as in Deborah, Zenobia, Joan of Arc and our own Anna Ella +Carroll. The prowess of women has often been conspicuous in +besieged cities. Our early history of Indian warfare recounts +many of their valiant deeds. It is well known that in the late +war many women on both sides eluded the vigilance of recruiting +officers, enlisted and fought bravely. Who knows how many of such +women there might have been if their enlistment had been desired +and stimulated by beat of drum and blare of trumpet and "all the +pomp and circumstance of glorious war?" But no State can afford +to accept military service from its women, for while a nation may +live for ages without soldiers, it could exist but for a span +without mothers. Since woman's exemption from war is not an +un-bought privilege, it is evident that in justice men have no +superior rights as citizens on that account.</p> + +<p>It is an equally fallacious idea that sound expediency demands +that every ballot shall be defended by a bullet. The theory of +representative government does not admit of any connection +between military service and the right and duty of suffrage, even +among men. It is trite to point out that the age required for +military service begins at eighteen years, when a man is too +young to vote, and ends at forty-five years, when he is usually +in the prime of his usefulness as a citizen. Some very slight +physical defects will incapacitate a man under the usual +recruiting rules. Many lawyers, judges, physicians, ministers, +merchants, editors, authors, legislators and Congressmen are +exempt on the ground of physical incapacity. A citizen's ability +to help govern by voting is in no manner proportioned to ability +to bear arms....</p> + +<p>In the finest conception of government not only is there room for +women to take part, but it can not be realized without help from +them. Men alone possess only a half of human wisdom; women +possess the other half of it, and a half that must always be +somewhat different from men's, because women must always see from +a somewhat different point of view. The wisdom of men must be +supplemented by that of women to discover the whole of +governmental truth. Women's help is equally indispensable in +persuading society to love and obey law. This help is very +largely given now, or civilization as we know it would be +impossible. But the best interests of society demand that women's +present indirect and half-conscious influence shall be +strengthened by the right of suffrage, so that their sense of +duty to government may be stimulated by a clear perception of the +connection which exists between power and responsibility.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Harriot Stanton Blatch (Eng.) treated of Woman as an Economic +Factor.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>It is often urged that women stand greatly in need of training in +citizenship before being finally received into the body +politic.... As a matter of fact women are the first class who +have asked the right of citizenship after their ability for +political life has been proved. I have seen in my time two +enormous extensions of the suffrage to men—one in America and +one in England. But neither the negroes in the South nor the +agricultural laborers in Great Britain had shown before they got +the ballot any capacity for government; for they had never had +the opportunity to take the first steps in political action. Very +different has been the history of the march of women toward a +recognized position in the State. We have had to prove our +ability at each stage of progress, and have gained nothing +without having satisfied a test of capacity....</p> + +<p>The public demand for "proved worth" suggests what appears to me +the chief and most convincing argument upon which our future +claims must rest—the growing recognition of the economic value +of the work of women.... There has been a marked change in the +estimate of our position as wealth producers. We have never been +"supported" by men; for if all men labored hard every hour of the +twenty-four, they could not do all the work of the world. A few +worthless women there are, but even they are not so much +supported by the men of their family as by the overwork of the +"sweated" women at the other end of the social ladder. From +creation's dawn our sex has done its full share of the world's +work; sometimes we have been paid for it, but oftener not.</p> + +<p>Unpaid work never commands respect; it is the paid worker who has +brought to the public mind conviction of woman's worth. The +spinning and weaving done by our great-grandmothers in their own +homes was not reckoned as national wealth until the work was +carried to the factory and organized there; and the women who +followed their work were paid according to its commercial value. +It is the women of the industrial class, the wage-earners, +reckoned by the hundreds of thousands, and not by units, the +women whose work has been submitted to a money test, who have +been the means of bringing about the altered attitude of public +opinion toward woman's work in every sphere of life.</p> + +<p>If we would recognize the democratic side of our cause, and make +an organized appeal to industrial women on the ground of their +need of citizenship, and to the nation on the ground of its need +that all wealth producers should form part of its body politic, +the close of the century might witness the building up of a true +republic in the United States.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Florence Kelley, State Factory Inspector of Illinois, showed the +Working Woman's Need of the Ballot.</p> + +<blockquote><p>No one needs all the powers of the fullest citizenship more +urgently than the wage-earning woman, and from two different +points of view—that of actual money wages and that of her wider +needs as a human being and a member of the community.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span></p> + +<p>The wages paid any body of working people are determined by many +influences, chief among which is the position of the particular +body of workers in question. Thus the printers, by their +intelligence, their powerful organization, their solidarity and +united action, keep up their wages in spite of the invasion of +their domain by new and improved machinery. On the other hand, +the garment-workers, the sweaters' victims, poor, unorganized, +unintelligent, despised, remain forever on the verge of +pauperism, irrespective of their endless toil. If, now, by some +untoward fate the printers should suddenly find themselves +disfranchised, placed in a position in which their members were +politically inferior to the members of other trades, no effort of +their own short of complete enfranchisement could restore to them +that prestige, that good standing in the esteem of their +fellow-craftsmen and the public at large which they now enjoy, +and which contributes materially in support of their demand for +high wages.</p> + +<p>In the garment trades, on the other hand, the presence of a body +of the disfranchised, of the weak and young, undoubtedly +contributes to the economic weakness of these trades. Custom, +habit, tradition, the regard of the public, both employing and +employed, for the people who do certain kinds of labor, +contribute to determine the price of that labor, and no +disfranchised class of workers can permanently hold its own in +competition with enfranchised rivals. But this works both ways. +It is fatal for any body of workers to have forever hanging from +the fringes of its skirts other bodies on a level just below its +own; for that means continual pressure downward, additional +difficulty to be overcome in the struggle to maintain reasonable +rates of wages. Hence, within the space of two generations there +has been a complete revolution in the attitude of the +trades-unions toward the women working in their trades. Whereas +forty years ago women might have knocked in vain at the doors of +the most enlightened trade-union, to-day the Federation of Labor +keeps in the field paid organizers whose duty it is to enlist in +the unions as many women as possible. The workingmen have +perceived that women are in the field of industry to stay; and +they see, too, that there can not be two standards of work and +wages for any trade without constant menace to the higher +standard. Hence their effort to place the women upon the same +industrial level with themselves in order that all may pull +together in the effort to maintain reasonable conditions of life.</p> + +<p>But this same menace holds with regard to the vote. The lack of +the ballot places the wage-earning woman upon a level of +irresponsibility compared with her enfranchised fellow +workingman. By impairing her standing in the community the +general rating of her value as a human being, and consequently as +a worker, is lowered. In order to be rated as good as a good man +in the field of her earnings, she must show herself better than +he. She must be more steady, or more trustworthy, or more +skilled, or more cheap in order to have the same chance of +employment. Thus, while women are accused of lowering wages, +might they not justly reply<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span> that it is only by conceding +something from the pay which they would gladly claim, that they +can hold their own in the market, so long as they labor under the +disadvantage of disfranchisement?...</p> + +<p>Finally, the very fact that women now form about one-fifth of the +employes in manufacture and commerce in this country has opened a +vast field of industrial legislation directly affecting women as +wage-earners. The courts in some of the States, notably in +Illinois, are taking the position that women can not be treated +as a class apart and legislated for by themselves, as has been +done in the factory laws of England and on the continent of +Europe, but must abide by that universal freedom of contract +which characterizes labor in the United States. This renders the +situation of the working woman absolutely anomalous. On the one +hand, she is cut off from the protection awarded to her sisters +abroad; on the other, she has no such power to defend her +interests at the polls, as is the heritage of her brothers at +home. This position is untenable, and there can be no pause in +the agitation for full political power and responsibility until +these are granted to all the women of the nation.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Mariana W. Chapman (N. Y.) spoke from the standpoint of Women as +Capitalists and Taxpayers.</p> + +<blockquote><p>The first impulse toward the organization of women to protect +their own rights came from the injustice of laws toward married +women, and in 1848 it manifested itself in the first Woman's +Rights Convention in Seneca Falls. Slowly the leaven spread. +There was agitation in one State after the other about the +property rights of women.... Now in many States married as well +as single women are proprietors of business enterprises upon the +same basis as men, and are interested as capitalists and +tax-payers in every law which affects the country industrially or +financially.</p> + +<p>In 1894 a careful copy was made of the women taxpayers of +Brooklyn. Names with initials were not placed on the list, so +that the total was probably under rather than over estimated. +This showed 22.03 or nearly one-fourth of all the assessable +realty in the names of women, amounting to $110,000,000, besides +many large estates in which they were interested. In 1896 the +assessed value of real estate in the State of New York was +$4,506,985,694, which, if estimated in the same ratio, would give +taxable property owned by women to the extent of $1,124,221,423.</p> + +<p>They are agriculturally interested, inasmuch as they are +frequently owners of large tracts of land in the West as well as +of smaller farms in our Eastern States. What shall we say to a +Government that gives land in severalty to the Indian, supplies +him with tools and rations, puts a ballot in his hand, and then +says to the American woman who purchases the same right to land, +"You shall not have the political privileges of American +citizenship?" Under the laws of our country every stock company +is obliged to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span> give men and women shareholders a vote upon the +same basis, and one fails to see why a government, which +professedly exists to maintain the rights of the people, should +practice in its own dealing such flaunting injustice....</p> + +<p>Women help to support every public institution in the State and +should have representation upon every board, and in the laws +which control them. They help to pay the army pensions and should +be allowed to help in deciding how much shall be paid. They help +to pay for standing armies and for navies and they have the +larger part in the nurture and training of every man who is in +army or navy, and this is not the smaller part of the tax, since +it is at times the matter of a life for a life. Women pay their +part of the taxes to support our public schools and have intense +interests in their well-doing. Twenty-six States have recognized +this fact and have given to women some kind of School Suffrage, +one has granted Municipal Suffrage and four Full Political +Equality; but this is only a fraction of the justice which +belongs to a government founded by statesmen whose watchword was, +"No taxation without representation."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Elizabeth Burrill Curtis (N. Y.) answered the question, Are Women +Represented in our Government?</p> + +<blockquote><p>"Taxation without representation is tyranny" was one of the +slogans of liberty in this country one hundred and twenty years +ago. Have we outlived this principle? If not, why is it supposed +to have no application to women?</p> + +<p>That a century ago the latter were not thought of as having any +rights under this motto is not surprising. So few women then held +property in their own name that the injustice done them was not +so apparent. But the situation is changed now, and the right of +women to be considered as individuals is everywhere acknowledged +save in this one particular. Even those who feel that the +granting of universal male suffrage was a mistake, and that the +right to self-government should be proved by some test, +educational or otherwise—even those do not assert that it would +be anything but gross injustice to tax men without allowing them +a voice in the disposal of their money....</p> + +<p>But there is still another side to the question. It is not only +that the disfranchised women are unfairly treated, but the public +good inevitably suffers from the political nonexistence of half +the citizens of the republic. Either women are interested in +politics or they are not. If the former, the country is +distinctly injured, for nothing is more fatal to good government +than the intermeddling of a large body of people who have never +studied the questions at issue and whose only interest is a +personal one. If, on the other hand, women are not interested in +politics, what is the condition of that country, half of whose +citizens do not care whether it be well or ill governed? That +women influence men is never denied, even by the most strenuous +opponents of woman suffrage. It is, on the contrary, most<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span> +violently asserted by those very people; but of what value is +that interest if woman is utterly ignorant of one of the most +important duties of a man's life?...</p> + +<p>On one hand the public good demands that no class of citizens be +arbitrarily prevented from serving the commonweal; and on the +other hand thinking and patriotic women are crying against the +injustice which forbids them to prove their fitness for +self-government. What shall be the result of this double demand?</p></blockquote> + +<p>Woman Suffrage and the Home was the topic of Henry B. Blackwell +(Mass.).</p> + +<blockquote><p>One of the objections to extending suffrage to women is a fear +that its exercise will divert their attention from domestic +pursuits, and diminish their devotion to husband, children and +home. We believe, on the contrary, that it will increase domestic +happiness by giving women greater self-respect and greater +respect and consideration from men.</p> + +<p>People who make this objection seem to regard the conjugal and +maternal instincts as artificial, as the result of education and +circumstances, losing sight of the fact that these qualities are +innate in the feminine soul. Mental cultivation and larger views +of life do not tend to make women less womanly any more than they +tend to make men less manly. No one imagines that business or +politics diminishes or destroys the conjugal and paternal +instinct in men. We do not look for dull or idle or indolent men +as husbands for our daughters. Ignorant, narrow-minded men do not +make the best husbands and fathers. Ignorant, narrow-minded women +do not make the best wives and mothers. Mental discipline and +intelligent responsibility add strength to the conjugal and +parental sentiment alike in men and women....</p> + +<p>But fortunately this is no longer a question of theory. We appeal +to the experience of the four States which have extended equal +suffrage to women. Wyoming has had complete woman suffrage since +1869. For twenty-nine years, as a Territory and a State, women +have voted there in larger ratio than men. Supreme Judge J. W. +Kingman many years ago testified that the actual proportion of +men voting had increased to 80 per cent., but that 90 per cent. +of the women went to the polls. And now, after a generation of +continuous voting, the percentage of divorces in Wyoming is +smaller than in the surrounding States where women do not vote, +and while the percentage in the latter is rapidly increasing, in +Wyoming it is steadily diminishing. Where women have once voted +the right has never been taken away by the people. In Utah women +voted for seventeen years while it was a Territory, until +Congress abolished it for political reasons. But when Utah was +about to be admitted to statehood the men in framing their +constitution restored the suffrage to women. Would they have done +so if it had proved injurious to their homes? Impossible! You +have eight Senators and seven Representatives in Congress from +the four States where<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span> women have the full franchise. Ask them if +it has demoralized their homes or the homes of their +fellow-citizens, and your fears, if you have any, will be forever +set at rest....</p> + +<p>Believe me, gentlemen, it is not patriotism, it is not a passion +for justice, it is not loyalty to sister women, it is not a +desire to better her country, which will make a woman neglect her +husband. Society women, superficial, selfish, silly women, the +butterflies of the ballroom, the seekers for every new sensation, +the worldly-minded aspirants for social position, these are the +women who neglect their homes; and not the brave, earnest, +serious-minded, generous, unselfish women who ask for the ballot +in order by its use to make the world better. In the twentieth +century, already dawning, we shall have a republican family in a +republican nation, a true democracy, a government of the people, +by the people and for the people, men and women co-operating +harmoniously on terms of absolute equality in the home and in the +State.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The Senate Hearing closed with the paper of Mrs. Elizabeth Cady +Stanton on the Significance and History of the Ballot, which was in +part as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The recent bills on Immigration, by Senators Lodge of +Massachusetts and Kyle of South Dakota, indirectly affect the +interests of woman. Their proposition to demand a reading and +writing qualification on landing strikes me as arbitrary and +equally detrimental to our mutual interests. The danger is not in +their landing and living in this country, but in their speedy +appearance at the ballot-box and there becoming an impoverished +and ignorant balance of power in the hands of wily politicians. +While we should not allow our country to be a dumping ground for +the refuse population of the Old World, still we should welcome +all hardy, common-sense laborers here, as we have plenty of room +and work for them. Here they can improve their own condition and +our surroundings, developing our immense resources and the +commerce of the country. The one demand I would make in regard to +this class is that they should not become a part of our ruling +power until they can read and write the English language +intelligently and understand the principles of republican +government. This is the only restrictive legislation we need to +protect ourselves against foreign domination. To this end the +Congress should enact a law for "educated suffrage" for our +native-born as well as foreign rulers.</p> + +<p>With free schools and compulsory education, no one has an excuse +for not understanding the language of the country. As women are +governed by a "male aristocracy," they are doubly interested in +having their rulers able at least to read and write. See with +what care in the Old World the prospective heirs to the throne +are educated. There was a time when the members of the British +Parliament could neither read nor write, but these +accomplishments are now required of the Lords and Commons, and +even of the King and Queen, while we have rulers, native and +foreign, who do not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span> understand the letters of the alphabet; and +this in a republic supposed to be based on intelligence of the +people!</p> + +<p>Much as we need this measure for the stability of our Government, +we need it still more for the best interests of women. This +ignorant vote is solid against woman's emancipation. In States +where amendments to their constitutions are proposed for the +enfranchisement of women, this vote has been in every case +against them. We should ask for national protection against this +hostile force playing football with the most sacred rights of +one-half of the people.... In all national conflicts it is ever +deemed the most grievous accident of war for the conquered people +to find themselves under a foreign yoke, yet this is the position +of the women of this republic to-day. Foreigners are our judges +and jurors, our legislators and municipal officials, and decide +all questions of interest to us, even to the discipline in our +schools, charitable institutions and prisons. Woman has no voice +as to the education of her children or the environments of the +unhappy wards of the State. The love and sympathy of the +mother-soul have but an evanescent influence in all departments +of human interest until coined into law by the hand that holds +the ballot. Then only do they become a direct and effective power +in the Government....</p> + +<p>The popular objection to woman suffrage is that it would "double +the ignorant vote." The patent answer to this is, "Abolish the +ignorant vote." Our legislators have this power in their own +hands. There have been serious restrictions in the past for men. +We are willing to abide by the same for women, provided the +insurmountable qualification of sex be forever removed. Some of +the opponents talk as if educated suffrage would be invidious to +the best interests of the laboring masses, whereas it would be +most beneficial in its ultimate influence.... Surely when we +compel all classes to learn to read and write and thus open to +themselves the door to knowledge, not by force, but by the +promise of a privilege which all intelligent citizens enjoy, we +are benefactors and not tyrants. To stimulate them to climb the +first rounds of the ladder that they may reach the divine heights +where they shall be as gods, knowing good and evil, by +withholding the citizen's right to vote for a few years is a +blessing to them as well as to the State.</p> + +<p>We must inspire our people with a new sense of their sacred +duties as citizens of a republic, and place new guards around our +ballot-box. Walking in Paris one day I was greatly impressed with +an emblematic statue in the square Chateau d'Eau, placed there in +1883 in honor of the republic. On one side is a magnificent +bronze lion with his fore paw on the electoral urn, which answers +to our ballot-box, as if to guard it from all unholy uses.... As +I turned away I thought of the American republic and our +ballot-box with no guardian or sacred reverence for its contents. +Ignorance, poverty and vice have full access; thousands from +every incoming steamer go practically from the steerage to the +polls, while educated women, representing the virtue and +intelligence of the nation, are driven away. I would like to see +a monument to "educated suffrage"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span> in front of our national +Capitol, guarded by the goddess Minerva, her right hand resting +on the ballot-box, her left hand on the spelling book, the +Declaration of Rights and the Federal Constitution. It would be +well for us to ponder the Frenchman's idea, but instead of the +royal lion, representing force to guard the sacred urn, let us +substitute wisdom and virtue in the form of Woman.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The Washington <i>Star</i> said of the hearing before the House Judiciary +Committee:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The members paid a tribute to the devotion of the woman +suffragists, and at the same time showed appreciation of it by +nearly all being in attendance at the hearing this morning. It is +seldom that more than a quorum of any committee can be induced to +attend a hearing of any sort. To-day fifteen out of seventeen +members were present and manifested a deep interest in the +remarks submitted by the women. The character of the assemblage +was one to inspire respect, and the force and intelligence of +what was said warranted the attention and interest shown. The +people who not many years ago thought that every woman suffragist +was a masculine creature who "wanted to wear the pants" would +have been greatly embarrassed in their theories had they been +present at the hearing to-day. There was not a mannish-appearing +woman among the number. It was such an assemblage as may be seen +at a popular church on Sunday, or at a fashionable afternoon +reception. In fact there was not anywhere such an affectation of +masculinity as is common among the society women of the period. +Each year there have appeared more young women at these hearings, +and the average of youth seemed greater to-day than ever before. +Fashionably attired and in good taste, representative of the +highest grade of American womanhood, the fifty or sixty women +present inspired respect for their opinions without destroying +the sentiment of gallantry which men generally feel that they +must extend towards women.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The speakers before this committee<a name="FNanchor_115_115" id="FNanchor_115_115"></a><a href="#Footnote_115_115" class="fnanchor">[115]</a> presented The Practical +Working of Woman Suffrage. Miss Anthony introduced them. Limited +Suffrage in the United States was discussed by Prof. Ellen H. E. Price +of Swarthmore College, Penn., whose address was rendered especially +valuable by a carefully compiled table of statistics showing the +amount of suffrage possessed by women in every State and Territory. +Municipal Suffrage in Kansas was described by J. W. Gleed; Woman +Suffrage in Wyoming by ex-U. S. Senator Joseph M. Carey; Woman +Suffrage in Colorado by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span> the Hon. Martha A. B. Conine, member of its +State Legislature; Woman Suffrage in Idaho by Wm. Balderston, editor +of the Boisé <i>Statesman</i>; Woman Suffrage in Foreign Countries by Miss +Helen Blackburn, editor <i>The Englishwomen's Review</i>.<a name="FNanchor_116_116" id="FNanchor_116_116"></a><a href="#Footnote_116_116" class="fnanchor">[116]</a> Woman +Suffrage in Utah was depicted by State Senator Martha Hughes Cannon:</p> + +<blockquote><p>....The history of the struggle in Utah for equal rights is full +of interest and could be recounted with advantage. But, after +all, the results which have been attained speak with such +unerring logic, and vindicate so thoroughly the argument that +woman should take part in the affairs of government which so +vitally affect her, that I point to the actual conditions now +existing as a complete vindication of the efforts of equal +suffragists, and as the most cogent of all reasons why woman +should have the right to aid in nominating and electing our +public officers.</p> + +<p>I can say, in all sincerity, that there is a strong and +cumulative evidence that even those who opposed equal suffrage +with the greatest ability and vehemence would not now vote for +the repeal of the measure. The practical working of the law +demonstrates its wisdom and verifies the claims which were +advanced by its ardent advocates. It has proved to the world that +woman is not only a helpmeet by the fireside, but when allowed to +do so she can become a most powerful factor in the affairs of the +Government.</p> + +<p>None of the unpleasant results which were predicted have +occurred. The contentions in families, the tarnishment of woman's +charm, the destruction of ideals, have all been proved to be but +the ghosts of unfounded prejudices. "The divinity which doth +hedge woman about like subtle perfume" has not been displaced. +Women have quietly assumed the added power which always was +theirs by right, and with the grace and ready adaptation to +circumstances peculiar to the women of America, they have so +conducted themselves that they have gained admiration and respect +while losing none of their old-time prestige.</p> + +<p>Before suffrage was granted to women they had ideas upon public +questions. Suffrage has given them opportunity for practical +expression of these views. They pay more attention to political +affairs. They studied political economy more earnestly. They +familiarize themselves with public questions, and their mistakes, +if they have made any, have not thus far been brought to light.</p> + +<p>Women have acted as delegates to county and State conventions, +and represented Utah in the national convention of one of the +great political parties, held in Chicago in 1896. They have acted +upon political committees and have taken part in political +management, and, instead of being dragged down, as was most +feared, their enfranchisement has tended to elevate them. Under +our system of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span> the Australian ballot, they have found that the +contaminating influence of which they had been told was but a +bugbear, born of fright, produced by shadows. They learned that +to deposit their vote did not subject them to anything like the +annoyance which they often experienced from crowds on "bargain +days," while their presence drove from the polls the ward workers +who had been so obnoxious in the past.</p> + +<p>Through the courtesy of the Governor and the approval of the +Senate they have been given places upon various State boards, and +in the last Legislature, in both the Senate and the House, they +represented the two most populous and wealthy counties of Utah. +The bills introduced by women received due consideration, and a +majority were enacted into laws. Whatever they have been required +to do they have done to the full satisfaction of their +constituents, and they have proved most careful and painstaking +public officers.</p> + +<p>No one in Utah will dispute the statements I have made. To the +people of that young commonwealth, destined by its manifold +resources and the intelligence of its men and women to become the +Empire State of the Rocky Mountains, I refer you, in the fullest +confidence that, with scarcely a dissenting voice, they will say +that woman suffrage is no longer an experiment, but is a +practical reality, tending to the well-being of the State.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Alice Stone Blackwell, national recording secretary, took for a +subject The Indifference of Women:</p> + +<blockquote><p>It is often said that the chief obstacle to equal suffrage is the +indifference and opposition of women, and that whenever the +majority ask for the ballot they will get it. But it is a simple +historical fact that every improvement thus far made in their +condition has been secured, not by a general demand from the +majority, but by the arguments, entreaties and "continual coming" +of a persistent few. In each case the advocates of progress have +had to contend not merely with the conservatism of men, but with +the indifference of women, and often with active opposition from +some of them.</p> + +<p>When a man in Saco, Me., first employed a saleswoman the men +boycotted his store, and the women remonstrated with him on the +sin of which he was guilty in placing a young woman in a position +of such publicity. When Lucy Stone tried to secure for married +women the right to their own property, they asked with scorn, "Do +you think I would give myself where I would not give my +property?" When Elizabeth Blackwell began to study medicine, the +women at her boarding house refused to speak to her, and those +passing her on the streets would hold their skirts aside so as +not to touch her. It is a matter of history with what ridicule +and opposition Mary Lyon's first efforts for the education of +women were received, not only by the mass of men, but by the mass +of women as well. In England when the Oxford examinations were +thrown open to women, the Dean of Chichester preached a sermon +against it, in which he said: "By the sex at large, certainly, +the new curriculum<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span> is not asked for. I have ascertained, by +extended inquiry among gentlewomen, that, with true feminine +instinct, they either entirely distrust or else look with +downright disfavor on so wild an innovation and interference with +the best traditions of their sex." Pundita Ramabai tells us that +the idea of education for girls is so unpopular with the majority +of Hindoo women that when a progressive Hindoo proposes to +educate his little daughter it is not uncommon for the women of +his family to threaten to drown themselves.</p> + +<p>All this merely shows that human nature is conservative, and that +it is fully as conservative in women as in men. The persons who +take a strong interest in any reform are always comparatively +few, whether among men or women, and they are habitually regarded +with disfavor, even by those whom the proposed reform is to +benefit. Thomas Hughes says, in School Days at Rugby: "So it is, +and must be always, my dear boys. If the Angel Gabriel were to +come down from heaven and head a successful rise against the most +abominable and unrighteous vested interest which this poor old +world groans under, he would most certainly lose his character +for many years, probably for centuries, not only with the +upholders of the said vested interest, but with the respectable +mass of the people whom he had delivered."</p> + +<p>Many changes for the better have been made during the last half +century in the laws, written and unwritten, relating to women. +Everybody approves of these changes now, because they have become +accomplished facts. But not one of them would have been made to +this day if it had been necessary to wait until the majority of +women asked for it. The change now under discussion is to be +judged on its merits. In the light of history the indifference of +most women and the opposition of a few must be taken as a matter +of course. It has no more rational significance than it has had +in regard to each previous step of woman's progress.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Anthony closed with an impassioned argument which profoundly +moved both the committee and the audience. The chairman said that in +all the years there had never been so dignified, logical and perfectly +managed a hearing before the Judiciary, and several of its members +corroborated this statement and assured the ladies present of a full +belief in the justice of their cause. Yet neither the Senate nor the +House Committee made any report or paid the slightest heed to these +earnest and eloquent appeals.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_112_112" id="Footnote_112_112"></a><a href="#FNanchor_112_112"><span class="label">[112]</span></a> The Sunday afternoon preceding the convention religious +services were held in the theatre, which was crowded. The sermon was +given by the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, from the text, "One shall chase a +thousand and two put ten thousand to flight."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_113_113" id="Footnote_113_113"></a><a href="#FNanchor_113_113"><span class="label">[113]</span></a> A most interesting account of that historic occasion +may be found in the <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_67">History of Woman Suffrage, Vol. I, p. 67</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_114_114" id="Footnote_114_114"></a><a href="#FNanchor_114_114"><span class="label">[114]</span></a> Federal Suffrage is considered in <a href="#CHAPTER_I">Chapter I</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_115_115" id="Footnote_115_115"></a><a href="#FNanchor_115_115"><span class="label">[115]</span></a> David B. Henderson, Ia.; George W. Ray, N. Y.; Case +Broderick, Kan.; Thomas Updegraff, Ia.; James A. Connolly, Ill.; +Samuel W. McCall, Mass.; John J. Jenkins, Wis.; Riehard Wayne Parker, +N. J.; Jesse R. Overstreet, Ind.; DeAlva S. Alexander, N. Y.; Warren +Miller, W. Va.; William L. Terry, Ark.; David A. DeArmond, Mo.; Samuel +W. T. Lanham, Tex.; William Elliott, S. C.; Oscar W. Underwood, Ala.; +David H. Smith, Ky.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_116_116" id="Footnote_116_116"></a><a href="#FNanchor_116_116"><span class="label">[116]</span></a> The main facts brought out in all these addresses are +fully included in the various State chapters in this volume.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + +<h3>THE NATIONAL-AMERICAN CONVENTION OF 1899.</h3> + + +<p>A departure was made by the suffrage association in 1899 in having its +convention in the late spring instead of the winter, the Thirty-first +annual meeting being held in Grand Rapids, Mich., April 27-May 3. It +was thought by many that this was an unfavorable season, as the +audiences were not so large as usual, but in all other respects it was +one of the most delightful of these many gatherings. The meetings were +held in the handsome St. Cecilia Club House, whose auditorium seats +1,200, and the official report, usually confined to bare details, +contains the following account:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The music arranged by Mrs. Rathbone Carpenter and her efficient +committee was throughout of the finest character and fully +justified the reputation of Grand Rapids as a musical community. +Mrs. W. D. Giddings, chairman of decorations, worked daily with +different members of her committee in arranging the cut flowers +and decorative plants generously furnished by different florists, +so that the platform was beautiful and fragrant from beginning to +end of the meetings. At the evening sessions the audience was +seated by the help of young lady ushers under the management of +Mrs. Marie Wilson Beasley.</p> + +<p>The Bureau of Information, under the charge of Mrs. H. Margaret +Downs; the Courtesies, chairman, Mrs. Delos A. Blodgett, and the +opening reception on the first evening of the convention, +chairman, Mrs. William Alden Smith, were ably managed. But, with +the exception of the work devolving upon Mrs. Ketcham, the most +constant and trying labor fell to the chairman of entertainment, +Mrs. Allen C. Adsit, who cared for the housing of all the +delegates and also of the Michigan friends in attendance.</p> + +<p>Of the efforts bf Mrs. Emily B. Ketcham the entire convention +bore witness; it went to Grand Rapids upon her invitation, and +upon her work for many months before its opening depended its +success, which was unquestioned. At one of the evening sessions +she was surprised by the presentation of a handsome souvenir of +the occasion containing the signatures of the officers of the +association, the speakers and many of the local workers. At the +close of the first evening the National officers, assisted by +Mrs. Ketcham, Mrs. William Alden Smith, Mrs. Julius Burrows and +several of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span> speakers, received in the beautiful parlor of the +St. Cecilia, thus giving delegates and visitors an opportunity to +meet the people of the city and to exchange social greetings with +each other.</p> + +<p>The Ladies' Literary Club, which also owns its home, kept open +house several afternoons from four to six, the officers receiving +the guests and serving light refreshments. This club also +tendered the freedom of its house for any and all hours of the +day to the delegates. Saturday afternoon the Federation of the +Woman's Christian Temperance Unions of Grand Rapids received the +convention at the Young Woman's Building, where a substantial +supper was served. The Bissell carpet-sweeper factory, president, +Mrs. M. R. Bissell, presented to the delegates one hundred and +fifty specially made small carpet-sweepers, each marked in gilt, +National American Woman Suffrage Association.</p> + +<p>But to the Board of Trade belongs the honor of having outrivaled +all the other kind hosts in the extent of their hospitality. They +presented to the convention its programs, beautifully printed on +extra fine paper and bearing a picture of the St. Cecilia Club +House. The Board also sent carriages to take the entire working +convention for a drive through the city, a visit to one of the +largest furniture warehouses and to the carpet-sweeper factory, +where Mrs. Bissell received the delegates and all were shown +through the works. A handsome souvenir containing many views of +the city was given by the Board to every delegate.</p> + +<p>The ladies of the St. Cecilia were kindness itself, and it was +delightful to hold the meetings in so friendly an atmosphere, as +well as in so well appointed a building. The president, Mrs. +Kelsey, presented to the badge committee St. Cecilia pins having +a reproduction of Carlo Dolci's head of the musical saint after +whom this club is named, the only musical society of women in the +United States which owns a club-house.</p> + +<p>Cordial addresses of welcome were made by Emily B. Ketcham, +president of Susan B. Anthony Club; Mary Atwater Kelsey, +president of St. Cecilia; Josephine Ahnafeldt Goss, president of +Ladies' Literary Club; May Stocking Knaggs, president of State +Equal Suffrage Association; Martha A. Keating, president of State +Federation of Women's Clubs; Mrs. A. S. Benjamin, president of +State Women's Christian Temperance Union; Mary A. McConnelly, +department president of State Woman's Relief Corps; Lucy A. +Leggett, president of State Woman's Press Association, and +Frances E. Burns, Great Commander Ladies of the Maccabees.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Ketcham expressed their pleasure in having Grand Rapids selected +in preference to several larger cities which had extended invitations; +referred to the long distances many of the delegates had come and +assured the convention of a royal welcome, not only from the city but +from the State. Brief extracts must give an idea of the scope and +cordiality of these addresses:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Goss</span>: This has been called the woman's century. The past +centuries might have been called man's, because of the great +progress he has made in them; and it is now conceded that God +made women to match the men. The next will be the children's +century, when they will make real their parents' ideals. After +humanity has been sufficiently educated, people will understand +that no class has a right to special privileges, or can +appropriate them without injury to the body politic. Then a woman +will not demand any special privilege because she is a woman, nor +be denied it because she is not a man. As a result of this +movement, old lessons have been better learned and old burdens +more easily carried. We advocate equal suffrage not alone because +it is just to the mothers, but because it will be good for the +children, good for man, good for all humanity. We are glad to be +a part of this movement for a higher civilization. Grand Rapids +is noted for its furniture factories, and after equal suffrage is +granted it will supply plenty of material for the President's +cabinet.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Knaggs</span>: I welcome you in behalf of the Michigan E. S. A., +representing the women of this State who are especially +interested in woman's enfranchisement. We have looked forward to +the day when you would bring us the inspiration of one of these +great meetings; we needed it. We are told that women are +indifferent. Many are so; and nothing can better arouse us than +to meet those engaged in this work from so many different places.</p> + +<p>An alderman this spring boasted that he had been elected by the +votes of eight nationalities. He enumerated seven of them but for +some time was unable to think of the eighth. At last he +remembered; it was the American. The ballot in the hands of our +present voters might be improved by the intelligence that the +great body of Michigan women would bring to it. We are beginning +to appreciate the solidarity of women. When one State wins +suffrage, all the others are gainers by it. The good of this +meeting will go abroad over the country.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Keating</span>: ....In the happy tone of welcome that you may hear +rising from all parts of our State the club women join, with +voices 9,000 strong. We have never been happier than now, even +during the annual club elections, amid the joy and intelligence +of the club ballot. Your fame has preceded you.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Benjamin</span>: The W. C. T. U. of Michigan numbers about 9,000 +active members, and I bring you the greeting of your white-ribbon +sisters. We welcome not only you but your principles, and your +avowed determination to conquer before you die. A good mother +works in the home, but she would not wish to be forbidden to +cross the threshold. For the good of her child, she needs +sometimes to cross it. A mother should guard her child outside +the home as well as in it. Every mother worthy of the name wishes +to protect her own child from vice, and her duty extends to her +neighbor's child also. Equal suffrage is coming, friends, and +coming soon.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Burns</span>: I bring you the welcome of the 45,000 Ladies of the +Maccabees. Times have greatly changed in Michigan since<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span> seventy +years ago, when the Indian squaws did all the manual labor, and +the braves limited themselves to the noble task of hunting. There +has been a corresponding change in the condition of women all +along the line.</p></blockquote> + +<p>In the response of Miss Susan B. Anthony, the national president, she +said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Since our last convention the area of disfranchisement in the +possessions of the United States has been greatly enlarged. Our +nation has undertaken to furnish provisional governments for +Hawaii and the Philippine Islands, Cuba and Porto Rico. Hitherto +the settlers of new Territories have been permitted to frame +their own provisional governments, which were ratified by +Congress, but to-day Congress itself assumes the prerogative of +making the laws for the newly-acquired Territories. When the +governments for those in the West were organized there had been +no practical example of universal suffrage in any one of the +older States, hence it might be pardonable for their settlers to +ignore the right of the women associated with them to a voice in +their governments.</p> + +<p>But to-day, after fifty years' continuous agitation of the right +of women to vote, and after the demand has been conceded in +one-half the States in the management of the public schools; +after one State has added to that of the schools the management +of its cities; and after four States have granted women the full +vote—the universal reports show that the exercise of the +suffrage by women has added to their influence, increased the +respect of men, and elevated the moral, social and political +conditions of their respective commonwealths. With those +object-lessons before Congress, it would seem that no member +could be so blind as not to see it the duty of that body to have +the provisional governments of our new possessions founded on the +principle of equal rights, privileges and immunities for all the +people, women included. I hope this convention will devise some +plan for securing a strong expression of public sentiment on this +question, to be presented to the Fifty-sixth Congress, which is +to convene on the first Monday of December next....</p> + +<p>During the reconstruction period and the discussion of the +negro's right to vote Senator Blaine and others opposed the +counting of all the negroes in the basis of representation, +instead of the old-time three-fifths, because they saw that to do +so would greatly increase the power of the white men of the South +on the floor of Congress. Therefore the Republican leaders +insisted upon the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to secure +the ballot to the negro men. Only one generation has passed and +yet nearly all of the Southern States have by one device or +another succeeded in excluding from the ballot-box very nearly +the entire negro vote, openly and defiantly declaring their +intention to secure the absolute supremacy of the white race, but +there is not a suggestion on their part of allowing the citizens +to whom they deny the right of suffrage to be counted out from +the basis of representation. Some of the Northern newspapers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span> +have been growing indignant upon the subject, declaring that a +vote in South Carolina counts more than two votes in New York, in +the election of the President and the House of Representatives. +It seems to me that a still greater violation of the principle of +"the consent of the governed" is practiced in all the States of +the Union where women, though disfranchised, are yet counted in +the basis of representation, and I think the time has come when +this association should make a most strenuous demand for an +amendment to the Constitution of the United States forbidding any +State thus to count disfranchised citizens....</p> + +<p>The increased discussion of the enfranchisement of women in the +newspapers throughout the country evidences the larger demand of +the public for information on this line, and a vast amount of +educational work is being done in this way.... The presentation +of the woman question in the New York <i>Sunday Sun</i> each week by +Mrs. Ida Husted Harper, with the articles it has elicited from +the opposition, is of incalculable value; and when we add to the +number of people who read the <i>Sun</i> the vast numbers who read the +copies of these articles made by the many newspapers between the +two oceans, we see what an immense reading audience is gained by +getting our question into that one of the best New York dailies. +We must remember that these papers never would have copied Mrs. +Harper's or any other literary woman's productions had they been +first published in one of our special organs; therefore one very +important branch of press work is to gain access to the +metropolitan dailies. Then there is the immense work done by Mrs. +Elnora M. Babcock for the State of New York, and by the chairmen +of the different State press committees, as well as that done by +our national organizer from the headquarters. Never has the press +of the entire nation been kept so alive with discussions upon the +woman suffrage question as during the past year, and my hope is +that we may yet have upon every one of the great city papers a +strong, educated suffrage woman, as editor of a woman's page or, +better still, as writer of suffrage articles to be inserted +without a special heading which would advertise to the general +reader that they were about women.</p> + +<p>Though we have not obtained the suffrage in any of the States +where we had hoped to do so during the past year, the failures +have been by very small majorities. In South Dakota, where eight +years ago a woman suffrage amendment was lost by a majority of +over 23,000, at the election of 1898 the opposing majority was +reduced to 3,000; while in Washington, where the question was +submitted for the second time, it was lost by a majority less +than one-half as large as that of nine years ago. In California +both Houses of the Legislature passed the School Suffrage Bill, +which the Governor refused to sign, repeating the action of 1894. +The suffrage bills in the Territorial Legislatures of Oklahoma +and Arizona were carried by very fine majorities through both +lower Houses, but were lost in both upper Houses (as will be +stated by our national organizer, who led our suffrage hosts in +each case) through a shameful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span> surrender to the temptation of +bribery from the open and avowed enemies of woman's +enfranchisement, the liquor organizations.</p> + +<p>None of these so-called defeats ought to discourage us in the +slightest degree. Our enemies, the women remonstrants, may +comfort themselves with the thought that the liquor interest has +joined in their efforts, but we surely can solace ourselves with +the fact that the very best men voted in favor of allowing women +to exercise their right to a voice in the conditions of home and +State. So we have nothing to fear but everything to gain by going +forward with renewed faith to agitate and educate the public, +until the vast majority of men and women are thoroughly grounded +in the great principle of political equality....</p> + +<p>I thank you, friends, for your cordial words of welcome. We are +glad to come here. I always feel a certain kinship to Michigan +since the constitutional amendment campaign of 1874, in which I +assisted. I remember that I went across one city on a dray, the +only vehicle I could secure, in order to catch a train. A +newspaper said next day: "That ancient daughter of Methuselah, +Susan B. Anthony, passed through our city last night, with a +bonnet looking as if she had just descended from Noah's Ark." Now +if Susan B. Anthony had represented votes, that young political +editor would not have cared if she were the oldest or youngest +daughter of Methuselah, or whether her bonnet came from the Ark +or from the most fashionable man milliner's.</p> + +<p>There are women's clubs all over the country; did you ever hear +of one organized for other than an uplifting purpose? (Several +voices: "Yes, the Anti-Suffrage Associations!") Well, even the +"antis" wish to keep the world just as it is; they do not aim to +make it worse. Some persons have tried to belittle the resolution +passed by the Colorado Legislature recently, testifying to the +good results of equal suffrage, by declaring that the members +were afraid of the women. I never heard before of a Legislature +that voted solidly in a certain way for fear of women. We have +with us to-day Mrs. Welch, the president of the Colorado Equal +Suffrage Association, of whom it is said that the Legislature was +so afraid. [Miss Anthony led forward Mrs. Welch, a pretty little +woman in a very feminine bonnet, who shrank away slightly from +the compelling hand, and showed shyness in every line of her +figure, as she felt the eyes of the audience' concentrated upon +her.] At the time of the first recognition of women in the early +Granger days, when the farmers used to harness up their horses to +their big wagons and take all their women folks to the meetings, +I used to say that I could tell a Grange woman as far off as I +could see her, because of her air of feeling herself as good as a +man. Now look at this woman from Colorado!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Welch</span>: When I came before the Executive Committee this +morning, and they said they were proud of me as a free woman, I +felt almost ashamed to be a free woman. I thought of all the +tears and sorrows and struggles of Miss Anthony and wondered if +she ever would possess the ballot for which she had done so much, +and I so little.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Miss Anthony</span>: I am glad you have it. We are not working for +ourselves alone; that is one reason why our society does not grow +as fast as some others.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The paper of the Rev. Anna Garlin Spencer (R. I.) was a strong, +philosophical presentation of our Duty to the Women of Our New +Possessions:</p> + +<blockquote><p>....Prof. Otis T. Mason, author of that important book, "Woman's +Share in Primitive Culture," tells us that "the longer one +studies the subject the more he will be convinced that savage +tribes can now be elevated chiefly through their women." Why is +this true? For the reason that the savage is in the stage of +social order through which all civilized nations have passed at +some period—the stage of the mother-rule more or less modified +by partial masculine domination. It is a well-known fact of human +history and prehistoric record that the Matriarchate, or the +mother-rule, preceded the Patriarchate, or the father-rule. "All +the social fabrics of the world are built around women. The first +stable society was a mother and her child." The reason why the +primitive descent of name and property, and the first fixed stake +of home life, was the expression of this maternal relationship is +obvious. Motherhood was demonstrated by nature before fatherhood +was definitely known. Inheritance of name by the female line was +alone possible; and that, as well as the female holding and +transmitting of property, was a family or tribal or clan +relationship, women always retaining rule and wealth not so much +as individuals as custodians of communal life and possessions. +Not only was the mother with the child the first founder of human +society, but the woman in savage life was the first inventor and +originator of all life-sustaining industries....</p> + +<p>When man also began to "settle down"—whether from personal +choice or from social pressure—when he, too, began to learn and +practice the industrial arts heretofore solely in the hands of +women, he began to press his more personal and individualistic +claims of recognition and of property-owning against the family +wealth of which the woman was the custodian.</p> + +<p>As man more and more assumed the burden of the world's industries +outside the home (which before had been woman's care alone), and +as woman became more and more absorbed in purely domestic +concerns, man's individualism assumed greater and greater power +within the family life, and he gradually acquired the despotic +family headship which marked the ancient patriarchal order of +Rome. This was not a social descent, but an immense social +uplift, in the age in which it was natural. Professor Mason says, +and with profound truth, "Matrimony in all ages is an effort to +secure to the child the authenticity of the father." It was +necessary for social growth that offspring should have two +parents instead of one; that the division of labor should be more +equal, and man be fastened to domestic needs by bonds he could +not break, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span> through labors which were peaceful as well as +arduous. For that process his individualism, developed through +ages of free wandering and purely militant life, must be not only +tamed somewhat, but harnessed to the home life.</p> + +<p>To accomplish that mighty social uplift by which offspring +secured two parents instead of one, woman's subjection to man was +paid as the price of the higher form of family unity. Nor was her +subjection to man in the ruder ages of the world wholly an evil +to herself. It has been said that "woman was first the wife of +any, second the wife of many, and third one of many wives." Each +of these steps was an advance in her sexual relationship. All +were stepping-stones to the monogamic union which is the standard +of our civilization, and the realized ideal of all our best and +wisest men and women....</p> + +<p>Bebel says, "Woman was the first human being to taste of +bondage." True, and her bondage has been long and bitter; but the +subjection of woman to man in the family bond was a vast step +upward from the preceding condition. It gave woman release from +the terrible labor-burdens of savage life; it gave her time and +strength to develop beauty of person and refinement of taste and +manners. It gave her the teaching capacity, for it put all the +younger child-life into her exclusive care, with some leisure at +command to devote to its mental and moral, as well as physical, +well-being. It led to a closer relationship between man and woman +than the world had known before, and thus gave each the advantage +of the other's qualities. And always and everywhere the +subjection of woman to man has had a mitigation and softening of +hardships unknown to other forms of slavery, by reason of the +power of human affection as it has worked through sex-attraction. +As soon, however, as the slavery of woman to man was outgrown and +obsolete it became (as was African slavery in a professedly +democratic country like our own) "the sum of all villainies." And +to-day there is no inconsistency so great, and therefore no +condition so hurtful and outrageous, as the subjection of women +to men in a civilization which like ours assumes to rest upon +foundations of justice and equality of human rights....</p> + +<p>To-day these considerations (especially the failure fully to +apply the doctrine of equality of human rights to women, even in +the most advanced centers of modern civilization) have an +especial and most fateful significance in relation to the women +of the more backward races as they are brought into contact with +our modern civilization. I said the peoples with whom we are now +being brought as a nation into vital relationship may be still in +the matriarchate. If they are not, most of them are certainly in +some transition stage from that to the father-rule. Not all +peoples have had to pass through the entire subjection of women +to men which marked our ancestral advance. The more persistent +tribal relationship and collective family life have sometimes +softened the process of social growth which was so harsh for +women under the old Roman law and the later English common law. +It may be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span> that the dusky races of Africa and of the islands of +the sea, as well as our Aryan cousins of India, may pass more +easily through the stages of attachment of man's responsibility +to the family life than we, with our tough fiber of character, +were able to do. If so, in the name of justice they should have +the chance!</p> + +<p>But if we, who have not yet "writ large" in law and political +rights that respect for woman which all our education, industry, +religion, art, home life and social culture express; if we, who +are still inconsistent and not yet out of the transition stage +from the father-rule to the equal reign of both sexes; if we lay +violent hands upon these backward peoples and give them only our +law and our political rights as they relate to women, we shall do +horrible injustice to the savage women, and through them to the +whole process of social growth for their people. When we tried to +divide "in severalty" the lands of the American Indian, we did +violence to all his own sense of justice and co-operative feeling +when we failed to recognize the women of the tribes in the +distribution. We then and there gave the Indian the worst of the +white man's relationship to his wife, and failed utterly, as in +the nature of the case we must have done, to give him the best of +the white man's relation to his wife.</p> + +<p>When in India, as Mrs. Garrett Fawcett has so finely shown, we +introduce the technicalities of the English law of marriage to +bind an unwilling wife to her husband, we give the Hindoo the +slavery of the Anglo-Saxon wife, but we do not give him that +spirit of Anglo-Saxon marriage and home-life which has made that +slavery often scarcely felt, and never an unmixed evil. If, +to-day, in the Hawaiian Islands or in Cuba we fail to recognize +the native women, who still hold something of the primitive +prestige of womanhood, fail to recognize them as entitled to a +translation, under new laws and conditions, of the old dignity of +position, we shall not only do them an injustice, but we shall +forcibly give the Hawaiian and Cuban men lessons in the wrong +side and not the right side of our domestic relations. Above all, +if in the Philippines we abruptly and with force of arms +establish the authority of the husband over the wife, by +recognizing men only as property-owners, as signers of treaties, +as industrial rulers and as domestic law-givers, we shall +introduce every outrage and injustice of women's subjection to +men, without giving these people one iota of the sense of family +responsibility, of protection of and respect for woman, and of +deep and self-sacrificing devotion to childhood's needs, which +mark the Anglo-Saxon man.</p> + +<p>In a word, if we introduce one particle of our belated and +illogical political and legal subjection of women to men into any +savage or half-civilized community, we shall spoil the domestic +virtues that community already possesses, and we shall not +(because we can not so abruptly and violently) inoculate them +with the virtues of civilized domestic life. Nature will not be +cheated. We can not escape, nor can we roughly and swiftly help +others to escape, the discipline of ages of natural growth.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span></p> + +<p>This all means that we need another Commission to go to all the +lands in which our flag now claims a new power of oversight and +control—a Commission other than that so recently sent to the +Philippines—to see what may be done to bring order to that +distracted group of islands. We need a Commission which shall +study domestic rather than political conditions, and which shall +look for the undercurrents of social growth rather than the more +showy political movements. We should have on that Commission two +archćologists, a man and a woman, and I can name them—Otis T. +Mason and Alice C. Fletcher....</p></blockquote> + +<p>An earnest discussion followed this paper, in which Mrs. Clara Bewick +Colby (D. C.), Mrs. Helen Philleo Jenkins (Mich.), Henry B. Blackwell +(Mass.), Miss Octavia W. Bates (Mich.), Miss Martha Scott Anderson +(Minn.), and Miss Anthony took part:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Jenkins</span>: ....Whatever power in government may be given to +the men of our new possessions in selecting their rulers, let the +same privilege be accorded the women. It may be said that the +women are ignorant, and need yet to be held in subjection—that +they are unfit to have a voice in the new order of things. Let us +not be deceived. Probably the women are no more ignorant and +stupid than the masses of men in these newly acquired +regions—excepting always the few men whom circumstances have +developed. The ignorant mother can guide her child quite as +safely as its ignorant father. Men and women in all nations and +tribes are pretty nearly on a level as to common sense and +forethought for the future good of the family. Indeed, the +interests of the home, protection of the children, and the morals +and behavior of the community make the standard of even +unlettered women one notch higher than that of their ignorant +husbands. Let us of this nation hesitate before we establish a +sex supremacy that it may take long centuries to overcome....</p> + +<p>Thousands of dollars are expended on a military commission; it is +sent to investigate the commercial possibilities, the financial +opportunities, in remote lands; but the army, the commerce, the +finance are not all there is of a nation. There are more vital +interests—there is something which lies at the very base of the +nation, without which it could not exist—the homes, the women +and the children. It is the social conditions that need special +consideration in our country's dealings with these new lands.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Miss Bates</span>: ....In the presence of the events which have +transpired during the past year, and in all the discussions +pertaining to the new peoples who have suddenly become our +protégés, seldom if ever does one hear a word about the women, +who, all will admit, are a most important factor in the +civilization—or the lack of it—which we have taken under our +control.</p> + +<p>We women are here at this time to do our best to awaken the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span> +public conscience to a realizing sense of the state of affairs. +We are the result of what the religion, the education of the +nineteenth century and the liberty which it has granted to women +have made us. We are ready and willing and competent to befriend +our less favored sisters beyond the seas, and to extend to them +the benefits we enjoy, so far as they are able to receive them; +but—the tragedy of it—in a certain sense we are utterly +helpless to reach them and to give them what they, unconsciously +to themselves, so grievously need. There is no place for the +thought of the women of this land in the plans of the nation for +the study of these questions.</p> + +<p>No matter how much our speaker may think and write and publish on +this subject—aye, and women like her—no matter how wise the +conclusions they reach, is it at all likely that their voices +will be listened to in the din and blare and clash of warring +political parties, or respected in legislative halls? Or is it +probable that the advocates of territorial expansion will pause a +moment to ponder on the woman side of that question? We, to-day, +are discussing this subject without even the shadow of a hope of +putting our convictions into practice. Is it any wonder that +women at large are dead to the importance of this matter?...</p> + +<p>I am in favor of pushing the question to the utmost—not that I +have any hope that such a Commission will be appointed, but +because it furnishes a most valuable argument for extending the +suffrage to women: first, in order that, by its possession, they +may have an uncontested, legally-defined right of serving on such +commissions; and, second, because of the opportunity it offers +for proving to the world the necessity of commissions like this +for settling questions and conditions of which women form a +central and integral part. Of course if we possessed the +suffrage, we should have no necessity for a discussion like the +present. Everything we are saying would seem like truisms then, +instead of being contested point by point, as it is to-day....</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mr. Blackwell</span>: ....In those islands are peoples ranging from +absolute savagery to medićval civilization, from fighters with +blow-guns and bows and arrows to fighters with Mauser rifles and +modern artillery. Laws and institutions suited to the needs of +one tribe are unsuited to those of another. Side by side are +Catholicism, Mohammedanism and heathenism. Their amusements vary +from cannibalism to cock-fighting. Their social status ranges +from barbarous promiscuity to Moslem polygamy and thence to +Hindoo monogamy. But everywhere exist masculine domination and +feminine subjection, under varied forms of political despotism, +tempered with Protestant liberalism in the case of Hawaii. To +establish over all these diverse social conditions the rigid +principles of the English common law, which prevail largely in +our jurisprudence, will perpetuate and intensify the tyranny of +husband over wife, of father over offspring.</p> + +<p>We see the consequences already in the British West Indies, where +negro women generally prefer to live outside of legal marriage +because as wives they find themselves subjected to practical<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span> +serfdom. In Jamaica 75 per cent. of the births are illegitimate +for this reason. When I visited Haiti, I was told to my great +surprise that the homes and small farms were usually owned by the +women. Expressing my admiration of this chivalrous recognition of +women's right to the homestead, I was informed that there was no +such sentiment. It was solely because the men were so lazy and +unreliable that the perpetuity of the race was endangered. The +fathers of the children were here to-day and away to-morrow. They +spent their time in loafing, drinking, gambling and plotting +"revolutions." The women, anchored by the love for their +children, lived in the little huts on their small plantations, +raising yams and bananas, and if the men became too drunken and +abusive the women ordered them to leave. Among those people, in a +tropical climate, with land to squat upon, most of the work is +done by the women. Let no one imagine that the so-called +"matriarchate" of early ages was an ideal condition of society. +It was based primarily upon the industrial and moral +irresponsibility of men.</p> + +<p>In our new possessions, side by side with these primitive +conditions, we have great bodies of Chinese and Hindoo coolies, +who represent ancient and fossilized types of civilized society, +patient, economical, industrious, monogamous and exclusive in +their family relations. The trouble is that where Western +civilization interferes with Oriental abuses it does not go far +enough. When in India the British government prohibited the +custom of burning widows on the funeral pyre of their deceased +husbands, widows became the slaves of their husband's relatives, +and were actually believed to be responsible for his death and +were ill treated accordingly. When infanticide was forbidden and +peace maintained, population multiplied until famine became +chronic. The only salvation for the women of our new possessions +lies in a legal recognition of their personal, industrial, social +and political equality. If, as seems too probable, their rights +shall be simply ignored in the reconstruction, women will suffer +all the disabilities of the law, without the practical +alleviations afforded by an enlightened public opinion. Such +women, even more than those of our own States, will need the +ballot as a means of self-protection....</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Miss Anthony</span>: I have been overflowing with wrath ever since the +proposal was made to engraft our half-barbaric form of government +on Hawaii and our other new possessions. I have been studying how +to save, not them, but ourselves from the disgrace. This is the +first time the United States has ever tried to foist upon a new +people the exclusively masculine form of government. Our business +should be to give this people the highest form which has been +attained by us. When our State governments were originally +formed, there was no example of woman suffrage anywhere, but now +we have a great deal of it, and everywhere it has done good. The +principle is constantly spreading....</p> + +<p>We are told it will be of no use for us to ask this measure of +justice—that the ballot be given to the women of our new +possessions upon the same terms as to the men—because we shall +not get it.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span> It is not our business whether we are going to get +it; our business is to make the demand. Suppose during these +fifty years we had asked only for what we thought we could +secure, where should we be now? Ask for the whole loaf and take +what you can get.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Mary L. Doe (Mich.), brought greetings from the American +Federation of Labor. "Woman suffrage would find its most hopeful and +fertile field among the labor organizations," she said; "the +workingmen stood for weak and defenseless women even before they did +for their own rights." From Samuel Gompers, president of the +Federation, she read the following letter:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The American Federation of Labor, at every convention where the +subject has been brought up and discussed, has unfalteringly +declared for equal legal, political and economic rights for +women. At the convention held in Detroit, some thirteen years +ago, a resolution to that effect was unanimously adopted. A +petition to Congress for the submission of a constitutional +amendment enfranchising women was circulated among our various +unions, and within two months it received nearly 300,000 +signatures and indorsements.</p> + +<p>At the Kansas City convention last December, the question of +woman's work was discussed, and the following declaration was +unanimously adopted: "In view of the awful conditions under which +woman is compelled to toil, this, the eighteenth annual +convention of the American Federation of Labor, strongly urges +the more general formation of trade unions of wage-working women, +to the end that they may scientifically and permanently abolish +the terrible evils accompanying their weakened, because +unorganized state; and we emphatically reiterate the trade-union +demand that women receive equal compensation for equal service +performed."</p> + +<p>You will see that there ought to be no question as to the +attitude of the organized labor movement on this subject, +notwithstanding the designing misrepresentations of enemies of +our cause, who seek to place our movement in a false light. Let +me say, too, that the declaration just quoted is not for +compliment merely, for members of many of our organizations have +been involved in long and sacrificing contests in order to secure +to women equal pay for equal work. Please convey fraternal +greetings to our friends who will meet at Grand Rapids.</p></blockquote> + +<p>When Mrs. Loraine Immen came forward with a greeting from the Michigan +Elocutionists' Association, Miss Anthony spoke of the great change +which had taken place in women's voices in the last twenty-five years. +At an early Woman's Rights Convention, when she insisted that they +should speak louder, one of them answered, "We are not here to +screech; we are here to be ladies."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mrs. Lillie Devereux Blake (N. Y.) spoke entertainingly on The Hope of +the Future:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The lessons of the past year have brought home to many of us more +forcibly than any other recent events the injustice and cruelty +of denying to women their proper share in deciding questions for +the public good. We have seen the republic plunged into war in +which women have borne a heavy share of the burdens. It should be +the rule of all nations that no contest of arms should be entered +into without the consent of the women....</p> + +<p>Another significant object lesson grew out of the war. When the +time of election approached, the governmental authorities became +much exercised over the means of providing for the voting of the +soldiers. It is astonishing how much men think of their own right +to vote. Extra sessions of the Legislatures were called to +provide means of meeting this emergency. In this dilemma I +ventured to write to the Governor of my State and suggest that he +recommend the passing of a law empowering each soldier and sailor +to send to some woman at home a proxy permitting her to vote for +him. You can see how simple a plan this would be. Every man would +have a beloved mother, a dear sister or some adored damsel whom +he would be proud to have represent him at the polls, and the +amount of money which this scheme would have saved to the State +is enormous. The counting of the soldiers' votes when at last +they were sent to New York cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. +In one instance, in a certain county where the board of +supervisors had to be called together in two special sessions and +the county officials summoned as if at a regular election, to +count six votes, the amount reached $100 per vote!</p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Frances A. Griffin (Ala.), a new speaker on the national +platform, captured the audience with her rich voice and southern +intonation as she discussed The Effects of Our Teaching:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The thanksgiving of the old Jew, "Lord, I thank Thee that Thou +didst not make me a woman," doubtless came from a careful review +of the situation. Like all of us, he had fortitude enough to bear +his neighbors' afflictions....</p> + +<p>Miss Anthony deals recklessly with years, apportioning them to +her friends as liberally as Napoleon dealt out kingdoms and +duchies to his brothers and other relations. Her example has +strengthened me; you never would have had this next remark but +for Miss Anthony: Thirty-five years ago I read a graduating +essay. I knew I was doing an unwomanly thing, and in order to +preserve what little womanliness I might have left, when I got up +to read it I whispered the whole essay. I've quit that. Since I +made up my mind to be heard, I have been heard.... A great +progress of women has gone on and is going on. Men for the most +part are manageable; women are the converts needed. When women<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span> +have their minds made up to vote, it will be with them as it was +with me about being heard....</p> + +<p>This is a new era for woman. If the larger sphere now open to her +is not a new discovery, it is at least a new testament. The day +will come that people will look back with shame on the time when +brains and virtue were shut away from the ballot-box, if they +belonged to a woman....</p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Anna Caulfield (Mich.) pointed out The Achievements of Woman in +Art. Mrs. May Wright Sewall (Ind.) spoke eloquently on The True +Civilization of the World, saying in part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In the new civilization the sense of personal responsibility is +strong; it respects the child's individuality and also recognizes +the unity of all educational agencies—kindergarten, school, +college and university.</p> + +<p>There is also a new theology, in which individual conscience is +substituted for the dictates of authority, and which +distinguishes between metaphysical doctrine and practical +principle. It seeks the higher unity, all embracing.</p> + +<p>The new political economy recognizes the right of the individual, +and the body politic as composed of units, each one of which must +be respected. Its whole effort is to preserve the rights of +employers and to give equal recognition to the employed; to unify +all those classes that have heretofore been kept divided.</p> + +<p>The new civilization results from all these. The difficulties in +realizing this perfect unit arise from selfishness. We have long +recognized that individual selfishness is a defect, but national +selfishness has been for a long time extolled under the name of +patriotism, and has gone on cleaving great chasms between +different peoples. In the new civilization the individual will +recognize himself at his best in his relation to the whole. The +different professions will recognize that what each contributes +bears but a small ratio to what each receives from the rest. The +different nationalities will recognize their respective dignities +in just the proportion in which the whole must transcend any +part. Then humanity will exceed national feeling and the unity of +the race will exalt the dignity of the individual.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The resolution presented by Mrs. Sewall, member for the United States +of the International Peace Union, rejoicing over the approaching Peace +Conference at The Hague and assuring the commissioners from the United +States of the sympathy of the women of this country, was unanimously +adopted.</p> + +<p>The Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, national vice-president, whose childhood +and early girlhood had been spent in Michigan, closed the Saturday +evening meeting with a tender address on Working Partners, a graphic +description of the pioneer days of this State<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span> and the hardships of +its women, during which she said: "Women have been faithful partners +and have done their full share of the work. A gentleman opposed to +their enfranchisement once said to me, 'Women have never produced +anything of any value to the world.' I told him the chief product of +the women had been the men, and left it to him to decide whether the +product was of any value. Is it said that women must not vote because +they can not bear arms? Why, women's arms have borne all the +arm-bearers of the world. We have no antique art in America, but we +have antique laws. We do not look back to the antiquity of the world, +but to the babyhood of the world. Who would think of calling a +new-born infant antique? Yet laws made in the babyhood of the world +are in this day of its manhood quoted for our guidance. Much has been +said lately about 'the white man's burden', but the white man will +never have a heavier burden to take up than himself."</p> + +<p>Twelve churches offered their pulpits, which were filled by the women +speakers Sunday morning.<a name="FNanchor_117_117" id="FNanchor_117_117"></a><a href="#Footnote_117_117" class="fnanchor">[117]</a> The regular convention services were +held Sunday afternoon in the St. Cecilia building, a large audience +being present. The Rev. Antoinette Brown Blackwell led the devotional +exercises, and the Rev. Florence Kollock Crooker gave the sermon from +the text: "Whether one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; +or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it." Afterwards +Mrs. Sewall spoke on the coming Peace Congress at The Hague and, on +motion of Melvin A. Root, a resolution was adopted that on May 15, the +opening day of the congress, the women of our country assemble in +public and send to it the voice of women in favor of peace.</p> + +<p>A touching letter from Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton was read by Miss +Anthony during the convention, in which she said: "We<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span> seem to be +pariahs alike in the visible and the invisible world, with no foothold +anywhere, though by every principle of government and religion we +should have an equal place on this planet. We do not hold the ignorant +class of men responsible for these outrages against women, but rather +the published opinions of men in high positions, judges, bishops, +presidents of colleges, editors, novelists and poets—all taught by +the common and civil law. It is a sad reflection that the chains of +woman's bondage have been forged by her own sires and sons. Every man +who is not for us in this prolonged struggle for liberty is +responsible for the present degradation of the mothers of the race. It +is pitiful to see how few men ever have made our cause their own, but +while leaving us to fight our battle alone, they have been unsparing +in their criticism of every failure. Of all the battles for liberty in +the long past, woman only has been left to fight her own, without help +and with all the powers of earth and heaven, human and divine, arrayed +against her."</p> + +<p>Monday evening Mrs. Harriet Taylor Upton, national treasurer, told of +An Ohio Woman's Experience as Member of a School Board. She gave a +lively account of her own nomination and election in Warren, and said +in concluding: "It was not a war of women against men, but of +liberalism against conservatism, of principle against prejudice, of +the new against the old. It does not take any more time to clean up a +schoolhouse and keep out scarlet fever than it does to nurse the +children through the scarlet fever."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Flora Beadle Renkes, School Commissioner of Barry County, Mich., +described Some Phases of Public School Work. She advocated industrial +and moral as well as intellectual training and all of this equally for +both sexes.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Minerva Welch, in considering Woman's Possibilities, said: "To my +mind it is given to woman to develop the greatest possibilities in all +the world. She can direct the character of generations. If woman ever +gains the place God intended her to have it must be through the mother +element. In Denver we have organized women's clubs for the study of +art, literature and political science. We have learned to fraternize. +Men have found that women bring their moral influence into politics, +and the men also<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span> know that they must look to their own morals if they +want office. Many questions have been sent to our State asking about +the new conditions. Woman suffrage has proved a success, and the women +can stand with heads erect, shoulder to shoulder with any one, knowing +that they are full, free citizens of the State of Colorado and of the +United States."</p> + +<p>Miss Anthony then, by special request, gave a recital of all the facts +connected with her arrest, trial and conviction for voting in 1872. +Miss Shaw introduced her as a criminal, and Miss Anthony retorted, +"Yes, a criminal out of jail, just like a good many of the brethren." +With marvelous power she recalled all the details of that dramatic +episode.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Abigail Scott Duniway (Ore.) gave an address on How to Win the +Ballot, containing much sound sense. It was published in full by the +Grand Rapids <i>Democrat</i>. Mrs. Evelyn H. Belden, president of the Iowa +Equal Suffrage Association, spoke on Women and War, saying:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Did you ever have to live with heroes—with men who have survived +the hardships and dangers of war? One of the reasons for my +mildness in public is that I have to be mild at home. I live with +the heroes of two wars. The elder put down the rebellion—so he +tells me. The younger, for whom I am responsible, has +accomplished an even more perilous feat; he met in mortal combat +every day for six months the product of the commissary department +of our late war. He is still alive, but "kicking"—and so is his +mother!</p> + +<p>Note that there were no women on the War Investigating +Commission. Brutal officers, incompetent quartermasters and +ignorant doctors were tried before a jury of their peers. Every +department which was conducted without the help of women has been +for months writhing under the probe of an official investigation, +and is still writhing under the lash of public opinion.</p> + +<p>When the war broke out, the women of Iowa, with the suffragists +at their head, cheerfully consecrated themselves to the service +of a State which does not recognize them as the equals of their +own boys. I have one old trunk that made six trips to Chickamauga +Park, filled with delicacies for the soldiers. About August I +made up my mind to go and see things for myself. My husband was +told it was no place for a woman there among 60,000 men and 1,500 +animals; but he had business at home which he did not think I +could attend to, and he thought I could go to Chickamauga just as +well as he....</p> + +<p>If there had been women on the commission, would they have +pitched the camp five miles from water? Or provided only one +horse and one mule to bring the water for two companies? Or +ordered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span> the soldiers to filter and boil their drinking water, +without furnishing any filters or any vessels to boil it in? It +is said that suffragists do not know how to keep house. If so, +the men who managed the war must all be suffragists.</p> + +<p>But Clara Barton and the women nurses have won golden opinions +from every one. If any man had given a tithe of what Helen Gould +did, he could have had any office in the gift of the +administration. So could she, if she had been a voter. She might +even have been Secretary of War.</p> + +<p>We raise our sons to die not for their country—no woman grudges +her sons to her country—but to die unnecessarily of disease and +neglect, because of red tape....</p> + +<p>History furnishes no parallel to the women of America during the +last year's war. They were fully alive to its issues, +intelligently conversant with its causes, its purposes and +possibilities; they studied camp locations, conditions and +military rules; and through the hand the heart found constant +expression, as many a company of grateful boys can testify. The +experience of this war ought to have effectually destroyed the +last trace of medićval sentiment concerning the propriety of +women mixing in the affairs of government, and also the last +shadow of doubt as to the expediency of recognizing them as +voters.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Josephine K. Henry (Ky.) made an address sparkling with the +epigrams for which she was noted, entitled A Plea for the Ballot:</p> + +<blockquote><p>....The light and the eager interest in the faces of American +women show that they are going somewhere; and when women have +started for somewhere, they are harder to head off than a +comet.... All roads for women lead to suffrage, even if they do +not know it. We are Daughters of Evolution, and who can stop old +Dame Evolution?... We must live up to our principles, or, as a +nation, we are not going to live at all. Then it will be time for +Liberty to throw down her torch, and go out of the enlightening +business.... "Woman's sphere"—these are the two hardest-worked +words in the dictionary.... They call in the mental and moral +wreckage of foreign nations to help rule us. A man was asked, +"How are you going to vote on the constitution?" He answered: "My +constitution's mighty poorly; my mother was feeble before me." +There is deep tragedy in giving such men control of the lives and +property of American women.... There is not so much the matter +with the U. S. Constitution as with the constitutions of some of +our statesmen.... It is not an expansion of territory that we +need so much as an expansion of justice to our own women.... +American men have had a hard struggle for their own liberty, and +some of them are afraid there will not be liberty enough to go +around.... What relation is woman to the State? She is a very +poor relation, yet her tax-money is demanded promptly.</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span></p> + +<p>Dr. Mary H. Barker Bates, of the Denver School Board, discussed Our +Gains and Our Losses, and said in closing: "We have learned that in +politics we must have a machine, only it should be used for good +government, not for corruption. Make your machine as perfect as you +can, without a flaw in it anywhere, and then use it for good ends." +Mrs. Mary B. Clay (Ky.) gave a careful survey of conditions resulting +from The Removal of Industries from the Home, which had forced woman +to follow them and made her an industrial factor in the outside world. +Miss Griffin being again called on told these anecdotes:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In my home in Alabama there are four educated women. My father +has passed away. My sisters are widows and I am an old maid. We +have as our gardener a negro boy twenty-three years old. When he +came to us he said that he had been in the Second Reader for ten +years, but on election day he goes over and votes to represent +our family. If we complain of having no vote on the expenditure +of our tax-money, we are told we must "influence" men; in other +words, we must influence that gardener. But when we start to do +so, and ask him how he means to vote, he says he doesn't know +yet, because he hasn't seen "Uncle Peter," the colored minister.</p> + +<p>In my section men are chivalric and say, "Don't you know that you +shall have everything you ask as ladies? Don't you know that we +are your natural protectors?" But what is a woman afraid of on a +lonely road after dark? The bears and wolves are all gone; there +is nothing to be afraid of now but our natural protectors.</p> + +<p>On the islands off our coast there was a large population that +could not read or write. A missionary-spirited woman went there +to help educate them. After awhile she was made a member of the +school board, which consisted of a few white men and more +negroes. The president of the board, a colored man, was disgusted +at the elevation of a woman to that dignity, and when she was +sworn in he resigned, saying, "Now you've swore her in, you've +got to swear me out; I'm not going to sit on no board with no +woman."</p></blockquote> + +<p>During the convention Miss Anthony made an earnest appeal for +co-operation in the equal suffrage work, saying: "Why is it the duty +of the little handful on this platform to be talking and working for +the enfranchisement of women any more than that of all of you who sit +here to-night? Every woman can do something for the cause. She who is +true to it at her own fireside, who speaks the right word to her +guests, to her children and her neighbors' children, does an +educational work as valuable as that of the woman who speaks from the +platform." She also<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span> urged a wider reading of the equal rights papers, +the <i>Woman's Journal</i>, <i>Tribune</i>, <i>Standard</i>, <i>Wisconsin Citizen</i>, +etc., and suffrage pamphlets and leaflets. She defended herself +against the accusation of abusing the men, saying, "We have not been +fighting the 'male' citizen anywhere but in the statute books."</p> + +<p>Eighty-seven delegates representing twenty-two States were present at +this convention. The treasurer reported the receipts of the past year +to be $14,020. Mrs. Chapman Catt, chairman of the Organization +Committee, related the work done by the suffrage organizations in +behalf of the Spanish-American War. She described also the efforts +made to obtain suffrage for women in the new constitution of Louisiana +the preceding year, which resulted in securing the franchise for +taxpaying women on all matters submitted to taxpayers. The work in +different States and Territories, especially in Arizona and Oklahoma, +was sketched in detail, and will be found in their respective +chapters.</p> + +<p>In concluding her report as chairman of the Legislative Committee, +Mrs. Blake called attention to the more hopeful character of this +record as compared to that of last year, and urged upon all State +presidents the importance of having some one to represent the +interests of women constantly at their capitals during the legislative +sessions, not only to secure favorable legislation but to prevent that +inimical to their interests, citing the case of New Mexico, where a +law which infringes on the right of dower was recently passed without +the knowledge of women.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Elnora M. Babcock (N. Y.) was made chairman of National Press +Work, with power to appoint a chairman in each State. The customary +telegram of congratulation and appreciation was sent to the honorary +president, Mrs. Stanton. Mrs. Eliza Wright Osborne (N. Y.) was +appointed fraternal delegate to the International Council of Women to +meet in London in June. Greetings were received through fraternal +delegates, Mrs. Jessie R. Denney, from the Ancient Order of United +Workingmen, and Mrs. Emma A. Wheeler from the Canadian W. C. T. U. The +letter to Miss Anthony from its president, Mrs. Annie O. Rutherford, +said: "A vigorous campaign is being carried on in every Province in +favor of equal suffrage, with fair hope of success in most of them. We +wish for your convention a most<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span> successful issue, and that your life, +whose grand pioneer work has made it easy for those who follow after, +may be spared many years yet to help broaden the path and uplift the +cause of humanity." Many letters and telegrams were received from +State suffrage associations and from individuals. Mrs. Belva A. +Lockwood (D. C.) wrote: "As a delegate to the ninth annual convention +of the International League of Press Clubs just held in Baltimore, I +succeeded in gaining recognition on equal terms for women journalists +in the space to be allotted to men journalists in the Exposition at +Paris in 1900."</p> + +<p>A lively discussion was caused by a resolution offered by Mrs. Lottie +Wilson Jackson, a delegate from Michigan, so light-complexioned as +hardly to suggest a tincture of African blood, that "colored women +ought not be compelled to ride in smoking cars, and that suitable +accommodations should be provided for them." It was finally tabled as +being outside the province of the convention.<a name="FNanchor_118_118" id="FNanchor_118_118"></a><a href="#Footnote_118_118" class="fnanchor">[118]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span></p> + +<p>The memorial resolutions were presented by the Rev. Antoinette Brown +Blackwell, who said: "These tributes are largely to older men and +women with whom I was associated long ago and it is a pleasure to +recall their noble services to humanity in times when they and their +work were far more unpopular than to-day. There are twenty-five on my +list, yet I think there was only one of the entire number who was not +more than fifty years old, and most of them reached on toward the +eighties and nineties. All were earnest advocates of equal suffrage, +but there were kindred causes to which most of them were also +devoted.... Laura P. Haviland spent seventy years of her life in +Michigan, the last five here in Grand Rapids. At one time she assumed +the care of nine orphan children; at another, during the Civil War she +was the active agent who freed from prison a large number of Union +soldiers held upon false charges. She labored for every good cause and +was a simple Quaker in religion and life....</p> + +<p>"Parker Pillsbury of New Hampshire, who died last year, aged 88, known +as a life-long worker for the oppressed before the Civil War, gave +much of his energy to the cause of anti-slavery. When that noble +philanthropy was split in two throughout its whole length because +one-half would not let women serve on committees with men or raise +their voices publicly for those who were dumb and helpless, Parker +Pillsbury stood by the side of Abby Kelly and the Grimké sisters. His +terse, characteristic, uncompromising language, his cheerful braving +of prejudice, his sympathetic claim for justice to womanhood, made him +one of the noblest of men....<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span></p> + +<p>"In the long and many-sided history of the woman's cause, Mrs. Matilda +Joslyn Gage made a deep and lasting mark. I recall her as she came +first upon our platform at the Syracuse Woman's Rights Convention in +1852, a young mother of two children, yet with a heart also for a +wider cause. Wendell Phillips said of her then, 'She came to us an +unknown woman. She leaves us a co-worker whose reputation is +established.' ...</p> + +<p>"The Hon. Nelson W. Dingley was able officially to help our movement +with efficient good-will. His vote was recorded for the admission of +States with a woman suffrage constitution."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Blackwell paid personal tribute to most of those who had passed +away, and Mrs. Clara Bewick Colby continued the memorial, speaking at +length of the splendid work of Mrs. Gage; of Mrs. Flora M. Kimball and +Mrs. Abigail Bush, of California—but early Eastern pioneers; Mrs. +Sarah M. Kimball of Utah; Mrs. Frances Bagley and Dr. Charlotte +Levanway of Michigan; and a long list of men and women in various +States who had done their part in aiding the cause of equal suffrage. +She concluded with eloquent words of appreciation of the services of +Robert Purvis of Philadelphia, and presented the following resolutions +sent by Mrs. Stanton:</p> + +<blockquote><p>During the period of reconstruction, the popular cry was, "This +is the negro's hour," and Republicans and Abolitionists alike +insisted that woman's claim to the suffrage must be held in +abeyance until the negro was safe beyond peradventure. +Distinguished politicians, lawyers and congressmen declared that +woman as well as the negro was enfranchised by the Fourteenth +Amendment, yet reformers and politicians denounced those women +who would not keep silent, while the Republican and anti-slavery +press ignored their demands altogether. In this dark hour of +woman's struggle, forsaken by all those who once recognized her +civil and political rights, two noble men steadfastly maintained +that it was not only woman's right but her duty to push her +claims while the constitutional door was open and the rights of +citizens in a republic were under discussion; therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That women owe a debt of gratitude to Robert Purvis +and Parker Pillsbury for their fearless advocacy of our cause, +when to do so was considered to be treason to a great party +measure, involving life and liberty for the colored race.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That in the death of men of such exalted virtue, true +to principle under the most trying circumstances, sacrificing the +ties of friendship and the respect of their compeers, they are +conspicuous as the moral heroes of the nineteenth century.</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span></p> + +<p>The memorial service was closed with prayer by the Rev. Anna Howard +Shaw, who voiced the gratitude for the inspiration of such lives as +these and the hope that this generation might carry the work on to its +full fruition.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>The keynote to the speeches and action of this convention was the +status of women in our new possessions. At a preliminary meeting of +the Business Committee, held in the home of Mrs. Chapman Catt at +Bensonhurst-by-the-Sea, N. Y., Jan. 2, 1899, the following "open +letter" had been prepared and sent to every member of Congress:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">To the Senate and House of Representatives</span>: We respectfully +request that in the qualifications for voters in the proposed +Constitution for the new Territory of Hawaii the word "male" be +omitted.</p> + +<p>The declared intention of the United States in annexing the +Hawaiian Islands is to give them the benefits of the most +advanced civilization, and it is a truism that the progress of +civilization in every country is measured by the approach of +women toward the ideal of equal rights with men.</p> + +<p>Under barbarism the struggle for existence is entirely on the +physical plane. The woman freely enters the arena and her failure +or success depends wholly upon her own strength. When life rises +to the intellectual plane public opinion is expressed in law. +Justice demands that we shall not offer to women emerging from +barbarism the ball and chain of a sex disqualification while we +hold out to men the crown of self-government.</p> + +<p>The trend of civilization is closely in the direction of equal +rights for women. [Then followed a list of the gains for woman +suffrage.]</p> + +<p>The Hon. John D. Long, Secretary of the Navy, calls the +opposition to woman suffrage a "slowly melting glacier of +bourbonism and prejudice". The melting is going on steadily all +over our country, and it would be most inopportune to impose upon +our new possessions abroad the antiquated restrictions which we +are fast discarding at home.</p> + +<p>We, therefore, petition your Honorable Body that, upon whatever +conditions and qualifications the right of suffrage is granted to +Hawaiian men, it shall be granted to Hawaiian women.<a name="FNanchor_119_119" id="FNanchor_119_119"></a><a href="#Footnote_119_119" class="fnanchor">[119]</a></p></blockquote> + +<p>Notwithstanding this appeal, and special petitions also from the +Suffrage Associations of the forty-five States, our Congress provided +a constitution in which the word "male" was introduced more frequently +than in the Constitution of the United States or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</a></span> of any State, in the +determination to bar out Hawaiian women from voting and holding +office. It was declared that only "male" citizens should fill any +office or vote for any officer, a sweeping restriction which is not +made in a single State of our Union. Not satisfied with this infamous +abuse of power, our Congress refused to this new Territory a privilege +enjoyed by every other Territory in the United States—that of having +the power vested in its Legislature to grant woman suffrage—and +provided that this Territorial Legislature must submit the question to +the voters. It took care, however, to enfranchise every male being in +the Islands—Kanaka, Japanese and Portuguese—and it will be only by +their permission that even the American and English women residing +there ever can possess the suffrage.</p> + +<p>The members of the commission who drafted this constitution were +President Sanford B. Dole and Associate Justice W. F. Frear of Hawaii; +Senators John T. Morgan, Ala.; Shelby M. Cullom, Ills.; Representative +Robert R. Hitt, Ills. Justice Frear said over his own signature, Feb. +11, 1899: "I proposed at a meeting of the Hawaiian Commission that the +Legislature be permitted to authorize woman suffrage, and President +Dole supported me, but the other members of the commission took a +different view." In other words, the Hawaiian members favored the +enfranchisement of their women but were overruled by the American +members. If but one of the latter had stood by those from Hawaii its +women would not have been placed, as they now are, under greater +subjection even than those of the United States, and far greater than +they were before the annexation of the Islands. Yet after the +consummation of this shameful act the world was asked to rejoice over +the creation of a new republic!</p> + +<p>There is not the slightest reason to hope that the appeals for justice +to the women of the Philippines will meet with any greater success, as +it is the policy of our Government to give to men every incentive to +study its institutions and fit themselves for an intelligent voice in +their control, but to discourage all interest on the part of women and +to prevent them absolutely from any participation. Having held +American women in subjection for a century and a quarter, it now shows +a determination<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</a></span> to place the same handicap upon the women of our +newly-acquired possessions.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>During the spring of 1902, just before this volume goes to the +publishers, the U. S. Senate Philippine Commission has been summoning +before it a number of persons competent to give expert testimony as to +existing conditions in those Islands. Among these were Judge W. H. +Taft, who for the past year has been Governor of the Philippines and +speaks with high authority; and Archbishop Nozaleda, who has been +connected with the Catholic church in the Islands for twenty-six +years, and Archbishop since 1889, and who has the fullest +understanding of the natives. Governor Taft said in answer to the +committee:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The fact is that, not only among the Tagalogs but also among the +Christian Filipinos, the woman is the active manager of the +family, so if you expect to confer political power on the +Filipinos it ought to be given to the women.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Archbishop Nozaleda testified as follows: (Senate Document 190, p. +109.)</p> + +<blockquote><p>The woman is better than the man in every way—in intelligence, +in virtue and in labor—and a great deal more economical. She is +very much given to trade and trafficking. If any rights and +privileges are to be granted to the natives, do not give them to +the men but to the women.</p> + +<p>Q. Then you think it would be much better to give the women the +right to vote than the men?</p> + +<p>A. O, much better. Why, even in the fields it is the women who do +the work; the men who go to the cock fights and gamble. The woman +is the one who supports the man there; so every law of justice +demands that even in political life they should have the +privilege over the men.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The action which our Government will eventually take in conferring the +suffrage on the Filipinos can not be recorded in this volume, but the +prophecy is here made that, in spite of the above testimony, and much +more of the same nature which has been given by correspondents in the +Philippines and by many who have returned from there, the Government +of the United States will enfranchise the inferior male inhabitants +and hold as political subjects the superior women of these Islands. +And again the world will be called upon to greet another republic!</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_117_117" id="Footnote_117_117"></a><a href="#FNanchor_117_117"><span class="label">[117]</span></a> Miss Anthony spoke to a crowded house in the Fountain +Street Baptist Church on The Moral Influence of Women, and the Rev. +Anna Howard Shaw to another great audience in the Park Congregational +Church from the text, "Only be thou strong and very courageous." +Calvary Baptist Church was filled to overflowing to hear Miss Laura +Clay on The Bible for Equal Rights. Interested congregations listened +to the Rev. Antoinette Brown Blackwell, who preached at the Division +Street Methodist Church from the text, "Knowledge shall increase"; +Miss Laura Gregg, who spoke at the Second Baptist Church on My +Country, 'Tis of Thee; Mrs. Colby, at the Plainfield Avenue Methodist +Church, on The Legend of Lilith; Miss Lena Morrow at Memorial Church, +Miss Lucy E. Textor at All Souls, and Mrs. Harriet Taylor Upton and +various members of the convention in other pulpits.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_118_118" id="Footnote_118_118"></a><a href="#FNanchor_118_118"><span class="label">[118]</span></a> The following resolutions were adopted: +</p><p> +That we reaffirm our devotion to the immortal principle that +governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, +and we call for its application in the case of women citizens. +</p><p> +We protest against the introduction of the word "male" in the suffrage +clause of the proposed Constitution of Hawaii, and declare that upon +whatever terms the franchise may be granted to men, it should be +granted also to women. +</p><p> +In all the great questions of war and peace, currency, tariff and +taxation, annexation of foreign territory and alien races, women are +vitally interested and should have an equal expression at the ballot +box, and we recommend to the President of the United States the +appointment of a committee of women to investigate the condition of +women in our new island territories. +</p><p> +We congratulate the women of Ireland who have just voted for the first +time for municipal and county officers, and we call attention to the +fact that 75 per cent. of the qualified women voted, and that the +dispatches say they discharged their duty in a serious and +businesslike spirit, with a keen eye to the personal merits of +candidates. +</p><p> +We congratulate the women of Colorado, whose Legislature lately passed +a resolution testifying to the good effects of equal suffrage by a +vote of 45 to 3 in the House, and 30 to 1 in the Senate. +</p><p> +We congratulate the women of New Orleans, who are about to vote for +the first time, on a tax levy for sewerage and drainage, and we +commend their patriotic activity in collecting the signatures of 2,000 +taxpaying women of that city in behalf of clean streets and a pure +water supply. +</p><p> +We congratulate the women of France, who have just voted for the first +time for judges of tribunals of commerce, and we call attention to the +fact that in Paris, of the qualified voters, men and women taken +together, only 14 per cent. voted, but of the women 30 per cent. +voted. +</p><p> +We congratulate the women of Kansas on the increased municipal vote of +April, 1899, over the entire State, Kansas City alone registering +4,800 women and casting over 3,000 women's votes at the municipal +election. +</p><p> +We thank the House of Representatives of Oklahoma for its vote of 14 +to 9, and of Arizona for its vote of 19 to 5, for woman suffrage, and +regret that the question did not reach the Councils of these +Territories. +</p><p> +We thank the Legislature of California for its enactment, with only +one dissenting vote in the House and six in the Senate, of a school +suffrage law (which failed to receive the approval of the Governor), +also we thank the Legislatures of Connecticut and Ohio, which have +defeated bills to repeal the existing school suffrage laws of those +States. +</p><p> +We thank the legislators of Oregon who have just submitted an +amendment granting suffrage to women by a vote of 48 to 6 in the House +and 25 to 1 in the Senate, and we hope that Oregon will add a fifth +star to our equal suffrage flag. +</p><p> +This association is non sectarian and non partisan, and asks for the +ballot not for the sake of advancing any specific measure, but as a +matter of justice to the whole human family. In all the States where +equal suffrage campaigns are pending we advise women and men to base +their plea on the ground of clear and obvious justice, and not to +indulge in predictions as to what women will do with the ballot before +it is secured. +</p><p> +We protest against women being counted in the basis of representation +of State and nation so long as they are not permitted to vote for +their representatives. +</p><p> +We appreciate the friendly attitude of the American Federation of +Labor, the National Grange and other public bodies of voters, as shown +by their resolutions indorsing the legal, political and economic +equality of women. +</p><p> +We rejoice in the Peace Congress about to meet at The Hague, and hope +it may be preliminary to the establishment of international +arbitration.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_119_119" id="Footnote_119_119"></a><a href="#FNanchor_119_119"><span class="label">[119]</span></a> See also <a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">Chap. XXIII</a> for further efforts to protect the +women of Hawaii.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2> + +<h3>THE NATIONAL-AMERICAN CONVENTION OF 1900.</h3> + + +<p>The Thirty-second annual convention of the suffrage association, held +in Washington, D. C., Feb. 8-14, 1900, possessed two features of +unusual interest—it closed the century and it marked the end of Miss +Susan B. Anthony's presidency of the organization. The latter event +attracted wide attention. Sketches of her career and of the movement +whose history was almost synonymous with her own, appeared in most of +the leading newspapers and magazines of the country; special reporters +were sent to Washington, and the celebration of her eightieth birthday +at the close of the convention was in the nature of a national event. +On the opening morning the <i>Post</i> said in a leading editorial:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Washington entertains the National Woman Suffrage Association +from year to year with entire complacency, apart from any +political prejudice, without any sense of partisanship and in a +spirit of keen interest in the great propaganda which is being +thus conducted. There was a time, not so very long ago, when the +plea for suffrage was ridiculed far and wide; but the women have +worked ahead undaunted by the scoffings of the world, until they +have actually won the battle in such a marked degree as to give +them unbounded assurance for the future....</p> + +<p>The world is beginning to take a new view of this suffrage +question. The advent of women into the professions and even the +trades, their appearance as wage-earners in virtually every +branch of modern activity, and their success in these various +enterprises which they have entered, have worked a reform even +more significant than the absolute and universal grant of the +suffrage would have been. It can not be denied by men to-day that +the women have become economic factors of marked importance, and +this appreciation has had a great influence in softening the +sentiments of the male population toward the suffragists.</p> + +<p>One of the foremost arguments formerly urged against the +extension of the suffrage to women was that it would be harmful +to woman's moral nature to thrust her into contact with the rough +conditions of campaigning. The women answered that their entrance +would perhaps redeem the immoral character of the politics of +many communities. In the minds of impartial observers the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</a></span> +argument was a stand-off. But this economic, professional +tendency of the women has done much to destroy the force of the +men's plea to preserve the women from contaminating contact with +harsh conditions. The security of the average woman worker in the +various lines of honest activity which the sex has fearlessly +entered has worked a revelation. The close of the century is +witnessing a great change in public sentiment in this regard. The +demand of the suffragists can not but be strengthened by the +demonstrated fact that women can become workers in competition +with men without becoming demoralized.</p> + +<p>Just where this new tendency will lead in an economic direction +is a serious question, to be answered by facts rather than by +theories. Some students of the science believe that it is working +a revolution and is affecting the whole business fabric. There +may be a reaction against it, affecting in turn the now moderate +attitude of most men toward the suffrage question; but in any +event it is clear that this great agitation, carried on by the +association now in session, has been of serious importance and +not without palpable fruits.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The advocates of woman's enfranchisement never were brighter, happier +or more hopeful and courageous. All of the States but four were +represented by the 173 delegates in attendance. Some of them were +white-haired and wrinkled and had been coming to Washington for the +whole thirty-two years. Others were in the prime and vigor of life and +had entered the movement after the heaviest blows had been struck and +the hardest battles had been won, but now they had enlisted until the +end of the war. And now there were a large number of beautiful and +highly-educated young women, graduates of the best colleges, filled +with the zeal of new converts, bringing to the work well-trained and +thoroughly-equipped minds and giving to the old members the comforting +assurance that the vital cause would still be carried forward when +their own labors were ended.</p> + +<p>The <i>Woman's Journal</i> in recounting the gains for suffrage concluded: +"In this year, 1900, the woman suffragists, after a half-century of +unbroken national organization, can go before Congress and claim the +support of members from four States who were elected in part by the +votes of women. They can enforce their pleas before presidential +nominating conventions with the concrete fact that thirteen members of +the electoral college have a constituency of women voters."</p> + +<p>Miss Anthony presided at three public sessions daily and at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</a></span> all the +executive and business meetings, went to Baltimore and held a +one-day's conference and made a big speech, addressed a parlor +meeting, attended several dinners and receptions, participated in her +own great birthday festivities, afternoon and evening, and remained +for nearly a week of Executive Committee meetings after the convention +had closed.</p> + +<p>As she rose to open the convention, clad as usual in soft black satin, +with duchesse lace in the neck and sleeves and the lovely red crépe +shawl falling gracefully from her shoulders, there were many a moist +eye and tightened throat at the thought that this was the last time. +Her fine voice with its rich alto vibrations was as strong and +resonant as fifty years ago, and her practical, matter-of-fact speech, +followed by the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw's lively stories, soon dispelled +the sadness and put the audience in a cheerful mood. Miss Anthony +commenced by saying:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I have been attending conventions in Washington for over thirty +years. It is good for us to come to this Mecca, the heart of our +nation. Here the members of Congress from all parts of the +country meet together to deliberate for the best interests of the +whole government and of their respective States. So our delegates +assemble here to plan for the best interests of our cause in the +nation and in their respective States. We come here to study how +we may do more and more for the spread of the doctrine of +equality, but chiefly to study how to get the States to +concentrate their efforts on Congress. Our final aim is an +amendment to the Federal Constitution providing that no citizen +over whom the Stars and Stripes wave shall be debarred from +suffrage except for cause. I am always glad when we come to +Washington, and in our little peregrinations over the country I +have been more and more impressed with the conviction that, while +we should do all the good work we can in our own States, we ought +to hold our annual meeting in the national capital.</p></blockquote> + +<p>In beginning her vice-president's address, which as usual defied +reporting, Miss Shaw said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Before giving my report I want to tell a story against Miss +Anthony. We suffragists have been called everything under the +sun, and when there was nothing else quite bad enough for us we +have been called infidels, which includes everything. Once we +went to hold a convention in a particularly orthodox city in New +York, and Miss Anthony, wishing to impress upon the audience that +we were not atheists, introduced me as "a regularly-ordained +orthodox minister, the Rev. Anna H. Shaw, <i>my right bower</i>!" That +orthodox audience all seemed to know what a "right bower" is, for +they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</a></span> laughed even louder than you do. After the meeting Miss +Anthony said to me, "Anna, what did I say to make the people +laugh so?" I answered, "You called me your right bower." She +said, "Well, you are my right-hand man. That is what right bower +means, isn't it?" And this orthodox minister had to explain to +her Quaker friend what a right bower is.</p> + +<p>The chief event of last summer was the quinquennial meeting of +the International Council of Women in London. The Woman's +National Council of the United States is made up of about twenty +societies with an aggregate membership of over a million women. +It was only allowed two delegates besides its president, and it +is not a suffrage association, yet it honored two women who have +been known for some years as suffragists, Miss Anthony and +myself, by making us its delegates to London. They said they did +this because they wanted women who did not represent anything too +radical!</p> + +<p>That Congress was the greatest assemblage of women from all parts +of the world that ever had taken place, and therefore the biggest +suffrage convention ever held. Suffrage seemed to take possession +of the whole meeting, as it does at every great gathering of +women. From this point of view it was a decided and emphatic +success. The largest meeting of all was the one held by the +Suffrage Association and every suffrage heart would have swollen +so large it could hardly have been kept within the bounds of the +body if it had heard the applause with which Miss Anthony was +greeted. She could not speak for ten minutes....</p> + +<p>In England I entered upon a role I had never filled before, or +had any ambition for—I "entered society," and for ten days I was +in it from before breakfast till after midnight; and I prayed the +prayer of the Pharisee—I thanked the Lord that I was not as +other women are who have to go into society all the time. I had +thought that traveling up and down the country with gripsack in +hand was hard enough; but it is child's play to hand-shaking and +hob-nobbing with duchesses and countesses. However, the +experience was good for us, and it was especially good for those +American women who had thought that they knew more than other +women till they met them and found that they didn't.</p> + +<p>I came home, spent three days there, and then took my grip in +hand and started out again lecturing—mostly for the Redpath +bureau, and for people who did not want to hear about suffrage; +so I spoke on "The Fate of Republics," "The American Home," "The +New Man," etc. Under these titles I gave them stronger doses of +suffrage than I ever do to you here, and they received it with +great enthusiasm, because it was not called suffrage. I spoke the +other day in Cincinnati to about 3,000 people and they were +delighted, and did not suspect that I was talking suffrage. They +don't know what woman suffrage is. They think it only means to +berate the men. In this way I have perhaps done the best suffrage +work I possibly could.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Later in the session Miss Anthony made her report as delegate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[Pg 353]</a></span> from +the National Council of Women of the United States to this +International Congress in London, in which she said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>During the last seventeen years there has been a perfect +revolution in England. When Mrs. Stanton and I went there for the +first time, in 1883, just a few families were not afraid of +us—the Brights, Peter Taylor's household, and some of the old +abolitionists who knew all about us. When it was proposed to get +up a testimonial meeting for us, even the officers of the +suffrage societies did not dare to sign the invitation. They +thought we Americans were too radical....</p> + +<p>This time when we reached London we were the recipients of +testimonials not only from the real, radical suffrage people, but +also from the conservatives. At that magnificent Queen's Hall +meeting of the Suffrage Association, with Mrs. Fawcett presiding, +three or four thousand people packed the hall. It was a +representative gathering. Australia and New Zealand were there to +speak for themselves, and they had me to speak for the United +States. I tried to have them call on Miss Shaw instead, but they +would not do it....</p> + +<p>Every young woman who is to-day enjoying the advantages of free +schools and opportunities to earn a living and the other enlarged +rights for women, is a child of the woman suffrage movement. This +larger freedom has broadened and strengthened women wonderfully. +At the end of the Council, Lady Aberdeen, who had been its +president for six years, in a published interview summing up the +work of the women who had been present, said there was no denying +that the English-speaking women stood head and shoulders above +all the others in their knowledge of Parliamentary law, and that +at the very top were those of the United States and Canada—the +two freest parts of the world. I said: "If the women of the +United States, with their free schools and all their enlarged +liberties, are not superior to women brought up under monarchical +forms of government, then there is no good in liberty." It is +because of this freedom that Europeans are always struck with the +greater self-poise, self-control and independence of American +women. These characteristics will be still more marked when we +have mingled more with men in their various meetings. It is only +by the friction of intellect with intellect that these desirable +qualities can be gained.</p> + +<p>The public sessions of the Council were all that heart could +wish. I was present at only a few of them because the business +meetings came at the same hour, and were held miles away. But +every day people would say to me, "Miss Anthony, you yourself +could not have made a stronger suffrage speech than So-and-So +made to-day in such-and-such a section"—industrial, +professional, etc. In the educational section, one of the best +speeches was made by Miss Brownell, dean of Sage College, Cornell +University, on co-education.</p> + +<p>It was a great occasion. Here were the advocates of this movement +for absolutely equal rights received and entertained by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[Pg 354]</a></span> +nobility of England—American women at the head. Among many +others a reception was given by the Lord Bishop of London at his +home, Fulham Palace. In talking with Lady Battersea, daughter of +a Rothschild, I caught myself repeatedly addressing her as "Mrs. +Battersea," and I said, "I suppose I shock you very much by +forgetting your title." She answered emphatically: "Not at all. I +like an American to be an American. It is much pleasanter than +when they come cringing and crawling and trying to conform to our +customs." When all sorts of notables were giving us receptions, I +said to Lady Aberdeen: "If this great Council of Women of ten +nations were meeting in Washington, we would be invited to the +White House. Can't you contrive an interview with the Queen?"</p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Anthony then described the reception of the Congress by the Queen +at Windsor Castle, the serving of tea in the great Hall of St. George, +and all the incidents of that interesting occasion, and concluded: +"What I want most to impress upon you is this: If we had represented +nothing but ourselves we should have been nowhere. Wendell Phillips +said: 'When I speak as an individual, I represent only myself, but +when I speak for the American Anti-Slavery Society, I represent every +one in the country who believes in liberty.' It was because Miss Shaw +and I represented you and all which makes for liberty that we were so +well received; and I want you to feel that all the honors paid to us +were paid to you."</p> + +<p>A paper to be remembered was that of Mrs. Isabel C. Barrows (Mass.) on +Woman's Work in Philanthropy. After tracing the various lines of +philanthropic effort in which women had been distinguished, she said +in conclusion that no woman who ever had lived had done more in the +line of philanthropy than Susan B. Anthony.</p> + +<p>Miss Harriet May Mills (N. Y.) gave a fine address on The Winning of +Educational Freedom, saying in part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Abigail Adams said of the conditions in the early part of the +nineteenth century: "Female education in the best families went +no farther than reading, writing and arithmetic and, in some rare +instances, music and dancing." A lady living in the first quarter +of the century relates that she returned from a school in +Charleston, where she had been sent to be "finished off," with +little besides a knowledge of sixty different lace stitches....</p> + +<p>The majority of women were content, they asked no change; they +took no part in the movement for higher education except to +ridicule it. This, like every other battle for freedom which the +world has seen, was led by the few brave, strong souls who saw +the truth and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[Pg 355]</a></span> dared proclaim it. In 1820 the world looked aghast +upon "bluestockings." Because a young woman was publicly examined +in geometry at one of Mrs. Emma Willard's school exhibitions, a +storm of ridicule broke forth at so scandalous a proceeding. It +was ten years after Holyoke was founded before Mary Lyon dared to +have Latin appear in the regular course, because the views of the +community would not allow it. Boston had a high school for girls +in 1825, which was maintained but eighteen months, Mayor Quincy +declaring that "no funds of any city could stand the expense." +The difficulty was that "too many girls attended." ...</p> + +<p>In 1877 President Charles W. Eliot of Harvard protested against +the opening of the Boston Latin School to girls, saying: "I +resist the proposition for the sake of the boys, the girls, the +schools and the general interest of education." Nearly twenty +years later, he said to the Radcliffe graduates: "It is a quarter +of a century since the college doors were open to women. From +that time, where boys and girls have been educated together, it +has become a historical fact that women have taken a greater +number of honors, in proportion to their numbers, than men." It +is to be hoped that the next twenty years may work further +conversion in the mind of this learned president, and lead him to +see that equality in citizenship is as desirable as equality in +education.</p> + +<p>One learned man prophesied that all educated women would become +somnambulists. Another declared that the perilous track to higher +education would be strewn with wrecks. There are now over thirty +thousand of these college-educated wrecks, the majority of them +engaged in the active work of the world. It was found in 1874, +when Dr. E. H. Clarke's evil prophecies as to higher education +were attracting attention, that at Antioch, opened to women in +1853, thirteen and one-half per cent. of the men graduates had +died, nine and three-fourths per cent. of the women. This did not +include war mortality or accidental death. Three of the men then +living were confirmed invalids; not one of the women was in such +a condition. The Association of Collegiate Alumnae has compiled +later and fuller statistics. The results show an increase during +the college course of from three to six per cent. in good health, +and the health after graduation to be twenty-two per cent. higher +among graduates than among women who have not been in college....</p> + +<p>Elizabeth Blackwell applied to twelve colleges before she gained +admittance to the Geneva (N. Y.) Medical School in 1846, and +secured the first M. D. ever given to a woman in this country. +To-day 1,583 women are studying medicine. Not so full a measure +of freedom has been won in law or theology. In 1897, 131 women +were in the law schools, 193 in the theological schools, but +women are still handicapped in these professions....</p> + +<p>Unfortunately, educational freedom has not been followed by +industrial freedom. Of the leading colleges for women but four +have women presidents; but one offers a free field to women on +its professional staff. In the majority of co-educational +colleges which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[Pg 356]</a></span> give women any place as teachers, they appear in +small numbers as assistant professors and, more often, as +instructors....</p> + +<p>With educational freedom partially won has come general interest +among collegiate and non-collegiate women in furthering the +movement. Large gifts have been bestowed for scholarships and for +colleges, both co-educational and separate. Within the last year +thirty-four women have given $4,446,400 to the cause of +education. Mrs. Stanford's munificent benefactions, and other +lesser ones, swell the amount to more than fifty millions from +women alone. As a result of the struggle for educational freedom, +we have 35,782 women in the colleges of the country.<a name="FNanchor_120_120" id="FNanchor_120_120"></a><a href="#Footnote_120_120" class="fnanchor">[120]</a></p> + +<p>Educational freedom without political freedom is but partial. +Minerva sprang fully armed from the head of Jove; not only had +she wisdom, but she had the spear and the helmet in her +hands—every weapon of offense and defense to equip her for the +world's conquest. Standing on the threshold of the new century, +we behold the woman of the future thus armed; we see the fully +educated woman possessed of a truer knowledge of the fundamental +principles of government; we see her conscious of her +responsibilities as a citizen, and doing her part in the making +of laws and in the fulfilment of the ideal of democracy. +Educational freedom must lead to political freedom.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Mary C. C. Bradford, a leader among Colorado women, spoke +eloquently on The Social Transformation, following the stages in +evolution expressed in the words, "I dare, I will, I am." Describing +the effects of woman suffrage, she said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I wish I could make you all understand that the home is not +touched. Equal suffrage does not mean destruction or +disintegration but the radiation of the home—carrying it out +into the wider life of the community. The ideal of the family +must pervade society; and that is what equal suffrage is +gradually bringing about. I know you hear all sorts of things +about woman suffrage in Colorado. Not very long ago certain +Eastern papers gave great prominence to an interview with a +"distinguished citizen of Colorado," who gave a highly +unfavorable account of the workings of woman suffrage there. The +"distinguished citizen" in question was a prize-fighter who had +killed three men—a gambler driven out by woman suffrage; and he +naturally said that woman suffrage was a failure.... The great +Woman's Club of Denver is a power for good in the city; it is +carrying on schools in "the bottoms," night schools, kitchen +gardens, traveling libraries; it secured the establishment of the +State Home for Dependent Children, the removal of the emblems +from the Australian ballot, and other good things....</p> + +<p>I would that you could all go out to Colorado and see how +subtly,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[Pg 357]</a></span> yes, and how swiftly, the social transformation is going +on. It is the home transforming the State, not the State +destroying the home. A Denver paper lately said the men had found +out that in determining all questions of morality, sanitation, +etc., if the women were consulted, better results were obtained. +We have more intelligent homes because of equal suffrage. Where +children see their father and mother go to the polls together, +and hear them talk over public questions, and occasionally +express different views, they learn tolerance. A party slave will +not come out from such a home. The children will grow up seeing +that it is un-American to say that everybody in the opposite +party is either a fool or a knave. The two best features of equal +suffrage are the improvement of the individual woman and the +prospective abolition of the political "boss."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Introducing Henry B. Blackwell (Mass.) to report on Presidential +Suffrage, Miss Anthony said: "Here is a man who has the virtue of +having stood by the woman's cause for nearly fifty years. I can +remember him when his hair was not white, and when he was following up +our conventions assiduously because a bright, little, red-cheeked +woman attracted him. She attracted him so strongly that he still works +for woman suffrage, and will do so as long as he lives, not only +because of her who was always so true and faithful to the cause—Lucy +Stone—but also because he has a daughter, a worthy representative of +the twain who were made one."</p> + +<p>On Friday evening Mrs. Ida Husted Harper gave a portion of her paper, +The Training of the Woman Journalist, which she had presented at the +International Congress in London. Miss Anna Barrows (Mass.), literary +editor of <i>The American Kitchen Magazine</i>, spoke on New Professions +for Women Centering in the Home:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The main objection made by conservative people to definite +occupations or professions for women has been that such callings +would inevitably tend to destroy the home. Once let women prove +that they can follow a trade or profession and yet make a home +for themselves and others, and such objectors have no ground +left.... The fear is sometimes expressed that the club movement +is drawing women away from home interests; but the general +attention now given to household economics by all the women's +clubs proves that women are realizing that knowledge of history, +art and science is needed to give the broad culture necessary for +the proper conduct of the home life. Although as yet few women's +colleges offer adequate courses in home economics, nevertheless +after marriage the college women begin to study household +problems with all the energy brought out by the college +training.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[Pg 358]</a></span></p> + +<p>A very general comment on woman's desire for a share in municipal +and national government is that the servant question is yet +unsolved; that, since she has not succeeded in governing her own +domain, she has no rights outside of it. By going outside of her +home as an employee herself she is learning to deal with this +problem. It has been necessary for women to have thorough +business training in other directions before they could discover +how unbusinesslike were the methods pursued in the average +household. The more women have gone out of their homes into new +occupations, the more they have realized that the home is +dependent upon the same principles as the business world. The +business woman understands human nature, and therefore can deal +successfully with the butcher, the baker and other tradespeople. +She has a power of adapting herself to new conditions which is +impossible to her sister accustomed only to the narrow treadmill +of housework.</p> + +<p>Specialization is the tendency of the age, and by wise attention +to this in the household, as elsewhere, enough time should be +saved to each community for the world's work to be done in fewer +hours, and for men and women to have time besides to be +homemakers and good citizens. Little by little one art and craft +after another has been evolved into the dignity of a profession, +while housework as a whole has been left to untrained workers. +Needle work, cookery and cleaning are dependent on the +fundamental principles of all the natural sciences.... There is +need also of trained women to lead public sentiment to recognize +the dignity of manual labor.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The statesmanlike paper of Mrs. Isabella Beecher Hooker (Conn.) on the +Duty of Woman Citizens of the United States in the Present Political +Crisis, was read by Mrs. Mary Seymour Howell (N. Y.), who enforced its +sentiments by earnest and stirring remarks of her own. Mrs. Mary +Church Terrell, A. M. of Oberlin College, president of the National +Association of Colored Women and a member of the Washington School +Board, considered the Justice of Woman Suffrage:</p> + +<blockquote><p>....To assign reasons in this day and time why it is unjust to +deprive one-half of the human race of rights and privileges +freely accorded to the other, which is neither more deserving nor +more capable of exercising them, seems like a reflection upon the +intelligence of the audience. As a nation we professed long ago +to have abandoned the principle that might makes right. Before +the world we pose to-day as a government whose citizens have the +right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And yet, in +spite of these lofty professions and noble sentiments, the +present policy of this government is to hold one-half of its +citizens in legal subjection to the other, without being able to +assign good and sufficient reasons for such a flagrant violation +of the very principles upon which it was founded.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[Pg 359]</a></span></p> + +<p>When one observes how all the most honorable and lucrative +positions in Church and State have been reserved for men, +according to laws which they themselves have made so as to debar +women; how, until recently, a married woman's property was under +the exclusive control of her husband; how, in all transactions +where husband and wife are considered one, the law makes the +husband that one—man's boasted chivalry to the disfranchised sex +is punctured beyond repair.</p> + +<p>These unjust discriminations will ever remain, until the source +from which they spring—the political disfranchisement of +woman—shall be removed. The injustice involved in denying woman +the suffrage is not confined to the disfranchised sex alone, but +extends to the nation as well, in that it is deprived of the +excellent service which woman might render....</p> + +<p>The argument that it is unnatural for woman to vote is as old as +the rock-ribbed and ancient hills. Whatever is unusual is called +unnatural, the world over. Whenever humanity takes a step forward +in progress, some old custom falls dead at our feet. Nothing +could be more unnatural than that a good woman should shirk her +duty to the State.</p> + +<p>If you marvel that so few women work vigorously for political +enfranchisement, let me remind you that woman's success in almost +everything depends upon what men think of her. Why the majority +of men oppose woman suffrage is clear even to the dullest +understanding. In all great reforms it is only the few brave +souls who have the courage of their convictions and who are +willing to fight until victory is wrested from the very jaws of +fate.</p></blockquote> + +<p>In treating of Women in the Ministry, the Rev. Ida C. Hultin (Mass.) +considered what is known as "the woman movement" from a broad and +philosophical standpoint, which carried conviction and disarmed +opposition.</p> + +<p>At the opening of the Saturday evening meeting a telegram was read +from the Executive Committee of the National Anti-Trust Conference, in +session at Chicago: "Hearty congratulations to the distinguished +president of the Woman Suffrage Association, and hopes that Miss +Anthony may enjoy many years of added happiness and honor. This +cordial salutation includes Elizabeth Cady Stanton and all of the +noble souls who have wrought so great a work in the liberation and +advancement of the women of this country." A letter was read also from +Frank Morrison, secretary of the American Federation of Labor, with +the following resolution, which was passed by the convention held in +Detroit, Mich., the previous December:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, Disfranchised labor, like that of the enslaved, degrades +all free and enfranchised labor; therefore,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[Pg 360]</a></span></p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the American Federation of Labor earnestly +appeals to Congress to pass a resolution submitting to the +Legislatures of the several States a proposition for a Sixteenth +Amendment to the Federal Constitution that shall prohibit the +States from disfranchising United States citizens on account of +sex.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Anthony expressed her satisfaction that equal suffrage was +endorsed by "the hard-working, wage-earning men of the country, each +of them with a good solid ballot in his hand."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Clara Bewick Colby (D. C.) gave a historical sketch of Our Great +Leaders, replete with beauty and pathos. Miss Kate M. Gordon spoke +entertainingly on the possibilities of A Scrap of Suffrage.<a name="FNanchor_121_121" id="FNanchor_121_121"></a><a href="#Footnote_121_121" class="fnanchor">[121]</a> In +presenting her Miss Anthony said: "The right of taxpaying women in +Louisiana to vote upon questions of taxation is practically the first +shred of suffrage which those of any Southern State have secured, and +they have used it well. They deserve another scrap, and I think they +will get it before some of us do who have been asking for half a +century."</p> + +<p>Miss Gail Laughlin, a graduate of Wellesley and of the Law Department +of Cornell University, discussed Conditions of the Wage-Earning Women +of Our Country, saying in part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>"Wage-earner" among women is used in a broad sense. All women +receiving money payment for work are proud to be called +wage-earners, because wage-earning means economic independence. +The census of 1890 reports nearly 400 occupations open to women, +and nearly 4,000,000 women engaged in them. But government +reports show the average wages of women in large cities to be +from $3.83 to $6.91 per week, and the general average to be from +$5.00 to $6.68. In all lines women are paid less than men for the +same grade of work, and they are often compelled to toil under +needlessly dangerous and unsanitary conditions. If the people of +this country want to advance civilization, they have no need to +go to the islands of the Pacific to do it.</p> + +<p>How are these evils to be remedied? By organization, suffrage, +co-operation among women, and above all, the inculcation of the +principle that a woman is an individual, with a right to choose +her work, and with other rights equal with man. Our law-makers +control the sanitary conditions and pay of teachers. Here is work +for the women who have "all the rights they want." When one of +these comfortably situated women was told of the need of the +ballot for working women, she held up her finger, showing the +wedding ring on it, and said, "I have all the rights I want." The +next time that I read the parable of the man who fell among +thieves and was succored by the good Samaritan, methought I could +see that woman with the wedding ring on her finger, passing by on +the other side.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[Pg 361]</a></span></p> + +<p>It is said that every woman who earns her living crowds a man +out. That argument is as old as the trade guilds of the +thirteenth century, which tried to exclude women. The Rev. Samuel +G. Smith of St. Paul, who has recently declared against women in +wage-earning occupations, stands to-day just where they did seven +hundred years ago....<a name="FNanchor_122_122" id="FNanchor_122_122"></a><a href="#Footnote_122_122" class="fnanchor">[122]</a></p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Helen Adelaide Shaw (Mass.), in A Review of the Remonstrants, was +enthusiastically received. Young, handsome and a fine elocutionist, +her imitation of the "remonstrants" and their objections to woman +suffrage convulsed the audience and was quite as effective as the most +impassioned argument.</p> + +<p>The speakers of the convention were invited to fill a number of +pulpits in Washington Sunday morning and evening. In the Unitarian +Church, where the Rev. Ida C. Hultin preached, there was not standing +room. The Rev. Anna Howard Shaw gave the sermon at the Universalist +Church, of which the <i>Post</i> said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Never in the history of the church had such a crowd been in +attendance. The lecture rooms on either side of the auditorium +had been thrown open, and these, as well as the galleries, were +crowded almost to suffocation. Women stood about the edges of the +room, and seats on window sills were at a premium. Outside in the +vestibules of the church women elbowed one another for points of +vantage on the gallery stairs, where an occasional glimpse might +be caught of the handsome, dark-eyed, gray-haired woman who +looked singularly appropriate at the pulpit desk. The +congregation hung upon every word, and her remarks, sometimes +bitter and caustic, were met with a hum of approval from the +crowded auditorium.</p> + +<p>Perhaps eight-tenths of the congregation were women. Miss Shaw's +pulpit manner is easy, but her words are emphasized by gestures +which impress her hearers with a sense of the speaker's +earnestness. Her voice, while sweet and musical, is strong, and +carries a tone of conviction. Her subject last night was +"Strength of Character." The text was chosen from Joshua, 1:9: +"Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not +afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the Lord thy God is with +thee whithersoever thou goest."</p> + +<p>In the opening remarks the speaker said it was now time that +women asserted their rights. "Men have no right to define for us +our limitations. Who shall interpret to a woman the divine +element in her being? It is for me to say that I shall be free. +No human soul shall determine my life for me unless that soul +will stand<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[Pg 362]</a></span> before the bar of God and take my sentence. Men who +denounce us do so because they are ignorant of what they do. +Woman has broken the silence of the century. Her question to God +is, 'Who shall interpret Thee to me?' The churches of this day +have not begun to conceive of what Christianity means.</p> + +<p>"It is not true that all women should be married and the managers +of homes. There is not more than one woman in five capable of +motherhood in its highest possible state, and I may say that not +one man in ten is fitted for fatherhood. We strongly advocate +that no woman and man should marry until they are instructed in +the science of home duties. Instead of woman suffrage breaking up +families, it has just the opposite effect. In the State of +Wyoming where it has existed thirty years, there is a larger per +cent. of marriages and a less of divorces than in any other State +in the Union. Because a woman is a suffragist is no reason that +she may not be a good housekeeper. The two most perfect +housekeepers I ever knew in my life were members of my +congregation in New England—one was a suffragist and the other +had no thought of the rights of women." ...</p> + +<p>After the services almost every woman in the congregation crowded +forward to shake the hand of the speaker.</p></blockquote> + +<p>On Monday evening the national character of the convention was +conspicuously demonstrated, as the speakers represented the East, the +South, the Middle West and the Pacific Slope. Mrs. Florence Howe Hall +(N. J.), the highly educated daughter of Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, read a +charming farce entitled The Judgment of Minerva, the suffragists and +the antis, as goddesses, bringing their cause before Jupiter, with a +decision, of course, in favor of the former. Miss Diana Hirschler, a +young lawyer of Boston, presented Woman's Position in the Law in a +paper which was in itself an illustration of the benefit of a legal +training. Mrs. Virginia D. Young (S. C.) told the Story of Woman +Suffrage in the South, and sketched the history of the progressive +Southern woman, beginning as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The woman suffragists of the South have suffered in the pillory +of public derision. It has been as deadly a setting up in the +stocks as ever New England practiced on her martyrs to freedom. +The women who have led in this revolt against old ideals have had +to be as heroic as the men who stormed San Juan heights in the +contest for Santiago de Cuba....</p> + +<p>It is out of date to be carried in a sedan chair when one can fly +around on a bicycle, and though in our conservative South, we +have still some preachers with Florida moss on their chins, who +storm at the woman on her wheel as riding straight to hell, we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[Pg 363]</a></span> +believe, with Julian Ralph, that the women bicyclists "out-pace +their staider sisters in their progress to woman's emancipation."</p> + +<p>Clark Howell, the brilliant Georgian, in his recent address +before the Independent Club, set people to talking about him, +from Niagara Falls in the East to the Garden of the Gods in the +West, by his elucidations of "The Man with his Hat in his Hand;" +but I propose to show you to-night a greater—the Woman With Her +Bonnet Off, who speaks from the platform in a Southern city. You +know how the women of the stagnant Orient stick to their veils, +coverings for head and face, outward signs of real slavery. The +bonnet is the civilized substitute for the Oriental veil, and to +take it off is the first manifestation of a woman's resolve to +have equal rights, even if all the world laugh and oppose.</p> + +<p>In South Carolina the first newspaper article in favor of woman +suffrage written by a woman over her own name, was met by the +taunt that she had imbibed her views from the women of the North. +But this was merely ignorance of history, for the story of woman +suffrage in the South really antedates that in New England. The +new woman of the new South, who asks for equal rights with her +brother man, is in the direct line of succession to that +magnificent "colonial dame," Mistress Margaret Brent of Maryland, +who asked for a vote in the Colonial Assembly after the death of +her kinsman, Lord Baltimore, who had endowed her with powers of +attorney. Margaret Brent antedated Abigail Adams by over a +century.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Annie L. Diggs, State librarian, depicted Municipal Suffrage in +Kansas, with the knowledge of one who had been a keen observer and an +active participant.<a name="FNanchor_123_123" id="FNanchor_123_123"></a><a href="#Footnote_123_123" class="fnanchor">[123]</a> Mrs. Abigail Scott Duniway described the work +which had been and would be done in the interest of the approaching +suffrage amendment campaign in Oregon.</p> + +<p>On Tuesday evening Mrs. Mabel Loomis Todd (Mass.), under the head of +The Village Beautiful, told what might be accomplished toward the +beautifying of towns and cities if the authority and the means were +allowed to women. This was followed by a strong, clear business talk +from Mrs. A. Emmagene Paul, superintendent of the Street-Cleaning +Department of the First Ward, Chicago, who told how "crooked +contractors and wily politicians" at first began to cultivate her. +They found, however, that they could not shake her determination to +make them live up to their contracts; they had agreed to clean the +streets, they were receiving pay for that purpose, and she, as an +inspector, was there to see that the contracts were lived up to.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[Pg 364]</a></span> Mrs. +Paul was appointed when the municipal government adopted a civil +service system, and holds her position by virtue of its examination. +She has checkmated the contractor and politician, and has accomplished +a long-needed reform in the street-cleaning department of +Chicago.<a name="FNanchor_124_124" id="FNanchor_124_124"></a><a href="#Footnote_124_124" class="fnanchor">[124]</a></p> + +<p>An interesting description of The Russian Woman was given by Madame +Sofja Levovna Friedland, who said that there is little suffrage for +either men or women in Russia, but such as there is both alike +possess. Mrs. Amy K. Cornwall, president of the Colorado Equal +Suffrage Association, related the work accomplished by the women of +her State since they had been enfranchised; "only six years," she +said, "and yet we are expected to have cleaned up all Colorado, +including Denver." Grace Greenwood (Mrs. Sara J. Lippincott) was +introduced by Miss Anthony as a suffragist of thirty years' standing. +The audience was greatly amused by her recital of the answers which +she had made to the "remonstrants" more than a quarter of a century +ago, showing that they were using then exactly the same objections +which are doing service to-day. Several of the speakers having failed +to appear, a very unusual occurrence, Mrs. May Wright Sewall, +president of the International Council of Women, was pressed into +service by Miss Anthony. She introduced her address gracefully by +saying: "We women think we believe in freedom, but we are often told +that we love best the tyrant who can make us obey, and I can testify +to the truth of it," motioning toward Miss Anthony. She then made an +eloquent and convincing plea for the enfranchisement of women.</p> + +<p>The mornings were devoted to committee reports and to ten-minute +reports from each of the States, often the most interesting features +of the convention. The afternoons were given to Work Conferences, when +all the various details of the work were discussed under the +leadership of those who had proved most competent—methods of +organization, of holding conventions, etc. The treasurer, Mrs. Upton, +stated that the receipts for the past year were $10,345; that the +association had an indebtedness<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[Pg 365]</a></span> of about $1,400, and Miss Anthony, +desiring to leave it entirely free from debt, had raised almost all of +this amount herself; that the books now showed every bill to be paid. +Before the close of the convention almost $10,000 were subscribed +toward the work of the coming year. It was decided to hold a National +Suffrage Bazar in New York City before the holidays in order to add to +this fund.<a name="FNanchor_125_125" id="FNanchor_125_125"></a><a href="#Footnote_125_125" class="fnanchor">[125]</a></p> + +<p>Mrs. Chapman Catt, chairman of the Organization Committee, reported +that with the secretary of the committee, Miss Mary G. Hay, she had +visited twenty States, lecturing and attending State conventions, +giving fifty-one lectures and traveling 13,000 miles. Ten thousand +letters had been sent out from the office.</p> + +<p>The comprehensive report of Mrs. Elnora M. Babcock (N. Y.), chairman +of the Press Committee, showing the remarkable success achieved in +securing the publication of articles on suffrage, seemed to offer the +best possible proof of an increasing favorable public sentiment. +Articles had been furnished regularly to 1,360 newspapers; 3,675 had +been prepared on the present convention and birthday celebration; +altogether 31,800 weekly articles had been sent out and, so far as +could be ascertained, all had been published. The number of papers +which would use plate matter on suffrage was limited only by the money +which could be commanded to supply it.</p> + +<p>Miss Anthony, in reporting for the Congressional Committee, made a +good point when she said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>One reason why so little has been done by Congress is because +none of us has remained here to watch our employes up at the +Capitol. Nobody ever gets anything done by Congress or by a State +Legislature except by having some one on hand to look out for it. +We need a Watching Committee. The women can not expect to get as +much done as the railroads, the trusts, the corporations and all +the great moneyed concerns. They keep hundreds of agents at the +national Capital to further their interests. We have no one here, +and yet we expect to get something done, although we labor under +the additional disadvantage of having no ballots to use as a +reward or punishment. Whatever takes place in Washington is felt +to the circumference of the country. I have had nearly all the +States send petitions to Congress asking that upon whatever terms +suffrage is extended to the men of Hawaii and our other new +possessions, it may be extended to the women, and it is this +which has<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[Pg 366]</a></span> stirred up the anti-suffragists in Massachusetts, New +York and Illinois to their recent demonstrations.... Mrs. Harper +has culled extracts from all the favorable congressional reports +we have had during the past thirty years, and we have made a +pamphlet of them, which will be laid on the desk of every member +of Congress.<a name="FNanchor_126_126" id="FNanchor_126_126"></a><a href="#Footnote_126_126" class="fnanchor">[126]</a></p></blockquote> + +<p>Mary F. Gist, Anna S. Hamilton and Emma Southwick Brinton were +introduced as fraternal delegates from the Woman's National Press +Association; Mrs. William Scott, from the Universal Peace Union; Dr. +Agnes Kemp, from the Peace Society of Philadelphia; Elizabeth B. +Passmore from the Baltimore Yearly Meeting of Friends. Letters of +greeting were received from Mrs. Priscilla Bright McLaren of Scotland, +Mrs. Mary Foote Henderson, of Washington, D. C., and many others.</p> + +<p>Among the memorial resolutions were the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In reviewing the gains and losses of the past year, we recall +with profound regret the loss of those tried and true workers for +woman's enfranchisement, George W. and Mrs. Henrietta M. Banker +of New York, who died within a few days of each other. "Lovely in +life, in death they were not divided." Although we shall sorely +miss their genial and inspiring presence, they will continue by +the munificent provisions of their wills to aid the cause.</p> + +<p>We are also saddened by the news just received of the decease of +Dr. Elizabeth C. Sargent of San Francisco, our valued co-worker +in the recent California Suffrage Campaign, and daughter of our +lifelong friends, U. S. Senator Aaron A. and Mrs. Ellen Clark +Sargent. All advocates of equal suffrage unite in offering to the +bereaved mother their heartfelt sympathy in her loss.</p></blockquote> + +<p>A vote of thanks was passed to Bishop Spaulding of Peoria, Ills., +Bishop McQuaid of Rochester, N. Y. (Catholics), and the Rev. Frank M. +Bristol of the M. E. Metropolitan Church, Washington (the one attended +by President McKinley), for their recent sermons referring favorably +to woman suffrage. These were the more noticeable as during this +convention Cardinal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[Pg 367]</a></span> Gibbons of Baltimore devoted his Sunday discourse +to a terrific arraignment of society women and those asking for the +suffrage, denouncing them alike as destroyers of the home, etc.</p> + +<p>The National Association requested the appointment by President +McKinley of Mrs. Bertha Honoré Palmer as National Commissioner from +the United States to the Paris Exposition, and of Mrs. May Wright +Sewall as delegate to represent the organized work of women in the +United States. Both of these appointments were afterwards made.</p> + +<p>The corresponding secretary read invitations for the next annual +convention from the Citizens' Business League of Milwaukee; the +Business Men's League and the Mayor of Cincinnati; the Chamber of +Commerce of Detroit; the Business Men's League of San Antonio; the +Cleveland Business Men's Convention League; the Suffrage Society of +Buffalo and the following: "The Minnesota Woman Suffrage Association +takes great pride in being able to invite you most cordially to hold +your annual meeting for 1901 in the city of Minneapolis. We guarantee +$600 towards expenses and more if necessary. Enclosed are invitations +from the Board of Trade, the Mayor and our three daily newspapers, all +assuring us of financial backing." This was signed by Mrs. Martha J. +Thompson, president, and Dr. Ethel E. Hurd, corresponding secretary. +The invitation was accepted.</p> + +<p>The usual hearings were held Tuesday morning, February 13, in the +Marble Room of the Senate and the committee room of the House +Judiciary, both of which were crowded to the doors, the seats being +filled with women while members of Congress stood about the sides of +the room. That before the Senate Committee—John W. Daniel (Va.), +chairman; James H. Berry (Tenn.); George P. Wetmore (R. I.); Addison +G. Foster (Wash.)—was confined to a historical résumé of the movement +for woman suffrage, the speakers being presented by Miss Anthony. The +Work with Congress was carefully delineated by Mrs. Colby, who +concluded: "Everything that a disfranchised class could do has been +done by women, and never in the long ages in which the love of freedom +has been evolving in the human heart has there been such an effort by +any other class of people. Surely it ought to win the respect and +support of every man in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[Pg 368]</a></span> this republic who has a brain to understand +the blessings of liberty and a heart to beat in sympathy with a +struggle to obtain it."<a name="FNanchor_127_127" id="FNanchor_127_127"></a><a href="#Footnote_127_127" class="fnanchor">[127]</a></p> + +<p>Municipal Suffrage in Kansas was described by Mrs. Laura M. Johns. +Woman Suffrage in Colorado was presented by Mrs. Bradford. Mrs. +Harriot Stanton Blatch told of Woman Suffrage in England, closing as +follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We have heard about the suffrage in the Western States of +America, and the reply always is: "Oh, that is all very well for +thinly populated countries." Now I am going to tell you a little +of the suffrage question in England, not a thinly populated +country, with its 20,000,000 of people crowded in that small +space.</p> + +<p>Gentlemen of the committee, I would like to draw your attention +to one thing, which is true in America as well as in +England—that nothing has been given to women gratuitously. They +have had at each step to prove their ability before you gave them +anything else. In 1870 England passed the Education Act, which +gave women the right to sit on the school boards and to vote for +them. It was the first time they had had elective school boards +in England; before that all the education had been controlled by +church organizations, who had appointed boards of managers. Women +had been appointed to those boards and so admirable had been +their work that when the law was passed in 1870 many women stood +for election and were elected, and in three cases they came in at +the head of the polls. Five years after that a verdict was passed +upon the work of those women as school officials, for in 1875, +women were allowed to go on the poor-law boards. In 1894 the law +was further modified so that it contemplated the possibility of a +larger circle of poor-law guardians. Before that there had been a +high qualification—occupation of a house of a certain rental, +etc., but now that was all pushed aside. What was the result? +Nearly 1,000 women are now sitting on the poor-law boards of +England; 94 on the great board of London itself.</p> + +<p>These local boards deal with the great asylums, with the great +pauper schools, with the immense poorhouses and, more than that, +they deal with one of the largest funds in England, the outdoor +and indoor relief. What has been the verdict upon the work of +those women on the poor-law board? In 1896 there was the +question, when this law was extended to Ireland, whether women +should be put on those boards. The vote in Parliament was 272 in +favor of the women and only 8 against. Eight men only, so unwise, +so foolish, left in the great English Parliament, who said it was +not for women to deal with those immense bodies of pauper +children, not for women to deal with this outdoor relief fund, +not for women to deal with the unfortunate mothers of +illegitimate children....</p> + +<p>Women in England, qualified women, have every local vote, +everything<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[Pg 369]</a></span> which would correspond with your State and municipal +vote here, they have all except the Parliamentary vote.</p> + +<p>In England we have opponents, just as you have here. I do not +know whether they are more illogical or less so, but they +certainly do one extraordinary thing—they are in favor of +everything that has been won and take advantage of it. A large +number of the 2,000 women who are sitting on the various local +bodies in England are opposed to the Parliamentary vote for their +sex, and yet they are really in political life. Now, gentlemen, +if you want to have the women stop coming here, give us the vote +and then we won't come; give the "antis" the vote, and then they +will have the political life that they are really longing for.</p> + +<p>Almost always, if you analyze the anti-suffrage idea in either a +man or a woman you find it is anti-democratic. I have begun to +think that I am the only good democrat left in America. I believe +in the very widest possible suffrage. Why do I believe it? +Because I have lived and seen the other thing in England, and I +have seen that as democracy broadened politics was purified. That +has been the history from the beginning. No politics in the world +was more corrupt than the English at the beginning of this +century, but as democracy has come farther and farther into the +field, England has become politically one of the purest nations +in the world.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The paper on Woman Suffrage in the British Isles and Colonies was +prepared by Miss Helen Blackburn, editor of the <i>Englishwoman's +Review</i>; and Woman Suffrage in Foreign Countries was described by Mrs. +Jessie Cassidy Saunders. The last address was given by Mrs. Carrie +Chapman Catt (N. Y.), Why We Ask for the Submission of an Amendment:</p> + +<blockquote><p>A survey of the changes which have been wrought within the past +hundred years in the status of women—educational, social, +financial and political—fills the observing man or woman with a +feeling akin to awe. No great war has been fought in behalf of +their emancipation; no great political party has espoused their +cause; no heroes have bled and died for their liberty; yet words +fail utterly to measure the distance between the "sphere" of the +woman of 1800 and that of the woman of 1900. How has the +transformation come? What mysterious power has brought it?</p> + +<p>On the whole, men and women of the present rejoice at every right +gained and every privilege conceded. Not one jot or tittle would +they abate the advantage won; yet when the plea is made that the +free, self-respecting, self-reliant, independent, thinking women +of this generation be given the suffrage, the answer almost +invariably comes back, "When women as a whole demand it, men will +consider it." This answer carries with it the apparent +supposition that all the changes have come because the majority +of women wanted them, and that further enlargement of liberty +must cease because the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[Pg 370]</a></span> majority do not want it. Alas, it is a +sad comment upon the conservatism of the average human being that +not one change of consequence has been desired by women as a +whole, or even by a considerable part. It would be nearer the +truth to say women as a whole have opposed every advance.</p> + +<p>The progress has come because women of a larger mold, loftier +ambitions and nobler self-respect than the average have been +willing to face the opposition of the world for the sake of +liberty. More than one such as these deserve the rank of martyr. +The sacrifice of suffering, of doubt, of obloquy, which has been +endured by the pioneers in the woman movement will never be fully +known or understood....</p> + +<p>With the bold demand for perfect equality of rights in every walk +of life the public have compromised. Not willing to grant all, +they have conceded something; and by repeated compromises and +concessions to the main demand the progress of woman's rights has +been accomplished.</p> + +<p>There are two kinds of restrictions upon human liberty—the +restraint of law and that of custom. No written law has ever been +more binding than unwritten custom supported by popular opinion. +At the beginning of our century both law and custom restricted +the liberty of women.</p> + +<p>It was the edict of custom which prohibited women from receiving +an education, engaging in occupations, speaking in public, +organizing societies, or in other ways conducting themselves like +free, rational human beings. It was law which forbade married +women to control their own property or to collect their own +wages, and which forbade all women to vote. The changes have not +come because women wished for them or men welcomed them. A +liberal board of trustees, a faculty willing to grant a trial, an +employer willing to experiment, a broad-minded church willing to +hear a woman preach, a few liberal souls in a community willing +to hear a woman speak—these have been the influences which have +brought the changes.</p> + +<p>There is no more elaborate argument or determined opposition to +woman suffrage than there has been to each step of progress.... +Had a vote been taken, co-education itself would have been +overwhelmingly defeated. In 1840, before women had studied or +practiced medicine, had it been necessary to obtain permission to +do so by a vote of men or women, 8,000 graduated women physicians +would not now be engaged in the healing art in our country. In +1850, when vindictive epithets were hurled from press, pulpit and +public in united condemnation of the few women who were +attempting to be heard on the platform as speakers, had it been +necessary to secure the right of free public speech through +Legislatures or popular approval, the voices of women would still +be silent.... The rights of women have come in direct opposition +to the popular consensus of opinion. Yet when they have once +become established, they have been wanted by women and welcomed +by men.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[Pg 371]</a></span></p> + +<p>There are a few fanatics who, if they could, would force the +women of this generation back into the spheres of their +grandmothers. There are some pessimists who imagine they see all +natural order coming to a speedy end because of the enlarged +liberties and opportunities of women. There are sentimentalists +who believe that the American home, that most sacred unit of +society, is seriously imperiled by the tendencies of women to +adopt new duties and interests. But this is not the thought of +the average American. There are few intelligent men who would be +willing to provide their daughters no more education than was +deemed proper for their grandmothers, or who would care to +restrict them to the old-time limited sphere of action. Thinking +men and women realize that the American home was never more +firmly established than at the present time, and that it has +grown nobler and happier as women have grown more self-reliant. +The average man and woman recognize that the changes which have +come have been in the interest of better womanhood and better +manhood, bringing greater happiness to women and greater +blessings to men. They recognize that each step gained has +rendered women fitter companions for men, wiser mothers and far +abler units of society.</p> + +<p>The public acknowledges the wisdom, the common sense, the +practical judgment of the woman movement until it asks for the +suffrage. In other words, it approves every right gained because +it is here, and condemns the one right not yet gained because it +is not here.</p> + +<p>Had it been either custom or statutory law which forbade women to +vote, the suffrage would have been won by the same processes +which have gained every other privilege. A few women would have +voted, a few men and women would have upheld them, and, little by +little, year after year, the number of women electors would have +increased until it became as general for women to vote as it is +for men. Had this been possible the women would be voting to-day +in every State in the Union; and undoubtedly their appearance at +the polls would now be as generally accepted as a matter of fact +as the college education. But, alas, when this step of +advancement was proposed, women found themselves face to face +with the stone wall of Constitutional Law, and they could not +vote until a majority of men should first give their consent. +Indeed the experiment was made to gain this sacred privilege by +easier means. The history of the voting of Susan B. Anthony and +others is familiar to all, but the Supreme Court decided that the +National Constitution must first be amended. It therefore becomes +a necessity to convert to this reform a majority of the men of +the whole United States.</p> + +<p>When we recall the vast amount of illiteracy, ignorance, +selfishness and degradation which exists among certain classes of +our people the task imposed upon us is appalling. There are whole +precincts of voters in this country whose united intelligence +does not equal that of one representative American woman. Yet to +such classes as these we are asked to take our cause as the court +of final resort. We are compelled to petition men who have never +heard of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[Pg 372]</a></span> the Declaration of Independence, and who have never +read the Constitution, for the sacred right of self-government; +we are forced to appeal for justice to men who do not know the +meaning of the word; we are driven to argue our claim with men +who never had two thoughts in logical sequence. We ask men to +consider the rights of a citizen in a republic and we get the +answer in reply, given in all seriousness, "Women have more +rights now than they ought to have;" and that, too, without the +faintest notion of the inanity of the remark or the emptiness of +the brain behind it.</p> + +<p>When we present our cause to men of higher standing and more +liberal opinion, we find that the interest of party and the +personal ambition for place are obstacles which prevent them from +approving a question concerning whose popularity there is the +slightest doubt.</p> + +<p>The way before us is difficult at best, not because our demand is +not based upon unquestioned justice, not because it is not +destined to win in the end, but because of the nature of the +processes through which it must be won. In fact the position of +this question might well be used to demonstrate that observation +of Aristotle that "a democracy has many striking points of +resemblance with tyranny...."</p> + +<p>It is for these reasons, gentlemen, that we appeal to your +committee to aid in the submission of a Sixteenth Amendment. Such +an amendment would go before the Legislatures of our country +where the grade of intelligence is at least higher than we should +find in the popular vote.</p> + +<p>Though you yourselves may doubt the expediency of woman suffrage, +though you may question the soundness of our claim, yet, in the +name of democracy, which permits the people to make and amend +their constitutions, and in the name of American womanhood, +prepared by a century of unmeasured advance for political duties, +we beg your aid in the speedy submission of this question. We ask +this boon in the direct interest of the thousands of women who do +want to vote, who suffer pangs of humiliation and degradation +because of their political servitude. We ask it equally in the +indirect interest of the thousands of women who do not want to +vote, as we believe their indifference or opposition is the same +natural conservatism which led other women to oppose the college +education, the control of property, the freedom of public speech +and the right of organization.</p> + +<p>Years ago George William Curtis pleaded for fair play for women. +It is the same plea we are repeating. We only petition for fair +play, and this means the submission of our question to the most +intelligent constituency which has power to act upon it. If we +shall fail, we will abide by the decision. That is, we will wait +till courage has grown stronger, reason more logical, justice +purer, in the positive knowledge that our cause will eventually +triumph. As the daughters of Zelophehad appealed to Moses and his +great court for justice, so do the daughters of America appeal to +you.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Anthony closed the hearing in a speech whose vigor, logic<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[Pg 373]</a></span> and +eloquence were accentuated in the minds of the hearers by the thought +that for more than thirty years she had made these pleas before +congressional committees, only to be received with stolid indifference +or open hostility. She began by saying: "In closing I would like to +give a little object lesson of the two methods of gaining the +suffrage. By one it is insisted that we shall carry our question to +what is termed a popular vote of each State—that is, that its +Legislature shall submit to the electors the proposition to strike the +little adjective "male" from the suffrage clause. We have already made +that experiment in fifteen different elections in ten different +States. Five States have voted on it twice." She then summarized +briefly the causes of the defeats in the various States, and +continued:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Now here is all we ask of you, gentlemen, to save us women from +any more tramps over the States, such as we have made now fifteen +times. In nine of those campaigns I myself, made a canvass from +county to county. In my own State of New York at the time of the +constitutional convention in 1894, I visited every county of the +sixty—I was not then 80 years of age, but 74....</p> + +<p>There is an enemy of the homes of this nation and that enemy is +drunkenness. Every one connected with the gambling house, the +brothel and the saloon works and votes solidly against the +enfranchisement of women, and, I say, if you believe in chastity, +if you believe in honesty and integrity, then do what the enemy +wants you not to do, which is to take the necessary steps to put +the ballot in the hands of women....</p> + +<p>I pray you to think of this question as you would if the one-half +of the people who are disfranchised were men, if we women had +absolute power to control every condition in this country and you +were obliged to obey the laws and submit to whatever arrangements +we made. I want you to report on this question exactly as if the +masculine half of the people were the ones who were deprived of +this right to a vote in governmental affairs. You would not be +long in bringing in a favorable report if you were the ones who +were disfranchised and denied a voice in your Government. If it +were not women—if it were the farmers of this country, the +manufacturers, or any class of men who were robbed of their +inalienable rights, then we would see that class rising in +rebellion, and the Government shaken to its very foundation; but +being women, being only the mothers, daughters, wives and sisters +of men who constitute the aristocracy, we have to submit.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The Rev. Anna Howard Shaw (Penn.) presided over the hearing before the +House Judiciary Committee.<a name="FNanchor_128_128" id="FNanchor_128_128"></a><a href="#Footnote_128_128" class="fnanchor">[128]</a> The Constitutional<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[Pg 374]</a></span> Argument was made +by Mrs. Lillie Devereux Blake (N. Y.), who said in the course of a +long and logical address:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We find that it is declared in Article IV, Section 4, that "the +United States shall guarantee to every State in the Union a +republican form of Government." What is a republican form of +Government? In a monarchy, the theory is that all power flows +directly from the monarch; even in constitutional monarchies each +concession has been obtained "by consent of our gracious +sovereign." When the laws are based on the idea that the caprices +of the ruler regulate the privileges granted to the people, it is +at least logical, even if it is cruel, to refuse the right of +suffrage to any class of the community. You will agree that this +is not a monarchy, where power flows from the sovereign to the +people, but a republic, where the sovereign people give to the +Executive they have chosen the power to carry out their will. Can +you really claim that we live under a republican form of +government when one-half the adult inhabitants are denied all +voice in the affairs of the nation? It may be better described as +an oligarchy, where certain privileged men choose the rulers who +make laws for their own benefit, too often to the detriment of +the unrepresented portion of our people, who are denied +recognition as completely as was ever an oppressed class in the +most odious form of oligarchy which usurped a government.</p> + +<p>Article XIV, Section 2, provides that "Representation shall be +apportioned among the several States according to their +respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each +State, excluding Indians, not taxed." What sort of justice is +there in excluding from the basis of representation Indians who +are not taxed and including in this basis women who are taxed? +The framers of this amendment were evidently impressed with the +tenet that taxation and representation should be associated, and +that as the Indian paid no taxes, and was not, therefore, forced +to carry the burdens of citizenship, he might, with justice, be +denied the privileges of citizenship. But by what specious +reasoning can any one maintain that it is honest to tax the great +body of women citizens, to count them in the basis of +representation, and yet deny to them the right of personal +representation at the ballot box? What excuse can be made for +this monstrous perversion of liberty? Each one of you, gentlemen, +sits here as the representative of thousands of women who, by +their money, have helped to build this Capitol in which you +assemble and to pay for the seats in which you sit; nay, more, +they pay a part of the salary of every man here, and yet what +real representation have they? How often do you think of the +women of your States and of their interests in the laws you pass? +How much do you reflect on the injustice which is daily and +hourly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[Pg 375]</a></span> done them by denying to them all voice in this body, +wherein you claim to "represent the people" of your respective +States....</p> + +<p>Some years ago, when the bill regulating affairs in Utah was +under discussion Senator Edmunds said, "Disfranchisement is a +cruel and degrading penalty, that ought not to be inflicted +except for crime." Yet this cruel and degrading penalty is +inflicted upon practically all the women of the United States. Of +what crime have we been guilty? Or is our mere sex a fault for +which we must be punished? Would not any body of men look upon +disfranchisement as "a cruel and degrading penalty?" Suppose the +news were to be flashed across our country to-morrow that the +farmers of the nation were to be disfranchised, what indignation +there would be! How they would leave their homes to assemble and +protest against this wrong! They would declare that +disfranchisement was a burden too heavy to be borne; that if they +were unrepresented laws would be passed inimical to their best +interests; that only personal representation at the ballot box +could give them proper protection; and they would hasten here, +even as we are doing, to entreat you to remove from them the +burden of "the cruel and degrading penalty of disfranchisement."</p> + +<p>And now, I desire to call your attention to a series of +declarations in the Constitution which prove beyond all +possibility of contravention that the Government has solemnly +pledged itself to secure to the women of the nation the right of +suffrage.</p> + +<p>Article XIV, Section 1, declares that "All persons born or +naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction +thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State +wherein they reside." The women of this country are, then, +citizens thereof and entitled to all the rights of citizens.</p> + +<p>Article XV speaks of "the right of a citizen to vote," as if that +were one of the most precious privileges of citizenship, so +precious that its protection is embodied in a separate amendment.</p> + +<p>If we now turn to Article IV, Section 2, we find it declares that +"the citizens of each State shall be entitled to all the +privileges and immunities of citizens in the several States."</p> + +<p>What do these assertions mean? Is there one of you who can +explain away these noble guarantees of the right of individual +representation at the ballot box as mere one-sided phrases, +having no significance for one-half the people? No. These grand +pledges are abiding guarantees of human freedom, honest promises +of protection to all the people of the republic.</p> + +<p>You, gentlemen, have sworn to carry out all the provisions of the +Constitution. Does not this oath lay upon you the duty of seeing +that this great pledge is kept and that the Fifty-sixth Congress +sets its mark in history by fulfilling these guarantees and +securing the ballot to the millions of women citizens, possessing +every qualification for the intelligent use of this mighty weapon +of liberty?</p> + +<p>The Dome of this Capitol is surmounted by a magnificent statue +representing the genius of American freedom. How is this mighty +power embodied? As a majestic woman, full-armed and panoplied<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[Pg 376]</a></span> to +protect the liberty of the republic. Is not this symbol a mockery +while the women of the country are held in political slavery? We +ask you to insist that the pledges of the republic shall be +redeemed, that its promises shall be fulfilled, and that American +womanhood shall be enfranchised.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton (N. Y.), as had been her custom during all +the years since she had ceased to appear in person before these +committees, sent a strong appeal for justice, beginning as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In adjusting the rights of citizens in our newly-acquired +possessions, the whole question of suffrage is again fairly open +for discussion in the House of Representatives; and as some of +the States are depriving the colored men of the exercise of this +right and all of the States, except four, deny it to all women, I +ask Congress to submit an amendment to the National Constitution +declaring that citizens not allowed a voice in the Government +shall not be taxed or counted in the basis of representation.</p> + +<p>To every fair mind, such an amendment would appear pre-eminently +just, since to count disfranchised classes in the basis of +representation compels citizens to aid in swelling the number of +Congressmen who may legislate against their most sacred +interests. If the Southern States that deny suffrage to negro men +should find that it limited their power in Congress by counting +in the basis of representation only those citizens who vote, they +would see that the interests of the races lay in the same +direction. A constitutional amendment to this effect would also +rouse the Northern States to their danger, for the same rule +applied there in excluding all women from the basis of +representation would reduce the number of their members of +Congress one-half. And if the South should continue her suicidal +policy toward women as well as colored men, her States would be +at a still greater disadvantage....</p> + +<p>By every principle of our republic, logically considered, woman's +emancipation is a foregone conclusion. The great "declarations," +by the fathers, regarding individual rights and the true +foundations of government, should not be glittering generalities +for demagogues to quote and ridicule, but eternal laws of +justice, as fixed in the world of morals as are the laws of +attraction and gravitation in the material universe.</p> + +<p>In regard to the injustice of taxing unrepresented classes, Lord +Coke says: "The supreme power can not take from any man his +property without his consent in person or by representation. The +very act of taxing those who are not represented appears to me to +deprive them of one of their most sacred rights as free men, and +if continued, seems to be in effect an entire disfranchisement of +every civil right; for what one civil right is worth a rush when +a man's property is subject to be taken from him without his +consent?</p> + +<p>Woman's right to life, liberty and happiness, to education, +property<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[Pg 377]</a></span> and representation, can not be denied, for if we go +back to first principles, where did the few get the right, +through all time, to rule the many? They never had it, any more +than pirates had the right to scour the high seas, and take +whatever they could lay hands upon.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Elizabeth Sheldon Tillinghast (Conn.) considered The Economic +Basis of Woman Suffrage:</p> + +<blockquote><p>....However we may explain it, and whether we like it or not, +woman has become an economic factor in our country and one that +is constantly assuming larger proportions. The question is now +what treatment will make her an element of economic strength +instead of weakness as at present. The presence of women in +business now demoralizes the rate of wages even more than the +increase in the supply of labor. Why? Principally because she can +be bullied with greater impunity than voters—because she has no +adequate means of self-defense. This seems a hard accusation, but +I believe it to be true.</p> + +<p>Trade is a fight—an antagonism of interests which are +compromised in contracts in which the economically stronger +always wins the advantage. There are many things that contribute +to economic strength besides ability, and among them the most +potent is coming more and more to be the power which arises from +organization expressing itself in political action. Without +political expression woman's economic value is at the bottom of +the scale. She is the last to be considered, and the +consideration is usually about exhausted before she is reached.</p> + +<p>She must do better work than men for equal pay or equal work for +less pay. In spite of this she may be supplanted at any time by a +political adherent, or her place may be used as a bribe to an +opposing faction. Women are weak in the business world because +they are new in it; because they are only just beginning to learn +their economic value; because their inherent tendencies are +passive instead of aggressive, which makes them as a class less +efficient fighters than men.</p> + +<p>For these reasons women are and must be for years, if not for +generations, economically weaker than men. Does it appeal to any +one's sense of fairness to give the stronger party in a struggle +additional advantages and deny them to the weaker one? Would that +be considered honorable—would it be considered tolerable—even +among prize-fighters? What would be thought of a contest between +a heavy-weight and a feather-weight in which the heavy-weight was +allowed to hit below the belt and the feather-weight was confined +to the Marquis of Queensberry's rules? And yet these are +practically the conditions under which women do business in +forty-one of our States.</p> + +<p>While the State does not owe any able-bodied, sound-minded man or +woman a living, it does owe them all a fair—yes, even a generous +opportunity to earn their own living, and one that shall not be +prolonged<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[Pg 378]</a></span> dying. I do not claim that woman suffrage would be a +panacea for all our economic woes. But I do claim that it would +remove one handicap which women workers have to bear in addition +to all those they share in common with men. I do claim that the +men of the future will be healthier, wiser and more efficient +wealth-producers if their mothers are stimulated by a practical +interest in public affairs. I do claim that that nation will be +the strongest in which the economic conditions are the most +nearly just to all, and in which co-operation and altruism are +the most completely incorporated in the lives of the people.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Hala Hammond Butt (Miss.) discussed The Changed Intellectual +Qualifications of the Women of this Century, with the intense +eloquence of Southern women, and closed as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>There are mighty forces striving within our souls—a latent +strength is astir that is lifting us out of our passive sleep. +Defenseless, still are we subject to restrictions, bonds as +illogical in theory as unjust in practice. Helpless, we may +formulate as we will; but demonstrate we may not. The query +persists in thrusting itself upon my mind, why should I be +amenable to a law that does not accord me recognition? Why, +indeed, should I owe loyalty and allegiance to a Government that +stamps my brow with the badge of servility and inferiority?</p> + +<p>Our human interests are identical—yours and mine; our paths not +far apart; we have the same loves, the same hates, the same +hopes, the same desires; a common origin, a common need, a common +destiny. Our moral responsibilities are equal, our civil +liabilities not less than yours, our social and industrial +exactions equally as stringent as yours, and yet—O, crowning +shame of the nineteenth century!—we are denied the garb of +citizenship. Gentlemen, is this justice?</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Catharine Waugh McCulloch, auditor of the National Suffrage +Association and a member of the Chicago bar, demonstrated The +Protective Power of the Ballot:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The spirit of struggle against oppression and dependence is in +the air, and all have breathed it in—women as well as men. They, +too, feel the desire for freedom, opportunity, progress; the wish +for liberty, a share in the government, emancipation. The +practical method by which these aspirations can be realized is +through the ballot. It is the insignia of power. The Outlander +wants it; so does the Filipino, the Slav, the Cuban; so do women. +Women need the ballot not only for the honor of being esteemed +peers among freemen, but they want it for the practical value it +will be in protecting them in the exercise of a citizen's +prerogatives....</p> + +<p>But, it is asked, "Have not women had some sort of protection +without the ballot?" Yes, but it has been only such protection +as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[Pg 379]</a></span> the caprice or affection of the voting class has given, +gratuities revocable at will. The man of wealth or power defends +his wife, daughter or sweetheart because she is his, just as he +would defend his property. His own opinions, not her views, +decide him concerning the things from which she should be +protected. Should she ever need protection against "her +protector," there is no one to give it....</p> + +<p>Entrance into remunerative employments in many instances has been +denied women. In many of the States the professions of law, +medicine, dentistry and all the elective offices are closed by +statute. Appointive positions, also, which women might legally +hold are practically withheld from them because of their lack of +the ballot. The appointing power—president, governor, mayor, +judge or commissioner—all owe their own positions to voters who +expect some minor appointment in acknowledgment of service.</p> + +<p>Even large private corporations not supposed to be influenced by +politics have occasionally desired and received governmental help +and protection. In return, the employes of these enterprises have +been advised to vote for the party which has protected their +employers' business. At a caucus, a street parade and on election +day, the 500 or 10,000 or 100,000 persons employed in a certain +industry make a considerable political showing if they are all +voters. On such occasions women employes are of no value. Women +refused employment in various enterprises not alone are injured +in their feelings, but they are not protected in their right to +earn food, shelter and clothes.</p> + +<p>There are many different kinds of employment which do not debar +women, but even in these they need protection in securing a fair +return for their labor. In an investigation conducted by the U. +S. Department of Labor concerning the wages received by men and +women it appeared that in 75 per cent. of the 782 instances +investigated, men received 50 per cent. higher wages than did +women laboring with the same degree of efficiency on the same +kind of work.</p> + +<p>Women also need protection of their property. A man who knows the +inside truth says, "Widows and minors are always assessed higher +than men." If the assessor desires re-election, one of the +easiest methods of securing it is to lower the assessments of the +politicians who control most voters....</p> + +<p>Women also want protection for the one sphere which even the most +conservative loudly proclaim should be theirs—the home. That the +water supply is good and abundant, that the sewage is carried +away properly and speedily, that contagious cases are isolated, +that food is pure in quality and reasonable in price, that +inspection of food is honest and scientific, that weights and +measures are true, that gas and electricity are inexpensive, that +buildings are strongly constructed—these are all matters under +the control of certain officials elected by voters....</p> + +<p>Women, too, want protection for the children, proper regulations +in regard to the schools, the trains at crossings, seducers, +tramps and child abductors. They want strict laws against obscene +literature<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[Pg 380]</a></span> and the unhealthy cigarette; and what is equally +important, honest enforcement of such laws and ordinances....</p> + +<p>One class can not, will not, legislate better for all classes +than they can do for themselves. So men alone can not legislate +better for women and men than can the two for both. Women need +the ballot to protect themselves and all that they hold dear.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The hearing was closed by Miss Shaw, who said in ending her remarks:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Dire results have been predicted at every step of radical +progress. When women first enjoyed higher education the cry went +out that the home would be destroyed. It was said that if all the +women were educated, all would become bluestockings, and if all +women became bluestockings all would write books, and if all +women wrote books what would become of the homes, who would rear +the children? But the schools were opened and women entered them, +and it has been discovered that the intelligent woman makes a +wiser mother, a better homemaker and a much more desirable +companion, friend and wife than a woman who is illiterate, whose +intellectual horizon is narrowed.</p> + +<p>In many of the States where the statutes were based on the old +English common law, the husband absorbed the wife's property as +he absorbed her personal rights. Then came the demand for +property rights for wives, but the cry went up they will desert +their homes. Then it was found there were thousands of women who +could have no home if they were not permitted to pursue +avocations in the outside world. And then it was said that the +moral life of women would be degraded by public contact. Yet the +statistics show that in those occupations in which women are able +to earn a livelihood in an honorable and respectable manner they +have raised the standard of morality rather than lowered it.</p> + +<p>The results have not been those which were predicted. The homes +have not been broken up; for human hearts are and always will be +the same, and so long as God has established in this world a +greater force than all other forces combined—which we call the +divine gravity of love—just so long human hearts will continue +to be drawn together, homes will be founded, families will be +reared; and never so good a home, never so good a family, as +those founded in justice and educated upon right principles. +Consequently the industrial emancipation of women has been of +benefit to the home, to women and to men.</p> + +<p>The claim is made that we are building a barrier between men and +women; that we are antagonistic because men are men and we are +women. This is not true. We believe there never was a time when +men and women were such good friends as now, when they esteemed +each other as they do now. We have coeducation in our schools; +boys and girls work side by side and study and recite together. +When coeducation was first tried men thought they would easily +carry off the honors; but soon they learned their mistake.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[Pg 381]</a></span> That +experience gave to men a better opinion of woman's intellectual +ability.</p> + +<p>There is nothing in liberty which can harm either man or woman. +There is nothing in justice which can work against the highest +good of humanity; and when on the ground of expediency this +measure is opposed, in the words of Wendell Phillips, "Whatever +is just, God will see that it is expedient." There is no greater +inexpediency than injustice....</p> + +<p>We do not ask the ballot because we do not believe in men or +because we think men unjust or unfair. We do not ask to speak for +ourselves because we believe men unwilling to speak for us; but +because men by their very nature never can speak for women. It +would be as impossible for all men to understand the needs of +women and care for their interests as it would be for all women +to understand the needs and care for the interests of men. So +long as laws affect both men and women, both should make the +laws.</p> + +<p>Gentlemen, we leave our case with you. I wish those who oppose +this measure could know the great need of the power of the ballot +in the hands of those who struggle in the world's affairs. I +thank you in the name of our association for your kindness in +listening to us. There will never be laid before you a claim more +just—one more in accord with the fundamental principles of our +national life.</p></blockquote> + +<p>No one can read the arguments for the enfranchisement of women as +presented before these two committees without a profound conviction of +the justice of their cause and the imperative duty of those before +whom they pleaded it to report in favor of submitting the desired +amendment. This report would simply have placed the matter before the +respective Houses of Congress. But neither committee took any action +whatever and as far as practical results were concerned these eloquent +pleas fell upon deaf ears and hardened hearts.</p> + +<p>A unique feature was added to the hearings this year because, for the +first time, the advocates of woman suffrage were opposed before the +committees by a class of women calling themselves "remonstrants." The +<i>Woman's Journal</i> said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>About a dozen women from New York and Massachusetts, with one +from Delaware, came to Washington and made public speeches before +Congressional Committees to prove that a woman's place is at +home. They said they were led to take this action by their alarm +at the activity of the National-American W. S. A.</p> + +<p>The party of "antis" who came to the Senate hearing in the Marble +Room would not have been able to get in but for Miss Anthony. As +this room accommodates only about sixty persons, admission was by +tickets, and these had been issued to delegates only. The +"antis," having no tickets, were turned away; but Miss Anthony,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[Pg 382]</a></span> +learning who they were, persuaded the doorkeeper to admit them, +introduced them herself to the chairman of the committee, and +placed them in good seats near the front, where they certainly +heard more about the facts of equal suffrage than they ever did +before.<a name="FNanchor_129_129" id="FNanchor_129_129"></a><a href="#Footnote_129_129" class="fnanchor">[129]</a></p> + +<p>Mrs. Arthur M. Dodge and Miss Bissell addressed the Senate +Committee on Woman Suffrage, and Mr. Thomas Russell, Mrs. A. J. +George, Miss Emily Bissell and Mrs. Rossiter Johnson addressed +the House Judiciary Committee. In each case they secured the last +word, to which they were not entitled either by equity or custom, +by asking to speak at the conclusion of the suffrage hearing. It +was trying to have to listen to egregious misstatements of fact, +and to hear the <i>Woman's Journal</i> audaciously cited as authority +for them, without a chance to reply.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The time for these hearings belonged exclusively to the suffrage +delegates, the chairmen of the two congressional committees stating +that they would appoint some other day for the "remonstrants." The +delegates, however, declaring that they had no objections, the "antis" +were permitted to read their papers at the close of the suffrage +hearing, thus having the benefit of the large audiences, but +furnishing a vast amount of amusement to the suffragists.<a name="FNanchor_130_130" id="FNanchor_130_130"></a><a href="#Footnote_130_130" class="fnanchor">[130]</a></p> + +<p>The <i>Woman's Journal</i> said in its perfectly fair description:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The chairman of the House Committee asked Mrs. A. J. George of +Massachusetts, who conducted the hearing for the "antis," a +number of questions that she could not answer, and Thomas Russell +of that State had to prompt her repeatedly. The chairman would +ask a question; Mrs. George would look nonplussed; Mr. Russell +would lean over and whisper, "Say yes," and she would answer +aloud "Yes." The chairman would ask another question; Mr. Russell +would whisper, "Say no," and Mrs. George would answer "No." This +happened so often that both the audience and the committee were +visibly amused, and several persons said it was Mr. Russell who +was really conducting the hearing. He is a Boston lawyer who has +conducted the legislative hearings for the "antis" in +Massachusetts for some years.</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[Pg 383]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mrs. Dodge, in her speech, begged the committee not to allow the +"purely sentimental reasons of the petitioners" to have any weight, +and said: "The mere fact that this amendment is asked as a compliment +to the leading advocate of woman suffrage on the attainment of her +eightieth birthday, is evidence of the emotional frame of mind which +influences the advocates of the measure, and which is scarcely +favorable to the calm consideration that should be given to +fundamental political principles." Miss Anthony's birthday had not +been mentioned by any speaker before either committee, and the +suffragists under her leadership had been making their pleas and +arguments for a Sixteenth Amendment for over thirty years.</p> + +<p>As the suffrage speakers were not permitted to answer the +misstatements and prevarications of the "remonstrants" at the time of +the hearings and these were widely circulated through the press, the +convention passed the following resolutions on motion of Miss Alice +Stone Blackwell:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, At this morning's Congressional hearing letters were +read by the anti-suffragists from two men and one woman in +Colorado, asserting equal suffrage in that State to be a failure; +therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That we call attention to a published statement +declaring that the results are wholesome and that none of the +predicted evils have followed. This statement is signed by the +Governor and three ex-Governors of Colorado, the Chief Justice, +all the Judges of the State Supreme Court, the Denver District +Court and the Court of Appeals; all the Colorado Senators and +Representatives in Congress; President Slocum of Colorado +College, the president of the State University, the State +Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Attorney-General, the +mayor of Denver, prominent clergymen of different denominations, +and the presidents of thirteen of the principal women's +associations of Denver. The social science department of the +Denver Woman's Club has just voted unanimously to the same +effect, and the Colorado Legislature lately passed a similar +resolution by a vote of 45 to 3 in the House and 30 to 1 in the +Senate. On the other hand, during the six years that equal +suffrage has prevailed in Colorado the opponents have not yet +found six respectable men who assert over their own names and +addresses that it has had any bad results.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, At the Congressional hearing it was asserted that equal +suffrage had led to no improvements in the laws of Colorado; +therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That we call attention to the fact that Colorado owes +to equal suffrage the laws raising the age of protection for +girls to eighteen years; establishing a State Home for Dependent +Children<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[Pg 384]</a></span> and a State Industrial School for Girls; making fathers +and mothers joint guardians of their children; removing the +emblems from the Australian ballot; prohibiting child labor; also +city ordinances in Denver providing drinking fountains in the +streets; forbidding expectoration in public places, and requiring +the use of smoke-consuming chimneys on all public and business +buildings.</p></blockquote> + +<p>This anecdote was related the next day: "Miss Anthony's love of the +beautiful leads her always to clothe herself in good style and fine +materials, and she has an eye for the fitness of things as well as for +the funny side. 'Girls,' she said yesterday, after returning from the +Capitol, 'those statesmen eyed us very closely, but I will wager that +it was impossible after we got mixed together to tell an anti from a +suffragist by her clothes. There might have been a difference, though, +in the expression of the faces and the shape of the heads,' she added +drily."</p> + +<p>On Tuesday afternoon about two hundred members of the convention were +received by President McKinley in the East Room of the White House. +Miss Anthony stood at his right hand and, after the President had +greeted the last guest, he invited her to accompany him upstairs to +meet Mrs. McKinley, who was not well enough to receive all of the +ladies. Giving her his arm he led her up the old historic staircase, +"as tenderly as if he had been my own son," she said afterward. When +she was leaving, after a pleasant call, Mrs. McKinley expressed a wish +to send some message to the convention and she and the President +together filled Miss Anthony's arms with white lilies, which graced +the platform during the remainder of the meetings.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_120_120" id="Footnote_120_120"></a><a href="#FNanchor_120_120"><span class="label">[120]</span></a> The statistics used in this paper were taken from the +report of the U. S. Commissioner of Education for 1899.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_121_121" id="Footnote_121_121"></a><a href="#FNanchor_121_121"><span class="label">[121]</span></a> See <a href="#CHAPTER_XLII">chapter on Louisiana</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_122_122" id="Footnote_122_122"></a><a href="#FNanchor_122_122"><span class="label">[122]</span></a> The address of Miss Laughlin created a sensation. A +member of the United States Labor Commission was in the audience, and +was so much impressed with the power of this young woman that shortly +afterwards she was made a member of this commission to investigate the +condition of the working women of the United States. Her valuable +report was published in pamphlet form.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_123_123" id="Footnote_123_123"></a><a href="#FNanchor_123_123"><span class="label">[123]</span></a> See <a href="#CHAPTER_XL">chapter on Kansas</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_124_124" id="Footnote_124_124"></a><a href="#FNanchor_124_124"><span class="label">[124]</span></a> Immediately after the convention, the New York <i>Times</i> +published an alleged interview with Mrs. Paul, in which she was made +to say that she was not a believer in suffrage for women. She at once +denied this emphatically over her own signature, saying that the +interview was a fabrication and that she was an advocate of the +enfranchisement of women especially because of the need of their +ballot in city government.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_125_125" id="Footnote_125_125"></a><a href="#FNanchor_125_125"><span class="label">[125]</span></a> This was held the first week in December, 1901, and +netted about $8,000 for the association.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_126_126" id="Footnote_126_126"></a><a href="#FNanchor_126_126"><span class="label">[126]</span></a> It will be noticed in this pamphlet that all but one of +the favorable reports from congressional committees were made during +the years when Miss Anthony had a winter home at the Riggs House, +through the courtesy of its proprietors, Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Spofford, +and was able to secure them through personal attention and influence. +There were always some members of these committees who were favorable +to woman suffrage, but with the great pressure on every side from +other matters, this one was apt to be neglected unless somebody made a +business of seeing that it did not go by default. This Miss Anthony +did for many years, and during this time secured the excellent reports +of 1879, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1886 and 1890. The great speech of Senator +T. W. Palmer, made February 6, 1885, was in response to her insistence +that he should keep his promise to speak in favor of the question. In +1888-90 Mrs. Upton, who was residing in Washington with her father, +Ezra B. Taylor, M. C., did not permit the Judiciary Committee to +forget the report for that year, which was the first and only +favorable House Report.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_127_127" id="Footnote_127_127"></a><a href="#FNanchor_127_127"><span class="label">[127]</span></a> For account of the work of the association before +Congress see <a href="#CHAPTER_I">Chap. I</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_128_128" id="Footnote_128_128"></a><a href="#FNanchor_128_128"><span class="label">[128]</span></a> George W. Ray, N. Y., chairman; John J. Jenkins, Wis.; +Richard Wayne Parker, N. J.; Jesse Overstreet, Ind.; De Alva S. +Alexander, N. Y.; Vespasian Warner, Ill.; Winfield S. Kerr, O.; +Charles E. Littlefield, Me.; Romeo H. Freer, W. Va.; Julius Kahn, +Calif.; William L. Terry, Ark.; David A. De Armond, Mo.; Samuel W. T. +Lanham, Tex.; William Elliott, S. C.; Oscar W. Underwood, Ala.; David +H. Smith, Ky.; William H. Fleming, Ga.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_129_129" id="Footnote_129_129"></a><a href="#FNanchor_129_129"><span class="label">[129]</span></a> That this was a mistaken courtesy was proved by +subsequent events, as afterwards Mrs. Dodge came out with a card in +the New York <i>Sun</i> denying that they were admitted through the +intervention of Miss Anthony.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_130_130" id="Footnote_130_130"></a><a href="#FNanchor_130_130"><span class="label">[130]</span></a> In the official Senate report of the hearing the +arguments of the suffragists filled forty pages; those of the "antis" +five pages. They consisted of brief papers by Mrs. Dodge and Miss +Bissell. The former took the ground that the Congress should leave +this matter to be decided by the States; that women are not physically +qualified to use the ballot; and that its use by them would render +"domestic tranquillity" a byword among the people. Miss Bissell began +by saying, "It is not the tyranny but the chivalry of men that we have +to fear," and opposed the suffrage principally because the majority of +women do not want it, saying, "I have never yet been so situated that +I could see where a vote could help me. If I felt that it would, I +might become a suffragist perhaps."</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">[Pg 385]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> + +<h3>THE NATIONAL-AMERICAN CONVENTION OF 1900 CONTINUED.</h3> + + +<p>It had been known for some time before the suffrage convention of Feb. +8-14, 1900, that Miss Anthony intended to resign the presidency of the +national association at that time, when she would be eighty years old, +but her devoted adherents could not resist urging that she would +reconsider her decision. When they assembled, however, they found it +impossible to persuade her to continue longer in the office. The +Washington <i>Post</i> of February 8 said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Miss Susan B. Anthony has resigned. The woman who for the greater +part of her life has been the star that guided the National Woman +Suffrage Association through all of its vicissitudes until it +stands to-day a living monument to her wonderful mental and +physical ability has turned over the leadership to younger minds +and hands, not because this great woman feels that she is no +longer capable of exercising it, but because she has a still +larger work to accomplish before her life's labors are at an end. +In a speech which was characteristic of one who has done so much +toward the uplifting of her sex, Miss Anthony tendered her +resignation during the preliminary meeting of the executive +committee, held last night at the headquarters in the parlors of +the Riggs House.</p> + +<p>Although Miss Anthony had positively stated that she would resign +in 1900, there were many of those present who were visibly +shocked when she announced that she was about to relinquish her +position as president of the association. In the instant hush +which followed this statement a sorrow settled over the +countenances of the fifty women seated about the room, who love +and venerate Miss Anthony so much, and probably some of them +would have broken down had it not been that they knew well her +antipathy to public emotion. In a happy vein, which soon drove +the clouds of disappointment from the faces of those present, she +explained why she no longer desired to continue as an officer of +the association after having done so since its beginning.</p> + +<p>"I have fully determined," she began, "to retire from the active +presidency of the association. I was elected assistant secretary +of a woman suffrage society in 1852, and from that day to this +have always held an office. I am not retiring now because I feel +unable,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">[Pg 386]</a></span> mentally or physically, to do the necessary work, but +because I wish to see the organization in the hands of those who +are to have its management in the future." Then jestingly she +continued: "I want to see you all at work, while I am alive, so I +can scold if you do not do it well. Give the matter of selecting +your officers serious thought. Consider who will do the best work +for the political enfranchisement of women, and let no personal +feelings enter into the question."</p></blockquote> + +<p>While Miss Anthony seemed at the height of her physical and mental +vigor, those who loved her best felt it to be right that she should be +relieved of the burdens of the office which were growing heavier each +year as the demands upon the association became more numerous, and +should be free to devote her time to certain lines of work which could +be done only by herself. They tried to imitate her own cheerfulness +and philosophy in this matter, but found it more difficult than it +ever before had been to follow where she led.</p> + +<p>The last of the resolutions, presented to the convention a few days +later by the chairman of the committee, Henry B. Blackwell, read as +follows: "In view of the announced determination of Miss Susan B. +Anthony to withdraw from the presidency of this association, we tender +her our heartfelt expression of appreciation and regard. We +congratulate her upon her eightieth birthday, and trust that she will +add to her past illustrious services her aid and support to the +younger workers for woman's enfranchisement. We shall continue to look +to her for advice and counsel in the years to come. May the new +century witness the fruition of our labors."</p> + +<p>This was unanimously adopted by a rising vote. Observing that many of +the delegates were on the point of yielding to their feelings, Miss +Anthony arose and in clear, even tones, with a touch of quaint humor, +said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I wish you could realize with what joy and relief I retire from +the presidency. I want to say this to you while I am still +alive—and I am good yet for another decade—don't be afraid. As +long as my name stands at the head, I am Yankee enough to feel +that I must watch every potato which goes into the dinner-pot and +supervise every detail of the work. For the four years since I +fixed my date to retire, I have constantly been saying to myself, +"Let go, let go, let go!" I am now going to let go of the +machinery but not of the spiritual part. I expect to do more work +for woman suffrage<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">[Pg 387]</a></span> in the next decade than ever before. I have +not been for nearly fifty years in this movement without gaining +a certain "notoriety," at least, and this enables me to get a +hearing before the annual conventions of many great national +bodies, and to urge on them the passage of resolutions asking +Congress to submit to the State Legislatures a Sixteenth +Amendment to the Federal Constitution forbidding disfranchisement +on account of sex. This is a part of the work to which I mean to +devote myself henceforward. Then you all know about the big fund +which I am going to raise so that you young workers may have an +assured income and not have to spend the most of your time +begging money, as I have had to do.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The convention proceeded to the election of officers. Mrs. Lillie +Devereux Blake (N. Y.), who was a candidate for president, asked +permission to make a personal explanation and said: "I have received +from many parts of the United States expressions of regard and esteem +that have deeply touched me. But in the interests of harmony I desire +to withdraw my name from any consideration you may have wished to give +me." Of the 278 votes cast for president Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt (N. +Y.) received 254; eleven of the remaining twenty-four were cast for +Miss Anthony and ten for Mrs. Blake. The other members of the old +board were re-elected almost unanimously.<a name="FNanchor_131_131" id="FNanchor_131_131"></a><a href="#Footnote_131_131" class="fnanchor">[131]</a></p> + +<p>The Washington <i>Post</i> said: "There was a touching scene when the vote +for Mrs. Chapman Catt was announced. First there was an outburst of +applause, and then as though all at once every one realized that she +was witnessing the passing of Susan<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_388" id="Page_388">[Pg 388]</a></span> B. Anthony, their beloved +president, the deepest silence prevailed for several seconds. Lifelong +members of the association, who had toiled and struggled by the side +of Miss Anthony, could not restrain their emotions and wept in spite +of their efforts at control." The Washington <i>Star</i> thus described the +occasion:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Mrs. Blake not being in the hall, Miss Anthony was made a +committee of one to present Mrs. Catt to the convention. The +women went wild as, erect and alert, she walked to the front of +the platform, holding the hand of her young co-worker, of whom +she is extremely fond and of whom she expects great things. Miss +Anthony's eyes were tear-dimmed, and her tones were uneven, as +she presented to the convention its choice of a leader in words +freighted with love and tender solicitude, rich with +reminiscences of the past, and full of hope for the future of the +new president and her work.</p> + +<p>"Suffrage is no longer a theory, but an actual condition," she +said, "and new occasions bring new duties. These new duties, +these changed conditions, demand stronger hands, younger heads +and fresher hearts. In Mrs. Catt you have my ideal leader. I +present to you my successor."</p> + +<p>By this time half the women were using their handkerchiefs on +their eyes and the other half were waving them in the air.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The object of all this praise stood with downcast eyes and evidently +was deeply moved. At length she said in response:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Good friends, I should hardly be human if I did not feel +gratitude and appreciation for the confidence you have shown me; +but I feel the honor of the position much less than its +responsibility. I never was an aspirant for it. I consented only +six weeks ago to stand. I was not willing to be the next +president after Miss Anthony. I have known that there was a +general loyalty to her which could not be given to any younger +worker. Since Miss Anthony announced her intention to retire, +there have been editorials in many leading papers expressing +approval of her—but not of the cause. She has been much larger +than our association. The papers have spoken of the new president +as Miss Anthony's successor. Miss Anthony never will have a +successor.</p> + +<p>A president chosen from the younger generation is on a level with +the association, and it might suffer in consequence of Miss +Anthony's retirement if we did not still have her to counsel and +advise us. I pledge you whatever ability God has given me, but I +can not do this work alone. The cause has got beyond where one +woman can do the whole. I shall not be its leader as Miss Anthony +has been; I shall be only an officer of this association. I will +do all I can, but I can not do it without the co-operation of +each of you. The responsibility much overbalances the honor, and +I hope you will all help me bear the burden.</p></blockquote> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 361px;"> +<img src="images/gs05.jpg" width="361" height="500" alt="MRS. CARRIE CHAPMAN CATT. +Successor of Miss Susan B. Anthony as President of National-American +Woman Suffrage Association." title="" /> +<span class="caption">MRS. CARRIE CHAPMAN CATT.<br /> +Successor of Miss Susan B. Anthony as President of National-American +Woman Suffrage Association.</span> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_389" id="Page_389">[Pg 389]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was voted on motion of Mrs. Rachel Foster Avery to make Miss +Anthony honorary president, which was done with applause and she +observed informally: "You have moved me up higher. I always did stand +by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and my name always was after hers, and I am +glad to be there again."</p> + +<p>The press notices said of the new officer:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, the newly-elected president of the +National Suffrage Association, is a young and handsome woman with +a charming personality, and is one of the most eloquent and +logical speakers upon the public platform. For the past five +years she has been lecturer and organizer for the association, +where she has shown rare executive ability and earnestness of +purpose.</p> + +<p>She has traveled from east to west and from north to south many +times, lectured in nearly every city in the Union and has been +associated with every important victory that equal suffrage has +won of late years. She was in Colorado during the amendment +campaign, and the women attribute their success to her more than +to any other person from outside the State. She was in Idaho, +where all four political parties put suffrage planks into their +platforms and the amendment carried. She went before the +Louisiana constitutional convention, by the earnest invitation of +New Orleans women, and it gave tax-paying women the right to vote +upon all questions submitted to the tax-payers.</p></blockquote> + +<p>It had been known for several years that Mrs. Chapman Catt was Miss +Anthony's choice as her successor; she was considered the +best-equipped woman in the association for the position, and the vote +of the delegates showed how nearly unanimous was her election. The +Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, who for a number of years had been +vice-president-at-large, could have had Miss Anthony's sanction and +the unanimous vote of the convention if she would have consented to +accept the office.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Chapman Catt opened the next day's meeting by saying:</p> + +<blockquote><p>A surprise was promised as part of this afternoon's program and a +pleasant duty now falls to me. It is to present Miss Anthony with +the spirit of a gift, for the gift itself is not here. Suffrage +people from all over the world go to see Miss Anthony at her home +in Rochester, N. Y., and consequently the carpets of the parlor +and sitting-room are getting a little worn. When she goes home +she will find two beautiful Smyrna rugs fitting the floors of +those two rooms—the gift of her suffrage friends. I am also +commissioned to present her with an album. Some of our naughty +officers have been making fun of it and saying that albums are +all out of date; but this one contains the photographs of all the +presidents of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_390" id="Page_390">[Pg 390]</a></span> State Suffrage Associations, and the chairmen +of standing committees. No collection of "antis" could be found +that would present in their faces as much intelligence and +strength of character.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Anthony expressed her thanks, and said: "These girls have +disproved the old saying that a secret can not be kept by a woman, for +I have not heard a word of a rug or a picture."</p> + +<p>From the Utah Silk Commission composed of women came a handsome black +brocaded dress pattern, the work of women, from the tending of the +cocoons to the weaving of the silk. A beautiful solid silver vase was +presented from "the free women of Idaho." There was also from this +State an album of two hundred pages of pen drawings, water colors and +pressed flowers, with a sentiment on each page, the contributions of +as many individuals. California sent more than one hundred dollars. +From every State came gifts of money, silver-plate, fine china, sofa +cushions, books, pictures, exquisite jewelry, lace, chatelaine bags +and every token which loving hearts could devise. To each Miss Anthony +responded with a terse sentence or two, half tender, half humorous; +the audience entered fully into the spirit of it all, and the +convention was like a big family enjoying the birthday of one of its +members.</p> + +<p>Of the last session on February 14, the Washington <i>Post</i> said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>A vast audience consisting of both men and women witnessed at the +Church of Our Father, last evening, the passing of Susan B. +Anthony as president of the National Suffrage Association. It was +the final evening session of the Thirty-second annual convention, +which, Miss Anthony announced at its close, had been the most +successful from every point of view of any ever held.</p> + +<p>Long before the opening hour arrived the church was completely +filled, and people stood eight and ten deep in the aisles, sat +around the edge of the speakers' platform and filled the +approaches to the church. Miss Anthony and many of the other +speakers, who arrived at eight o'clock, had great difficulty in +reaching the platform.</p></blockquote> + +<p>John C. Bell, member of Congress from Colorado, made the opening +address in which he said: "The greatest obstruction to human progress +is human prejudice. As long as men are controlled more by their +prejudices than by their reason, they will be slaves to habit. If +women had voted from the foundation of the Government it would now be +as difficult to deprive them of this privilege as it would be to +repeal the Bill of Rights, but as the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_391" id="Page_391">[Pg 391]</a></span> men have done the voting from +the beginning, the force of habit is successfully battling with both +reason and justice." He refuted the charge that woman suffrage made +dissension in families, saying: "You must bear in mind that the +extending of the elective franchise to women not only elevates and +broadens them but the men as well."</p> + +<p>The address of Mrs. Blatch on Woman and War was among the most notable +of the convention. She declared that one of the good effects of war +was that "it made women work." The <i>Post</i> said: "Mrs. Harriot Stanton +Blatch, a daughter of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, whose present home is in +England, laid the blame of all the British reverses in the Transvaal +at the door of what she termed 'the evils of an idle aristocracy.' In +a most dramatic manner she denounced the course of the British Empire. +After summing up the war situation she said: 'The English armies now +on the battle-fields in the Transvaal have at their heads as officers +sons of this idle aristocracy, who through their incompetency are not +fit to be leaders. They are beneath contempt, but to the English +soldier all honor is due. He is all right.'"</p> + +<p>The speech of the pioneer Quaker suffragist, Mrs. Caroline Hallowell +Miller (Md.), delighted the audience, and her comparison of Abraham +Lincoln and Susan B. Anthony, "both having devoted their lives to +freedom," was enthusiastically received. Then occurred one of the +pleasant diversions so characteristic of these suffrage conventions. +During the interval while the collection was being taken, Mrs. Helen +Mosher James, niece of Miss Anthony, stepping to the front of the +platform, said: "This is the Rev. Anna Shaw's birthday. Her friends +wish to present her with an easy chair to await her when she comes +back wearied from going up and down the land, satchel in hand, on her +many lecture tours. Here are fifty-three gold dollars, one for each +year of her life, and we wish her to buy such a chair as suits her +best."</p> + +<p>In response the little minister said in part: "I am not like Miss +Anthony, so used to having gifts poured in upon me that I know just +what to say. I shall buy the chair when I have been told what is the +correct thing to buy by another niece of Miss Anthony's, who for +twelve years has made a home for me. If you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_392" id="Page_392">[Pg 392]</a></span> want to see a pretty +little spot, come to our home, and every one of you shall sit in <i>our</i> +chair."<a name="FNanchor_132_132" id="FNanchor_132_132"></a><a href="#Footnote_132_132" class="fnanchor">[132]</a></p> + +<p>Then Miss Anthony, clasping the hand of Mrs. Chapman Catt, led her +forward and introduced her to the audience as "president of the +National-American Woman Suffrage Association." The <i>Woman's Journal</i> +thus described the occasion:</p> + +<blockquote><p>She was received with immense applause, the great audience rising +and waving handkerchiefs. She spoke on The Three I's, showing how +every effort of women for improvement was called, first, +indelicate, then immodest, and finally impracticable, but how all +the old objections had been proved to be, in legal phrase, +"incompetent, irrelevant and immaterial."</p> + +<p>The woman's rights agitation began in the early days of the +republic, and a moral warfare along that line has been waged for +more than a hundred years. Each step has been fiercely contested. +The advocates of every claim have been lovers of justice and the +opponents have been adherents of conservatism. The warfare has +been waged in three distinct battles, the weapon of the opponents +always being ridicule, that of the defenders, appeals to reason.</p> + +<p>In the early days, when colleges and public schools were closed +to women and the education of girls was confined to the three +R's, an agitation was begun to permit them to take more advanced +studies. Society received it with the cry "indelicate." At that +time delicacy was the choicest charm of woman and indelicacy was +a crushing criticism. But the battle was won.</p> + +<p>The second great battle occurred between 1850 and 1860. Upon +every hand incorrigible woman, with a big W, arose to irritate +and torment the conservatives of the world. She appeared in the +pulpit, on the platform, in conventions, in new occupations and +in innumerable untried fields. Everywhere the finger of scorn was +pointed at her, and the world with merciless derision pronounced +her immodest. But that battle was won.</p> + +<p>We are now in the heat of the greatest of all battles. Woman asks +for the suffrage. The world answers, "impractical." We are told +that this movement is quite different from all others because +there is an organized opposition of women themselves against it, +but the "remonstrant" is not new. This century has witnessed ten +generations of remonstrants. In 1800 the remonstrant was +horrified at the study of geography. In 1810 she accepted +geography but protested against physiology. In 1820 she accepted +physiology but protested against geometry. In 1830 she accepted +geometry but protested against the college education. In 1840 she +accepted the college but remonstrated against the property laws +for married women. In 1850 she accepted the property laws but +remonstrated against public speaking. In 1860 she protested +against<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_393" id="Page_393">[Pg 393]</a></span> the freedom of organization. In 1870 she remonstrated +against the professions for women. In 1880 she protested against +school suffrage. In 1890 she protested against women in office. +In 1900 she accepts everything that every former generation of +remonstrants has protested against and, availing herself of the +privilege of free public speech secured by this women's rights +movement, pleads publicly that she may be saved from the burden +of voting.</p> + +<p>The remonstrant of 1800 said "indelicate," of 1850 "immodest," of +1900 "impractical." That the forces of conservatism will +surrender as unconditionally to the forces of justice in the +great battle of the impractical as they did in the battle of the +indelicate and of the immodest is as inevitable as that the sun +will rise tomorrow.</p></blockquote> + +<p>At the close of her fine address, of which this is the barest +synopsis, Miss Anthony came forward and asked triumphantly, "Do you +think the three hundred delegates made a mistake in choosing that +woman for president?"—a question which brought out renewed applause. +She then introduced to the audience the other officers, all of whom +except Mrs. McCulloch had served in their present capacity from eight +to ten years, Mrs. Avery having been corresponding secretary twenty +years. They were enthusiastically greeted. Afterwards she presented +Miss Clara Barton, the president of the Red Cross Association, an +earnest advocate of suffrage, and as the cheers for her rang out, Miss +Anthony observed, "Politically her opinion is worth no more than an +idiot's."</p> + +<p>Miss Anthony came forward at the close of the program and, the +audience realizing that she was about to say good-bye, there was the +most profound stillness, with every eye and ear strained to the utmost +tension. A woman who loved the theatrical and posed for effect would +have taken advantage of this opportunity to create a dramatic scene +and make her exit in the midst of tears and lamentations, but nothing +could be further from Miss Anthony's nature. Her voice rang out as +strong and true as if making an old-time speech on the rights of +women, with only one little break in it, and she covered this up by +saying quickly, "Not one of our national officers ever has had a +dollar of salary. I retire on full pay!"</p> + +<p>The Washington <i>Post</i> said of this occasion:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The convention closed its labors with the farewell address of +Miss Anthony. The retiring president paid a magnificent tribute +to the faithful women whose aid and loyal companionship she had +enjoyed for so many years. Emphatically she declared that she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_394" id="Page_394">[Pg 394]</a></span> +was not going to give up her efforts in behalf of that for which +she had struggled so long, and concluded: "I am grateful to this +association; I am grateful to you all, and to the world, for the +great kindness which has been mine. To-morrow I will have +finished fourscore years. I have lived to rise from the most +despised and hated woman in all the world of fifty years ago, +until now it seems as if I am loved by you all. If this is true, +then I am indeed satisfied."</p> + +<p>Miss Anthony lost control of her voice for a moment. She soon +regained her composure, however, and, calling the officers of the +association to her side, she told of what each individual had +done for the organization. It was a pretty picture. The audience +caught the spirit of determination from Miss Anthony and a +thunderous applause and waving of handkerchiefs followed.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The great crowd sang the doxology and even then seemed unwilling to +disperse, hundreds of people staying for a hand-shake and a few +personal words with the officers and delegates.</p> + +<p>The day following the close of the convention was the eightieth +anniversary of Miss Anthony's birth, and many suffrage advocates from +different parts of the country had come to the national capital to +assist in celebrating it. The following program was handsomely +prepared for distribution and was carried out, except that Mrs. Birney +and Dr. Smith were unavoidably absent.</p> + + +<p class="center sc">Celebration of the Eightieth Birthday<br /> +<small>of</small><br /> +<big>SUSAN B. ANTHONY,</big><br /> +<small>at the</small><br /> +Lafayette Opera House, Washington, D. C., Feb'y 15, 1900.</p> + + +<div class="center"> +<table class="dense" width="90%" summary=""> +<tr><td class="left"><i>Song</i></td><td class="right">John W. Hutchinson</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Greetings from</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">National Congress of Mothers,</td><td class="right">Mrs. Theodore Weld Birney, President</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">National Council of Women,</td><td class="right">Fannie Humphreys Gaffney, President</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">International Council of Women,</td><td class="right">May Wright Sewall, President</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Greetings from the Professions:</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Ministry</td><td class="right">Rev. Ida C. Hultin</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Law</td><td class="right">Diana Hirschler</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Medicine</td><td class="right">Dr. Julia Holmes Smith</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><i>Violin Solo—Hungarian Rhapsodie (Hansen)</i>,</td><td class="right">Joseph H. Douglass</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Greetings from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_395" id="Page_395">[Pg 395]</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Business Women</td><td class="right">Lillian M. Hollister</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Colored Women</td><td class="right">Coralie Franklin Cook</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">District Equal Suffrage Association</td><td class="right">Ellen Powell Thompson</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Greetings from the Enfranchised States:</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Wyoming</td><td class="right">Helen M. Warren</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Colorado</td><td class="right">Virginia Morrison Shafroth</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Utah</td><td class="right">Emily S. Richards</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Idaho</td><td class="right">Mell C. Woods</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">"<i>Love's Rosary</i>" (poem)</td><td class="right">Lydia Avery Coonley-Ward</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Greeting from Elizabeth Cady Stanton</td><td class="right">Harriot Stanton Blatch</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Greeting from the National American Suffrage<br /> Association</td><td class="right">Rev. Anna Howard Shaw</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Response</td><td class="right">Susan B. Anthony</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<p class="center sc">To Susan B. Anthony.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The gibe and ridicule and social frown,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">That through long years her faithful life assailed,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Are dead and vanished; as a queen now hailed,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Upon her reverend brow rests Honor's crown,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A faith that faced all adverse fortune down,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">A courage that in trial never failed,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">A scorn of self that grievous weight entailed,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Have blossomed into laurels of renown.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">As, after days of bitter storm and blast,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The chilling wind becomes a breeze of balm,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Billows subside, and sea-tossed vessels cast<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Their anchors in the restful harbor calm,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So this brave life has gained its haven blest,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Bathed in the sunset glories of the west.<br /></span> +<span class="i16"><span class="smcap">Wm. Lloyd Garrison.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Birthday Celebration Committee:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Carrie Chapman Catt</span>, Chairman, New York.<br /></span> +<span class="i2"><span class="smcap">Rev. Anna Howard Shaw</span>, Pennsylvania.<br /></span> +<span class="i3"><span class="smcap">Harriet Taylor Upton</span>, Ohio.<br /></span> +<span class="i4"><span class="smcap">Emily M. Gross</span>, Illinois.<br /></span> +<span class="i5"><span class="smcap">Frances P. Burrows</span>, Michigan.<br /></span> +<span class="i6"><span class="smcap">Helen M. Warren</span>, Wyoming.<br /></span> +<span class="i7"><span class="smcap">Lucy E. Anthony</span>, Pennsylvania.<br /></span> +<span class="i8"><span class="smcap">Harriot Stanton Blatch</span>, England.<br /></span> +<span class="i9"><span class="smcap">May Wright Sewall</span>, Indiana.<br /></span> +<span class="i10"><span class="smcap">Mary B. Clay</span>, Kentucky.<br /></span> +<span class="i11"><span class="smcap">Rachel Foster Avery</span>, Pennsylvania.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Every large newspaper in the country had a description of what might +be properly considered an event of national interest. The Washington +<i>Post</i> said: "The program, though a long one,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_396" id="Page_396">[Pg 396]</a></span> was replete throughout +with stirring tributes to Miss Anthony's great career. Eloquent women +who ascribed the opportunities which they had been allowed to enjoy to +the tremendous effort to which their beloved leader had devoted her +whole life, stood before the audience and voiced their sentiments. +Tears and applause mingled swiftly as the voices of the speakers rang +through the theater, recounting the hardships, the struggles, and at +last the crowning achievements of the woman whose eightieth birthday +was being celebrated."</p> + +<p>The <i>Woman's Tribune</i> thus began its report:</p> + +<blockquote><p>There never has been before and, in the nature of things, there +can never be again, a personal celebration having the significant +relation to the woman suffrage movement which marked that of Miss +Anthony's eightieth birthday. When Mrs. Stanton's eightieth +birthday was celebrated five years ago she had already retired +from the active leadership of the organization; the program was +in charge of the National Council of Women and was largely in the +nature of a jubilee for the whole woman movement, although +rallying around Mrs. Stanton as a center. Lucretia Mott's +eightieth birthday came before the movement had gained the +impetus necessary for such a celebration. Lucy Stone passed on in +1893 before reaching this ripe age, and now there is no one left +in the lead who represents the earliest stage of the work but +Miss Anthony.</p> + +<p>It was the fairest and sunniest day of all the good convention +weather, and Lafayette Opera House was full to the remotest part +of its fourth gallery with invited guests when Mrs. Chapman Catt +opened the program at 3 o'clock. On the stage were the Birthday +Committee, a large number of persons who had been thirty years or +more in the work, relatives of Miss Anthony and the national +officers. Miss Anthony's entrance while the Ladies' Mandolin Club +were playing was greeted with long-continued applause.</p> + +<p>John W. Hutchinson was first introduced. After stating that he +had known Miss Anthony for fifty-five years, had attended in Ohio +in 1850 the second suffrage convention ever held, and had always +sympathized with the cause, he sang with a clear, far-reaching +voice a song composed by himself.</p> + +<p>The presiding officer stated that the gains of the last +half-century in all lines relating to women were largely due to +the guest of the occasion and her fellow-workers, and said: "When +Miss Anthony began her labors there were practically no +organizations of women; now they are numbered by thousands. The +crown of the whole is the union of all organizations, the +National Council of Women. Its president will now address us."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Gaffney said in her tribute:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_397" id="Page_397">[Pg 397]</a></span></p><blockquote><p>....The Christian world reckoned by centuries is just coming of +age. Therefore women are beginning to put away childish things +and to realize the greatness of womanhood. They have had to let +ideals wait. They submitted to conditions because they were +afraid that if they did not man would take to the woods and +become again a wild barbarian. They were flattered by the fact +that men liked them as they were, and they failed to realize that +their power to civilize was God-given.</p> + +<p>They needed a leader to rally them, to give them the courage of +their convictions; and such a leader Miss Anthony has been. She +spoke to the world in tones which rang out so clear and true that +they will echo down the centuries. Some who had been protected +and petted were slow to rally; others who had broader views +accepted sooner the doctrine of rights—not privileges—of rights +for all women. Miss Anthony taught us the sisterhood of woman, +and that the privileges of one class could not offset the wrongs +of another....</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Sewall, president of the International Council of Women, composed +of the Councils of thirteen nations, and the largest organization of +women in the world, said in part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>It is proper that the International Council should remember today +"to render unto Cćsar the things that are Cćsar's," and to pay +tribute to the organization which it may not regard as other than +its direct progenitor. There are certain incidents, simple in +themselves, in which probably the actors are always at the time +quite unconscious of their perennial significance, and yet which +become landmarks in the evolution of the human spirit. Such are +Thermopylć and Marathon and Bunker Hill. Such was that first +convention at Seneca Falls.... The light from that meeting, +springing from a vital source, has vitalized every point it has +touched. Other torches lit by that have become beacon lights, and +every one has stood for the illumination of women....</p> + +<p>In the name and in the blended tongues of the women of the +different nationalities who belong to the International Council, +I salute and congratulate you.... I beg the proud honor of +placing your name, Miss Anthony, among the list of Patrons of the +Council as a birthday gift, where it shall one day be pronounced +in every language....</p></blockquote> + +<p>The Rev. Ida C. Hultin brought the gratitude of the ministers, saying:</p> + +<blockquote><p>....Women have failed to see that the work of every woman has +touched that of every other. The woman who works with the hand +helps her who works with the brain. To-day we know there could be +no choice of work until there was freedom of choice to work. O, +beloved leader, we of the ministry, as they of all ministries of +service, bring our greetings and benediction. I hear the voices +which shall tell of the new gospel and among them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_398" id="Page_398">[Pg 398]</a></span> are the glad +tones of women and the intonations of this one who spake in +tears, who dared to speak before other tongues were loosed. Years +will never silence that voice. Woman in her highest moods will +catch the cadence of its melody and in the future there shall be +that which will work back and forth to the enlightenment of the +world because you have lived and ever shall live....</p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Hirschler thus closed the tribute of her profession: "In the +generations to come when courts of law shall have become courts of +justice, women lawyers will think of Susan B. Anthony as one who paved +the way and made this possible."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Hollister said in part: "Miss Anthony has opened the portals of +activities; has dignified labor; has made it possible for women to +manage their own affairs—four millions to-day earning independent +incomes. Women have given their lives for philanthropies and reforms, +but the one we honor to-day gave hers for woman. Olive Schreiner tells +of an artist who painted a wonderful picture and none could learn what +pigments he used. When he died a wound was found over his heart; he +had painted his masterpiece with his own blood. Such women as Miss +Anthony are painting their masterpieces with their life's blood."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Cook, with a dignity and simplicity which won the audience, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>....It is fitting on this occasion, when the hearts of women the +world over are turned to this day and hour, that the colored +women of the United States should join in the expressions of love +and praise offered to Miss Anthony upon her eightieth birthday. +....She is to us not only the high priestess of woman's cause, +but the courageous defender of rights wherever assailed.</p> + +<p>We hold in high esteem her strong and noble womanhood, for in her +untiring zeal, her uncompromising stand for justice to women, her +unfailing friendship for all good work, she herself is a stronger +and better argument in favor of woman's rights than the most +gifted orator could put into words. When she first championed +woman's cause, humiliation followed her footsteps and injustice +barred the door of her progress among even the most favored +classes of society; while among less enlightened and enslaved +classes the wrongs which woman suffered were too terrible to +mention. Carlyle has said, "Beware when the great God lets loose +a thinker upon this earth." When Susan B. Anthony was born, a +thinker was "let loose." Her voice and her pen have lighted a +torch whose sacred fire, like that of some old Roman temples, +dies not, but whose penetrating ray shall brighten the path of +women down the long line of ages yet to come. Our children and +our children's children will be taught to honor her memory, for +they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_399" id="Page_399">[Pg 399]</a></span> shall be told that she has been always in the vanguard of +the immortal few who have stood for the great principles of human +rights. Grander than any achievement that has crowned the work of +woman in this woman's century has been that which has led her +away from the narrow valley of custom and prejudice up to the +lofty height where she can accept the Divine teaching that "God +hath made of one blood all nations of men."</p> + +<p>Not until the suffrage movement had awakened woman to her +responsibility and power, did she come to appreciate the true +significance of Christ's pity for Magdalene as well as of His +love for Mary; not till then was the work of Pundita Ramabai in +far away India as sacred as that of Frances Willard at home in +America; not till she had suffered under the burden of her own +wrongs and abuses did she realize the all-important truth that no +woman and no class of women can be degraded and all womankind not +suffer thereby.</p> + +<p>And so, Miss Anthony, in behalf of the hundreds of colored women +who wait and hope with you for the day when the ballot shall be +in the hands of every intelligent woman; and also in behalf of +the thousands who sit in darkness and whose condition we shall +expect those ballots to better, whether they be in the hands of +white women or black, I offer you my warmest gratitude and +congratulations.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Thompson presented $200 from the District of Columbia, with the +following affectionate tribute:</p> + +<blockquote><p>....In behalf of the Suffragists of the District of Columbia, +both men and women, I am happy to say I am deputized to present +to you a gift which expresses their regard and love for you as +well as their appreciation of the almost superhuman efforts you +have made for the past fifty years to secure justice and civil +and political equality for women.</p> + +<p>The gift is in the form of what is often called "the sinews of +war"—money. Not coarse, dead cash, such as passes from hand to +hand in everyday transactions, but money every penny of which is +alive with sincere thanks and earnest, loving wishes for +happiness and continued success in all your endeavors....</p> + +<p>We do not hail you, love you, as one who has made woman's life +easier, strewn it with more rose leaves of idleness, shielded it +from more stress and storm, but as one who has taken the grander, +truer view, that by equally sharing stress and storm, by equal +effort and work, by equality in rights, privileges, powers and +opportunities with her other self—man—woman will evolve and +will reach her loftiest, loveliest development. Not as an apostle +of ease, parasitism and shrinking fear do we regard you, but as +the apostle, the incarnation, of work, of high courage and +deathless endeavor.</p> + +<p>We wish our gift were myriad-fold greater, but it would never +express more appreciation of what you stand for and what you +are—a <i>Liberator of Woman</i>.</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_400" id="Page_400">[Pg 400]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mrs. Helen M. Warren, wife of the Senator from Wyoming, speaking in a +fine, resonant voice which would do credit to any legislative hall, +read the poem written by Miss Phoebe Cary for the celebration of Miss +Anthony's fiftieth birthday, presented her with a brooch, a little +American flag, made of gold and jewels, and said: "I feel honored on +this, your eightieth birthday, to represent the State of Wyoming which +has espoused your cause for more than thirty years. I have in my hand +a flag, which bears on its field forty-one <i>common</i> stars and four +diamonds, representing the four progressive or suffrage +States—Wyoming, the banner State; Colorado, Utah and Idaho. The back +of the flag bears this inscription: 'Miss Anthony. From the ladies of +Wyoming, who love and revere you. Many happy returns of the day. +1820-1900.' We hope you may live to see all the common stars turn into +diamonds. With kindly greetings from Wyoming I present you this +expression of her esteem."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Shafroth, wife of the Representative from Colorado, presented a +gift designed and made by the women of her State, saying: "It is with +great pleasure that I bring you the greeting from the sun-kissed land +of the West, where the flag which we all love, and of which we all +sing, really waves over the land of the free and the home of the +brave. Our men are brave and generous and our women are free. You and +your noble co-workers stormed the heights of ridicule and prejudice to +win this freedom for woman. In behalf of our Non-Partisan Equal +Suffrage Association, I beg you to accept this 'loving cup' of +Colorado silver."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Emily S. Richards brought the affectionate greetings of the women +of Utah, and Mrs. Chapman Catt referred to the loving testimonials +which had been sent by the Idaho women.<a name="FNanchor_133_133" id="FNanchor_133_133"></a><a href="#Footnote_133_133" class="fnanchor">[133]</a> Then after an exquisite +violin solo by Mr. Douglass, she said: "The liberties of the citizens +of the future will be still more an outgrowth of this movement than +those of the present," and to the delighted surprise of the audience +the following scene occurred, as described by the <i>Post</i>:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The most beautiful and touching part of the program was when +eighty little children, boys and girls, passed in single file +across the stage, each bearing a rose. Slowly they marched, +keeping time to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_401" id="Page_401">[Pg 401]</a></span> music, and, as they reached the spot where Miss +Anthony sat, each child deposited a blossom in her lap, a rose +for every year. It was a surprise so complete, so wonderfully +beautiful, that for a few moments she could do nothing more than +grasp the hand of each child. Then she began kissing the little +people, and the applause which greeted this act was deafening. +The roses were distributed among the pioneers at the close of the +exercises by her request.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Coonley-Ward of Chicago gave an eloquent poem, entitled Love's +Rosary, which closed as follows:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Behold our Queen! Surely with heart elate<br /></span> +<span class="i1">At homage given to her love and power,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">World-famed associate of the wise and great,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">She is herself the woman of the hour.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">How kindly have the years all dealt with her!<br /></span> +<span class="i1">She proves that Bible promises are true;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She waited on the Lord without demur,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And He failed not her courage to renew.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Oft on the wings of eagles she uprose;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">On mercy's errands have her glad feet run;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And yet no sign of weariness she shows;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">She does not faint, but works from sun to sun.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Deep in her eyes burn fires of purpose strong;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Her hand upholds the sceptre of God's truth;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Her lips send forth brave words against the wrong;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Glows in her heart the joy of deathless youth.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Kindly and gentle, learned too, and wise;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Lover of home and all the ties of kin;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Gay comrade of the laughing lips and eyes;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Give us new words to sing your praises in.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Yet let us rather now forget to praise,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Remembering only this true friend to greet,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">As drawing near by straight and devious ways,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">We lay our hearts—love's guerdon—at her feet.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Blow, O ye winds across the oceans, blow!<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Go to the hills and prairies of the West!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Haste to the tropics, search the fields of snow,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Let the world's gift to her become your quest.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Shine, sun, through prism of the waterfall,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And build us here a rainbow arch to span<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The years, and hold the citadel<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Of her abiding work for God and man.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_402" id="Page_402">[Pg 402]</a></span><br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">What is the gift, O winds, that ye have brought?<br /></span> +<span class="i1">O, sun, what legend shines your arch above?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ah, they are one, and all things else are naught,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Take them, beloved—they are love, love, love!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Mrs. Blatch spoke eloquently for her mother, saying in part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I bring to you, Susan B. Anthony, the greetings of your friend +and co-worker, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, greetings full of gracious +memories. When the cause for which you have worked shall be +victorious, then as is the way of the world, will it be forgotten +that it ever meant effort or struggle for pioneers; but the +friendship of you two women will remain a precious memory in the +world's history, unforgotten and unforgettable. Your lives have +proved not only that women can work strenuously together without +jealousy, but that they can be friends in times of sunshine and +peace, of stress and storm. No mere fair-weather friends have you +been to each other.</p> + +<p>Does not Emerson say that friendship is the slowest fruit in the +garden of God? The fruit of friendship between you two has grown +through half a hundred years, each year making it more beautiful, +more mellow, more sweet. But you have not been weak echoes of +each other; nay, often for the good of each you were thorns in +the side. Yet disagreement only quickened loyalty. Supplementing +each other, companionship drew out the best in each. You have +both been urged to untiring efforts through the sympathy, the +help of each other. You have attained the highest achievement in +demonstrating a lofty, an ideal friendship. This friendship of +you two women is the benediction for our century.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The last and tenderest tribute was offered by the Rev. Anna Howard +Shaw who said, in rich, musical accents and with a manner which seemed +almost to be inspired, what can only be most inadequately reported:</p> + +<blockquote><p>A little over a hundred years ago there came men who told us what +freedom is and what freemen may become. Later women with the same +love of it in their hearts said, "There is no sex in freedom. +Whatever it makes possible for men it will make possible for +women." A few of these daring souls went forth to blaze the path. +Gradually the sunlight of freedom shone in their faces and they +encouraged others to follow. They went slowly for the way was +hard. They must make the path and it was a weary task. Sometimes +darkness settled over them and they must grope their way. Mott, +Stanton, Stone, Anthony—not one retraced her footsteps. The two +who are left still stand on the summit, great, glorious figures. +We ask, "Is the way difficult?" They answer, "Yes, but the sun +shines on us and in the valley they know nothing of its glory. +Their cry we hear and are calling back to those who are still in +the valley."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_403" id="Page_403">[Pg 403]</a></span></p> + +<p>Leader, comrade, friend, no name can express what you are to us. +You might have led us as commander, and we might have followed +and obeyed, but there still might have been wanting the divine +force of unchanging love. We look up to the sunlight where you +stand and say, "We are coming." When we shall be fourscore we +shall still be calling to you, "We are coming," for you will +still be beckoning us on as you climb still loftier heights. +Souls like yours can never rest in all the eternities of God.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Then a hush fell on the people and all waited for Miss Anthony. During +the afternoon she had been sitting in a large armchair that was almost +covered by her cloak of royal purple velvet which she had thrown over +it, the white satin lining forming a lovely background for her +finely-shaped head with its halo of silver hair. No one ever had seen +her so moved as on this occasion when her memory must have carried her +back to the days of bare halls, hostile audiences, ridicule, abuse, +loneliness and ostracism by all but a very few staunch friends. "Would +she be able to speak?" many in the audience asked themselves, but the +nearest friends waited calmly and without anxiety. They never had +known her to fail. The result was thus described:</p> + +<blockquote><p>For a moment after gaining her feet, Miss Anthony stood battling +with her emotions, but her indomitable courage conquered, and she +smiled at the audience as it rose to greet her. She wore a gown +of black duchesse satin with vest and revers of fine white lace +in which were a few modest pinks, while she carried a large +bouquet of violets. The moment she began talking the shadow +passed from her face and she stood erect, with head uplifted, +full of her old-time vigor.</p> + +<p>"How can you expect me to say a word?" she said. "And yet I must. +I have reason to feel grateful, for I have received letters and +telegrams from all over the world.<a name="FNanchor_134_134" id="FNanchor_134_134"></a><a href="#Footnote_134_134" class="fnanchor">[134]</a> But the one that has +touched me the most is a simple note which came from an old home +of slavery, from a woman off of whose hands and feet the shackles +fell nearly forty years ago. That letter, my friends, contained +eighty cents—one penny for every year. It was all that this aged +person had....</p> + +<p>I am grateful for the many expressions which I have listened to +this afternoon. I have heard the grandson of the great Frederick +Douglass speak to me through his violin. I mention this because I +remember so well Frederick Douglass when he rose at the +convention where the first resolution ever presented for woman +suffrage had his eloquence to help it....</p> + +<p>Among the addresses from my younger co-workers, none has<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_404" id="Page_404">[Pg 404]</a></span> touched +me so deeply as that from the one of darker hue.... Nothing +speaks so strongly of freedom as the fact that the descendants of +those who went through that great agony—which, thank Heaven, has +passed away—have now full opportunities and can help to +celebrate my fifty years' work for liberty. I am glad of the +gains the half-century has brought to the women of Anglo-Saxon +birth. And I am glad above all else that the time is coming when +all women alike shall have the fullest rights of citizenship.</p> + +<p>I thank you all. If I have had one regret this afternoon, it is +that some whom I have longed to have with me can not be here, +especially Mrs. Stanton. I want to impress the fact that my work +could have accomplished nothing if I had not been surrounded with +earnest and capable co-workers. Then, good friends, I have had a +home in which my father and mother, brothers and sisters, one and +all, stood at my back and helped me to success. I always have had +this co-operation and I have yet one sister left, who makes a +home for me and aids my work in every possible way....</p> + +<p>I have shed no tears on arriving at a birthday ten years beyond +the age set for humanity. I have shed none over resigning the +presidency of the association. I am glad to give it up. I do it +cheerfully. And even so, when my time comes, I shall pass on +further, and accept my new place and vocation just as cheerfully +as I have touched this landmark.</p> + +<p>I have passed as the leader of the association of which I have +been a member for so long, but I am not through working, for I +shall work to the end of my time, and when I am called home, if +there exist an immortal spirit, mine will still be with you, +watching and inspiring you.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Anthony's words and manner thrilled every heart and left the +audience in a state of exaltation.</p> + +<p>In the evening, the Corcoran Art Gallery, one of the world's beautiful +buildings, was thrown open for the birthday reception. A colored +orchestra, under the leadership of Mr. Douglass, rendered a musical +program. President Kauffman, of the Board of Trustees, presented the +visitors to the guest of honor, and the birthday committee assisted in +receiving. Although Miss Anthony had attended a business meeting in +the morning, and been the central figure in the celebration of the +afternoon lasting until 6 o'clock, she was so alert, happy and +vivacious during the entire evening as to challenge the admiration of +all. There was no picture in all that famous collection more +attractive than this white-haired woman, robed in garnet velvet, +relieved by antique fichu, collar and cuffs of old point lace. The +city press said:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_405" id="Page_405">[Pg 405]</a></span></p><blockquote><p>For two hours, without a moment's intermission, Miss Anthony +clasped hands with those who were presented to her and listened +to congratulatory expressions. A number of local organizations of +women, and also the entire membership of the Washington College +of Law, for women, attended the reception in a body.</p> + +<p>On the second floor hung her fine portrait which was presented to +the Corcoran Gallery of Art last night by Mrs. John B. Henderson, +wife of the former Senator from Missouri. The portrait is in oil +and represents Miss Anthony in full profile, attired in black +with lace at the throat, and about her shoulders the red shawl +which has come to be regarded as the emblem of her office as +president of the National Association.</p> + +<p>During the two hours it seemed as if every one who greeted Miss +Anthony had met her at some time or at some place long ago. +Everybody wanted to stop and converse with her, and in the brief +minute they stood before her they plied her with countless +questions. In speaking of the event after she had returned to the +Riggs House, she said: "Wasn't it wonderful? It seemed as if +every other person in that vast throng had met me before, or that +I had during my long life been a visitor at the home of some of +their relatives. It was grand. It was beautiful. It is good to be +loved by so many people. It is worth all the toil and the +heartaches."</p></blockquote> + +<p>From a little band apparently leading a forlorn hope, almost +universally ridiculed and condemned, Miss Anthony had increased her +forces to a mighty host marching forward to an assured victory. From a +condition of social ostracism she had brought them to a position where +they commanded respect and admiration for their courageous advocacy of +a just cause. The small, curious, unsympathetic audiences of early +days had been transformed into this great gathering, which represented +the highest official life of the nation's capital and the intellectual +aristocracy of all the States in the Union. It was a wonderful change +to have been effected in the lifetime of one woman, and all posterity +will rejoice that the leader of this greatest of progressive movements +received the full measure of recognition from the people of her own +time and generation.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_131_131" id="Footnote_131_131"></a><a href="#FNanchor_131_131"><span class="label">[131]</span></a> From the founding of the National Association in 1869 +the presidency was usually held by Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, while +Miss Susan B Anthony was either vice president, corresponding +secretary or chairman of the executive committee, although she +sometimes filled the presidential chair. Mrs. Stanton continued as +president until 1892, when she resigned at the age of seventy six. +Miss Anthony was elected that year and held the office until 1900, +when she resigned at the age of eighty. +</p><p> +Mrs. Rachel Foster Avery served as corresponding secretary for twenty +one years, from 1880 to 1901. Her resignation was reluctantly accepted +and a gift of $1,000 was presented to her, the contribution of friends +in all parts of the country. +</p><p> +The other officers since 1884 have been as follows: Vice presidents at +large, Miss Anthony, Matilda Joslyn Gage, the Rev. Olympia Brown, +Phoebe W. Couzins, Abigail Scott Duniway and, from 1892, the Rev. Anna +Howard Shaw, treasurers, Jane H. Spofford from 1880 to 1892, and since +then Harriet Taylor Upton, recording secretaries, Ellen H. Sheldon, +Julia T. Foster, Pearl Adams, Julia A. Wilbur, Caroline A. Sherman, +Sara Winthrop Smith, Hannah B. Sperry and, since 1890, Alice Stone +Blackwell, auditors, Ruth C. Denison, Julia A. Wilbur, Eliza T. Ward, +Ellen M. O'Connor, the Rev. Frederick A. Hinckley, Harriet Taylor +Upton, the Hon. Wm. Dudley Foulke, May Wright Sewall, Ellen Battelle +Dietrick, Josephine K. Henry, H. Augusta Howard, Annie L. Diggs, Sarah +B. Cooper, Laura Clay, Catharine Waugh McCulloch. Mrs. Sewall was +chairman of the executive committee from 1882 until she resigned in +1890 and Lucy Stone was elected; in 1892 she begged to be relieved as +she was seventy four years old. The committee was then abolished, its +duties being transferred to the business committee.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_132_132" id="Footnote_132_132"></a><a href="#FNanchor_132_132"><span class="label">[132]</span></a> Miss Shaw referred to Miss Lucy E. Anthony, who for +twelve years had been her secretary and companion.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_133_133" id="Footnote_133_133"></a><a href="#FNanchor_133_133"><span class="label">[133]</span></a> The most of the numerous gifts were presented during +the convention, as related earlier in the chapter.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_134_134" id="Footnote_134_134"></a><a href="#FNanchor_134_134"><span class="label">[134]</span></a> Miss Anthony received on this occasion 1,100 letters +and telegrams, every one of which she acknowledged later with a +personal message.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_406" id="Page_406">[Pg 406]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> + +<h3>THE AMERICAN WOMAN SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION.<a name="FNanchor_135_135" id="FNanchor_135_135"></a><a href="#Footnote_135_135" class="fnanchor">[135]</a></h3> + + +<p><i>1884.</i>—The American Woman Suffrage Association which was organized +in Cleveland, Ohio, in November, 1869, held its sixteenth annual +meeting, November 19, 20, at Hershey Hall, Chicago. Lucy Stone in the +<i>Woman's Journal</i> said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Beginning with a good-sized audience, it went on increasing in +numbers until the gallery, the stairs and the side aisles were +literally packed with people.</p> + +<p>Reports of the work done by auxiliary and other societies came in +from Maine to Oregon and all the way between, showing in some +cases very little and in others a great deal of good work. But +each one was helpful in its measure to the final success, just as +streams of all sizes flow to make great rivers and the seas. +There were present some of the oldest workers—Dr. Mary F. Thomas +of Indiana and Mrs. Hannah M. Tracy Cutler of Illinois—who, +having put their hands to the plow in the beginning of the +movement, have never looked back. To supplement and continue the +work there were noble and earnest younger women, who came down +from Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan and up from Ohio, +Missouri, Kansas, Indiana and Illinois, women who can speak well +for the cause and whose reports show that they know how to work +well for it, too. It was a joy and a comfort to meet them....</p> + +<p>Not the least pleasant feature was the cordial friendliness that +seemed all-pervasive. Troops of women we had never seen came to +shake hands.... A bevy of bright girls stood below the platform +on the last evening and, looking up, they said: "We are +school-girls now, but we are bound to help." The collections more +than paid the expenses, and two hundred memberships were taken.</p></blockquote> + +<p>All the local arrangements had been admirably made by a committee of +influential Chicago women.<a name="FNanchor_136_136" id="FNanchor_136_136"></a><a href="#Footnote_136_136" class="fnanchor">[136]</a> The city papers gave friendly reports, +those of the <i>Inter-Ocean</i> being especially full.</p> + +<p>The convention was not expected to open till Wednesday evening,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_407" id="Page_407">[Pg 407]</a></span> but +so large a number of delegates and friends met in the hall in the +afternoon that an informal meeting was held in advance. Mrs. Cutler +called the assembly to order, and the Rev. Florence Kollock offered +prayer. A telegram was read from Chief-Justice Roger S. Greene, of +Washington Territory, saying: "Be assured that woman suffrage has +worked well, done good, and been generally exercised by women at our +State election."</p> + +<p>Brief addresses were made by Mrs. Lucy Stone, Mrs. Mary A. Livermore +and Mrs. Elizabeth Boynton Harbert. Dr. Mary F. Thomas, in the name of +the Indiana W. S. A., the oldest State association in the country, +organized in 1851, presented the association with a bouquet of never +fading chrysanthemums.</p> + +<p>On Wednesday evening Mrs. Helen Ekin Starrett gave the address of +welcome. In referring to the influence of the woman suffrage movement +upon the legal status of women, she said that Kansas entered the Union +as a State with women's personal and property rights legally +recognized as never before. This was largely because a delegate to the +Kansas constitutional convention which met in Leavenworth, (Mr. Sam +Wood), wrote to Lucy Stone at her home in Orange, N. J., asking her to +draft a legal form, which she did, with her baby on her knee, and its +suggestions were afterwards incorporated in the organic law of that +State.<a name="FNanchor_137_137" id="FNanchor_137_137"></a><a href="#Footnote_137_137" class="fnanchor">[137]</a> As one result of School Suffrage in the hands of women, +Kansas had the best schools in the United States while the people +still lived in cabins.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Mary B. Clay, of Kentucky, president of the association, made a +special plea for work in the South, saying in part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Alabama has given married women equal property rights with their +husbands. This monied equality I regard as one of the most +essential steps to our freedom, for as long as women are +dependent upon men for bread their whole moral nature is +necessarily warped. There never was a truer thought than that of +Alexander Hamilton, when he said, "He who controls my means of +daily subsistence controls my whole moral being." I therefore +recommend to the Southern women particularly the petitioning for +property rights, because<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_408" id="Page_408">[Pg 408]</a></span> pecuniary independence is one of the +most potent weapons for freedom, and because that claim has less +prejudice to overcome....</p> + +<p>Mississippi also has made equal property laws for women; and +Arkansas allows married women to hold their own property, and all +women to vote on the licensing of saloons within three miles of a +church or school-house. A lady writing from there says: "The +welcome accorded the law by the women of the State refutes all +adverse theories, and establishes the fact that woman's nature +possesses an inherent strength and courage which no surroundings +can extinguish, and which only need the light of hope and the +voice of duty to call them into action." I would recommend that +whenever it is possible, we hold our conventions and send our +speakers through the South....</p></blockquote> + +<p>Henry B. Blackwell said: "This is not an anti-man society. Suffrage is +demanded as much for the sake of men as for the sake of women. What is +good for one is good for both;" and Mrs. Livermore said, "Women should +have a share in the government because the whole is better than the +half."</p> + +<p>In the annual report of Mrs. Lucy Stone, chairman of the executive +committee, she said in part: "During the past year, the chief effort +of the society has been directed to aid the work in Oregon, where a +constitutional amendment had been submitted to the voters. One +thousand dollars were raised for this purpose by our auxiliary +societies, and forwarded to the Oregon Woman Suffrage +Association.<a name="FNanchor_138_138" id="FNanchor_138_138"></a><a href="#Footnote_138_138" class="fnanchor">[138]</a> The society has also printed and circulated at cost +more than 100,000 tracts and leaflets."</p> + +<p>Officers for the next year were elected, as follows: President, the +Hon. Wm. Dudley Foulke, State Senator of Indiana; +vice-presidents-at-large, Mrs. Mary A. Livermore, the Hon. George +William Curtis, N. Y.; the Hon. George F. Hoar, Mass.; Mrs. Mary B. +Willard, Mrs. H. M. T. Cutler, Ill.; Mrs. D. G. King, Neb.; Mrs. R. A. +S. Janney, O.; Mrs. J. P. Fuller, Mrs. Rebecca N. Hazard, Mo.; Mrs. +Martha A. Dorsett, Minn.; Mrs. Mary J. Coggeshall, Ia.; Mrs. Mary B. +Clay, Ky.; foreign corresponding secretary, Mrs. Julia Ward Howe; +corresponding secretary, Henry B. Blackwell; recording secretary, Mrs. +Margaret W. Campbell; treasurer, Mrs. Abbie T. Codman; chairman +executive committee, Mrs. Lucy Stone.<a name="FNanchor_139_139" id="FNanchor_139_139"></a><a href="#Footnote_139_139" class="fnanchor">[139]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_409" id="Page_409">[Pg 409]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mr. Blackwell, chairman of the committee, reported resolutions which +were adopted with a few changes as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, In the words of Abraham Lincoln, That "we go for all +sharing the privileges of the government who assist in bearing +its burdens, by no means excluding women;" that a government of +the people, by the people, for the people, must be a government +of men and women, by men and women, for men and women; and that +any other form of government is unreasonable, unjust and +inconsistent with American principles.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That we rejoice in the triumph of woman suffrage in +Washington Territory; in the continued success of woman suffrage +in Wyoming; in the exercise of School Suffrage by the women of +twelve States; in the establishment of Municipal Woman Suffrage +by Nova Scotia and Ontario, and in the steady growth of woman +suffrage during the past year as shown by more than 21,000 +petitioners for it in Massachusetts, by increased activity in +Connecticut, New York, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, +Kansas, Nebraska, Kentucky, Minnesota and Oregon, by the recent +formation of an active State association in Vermont, and by the +presence with us to-day of sixty-six delegates from organized +societies in fifteen States.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the American Association is non-partisan; that +success will be promoted by refusing to connect woman suffrage +with any political party, or to take sides as suffragists in any +party conflict; but that we will question candidates of all +parties for State Legislatures, and use every honorable effort to +secure the election of suffragists as legislators irrespective of +party lines, provided they be men of integrity.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That this association expresses its appreciation of +the services rendered by the co-workers who since our last +meeting have been gathered with the honored dead: Mrs. Frances D. +Gage, who from the beginning of our movement until the last week +of her life never ceased to do what she could for its success; +Wendell<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_410" id="Page_410">[Pg 410]</a></span> Phillips, who as early as 1850 attended a woman's rights +convention at Worcester, Mass., and made an argument which +covered the whole ground of statement and defense, and with +serene faith advised: "Take your part with the perfect and +abstract right and trust God to see that it shall prove the +expedient." Besides these we record the names of Kate Newell +Doggett, Laura Giddings Julian, Bishop Matthew Simpson, Mrs. L. +B. Barrett, Emily J. Leonard and Jane Gray Swisshelm.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Speaking to the memorial resolution Mrs. Cutler said: "Some years ago +I paid a visit to an old and valued friend who had long been an +invalid, though never so absorbed in her own suffering as to forget +the great needs of her human brothers and sisters. Said she, 'If you +outlive me, I hope you will say for me that I tried honestly and +earnestly to do my duty.' The promise then given I now attempt to +fulfil in behalf of Mrs. Frances Dana Gage, our beloved 'Aunt Fanny,' +who entered upon her rest Nov. 10, 1884." Mrs. Cutler gave a full and +appreciative review of Mrs. Gage's life. Dr. Mary F. Thomas spoke +feelingly of her, of Mrs. Julian and Mr. Phillips; and Mrs. Livermore +paid a warm tribute to Mr. Phillips and Mrs. Doggett.</p> + +<p>The plan of work adopted was in part as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>1. That the officers of this association memorialize Congress in +behalf of a sixteenth constitutional amendment prohibiting all +political distinctions on account of sex.</p> + +<p>2. That while we do not undervalue any form of agitation, State +or national, we hold that practical woman suffrage can at present +be best promoted by urging legislative as well as constitutional +changes, and by appealing to State as well as national authority; +therefore we urge the establishment of active State societies, +with their working centers in the State capitals and their +corresponding committees in every representative district.</p> + +<p>3. That in every State, at each session of its Legislature, +petitions should be presented by its own citizens asking for +woman suffrage by statute in all elections and for all officers +not expressly limited by the word "male" in the State +constitution.</p> + +<p>4. That School Suffrage having been secured for women by statute +in twelve States, our next demand should be for Municipal +Suffrage by statute; also for Presidential Suffrage by statute, +under Article 2, Section 1, par. 2, of the United States +Constitution.</p> + +<p>5. And, whereas, in three Territories, viz., Wyoming, Utah and +Washington, our cause is already won by statutes, therefore a +special effort should be made to secure similar statutory action +in the remaining Territories, viz.: Dakota, Montana, Idaho, +Arizona and New Mexico.</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_411" id="Page_411">[Pg 411]</a></span></p> + +<p>Addresses were made by the Rev. S. S. Hunting, Mrs. Margaret W. +Campbell of Iowa and Dr. Thomas. Mr. Foulke, Mrs. Mary E. Haggart of +Indiana, Mrs. Livermore and Lucy Stone addressed the evening meeting, +and the singing of the Doxology closed a memorable convention.</p> + +<p><i>1885.</i>—The Seventeenth annual meeting was held in Minneapolis, +October 13-15, in the Church of the Redeemer (Universalist), the +finest in the city, which was given without charge. Here, as the daily +papers said, "the most brilliant audiences that ever assembled in +Minneapolis" gathered evening after evening until the last when crowds +of people went away unable to find even standing room. The pulpit +steps were occupied, extra seats were brought in, the aisles were +crowded, and as far as one could see over the throng that filled the +doorway, was another assembly eager to hear what it could. The +earnest, interested, assenting faces of the vast audience and their +hearty applause attested their sympathy with the ideas and principles +expressed.</p> + +<p>Every evening several of the speakers addressed large audiences in St. +Paul, thus carrying on two series of meetings contemporaneously. The +Hon. Wm. Dudley Foulke occupied the chair. Mayor George A. Pillsbury, +of Minneapolis, gave the address of welcome, which he closed by +saying: "Our citizens may not all agree with you, yet we recognize the +fact that some of the greatest and best minds in the country are +engaged in this work. I have never identified myself with your +organization but wish you Godspeed, and hope to see the time when the +women shall stand with the men at the polls."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Julia Ward Howe in responding said: "We are glad to be welcomed +for ourselves; we are still more gratified by the welcome extended to +our cause. We do not live altogether in our magnificent cities and +houses; we all live in houses not made with hands. We have with us +some who have devoted their lives to this noble work. They have been +building up, stone by stone, a mighty structure, and it is to lay a +few more stones that we have gathered here."</p> + +<p>It had been persistently asserted that Mrs. Howe and Louisa M. Alcott +had renounced their belief in equal suffrage. Mrs. Howe was present to +speak for herself. Miss Alcott wrote from Concord, Mass.:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_412" id="Page_412">[Pg 412]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>I should think it was hardly necessary for me to say that it is +impossible for me ever to "go back" on woman suffrage. I +earnestly desire to go forward on that line as far and as fast as +the prejudices, selfishness and blindness of the world will let +us, and it is a great cross to me that ill-health and home duties +prevent my devoting heart, pen and time to this most vital +question of the age. After a fifty years' acquaintance with the +noble men and women of the anti-slavery cause and the sight of +the glorious end to their faithful work, I should be a traitor to +all I most love, honor and desire to imitate if I did not covet a +place among those who are giving their lives to the emancipation +of the white slaves of America.</p> + +<p>If I can do no more, let my name stand among those who are +willing to bear ridicule and reproach for the truth's sake, and +so earn some right to rejoice when the victory is won.</p> + +<p>Most heartily yours for woman suffrage and all other reforms.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Elizabeth Stuart Phelps wrote: "With all my head and with all my heart +I believe in womanhood suffrage; can I say more for your convention?" +and from the Rev. James Freeman Clarke, of Boston, "Every word spoken +for or against our cause helps it forward. I feel that there is a +current of conviction sweeping us on toward the day when there shall +be neither male nor female, in Church or State, but equal rights for +all, and the tools to those who can use them."</p> + +<p>Chief-Justice Greene, of Washington Territory, sent a careful +statistical computation in regard to the women's votes, and said: "My +sober judgment, from the best light I have succeeded in getting, is +that at our last general election the women cast as full or a fuller +vote than the men in proportion to their numbers." Mrs. Livermore +wrote:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Whatever may be the apparent direction of the ripples on the +surface, facts which accumulate daily show us that the cause of +woman's enfranchisement progresses with a deep and steady +undercurrent. The long, weary, faithful work of the past, +covering almost half a century, has resulted in a radical change +of public opinion. It has opened to woman the doors of colleges, +universities and professional schools; it has increased her +opportunities for self-support till the United States census +enumerates nearly 300 employments in which women are working and +earning livelihoods; it has repealed many of the unjust laws +which discriminate against woman; it has given her partial +suffrage in twelve States and full suffrage in three Territories.</p> + +<p>Courage, then, for the end draws near! A few more years of +persistent, faithful work and the women of the United States will +be recognized as the legal equals of men; for the goal towards<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_413" id="Page_413">[Pg 413]</a></span> +which we toil is the enfranchisement of women, since the ballot +is the only symbol of legal equality that is known in a republic.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Chancellor Wm. G. Eliot, of Washington University, St. Louis, wrote:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Considered as a <i>right</i>, suffrage belongs equally to man and +woman. They are equally citizens and taxpayers. They share +equally in the advantages of good government and suffer equally +from bad legislation. They equally need the right of +self-protection which the ballot alone can give. In average good, +practical sense, wherever fair opportunity is permitted women are +equal to men. In moral perception and practice women are at least +equal—generally the superiors, if such comparison must be made. +There is, therefore, no justification in saying that the right of +suffrage, on whatever founded, belongs to man rather than to +woman.</p> + +<p>Considered as a <i>privilege</i>, little needs to be said on either +side.... Every citizen is under moral obligation to take part in +the social interests and welfare of the community, whether +national or municipal. Woman equally with man is under that moral +law. In a republic she can not rightly be deprived of the +opportunity to do her full share as a citizen in all that +concerns good government.</p> + +<p>This seems to be the whole story. I have read with astonishment +the arguments (so called) of Francis Parkman, the Rev. Brooke +Herford and Mrs. Kate Gannett Wells. They scarcely touch the real +merits of the case.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Dr. Mary F. Thomas, of Indiana, wrote:</p> + +<blockquote><p>As I see pictured before me all of you gathered from different +parts of this great sisterhood of States to discuss the grand +principle of human freedom, I can but compare this assembly with +one convened in Philadelphia over a hundred years ago with this +difference—they declared for the civil and political freedom of +all men; you ask to-day that all human beings of sound mind shall +enjoy the civil and political rights which they are entitled to +by virtue of their humanity. As the judicious management of the +family circle requires the combined wisdom and judgment of father +and mother, so this great political family, whose interests are +identical, can only be consistently managed by the complete +representation and concurrence of each individual governed by its +laws.</p> + +<p>It is not necessary for me to show argument for this statement, +as your meeting to-day, composed of men and women thoroughly +imbued with the spirit of the great truth contained in the +Declaration of Independence, will supply words glowing with +fervor that can not be written, that comes with a full conviction +of the magnitude of this great question, involving even the +perpetuity of our government.... But without other reasons than +that it is right, let the united voice of your meeting demand +full recognition of the political rights of the women of the +nation, so that it may<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_414" id="Page_414">[Pg 414]</a></span> stand before the world exemplifying the +meaning of a true republic. After near half a century of earnest, +continued pleading we see light breaking in different parts of +the political horizon. If it takes half a century more, nay, even +longer than that, to establish this truth let us never falter. +For we know our cause is just and, as God is just, the eternal +principles of right must succeed.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Among the speakers were Mr. Foulke, Mr. Blackwell, Mrs. Alice Pickler +of Dakota, Mrs. Cutler, Miss Bessie Isaacs of Washington Territory, +the Rev. Ada C. Bowles of Massachusetts, Mrs. Abigail Scott Duniway, +editor of the <i>New Northwest</i>, Oregon, and from Minneapolis Mrs. Sarah +Burger Stearns, C. H. Du Bois, editor of the <i>Spectator</i>, Dr. Martha +G. Ripley, the Rev. Dr. J. H. Tuttle, pastor of the Church of the +Redeemer, the Rev. Kristofer Jansen, of the Swedish Unitarian Church, +the Rev. Mr. Williams of the City Mission, the Rev. Mr. Tabor of the +Friends' Church, the Rev. Mr. Harrington, a visiting Universalist +minister, and Mrs. Charlotte O. Van Cleve, of the Bethany Home, who +spoke of herself and her associates as "the ambulance corps, to pick +up and care for the fallen and wounded of their sex."</p> + +<p>Judge Norton H. Hemiup of Minneapolis, read a humorous play in several +acts, dramatically representing the venerable widows of ex-presidents +and wives of living ones going to the polls in their respective +precincts and offering their votes in vain, while those of the late +slaves and of men half-drunk and wholly ignorant were received without +a question.</p> + +<p>Major J. A. Pickler, the chivalrous legislator of Dakota, who +championed the suffrage bill which passed both Houses and was defeated +by the veto of Gov. Gilbert F. Pierce, was invited to tell the history +of the bill and did so in a vigorous speech. He said its passage was +materially aided by the efforts of Eastern remonstrants to defeat it, +and added: "There are peculiar reasons why our women should have their +rights, as they own fully one-fourth of the land and are veritable +heroines." During the convention the men and women present from Dakota +organized an association to carry on the battle for equal rights in +that Territory.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Howe said in her address:</p> + +<blockquote><p>While a great deal needs to be said to both men and women on the +subject of woman suffrage, I am one who thinks that most needs<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_415" id="Page_415">[Pg 415]</a></span> +to be said to women. This is quite natural both because of their +timidity in putting themselves forward and because of their +frequent ignorance of the principles upon which reform is based. +No one could be more opposed to woman suffrage than I was twenty +years ago. Everything I had read and heard seemed to point in +exactly the opposite direction. But at the first meeting I +attended I heard Lucy Stone, Henry B. Blackwell, Elizabeth Cady +Stanton and other pioneers of the cause, found nothing but +reasonableness in their speech and their arguments and so was +speedily converted.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The Battle Hymn of the Republic was then sung by Prof. James G. Clark, +the well-known singer of anti-slavery days, the audience rising and +joining in the chorus.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Margaret W. Campbell of Iowa, who was introduced by Lucy Stone +with a history of her many years of devoted work for the cause, said +in part: "Good men who mean well often say that women are as fit to +vote as the ignorant foreigners just landed at Castle Garden or the +freedmen who can not read or write. Don't say that any more; you don't +know how it hurts. Say instead, 'You are as fit to vote as we are.' +The names of those who emancipated the slave will be written in +letters of gold, but the names of those who have helped to emancipate +the women of this nation will be written in letters of living light."</p> + +<p>The closing address was made by Mrs. Stone. "Her feeling and womanly +appeals," said the Minneapolis papers, "were such as to move any +masculine heart not thoroughly indurated." She said in part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>If the question of the right of women to a voice in making the +laws they are to obey could be treated in the same common-sense +way that other practical questions are treated it would have been +settled long ago. If the question were to be asked in any +community about to establish a government, "Shall the whole +people who are of mature age and sound mind have a right to help +make the laws they are required to obey?" the natural answer +would be that they should have that right. But the fact is that +only the men exercise it. If the question were asked, "Shall the +whole people who are of mature age and sound mind and not +convicted of crime have a right to elect the men who will have +the spending of the money they pay for taxes?" the common-sense +answer would be that they should have that right. But the fact is +that only men are allowed to exercise it. So of the special +interests of women, their right to settle the laws which regulate +their relation to their children, their right to earn and own, to +buy and sell, to will and deed, the application of the simple +principles of fair play, would have given women equal voice with +men in these questions of personal and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_416" id="Page_416">[Pg 416]</a></span> common interest. But as +it is men control it all, whether it is the child we bear, the +dollar we earn or the will we wish to make.</p> + +<p>One would suppose that under a government whose fundamental +principle affirms that "the consent of the governed" is the just +basis, the consent of the governed women would have been asked +for. The only form of consent is a vote and that is denied to +women. As a result they are at a disadvantage everywhere. The +stigma of disfranchisement cheapens the respect due to their +opinions, diminishes their earnings and makes them subjects in +the home as they are in the State. The woman suffrage movement +means equal rights for women. It proposes to secure fair play and +justice.</p></blockquote> + +<p>At this convention valuable reports were presented from twenty-six +States. Of especial interest was that from Texas, where Mrs. Mariana +T. Folsom had done seven months' work under the auspices of the +American W. S. A., giving nearly 200 public addresses in advocacy of +equal rights. Texas was virgin soil on this subject, and Mrs. Folsom's +description of the conditions she found there was both entertaining +and instructive.</p> + +<p>The old officers were re-elected with but few changes. Among the +resolutions adopted were the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The American Woman Suffrage Association, at its seventeenth +annual meeting, in this beautiful city of the new Northwest, +reaffirms the American principle of free representative +government, and demands its application to women. "Governments +derive their just powers from the consent of the governed," and +women are governed; "taxation without representation is tyranny," +and women are taxed; "all political power inheres in the people," +and one-half of the people are women.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That women, as sisters, wives and mothers of men, +have special rights to protect and special wrongs to remedy; that +their votes will represent in a special sense the interests of +the home; that equal co-operation of the sexes is essential alike +to a happy home, a refined society, a Christian church and a +republican State.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, Under the Federal Constitution, "All persons born or +naturalized in the United States are citizens thereof, and of the +States in which they reside;" and, by the decision of the United +States courts, "Women are citizens, and may be made voters by +appropriate State legislation;" therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That this association regards with satisfaction the +acceptance of the claim of Anna Ella Carroll by the United States +Court of Claims, by which the remarkable services of Miss Carroll +in urging the campaign of Tennessee, which broke the force of the +rebellion and gave success to our armies, will have at last, +after more than a score of years, their late reward.<a name="FNanchor_140_140" id="FNanchor_140_140"></a><a href="#Footnote_140_140" class="fnanchor">[140]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_417" id="Page_417">[Pg 417]</a></span></p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the association send a deputation to Washington +in behalf of its memorial to Congress to frame a statute +prohibiting the disfranchisement of women in the Territories, and +to co-operate with the National Woman Suffrage Association (at +its January meeting) for a Sixteenth Amendment forbidding +political distinctions on account of sex.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The great success of this convention was due in large measure to the +excellent arrangements made by the friends in Minneapolis, especially +Dr. Ripley and Mrs. Martha A. Dorsett.</p> + +<p>The association sent two delegates, Henry B. Blackwell and the Rev. +Anna H. Shaw, to Washington, to urge upon the House Committee the duty +of Congress to establish equal suffrage in the Territories. They were +given a respectful hearing.</p> + +<p><i>1886.</i>—The Eighteenth annual meeting was held in Topeka, Kan., +October 26-28. The morning and afternoon sessions were held in Music +Hall. Above the platform hung the beautiful banner of the Minnesota W. +S. A., sent by Dr. Martha G. Ripley, and at its side was a package of +7,000 leaflets for distribution contributed by Mrs. Cornelia C. Hussey +of New Jersey, which were gladly taken for use in different States. +The evening meetings assembled in the Hall of the House of +Representatives, seating 1,200 persons; the floor and both galleries +were crowded with the best citizens of Topeka; all the desks were +taken out, making room for more chairs, and even then hundreds of +people were turned away. Both halls were given free.</p> + +<p>All the preparations had been admirably made by Mrs. Juliet N. Martin, +Miss Olive P. Bray, Mrs. S. A. Thurston and other Topeka women, who +had a collation spread in Music Hall for the delegates on their +arrival. The press gave full and cordial reports. Lucy Stone wrote in +the <i>Woman's Journal</i>:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We found the editors of the four daily papers all suffragists. +Among these was Major J. K. Hudson, who took his first lessons in +equal rights on the <i>Anti-Slavery Bugle</i> in Ohio and, reared +among "Friends," was ready to continue the good service he has +all along rendered. Here, too, we found our old co-worker, +William P. Tomlinson, who at one time published the <i>Anti-Slavery +Standard</i> for Wendell Phillips and the American Anti-Slavery +Society, and who a little later, in his young prime, devoted his +time, his money and his strength to the publication of the +<i>Woman's Advocate</i> in New York, of which he was proprietor and +editor. He is now editor of the Topeka <i>Daily Democrat</i>. Mr. B. +P. Baker, now editor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_418" id="Page_418">[Pg 418]</a></span> and proprietor of the <i>Commonwealth</i>, did +good service to the woman suffrage cause in 1867 in the Topeka +<i>Record</i>. Mr. McLennan, of the <i>Journal</i>, is also with us.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The whole convention was interspersed with ringing reminiscences of +the heroic early history of Kansas. Mrs. S. N. Wood, who in the Border +Ruffian days went through the enemy's lines and at great personal +peril brought into beleaguered Lawrence the ammunition which enabled +it to defend itself, came to the platform to add her good word for +equal suffrage. It was a great pleasure to the officers of the +association to meet her and the other early Kansas workers, many of +whom, like Mrs. J. H. Slocum, of Emporia, were old personal friends.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Anna C. Wait, president of the Kansas W. S. A. and editor of the +Lincoln <i>Beacon</i>, gave the address of welcome in behalf of the +suffragists. Referring to the first campaign for a woman suffrage +amendment in 1867, when Lucy Stone and Henry B. Blackwell spoke in +forty-two counties of Kansas, Mrs. Wait said: "Nineteen years ago when +you came to Kansas you found no suffrage societies and even seven +years ago you would have found none. To-day, in behalf of the State W. +S. A. and its many flourishing auxiliaries, I welcome these dear +friends who come to us from the rock-ribbed shores of the Atlantic, +from the coast of the Pacific, from the lakes of the North and from +the sunny South, a veritable gathering of the clans of freedom."</p> + +<p>Major Hudson, in his address of welcome in behalf of the city, +reviewed the history of woman suffrage in Kansas, paid a tribute to +the work of the pioneer suffragists, and said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We welcome you to Kansas, because it has been good battle-ground +for the right.... We place the ballot in the hands of the +foreigner who can not read or speak our language, and who knows +nothing of our government; we enfranchised a slave race, most of +whom can not read; and yet we deny to the women of America the +ballot, which in their hands would be the strongest protection of +this republic against the ignorance and vice of the great centers +of our population. Give to woman the ballot, and you give her +equal pay with men for the same work; you break down prejudice +and open to her every vocation in which she is competent to +engage; you do more—you give her an individuality, and equal +right in life.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The president, the Hon. William Dudley Foulke, in his response<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_419" id="Page_419">[Pg 419]</a></span> to the +welcome of the suffrage association said: "It gives us great pleasure +to visit your beautiful city and fertile State. It gives us pleasure +not because your State is fertile and your city beautiful but because +it is in these Western States that there is most hope of the growth of +the woman suffrage movement. The older States are what old age is in +the human frame, something that is difficult to change; but where +there is young blood there is hope and the progress of a new idea is +more rapid."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Howe, responding to the welcome of the citizens, said some one +had spoken of woman suffrage as a hobby; she questioned whether the +opposition to suffrage was not the hobby and suffrage the horse. The +discussion of these great questions was doing much to make the women +of the country one in feeling, and to do away with sectional +prejudices. A most cordial hearing was given to the Woman's Congress +lately held at Louisville, Ky., and especially to the woman suffrage +symposium which occupied one evening. Mrs. Howe spoke of the +wonderful, providential history of Kansas, and the way in which a new +and unexpected chapter of the country's history opened out from the +experience of the young Territory. She remembered when the name of +Kansas was the word which set men's blood at the East tingling. She +continued:</p> + +<blockquote><p>You men of Kansas, you who have been bought with a price, noble +men have worked and suffered and died that you might be free. For +you Charles Sumner fell in the Senate of the United States. He +fell to rise again, but others fell for whom there was no rising. +Having received this great gift of freedom, pray you go on to +make it perfect. You may think that you have a free State, well +founded and stable, and that it will stand; but remember that the +State, like the Church, is not a structure to be built and set up +but a living organism to grow and move. Its life is progress and +freedom. Do not think that you can stay this great tide of +progress by saying, "Thus far shalt thou go and no farther." No +such limitation is possible. That tide will oversweep every +obstacle set in its way.</p> + +<p>Why, men of Kansas, having been so nobly endowed at the +beginning, have you let the younger children in the nursery of +our dear mother country learn lessons that you have not learned? +Are the women of Wyoming and Washington better than your women, +and do the men of those Territories love their women better than +you love yours? You will say "no," with indignation; but remember +that love is shown in deeds far more than in words. Until you +make your women free I must hold that you do not love them as +well as those do who have given their mothers and sisters the +gift of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_420" id="Page_420">[Pg 420]</a></span> political enfranchisement. This place is the temple of +your liberties; here, if anywhere, should be spoken the words of +wisdom and be enacted just and equal laws. However grand the +words may be which have been spoken here, may they become grander +and better and deeper, until to all your other glories shall be +added that of having set the crown of freedom upon the heads of +the women of your State!</p></blockquote> + +<p>Only a few gleanings from the many speeches can be given. Professor W. +H. Carruth, of the Kansas State University, said in part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We are likely to meet some good-natured person who will say: +"Why, yes, I am in favor of woman suffrage, but I don't see that +there is any need of it here in Kansas. If I were in Rhode Island +or Connecticut, where there are so many laws unjust to women, I +would petition and work for it; but I don't see that it is worth +while to make a fuss about it here." Now, what can be said to +such a person? Weapons are both defensive and aggressive. The +ballot has both uses. What would a herdsman say if you told him +his sheepfold was all that was needed, and refused to give him a +gun? What would the farmer say if you gave him a cultivator but +no plough? What would Christianity be if it had only the Ten +Commandments and not the Golden Rule?</p> + +<p>He who thinks the ballot is given simply as a means of +protection—protection in a limited sense, against fraud and +violence—has but a limited conception of the duties of American +citizenship. The old let-alone theory of government has been +found a failure, and instead of it people are coming to think +that government is good to do anything that it can do best—just +as they have already learned that it is proper for woman to do +anything that she can do well. In a word, as Mrs. Howe said the +other evening, the ballot is a means of getting things done which +we want done.</p> + +<p>When your good friend with a kind and prosperous husband, a +pleasant home and nothing lacking which better laws could secure +for her, says she thinks women are already pretty well treated +and she doesn't know that she would care for the ballot, ask her +how she would feel if she were a teacher and were expected to +work beside a man, equal work and equal time, he to get $60 and +she $40 a month? Ask her whether she would not want to have a +vote then? Isn't this a case, kind mistress of a home, where you +should remember those in bonds as bound with them? I very much +fear there never will be a time when all the good people in this +world can dispense with any effective weapon against wrong.</p> + +<p>And, beyond this, there are all the offensive, aggressive uses of +the ballot. We want a sewer here, a bridge there, a lamp-post or +a hydrant yonder. A woman's nose will scent a defective drain +where ten men pass it by, but votes get these things looked +after. We want a new schoolhouse, or more brains or more fresh +air in an old<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_421" id="Page_421">[Pg 421]</a></span> one. Don't you know that women will attend to such +needs sooner than men?</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mr. Foulke said in part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>It is said that woman suffragists are dreamers. There was a time +within our memory when human flesh in this our free America was +sold at auction. In those days a few earnest men dreamed of a +time when our flag should no longer unfurl itself over a slave. +Inspired by this great vision they bore the persecution and +contumely of their fellows. In season and out of season they +preached their glorious gospel of immediate and unconditional +emancipation. Wild visionaries they, incendiaries whose very +writings, like the heresies of old, must be consigned to the +flames; impracticable enthusiasts, seditious citizens. But lo! +the flame of war passed over us and their dream is true; and in +the clearer light which shines upon us to-day, we can hardly +realize that this great blot upon our civilization could have +existed, the time seems so far away.</p> + +<p>And we of America, we who have reached the summit of the +prophecies of centuries past, we dream of new and loftier +mountains in the distance. We who have realized in our political +institutions a universal equality of men before the law, find +that we have only reached the foothills of the greater range +beyond. There are men in our midst who are dreaming to-day of a +time when mere political equality shall be based upon that +broader social and economic equality which is so necessary to +maintain it. They dream of a time when each man's reward shall be +proportioned to his own exertions and his own desert, and nothing +at all shall be due to the accident of birth; dream of a time +when bitter, grinding poverty, save as a punishment for idleness, +shall no longer exist in a world so full of the bounty of heaven. +Is it wilder than the dream of him who, under the despotism of +the Bourbons, could dream of a great people whose birth should be +heralded by the cry that all men are created equal? Is it wilder +than the dream of him who, oppressed by the tyranny of Alva, +could dream of a day of perfect religious toleration? Men talk +with contemptuous pity of the dreamer. But he rather is the +object of pity who bars the windows and draws the curtains of his +soul to shut out the light of heaven that would smile in upon +him. Let us rather pity the man who fears to utter the divine +thought which fills him. Let us pity rather that man or that +nation which lives in the complacent consciousness of its own +virtue and blessedness, and dreams of no higher good than it +possesses. He that has a dream of something better than he sees +around him, let him tell it though the world smile. He that has a +prophecy to utter, let him speak, though men account it his folly +as much as they will. God bless the dreamers of all just and +perfect dreams! The great wheel of the ages with ever-increasing +motion is sure to roll out their accomplishment.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The Rev. Louis A. Banks, lately of Washington Territory, spoke of +woman suffrage there. He said:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_422" id="Page_422">[Pg 422]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>The first fact proved by experience is that women do vote. Before +the law was enacted, the old objection used to meet us on every +hand, "The women do not want to vote"—as though that, if true, +were a valid reason. They ought to want to. It is my business to +urge men to repent, and I have never supposed it a reason to +cease preaching to them because they did not want to repent; they +ought to want to. But our experience has proved that women do +want to vote. It was universally conceded that in our first +general Territorial election fully as many women voted in +proportion to their numbers as men....</p> + +<p>Woman's influence as a citizen has been of equal value in the +jury-box. Experience shows that she is peculiarly fitted for that +duty. Woe to the gambler who enriches himself by the folly or +innocence of the ignorant, and the rum-seller who lures boys into +his backroom! Woe to the human vultures who prey upon young +lives, when they fall into the hands of a jury of mothers!...</p> + +<p>You who have not hitherto been woman suffragists, why not espouse +this cause now, when it is in the full flush of its heroic +struggle? When John Adams went courting Abigail Smith, her proud +father said to her: "Who is this young Adams? Where did he come +from?" Abigail answered: "I do not know where he came from and I +do not care, but I know where he is going and I am going with +him." Ladies and gentlemen, you know where we are going; we +invite your company for the journey.</p></blockquote> + +<p>State Senator R. W. Blue said: "One of the greatest questions of the +day is how to counteract the influence of the vicious vote cast every +year in the large cities. I believe the only way to do that is to +enfranchise the women." He added that he had worked for the Municipal +Suffrage Bill in the preceding Legislature, and should do so in the +next. President Foulke complimented him on his bold and outspoken +remarks, and said he thought a man in politics never lost anything by +telling the people exactly where he stood on vital issues.<a name="FNanchor_141_141" id="FNanchor_141_141"></a><a href="#Footnote_141_141" class="fnanchor">[141]</a></p> + +<p>James G. Clark, associate editor of the Minneapolis <i>Spectator</i>, was a +delegate, and delighted the audience with his equal rights songs. A +letter was received from Dr. Mary F. Thomas and, by a rising vote of +the convention, it was decided to send her a telegram of greeting and +congratulations on her seventieth birthday.</p> + +<p>Letters were read from Chief-Justice Greene of Washington<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_423" id="Page_423">[Pg 423]</a></span> Territory, +and from Mrs. Margaret Bright Lucas of England, sister of John and +Jacob Bright; also telegrams from the Minnesota W. S. A., from Major +and Mrs. Pickler of South Dakota, and from others, and reports from +the different State societies.</p> + +<p>Chancellor J. A. Lippincott, of the State University, invited the +association to visit that institution, and Mrs. Howe and Mrs. Stone to +address the students. Mrs. Stone wrote in the <i>Woman's Journal</i>: "It +was worth the journey to receive the warm welcome which greeted us on +every hand, and still more to see the progress the cause has made in +the nineteen years that have passed since the first suffrage campaign +in Kansas. It would not be surprising if Municipal Suffrage should be +secured in this State at the next session of the Legislature.<a name="FNanchor_142_142" id="FNanchor_142_142"></a><a href="#Footnote_142_142" class="fnanchor">[142]</a> The +very air was full of suffrage, even in the midst of the political +contest."</p> + +<p><i>1887.</i>—The Nineteenth annual meeting was held in Association Hall, +Philadelphia, October 31, November 1, 2. The platform had been +beautifully decorated with tropical plants and foliage by Miss +Elizabeth B. Justice and other Pennsylvania friends. The weather was +fine, the audience sympathetic and the speaking excellent.</p> + +<p>State Senator A. D. Harlan gave the address of welcome in behalf of +the Pennsylvania W. S. A. President Wm. Dudley Foulke in responding +paid a tribute to the Senator's good service in the Legislature in +behalf of a constitutional amendment for equal suffrage. A letter of +welcome was read from the venerable and beloved president of the +association, Miss Mary Grew, who was kept away by illness. Col. T. W. +Higginson said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I have the sensations of a Revolutionary veteran, almost, in +coming back to Philadelphia and remembering our early suffrage +meetings here in that time of storm, in contrasting the audiences +of to-day with the audiences of that day, and in thinking what +are the difficulties that come before us now as compared with +those of our youth. The audiences have changed, the atmosphere of +the community has changed; nothing but the cause remains the +same, and that remains because it is a part of the necessary +evolution of democratic society and is an immortal thing.</p> + +<p>I recall those early audiences; the rows of quiet faces in Quaker +bonnets in the foreground; the rows of exceedingly unquiet +figures of Southern medical students, with their hats on, in the +background. I recall the visible purpose of those energetic young +gentlemen to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_424" id="Page_424">[Pg 424]</a></span> hear nobody but the women, and the calm +determination with which their bootheels contributed to put the +male speakers down. I recall also their too-assiduous attentions +in the streets outside when the meeting broke up....</p> + +<p>Woman suffrage should be urged, in my opinion, not from any +predictions of what women will do with their votes after they get +them, but on the ground that by all the traditions of our +government, by all the precepts of its early founders, by all the +axioms which lie at the foundation of our political principles, +woman needs the ballot for self-respect and self-protection.</p> + +<p>The woman of old times who did not read books of political +economy or attend public meetings, could retain her self-respect; +but the woman of modern times, with every step she takes in the +higher education, finds it harder to retain that self-respect +while she is in a republican government and yet not a member of +it. She can study all the books that I saw collected this morning +in the political economy alcove of the Bryn Mawr College; she can +master them all; she can know more about them perhaps than any +man of her acquaintance; and yet to put one thing she has learned +there in practice by the simple process of dropping a piece of +paper into a ballot-box—she can no more do that than she could +put out her slender finger and stop the planet in its course. +That is what I mean by woman's needing the suffrage for +self-respect.</p> + +<p>Then as to self-protection. We know there have been great +improvements in the laws in regard to women. What brought about +those improvements? The steady labor of women like these on this +platform, going before Legislatures year by year and asking for +something they were not willing to give, the ballot; but, as a +result of it, to keep the poor creatures quiet, some law was +passed removing a restriction. The old English writer Pepys, +according to his diary, after spending a good deal of money for +himself finds a little left and buys his wife a new gown, +because, he says, "It is fit that the poor wretch should have +something to content her." I have seen many laws passed for the +advantage of women and they were generally passed on that +principle.</p> + +<p>I remember going before the Rhode Island Legislature once with +Lucy Stone and she unrolled with her peculiar persuasive power +the wrong laws which existed in that commonwealth in regard to +women. After the hearing was over the chairman of that committee, +a judge who had served on it for years, said to her: "Mrs. Stone, +all that you have stated this morning is true, and I am ashamed +to think that I, who have been chairman for years of this +judiciary committee, should have known in my secret heart that it +was all true and should have done nothing to set these wrongs +right until I was reminded of them by a woman." Again and again I +have seen that experience. Women with bleeding feet, women with +exhausted voices, women with wornout lives, have lavished their +strength to secure ordinary justice in the form of laws which a +single woman inside the State House, armed with the position of +member of the Legislature and representing a sex who had votes,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_425" id="Page_425">[Pg 425]</a></span> +could have had righted within two years. Every man knows the +weakness of a disfranchised class of men. The whole race of women +is disfranchised, and they suffer in the same way.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Among the other speakers were the Rev. Charles G. Ames, Henry B. +Blackwell, the Rev. Antoinette Brown Blackwell, Dr. Thomas, Mrs. +Campbell, Mrs. Mary E. Haggart, Mrs. Frances E. W. Harper, the Rev. S. +S. Hunting, Miss Cora Scott Pond, the Rev. Ada C. Bowles and Mrs. +Adelaide A. Claflin.</p> + +<p>The chairman of the executive committee, Mrs. Lucy Stone, in her +annual report, reviewed the year's activities and continued:</p> + +<blockquote><p>But the chief work of the American Woman Suffrage Association +during the past year has been to obtain wide access to the public +through the newspapers. Early in the year correspondence was +opened with most of the papers in the United States. The editors +were asked whether they would publish suffrage literature if it +were sent them every week without charge. More than a thousand +answered that they would use what we sent, in whole or in part. +Accepting this the association has, for the last eight months, +furnished 1,000 weekly papers with a suffrage column. The cost of +it consumes nearly the whole interest of the Eddy Fund, besides +much time and strength gratuitously given. But as these papers +come to us week by week containing the suffrage items and +articles which through their columns reach millions of readers, +we feel that no better use could be made of money or time.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The Revs. Anna H. Shaw and Ada C. Bowles were chosen national +lecturers. Among the resolutions were the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We congratulate the Legislature of Kansas upon its honorable +record in extending Municipal Suffrage last February to the women +of that State, and the 26,000 women of Kansas by whose aid, last +April, reformed city governments were elected in every +municipality; we hail the National W. C. T. U. as an efficient +ally of the woman suffrage movement; we recognize the woman +suffrage resolutions of the Knights of Labor, the Land and Labor +organizations, the Third Party Prohibitionists and other +political parties, as evidence of a growing public sentiment in +favor of the equal rights of women; we rejoice that two-thirds of +the Northern Senators in the Congress of the United States voted +last winter for a Sixteenth Constitutional Amendment prohibiting +political distinctions on account of sex; we observe an +increasing friendliness in the attitude of press and pulpit and +the fact that 1,000 newspapers now publish a weekly column in the +interests of woman suffrage; we are encouraged by more general +discussions and more favorable votes of State Legislatures than +ever before—all indicating a sure and steady progress toward the +complete enfranchisement of women.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_426" id="Page_426">[Pg 426]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, The woman suffragists of the United States were all +united until 1868 in the American Equal Rights Association; and</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, The causes of the subsequent separation into the +National and the American Woman Suffrage Societies have since +been largely removed by the adoption of common principles and +methods, therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That Mrs. Lucy Stone be appointed a committee of one +from the American W. S. A. to confer with Miss Susan B. Anthony, +of the National W. S. A., and if on conference it seems +desirable, that she be authorized and empowered to appoint a +committee of this association to meet a similar committee +appointed by the National W. S. A., to consider a satisfactory +basis of union, and refer it back to the executive committees of +both associations for final action.</p></blockquote> + +<p>A pleasant incident of the convention was the presentation to the +audience of Mrs. E. R. Hunter, of Wichita, Kan., a real voter. Letters +of greeting were read from Miss Matilda Hindman of Pennsylvania, +Senator M. B. Castle of Illinois, Mrs. Mary B. Clay of Kentucky, and +Judge Stanton J. Peelle of Indiana. Mrs. Stone, the Rev. Antoinette +Brown Blackwell and Mrs. Mary A. Livermore were elected delegates to +the International Council of Women to be held in Washington, D. C., in +1888, with Dr. Mary F. Thomas, Miss Mary Grew and Mrs. Hannah M. Tracy +Cutler as alternates.</p> + +<p>After Mrs. Howe's address on the last evening, The Battle Hymn of the +Republic was sung standing, the great assembly joining in the chorus. +The officers had the pleasure of visiting Bryn Mawr College, by +invitation of Dean M. Carey Thomas, during the convention.</p> + +<p>In December of this year, a Suffrage Bazar was held in Boston for the +joint benefit of the American W. S. A. and of the State suffrage +associations that participated,<a name="FNanchor_143_143" id="FNanchor_143_143"></a><a href="#Footnote_143_143" class="fnanchor">[143]</a> which was a success both socially +and financially. The <i>Woman's Journal</i> of December 17 said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Music Hall is a wonderful sight; the green and gold banner of +Kansas occupies the place of honor in the middle of the platform, +flanked on the left by the great crimson banner of Michigan with +its motto "Neither delay nor rest," and on the right by the blue +flag of Maine, decorated with a pine branch and cones. The bronze +statue of Beethoven which has looked calmly down upon so many +different assemblages in Music Hall, gazes meditatively at the +Kansas table,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_427" id="Page_427">[Pg 427]</a></span> with a large yellow sunflower which surmounts the +Kansas banner blazing like a great star at his very feet. Next +comes the banner of Vermont, rich and beautiful, though smaller +than the rest, in two shades of blue, with the seal of the State +in the center surrounded by wild roses and bearing the motto +"Freedom and Unity." At the extreme right of the platform hangs +the banner of Pennsylvania, yellow, with heavy crimson fringe and +the motto "Taxation <i>with</i> Representation." On the other side of +Michigan is a large portrait of Wendell Phillips, sent by friends +in Minnesota. At the left are the <i>Woman's Journal</i> exhibit, +press headquarters and a display of exquisite blankets made at +the Lamoille mills and contributed to the Vermont exhibit by the +manufacturer, Mrs. M. G. Minot.</p> + +<p>All down the hall on both sides and across the middle hang the +many banners of the Massachusetts local leagues, of all sizes and +colors and with every variety of motto and device. At the extreme +end hangs the white banner of the State Association.</p></blockquote> + +<p>This handsome banner, bearing the motto, "Male and female created He +them, and gave <i>them</i> dominion," was presented to the association by +Miss Cora Scott Pond and the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, to whose energetic +work the success of the bazar was largely due.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Livermore, the president of the bazar, made the opening address +on the first evening. Floor and gallery were filled and scores of +yellow-ribboned delegates threaded their way through the smiling +crowd. Mrs. Howe followed, saying in part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Addresses this evening are something like grace before meat; they +are expected to be short and sweet. The grace is a good thing +because it reminds us that we do not live by bread alone but by +all the divine words with which the Creator has filled the +universe. The most divine word of all is justice, and in that +sacred name we are met to-night. In her name we set up our tents +and spread our banners....</p> + +<p>In the suspense in which we have so long waited for suffrage, I +sometimes feel as if we were in a dim twilight through which at +last a single star sheds its way to show us there is light yet, +and then another and another star follow. Wyoming was the first, +the evening star—we may call her our Venus; then came Washington +Territory, and then Kansas. What sort of a star shall we call +Boston? She might aptly be compared to sleepy old Saturn, +surrounded by a triple ring of prejudice. Dr. Channing was asked +once if he did not despair of Harvard College. He replied: "No, I +never <i>quite</i> despair of anything." Therefore, following his good +example, I never quite despair of Boston. We want our flag to be +full of such stars as those I have mentioned.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Lucy Stone closed a brief address by saying: "To-morrow<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_428" id="Page_428">[Pg 428]</a></span> will be +election day and the papers urge all citizens to go and vote; but +there are 60,000 women in Boston who have the same interest in the +city government that men have, and yet can have no voice in the +matter. Make this bazar a success and so enable us to take +Massachusetts by its four corners and shake it till it gives suffrage +to women."</p> + +<p><i>1888.</i>—The twentieth annual meeting was held in Cincinnati, Ohio, +November 20-22, with large crowds in attendance and much interest +shown. The <i>Enquirer</i> said: "The audiences may be said to have +chestnutized the time-honored assertion that advocates of the ballot +for the fair sex are unable to win even womankind to their way of +thinking. New faces of ladies of the highest standing in society are +seen at every succeeding session. The Scottish Rite Cathedral has +rarely or never held as large a number of ladies, and equally rarely +has there been present at a meeting of woman suffragists so large a +proportion of men." And the <i>Commercial Gazette</i>: "The Scottish Rite +Cathedral never held a finer-looking company, composed as it was of a +large number of the oldest and best citizens."</p> + +<p>The Hon. Wm. Dudley Foulke presided.<a name="FNanchor_144_144" id="FNanchor_144_144"></a><a href="#Footnote_144_144" class="fnanchor">[144]</a> Addresses of welcome were +made by the Hon. Alphonso Taft and Mrs. McClellan Brown, president of +the Wesleyan Woman's College. Mrs. Julia Ward Howe responded.</p> + +<p>In a letter the Hon. George William Curtis said: "Every change in the +restrictive laws regarding women is an acknowledgment of the justice +of the demand for equal suffrage. The case was conceded when women +became property holders and taxpayers in their own right. In every way +their interest in society is the same as that of men, and the reason +for their voting in school meetings is conclusive for their voting +upon the appropriation of other taxes which they pay."</p> + +<p>U. S. Senator George F. Hoar wrote: "My belief in the wisdom and +justice of the demand that women shall be admitted to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_429" id="Page_429">[Pg 429]</a></span> the ballot +grows stronger every year." In a letter to Lucy Stone, Clara Barton +wrote:</p> + +<blockquote><p>It gives me pain to be compelled to decline your generous +invitation to attend your annual meeting, but there is a deep +pleasure in the thought that you remembered and desired me to be +with you. Nowhere would I so gladly speak my little word for +woman, her rights, her needs, her privileges delayed and +debarred—yet blessed with the grand advance of the last thirty +years, the budding and blossoming of the seed sown in darkness, +doubt and humiliation, scattered by the winds of conscious +superiority and power and the whirlwinds of opposing wrath—as on +the green, native soil, the home of the early labors of its +sainted citizen, Frances D. Gage. Dear, noble, precious Aunt +Fanny, with the soul so pure and white, the heart so warm, the +sympathies so quick and ready, the sensitive, shrinking modesty +of self, the courage that scoffed at fear when the needs of +others were plead; the friend of the bondman and oppressed, who +knew no sect, sex, race or color, but toiled on for freedom and +humanity till the glorious summons came! If only five minutes of +her clarion voice could ring out in that meeting—McGregor on his +native heath—"'twere worth a thousand men." I pray you, dear +friend, whose voice will reach and be heard, try to point out to +the younger and later workers of the grand, old State the broad +stubble swath of the scythe and the deep blazing of the sturdy +axe of this glorious pioneer of theirs—the grandest of them +all—whose sleeping dust is an honor to Ohio.</p> + +<p>It is nothing that I am not there; it is much that you will be, +who carry back the memories of your girlhood, your school-life, +your earliest labors, to lay them on this freely-proffered altar, +in a spot where then there was no room for the tired foot, nor +scarce safety for the head. The occasion points with unerring +finger to the hands on the dial of thirty years in the future. We +need not to see it then, for it is given us to foresee it now. +God's blessing on this work and on the meeting, and on all who +may compose it!<a name="FNanchor_145_145" id="FNanchor_145_145"></a><a href="#Footnote_145_145" class="fnanchor">[145]</a></p></blockquote> + +<p>Henry B. Blackwell said in his address:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In equal suffrage lies our only hope of a representative +government. Women are one-half of our citizens with rights to +protect and wrongs to remedy. They are a distinct class in +society, differing from men in character, position and interest. +Every class that votes makes itself felt in the government. Women +will change the quality of government when they vote. They are +more peaceable, temperate, chaste, economical and law-abiding +than men; less controlled by physical appetite and passion; more +influenced by humane<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_430" id="Page_430">[Pg 430]</a></span> and religious considerations. They will +superadd to the more harsh and aggressive masculine qualities +those feminine qualities in which they are superior to men. And +these qualities are precisely what our government lacks. Women +will always be wives and mothers. They will represent the home as +men represent the business interests, and both are needed. This +is a reform higher, broader, deeper than any and all others. Let +good men and women of all sects, parties and opinions unite in +establishing a government of and by and for the people—men and +women.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Lucy Stone, describing the convention in the <i>Woman's Journal</i> of +December 1, wrote:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The local arrangements had been carefully made by Dr. Juliet M. +Thorpe, Mrs. Ellen B. Dietrick and Miss Annie McLean Marsh. The +spirit and temper of the meeting were of the best. Telegrams of +greeting were received from various States, and from far and near +came letters from those who were already friends of the cause, +and others who wished to learn. One old lady with snow-white +locks had come alone forty miles. She was not a delegate and she +had no speech to make, but her heart was in the work and she +found opportunity to speak words of cheer to those who were in +the thick of the fight. One young woman, a busy teacher, came +from Knoxville, Tenn. She wanted to know how to work for suffrage +in that State, and said she thought it "the best way to come +where the suffrage was." A large supply of leaflets, copies of +the <i>Woman's Journal</i> and of the <i>Woman's Column</i>, were given +her, with such advice and instruction as the time permitted. Two +ladies were there from Virginia. This was their first suffrage +meeting, but they listened eagerly, subscribed for our +periodicals and gladly accepted leaflets. It was a comfort to see +by these new recruits how widely the idea of equal rights for +women is taking root. At these annual meetings the workers who +come from far distant States and Territories strengthen each +other. The sight of their faces and the warm grasp of their hands +serve to renew the strength of those who never have flinched, and +who never will flinch till women are secure in possession of +equal rights.</p> + +<p>A number of ladies who came over from Kentucky took the +opportunity to organize a Kentucky Equal Suffrage Association.</p> + +<p>It is always a matter of regret that the excellent speeches made +at these meetings can not be phonographically reported, but it +must suffice to say that they covered all the ground, from the +principles on which representative government rests, to the +teaching of the Bible, which Miss Laura Clay, in an able speech, +warmly claimed was on the side of equal rights for women. Mrs. +Zerelda G. Wallace, that noble mother in Israel, agreed with her, +though from a different point of view, while Frederick Douglass +claimed that the "Eternal Right exists independent of all books."</p> + +<p>The Cincinnati press gave noticeably friendly and fair reports. +Hospitality to delegates was abundant. The sunny side of many of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_431" id="Page_431">[Pg 431]</a></span> +the best people of the Queen City was evidently turned toward +this meeting. A distinguished member of the Hamilton County bar, +who had not been thoroughly converted before, said: "When you +come again, let me make the address of welcome!"</p></blockquote> + +<p>The annual report of the chairman of the executive committee stated +that the association had continued to supply with suffrage matter all +editors who would use it; and that to save postage this weekly +bulletin had been put into the form of a small newspaper, the <i>Woman's +Column</i>:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Its woman suffrage arguments come back to us in papers scattered +from Maine to California, and reach hundreds of thousands of +readers who would not take a paper devoted specifically to this +reform.... Twenty thousand suffrage leaflets were given to the +Rev. Anna H. Shaw, national lecturer for the American W. S. A., +whose position as national superintendent of franchise for the W. +C. T. U. enables her to use them with great effect; 7,700 were +made a gift to the Ohio Centennial Exposition at Cincinnati with +hundreds of copies of the <i>Woman's Journal</i> and <i>Woman's Column</i>; +also many to the exposition at Columbus; 1,000 leaflets were sent +to the meeting of the Wisconsin W. S. A. at Milwaukee, and 500 to +its recent meeting at Stevens Point; many were sent to the fair +at Ottumwa, Ia.; a large number were distributed at the annual +meeting of the National W. C. T. U. in New York, and smaller +quantities have been supplied for local use in almost all the +States and Territories. Several friends have made donations of +money for this purpose, and there is no way in which money goes +further or does more good. In August, the association began the +publication of a series of tracts under the title of the <i>Woman +Suffrage Leaflet</i>. The association has given $50 for work in +Montana, $50 in Vermont, $25 in Wisconsin and $15 in New York.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Memorial resolutions were adopted for Louisa M. Alcott, Dr. Mary F. +Thomas and James Freeman Clarke, D. D.</p> + +<p>The following committee was chosen to continue the negotiations for +union with the National Woman Suffrage Association, which had been +entered upon in pursuance of the resolution adopted at Philadelphia: +the Hon. William Dudley Foulke, Indiana; the Rev. Anna H. Shaw, +Michigan; Miss Laura Clay, Kentucky; Mrs. Margaret W. Campbell, Iowa; +Prof. W. H. Carruth, Kansas; Miss Mary Grew, Pennsylvania; the Rev. +Antoinette Brown Blackwell, New Jersey; Mrs. Sarah C. Schrader, Ohio; +Mrs. Catherine V. Waite, Illinois; Mrs. May S. Knaggs, Michigan; Miss +Alice Stone Blackwell, Massachusetts.</p> + +<p><i>1889.</i>—In January these delegates met with those from the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_432" id="Page_432">[Pg 432]</a></span> National +Association at the convention of the latter in Washington, D. C., and +arrangements for the union of the two societies for the following year +were practically completed.<a name="FNanchor_146_146" id="FNanchor_146_146"></a><a href="#Footnote_146_146" class="fnanchor">[146]</a></p> + +<p>In the summer an appeal was addressed by Lucy Stone, Julia Ward Howe +and Mary A. Livermore to the constitutional conventions which were +preparing for Statehood in Dakota, Washington, Montana and Idaho. It +said in part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The undersigned, officers of the American Woman Suffrage +Association, though not properly entitled to address your +convention, nevertheless ask its courtesy on account of the great +interest they feel in the question of the status you will give to +women.</p> + +<p>You, gentlemen, felt keenly the disadvantage you were under when +you had only Territorial rights. If you will consider how much +greater are the disadvantages of a class that is wholly without +political rights, you will, we feel sure, pardon our entreaty +that in building your new constitution you will secure for women +equal political rights with men.</p> + +<p>The men of the older States inherited their constitutions, with +the odious features which the common law imposes upon women. But +you are making constitutions. You have the golden opportunity to +save your women from all these evils by securing their right to +vote in the organic law of the new State. By doing this, over and +above the satisfaction which comes from having done a just deed, +you will win the gratitude of women for all time, as our fathers +won the gratitude of the race when they announced the principle +which we ask you to apply. You will also secure the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_433" id="Page_433">[Pg 433]</a></span> historic +credit of being the first men to take the next great step in +civilization—a step sure to be taken at no distant day....</p> + +<p>Edward Everett once said, illustrating the effect of small things +on character: "The Mississippi and the St. Lawrence Rivers have +their rise near each other. A very small difference in the +elevation of the land sends one to the ocean amid tropical heat, +while the other empties into the frozen waters of the north." So, +it may seem a small matter whether you admit or shut out women +from an equal share in the government. But if you exclude them +you shut out a class of citizens pre-eminently orderly, +law-abiding and peaceful, and especially interested in the +welfare of the home and the safety of society. If, at the same +time, you admit all classes of men, however worthless, provided +they are out of prison, and if you make them free to stamp their +impress upon the government, in the long run you will find the +moral tone of the community lowered and cheapened, and your most +sacred institutions imperiled by the dangerous classes to whom +you entrusted the power which you denied to orderly and good +women.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Henry B. Blackwell, secretary of the association, visited North +Dakota, Montana and Washington, and personally labored with the +members of the three constitutional conventions. He carried with him +letters written expressly for these conventions by Governor Francis E. +Warren and U. S. Delegate Joseph M. Carey of Wyoming; Governor Lyman +U. Humphrey, Attorney-General L. B. Kellogg, Chief Justice Albert H. +Horton and all the Judges of the Supreme Court of Kansas; U. S. +Senator Henry M. Teller of Colorado, U. S. Senator Cushman K. Davis of +Minnesota, Governor Oliver Ames, U. S. Senator George F. Hoar, William +Lloyd Garrison and others of Massachusetts, commending his mission and +expressing the hope that the new States would incorporate equal +suffrage in their constitutions. Copies of these letters were placed +in the hands of every delegate. Mr. Blackwell devoted over a month to +the journey and the work in these Territories, paying his own expenses +and giving them and his services to the American Suffrage Association. +[Detailed accounts of these efforts will be found in chapters on these +three States.]</p> + +<p><i>1890.</i>—In February the American and the National Societies held a +convention in Washington under the name of the National-American +Association and this body has continued its annual meetings as one +organization.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_135_135" id="Footnote_135_135"></a><a href="#FNanchor_135_135"><span class="label">[135]</span></a> The History is indebted for this chapter to Miss Alice +Stone Blackwell, editor of <i>The Woman's Journal</i>, Boston, Mass. For +early accounts of this organization see +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#CHAPTER_XXVI"> +History of Woman Suffrage, Vol. II, Chap. XXVI.</a> [Editors of History.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_136_136" id="Footnote_136_136"></a><a href="#FNanchor_136_136"><span class="label">[136]</span></a> Mrs. Helen Ekin Starrett, principal of Highland Park +Academy; Miss Ada C. Sweet, head of the Pension Office in Illinois; +Mrs. Mary B. Willard, of the <i>Union Signal</i>; Mrs. Elizabeth Boynton +Harbert, of the <i>Inter-Ocean</i>; Dr. Julia Holmes Smith, Helen K. +Pierce, Mrs. W. O. Carpenter, Mrs. H. W. Fuller, Mrs. George Harding, +Mrs. Catherine V. Waite, Mrs. Elizabeth Loomis and the Rev. Florence +Kollock composed the entertainment committee.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_137_137" id="Footnote_137_137"></a><a href="#FNanchor_137_137"><span class="label">[137]</span></a> Mr. Wood, in many public addresses made during the +first Kansas amendment campaign in 1867, attributed this action of the +Kansas Constitutional Convention to Mrs. Stone; but it is certain that +other influences contributed to it. [For a further account of these, +see <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_185">History of Woman Suffrage, Vol. I, p. 185</a>. +Eds.]</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_138_138" id="Footnote_138_138"></a><a href="#FNanchor_138_138"><span class="label">[138]</span></a> Massachusetts gave to this fund $472; Pennsylvania, +$201.50; Indiana, $146; New Jersey, $80; Connecticut, $50; New +Hampshire, $25; Ohio, $10; Delaware, $5; New Brunswick, Canada, $10.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_139_139" id="Footnote_139_139"></a><a href="#FNanchor_139_139"><span class="label">[139]</span></a> Vice-presidents, ex-officio: Mrs. E. N. Bacon, Me.; +Mrs. Armenia S. White, N. H.; Mrs. M. L. T. Hidden, Vt.; William I. +Bowditch, Mass.; Mrs. Elizabeth B. Chace, R. I.; Mrs. Emily P. +Collins, Conn.; Mrs. Mariana W. Chapman, N. Y.; Kate A. Browning, N. +J.; Miss Mary Grew, Penn.; Mrs. Mary A. Heald, Del.; Mrs. Frances M. +Casement, O.; Mary F. Thomas, M. D., Ind.; Miss Ada C. Sweet, Ill.; +Lucy C. Stansell, Mich.; Sylvia Goddard, Ky.; Mrs. A. E. Dickinson, +Mo.; Lizzie D. Fyler, Ark.; Jennie Beauchamp, Tex.; Emma C. Bascom, +Wis.; Narcissa T. Bennis, Ia.; Gertrude M. McDowell, Neb.; the Hon. +Charles Robinson, Kan.; Gen. Theodore F. Brown, Col.; Jennie Carr, +Cal.; Abigail Scott Duniway, Ore.; Martha G. Ripley, M. D., Minn.; the +Hon. J. W. Hoyt, Wy. Ty.; Elizabeth Lyle Saxon, Tenn.; Mrs. +Cadwallader White, Ga.; the Hon. Roger S. Greene, Wash. Ty.; Mary J. +Ireland, Md.; Caroline E. Merrick, La. +</p><p> +Executive Committee: Lucy Stone, chairman; Mrs. C. A. Quinby, Me.; Dr. +J. H. Gallinger, N. H.; Laura Moore, Vt.; Mrs. Judith W. Smith, Mass.; +Mrs. S. E. H. Doyle, R. I.; the Hon. John Sheldon, Conn.; Anna C. +Field, N. Y.; Cornelia C. Hussey, N. J.; John K. Wildman, Penn.; Dr. +John Cameron, Del.; Jennie F. Holmes, Neb.; Prof. W. H. Carruth, Kan.; +Mary F. Shields, Col.; Sarah Knox Goodrich, Cal.; Mrs. N. Coe Stewart, +O.; Mary E. Haggart, Ind.; Helen E. Starrett, Ill.; Mrs. Geary, Va.; +Jennie A. Crane, W. Va.; Mrs. L. S. Ellis, Mich.; Laura Clay, Ky.; +Charlotte A. Cleveland, Mo.; Rhoda Munger, Ark.; Mrs. H. Buckner, +Tex.; Helen R. Olin, Wis.; Mary A. Work, Ia.; Laura Howe Carpenter, +Minn.; Mrs. A. S. Duniway, Ore.; the Hon. J. W. Kingman, Wy. Ty.; Mrs. +Smith of Seattle, Wash. Ty.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_140_140" id="Footnote_140_140"></a><a href="#FNanchor_140_140"><span class="label">[140]</span></a> Congress never could be persuaded to take any action +and Miss Carroll died in poverty and need. [Eds.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_141_141" id="Footnote_141_141"></a><a href="#FNanchor_141_141"><span class="label">[141]</span></a> Among the other speakers were Lucy Stone and Henry B. +Blackwell, of Massachusetts; Mrs. Margaret W. Campbell and the Rev. S. +S. Hunting, of Iowa; Mrs. Mary E. Haggart, of Indiana; the Rev. Anna +Howard Shaw, of Michigan; Mrs. Laura M. Johns, Mrs. Hammer, Mrs. +Barnes, Mrs. Annie L. Diggs, Miss Sarah A. Brown, Mrs. Brown of +Abilene, William P. Tomlinson, of the Topeka <i>Democrat</i>; the Revs. C. +H. Lovejoy, H. W. George and Dr. McCabe, Dr. Fisher, Judge W. A. +Peffer, Mrs. M. E. De Geer Call, Mrs. Martia L. Berry, Col. A. B. +Jetmore, J. C. Hebbard and Hon. C. S. Gleed.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_142_142" id="Footnote_142_142"></a><a href="#FNanchor_142_142"><span class="label">[142]</span></a> This was done.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_143_143" id="Footnote_143_143"></a><a href="#FNanchor_143_143"><span class="label">[143]</span></a> The American W. S. A. afterwards voted to give to each +State the entire amount of its gross sales.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_144_144" id="Footnote_144_144"></a><a href="#FNanchor_144_144"><span class="label">[144]</span></a> Mr. Foulke served as president from 1884 to 1890. +During this time but few changes were made in the official board. In +1885 Mrs. Mary E. Haggart (Ind.) was added to the +vice-presidents-at-large; in 1886 Dr. Mary F. Thomas (Ind.), J. K. +Hudson (Kas.), the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw (Mass.); 1887, Mrs. May +Stocking Knaggs (Mich.); 1888, Miss Clara Barton (D. C.), Mrs. Zerelda +G. Wallace (Ind.), Mrs. Phebe C. McKell (Ohio). In 1887 Mrs. Martha C. +Callanan (Iowa) was elected recording secretary. The various State +auxiliaries made numerous changes in vice-presidents ex-officio and +members of the executive committee.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_145_145" id="Footnote_145_145"></a><a href="#FNanchor_145_145"><span class="label">[145]</span></a> Among speakers not elsewhere mentioned were the Rev. +Antoinette Brown Blackwell, Mrs. Lucy Stone, Mrs. Sarah C. Schrader, +Mrs. Margaret W. Campbell, Mrs. Martha C. Callahan, Dr. Caroline M. +Dodson, Madame Calliope Kachiya (a Greek friend of Mrs. Howe's), and +Miss Alice Stone Blackwell. Mrs. Wessendorf read a poem, and there +were songs by the Blaine Glee Club and by Miss Annie McLean Marsh and +her little niece, and violin music by Miss Lucille du Pre.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_146_146" id="Footnote_146_146"></a><a href="#FNanchor_146_146"><span class="label">[146]</span></a> The American Woman Suffrage Association was indebted +for State reports during the past years to the following: Arkansas, +Lizzie Dorman Fyler; California, Sarah Knox Goodrich, Elizabeth A. +Kingsbury, Sarah M. Severance, Fannie Wood; Connecticut, Emily P. +Collins, Abby B. Sheldon; Dakota, Major J. A. Pickler, Alice M. +Pickler; Delaware, Dr. John Cameron; Illinois, Mary E. Holmes, +Catherine G. Waugh (McCulloch); Indiana, Florence M. Adkinson, Mary S. +Armstrong, Sarah E. Franklin, Adelia R. Hornbrook, Mary D. Naylor; +Iowa, Mary J. Coggeshall, Eliza H. Hunter, Mary A. Work, Narcissa T. +Bemis; Kansas, Prof. W. H. Carruth, Mrs. M. E. De Geer, Bertha H. +Ellsworth; Kentucky, Mary B. Clay, Laura Clay; Maine, the Rev. Henry +Blanchard, Mrs. C. S. Quinby; Massachusetts, Henry B. Blackwell, Lucy +Stone; Missouri, Rebecca N. Hazard, Amanda E. Dickenson; Minnesota, +Martha Angle Dorsett, Ella M. S. Marble, Dr. Martha G. Ripley; +Michigan, Mrs. E. L. Briggs, Mary L. Doe, Emily B. Ketcham, Mrs. H. L. +Udell, Mrs. Ellis; New Hampshire, Armenia S. White, Mrs. M. H. Ela; +New Jersey, Cornelia C. Hussey, Therese M. Seabrook; New York, Lillie +Devereaux Blake, Mariana W. Chapman, Mrs. E. O. Putnam Heaton, Anna +Holyoke Howard, Hamilton Willcox; Nebraska, Erasmus M. Correll, +Deborah G. King, Lucinda Russell, Clara Albertson Young; Ohio, Lou J. +Bates, Frances M. Casement, Orpha D. Baldwin, S. S. Bissell, Mary J. +Cravens, Mrs. (Dr.) Henderson, Mrs. M. B. Haven, Martha M. Paine, Mary +P. Spargo, Rosa L. Segur, Cornelia C. Swezey; Oregon, Abigail Scott +Duniway, W. S. Duniway; Pennsylvania, Florence A. Burleigh, Mary Grew, +Matilda Hindman; Rhode Island, Elizabeth B. Chace, Marilla M. +Brewster, Sarah W. Ladd, Mary C. Peckham, Louise M. Tyler; Tennessee, +Lida A. Meriwether, Elizabeth Lyle Saxon; Texas, Mariana T. Folsom; +Vermont, Laura Moore; Virginia, Orra Langhorne; Washington Territory, +Bessie J. Isaacs; Wisconsin, Mary W. Bentley, Alura Collins; Wyoming, +Dr. Kate Kelsey.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_434" id="Page_434">[Pg 434]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> + +<h3>SUFFRAGE WORK IN POLITICAL AND OTHER CONVENTIONS.</h3> + + +<p>The chapters thus far have given some idea of the endeavor to secure +the ballot for women through national suffrage conventions, which +bring together delegates from all parts of the country and send them +back to their respective localities strengthened and fortified for the +work; and which, through strong and logical arguments covering all +phases of the question, given before large audiences, gradually have +created a wide-spread sentiment in favor of the enfranchisement of +women. There have been described also the hearings before committees +of Congress, at which the advocates of this measure have made pleas +for the submission to the State Legislatures of a Sixteenth Amendment +to the Federal Constitution which should prohibit disfranchisement on +account of sex, as the Fifteenth Amendment does on account of +color—pleas which a distinguished Senator, who reported against +granting them, said "surpassed anything he ever had heard, and whose +logic if used in favor of any other measure could not fail to carry +it" (p. 201); and of which another, who had the courage to report in +favor, declared, "The suffragists have logic, argument, everything on +their side" (p. 162).</p> + +<p>In addition to this national work the following chapters will show +that the State work has been continued on similar lines—State and +local conventions and appeals to Legislatures to submit an amendment +to the electors to strike the word "male" from the suffrage clause of +their own State constitution. These appeals, in many instances, have +been supported by larger petitions than ever presented for any other +object.</p> + +<p>Further efforts have been made on a still different line, viz.: +through attempts to secure from outside conventions an indorsement of +woman suffrage, not only from those of a political but also from those +of a religious, educational, professional or industrial nature. This +has been desired in order that the bills may go before Congress and +Legislatures with the all-important sanction<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_435" id="Page_435">[Pg 435]</a></span> of voters, and also +because of its favorable effect on those composing these conventions +and on public sentiment.</p> + +<p>The idea of asking for recognition from a national political +convention was first suggested to Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Miss +Susan B. Anthony in 1868. By their protests against the use of the +word "male" in the Fourteenth Amendment, as described in Chap. I of +this volume, they had angered the Republican leaders, some of whom, +even those who favored woman suffrage, sarcastically advised them to +ask the Democrats for indorsement in their national convention of this +year and see what would be the response. These two women, therefore, +did appear before that body, which dedicated the new Tammany Hall in +New York City, on July 4. An account of their insulting reception may +be found in the <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_340">History of Woman Suffrage, Vol. II, p. 340</a>, and in the +Life and Work of Susan B. Anthony, p. 304. They, with Abby Hopper +Gibbons, daughter of Isaac T. Hopper, and Elizabeth Smith Miller, +daughter of Gerrit Smith, previously had sent an earnest letter to the +National Republican Convention which had met in Chicago in June, +asking in the name of the women who had rendered the party such +faithful service during the Civil War, that it would recognize in its +platform their right to the suffrage, but the letter received no +notice whatever.</p> + +<p>From that year until the present a committee of women has attended +every national convention of all the parties, asking for an +indorsement or at least a commendation of their appeal for the +franchise. Sometimes they have been received with respect, sometimes +with discourtesy, and occasionally they have been granted a few +minutes to make their plea before the Committee on Resolutions. In but +a single instance has any one of these women, the most eminent in the +nation, been permitted to address a Republican convention—at +Cincinnati in 1876. Twice this privilege has been extended by a +Democratic—at St. Louis in 1876 and at Cincinnati in 1880. A far-off +approach to a recognition of woman's claim was made by the National +Republican Convention at Philadelphia in 1872, in this resolution:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The Republican party, mindful of its obligations to the loyal +women of America, expresses gratification that wider avenues of +employment have been opened to woman, and it further declares<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_436" id="Page_436">[Pg 436]</a></span> +that her demands for additional rights should be treated with +respectful consideration.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Again in 1876 the national convention, held in Cincinnati, adopted the +following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The Republican party recognizes with approval the substantial +advance recently made toward the establishment of equal rights +for women by the many important amendments effected by the +Republican (!) Legislatures, in the laws which concern the +personal and property relations of wives, mothers and widows, and +by the election and appointment of women to the superintendence +of education, charities and other public trusts. The honest +demands of this class of citizens for additional rights, +privileges and immunities should be treated with respectful +consideration.</p></blockquote> + +<p>In 1880, '84, '88 and '92 the women were wholly disregarded. The +national platform of 1888, however, contained this plank:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We recognize the supreme and sovereign right of every lawful +citizen to cast one free ballot in all public elections and to +have that ballot duly counted.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The leaders of the woman suffrage movement at once telegraphed to +Chicago to the chairman of the convention, the Hon. Morris M. Estee, +asking if this statement was intended to include "lawful women +citizens," and he answered, "I do not think the platform is so +construed here." A letter was addressed to the presidential candidate, +Gen. Benjamin Harrison, begging that in his acceptance of the +nomination, he would interpret this declaration as including women, +but it was politely ignored.</p> + +<p>In 1892 Miss Anthony appeared before the Resolutions Committee of the +national convention in Minneapolis and in an address of thirty minutes +pleaded that women might have recognition in its platform. At the +close many of the members assured her of their thorough belief in the +justice of woman suffrage, but said frankly that "the party could not +carry the load."<a name="FNanchor_147_147" id="FNanchor_147_147"></a><a href="#Footnote_147_147" class="fnanchor">[147]</a> The following was the suffrage plank in its +platform that year:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We demand that every citizen of the United States shall be +allowed to cast one free and unrestricted ballot in all public +elections, and that such ballot shall be counted as cast; that +such laws shall be enacted and enforced as will secure to every +citizen, be he rich or poor, native or foreign, white or black, +this sovereign right guaranteed by the constitution. The free and +honest popular ballot, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_437" id="Page_437">[Pg 437]</a></span> just and equal representation of all +the people, as well as their just and equal protection under the +laws, are the foundation of our republican institutions, and the +party will never relax its efforts until the integrity of the +ballot and the purity of elections shall be guaranteed and +protected in every State.</p></blockquote> + +<p>But not once during the campaign did the party speakers or newspapers +apply this declaration to the women citizens of the United States.</p> + +<p>In 1896, when the prospects of success seemed certain enough to +justify the party in assuming some additional "load," the women made +the most impassioned appeal to the committee at the St. Louis +convention, with the following remarkable result:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The Republican party is mindful of the rights and interests of +women. Protection of American industries includes equal +opportunities, equal pay for equal work, and protection to the +home. We favor the admission of women to wider spheres of +usefulness, and welcome their co-operation in rescuing the +country from Democratic mismanagement and Populist misrule.</p></blockquote> + +<p>A whole plank to exploit Republicanism and a small splinter to cajole +the women, who had not asked for the suffrage to "rescue" or to defeat +any political party!</p> + +<p>No Democratic national platform ever has recognized so much as the +existence of women, in all its grandiloquent declarations of the +"rights of the masses," the "equality of the people," the "sovereignty +of the individual" and the "powers inherent in a democracy."</p> + +<p>The Populists at the beginning of their career sounded the slogan, +"Equal rights to all, special privileges to none," and many believed +that at length the great party had arisen which was to secure to women +the equal right in the suffrage which thus far had been the special +privilege of men. Full of joy and hope there went to the first +national convention of this party, held in Omaha, July 4, 1892, Susan +B. Anthony and the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, president and +vice-president-at-large of the National Suffrage Association. To their +amazement they were refused permission even to appear before the +Committee on Resolutions, a courtesy which by this time was usually +extended at all political conventions. The platform contained no woman +suffrage plank and no reference to the question except that in the +long preamble occurred this sentence:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_438" id="Page_438">[Pg 438]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>We believe that the forces of reform this day organized will +never cease to move forward until every wrong is righted, and +equal rights and equal privileges securely established for all +the men and women of this country.</p></blockquote> + +<p>In 1896 the Populist National Convention in St. Louis effected its +great fusion with the Democrats, and the political rights of women +were hopelessly lost in the shuffle. By 1900 the organization was +thoroughly under Democratic control, and the expectations of women to +secure their enfranchisement through this "party of the people," +created to reform all abuses and abolish all unjust discriminations, +vanished forever. It must be said to its credit, however, that during +its brief existence women received more recognition in general than +they ever had had from the old parties. They sat as delegates in its +national and State conventions and served on National and State +Committees; they were employed as political speakers and organizers; +and they were elected and appointed to official positions. Various +State and county conventions declared in favor of enfranchising women, +the majority of the legislators advocated it, and there is reason to +believe that in those States where an amendment to secure it was +submitted, individual Populists very largely voted for it.</p> + +<p>The Prohibition National Conventions many times have put a woman +suffrage plank in their platforms, and women have served as delegates +and on committees. The Woman's Christian Temperance Union forms the +bulwark of this party, and, like its distinguished president, Miss +Frances E. Willard, her successor, Mrs. Lillian M. N. Stevens, is an +earnest advocate of the enfranchisement of women, which is also true +of the vast majority of its members, so it has not been necessary for +the Woman Suffrage Association to send delegates to the national +conventions, although it has occasionally done so. These have +frequently failed, however, to adopt a plank declaring for woman +suffrage, the refusal to do so at Pittsburg in 1896 being a principal +cause of the division in the ranks which took place at that time.</p> + +<p>The Greenback party, the Labor party, the various Socialist parties, +and other reform organizations of a political character have made +unequivocal declarations for woman suffrage and welcomed women as +delegates. Whether they would do so if<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_439" id="Page_439">[Pg 439]</a></span> strong enough to have any hope +of electing their candidates must remain an open question until +practically demonstrated.<a name="FNanchor_148_148" id="FNanchor_148_148"></a><a href="#Footnote_148_148" class="fnanchor">[148]</a></p> + +<p>Women have served a number of times as delegates in the national +conventions of most of the so-called Third parties. In 1892 they +appeared for the first time at a Republican National Convention, +serving as alternates from Wyoming. In 1896 women alternates were sent +from Utah to the Democratic National Convention. In 1900 Mrs. W. H. +Jones went as delegate from that State to the Republican, and Mrs. +Elizabeth Cohen to the Democratic National Convention, and both +discharged the duties of the position in a satisfactory manner. Mrs. +Cohen seconded the nomination of William J. Bryan. A newspaper +correspondent published a sensational story in regard to her bold and +noisy behavior, but afterwards he was compelled to retract publicly +every word of it and admit that it had no foundation.</p> + +<p>Doubtless Miss Anthony has attended more political conventions to +secure recognition of the cause which she represents than any other +woman, and also has presented the subject to more national conventions +of various associations. In early days this was because she was one of +the few who had the courage to take this new and radical step, and +also because she was the only one who made the suffrage the sole +object of her life and was ready and willing to work for it at all +times and under all circumstances. In later days her name has carried +so much weight and she is so universally respected that she has been +able to obtain a hearing and often a resolution where this would be +difficult if not impossible for other women. However, in national and +State work of this kind she has had the valuable co-operation of the +ablest women of two generations. In no way can the scope and extent of +these efforts be better understood than by reviewing Miss Anthony's +report to the National Suffrage Convention of 1901, as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_440" id="Page_440">[Pg 440]</a></span> chairman of +the Committee on Convention Resolutions. It is especially interesting +as a fair illustration of the vast amount of work which women have +been doing in this direction for the past thirty years.</p> + +<p>After stating that the names and home addresses of most of the +delegates to all the national political conventions of 1900 were +obtained, Miss Anthony submitted copies of four letters of which 4,000 +were sent in June from the national suffrage headquarters in New York, +signed by herself and the other members of the committee—Carrie +Chapman Catt, Anna Howard Shaw, Ida Husted Harper and Rachel Foster +Avery.</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="center">(To the Republican delegates.)</p> + +<p>The undersigned Committee, appointed by the National-American +Woman Suffrage Association, beg leave to submit to you, as +delegate to the approaching Republican Convention, the enclosed +Memorial.</p> + +<p>The Republican party was organized in response to the demand for +human freedom. Its platform for the last forty years has been an +unswerving declaration for liberty and equality. Animated by the +spirit of progress, it has continued to enlarge the voting +constituency from time to time, thus acknowledging the right of +the individual to self-representation. This principle was +embodied in the plank adopted at the Chicago convention of 1888, +and has been often reaffirmed: "We recognize the supreme and +sovereign right of every lawful citizen to cast one free ballot +in all public elections and have that ballot duly counted." We +appeal to the Republican party to sustain its record by applying +this declaration to the lawful women citizens of the United +States.</p> + +<p>You will observe that this petition does not ask you to endorse +the enfranchisement of women, but simply to recommend that +Congress submit this question to the decision of the various +State Legislatures. In the name of American womanhood we ask you +to use every means within your power to bring this matter to a +discussion and affirmative vote in your convention.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="center">(To the Democratic delegates.)</p> + +<p>Since its inception the Democratic party has had for its rallying +cry the immortal words of Thomas Jefferson, "No taxation without +representation," "Governments derive their just powers from the +consent of the governed." Under this banner wage-earning men, +native and foreign, were endowed with the franchise, by which +means alone an individual can represent himself or consent to his +government, and by this act the party was kept in power for +nearly sixty years.</p> + +<p>At the close of the eighteenth century this was a broad view for +even so great a leader to take. In this closing year of the +nineteenth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_441" id="Page_441">[Pg 441]</a></span> century it would show an equally progressive spirit +if his loyal followers would carry these splendid declarations to +their logical conclusion and enfranchise women.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="center">(To the Populist delegates.)</p> + +<p>At the very first National Convention of the People's Party, held +at Omaha in 1892, the preamble of their platform declared that +"equal rights and privileges must be securely established for all +the men and women of the country." In the majority of State +conventions held since that time there has been specific +recognition of equal political rights for women. By admitting +women as delegates in their representative assemblies and by +appointing them to State and local offices, the Populists have +put into practice this fundamental principle of their +organization. Therefore, in asking you to give your influence and +vote in favor of this petition, we are proposing only that you +shall reaffirm your previous declarations.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p class="center">(To the Prohibition delegates.)</p> + +<p>Judging from the honorable record made by your party upon this +subject, we have every reason to hope that you will give your +influence and your vote in favor of the petition contained +herein.</p></blockquote> + +<p>In the Democratic letter was enclosed an Open Letter from Gov. Charles +S. Thomas (Dem.) of Colorado, setting forth in the strongest manner +the advantages of woman suffrage, and in all was placed favorable +testimony from prominent men of the respective States, accompanied by +the following Memorial. The latter was mailed also to every member of +the Resolutions Committees, and 10,000 copies were sent to editors and +otherwise circulated throughout the country.</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="center sc">MEMORIAL<br /> +To the National Presidential Convention of 1900.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Gentlemen</span>: You are respectfully requested by the +National-American Woman Suffrage Association to place the +following plank in your platform:</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That we favor the submission by Congress, to the +various State Legislatures, of an Amendment to the Federal +Constitution forbidding disfranchisement of United States +citizens on account of sex.</p> + +<p>The chief contribution to human liberty made by the United States +is the establishment of the right of personal representation in +government. In other countries suffrage often has been called +"the vested right of property," and as such has been extended to +women the same as to men. Our country at length has come to +recognize the principle that the elective franchise is inherent +in the individual and not in his property, and this principle has +become the corner-stone<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_442" id="Page_442">[Pg 442]</a></span> of our republic. Up to the beginning of +the twentieth century, however, the application of this great +truth has been made to but one-half the citizens.</p> + +<p>The women of the United States are now the only disfranchised +class, and sex is the one remaining disqualification. A man may +be idle, corrupt, vicious, utterly without a single quality +necessary for purity and stability of government, but through the +exercise of the suffrage he is a vital factor. A woman may be +educated, industrious, moral and law-abiding, possessed of every +quality needed in a pure and stable government, but, deprived of +that influence which is exerted through the ballot, she is not a +factor in affairs of State. Who will claim that our government is +purer, wiser, stronger and more lasting by the rigid exclusion of +what men themselves term "the better half" of the people?</p> + +<p>Every argument which enfranchises a man, enfranchises a woman. +There is no escape from this logic except to declare sex the just +basis of suffrage. But this position can not be maintained in +view of the fact that women already have full suffrage in +Wyoming, Colorado, Utah and Idaho, municipal suffrage in Kansas, +school suffrage in twenty-five States, a vote on tax levies in +Louisiana, on bond issues in Iowa, and on minor questions in +various other States. They have every franchise except the +Parliamentary in England, Scotland and Ireland, the full ballot +in New Zealand and South and West Australia, and some form of +suffrage in every English colony. In a large number of the +monarchical countries certain classes of women vote. On this +fundamental question of individual sovereignty surely the United +States should be a leader and not a follower. The trend of the +times is clearly toward equal suffrage. It will add to the credit +and future strength of any party to put itself in line with the +best modern and progressive thought on this question.</p> + +<p>In the division of the world's labor an equal share falls to +woman. As property holder and wage-earner her material stake in +the government is equal to that of man. As wife, as mother, as +individual, her moral stake is certainly as great as his. The +perpetuity of the republic depends upon the careful performance +of the duties of both. One is just as necessary as the other to +the growth and prosperity of the country. All of these +propositions are self-evident, but they are wholly foreign to the +question at issue. The right of the individual to a vote is not +founded upon the value of his stake in government, upon his moral +character, his business ability or his physical strength, but +simply and solely upon that guarantee of personal representation +which is the essence of a true republic, a true democracy.</p> + +<p>The literal definition of these two terms is, "a State in which +the sovereign power resides in the whole body of the people and +is exercised by representatives elected by them." By the +Declaration of Independence, by the rules of equity, by the laws +of justice, women equally with men are entitled to exercise this +sovereign power, through the franchise, the only legal means +provided. But whatever<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_443" id="Page_443">[Pg 443]</a></span> may be regarded as the correct basis of +suffrage—character, education, property, or the inherent right +of the person who is subject to law and taxation—women possess +all the qualifications required of men.</p> + +<p>At this dawn of a new century are not the sons of the +Revolutionary Fathers sufficiently progressive to remove the +barriers which for more than a hundred years have prevented women +from exercising this citizen's right? We appeal to this great +national delegate body, representing the men of every State, +gathered to outline the policy and select the head of the +Government for the next four years, to adopt in your platform a +declaration approving the submission by Congress of an amendment +enfranchising women. We urge this action in order that the +question shall be carried to the various Legislatures, where +women may present their arguments before the representative men, +instead of being compelled to plead their cause before each +individual voter of the forty-one States where they are still +disfranchised.</p> + +<p>We make this earnest appeal on behalf of the hundreds of +thousands of women who, from year to year, have petitioned +Congress to take the action necessary for their enfranchisement; +and of those millions who are so engrossed in the struggle for +daily bread, or in the manifold duties of the home, that they are +compelled to leave this task to others. We make it also on behalf +of the generations yet to come, for there will be no cessation of +this demand until this highest privilege of citizenship has been +accorded to women.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table summary=""> +<tr><td class="right sc">Elizabeth Cady Stanton,</td><td class="center mustache" rowspan="2">}</td><td class="left" rowspan="2">Honorary Presidents.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="right sc">Susan B. Anthony,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="center" colspan="3"><span class="sc">Carrie Chapman Catt,</span> President.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left hang"><span class="sc">Harriet Taylor Upton,</span><br /> Treasurer.</td><td> </td><td class="left hang"><span class="sc">Anna Howard Shaw,</span><br />Vice-President-at-Large.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left hang"><span class="sc">Laura Clay,</span><br />First Auditor.</td><td> </td><td class="left hang"><span class="sc">Rachel Foster Avery,</span><br />Corresponding Secretary.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left hang"><span class="sc">Catharine Waugh McCulloch,</span><br />Second Auditor.</td><td> </td><td class="left hang"><span class="sc">Alice Stone Blackwell,</span><br />Recording Secretary.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="center" colspan="3">Headquarters, National-American Woman Suffrage Association,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="center" colspan="3">2008 American Tract Society Building,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="center" colspan="3">New York City.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +</blockquote> + +<p>Four women were permitted to appear before a sub-committee of the +Committee on Platform at the Republican National Convention at +Philadelphia, in 1900. They met with a polite but chilly reception and +were informed that they could have ten minutes to present their case. +This time was occupied by the president and the +vice-president-at-large in concise but forcible arguments on the duty +of the party to recognize their claim<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_444" id="Page_444">[Pg 444]</a></span> for enfranchisement. The +platform eventually contained the following plank:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We congratulate the women of America upon their splendid record +of public service in the Volunteer Aid Association, and as nurses +in camp and hospital during the recent campaigns of our armies in +the Eastern and Western Indies, and we appreciate their faithful +co-operation in all works of education and industry.</p></blockquote> + +<p>In other words, being asked to recognize women as political factors, +the committee responded by commending them as nurses!</p> + +<p>This plank was written by Mrs. J. Ellen Foster, who as president of +the Woman's National Republican League and a campaign speaker, has +done far more for the party than any other woman, and originally it +ended with this clause: "We regard with satisfaction their unselfish +interest in public affairs in the four States where they have already +been enfranchised, and their growing interest in good government and +Republican principles." But even so small a recognition as this of +women in political life was ruthlessly struck out by the committee.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Chapman Catt and Miss Mary G. Hay attended the Democratic +National Convention at Kansas City and were not allowed to address any +committee, but the platform contained the Declaration of Independence +as its preamble!</p> + +<p>The Populist national platform adopted at Sioux City did not contain +even a reference to women or their rights and privileges.</p> + +<p>The Prohibition convention followed its action of 1896 and put no +woman suffrage plank in its platform. A separate resolution was passed +expressing a favorable regard but carrying no official weight.</p> + +<p>The only national political convention in 1900 which adopted a plank +declaring for the enfranchisement of women was that of the +Social-Democratic party at Indianapolis.</p> + +<p>In not one of the four largest parties were the delegates in +convention given so much as an opportunity to discuss and vote on a +resolution to enfranchise women. All these heroic efforts, all these +noble appeals, had not the slightest effect because made by a class +utterly without influence by reason of this very disfranchisement +which it was struggling to have removed. At every political convention +all matters of right, of justice, of the eternal verities themselves, +are swallowed up in the one all-important<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_445" id="Page_445">[Pg 445]</a></span> question, "Will it bring +party success?" And to this a voteless constituency can not contribute +in the smallest degree, even though it represent the Ten Commandments, +the Sermon on the Mount, the Golden Rule, the Magna Charta and the +Declaration of Independence.</p> + +<p>Paradoxical as it may seem, notwithstanding the refusal of the +Resolutions Committees of all these national bodies to grant even an +indirect recognition of woman suffrage in their platforms, its +advocates never before found such a general sentiment in its favor +among the individual delegates. In a number of instances they were +told that a poll of delegations had shown a majority of the members to +be ready to vote for it. It was demonstrated beyond doubt that the +rank and file of the delegates, if freed from hostile influences among +their constituents and granted the sanction of the political leaders, +could be won to a support of the measure, but that at present it must +wait on party expediency. As every campaign brings with it national +issues on which each party makes a fight for its life, and which it +fears to hamper by any extraneous questions; as the elements most +strongly opposed to the enfranchisement of women not only are fully +armed with ballots themselves but are in complete control of an +immense force similarly equipped; and as the vote of women is so +problematical that none of the parties can claim it in advance, it is +impossible to foresee when and how they are to obtain political +freedom. The one self-evident fact is, however, that in order to win +it they must be supported by a stronger public sentiment than exists +at present, and that this can be secured only through a constant +agitation of the subject.</p> + +<p>A return to Miss Anthony's report will illustrate other methods +adopted to bring this question to the attention of the public. "During +the year I have also sent petitions and letters to more than one +hundred national conventions of different sorts—industrial, +educational, charitable, philanthropic, religious and political.<a name="FNanchor_149_149" id="FNanchor_149_149"></a><a href="#Footnote_149_149" class="fnanchor">[149]</a> +Below are the forms of petition:"</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="hang"><i>To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Fifty-sixth +Congress of the United States:</i></p> + +<p>The undersigned on behalf of (naming the association) in annual<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_446" id="Page_446">[Pg 446]</a></span> +convention assembled at ......, ......, 1900, and representing +fully ...... members, respectfully ask for the prompt passage by +your Honorable Body of a <i>Sixteenth Amendment</i> to the Federal +Constitution, to be submitted to the Legislatures of the several +States for ratification, prohibiting the disfranchisement of +United States citizens on account of sex.</p> + +<p class="ltr-right1"> +................, President.<br /> +................, Secretary. +</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote> +<p class="hang"><i>To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Fifty-sixth +Congress of the United States:</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, The trend of civilization is plainly in the direction of +equal rights for women, and</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, Woman suffrage is no longer an experiment, but has been +clearly demonstrated to be beneficial to society; therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That we, on behalf of [as above], do respectfully +petition your Honorable Body not to insert the word "male" in the +suffrage clause of whatever form of government you shall +recommend to Hawaii, Cuba, Porto Rico or any other newly-acquired +possessions. We ask this in the name of justice and equality for +all citizens of a republic founded on the consent of the +governed.<a name="FNanchor_150_150" id="FNanchor_150_150"></a><a href="#Footnote_150_150" class="fnanchor">[150]</a></p></blockquote> + +<p>"A number of large associations adopted these and returned them to me +duly engrossed on their official paper, signed by the president and +secretary and with their seal affixed; and I forwarded all to the +Senators and Representatives whom I thought most likely to present +them to Congress in a way to make an impression.</p> + +<p>"The General Federation of Labor at Detroit was the first to respond. +I was invited to address its annual convention and, after I had +spoken, the four hundred delegates passed a resolution of thanks to +me, adopted the above petition for the Sixteenth Amendment by a rising +vote, and ordered their officers to sign it in the name of their one +million constituents.</p> + +<p>"The National Building Trades Council at Milwaukee had an able +discussion in its annual meeting, based on my letter, and adopted both +petitions. This body has half a million members.</p> + +<p>"The Bricklayers' and Masons' International Union of America was held +in Rochester, and invited me to address the delegates. They received +me with enthusiasm, passed strong woman suffrage resolutions and +signed both petitions. Afterwards a stenographic report of my speech, +covering two full pages of their official organ, <i>The Bricklayer and +Mason</i>, was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_447" id="Page_447">[Pg 447]</a></span> published with an excellent portrait of myself, thus +sending me and my argument to each one of their more than sixty +thousand members, all of whom subscribe to this paper as part of their +dues to the union.</p> + +<p>"The National Grange, which has indorsed woman suffrage for so many +years, adopted the resolutions and petitions.</p> + +<p>"At the Federation of Commercial Schools of the United States and +Canada, which met in Chicago, my letter was read, the question was +thoroughly discussed and the suffrage petitions were adopted almost +unanimously.</p> + +<p>"The Columbia Catholic Summer School, held at Detroit, gave a hearing +to our national president, Mrs. Chapman Catt, at which she is said to +have made many converts. A strong suffrage speech was made by the Rev. +Father W. J. Dalton, and other prominent members expressed themselves +in favor.</p> + +<p>"The contents of my letters to religious and educational bodies can +readily be imagined, and one which was sent to the United States +Brewers' Association, in convention at Atlantic City, N. J., may be +cited as an example of the subject-matter of those to other +organizations:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Gentlemen</span>: As chairman of the committee appointed by our National +Suffrage Association to address letters to the large conventions +held this year, allow me to bring before you the great need of +the recognition of women in all of the rights, privileges and +immunities of United States citizenship.</p> + +<p>Though your association has for its principal object the +management of the great brewing interests of this country, yet I +have noted that you have adopted resolutions declaring against +woman suffrage. I therefore appeal to you, since the question +seems to come within the scope of your deliberations, to reverse +your action this closing year of the century, and declare +yourselves in favor of the practical application of the +fundamental principles of our Government to all the people—women +as well as men. Whatever your nationality, whatever your +religious creed, whatever your political party, you are either +born or naturalized citizens of the United States, and because of +that are voters of the State in which you reside. Will you not, +gentlemen, accord to the women of this nation, having the same +citizenship as yourselves, precisely the same privileges and +powers which you possess because of that one fact?</p> + +<p>The only true principle—the only safe policy—of a +democratic-republican government is that every class of people +shall be protected in the exercise of the right of individual +representation. I pray you, therefore, to pass a resolution in +favor of woman suffrage, and order your officers, on behalf of +the association, to sign a petition<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_448" id="Page_448">[Pg 448]</a></span> to Congress for this +purpose, and thereby put the weight of your influence on the side +of making this Government a genuine republic.</p> + +<p>Should you desire to have one of our best woman suffrage speakers +address your convention, if you will let me know as soon as +possible, I will take pleasure in arranging for one to do so.</p></blockquote> + +<p>"This was read to the convention, and the secretary, Gallus Thomann, +thus reported its action to me:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Mr. Obermann [ex-president of the association and one of the +trustees] voicing the sentiments of the delegates, spoke as +follows: "Miss Susan B. Anthony is entitled to the respect of +every man and woman in this country, whether agreeing with her +theories or not. I think it but fair and courteous to her that +the secretary be instructed to answer that letter, and to inform +Miss Anthony that this is a body of business men; that we meet +for business purposes and not for politics. Furthermore, that she +is mistaken and misinformed so far as her statement is concerned +that we have passed resolutions opposing woman suffrage. <i>We have +never taken such action at any of our conventions or on any other +occasion.</i> I submit this as a motion."</p> + +<p>The motion was unanimously adopted, and that part of Mr. +Obermann's remarks which related to the respect due Miss Anthony +was loudly and enthusiastically applauded.</p> + +<p>To the sentiment thus expressed, permit me, dear Miss Anthony, to +add personally the assurance of my highest esteem.</p></blockquote> + +<p>"Among the results of the work with State conventions it may be +mentioned that the Georgia Federation of Labor, the Minnesota +Federation of Labor, the State Teachers' Association of Washington and +the New York State Grange signed the petitions and passed the +resolutions.</p> + +<p>"As another branch of the work, copies of these two petitions were +sent to each of the forty-five States and three Territories, with +letters asking the suffrage presidents, where associations existed, +and prominent individuals in the few States where they did not, to +make two copies of each petition on their own official paper, sign +them on behalf of the suffragists of the State, and return them to me +to be sent to the members of Congress from the respective districts. +This was done almost without exception and these petitions were +presented by various members, one copy in the Senate and one in the +House. Of all the State petitions, the most interesting was that of +Wyoming, which, in default of a suffrage association (none being +needed) was signed by every State officer, from the Governor down, by +several<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_449" id="Page_449">[Pg 449]</a></span> United States officials, and by many of the most influential +men and women. With it came a letter from the wife of ex-U. S. Senator +Joseph M. Carey, who collected these names, saying the number was +limited only by the brief space of time allowed.</p> + +<p>"In all, more than two hundred petitions for woman suffrage from +various associations were thus sent to Congress in 1900, representing +millions of individuals. Many cordial responses were received from +members, and promises of assistance should the question come before +Congress, but there is no record of the slightest attempt by any +member to bring it before that body.</p> + +<p>"In doing this work I wrote fully a thousand letters to associations +and individuals, in all of which I placed some of our best printed +literature. There was a thorough stirring up of public sentiment which +must have definite results in time, for it should not be forgotten +that in addressing conventions we appeal to the chosen leaders of +thought and work from many cities and States, and so set in motion an +ever-widening circle of agitation in countless localities."</p> + +<p>A most valuable means of educating public sentiment is the securing of +a Woman's Day at Chautauqua Assemblies and State and county fairs, +when good speakers present the "woman question" in its various phases, +including always the need for enfranchisement. The Rev. Anna Howard +Shaw and Mrs. Chapman Catt, the leading orators of the country, have +addressed Chautauquas in all parts of the United States, as well as +countless other large gatherings which have no connection with +suffrage, being thus enabled to propagate the principle over a vast +area. It can be seen from the above résumé that the ground of effort +is widely extended and that the harvest is ripening, but alas, there +is a constant repetition of the old, old cry, "The laborers are few." +One can only repeat what has often been said, that never before were +such results as can be seen on every hand in the improved conditions +for women and the advanced public sentiment in favor of a full +equality of rights, accomplished by so small a number of workers and +under such adverse conditions. Perhaps this will continue to be said +even unto the end, but their labors will know neither faltering nor +cessation until the original object, as announced over fifty years +ago, has been attained, viz.: the full enfranchisement of women.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_147_147" id="Footnote_147_147"></a><a href="#FNanchor_147_147"><span class="label">[147]</span></a> See Life and Work of Susan B. Anthony, p. 723.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_148_148" id="Footnote_148_148"></a><a href="#FNanchor_148_148"><span class="label">[148]</span></a> For the names of the women who have addressed the +National Conventions and Resolutions Committees of the various parties +in the effort to obtain an indorsement of woman suffrage, and for a +full account of their reception, of the memorials presented and the +results which followed, the reader is referred to the +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_340">History of Woman Suffrage, Vol. II, pp. 340</a> +and <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_517">517</a>; <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28556/28556-h/28556-h.htm#Page_22">Vol. III, pp. 22</a> and +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28556/28556-h/28556-h.htm#Page_177">177</a>; and for +many personal incidents, to the Life and Work of Susan B. Anthony in +the chapters devoted to the years of the various presidential +nominating conventions, beginning with 1868. +</p><p> +Mrs. Lillie Devereux Blake, from the National Suffrage Association, +and Henry B. Blackwell and Mrs. J. Ellen Foster, as Republicans, +presented the question to the Resolutions Committee of the National +Republican Convention of 1896 in St. Louis, above referred to; Dr. +Julia Holmes Smith, accompanied by a committee of ladies, to that of +the National Democratic Convention in Chicago that year.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_149_149" id="Footnote_149_149"></a><a href="#FNanchor_149_149"><span class="label">[149]</span></a> Miss Anthony sent a special letter to each of these +bodies worded to appeal particularly to the interests it represented.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_150_150" id="Footnote_150_150"></a><a href="#FNanchor_150_150"><span class="label">[150]</span></a> For the answer to this petition see <a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">Chap. XIX</a>.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_450" id="Page_450">[Pg 450]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> + +<h3>THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN THE STATES.</h3> + + +<p>The preceding chapters have been devoted principally to efforts made +in behalf of women by the National-American Suffrage Association +through its conventions, committees, officers, speakers, organizers +and members. Contemporaneous with this line of action there has been +for a number of years a similar movement in the respective States +carried forward through their associations auxiliary to the National, +their committees, officers, speakers, organizers and individual +membership. Each of the two divisions has been largely dependent upon +the other, the States forming the strength of the national body, the +latter extending assistance to the States whenever a special campaign +has been at hand or help has been needed in organizing, convention or +legislative work. The following chapters are confined wholly to the +situation in the various States and are subdivided into Organization, +Legislative Action, Laws, Suffrage, Office-Holding, Occupations and +Education. Their object is to give a general idea of the status of +woman at the close of the nineteenth century and the manifold changes +of which it is the result. It is desired also to put on record the +part which women themselves have had in the steady advance which will +be observed.</p> + +<p>The account of only the past seventeen years is given, as the three +preceding volumes of this History relate in detail the pioneer work +and the gains made previous to 1884. Unfortunately it is inevitable in +a recital of this kind that many names should be omitted which are +quite as worthy of mention as those that find place, for in some +instances the records are imperfectly kept and in others the list is +so long as to forbid reproduction.<a name="FNanchor_151_151" id="FNanchor_151_151"></a><a href="#Footnote_151_151" class="fnanchor">[151]</a> It<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_451" id="Page_451">[Pg 451]</a></span> has been necessary to bar +compliments in order to avoid unjust discrimination and to meet the +demands of limited space. To posterity the work is of more importance +than the workers, and those who have engaged in the efforts to improve +the condition of women necessarily have had to possess a spirit of +self-abnegation and self-sacrifice which neither expected nor desired +personal rewards.</p> + +<p>The subject of Organization in most of the States is treated in the +briefest possible manner, the intention being merely to show that in +every State and Territory there has been some attempt to gather into a +working force the scattered individuals who believe in the justice of +woman suffrage and wish to obtain it. More extended mention of course +is due to the older States, where there has been continuous organized +work for many years, and where the societies have remained intact and +held their regular meetings in spite of such defeats and +discouragements as never have had to be faced by any other cause. It +is most difficult to form and maintain an association which has not a +concrete object to labor for, and when a campaign for an amendment is +not actually in progress, the suffrage in the distant future appears +largely as an abstraction. The early days of the movement necessarily +had to be given to creating the sentiment which would later be +organized, and it is only within the past decade that the time has +seemed ripe for systematic effort in this direction. The lack of +effective organization has been a serious but unavoidable weakness +which henceforth will be remedied as speedily and thoroughly as +possible.</p> + +<p>It is a favorite argument of the opponents of woman suffrage that the +many gains of various kinds have not been due to the efforts of women +themselves. Under the head of Legislative Action will be found the +dates and figures to prove that, year after year, in almost every +State, women have gone to the Legislatures with appeals for every +concession which has been granted and many more which have been +refused. The bills presented by the Woman's Christian Temperance Union +have not been specifically included because they are fully recorded in +the publications of that body, and because this volume is confined +almost exclusively to the one subject of enfranchisement. While the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_452" id="Page_452">[Pg 452]</a></span> +Suffrage Associations have directed their legislative efforts +principally to secure action for this purpose, individual members have +joined the W. C. T. U. innumerable times in its attempts to obtain +other bills of advantage to women and children, and in some instances +this has been done officially by the associations.</p> + +<p>Among various measures in which the two organizations have united may +be mentioned the raising of the "age of protection" for girls; the +securing of women physicians in all institutions where women and +children are confined, and women on the boards of all such; women city +physicians; matrons at jails and station houses; better conditions for +working women; the abolition of child-labor; industrial schools for +girls. Measures which have been especially championed by the W. S. A., +but which the W. C. T. U. has aided officially or individually, have +been those asking for every form of suffrage; equal property laws for +wives; the opening of all educational institutions to women; their +admission to all professions and occupations; the repeal of laws +barring them from office; the enactment of laws giving father and +mother equal guardianship of children.<a name="FNanchor_152_152" id="FNanchor_152_152"></a><a href="#Footnote_152_152" class="fnanchor">[152]</a></p> + +<p>The W. C. T. U. alone has secured temperance measures of many kinds, +including a law in every State requiring scientific temperance +instruction in the public schools; in many States curfew laws, and +statutes prohibiting the sale of cigarettes and of liquor on or near +fair grounds, Soldiers' Homes and school-houses, and preventing +gambling devices, immoral exhibits, etc. The Federation of Women's +Clubs has obtained laws for free traveling libraries and has united +with other organizations in various States in efforts for equal +guardianship of children, school suffrage, women on school and library +boards and the abolishing of child labor. Other associations have +joined in one or more of the above lines of work and have had +independent measures of their own, such as prison reform, social +purity, the assistance of different races—as the negro and the +Indian—village improvement, kindergartens, public playgrounds, etc.</p> + +<p>It would not be possible to draw a distinct line dividing the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_453" id="Page_453">[Pg 453]</a></span> +legislative work of one association from the others, except that it +may be said the suffrage societies have made the franchise their chief +point, believing it to be the power with which the rest could be +gained, and the temperance unions have made their principal attack +upon the liquor traffic, considering it the greatest evil. The objects +of the various bodies are indicated in the last chapter of this volume +on Organizations of Women, but whatever these may be, if they include +any direct, practical work their promoters usually find themselves at +the door of the Legislature asking for help. Here they get their first +lesson in the imperative necessity of possessing a vote, and seeing +their measures fail because asked for by a disfranchised class, to +whom the legislators are in no way indebted, they frequently become +ardent advocates of suffrage for women.</p> + +<p>As it would be wholly impossible in the small space which can be +allowed to include an account of all the legislative work done by +women, mention is made principally of that for the franchise. While +the successes have been few compared to the number of bills presented, +the record is valuable as indicating that determined and persistent +effort will not be relaxed until it is granted in every State.</p> + +<p>Under the head of Legislation is related also the attempts to get from +Constitutional Conventions an amendment striking out the word "male" +as a qualification for suffrage. It includes, besides, graphic +accounts of the campaigns made in behalf of such amendments when +submitted to the voters by the Legislatures. Those who have not +closely followed these events doubtless will be surprised to learn the +amount of effort which has been expended by women to obtain the +franchise. It is infinitely greater than has been put forth for this +purpose by all other classes combined, since the Revolutionary War was +fought to secure to every citizen the right of individual +representation.</p> + +<p>The Laws regarding women as here given are in no sense of the word a +"brief," but merely present the facts in the language of a layman and +in the simplest and most concise form. Those relating to property are +in the nature of a curiosity. An attorney in San Francisco who was +asked for information as to the laws in general for women in +California, answered that to give<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_454" id="Page_454">[Pg 454]</a></span> in full those of property alone +would require as much space as could be granted in the History for the +entire chapter. It is not possible to make in these introductory +paragraphs an adequate digest of these laws in various States. They +are not precisely the same in any two of the forty-nine States and +Territories, and they offer a striking illustration of the attempts of +law-makers, during the last few decades, to rectify in a measure the +legal outrages of the past, and of their inability in the present +state of their development to grant absolute justice. That must await +the lawmakers of the future, and probably the time when women shall +have a part in selecting them.</p> + +<p>All that can be claimed for the statutes quoted herein is that they +are as nearly correct as it has been possible to make them. With but +one or two exceptions, the Attorney-Generals in every State have been +most courteous and obliging when appealed to for assistance. The laws +for women, however, have been so taken from and added to, so torn to +pieces and patched up, that the best lawyers in many States say +frankly that they do not know just what they are at the present time. +Legislatures and code revision committees are continually tinkering at +them and every year witnesses some changes in most of the States.<a name="FNanchor_153_153" id="FNanchor_153_153"></a><a href="#Footnote_153_153" class="fnanchor">[153]</a> +A very thorough abstract of the laws, made in 1886 by Miss Lelia J. +Robinson, LL. B., a member of the bar in Massachusetts, was of almost +no use in the compilation for this volume because of the endless +alterations since that time. The Legal Status of Women, a condensed +résumé issued in 1897 by the National Suffrage Association, has been +covered thickly with pencil marks during the preparation of this +summary, as the reports received from different States have shown the +changes effected in the few years which have since elapsed. A new +book, Woman and the Law, prepared by a lecturer on political science +in one of our largest universities and published in 1901, was hailed +with joy, but was found to include a number of laws which had been +repealed within the past four or five years and to omit some very +important ones<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_455" id="Page_455">[Pg 455]</a></span> which had been enacted during this time, as well as to +contain frequent mistakes in regard to others.</p> + +<p>These instances show the impossibility of an absolutely authentic +presentation of the laws for women in their constantly changing +condition. Although it was the intention to close this History with +1900, in several States, notably Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, +Illinois and Wisconsin, laws have been passed since that date of +sufficient importance to demand a place. During the two years of its +preparation the entire codes of property laws for women in +Massachusetts and Virginia have been revolutionized.</p> + +<p>An amusing part of a difficult task has been the reluctance of men to +admit the existence of laws which are conspicuously unjust to women, +the admission being frequently accompanied by the statement that it is +the intention to change them at an early date, or that it would only +be necessary to call the attention of the Legislature to them in order +to secure their repeal. Even women themselves in States where the +statutes especially discriminate against them, have written that these +must not be published unless those from all the others are given. +Whether this is due to State pride or personal humiliation is not +clearly evident.</p> + +<p>The one encouraging feature is that in almost every State decided +progress is shown since 1848, when in New York and Pennsylvania the +first change was made in the English Common Law which then everywhere +prevailed, and which did not permit a married woman to hold property, +to buy or sell, to sue or be sued, to make a contract or a will, to +carry on business in her own name, to possess the wages she earned, or +to have her children in case of divorce. An examination of the laws in +the following chapters will show that the wife now may own and control +her separate property in three-fourths of the States, and in the other +fourth only one Northern State is included. In every State a married +woman may make a will, but can dispose only of her separate property. +In about two-thirds of the States she possesses her earnings. In the +great majority she may make contracts and bring suit. The property +rights of unmarried women always have been nearly the same as those of +unmarried men, but the Common Law declared that "by marriage husband<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_456" id="Page_456">[Pg 456]</a></span> +and wife are one person in law and the legal existence of the wife is +merged in that of the husband. He is her baron or lord, bound to +supply her with shelter, food, clothing and medicine, and is entitled +to her earnings and the use and custody of her person, which he may +seize wherever he may find it." (Blackstone, I, 442.)<a name="FNanchor_154_154" id="FNanchor_154_154"></a><a href="#Footnote_154_154" class="fnanchor">[154]</a></p> + +<p>In his Commentaries, after enumerating some of the disabilities of +woman under these laws, Blackstone calmly argues that the most of them +were really intended for her benefit, "so great a favorite is the +female sex with the law of England." He strikes here the keynote of +even the special statutes which have superseded the Common Law in the +various States, all have been "intended for her benefit," man alone +being the judge of what she needed and careful while providing it to +retain within himself the exclusive power of law-making. It has been +gradually dawning upon him, however, that, as a human being like +himself, her needs are very similar to his own, and where he has +failed to see it she has reminded him of it as she has slowly learned +this fact herself. The laws show an awakening conscience on the part +of men and a tardy but continuous advance toward justice to women, +although there is yet very much to be desired. For instance, in +reading the laws regarding the inheritance of separate property, which +in a number of States is now made the same for widow and widower, the +first thought will be, "These are absolutely just." But a little +investigation will show that the separate property of either is what +he or she possesses at marriage or receives afterwards by gift or +inheritance, while all that is acquired during marriage by the joint +earnings of the two belongs to the husband. In many States the law now +provides that if the wife engages in business as a sole trader or goes +outside the home to work, her earnings belong to her, but all the +proceeds of her labor within the household are still the sole and +separate property of the husband. The Common Law on this point, which +never has been changed in a single State,<a name="FNanchor_155_155" id="FNanchor_155_155"></a><a href="#Footnote_155_155" class="fnanchor">[155]</a> makes the services of +the wife belong to the husband, and in return she is legally<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_457" id="Page_457">[Pg 457]</a></span> entitled +only to food, shelter and clothes, and these of such quality and +quantity as the husband dictates. She can not dispose by will of any +of the property acquired during marriage, nor has she any control of +it during the husband's lifetime.</p> + +<p>These facts should be borne in mind when reading the laws which +declare that husband and wife have the same power to dispose of +separate property. Comparatively few women in this country have +property when married, especially if young at the time, and the same +is true of the majority of men, but afterwards the woman may never +hope to accumulate any, as the joint earnings of the marriage +partnership belong exclusively to the husband, and the duties of the +average household prevent the wife from engaging in outside work. +However, in order that she might not be left absolutely penniless +after years of labor, the Common Law provided that she should be +entitled to "dower," i. e., the possession, for her lifetime, of +one-third of all the real estate of which her husband was possessed in +fee simple during the marriage. That is, she should receive the +life-use of one-third of any realty she might have brought into the +marriage and one-third of all they had earned together. But if the +husband had converted these into cash, bonds, stocks or other personal +property, she could legally claim nothing. He had "curtesy," i. e., +the life-use of all her real estate, (sometimes dependent on the birth +of children, sometimes not), and usually the whole of her personal +estate absolutely.</p> + +<p>Curtesy has now been abolished in over one-half the States. The law of +dower still exists in more than one-half, but special statutes in +regard to personal property and the wife's separate estate have been +made so liberal that in comparatively few States is she left in the +helpless condition of olden times. In about one-half of them she takes +from one-third to the whole (if there are no children) of both real +and personal estate absolutely; but in all of them it is only at the +death of the husband that she has any share or control of the joint +accumulations except such as he chooses to allow. At the death of the +wife all of these belong legally to the husband and she can not secure +to her children or her parents any part of the property which she has +helped to earn. Space forbids going into a discussion of the general +upheaval<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_458" id="Page_458">[Pg 458]</a></span> which follows the death of the husband, the inventories +which must be taken, the divisions which must be made, generally +resulting in the breaking up of the home; while at the death of the +wife all passes peacefully into the possession of the husband and +there is no scattering of the family unless he wishes it. A general +but necessarily superficial statement of the property laws will be +found in connection with each State in the following chapters, and +they represent a complete legal revolution during the past half +century.</p> + +<p>Fathers and mothers are given equal guardianship of children in the +District of Columbia and nine States—Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, +Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New York and Washington. (See +Pennsylvania.) In all others the father has the sole custody and +control of the persons, education, earnings and estates of minor +children. Where this right is abused the mother can obtain custody +only by applying for separation or divorce or proving in court the +unfitness of the father. In a number of States the father may by will +appoint a guardian even of a child unborn, to the exclusion of the +mother. In others the widow is legally entitled to the guardianship +but forfeits it by marrying again. Others do not permit a widow to +appoint by will a guardian for her children. Tennessee and Louisiana +offer examples of the English and French codes in this respect.</p> + +<p>Although the father is the sole guardian and entitled to the services +of the children, and although the joint earnings of the marriage +belong exclusively to him, and in a number of States he is declared in +the statutes to be the "head of the family," in many of them the +mother is held to be equally liable for its support. Her separate +property may be taken for this purpose and she is also required to +contribute by her labor. In such cases the husband decides what +constitutes "necessities" and the wife must pay for what he orders. A +recent decision of the Illinois courts compelled a wife to pay for the +clothes of an able-bodied husband. In most but not all of the States +the husband, if competent, is punished for failure to support his +family. The punishment consists in a fine, the State thus taking from +the family what money he may possess; or confinement in prison, where +he is boarded and lodged while the family is in nowise relieved.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_459" id="Page_459">[Pg 459]</a></span></p> + +<p>It has not been deemed necessary to consider at length the subject of +divorce, except to mention the laws of the few States which +discriminate against women. South Carolina is the only one which does +not grant divorce; New York the only one which makes adultery the sole +cause. In the remainder the causes have a wider range, but in all the +records show that the vast majority of divorces are granted to wives. +The following list is taken from the New York <i>Sun</i> (1902) and +corresponds with information gathered from other sources:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p> +Habitual drunkenness, in all except eight States.<br /> +Wilful desertion, generally.<br /> +Felony, in all except three.<br /> +Cruelty, and intolerable cruelty, in all except five.<br /> +Failure by the husband to provide, in twenty.<br /> +Fraud and fraudulent contract, in nine.<br /> +Absence without being heard from, for different periods, in six.<br /> +Ungovernable temper, in two.<br /> +Insupportably cruel treatment, outrages and excesses, in six.<br /> +Indignities rendering life burdensome, in six.<br /> +Attempt to murder other party, in three.<br /> +Insanity or idiocy at time of marriage, in six. Insanity lasting<br /> +ten years, in Washington; incurable insanity, in North Dakota,<br /> +Florida and Idaho.<br /> +Husband notoriously immoral before marriage, unknown to wife,<br /> +in West Virginia. [Pregnancy of wife before marriage, unknown<br /> +to husband, in many States].<br /> +Fugitive from justice, in Virginia.<br /> +Gross misbehavior or wickedness, in Rhode Island.<br /> +Any gross neglect of duty, in Kansas and Ohio.<br /> +Refusal of wife to remove into the State, in Tennessee.<br /> +Mental incapacity at time of marriage, in Georgia.<br /> +Three years with any religious society that believes the marriage<br /> +relation unlawful, in Massachusetts; and joining any such sect, in<br /> +New Hampshire.<br /> +When parties can not live in peace and union, in Utah.<br /> +Vagrancy of the husband, in Missouri and Wyoming.<br /> +Excesses, in Texas.<br /> +Where wife by cruel and barbarous treatment renders condition<br /> +of husband intolerable, in Pennsylvania.<br /> +</p></blockquote> + +<p>By reference to the <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_482">History of Woman Suffrage, Vol. I, pp. 482</a>, +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_717">717</a>, +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_745">745</a> and following, it will be seen that the resolutions favoring +divorce for habitual drunkenness offered in the first women's +conventions, during the early '50's, almost disrupted the meetings, +and caused press and pulpit throughout the country<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_460" id="Page_460">[Pg 460]</a></span> to thunder +denunciations, but half a century later such laws exist in +thirty-seven of the forty-five States and meet with general approval. +It is frequently charged that the granting of woman suffrage has been +followed by laws for free divorce, but an examination of the statutes +will show that exactly the same causes obtain in the States where +women do not vote as in those where they do; that there has not been +the slightest change in the latter since the franchise was given them; +and that in Wyoming, where it has been exercised since 1869, there is +the smallest percentage of divorce in proportion to the population of +any State in the Union. The three places which are so largely utilized +by outsiders who wish a speedy divorce, because only a ninety days' +residence is required, are North and South Dakota and Oklahoma, in +neither of which have women any suffrage except for school trustees.</p> + +<p>The "age of consent or protection" for girls, i. e., the age when they +are declared to have sufficient understanding to consent to +intercourse, and above which they can claim no legal protection, was +fixed at ten years by the Common Law. No action was taken by any State +to advance the age up to which they might be protected until 1864, +when Oregon raised it to fourteen years. No other State followed this +example until 1882, when Wyoming made it fourteen. In 1885 Nebraska +added two years making it twelve. At this date women commenced to +besiege the Legislatures in all parts of the country, and there was a +general movement from that time forward to have the age of protection +increased, but in almost every instance where this has been +accomplished, the penalty for violation of the law has been reduced, +and now in thirteen States no minimum penalty is named. The age still +remains at ten years in Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North and South +Carolina. In Kentucky, Louisiana, Tennessee and West Virginia the age +is twelve years, but in Tennessee it is only a "misdemeanor" between +twelve and sixteen. (For the recent efforts of women in Georgia and +Florida to have the age advanced, and their failure, see the chapters +on those States.) In Delaware the Common Law age of ten years was +reduced to seven by the Legislature in 1871, and no protection was +afforded to infants over seven until 1889 when the age was raised to +fifteen, but the crime was declared to be only a "misdemeanor."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_461" id="Page_461">[Pg 461]</a></span></p> + +<p>Women who have "all the rights they want," and men who insist that +"the laws are framed for the best interests of women," are recommended +to make a study of those presented herewith.</p> + +<p>Under the head of Suffrage it is stated whether women possess any form +of it and, if so, in what it consists. The story of the four States +where they have the complete franchise—Wyoming, Colorado, Utah and +Idaho—naturally is most interesting, as it describes just how this +was obtained and gives considerable information on points which are +not fully understood by the general public. The chapter on Kansas +doubtless will come next in interest, as there women have had the +Municipal ballot since 1887. It is frequently said in criticism that +women have School Suffrage in twenty-six States and Territories, +including the five mentioned above, but they do not make use of it in +large numbers. What this fragmentary suffrage includes, the +restrictions thrown around it and the obstacles placed in its way, are +described in the chapters of those States and Territories where it +prevails—Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Kentucky, +Massachusetts, Minnesota, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, +New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South +Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin.</p> + +<p>It will be seen that in New York women tax-payers in villages, and in +Louisiana and Montana all tax-paying women, may vote on questions +submitted for taxation, and an account is given of the first use which +women made of this privilege in Louisiana in 1899. In Iowa all women +may vote on the issuing of bonds. In Mississippi they have the merest +form of a franchise on a few matters connected with country schools +and the running at large of stock. In Arkansas they may sign a +petition against liquor selling within certain limits and their names +count for as much as men's. After a careful study of the situation the +wonder will not be that women do not exercise more largely these +grudgingly-given and closely-restricted privileges, but that in many +States they think it worth while to exercise them at all. In the four, +however, where they have the Full Suffrage, and in Kansas where they +have the Municipal, the official figures which have been carefully +tabulated will demonstrate beyond further controversy that where they +possess exactly the same electoral rights as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_462" id="Page_462">[Pg 462]</a></span> men they use them in +even a larger proportion. These statistics answer conclusively the +question, "Do women want to vote?"</p> + +<p>The information as to Office-Holding is necessarily somewhat desultory +as there is no record in any State of the women in office. This is +true even of those pertaining to the schools, and in very few cases +does the State Superintendent of Public Instruction know how many +women are serving as county superintendents and members of school +boards. The information on these points contained in the State +chapters was secured principally through personal investigation and by +an extended correspondence, and while it is believed to be entirely +correct so far as it goes, it does not by any means include the total +number of offices filled by women. Imperfect as is the list it will be +a surprise to those who look upon office-holding as the natural +prerogative of man. A stock objection to woman suffrage is that women +will be wanting the offices. An examination of the reports here +submitted will disclose the surprising fact that in a number of States +where women do not vote they are filling as many offices as in those +where they have the full franchise. Probably the majority of State +constitutions declare that the offices must be held by electors, but +where this proviso is not made, women have been elected and appointed +to various offices and so far as can be learned have given general +satisfaction.<a name="FNanchor_156_156" id="FNanchor_156_156"></a><a href="#Footnote_156_156" class="fnanchor">[156]</a></p> + +<p>The necessity for matrons at police stations and jails, and for women +physicians in all institutions where women and children are confined, +is too evident to need any argument in its favor, and yet it is only +within the past ten years that they have been thus employed to any +extent and even now they are found in only a small fraction of such +institutions. The objection to these matrons on the part of the police +force has been strenuous, and yet, almost without exception, after +they have gained a foothold, the police officers testify that they do +not understand how the department got on without them. It ought to be +equally evident that there should be women on the boards of all +institutions which care for women and children, but, although in most +instances these positions have no salary, there is the most violent +opposition to giving women a place, and the concession has had to be +wrung<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_463" id="Page_463">[Pg 463]</a></span> from Legislatures in the few States where it has been obtained. +The right of women and their value to school offices is now partly +conceded in about half the States. Women librarians also have met with +some favor. As to offices in general, most of which carry either +salary or patronage or both, they will continue to be regarded as +belonging entirely to voters and as perquisites of party managers with +which to reward political service, although all of them are +proportionately supported by women tax-payers.</p> + +<p>As regards Occupations, the census of 1900 shows 3,230,642 women +engaged in wage-earning employments, exclusive of domestic service, +and the question of their admittance to practically all such may be +regarded as settled, but it has not been gained without a contest. +Women, however, are still barred from the best-paying positions and +are usually compelled to accept unequal wages for equal work. This is +partly due to disfranchisement and partly to economic causes and can +be remedied only by time. In many of the States of which it is said, +"No profession is forbidden to women," the test has not been made, and +until some woman attempts to be a minister, physician, lawyer or +notary public it can not be known whether she will encounter a +statutory prohibition.</p> + +<p>The department of Education presents the most satisfactory condition. +The battle for co-education, which means simply a chance for women to +have the best advantages which exist, has been bitterly fought. A +guerilla warfare is still maintained against it, but the contest is so +nearly finished as to warrant no fears as to the future. Every State +University but those of Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina and +Virginia, is open to women on exactly the same terms as to men (with +the exception of some departments of Pennsylvania). They have full +admission to Chicago and Leland Stanford Universities, two of the +largest in the United States. They may enter the post-graduate +department of Yale and receive its degrees. Harvard and Princeton are +still entirely closed to them, as are a number of the smaller of the +old, established Eastern universities, but this is largely compensated +by the great Woman's Colleges of the East—Bryn Mawr, Wellesley, Smith +and Vassar—which accommodate nearly 4,000 students. The Medical +Department of Johns Hopkins, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_464" id="Page_464">[Pg 464]</a></span> Medical, Theological, Law and Dental +Colleges in all parts of the country, admit women to their full +courses. This is true also of Agricultural Colleges and of Technical +Institutes such as Drexel and Pratt. There is now no lack of +opportunity for them to obtain the highest education, either along the +line of general culture or specialized work.<a name="FNanchor_157_157" id="FNanchor_157_157"></a><a href="#Footnote_157_157" class="fnanchor">[157]</a></p> + +<p>The details of the following chapters will show that the civil, legal, +industrial and educational rights of women are so far secured as to +give full assurance that they will be absolute in the near future. The +political rights are further off, for reasons which are presented in +the introduction to this volume, but the yielding of all the others is +proof sufficient that the spirit of our institutions will eventually +find its fullest expression in perfect equality of rights for all the +people.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_151_151" id="Footnote_151_151"></a><a href="#FNanchor_151_151"><span class="label">[151]</span></a> The names of newspapers which have supported this cause +are not given, partly for these reasons and partly because on this +question they reflect simply the personal views of the editors, and a +change of management may cause a complete reversal of their attitude +toward woman suffrage.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_152_152" id="Footnote_152_152"></a><a href="#FNanchor_152_152"><span class="label">[152]</span></a> A reading of these chapters will show that the suffrage +societies have started many progressive movements and then turned them +over to other organizations of women, believing they would thrive +better if freed from the effects of the prejudice against woman +suffrage and everything connected with it.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_153_153" id="Footnote_153_153"></a><a href="#FNanchor_153_153"><span class="label">[153]</span></a> Notwithstanding these efforts, the very statutes which +are intended to be fair to women are continually found to be +defective, and whenever any doubt arises as to their construction the +Common Law must prevail, which in all cases is unjust to women. An +example of this kind will be found in the chapter on New York, showing +that it was held in 1901 that a wife's wages belonged to her husband, +although it was supposed that these had been secured to her beyond all +question by a special statute of 1860.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_154_154" id="Footnote_154_154"></a><a href="#FNanchor_154_154"><span class="label">[154]</span></a> For abstract of the Common Law in regard to women see +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28556/28556-h/28556-h.htm#Page_961">History of Woman Suffrage, Vol. III, p. 961</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_155_155" id="Footnote_155_155"></a><a href="#FNanchor_155_155"><span class="label">[155]</span></a> A few of the States were formed under the Spanish or +French code instead of the English Common Law, but neither was more +favorable to women.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_156_156" id="Footnote_156_156"></a><a href="#FNanchor_156_156"><span class="label">[156]</span></a> No mention is made of women postmasters as these are +found in all States. The first were appointed by President Grant +during his first term of office, 1868-1872.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_157_157" id="Footnote_157_157"></a><a href="#FNanchor_157_157"><span class="label">[157]</span></a> In the various States under the head of Education, +Roman Catholic colleges and universities are not considered, as they +are nowhere co-educational. +</p><p> +The public school statistics are taken from the reports for 1898-9 of +the U. S. Commissioner of Education.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_465" id="Page_465">[Pg 465]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV.</h2> + +<h3>ALABAMA.<a name="FNanchor_158_158" id="FNanchor_158_158"></a><a href="#Footnote_158_158" class="fnanchor">[158]</a></h3> + + +<p>Actual work for woman suffrage in Alabama began in 1890, at the time +the constitutional convention of Mississippi was in session. The +editor of the New Decatur <i>Advertiser</i> opened his columns to all +matter on the question and thus aroused local interest, which in 1892 +culminated in the formation in that town of the first suffrage club in +the State, with seven charter members. The women who thus faced a most +conservative public sentiment were Mesdames Harvey Lewis, F. E. +Jenkins, E. G. Robb, A. R. Rose, B. E. Moore, Lucy A. Gould and Ellen +Stephens Hildreth.</p> + +<p>Before the close of the year a second club was formed in Verbena by +Miss Frances A. Griffin, who has since become noted as a public +speaker for this cause. Others were soon established through the +efforts of Mesdames Minnie Hardy Gist, Bessie Vaughn, M. C. Arter, W. +J. Sibert and Miss B. M. Haley.</p> + +<p>In 1892 and 1893 the <i>Woman's Column</i>, published in Boston, was sent +by the National Association to 1,500 teachers, ministers, school +superintendents, editors, legislators and other prominent people, the +names being furnished by Mrs. Hildreth. A State organization was +effected in 1893, with Mrs. Hildreth, president, and Miss Griffin, +secretary.</p> + +<p>In 1895 Miss Susan B. Anthony, president of the National Association, +and Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, chairman of its organization committee, +who were making a southern tour, were asked by the New Decatur Club to +include that city in their itinerary. They were also invited by Mrs. +Alberta Taylor to address her society at Huntsville. These visits of +the great leader and her eloquent assistant aroused much interest, but +the financial depression prevented active work.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_466" id="Page_466">[Pg 466]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mrs. Virginia Clay Clopton was elected State president in 1896; Mrs. +Annie D. Shelby, Mrs. Milton Hume and Mrs. Taylor were made +vice-presidents; Mrs. Laura McCullough and Mrs. Amelia Dilliard, +recording secretaries; Mrs. Hildreth, corresponding secretary; and +Mrs. E. E. Greenleaf, treasurer. Mrs. Clopton represented the +association at the Tennessee Centennial in 1898. Opposition is so +great that it has been deemed wise to do nothing more than distribute +literature and present the arguments in the press.</p> + +<p>A State convention was held at Huntsville, Oct. 1, 1900, Mrs. Taylor +presiding. Mrs. Clopton being obliged to resign, Miss Griffin was made +president. Mrs. Hume and Mrs. Robert Cunningham were chosen +vice-presidents; Mrs. Greenleaf, treasurer; Miss Julia Tutweiler, +State organizer.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action and Laws:</span> In January, 1893, through the influence +of the suffrage association, Senator J. W. Inzer presented a bill to +amend the State constitution so as to permit women to vote on +municipal questions and prohibitory liquor enactments. It never was +reported from the Judiciary Committee.</p> + +<p>In 1895, at the desire of the New Decatur Club, Representative Osceola +Kyle introduced a bill raising the "age of protection" for girls from +ten to fourteen years, and a similar one was offered for the Woman's +Christian Temperance Union. Although these efforts were not successful +then, public attention was drawn to the subject, and at the next +session, in 1897, the age was raised to fourteen years with a penalty +of death or imprisonment for not less than ten years in the +penitentiary.</p> + +<p>Previous to 1886 legislation and public sentiment in Alabama were of +the most conservative kind, but at the Constitutional Convention held +that year changes in the statutes were made which gave to women many +rights and privileges not before possessed. Dower but not curtesy +obtains. If there are no lineal descendants, and the estate is +solvent, the widow takes one-half of the real estate for life, but if +the estate is insolvent, one-third only. If there are lineal +descendants, then the dower right is one-third, whether the estate is +solvent or not. If a husband die without a will, his widow, if there +are no children, is entitled to all of his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_467" id="Page_467">[Pg 467]</a></span> personal property; if +there is but one child, she is entitled to one-half; if there are more +than one and not more than four children, then she is entitled to one +child's portion. A homestead to the value of $2,000 is exempt to her +from all creditors and no will can deprive her of it, unless she has +signed a mortgage on it. If a wife die without a will, her husband is +entitled to one-half of her personal property, whether there are +children or not, and to the life use of all her real estate.</p> + +<p>A wife may will her property to whom she pleases, excluding her +husband from all share. He can do this with his property, but can not +impair her dower rights. She can not sell her real estate without his +written consent, but can sell her personal property without it. He can +mortgage or sell his real estate, except the homestead, and can +dispose of his personal property, without her consent.</p> + +<p>A married woman may be agent, guardian or administrator. She may +acquire and hold separate property not liable for the debts of her +husband, though necessaries for the family can be a liability. Her +bank deposit is her own, and her earnings can not be taken by her +husband or his creditors. A wife can not become surety for her +husband. Property purchased with her money will be returned to her +upon application to the court.</p> + +<p>A wife may engage in business with her husband's written consent. If +she does so without it she incurs no penalty, but it is necessary in +order that her creditors may recover their money. She must sue and be +sued and make contracts jointly with the husband.</p> + +<p>If a woman commit a crime in partnership with her husband (except +murder or treason) she can not be punished; nor, if she commit a crime +in his presence, can he testify against her.</p> + +<p>Common law marriage is valid and the legal age for a girl is fourteen +years.</p> + +<p>The father is the guardian of the minor children, and at his death may +appoint a guardian to the exclusion of the mother. If this is not done +she becomes the legal guardian of the girls till they are eighteen, of +the boys till fourteen.</p> + +<p>Alabama is one of the few States which do not by law require the +husband to support the family.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_468" id="Page_468">[Pg 468]</a></span></p> + +<p>The convicted father of an illegitimate child must pay to the Probate +Court for its support not exceeding $50 yearly for ten years, and must +give $1,000 bond for this purpose. Failing to do this, judgment is +rendered for not more than $625 and he is sentenced to hard labor for +the county for one year.</p> + +<p>It is a criminal offense to use foul language to or in the hearing of +a woman, or by rude behavior to annoy her in any public place; or to +take a woman of notorious character to any public place of resort for +respectable women and men. Slander against a woman's character is +heavily punished; a seducer is sent to the penitentiary if his victim +previously has been chaste. Procurers may be sentenced to the +penitentiary.</p> + +<p>The "age of protection for girls" is 14 years, and the penalty is +death or imprisonment in the penitentiary from ten years to life.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> Women have no form of suffrage.<a name="FNanchor_159_159" id="FNanchor_159_159"></a><a href="#Footnote_159_159" class="fnanchor">[159]</a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> Women are not eligible to any elective office. They +act as enrolling clerks in the Legislature. Two women, whose fathers +died while holding the position, were made registrars in chancery. +Women can not serve as notaries public.</p> + +<p>There are no women trustees on the board of any State institution, +although the charitable and benevolent work is almost entirely in the +hands of women. A man is superintendent of the Girls' Industrial +School and the entire board is composed of men. Limited State aid is +extended to a number of institutions founded and controlled by women, +including the Boys' Industrial Farm.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> Women are legally prohibited from acting as lawyers, +physicians or ministers. They are not allowed to engage in mining.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> All educational institutions admit women. The State +Polytechnic at Auburn was the pioneer, offering to women in 1892 every +course, technical, scientific and agricultural. The State University +at Tuscaloosa opened its doors to them in 1896. Two scholarships for +girls are maintained here, one by the ladies of Montgomery and one by +those of Birmingham. In<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_469" id="Page_469">[Pg 469]</a></span> 1900, out of a class of 178 boys and 23 +girls, two boys and four girls took the highest honors.</p> + +<p>The State Industrial School for Girls, at Montevallo, was established +in 1896. There are two co-educational Normal Schools at Florence and +Troy.</p> + +<p>The colored men and women have excellent advantages in several Normal +Schools and Colleges. The Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute, +under the presidency of Booker T. Washington, has a national +reputation. Colored children have also their full share of public +schools.</p> + +<p>There are in the public schools 2,262 men and 5,041 women teachers. +The average monthly salary of the men is $32; of the women, $25.35.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>The most progressive movement in the State is that of the Federation +of Women's Clubs, formed in 1895, and including at present fifty-eight +clubs. Its work has been extremely practical in the line of education +and philanthropy. The most important achievement is the Boys' +Industrial Farm, located at East Lake near Birmingham. This is managed +by a board of women and has a charter which secures its control to +women, even if it become entirely a State institution. The club women +have for three years sustained five scholarships for girls, two at +Tuscaloosa and three at Montevallo. They have organized also a free +traveling library, and in four cities free kindergartens.</p> + +<p>In conclusion it may be noted that the strength of the woman movement +in the State has been wonderfully developed in all directions during +the last five years.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_158_158" id="Footnote_158_158"></a><a href="#FNanchor_158_158"><span class="label">[158]</span></a> The History is indebted for this chapter to Mrs. Ellen +Stephens Hildreth of New Decatur, the first president of the State +Woman Suffrage Association.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_159_159" id="Footnote_159_159"></a><a href="#FNanchor_159_159"><span class="label">[159]</span></a> In the Constitutional Convention of 1901, an amendment +providing that any woman paying taxes on $500 worth of property might +vote on all bond propositions was adopted with great enthusiasm, but +the next day, under the influence of the argument that "it would be an +entering wedge for full suffrage," it was reconsidered and voted down. +U. S. Senator John T. Morgan urged this amendment. The new +constitution did contain a clause, however, providing that if a wife +paid taxes on $500 worth of property her husband should be entitled to +this vote.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_470" id="Page_470">[Pg 470]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2> + +<h3>ARIZONA.<a name="FNanchor_160_160" id="FNanchor_160_160"></a><a href="#Footnote_160_160" class="fnanchor">[160]</a></h3> + + +<p>The Territory having elected delegates to a convention to be held in +Phoenix in August and September, 1891, to prepare a constitution for +Statehood, Henry B. Blackwell and Lucy Stone of Massachusetts sent +Mrs. Laura M. Johns of Kansas to Arizona in August to endeavor to +secure a clause in this constitution granting suffrage to women. She +was received in Tucson by Mr. and Mrs. Hughes, editors and proprietors +of an influential daily paper, who gave every possible assistance.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Johns soon went to Phoenix, where the convention was in session, +and followed up a previous correspondence with the delegates by +personal interviews. She found a powerful champion in +ex-Attorney-General William Herring, chairman of the committee which +had the question of woman suffrage in charge. When she asked +permission to address this committee it set an early date and +suggested that it might be pleasanter for the ladies if the hearing +should be held in a private residence. Accordingly Mrs. E. D. Garlick, +formerly of Winfield, Kansas, opened her parlor, invited a number of +ladies who were interested and the committee met with them and +listened courteously to their plea for the ballot. A favorable report +was presented to the convention and General Herring, Mrs. Johns, Mrs. +Hughes and others spoke eloquently in favor of its acceptance. The +measure was lost by three votes.</p> + +<p>So much interest had been manifested that a Territorial Suffrage +Association was formed, with Mrs. Hughes as president and Mrs. Garlick +as corresponding secretary. Mrs. Johns intended to organize the +Territory but was suddenly called home by a death in her family.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_471" id="Page_471">[Pg 471]</a></span></p> + +<p>Four years later, in 1895, while she was working in New Mexico for the +National Association, she was requested by Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, +chairman of its organization committee, to speak at the annual +convention in Phoenix; and on the way she held preliminary meetings at +Tucson, Tempe and other places.</p> + +<p>In January, 1896, Mrs. Hughes, whose husband was now Governor, went to +the convention of the National Association in Washington to interest +that body in Arizona, which it was then expected would soon enter +Statehood. She made a strong appeal, assuring the delegates that the +pioneer men of the Territory were willing to confer the suffrage on +the women who had braved the early hardships with them, and saying:</p> + +<blockquote><p>It is of the most vital importance that our women be enfranchised +before the election of delegates to the approaching +constitutional convention, as the Congressional enabling act +provides that all persons qualified as voters under the +Territorial law shall be qualified to vote for delegates to this +convention and for the ratification or rejection of the same.</p> + +<p>If our women are enfranchised before the enabling act is passed, +then Arizona is safe and no power can prevent them from being +accorded their rights in the constitution, and if their rights +are not conceded they will see to it that the constitution fails +of ratification.</p></blockquote> + +<p>In March the National Association sent Mrs. Johns again into the +Territory and she remained until May. In company with Mrs. Hughes she +made a successful tour through the Salt River Valley, receiving +generous hospitality, addressing large audiences and forming local +clubs. The two ladies then crossed the Territory to Yuma, speaking at +various points on the way, and went from there to Prescott. Governor +Hughes himself spoke at the meetings held in Clifton. Mrs. Johns then +went to the Northern counties. Altogether most of the towns were +visited, and while the distances were great and the difficulties +numerous, the meetings were well attended and earnest advocates were +found even in small mining camps among the mountains.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Johns returned in the winter of 1897 and addressed the +Legislature in behalf of a bill for woman suffrage but no action was +taken. Among the friends and workers not elsewhere mentioned were the +Hon. and Mrs. George P. Blair, ex-Mayor Gustavus Hoff, C. R. Drake, +John T. Hughes; the other officers of the suffrage association were +Mrs. C. T. Hayden, vice-president;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_472" id="Page_472">[Pg 472]</a></span> Mrs. R. G. Phillips, corresponding +secretary; Mrs. Lillian Collins, recording secretary; Mrs. Mary E. +Hall, treasurer.</p> + +<p>In the winter of 1899 the time seemed propitious for a vigorous +movement, and Mrs. Chapman Catt and Miss Mary G. Hay spent a month at +Phoenix during the legislative session. Every possible effort was +made, there seemed to be a remarkable sentiment in favor of woman +suffrage among the better classes and it looked as if it would be +granted. The final result is thus described in Mrs. Chapman Catt's +report to the national convention the following April:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Our bill went through the House by an unprecedented majority, 10 +yeas, 5 nays, and then, as in Oklahoma, the remonstrants +concentrated their opposition upon the Council. Here, as there, +the working opponents were the saloon-keepers, with the +difference that in Arizona they are often the proprietors of a +gambling den and house of prostitution in connection with the +saloons, and thus the opposition was more bitter and intolerant +because it was believed greater damage would result from the +votes of women. Every member of the Council received letters or +telegrams from the leading proprietors of such resorts, +threatening political ruin if he failed to vote against the +measure. It was well known that money was contributed from these +same sources. Here, as in Oklahoma, a majority were pledged to +support the bill, but here, too, they played a filibustering game +which prevented its coming to final vote. Pledges made to women +are not usually counted as binding, but these pledges, as in +Oklahoma, were made to men who were political co-workers. They +did not deem it prudent to break these pledges by an open vote +against the bill, but they held that they were not violated when +they kept the matter from coming to a vote. The opposition was +led by the proprietor of the largest and richest saloon in the +Territory.</p> + +<p>I have never found anywhere, however, so many strong, determined, +able men, anxious to espouse our cause as in Arizona. The general +sentiment is overwhelmingly in our favor. At one time three +prominent men were in Phœnix to do what they could for the +suffrage bill, each of whom had traveled four hundred miles for +this express purpose. Governor N. O. Murphy recommended woman +suffrage in his message and did all that was possible to assist +its passage. The press is favorable, the intelligent and moral +citizens are eager for it, but the vicious elements, as +everywhere, are opposed. For a month the question was bitterly +contested, but its foes prevented a vote. So again a campaign, +which was sure of victory had each man voted his conviction, +ended in crime and bribery won the day. The pay of legislators in +the Territories is very small, and the most desirable men can not +afford to serve. In consequence there drifts into every +Legislature enough men of unprincipled<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_473" id="Page_473">[Pg 473]</a></span> character to make a +balance of power. It may interest you to know that in both +Territories we were told that all such legislation is controlled +by bribery, and that our measure could be put through in a +twinkling by "a little money judiciously distributed," but to +such suggestions we replied that what the suffragists had won +they had won honestly and we would postpone further advances till +they could come in the same way. In the future years of strife +over this question there will be many hands stained with guilt, +but they will be those of the remonstrants and not ours. Though +crime prevented the victory, yet we were abundantly assured of +the lasting results of the campaign.</p></blockquote> + +<p><span class="smcap">Laws:</span> Curtesy and dower were abolished by Territorial legislation, but +in 1887 Congress passed an act granting a widow dower in all the +Territories. If either husband or wife die without a will, leaving +descendants, out of the separate property of either the survivor has +one-third of the personal and a life use of one-third of the real +estate. If there are no descendants, the survivor has all of the +personal and a life use of one-half the real estate; if there are +neither descendants nor father nor mother of the decedent, the +survivor has the whole estate. The community property goes entirely to +the survivor if there are no descendants, otherwise one-half goes to +the survivor, in either case charged with the community debts. If the +widow has a maintenance derived from her own property equal to $2,000, +the whole property so set apart, other than her half of the homestead, +must go to the minor children. If the homestead was selected from the +community property it vests absolutely in the survivor. If selected +from the separate property of either, it vests in that one or his +heirs. It can not exceed $5,000 in value.</p> + +<p>Married women have the exclusive control of their separate property; +it is not liable for the debts or obligations of the husband; it may +be mortgaged, sold or disposed of by will without his consent. The +same privileges are extended to husbands.</p> + +<p>A married woman may sue and be sued and make contracts in her own name +as regards her separate property, but she must sue jointly with her +husband for personal injuries, and damages recovered are community +property and in his control.</p> + +<p>If a married woman desire to become a sole trader she must file a +certificate in the registry of deeds setting forth the nature and +place of business. She can not become a sole trader if the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_474" id="Page_474">[Pg 474]</a></span> original +capital invested exceeds $10,000 unless she takes oath that the +surplus did not come from any funds of the husband. If the wife is not +a sole trader her wages are community property and belong to the +husband while she is living with him.</p> + +<p>The father is the legal guardian of the minor children. At his death +the mother becomes guardian so long as she remains unmarried, provided +she is a suitable person.</p> + +<p>If the husband fails to support his wife, she may contract debts for +necessaries on his credit, and for such debts she and her husband must +be sued jointly and if he is not financially responsible her separate +property may be taken.</p> + +<p>The "age of protection" for girls was raised from 10 to 14 years in +1887, and to 18 in 1895. The penalty is confinement in the +penitentiary for life or for not less than five years.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> Since 1887 every person, male or female, twenty-one years +old, who is the parent or guardian of a child of school age residing +in the district, or has paid Territorial or county school tax, +exclusive of poll-tax, during the preceding year, is eligible to the +office of school trustee and entitled to vote for this officer at any +School District election. This includes all cities and towns in the +Territory.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> Women may legally serve as school trustees, court +commissioners, clerks of court, official stenographers, deputies and +clerks in Territorial, county and municipal offices, and notaries +public. Very few, however, are filling any of these offices.</p> + +<p>Governor L. C. Hughes held that women were qualified to sit on any +State Board and appointed one on the board of the State Normal School +and one assistant superintendent of the Insane Asylum. None have since +been appointed. There are no women physicians in any public +institutions, and no police matrons at any jail or station-house.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> No profession or occupation is legally forbidden to +women.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> The State University is co-educational. In the public +schools there are 122 men and 257 women teachers. The average monthly +salary of the men is $73.23; of the women, $63.17.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_160_160" id="Footnote_160_160"></a><a href="#FNanchor_160_160"><span class="label">[160]</span></a> The History is indebted to Mrs. L. C. Hughes of Tucson, +former president of the Territorial Woman Suffrage Association, and to +Mrs. Laura M. Johns of Kansas for material used in this chapter.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_475" id="Page_475">[Pg 475]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2> + +<h3>ARKANSAS.<a name="FNanchor_161_161" id="FNanchor_161_161"></a><a href="#Footnote_161_161" class="fnanchor">[161]</a></h3> + + +<p>In 1885 the first woman suffrage association in Arkansas was formed at +Eureka Springs by Miss Phoebe W. Couzins and Mrs. Lizzie D. Fyler, who +was made president. Miss Susan B. Anthony lectured in February, 1889, +in Helena, Fort Smith and Little Rock, at the last place introduced by +Gov. James B. Eagle. On Sunday afternoon she spoke at a temperance +meeting in this city, to a large audience that manifested every +evidence of approval although she advocated woman suffrage. These were +the first addresses on woman's enfranchisement given in the State.</p> + +<p>No regularly constituted State suffrage convention ever has been held, +but at the close of the annual Woman's Christian Temperance Union +convention it is customary for the members of this body who favor the +ballot for woman to meet and elect the usual officers for that branch +of the work.</p> + +<p>For fifteen years before her death in 1899, Mrs. Clara A. McDiarmid +was a leader, was president of the association and represented the +State at the national conventions. Dr. Ida J. Brooks is an earnest +worker, and valuable assistance has been given by Mrs. Fannie L. Chunn +and Mrs. Bernie Babcock.</p> + +<p>In 1896 Mrs. Lida A. Meriwether of Tennessee gave twelve lectures +under the auspices of the National Association. Miss Frances A. +Griffin of Alabama also spoke here on this subject.</p> + +<p>Not even this brief history of the suffrage movement would be complete +without a mention of the <i>Woman's Chronicle</i>, established in 1888 by +Catherine Campbell Cunningham, Mary Burt Brooks and Haryot Holt +Cahoon. Mrs. Brooks was principal of the Forest Grove School, and Miss +Cunningham a teacher in the public schools of Little Rock, but every +week for five years this bright, newsy paper appeared on time. It was +devoted to the general interests of women, with a strong advocacy of +their enfranchisement. During the General Assembly it was laid each<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_476" id="Page_476">[Pg 476]</a></span> +Saturday morning on the desk of every legislator. Charles E. +Cunningham encouraged and sustained his daughter in her work.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action and Laws:</span> The only bill for woman suffrage was that +championed in the Senate by J. P. H. Russ, in 1891, "An act to give +white women the right to vote and hold office, and all other rights +the same as are accorded to male citizens." This unconstitutional +measure passed third reading, but it is not surprising that it +received only four affirmative votes; fourteen voted against it and +fourteen refrained from voting.</p> + +<p>In 1895 the law recognizing insanity after marriage as a ground for +divorce was repealed.</p> + +<p>This year a law was passed requiring the councils of all first-class +cities to elect a police matron to look after woman prisoners.</p> + +<p>Dower exists but not curtesy, unless the wife dies intestate and there +has been issue born alive. If there are children the wife is entitled +to one-third of the real property for her life and one-third of the +personal property absolutely. If there are no children living she +takes in fee simple one-half of the real estate where it is a new +acquisition and not an inheritance, and one-half of the personal +estate absolutely as against the collateral heirs; but as against +creditors she takes one-third of the real estate in fee simple and +one-third of the personal property absolutely. If either the husband +or the wife die without a will and there are neither father, mother, +nor their descendants, nor any paternal or maternal kindred capable of +inheriting, the whole estate, both real and personal, goes to the +surviving wife or husband.</p> + +<p>The wife may sell or transfer her separate real estate without the +consent of the husband. He can do the same with his real estate but +can not impair her dower. A transfer of the homestead requires the +joint signature.</p> + +<p>A married woman as sole trader may engage in business on her own +account and have the profits free from the interference of her +husband, but if she is simply working for wages he may sue for her +earnings and his receipt will bind her.</p> + +<p>The father is the legal guardian of the children, having custody of +their persons and property, but "no man shall bind his child to +apprenticeship or service, or part with the control of such child, or +create any testamentary guardianship therefor, unless<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_477" id="Page_477">[Pg 477]</a></span> the mother +shall in writing signify her consent thereto." At the father's death +the mother may be guardian of the persons of the children but not of +their property unless derived from her.</p> + +<p>There is no law requiring the husband to support his family.</p> + +<p>The "age of protection" for girls was raised from 12 to 16 years in +1893, with a penalty of imprisonment in the penitentiary not less than +five years nor more than twenty-one. In 1899 the minimum penalty was +reduced to one year.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> Women have no form of suffrage except under the Three-Mile +Law. This provides that, on petition of a majority of the inhabitants +living within three miles of any church or school, the court shall +make it illegal for liquor to be sold within this limit for two years. +The law never has been utilized in the larger cities, but has been +tried in numerous small towns and hundreds of outlying districts, +where it has borne the test bravely, ruling out completely the public +drink-houses. Wherever it has been put into force, women have been a +strong factor, giving their own signatures in its favor and in many +instances making house to house canvasses to obtain signers.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> Women are not eligible for any elective office. For +twenty-five years, however, they have held clerkships in both branches +of the General Assembly. In 1899 a bill to disqualify them from +holding these was defeated in the Lower House by a considerable +majority. But this same Legislature did not hesitate to declare women +not qualified to serve as notaries public, which they had been doing +for several years.</p> + +<p>There are police matrons in Little Rock and Hot Springs.</p> + +<p>For one year the "visiting committee" appointed by the School Board +was composed of three men and two women. The latter made a written +report, but the innovation was not repeated.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> Women are not permitted to practice law. No other +profession or occupation is legally forbidden.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> All of the universities and colleges are coeducational, +even the Law and Medical Departments of the State University being +open to women.</p> + +<p>In the public schools there are 4,515 men and 2,558 women teachers. +The average monthly salary of the men is $49.22, of the women, +$35.52.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_161_161" id="Footnote_161_161"></a><a href="#FNanchor_161_161"><span class="label">[161]</span></a> The History is indebted for the material for this +chapter to Miss Catherine Campbell Cunningham of Little Rock, one of +the earliest suffrage workers in the State.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_478" id="Page_478">[Pg 478]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h2> + +<h3>CALIFORNIA.<a name="FNanchor_162_162" id="FNanchor_162_162"></a><a href="#Footnote_162_162" class="fnanchor">[162]</a></h3> + + +<p>The first woman suffrage meeting on the Pacific Coast was held in San +Francisco in May, 1869, and a State association was formed in January, +1870. From that date meetings were held regularly and a committee of +women did faithful work at the Legislature every session, securing +many changes in the laws to the advantage of women.<a name="FNanchor_163_163" id="FNanchor_163_163"></a><a href="#Footnote_163_163" class="fnanchor">[163]</a></p> + +<p>At the annual meeting of the association in San Francisco in December, +1884, Mrs. Laura De Force Gordon succeeded Mrs. Clara S. Foltz as +president and held the office for the next ten years. During this time +she attended a number of national suffrage conventions in Washington +and delivered addresses in many parts of the United States.</p> + +<p>In the political campaign of 1888 Mrs. Gordon and Mrs. Foltz were +employed as speakers by the Democratic Central Committee, and Miss +Addie L. Ballou by the Republican. The Populist and the Labor parties +selected women as delegates to their State conventions and placed them +on their tickets for various offices. Mrs. Lillie Devereux Blake of +New York and Mrs. Marilla M. Ricker of New Hampshire visited the +Pacific Coast and gave very acceptable lectures to the suffrage +societies.</p> + +<p>In 1889 Mrs. Ellen Clark Sargent and Mrs. Sarah Knox Goodrich each +subscribed $100 to send Mrs. Gordon to Washington Territory to aid the +women there in securing the adoption of a suffrage amendment to the +State constitution. She canvassed the State, contributing her +services. The next year, through the efforts of these two ladies and +their own contributions, over $1,000 were sent to South Dakota to +assist the women in a similar attempt.</p> + +<p>Suffrage meetings for various purposes were held in 1890, the largest +being a grand rally at Metropolitan Temple, July 4,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_479" id="Page_479">[Pg 479]</a></span> to celebrate the +admission of Wyoming as a State with full suffrage for women, at which +there were addresses by the Hon. T. V. Cator, the Rev. C. W. Wendte, +James K. Barry, the Hon. P. Reddy, the Hon. Charles Summer, Mrs. +Gordon and others. This year the State Grange and the Farmers' +Alliance cordially indorsed woman suffrage at their conventions. The +annual suffrage meeting was held in Washington Hall, San Francisco, +September 26. Mrs. Gordon was appointed a committee to select her own +assistants and have full charge of the legislative work during the +winter.</p> + +<p>In 1891 practically every organization of either men or women seemed +to be permeated with the agitation for woman suffrage. Among the most +effective speakers and writers were Mrs. Charlotte Perkins Stetson, +Mrs. Sarah B. Cooper, Miss Agnes Manning, Miss Ina D. Coolbrith, Mme. +A. L. Sorbier, Mrs. E. O. Smith and Mrs. Sara A. T. Lemmon.<a name="FNanchor_164_164" id="FNanchor_164_164"></a><a href="#Footnote_164_164" class="fnanchor">[164]</a></p> + +<p>Many informal business meetings were held during the next two years in +Mrs. Gordon's law office. The adoption of equal suffrage by Colorado +in 1893 inspired the California women to renewed effort. An Equal +Rights League was formed of experienced suffrage workers. This was +followed by the Young Woman's Suffrage Club, Miss Fannie Lemme, +president, which became very popular. The Political Equality Club of +Alameda County was organized in April. The Portia Law Club, Mrs. +Foltz, dean, occupied a prominent place. The Woman's Federation also +was an active society.</p> + +<p>In 1893 the Trans-Mississippi Congress met in San Francisco with five +regularly accredited women delegates in attendance. A woman suffrage +resolution was presented for their indorsement and eloquently +advocated by Mrs. Mary Lynde Craig. It was bitterly contested but +finally passed by 251 yeas, 211 nays, amidst cheers and the waving of +hats.</p> + +<p>In 1894 was held the great Midwinter Fair, and the Woman's Congress +Auxiliary became an intellectual focus for gifted women. It culminated +in the brilliant convocation which was in session in Golden Gate Hall, +San Francisco, for a week in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_480" id="Page_480">[Pg 480]</a></span> May. Its promoters were Mrs. John Vance +Cheney, Mrs. Horace Davis, Mrs. Cooper, Miss Hattie Cooper, Mrs. Mary +S. Sperry, Mrs. Lovell White, Mrs. William A. Keith, Mrs. Tupper +Wilkes, Mrs. Alice Moore McComas, Mrs. Gordon and others. Mrs. Irving +M. Scott, president of Sorosis, received the Congress socially in her +elegant home. A large reception was given also at the magnificent +country residence of Mrs. Frank M. Smith in East Oakland.</p> + +<p>The Congress was followed by a mass meeting under the auspices of the +suffrage societies. The hall would scarcely hold the audiences, which +were especially distinguished by the large number of men, and noted +men were also among the speakers. The venerable Alfred Cridge of the +Single Tax League created much interest by a practical illustration of +proportional representation, the candidates for president and +vice-president being Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, the +women doing the voting. Letters of regret at inability to be present +but expressing sympathy with the object of the meeting were received +from Gov. James H. Budd, President David Starr Jordan of Leland +Stanford University, U. S. Senator Perkins, Supreme Judge McFarland, +Judge James G. Maguire and others.</p> + +<p>This year the State Association elected as its president Mrs. Nellie +Holbrook Blinn, who had been an ardent worker in the cause for a +number of years and a prominent speaker for the Republican party. Mrs. +Annie K. Bidwell was made vice-president; Mrs. Hester A. Harland, +recording secretary; Mrs. Emily Pitt Stevens, corresponding secretary; +Mrs. Emma Gregory, treasurer. Meetings were held every fortnight in +St. George's Hall. In a short time General Warfield, proprietor of the +California Hotel, offered the society the use of its parlors, which +was gladly accepted.</p> + +<p>In August a reception was given in honor of the National Press +Association, then holding a convention in San Francisco, at which +addresses were made by Mayor Adolph Sutro, the Hon. Samuel Shortridge +and others. During the autumn a number of large and enthusiastic +meetings were held.</p> + +<p>In May, 1895, Miss Susan B. Anthony and the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, +president and vice-president of the National<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_481" id="Page_481">[Pg 481]</a></span> Association, arrived in +San Francisco in response to a cordial invitation to assist in the +Woman's Congress which opened on the 20th. No meetings ever held were +more beautiful and inspiring than these, presided over by Mrs. +Cooper.<a name="FNanchor_165_165" id="FNanchor_165_165"></a><a href="#Footnote_165_165" class="fnanchor">[165]</a> The best speakers in the State, men and women, +participated and every possible honor, public and social, was +conferred upon the two Eastern guests.</p> + +<p>After the congress they accepted invitations to speak in San Jose, Los +Angeles, Pasadena, Riverside, Pomona and San Diego. The audiences +everywhere were large and cordial and their pathway was literally +strewn with flowers. They returned to San Francisco and again +addressed great audiences in that city and Oakland. Miss Shaw accepted +the invitation of the executive committee to be one of the orators at +the Fourth of July celebration in Woodward's Pavilion.</p> + +<p>On July 2, 3, these ladies met with the State Suffrage Convention in +Golden Gate Hall. Under their wise counsel a board of officers was +elected which proved acceptable to all the members of the +association,<a name="FNanchor_166_166" id="FNanchor_166_166"></a><a href="#Footnote_166_166" class="fnanchor">[166]</a> and a constitution was adopted which eliminated the +causes of past contentions.</p> + +<p>The State was now thoroughly aroused over the submission by the +Legislature the preceding winter of an amendment conferring Full +Suffrage on women, which was to be voted on the next year. Auxiliary +societies were reported from Oakland, San Jose, Stockton, Los Angeles, +Fresno and other places and 300 new members were enrolled. The big +hall was crowded at the evening meetings and addresses were made by +Mrs. Sargent, the new president, Miss Anthony, Miss Shaw, Mrs. Cooper, +Mrs. Craig, Mrs. Blinn and others.</p> + +<p>The officers elected at this time continued through all the long and +trying campaign of 1896, which is described further on. The amendment +was defeated at the election of November 3. The State convention was +called for November 5, 6, in order that the Eastern women might be +present, as they were to leave<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_482" id="Page_482">[Pg 482]</a></span> on the 7th. A magnificent farewell +meeting was held on the first evening in Metropolitan Temple, which +was crowded from pit to dome. The <i>Call</i> declared, "It was more like +the ratification of a victory than a rally after defeat;" and at the +close of the convention said: "It furnished during its entire sessions +an example of pluck and patience such as should forever quiet the +calumny that women do not know how to govern themselves—that they +become hysterical in the face of defeat."</p> + +<p>The committee<a name="FNanchor_167_167" id="FNanchor_167_167"></a><a href="#Footnote_167_167" class="fnanchor">[167]</a> reported a set of strong, courageous resolutions +which were adopted with cheers. The last one declared: "While we +accept the verdict of the election we do not regard it as final, but +believing that our cause is just and must prevail, we will enter at +once on a vigorous campaign which will end only when the ballot is +placed in the hands of California women."</p> + +<p>A systematic plan of work was adopted and, as Mrs. Sargent was about +to leave for a year abroad, Mrs. Mary Wood Swift was elected +president. Mrs. Goodrich and Mrs. Sargent were made honorary +presidents. Twelve hundred dollars were raised to pay all outstanding +campaign debts, and the convention closed with a good-bye reception to +Miss Anthony, Miss Shaw, Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt and the other ladies +from the East.</p> + +<p>The annual State meeting of 1897 was held in San Francisco, October 5, +6, with able addresses by the Rev. E. S. Chapman, Albert H. Elliott, a +San Francisco attorney, Doctors Beecher and Bushnell, representing the +women in their profession, Mrs. E. O. Smith and many others. Mrs. +Swift was re-elected president and continued to serve until 1900.</p> + +<p>The convention of 1898 also was held in San Francisco, October 4-6, +and was made a jubilee meeting to celebrate the calling of the First +Woman's Rights Convention in 1848.</p> + +<p>In 1899 the annual State meeting, held in San Francisco November 7, 8, +was greatly stimulated by the presence of Mrs. Chapman Catt, chairman +of the national organization committee, and Miss Mary G. Hay, its +secretary. Active societies were reported in many counties and a large +amount of work done by the press committee of fourteen members, Mrs. +Mary L. Wakeman Curtis, chairman. It was announced that the Susan<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_483" id="Page_483">[Pg 483]</a></span> B. +Anthony Club would hold a public meeting in the audience room of the +Century Club, February 15, to celebrate that lady's eightieth +birthday, at which President Jordan and Albert H. Elliott would be the +orators. Addresses were given by Miss Sarah Severance, Mrs. Julia S. +Sanborn, Mrs. Mary McHenry (Wm. A.) Keith, Mrs. Smith, Miss Selina +Solomons and Miss Clara M. Schlingheyde.</p> + +<p>On the evening of November 9 the convention was transferred to Oakland +and every seat in the large Unitarian church was filled. Mrs. Chapman +Catt was the speaker, introduced by the Rev. J. K. McLean. Mrs. +Baldwin, president of the Alameda County society, Mrs. Swift and other +prominent women occupied the beautifully decorated platform. During +the afternoon a reception had been given in the artistic home of Mrs. +Emma Shafter Howard.</p> + +<p>The convention for 1900 was held in San Francisco as usual, December +14, 15. Mrs. Annie R. Wood was elected president.<a name="FNanchor_168_168" id="FNanchor_168_168"></a><a href="#Footnote_168_168" class="fnanchor">[168]</a></p> + +<p>One of the largest auxiliary societies is that of Alameda County with +a dozen branches. The presidents have been the Rev. J. K. McLean, Mrs. +M. S. Haight, Mrs. Alice M. Stocker, Mrs. Isabel A. Baldwin, Mrs. H. +J. D. Chapman and Mrs. Frances A. Williamson.<a name="FNanchor_169_169" id="FNanchor_169_169"></a><a href="#Footnote_169_169" class="fnanchor">[169]</a></p> + +<p>The San Jose Club was formed for campaign work, Nov. 14, 1895, with +fifty-four charter members. It has continued to hold weekly meetings +under the presidency of Dr. Alida C. Avery.<a name="FNanchor_170_170" id="FNanchor_170_170"></a><a href="#Footnote_170_170" class="fnanchor">[170]</a> There are a number of +other efficient clubs in Northern California.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_484" id="Page_484">[Pg 484]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action:</span> As early as 1868, and for many years afterwards, +Mrs. Laura De Force Gordon addressed the Legislature in behalf of +political rights for women, and from then until the present time there +have been few sessions which have not had the question brought before +them. A large number of legislators, lawyers and leading women have +contended that the constitution of the State is so worded that it is +within the power of the Legislature to confer the full franchise by +statute, but bills for this purpose always have been defeated by a +majority who hold that this can be done legally only by an amendment +to the constitution adopted by the electors. Mrs. Nellie Holbrook +Blinn has spent many winters at Sacramento in the interest of suffrage +bills, and Mrs. Clara S. Foltz has frequently made legal arguments +before joint committees. Beginning with 1891 Mrs. Sturtevant Peet, +president of the State Woman's Christian Temperance Union, has +remained through every legislative session representing that +organization, with bills for temperance measures, suffrage and other +matters of especial interest to women. During all of these years the +suffrage bills before the Legislature have been reinforced by great +petitions and hundreds of personal letters from the women of Southern +California.</p> + +<p>In 1889 Miss Sarah M. Severance, State Superintendent of Franchise for +the W. C. T. U., went to Sacramento with a large petition asking for +School Suffrage. Mrs. Gordon, a practicing lawyer, already had +prepared three bills asking for Municipal and School Suffrage +including the right to hold every educational office. All were +reported favorably from the Senate committee. The first was passed, +reconsidered and although again receiving a majority vote, had not the +constitutional two-thirds. The School Suffrage Bill passed by 24 ayes, +7 noes. In the Assembly it received 36 ayes, 22 noes, not the required +majority.</p> + +<p>In 1891 a bill was presented to enfranchise women by statute. It was +championed by Senators McGowan, Dargie and Simpson of the northern, +and Carpenter and McComas of the southern part of the State. On +February 7 a hearing was granted by the Judiciary Committee, and Mrs. +Gordon gave a strong legal argument which was presented to the members +as a "brief;" and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_485" id="Page_485">[Pg 485]</a></span> addresses were made by Miss Severance, Mrs. Addie +L. Ballou and Mrs. Emily Pitt Stevens. Before the vote was taken in +the Legislature Mrs. Sturtevant Peet presented the great petition of +the W. C. T. U. containing 15,000 names, and many were offered by +senators from various counties. Individual appeals were sent by Mrs. +Ellen Clark Sargent, Mrs. Sarah Knox Goodrich, Dr. Alida C. Avery, +Mrs. E. O. Smith and many other well-known women. The bill passed the +Senate by 21 ayes, 17 noes. It had been delayed so long, however, that +it was too late to reach the Assembly.</p> + +<p>In 1894 the State Republican Convention adopted a plank as follows: +"Believing that taxation without representation is against the +principles of the Government we favor the extension of the right of +suffrage to all citizens of the United States, both men and women."</p> + +<p>The Legislature of 1895 was strongly Republican and the time seemed to +be highly propitious for securing woman suffrage. To this end a number +of influential women visited Sacramento. The first bill presented +called for enfranchisement by special statute and was introduced and +championed in the Assembly by Judge E. V. Spencer. On the afternoon of +January 24 Mrs. Blinn and Mrs. Foltz addressed the Senate Judiciary +Committee, and in the evening a mass meeting took place in the Court +House, which the Judiciary and Elections Committees of the Senate and +House attended in a body, as did also a large number of the members. +Mrs. Gordon made the leading address and Mrs. Foltz the closing +speech. Another meeting, held in the Assembly Chamber February 8, was +addressed by Mrs. E. V. Spencer, Mrs. Blinn, Miss Laura Tilden, a +lawyer, Mrs. Gordon and Mrs. Peet. Great assistance also was rendered +by Mrs. Annie K. Bidwell, Mme. A. L. Sorbier, Dr. Lillian Lomax and +Mrs. Jennie Phelps Purvis.</p> + +<p>The bill came to a vote in the Assembly February 11 and passed. A +defect was then discovered in the title and it was voted on again +February 19, receiving 46 ayes, 29 noes. In the Senate it met with +many vicissitudes which need not be recounted, as it eventually failed +to pass. This was largely because the members did not believe it would +be constitutional.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_486" id="Page_486">[Pg 486]</a></span></p> + +<p>This question being settled, Senators McGowan of Eureka, and Bulla of +Los Angeles, Assemblyman Spencer of Lassen, and others championed a +resolution to amend the constitution by striking out the word "male" +from the suffrage clause. This was adopted in March, 1895, by a +two-thirds majority of both Houses, and signed by Gov. James H. Budd. +The story of the campaign which was made to secure the adoption of +this amendment is related hereafter. It was defeated by the voters.</p> + +<p>Although the experienced national officers told the California women +that it would be many years before they would be able to secure +another bill they did not believe it, but went to the Legislature of +1897 full of hope that an amendment would be submitted again and they +could make another campaign while their organizations were intact and +public sentiment aroused. Mrs. Mary Wood Swift, Mrs. Mary S. Sperry +and Mme. A. L. Sorbier spent much of the winter in Sacramento, and +enough members were pledged to pass the bill. When it was acted upon, +however, while it received a majority in both Houses, it lacked seven +votes in the Assembly and one in the Senate of the necessary +two-thirds.<a name="FNanchor_171_171" id="FNanchor_171_171"></a><a href="#Footnote_171_171" class="fnanchor">[171]</a></p> + +<p>In 1899 Representative W. S. Mellick of Los Angeles introduced a bill +giving women the right to vote for school trustees, and at elections +for school bonds or tax levy. It passed the Assembly with only one +dissenting vote, and the Senate by a majority of six. Gov. Henry T. +Gage refused to sign it on the old ground of unconstitutionality.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Constitutional Amendment Campaign:</span> The action of the Legislature of +1895 in submitting an amendment to the voters, instead of conferring +the franchise by statute, was somewhat of a disappointment to the +women as it precipitated a campaign which would come at the same time +as that for President of the United States, and for which there was +not sufficient organization. They were very much at sea for a while +but in the spring of 1895 Miss Susan B. Anthony and the Rev. Anna +Howard Shaw, president and vice-president of the National Association, +came to California to the Woman's Congress,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_487" id="Page_487">[Pg 487]</a></span> and while here, having +had much experience, helped them plan their work and gave every +possible encouragement. In the autumn Miss Shaw returned and held +meetings throughout the State, managed by Miss Harriet Cooper. The +next year, at the urgent request of the State Association, Miss +Anthony and Miss Shaw came back and remained from the first of March +until after the election in November, rendering all the assistance +within their power in the longest and hardest campaign ever made for a +woman suffrage amendment. An amendment committee had been appointed at +the last annual convention and out of this and the State officers a +Campaign Committee<a name="FNanchor_172_172" id="FNanchor_172_172"></a><a href="#Footnote_172_172" class="fnanchor">[172]</a> was formed and, in addition, a State Central +Committee was organized.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sargent opened her handsome home for headquarters the first three +months, and for eight months she and her daughter, Dr. Elizabeth C. +Sargent, gave every hour to this work, entertaining as guests Miss +Anthony, Miss Shaw and other workers and contributing large sums of +money. In February, Dr. Sargent and Miss Shaw's secretary, Lucy E. +Anthony, arranged a series of two days' conventions in every county in +the State. Miss Harriet May Mills and Miss Mary G. Hay of New York, +experienced organizers, were invited to California to manage these +conventions and remained throughout the campaign.<a name="FNanchor_173_173" id="FNanchor_173_173"></a><a href="#Footnote_173_173" class="fnanchor">[173]</a> The Rev. Miss +Shaw and Miss Elizabeth Upham Yates of Maine were the speakers. The +audiences were large and cordial, clubs were formed and the meetings +more than paid expenses.</p> + +<p>On Sunday, May 3, the San Francisco <i>Call</i>, the leading Republican +paper, under the management of Charles M. Shortridge, came out with +flaming headlines declaring for woman suffrage, and several hundred +copies were sent to the State Republican convention which met in +Sacramento the following Tuesday. A number of prominent women went to +this convention, as it was considered very important that it should +repeat its indorsement of the previous year. The delegation consisted +of Miss Anthony, Miss Shaw, Mrs. Sargent, State president, Mrs. Mary<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_488" id="Page_488">[Pg 488]</a></span> +Wood Swift, Mrs. Sarah Knox Goodrich, Mrs. Mary S. Sperry, Mrs. Ida +Husted Harper and Miss Mary G. Hay, members of the campaign committee. +Miss Anthony and Miss Shaw addressed the Committee on Resolutions, and +the next day a plank declaring for the amendment was adopted by the +big convention with only one dissenting voice.</p> + +<p>On May 12 most of these ladies attended the Populist Convention in +Sacramento. They were received with cheers, escorted to front seats, +invited to address the convention and the plank was unanimously +adopted. From here a part of them went to the Prohibition Convention +in Stockton, meeting a most cordial reception and a similar result. +The Socialist Labor and the National parties also indorsed the +amendment.</p> + +<p>There was little hope for the indorsement of the Democratic +Convention, but the ladies, reinforced by Mrs. Sarah B. and Miss +Harriet Cooper, Mrs. Henry Krebs, Jr., Mrs. Alice M. Stocker and Mrs. +E. O. Smith attended it on June 16. They were permitted to address the +Resolutions Committee and present a petition signed by about 40,000 +men and women of the State asking for the amendment, but it was laid +on the table almost before they had left the room.<a name="FNanchor_174_174" id="FNanchor_174_174"></a><a href="#Footnote_174_174" class="fnanchor">[174]</a></p> + +<p>A minority report was at once prepared by Charles Wesley Reed and +signed by himself, William H. Alford, chairman of the committee, and +two other members, but it was prevented from coming before the +convention by order of its chairman, Frank Gould of San Joaquin +County. After the platform had been adopted Miss Anthony and Miss Shaw +were invited to address the convention, which they did to such effect +that when they had finished the minority report was demanded. It was +too late for this but, in spite of the efforts of John P. Irish and W. +W. Foote of Alameda County,<a name="FNanchor_175_175" id="FNanchor_175_175"></a><a href="#Footnote_175_175" class="fnanchor">[175]</a> and others, the original resolution +declaring for an amendment was brought to a vote, receiving 149 ayes, +420 noes, more than one-fourth the whole number.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_489" id="Page_489">[Pg 489]</a></span></p> + +<p>The women opened their campaign a few days later with an immense +ratification meeting in Metropolitan Temple. All of the political +parties were represented by prominent men who made strong suffrage +speeches, Congressman James G. Maguire speaking for the fraction of +the Democratic party. Most of the ladies who had attended the +conventions made addresses and there was the greatest enthusiasm. Miss +Anthony was invited to speak at the ratification meeting of each of +the political parties and was most cordially received. No suffrage +campaign ever commenced so full of promise.</p> + +<p>Headquarters were opened on Main Street in the fine new Parrott +Building, five rooms being donated for the purpose by the manager of +the Emporium, William Harper. The furnishings were contributed by +different firms and individuals, and a handsome banner was swung +across the street. Here a force of women worked day and night for five +months, most of them donating their services.<a name="FNanchor_176_176" id="FNanchor_176_176"></a><a href="#Footnote_176_176" class="fnanchor">[176]</a></p> + +<p>The State Board and all the committees were composed of women of good +position and especial ability. The counties formed their own +organizations and all the important towns had active local clubs. The +report from Southern California appears in another part of this +chapter. In San Francisco Mrs. Sarah B. Cooper gave generously of her +valuable time and powerful influence. Mrs. Mary Wood Swift and Mrs. +Mary S. Sperry responded many times when the finances were at the +lowest ebb. It would be impossible to name even a small fraction of +those who freely and continuously gave labor and money.</p> + +<p>Each of the eighteen assembly districts of San Francisco was organized +by precincts, regular meetings were held, a personal canvass was made +and an immense amount of literature was distributed. It is wholly +impracticable in a limited space to mention the work done by the +various counties, as in each where the amendment was carried it was +due largely to the wise, faithful and unwearying efforts of its own +women, and any distinction would be invidious.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_490" id="Page_490">[Pg 490]</a></span></p> + +<p>The work of the W. C. T. U. deserves a prominent place in the history +of the struggle, as all the powers of its excellent organization and +experienced workers were devoted to the success of the amendment, and +the majority in several counties at least was due to its efforts.</p> + +<p>For the usual necessary and legitimate campaign purposes a fund of +about $19,000 was raised and sent to headquarters, almost wholly the +contributions of women.</p> + +<p>Miss Anthony remained in San Francisco addressing meetings in that +city and making many short trips to neighboring towns, speaking once +or more every day for eight months. During this time she made a tour +of Central and Southern California, lecturing in halls, churches, +wigwams, parlors, schoolhouses and the open air. In some places the +train was stopped and she spoke from the rear platform which was then +banked with flowers.</p> + +<p>The Rev. Anna Howard Shaw spoke every night for seven months; Miss +Yates made about one hundred speeches; Mrs. Chapman Catt spent the +last two months in the State giving several addresses every day. Miss +Sarah M. Severance spoke under the auspices of the W. C. T. U. +throughout the campaign. Mrs. Naomi Anderson represented the colored +people. Every California woman who could make a speech was pressed +into service for clubs, ward meetings, etc. Many handsome homes were +opened for parlor lectures. Miss Anthony herself addressed great +political rallies of thousands of people; church conventions of every +denomination; Spiritualist and Freethinkers' gatherings; Salvation +Army meetings; African societies; Socialists; all kinds of labor +organizations; granges; Army and Navy Leagues; Soldiers' Homes and +military encampments; women's clubs and men's clubs; Y. M. C. A.'s and +W. C. T. U.'s. She spoke at farmers' picnics on the mountain tops, and +Bethel missions in the cellars of San Francisco; at parlor meetings in +the most elegant homes; and in pool-rooms where there was printed on +the blackboard, "Welcome to Susan B. Anthony." Her services during the +entire time were a personal contribution.</p> + +<p>The attitude of the press was one of the remarkable features. Mrs. Ida +Husted Harper was made Chairman of the Press Committee which had local +members in every community. In company<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_491" id="Page_491">[Pg 491]</a></span> with Miss Anthony every editor +in San Francisco was visited and assurances received that the +amendment would have respectful treatment. The <i>Call</i>, the <i>Record</i> +and the <i>Post</i> gave strong editorial indorsement, the latter +maintaining a daily department, the responsibility being largely taken +by Dr. Sargent. Mrs. Harper had a long article each week in the +<i>Sunday Call</i> and many weeks one in the <i>Chronicle</i> also. The +<i>Examiner</i> placed a column on the editorial page of its Sunday edition +at the disposal of Miss Anthony and she filled it for seven months, +but the paper gave no official approval. The <i>Report</i> had a double +column every Saturday edited by Miss Winnifred Harper. The <i>Bulletin</i> +had one conducted by Miss Eliza D. Keith, but editorially it was not +friendly. Mrs. Mary L. Wakeman Curtis rendered especially valuable +service. The Populist press was universally favorable, as were the +<i>Star</i> and other labor papers, the temperance, Socialist and A. P. A. +organs, the leading Jewish papers, those of the colored people, +several published in foreign languages and many in the interest of +agriculture, insurance, etc.</p> + +<p>Before the close of the campaign the press chairman was in +communication with 250 papers in the State which declared editorially +for woman suffrage. Only 27 spoke openly against it, prominent among +these being the <i>San Francisco Chronicle</i>, <i>Argonaut</i>, <i>Sacramento +Record-Union</i> and <i>Los Angeles Times</i>. From California papers alone +9,000 clippings were received on this subject.</p> + +<p>Had it not been the year of a presidential election it is probable +that the amendment might have carried, but the bitter competition of +politics soon produced many complications and, although the suffrage +question was kept absolutely non-partisan, it could not escape their +serious effects. The demand for free silver had made such inroads on +the Republican party that it was threatened with the loss of the +State, and it was soon made to understand by the liquor element that +its continued advocacy of the suffrage amendment would mean a great +loss of money and votes. It was found that the chairman of the State +Central Committee, Major Frank M'Laughlin, was notifying the county +chairmen not to permit the women to speak at the Republican meetings, +and it became very difficult to persuade the speakers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_492" id="Page_492">[Pg 492]</a></span> of that party +to refer to the amendment, although an indorsement of it was the first +plank in their platform.</p> + +<p>The Populists and Democrats found themselves in accord on financial +questions and in most localities a fusion was effected. While the +former, for the most part, were loyal to the amendment they could not +fully control the speakers or platforms at the rallies and it was kept +out of sight as much as possible. The A. P. A. was strongly organized +in California and was waging a bitter war against the Catholic Church, +and both feared the effect of the enfranchisement of women, although +at the beginning the former seemed wholly in favor.</p> + +<p>The women made a brave fight but these political conditions, added to +insufficient organization, too small a number of workers, lack of +necessary funds, the immense amount of territory to be covered, the +large foreign population in San Francisco and the strong prejudices in +general against the movement, which must be overcome everywhere, made +defeat inevitable. The final blow was struck when, ten days before +election, the wholesale Liquor Dealers' League, which had been making +its influence felt all during the campaign, met in San Francisco and +resolved "to take such steps as are necessary to protect our +interests." One of these steps was to send to the saloonkeepers, hotel +proprietors, druggists and grocers throughout the State the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>At the election to be held on November 3, Constitutional +Amendment No. Six, which gives the right to vote to women, will +be voted on.</p> + +<p>It is to your interest and ours to vote against this amendment. +We request and urge you to vote and work against it and do all +you can to defeat it.</p> + +<p>See your neighbor in the same line of business as yourself, and +have him be with you in this matter.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Although the women had the written promise of the Secretary of State +saying, "The amendment shall be third in order on the ballot, as +certified to me by the various county clerks," it was placed last, +which made it the easy target for the mass of voters who could not +read. Hundreds of tickets were cast in San Francisco on which the only +cross was against this amendment, not even the presidential electors +voted for.</p> + +<p>There were 247,454 votes cast on the suffrage amendment;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_493" id="Page_493">[Pg 493]</a></span> 110,355 for; +137,099 against; defeated by 26,744. The majority against in San +Francisco County was 23,772; in Alameda County, comprising Oakland, +Alameda and Berkeley, 3,627; total 27,399—665 votes more than the +whole majority cast against the amendment. Berkeley gave a majority in +favor, so in reality it was defeated by the vote of San Francisco, +Oakland and Alameda.<a name="FNanchor_177_177" id="FNanchor_177_177"></a><a href="#Footnote_177_177" class="fnanchor">[177]</a> Alameda is the banner Republican County and +gave a good majority for the Republican ticket. There never had been a +hope of carrying San Francisco for the amendment, but the result in +Alameda County was a most unpleasant surprise, as the voters were +principally Republicans and Populists, both of whom were pledged in +the strongest possible manner in their county conventions to support +the amendment, and every newspaper in the county had declared in favor +of it. The fact remains, however, that a change of 13,400 votes in the +entire State would have carried the amendment; and proves beyond +question that, if sufficient organization work had been done, this +might have been accomplished in spite of the combined efforts of the +liquor dealers and the political "bosses."<a name="FNanchor_178_178" id="FNanchor_178_178"></a><a href="#Footnote_178_178" class="fnanchor">[178]</a></p> + +<p>As it is almost universally insisted that woman suffrage amendments +are defeated by the ballots of the ignorant, the vicious and the +foreign born, an analysis of the vote of San Francisco, which contains +more of these elements than all the rest of California, is of +interest. Not one of the eighteen Assembly Districts was carried for +the amendment and but one precinct in the whole city. It is not +practicable to draw an exact dividing line between the best and the +worst localities in any city, but possibly the 28th, or water front, +district in San Francisco may come under the latter head and the 40th +under the former. The vote on the amendment in the 28th was 355 ayes, +1,188 noes; in the 40th, 890 ayes, 2,681 noes, a larger percentage of +opposition in the district containing the so-called best people. +Districts 37, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 would probably be designated the most +aristocratic of the city. Their vote on the amendment was 5,189 ayes, +13,615 noes, an opposing majority of 8,426, or about 1,400 to the +district. This left the remainder to be distributed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_494" id="Page_494">[Pg 494]</a></span> among the other +eighteen districts, including the ignorant, the vicious and the +foreign born, with an average of less than 1,300 adverse votes in each +district.</p> + +<p>The proportion of this vote was duplicated in Oakland, the most +aristocratic ward giving as large a negative majority as the one +commonly designated "the slums."</p> + + +<h4>SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.<a name="FNanchor_179_179" id="FNanchor_179_179"></a><a href="#Footnote_179_179" class="fnanchor">[179]</a></h4> + +<p>In the spring of 1885 the first woman suffrage association of Southern +California was organized in Los Angeles at the home of Mrs. Elizabeth +A. Kingsbury, a lecturer and writer of ability and a co-worker with +the Eastern suffragists in pioneer days. This small band of men and +women held weekly meetings from this time until the opening of the +Amendment Campaign in 1896, when it adjourned—subject to the call of +its president—and its members became a part of the Los Angeles +Campaign Committee.</p> + +<p>The principal work of this early suffrage society was educational. +Once a month meetings were held to which the public was invited, +addresses were given by able men and women, good music was furnished +and suffrage literature distributed. For five years Mrs. Kingsbury +continued its efficient president and then returned to her Eastern +home. She was succeeded by Mrs. Margaret V. Longley, another pioneer +worker from the East, who served acceptably for the same length of +time, when Mrs. Alice Moore McComas was elected. Under her regime was +called the first county suffrage convention ever held in the State.</p> + +<p>All other organizations of women wholly ignored the suffrage +association during these years. The Woman's Christian Temperance Union +had its franchise department, but it was by no means so popular as the +other thirty-nine. Discouragement was met on every hand, but the +faithful few, adhering to the principles of political liberty, saw +year by year a slow but certain growth of sentiment in favor of the +ballot for women.</p> + +<p>In the winter of 1887, an effort was made to secure a bill from the +Legislature conferring Municipal Suffrage upon women.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_495" id="Page_495">[Pg 495]</a></span> Hundreds of +letters were written and a large petition was sent but no action was +taken.<a name="FNanchor_180_180" id="FNanchor_180_180"></a><a href="#Footnote_180_180" class="fnanchor">[180]</a> Every year afterward a bill asking for some form of +suffrage was presented to the Legislature, accompanied by great +petitions signed by representative people, and an unremitting +agitation was kept up throughout Southern California, until a strong +sentiment was created in favor of the enfranchisement of women. Among +those who championed the cause in the Legislature in those days were +R. N. Bulla, R. B. Carpenter, Edward Denio and W. S. Mellick. U. S. +Senators George C. Perkins and Stephen M. White also gave their +influence in its favor.</p> + +<p>In the autumn of 1892 the Southern California Woman's Parliament was +organized. While the fact was emphasized that it was "not a woman's +rights society;" the suffragists saw here an opportunity for good +work. The whole membership of their various organizations went into +this parliament and were active promoters of all the enterprises taken +up, fully realizing that, sooner or later, in a body where all phases +of woman's work—in the home, the church, the school and society—were +discussed, woman's political limitations could not fail to receive +attention. They were not mistaken for in a short time its sessions +might properly have been called "woman's rights meetings," but none +were more careful not to mention this fact than the "strong-minded" +members. The women who were afraid to be seen at suffrage meetings +were being so quietly converted that they had no idea of it. The +sentiment grew and grew—and so did the suffrage association—until, +after consultation with various members of the Legislature, it was +decided to ask for an amendment to the State constitution which would +enfranchise women.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the Los Angeles Suffrage Association called a convention of +delegates from the southern counties in April, 1894, and a central +committee was organized consisting of one representative woman from +each voting precinct. This was productive of systematic work, and when +the Legislature the following winter submitted an amendment, workers +in every city, town, hamlet and school district were ready for the +campaign.</p> + +<p>County campaign committees were organized of which that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_496" id="Page_496">[Pg 496]</a></span> of Los +Angeles was the leader, and from its headquarters the main work was +carried on. These, consisting of four large rooms on the second floor +of the Muskegon block, a fine stone building in the business center of +Los Angeles, were donated by T. D. Stimson. They were handsomely +furnished by friends with every requirement for office work and +semi-public meetings. Leo Alexander and William D. Hayward contributed +the typewriters. Their arrangement was in the hands of Mesdames J. H. +Braly, A. M. Davidson, R. L. Craig and Laura B. Fay. All through that +ever-to-be-remembered hot summer of 1896 these dainty, artistic rooms, +constantly supplied with fresh flowers, afforded a cool retreat for +the busy suffragists, as well as a resting place for their less active +sisters who were invited to visit them, even if not in sympathy, and +none left without some of the literature and a gentle hint as to their +obvious duty.</p> + +<p>In San Diego the work was led by the president, Mrs. Flora M. Kimball. +Mrs. Kimball was the first woman ever elected Master of a Grange, and +was for eight years a member of the San Diego school board. She was a +most efficient manager and the beautiful grounds around her home were +the scene of many gatherings. A gifted writer also, her satires during +this campaign, over the signature "Betty Snow, an anti-suffragist," +made many converts.</p> + +<p>Prominent among the workers were Mrs. Annie Bristol Sloan, president +of the San Diego County W. S. A., the Rev. Amanda Deyo, Dr. Lelia +Latta and Mrs. Laura Riddell; Mrs. Helen Joslin Le Boeuf (Tustin), +organizer of Orange County; Mrs. Lizzie H. Mills, secretary of the +Southern California W. C. T. U., and its president, Mrs. N. P. J. +Button, who kept the question prominently before the people of +Riverside County. Mrs. Ida K. Spears led the work in Ventura County +with pen and voice. Kern County though less densely settled had in its +little clusters of humanity staunch friends of the cause under the +leadership of Mrs. McLeod, and gave also its majority for the +amendment. San Bernardino was ably marshaled by Mrs. Ella Wilson +Merchant, the county president. In Santa Barbara County Mrs. Emily +Wright had stood sponsor for the cause for many years, and Mrs. S. E. +A. Higgins assisted with her facile pen. This<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_497" id="Page_497">[Pg 497]</a></span> county in its favorable +vote ranked next to Los Angeles. The work was tremendous but the +result was compensating.</p> + +<p>The key-note of the campaign was to reach every voter without regard +to race or rank. Therefore, women of all castes and conditions were +set to work where their direct influence would be most effective. +Hundreds of precinct meetings were held during the whole summer. Each +precinct had its own organization officered by its own people—men and +women—a vice-president being appointed from each of its churches, and +this was called Campaign Committee Precinct No. ——, pledged to work +only until election. The meetings numbered from five to eighteen a +day, and one day in August twenty-two were held in a single county. In +the city of Los Angeles the highest number in any one day was nine +precinct meetings and one public rally in the evening, near the close +of the campaign. Mrs. McComas addressed four of these meetings and +spoke at the rally—which was not unusual work for the speakers in the +field. From the afternoon meetings, held generally in the largest +homes in the precinct, hundreds of leaflets were sent out and every +effort was made to increase the interest among women, for it was +believed that if these did their duty the votes could be secured. The +evening meetings were held principally in halls or churches, though +frequently the larger homes and hotel parlors were thrown open for a +reception where men were the honored guests.</p> + +<p>The churches of all Protestant denominations were offered for debates +and entertainments. In several the Rev. Mila Tupper Maynard—the +salaried campaign speaker—preached Sunday evenings on texts pertinent +to the subject, and many pastors delivered special sermons on equal +rights. Leading hotels gave their parlors for precinct meetings and +many of the halls used for public gatherings were donated by the +owners. Noontide meetings were held in workshops, factories and +railroad stations, and while the men ate their lunch a short suffrage +talk was given or some good leaflet read aloud. The wives of these men +were invited to take part, or to have full charge, and many earnest, +competent workers were found among them who influenced these voters as +no one else could do. The large proportion of foreign citizens were +thus reached in a quiet, educational manner.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_498" id="Page_498">[Pg 498]</a></span></p> + +<p>Another most effective method of work was carried on by the public +meeting committee. Every political organization had in its ranks some +father, husband, son or brother who was pledged to watch the suffrage +interests and report to this committee—composed of men from these +organizations and women from the campaign committees—when and where a +wedge could be put in for the amendment. Its main duty was to present +at political meetings, through the most distinguished speaker on the +program, a resolution favoring the amendment. In this way it was +treated as one of the general issues and, being brought before the +voters by one of their own speakers, did not give the annoyance that +is sometimes felt when a lady is introduced for this purpose. In every +instance, the speaker would call upon the voters to "honor themselves +in honoring the women." This method became very popular and won many +votes where, otherwise, a hearing could not have been secured.</p> + +<p>Another popular plan was that of utilizing the young people, who +proved effective helpers. Every boy and girl who could sing, play, +declaim, write an essay or in any other way entertain was enlisted for +oratorical debates, prize essays and public meetings.<a name="FNanchor_181_181" id="FNanchor_181_181"></a><a href="#Footnote_181_181" class="fnanchor">[181]</a> Through +their work many a young man cast his first vote for his mother.</p> + +<p>Hearings were secured before clubs and organizations, when short +addresses were made and resolutions adopted.<a name="FNanchor_182_182" id="FNanchor_182_182"></a><a href="#Footnote_182_182" class="fnanchor">[182]</a></p> + +<p>The W. C. T. U. was throughout the campaign, active, efficient and +helpful, while its members were found on all the suffrage committees. +Valued assistance was given also by the Woman's Parliament, the church +auxiliaries, labor unions, Christian Endeavor Societies, Epworth +Leagues, theosophical societies and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_499" id="Page_499">[Pg 499]</a></span> Southern California +Federation of Woman's Clubs—which devoted a whole session of its +annual meeting to the question.</p> + +<p>The Afro-American Congress, convening in Los Angeles, gave up an +afternoon session to listen to Mrs. Naomi Anderson, the salaried +organizer. This was followed up with faithful work by the Colored +Woman's Club, its president, Dr. Mary T. Longley, assisted by Mesdames +Washington, White, Jackson, Knott, Campbell, Clarkson and others, +being instrumental in converting many of the colored men to a belief +in suffrage for women. A number of them indeed became active workers, +the most prominent being the Rev. John Albright. Mrs. McComas +addressed the Los Angeles County Republican Convention, which put in +its platform a resolution in favor of the amendment.</p> + +<p>Literature in small, concise leaflets was hung up in the street cars, +railroad offices, hotels, theaters and post-offices; wrapped in +dry-goods and grocery parcels and placed in profusion in the public +libraries, many of these being compiled especially to suit certain +localities. This required unceasing labor and watchfulness on the part +of the press committee. Much original matter was used to show the +people that the women of their community were fully capable of +expressing their ideas and giving their reasons for desiring the +ballot.</p> + +<p>Fourteen of the papers published in Los Angeles were friendly to the +amendment and gave it more or less editorial support, while three used +their influence against it. The Los Angeles <i>Times</i> was unyielding in +its opposition throughout the campaign, although it published fair +reports of the meetings. The <i>Sunday World</i> kept pace with the <i>Liquor +Dealer</i> in its coarse hostility, while the Pasadena <i>Town Talk</i> was a +good second to both. The majority of the newspapers in Southern +California were favorable to the proposed measure and were largely +responsible for its success in this section of the State.<a name="FNanchor_183_183" id="FNanchor_183_183"></a><a href="#Footnote_183_183" class="fnanchor">[183]</a></p> + +<p>The most harmonious spirit existed at headquarters and among all the +workers. Enough money was raised to pay salaries to county presidents, +organizers, corresponding secretary and one speaker. All others +donated their services. Among the series of county conventions called +by the State board, Los<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_500" id="Page_500">[Pg 500]</a></span> Angeles not only paid its own expenses but +contributed $67 to the general State fund. This money was freely given +by friends and workers, no special assessments being levied and no +collections taken at public meetings. Those who could not give largely +worked the harder to secure contributions from those who could. Great +credit is due to the excellent management of the financial secretary, +Mrs. Almeda B. Gray, who labored constantly at headquarters from May +to November, besides contributing a monthly instalment to the county +fund. Much of it was also due to the wise and conservative policy of +the president of the campaign committee, Mrs. Elizabeth H. Meserve.</p> + +<p>It would be impossible to give even the names of all who assisted in +this long and arduous campaign. The work was far-reaching, and many +were modest home-keepers who gave effective service in their own +immediate neighborhood.<a name="FNanchor_184_184" id="FNanchor_184_184"></a><a href="#Footnote_184_184" class="fnanchor">[184]</a></p> + +<p>The amendment was defeated—for many reasons. Among the most +conspicuous were ignorance of the real merits of the issue; +indifference—for thousands of voters failed to vote either way; a +secret but systematic opposition to woman's voice in legislative +affairs from the only organization against it—the Liquor Dealers' +Association; and, most potent of all, a political combination which +would not have occurred except at the time of a presidential election. +Every county in Southern California gave a majority for the amendment, +Los Angeles County leading with 4,600. Miss Anthony, who spent the +summer in California aiding and encouraging the women with her wisdom, +cheerfulness and hope, said on leaving: "The campaign was a +magnificent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_501" id="Page_501">[Pg 501]</a></span> one, and it has developed many splendid workers who will +be ready for the next which is sure to come."</p> + +<p>After the disappointing result the Campaign Committee held a meeting, +passed resolutions of fealty to the cause and adjourned <i>sine die</i>. +But in order to perpetuate the work already done and be ready for "new +business" at any time, the Los Angeles County Woman Suffrage League +was organized the following week, Mrs. Elmira T. Stephens, president; +Mrs. Gray, chairman of advisory board; Mrs. Craig, secretary. The +natural reaction after defeat followed and no work was done for +several years.</p> + +<p>In November, 1900, the State president, Mrs. Mary Wood Swift, came to +Los Angeles and gave a parlor talk at the home of her hostess, Mrs. I. +G. Chandler, and later an address at a public meeting in the Woman's +Club House, of which Mrs. Caroline M. Severance was chairman. +Practically all were in favor of reviving the old Woman Suffrage +League and an executive committee was appointed, Mrs. Sarah Burger +Stearns (formerly of Minnesota), chairman.</p> + +<p>At its call a meeting was held December 1, and the league reorganized: +President, Mrs. Severance; vice-president, Mrs. Shelley Tolhurst; +secretary, Mrs. Carl Schutz; treasurer, Mrs. Amelia Griffith; chairman +of executive committee, Mrs. Stearns. A leaflet announcing the +formation of the league, its plan of work, etc., was largely +circulated. A committee was appointed who went before the Legislative +Conference, which was held later in the Chamber of Commerce, and +expressed the thanks of the league for the efforts of the Southern +California members who had worked and voted for the School Suffrage +Bill at the previous session of 1899.</p> + +<p>The executive committee meets once a month and special sessions are +called whenever necessary. The plan of work, as outlined by Mrs. +Stearns, was sent to the State convention at San Francisco and +cordially approved.</p> + +<p>In February half of a show window on Broadway was secured, with ample +floor space back of it. With the donation of $100 by a Los Angeles +woman both were made attractive with flags, engravings and +furnishings. Above a handsome desk the suffrage flag with its four +stars is draped and photographs of prominent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_502" id="Page_502">[Pg 502]</a></span> women adorn the walls. +The suffrage papers are kept on file and quantities of fresh +literature are ready for distribution. Stationery, photographs, +medallions, etc., are for sale, a register is open for the enrollment +of friends and a member of the league is always in attendance. When +another amendment campaign is to be made Southern California will be +found ready for work and will declare in its favor by a largely +increased majority.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p><span class="smcap">Laws:</span> The original property law of California is an inheritance from +the Mexicans, which it incorporated in its own code, and it is quite +as unjust as those which still exist on the statute-books of some +States as a remnant of the barbarous old English Common Law. Community +property includes all which is accumulated by the joint labors of +husband and wife after marriage. This is in the absolute control of +the husband. Previous to 1891 he could dispose of all of it as if he +had no wife, could will, sell, mortgage, pledge or give it away. That +year the Legislature enacted that he could not make a gift of it or +convey it without a valuable consideration, unless the wife consented +in writing, although he could still dispose of it in ordinary business +transactions without her knowledge or consent. The decision in the +Spreckles case apparently nullified this law, as the gift was made in +1893 and the Supreme Court in 1897 declared it legal.<a name="FNanchor_185_185" id="FNanchor_185_185"></a><a href="#Footnote_185_185" class="fnanchor">[185]</a></p> + +<p>In 1895 it was provided that at the husband's death the wife is +entitled to one-half of what remains, subject to one-half of the +debts. At the death of the wife the whole belongs absolutely to the +husband without administration. If some portion of it may have been +set apart for her support by judicial decree, this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_503" id="Page_503">[Pg 503]</a></span> is subject to her +testamentary disposition, or, if she makes none, it passes to her +heirs.</p> + +<p>A homestead to the value of $5,000, which must continuously be +occupied by the family, may be selected from the community property, +or from the husband's separate estate, or from the wife's with her +consent. If from the first-named it belongs to the survivor, if from +the separate property it descends to his or her heirs, subject to the +power of the court to assign it to the family for a limited period. +During marriage it can not be mortgaged or conveyed without the +signature of both. In case of divorce, if it has been selected from +community property, it may be assigned to the innocent party +absolutely or for a limited time, or it may be sold and the proceeds +divided, according to decree. If selected from separate property it +shall be returned to the former owner, but the court may assign it for +a limited time to the innocent party.</p> + +<p>In 1897 a law was passed that if the estate is less than $1,500 it +shall be assigned to the widow, subject to incumbrances, funeral +charges and expenses of settlement.</p> + +<p>Separate property consists in what was possessed before marriage or is +received by gift or inheritance afterwards. If the deceased leave wife +or husband and only one child, or the lawful issue of one, the +separate estate is divided in equal shares. If there be more than one +child or the issue of one, the widow or widower is entitled to +one-third. If there is no issue the survivor takes one-half and the +other half goes to the father, mother, brothers and sisters of the +deceased. If none exists, the survivor is entitled to the whole +estate.</p> + +<p>Either husband or wife may dispose of separate property without the +consent of the other. Until 1894 it rested upon the wife to prove that +property was her separate possession, but now the proof rests upon the +contestants. Until 1897 she was compelled to prove that it was not +paid for with community earnings. Neither of these recent laws applies +to property acquired previous to May 19, 1889.</p> + +<p>A married woman may be administrator or executor. (1891.)</p> + +<p>The wife may engage in business as sole trader and her husband is not +liable for her contracts, but her earnings, and also<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_504" id="Page_504">[Pg 504]</a></span> any wages she +may make by her labor, are community property and belong absolutely to +him, and suit for them must be brought by him. By becoming a sole +trader she makes herself liable for the support of the family.</p> + +<p>A married woman may sue and be sued and make contracts in regard to +her separate property, but in torts of a personal nature she must be +sued jointly with her husband, although the wife may defend in her own +right.</p> + +<p>Until 1899 common law marriage was legal, and this consisted merely in +a promise and the mutual assumption of marital rights, duties and +obligations. That year a law was passed requiring a license and a +civil or religious ceremony. The law declares specifically that "the +husband is the head of the family and the wife is subject to him."</p> + +<p>The wife may sue for separate maintenance without divorce.</p> + +<p>The father is the guardian of the minor children and entitled to their +custody, services and earnings. At his death, or if he has abandoned +his family, the guardianship belongs to the mother, if suitable.</p> + +<p>The husband is expected to give his family proper maintenance. There +is no penalty for not supporting a wife but he can be arrested for +failure to support the children. If he have no property or is disabled +from any cause, then the wife must support him and the family out of +her property or her earnings. The husband decides what are necessaries +and may take even her personal belongings to pay for them.</p> + +<p>In 1887 the W. C. T. U. asked to have the "age of protection" for +girls raised from 10 to 18 years, but secured only 14. In 1895 they +succeeded in having a bill passed for 18 years but it was vetoed by +Gov. James H. Budd. In 1897 they obtained one for 16 years which he +signed and it is now the law. The penalty is imprisonment in the +penitentiary for not less than five years.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> Women possess no form of suffrage.</p> + +<p>In 1900, to make a test case, Mrs. Ellen Clark Sargent brought suit +before Judge M. C. Sloss, of the Supreme Court of San Francisco, to +recover her taxes for that year, about $500. The city through its +attorney filed a demurrer which was argued March 29 by George C. +Sargent, son of the plaintiff and a member<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_505" id="Page_505">[Pg 505]</a></span> of the bar. He based his +masterly argument on the ground that a constitution which declares +that "all political power is inherent in the people" has no right to +exclude one-half of the people from the exercise of this inherent +power. He quoted the most eminent authorities to prove that taxation +and representation are inseparable; that the people of the United +States would have been slaves if they had not enjoyed the +constitutional right of granting or withholding their own money; that +it is inseparably essential to the freedom of a people that no taxes +can be imposed upon them except with their consent given personally or +by their representatives. He said in closing:</p> + +<blockquote><p>If Article I of the State constitution defines inalienable rights +and Article II abrogates them, it is monarchy. The Code of Civil +Procedure says that where one of two constructions is in favor of +natural right and the other against it, the former shall be +accepted. The question is whether the Court shall grant this +right, or whether by toil and struggle it shall be wrung from the +consciences of the electors.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The court decided that the case required a mandamus before the +Registrar. Application was then made for a writ of mandate against the +Registrar of Elections to compel him to place Mrs. Sargent's name upon +the list of voters. Should this be denied she asked to have her taxes +returned. Both demands were refused by Judge Sloss in the Superior +Court. He took the ground that if Mr. Sargent's argument should be +carried to its logical conclusion it would enfranchise idiots, +lunatics and criminals; that if there is a conflict between the two +sections of the constitution cited it should be settled in favor of +limiting the suffrage to males, as where a general and a particular +provision are inconsistent the latter is paramount to the former. He +quoted various State Supreme Court decisions and declared that he +decided the case according to the law.<a name="FNanchor_186_186" id="FNanchor_186_186"></a><a href="#Footnote_186_186" class="fnanchor">[186]</a></p> + +<p>As Mrs. Sargent had every assurance that this judgment would be +sustained by the Supreme Court she did not carry the case further. It +attracted attention and comment in all parts of the country and she +received encouragement and wishes for her success from all classes of +society.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_506" id="Page_506">[Pg 506]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> The Legislature of 1873 made women eligible to all +School offices. None ever has been elected State Superintendent of +Public Instruction but there is scarcely a county where women have not +served as superintendents. At present seventeen are acting in this +capacity. They have frequently been elected School Trustees and a +woman is now president of the San Francisco school board at a salary +of $3,000 per annum.</p> + +<p>The constitution is interpreted to prohibit women from holding any +other office. It is claimed by some that this does not include the +boards of State institutions, but out of twenty-six such boards and +commissions only one ever has had a woman member—Mrs. Phœbe A. +Hearst, who is on the Board of Regents of the State University.</p> + +<p>There are women on local library boards. A woman has been assistant +State Librarian, and there have been women deputies and clerks in +county and city offices. At present in the offices of the +Attorney-General, Board of Examiners, State Department of Highways and +Debris Committee women hold positions as clerks at salaries of from +$1,200 to $1,800. They may serve as notaries public.</p> + +<p>In the autumn of 1899 the California Woman's Club resurrected an old +law which never had been enforced, providing for the appointment of +assistant women physicians at the hospitals for the insane "provided +there are already three assistant male physicians." They petitioned +the proper authorities and the matter was presented to the State +Lunacy Commission by Gov. Henry T. Gage with his earnest indorsement. +From highly qualified candidates, whom the club had in readiness, two +were appointed, and the promise was made that others should be at an +early date. In a short time the superintendent of one hospital wrote +that he did not see how they ever had managed without a woman +physician.</p> + +<p>A woman physician is on the Board of Health in Oakland.</p> + +<p>In 1891 a law was passed providing for jail matrons in cities of +100,000 and over. This included only San Francisco and was not +mandatory. In 1901 a law was secured requiring all cities of over +15,000 to have a matron at jails and city prisons, to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_507" id="Page_507">[Pg 507]</a></span> appointed +for two years at a salary of $50, $65 or $75 a month, according to the +size of the city.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> After the hard struggle to obtain a law admitting women +to the bar in 1877, a long contest followed to secure their admission +to the Hastings College of Law, a branch of the State University, +which ended in a favorable decision of the Supreme Court.<a name="FNanchor_187_187" id="FNanchor_187_187"></a><a href="#Footnote_187_187" class="fnanchor">[187]</a> As a +result of these efforts the constitutional convention of 1879 +incorporated a provision that "No person shall, on account of sex, be +disqualified from entering upon or pursuing any lawful business, +vocation or profession." This does not, however, include appointive or +elective offices.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> This same constitution of 1879 provided also that "No +person shall be debarred admission to any of the collegiate +departments of the State University on account of sex." Most of the +smaller colleges are co-educational.</p> + +<p>The assertion will hardly be questioned that the gifts of women for +educational purposes in all parts of the Union, in all time, do not +equal those made by the women of California within the last decade. As +a memorial to their son, U. S. Senator and Mrs. Leland Stanford +erected the Leland Stanford, Jr., University at Palo Alto in 1890 and +endowed it with many millions of dollars. Mr. Stanford's death before +it was fully completed threw the estate into litigation for a number +of years, the legality of even some portion of the university +endowment being in doubt. He left the bulk of his great fortune to his +wife, and, after the estate was settled and free from all +encumbrances, she reaffirmed the titles of all previous gifts and +added the largest part of her own property. The endowment is now about +$30,000,000, all but $4,000,000 of this having been given by Mrs. Jane +Lathrop Stanford. This is the largest endowment ever made by any one +person for one institution, and places Stanford at the head of the +endowed universities of the world. It has been co-educational in all +departments from the beginning and the tuition is practically free.</p> + +<p>In 1894 Mrs. Miranda Lux of San Francisco left a bequest of $750,000 +for a school of manual training for both sexes. In 1898 Miss Cora Jane +Flood of San Francisco conveyed to the University<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_508" id="Page_508">[Pg 508]</a></span> of California her +magnificent estate at Menlo Park and 4,000 shares of stocks, valued at +not far from $1,000,000. The request was made that the income should +be devoted to some branch of commercial education. Mrs. Jane Krom +Sather of Oakland has given about $200,000 to the University. The +donations of Mrs. Phœbe A. Hearst have been thus far about +$300,000, but this is merely preliminary to the great endowment of +millions for which she has arranged. It is exclusive also of $30,000 a +year for several archćological expeditions. Liberal gifts have been +made by other women.</p> + +<p>In the public schools there are 1,722 men and 6,425 women teachers. +The average monthly salary of the men is $81.08; of the women $64.76. +As a law of 1873 requires equal pay of teachers for equal work, these +figures show that the highly salaried positions are largely occupied +by men.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>Women's clubs play a very prominent part in the social life. Of these, +111 with a membership of over 7,000 belong to the State Federation. +The oldest in the State is the Ebell of Oakland, organized over +twenty-five years ago, and having now a handsome club house and a +membership of 500. It raised $20,000 to purchase a site for the new +Carnegie Library. The Century Club of San Francisco with 275 members +is one of the oldest and most influential; the California Club has an +active membership of 400; and there are a number of other flourishing +clubs in that city, Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda and Sacramento, of from +175 to 250 members. The Friday Morning Club of Los Angeles, with a +membership of 500, owns a beautiful club house. The Ebell of that city +has 300 members, and clubs of from 150 to 200 are found in various +places in Southern California.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_162_162" id="Footnote_162_162"></a><a href="#FNanchor_162_162"><span class="label">[162]</span></a> The History is indebted for most of the material in +this chapter to Mrs. Ellen Clark Sargent of San Francisco, honorary +president, and Miss Carrie A. Whelan of Oakland, corresponding +secretary, of the State Woman Suffrage Association.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_163_163" id="Footnote_163_163"></a><a href="#FNanchor_163_163"><span class="label">[163]</span></a> See +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28556/28556-h/28556-h.htm#CHAPTER_LIII">History of Woman Suffrage, Vol. III, Chap. LIII</a> +</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_164_164" id="Footnote_164_164"></a><a href="#FNanchor_164_164"><span class="label">[164]</span></a> Other names which appear in the scant records are Dr. +Cora Morse, Mesdames William A. Keith, A. W. Manning, Helen Moore, +Emily Pitt Stevens, Julia Schlessinger, Gertrude Smythe—of San +Francisco and the towns around the bay; E. L. Collins of the Stockton +<i>Daily Mail</i>, Mrs. D. P. Burr and Mrs. James Gillis of Stockton.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_165_165" id="Footnote_165_165"></a><a href="#FNanchor_165_165"><span class="label">[165]</span></a> For full description see Life and Work of Susan B. +Anthony, Chap. XLV.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_166_166" id="Footnote_166_166"></a><a href="#FNanchor_166_166"><span class="label">[166]</span></a> President, Mrs. Ellen Clark (Aaron A.) Sargent; first +vice-president, Mrs. Annie K. (General John) Bidwell; second +vice-president, Mrs. Nellie Holbrook Blinn; third vice-president, Mrs. +John Spalding; corresponding secretary, Mrs. George Oulton; recording +secretary, Mrs. Hester A. Harland; treasurer, Mrs. Sarah Knox +Goodrich; auditors, Mrs. Mary Wood (John F.) Swift and Mrs. Isabel A. +Baldwin.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_167_167" id="Footnote_167_167"></a><a href="#FNanchor_167_167"><span class="label">[167]</span></a> Ida Husted Harper, the Rev. Eliza Tupper Wilkes, Mary +Wood Swift, Dr. Ida V. Stambach, Harriet E. Cotton, Ada H. Van Pelt.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_168_168" id="Footnote_168_168"></a><a href="#FNanchor_168_168"><span class="label">[168]</span></a> The others who have held office in the State +association since 1896 are—first vice-presidents, Mesdames Frank M. +Smith, C. R. Randolph, H. J. D. Chapman, Mary Wood Swift, second vice +presidents, Mrs. Annie K. Bidwell, Mrs. E. O. Smith, third +vice-presidents, Mrs. Elmira T. Stevens, Mrs. R. H. Pratt, Mrs. A. K. +Bidwell, corresponding secretaries, Mrs. Harriet E. Cotton, Miss Mary +E. Donnelly, Dr. Amy G. Bowen, Miss Carrie A. Whelan, recording +secretaries, Mrs. Nellie Holbrook Blinn, Miss Mary G. Gorham, Mrs. +Henry Krebs, Jr., Mrs. Dorothy Harnden, treasurers, Mrs. Mary S. +Sperry (six years), Miss Clara M. Schlingheyde; auditors, Mrs. Lovell +White, Mrs. George Oulton, Miss Mary S. Keene, Dr. Alida C. Avery, +Mrs. Mary Mc. H. Keith, Mrs. Anna K. Spero.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_169_169" id="Footnote_169_169"></a><a href="#FNanchor_169_169"><span class="label">[169]</span></a> Among those who have been officially connected with the +work are Col. P. T. Dickinson, Col. George and Mrs. Olive E. Babcock, +Drs. Alice Bush, Susan J. Fenton, Kellogg Lane, Carra B. Schofield, +Rev. C. W. Wendte, Rev. Eliza Tupper Wilkes, Mr. and Mrs. John L. +Howard, Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Woodhams, Mesdames A. E. S. Banks, S. C. +Borland, J. C. Campbell, Ella E. Greenman, L. G. Judd, Mary McHenry +Keith, A. A. Moore, M. B. Pelton, Emily M. Vrooman, C. L. Wood, J. A. +Waymire, John Yule; Misses Mollie E. Connors, Mary S. Keene, Mary +Snell, Winifred Warner, Carrie A. Whelan.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_170_170" id="Footnote_170_170"></a><a href="#FNanchor_170_170"><span class="label">[170]</span></a> Among the most active members are Mesdames M. B. +Braley, Fred L. Foster, Sarah Knox Goodrich, J. H. Henry, H. Jennie +James, A. K. de Jarnette (Spero), E. O. Smith, Laura J. Watkins, Alice +B. Wilson.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_171_171" id="Footnote_171_171"></a><a href="#FNanchor_171_171"><span class="label">[171]</span></a> Immediately afterwards the ladies said to one of the +members, "Why did you break your pledge to us and vote against the +bill?" Without a moment's hesitation he answered, "Because I had a +telegram this morning from the Liquor Dealers' Association telling me +to do so."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_172_172" id="Footnote_172_172"></a><a href="#FNanchor_172_172"><span class="label">[172]</span></a> Chairman, Ellen Clark Sargent; vice-chairman, Sarah B. +Cooper; corresponding secretary, Ida Husted Harper; recording +secretary, Harriet Cooper; treasurer, Mary S. Sperry; auditors, Mary +Wood Swift and Sarah Knox Goodrich. +</p><p> +State Central Committee: Mrs. Sargent, Miss Anthony, Mrs. Swift, Mrs. +Sperry, Mrs. Blinn, with Mary G. Hay, chairman.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_173_173" id="Footnote_173_173"></a><a href="#FNanchor_173_173"><span class="label">[173]</span></a> Later Mrs. Ida Crouch Hazlitt of Colorado, Mrs. Laura +M. Riddell of San Diego and other State women were added to the +organizing force.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_174_174" id="Footnote_174_174"></a><a href="#FNanchor_174_174"><span class="label">[174]</span></a> Dr. Elizabeth Sargent was chairman of the Committee on +Petitions for Northern and Mrs. Alice Moore McComas for Southern +California. As the names had to be collected in the winter months +preceding the spring campaign, the distances to be covered were long +and the labor was the free offering of busy women, it is surprising +that the list was so large. It by no means represented the suffrage +sentiment in the State.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_175_175" id="Footnote_175_175"></a><a href="#FNanchor_175_175"><span class="label">[175]</span></a> Alameda had sent in the largest petition for woman +suffrage of any county in the State, and San Joaquin afterwards gave a +big majority vote for the amendment.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_176_176" id="Footnote_176_176"></a><a href="#FNanchor_176_176"><span class="label">[176]</span></a> A number of young women who were engaged the greater +part of every day in teaching, stenography, bookkeeping, etc., gave +every hour that could be spared to the work at headquarters, a free +will offering. Among those who deserve special mention are Misses +Mary, Louise and Sarah Donnelly, Mary Gorham, Clara Schlingheyde, +Effie Scott Vance, Evelyn Grove, Mrs. N. W. Palmer, Winifred and +Marguerite Warner and Carrie A. Whelan. Mrs. Lelia S. Martin also +contributed five months' time.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_177_177" id="Footnote_177_177"></a><a href="#FNanchor_177_177"><span class="label">[177]</span></a> Los Angeles County gave a majority of 4,600 in favor of +the amendment.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_178_178" id="Footnote_178_178"></a><a href="#FNanchor_178_178"><span class="label">[178]</span></a> Many personal incidents and anecdotes of this campaign +will be found in the Life and Work of Susan B. Anthony, Chap. XLVII.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_179_179" id="Footnote_179_179"></a><a href="#FNanchor_179_179"><span class="label">[179]</span></a> This portion of the chapter was prepared by Mrs. Alice +Moore McComas, former president of the Los Angeles Woman Suffrage +Association and chairman of the Southern California press committee +during the amendment campaign of 1896. A considerable amount of space +is given because it presents so admirable an example of the manner in +which the work in such a campaign should be done.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_180_180" id="Footnote_180_180"></a><a href="#FNanchor_180_180"><span class="label">[180]</span></a> The first paper to establish a Suffrage Column was the +Los Angeles <i>Express</i>, in 1887, H. Z. Osborne, editor. This was +conducted by Mrs. McComas for three years.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_181_181" id="Footnote_181_181"></a><a href="#FNanchor_181_181"><span class="label">[181]</span></a> Among the many were Gertrude Foster, the young +California actress, who added attraction to many programs with her +brilliant readings, and Jessie, daughter of Superior Judge Waldo York, +who won the prize of $75 offered by Dr. Ella Whipple Marsh, +superintendent of franchise of the Southern California W. C. T. U., +for the best essay on woman suffrage, one hundred young people of both +sexes competing. An oratorical contest for young college men—original +orations on woman suffrage—resulted in a $20 prize to Edwin Hahn of +Pomona College, five young men participating. Clare, daughter of Judge +C. C. McComas, gave highly-appreciated recitations on the woman +question, and Miss Nina Cuthbert, the young teacher of elocution, +delighted many audiences with her readings and wonderful imitations.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_182_182" id="Footnote_182_182"></a><a href="#FNanchor_182_182"><span class="label">[182]</span></a> Prominent among these were the Single Tax Club, Royal +Arcanum, Foresters, Native Daughters of the Golden West, Socialist +League, Y. M. C. A., Carpenters' Union, Woman's Relief Corps, Y. W. C. +A., Friday Morning Woman's Club and the Fraternal Brotherhood.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_183_183" id="Footnote_183_183"></a><a href="#FNanchor_183_183"><span class="label">[183]</span></a> It is regretted that the carefully compiled list of +these papers, sent by Mrs. McComas, is too long to be used. [Eds.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_184_184" id="Footnote_184_184"></a><a href="#FNanchor_184_184"><span class="label">[184]</span></a> In addition to men and women already mentioned the +following is a partial list of those who aided in various ways: Annie +B. Andrews, Alice Armor, Prof. W. C. and Sarah A. Bowman, Mary M. +Bowman, Mrs. (Dr.) B. W. Beacher, Mary E. Benson, Mary E. Bucknell, +Alice E. Broadwell, Rollo K. Bryan, James G. Clark, Mary L. Crawford, +Lucy E. Cook, Mary Lynde Craig, Pauline Curram, Gen. A. B. Campbell, +Edith Cross, Adelaide Comstock, Prof. G. A. Dobinson, the Hon. C. H. +Dillon, Florence Dunham, Virginia W. Davis, Sallie Markham Davis, Ella +H. Enderline, Katheryne Phillips Edson, Dr. and Mrs. Eli Fay, Ada C. +Ferriss, Mary E. Fisher, Miss M. M. Fette, Kate Tupper Galpin, Mary E. +Garbutt, Prof. Burt Estees Howard, Emma Hardacre, Mary I. Hutchinson, +Rachel Handby, Mrs. C. E. Haines, Georgia Hodgeman, Judge and Mrs. +Ivan, Mrs. Mary E. and Miss Kinney, Mrs. E. A. and Miss Lawrence, +Alice Beach McComas, Ben S. May, Susie Munn, Mattie Day Murphy, Dr. +Mary Nixon, Mrs. C. W. Parker, Delia C. Percival, Ursula M. Poats, +Mary Rankin, Rachel Reid, Aglea Rothery, Mr. and Mrs. W. C. B. +Randolph, Caroline M. Severance, Mrs. Fred Smith, Dora G. Smith, +Drusilla E. Steele, Annie B. Smith, Gabrella Stickney, Mrs. A. +Tichenor, Mrs. R. H. F. Variel, Dr. Theoda Wilkins, Mrs. (Dr.) Wills, +Fanny Wills, Attorney Sarah Wild, Judge Waldo York, Jessie York.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_185_185" id="Footnote_185_185"></a><a href="#FNanchor_185_185"><span class="label">[185]</span></a> Claus Spreckles gave his son Rudolph a large amount of +sugar stock which was community property, and Mrs. Spreckles did not +join. Afterwards he sued to recover and the Supreme Court, all the +Judges concurring, decided the gift was legal. Justice Temple rendered +the decision as follows: +</p><p> +"All these differences point to the fact that the husband is absolute +owner of the community property. The marital community was not +acquired for the purpose of accumulating property, and the husband +owes no duty to the community or to the wife, either to labor or +accumulate money, or to save or to practice economy to that end. He +owes his wife and children suitable maintenance, and if he has +sufficient income from his separate estate he need not engage in +business, or so live that there can be community property. If he earns +more than is sufficient for such maintenance, he violates no legal +obligation if he spends the surplus in extravagance or gives it away. +The community property may be lost in visionary schemes or in mere +whims. Within the law he may live his life, although the community +property is dissipated. Of course I am not now speaking of moral +obligations."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_186_186" id="Footnote_186_186"></a><a href="#FNanchor_186_186"><span class="label">[186]</span></a> During this trial Mrs. Sargent and her friends in +attendance were caricatured in the most shameless manner by the San +Francisco <i>Call</i>, which had passed under a new management.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_187_187" id="Footnote_187_187"></a><a href="#FNanchor_187_187"><span class="label">[187]</span></a> See <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28556/28556-h/28556-h.htm#Page_757">History of Woman Suffrage, Vol. III, p. 757</a>.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_509" id="Page_509">[Pg 509]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX.</h2> + +<h3>COLORADO.<a name="FNanchor_188_188" id="FNanchor_188_188"></a><a href="#Footnote_188_188" class="fnanchor">[188]</a></h3> + + +<p>After the campaign of 1877, when a woman suffrage amendment was +defeated in Colorado, the first really important step forward was the +organization at Denver, in 1890, of a little club to aid the campaign +in South Dakota. In April Miss Matilda Hindman, who was working there, +came from that State to ask assistance and formed a committee of six, +who pledged themselves to raise $100. They were Miss Georgiana Watson, +president; Mrs. Susan Sharman, secretary; Mrs. Mary J. Nichols, +treasurer; and Mesdames Amy K. Cornwall, Jennie P. Root and Lavinia C. +Dwelle.</p> + +<p>Shortly afterward Mrs. Louise M. Tyler removed from Boston to Denver, +bearing a letter from Lucy Stone urging Colorado suffragists to unite +in an organization auxiliary to the National Woman Suffrage +Association. Mrs. Tyler heard of this small band, called with Mrs. +Elizabeth P. Ensley, delivered her message, and their names were added +to the list of members. The organization was completed and became an +auxiliary.</p> + +<p>About this time Mrs. Leonora Barry Lake followed her lecture, +delivered under the auspices of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union +by an appeal to the women of the audience to join the suffrage +association; and among those who responded were two whose ears had +longed for such a gospel sound, Mrs. Emily R. Meredith and her +daughter Ellis. Temperance women who repeatedly had found their work +defeated by the lack of "the right preservative of rights," such women +as Mrs. Anna Steele, Mrs. Ella L. Benton, Mrs. Eliza J. Patrick and +others, thought truly that a society whose sole aim should be the +ballot was a necessity.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_510" id="Page_510">[Pg 510]</a></span> At this time the meetings were held in Mrs. +Tyler's parlor. Miss Watson was much occupied with school duties, and +in the fall of 1890 Mrs. Tyler was chosen president in her stead.</p> + +<p>In 1891 a petition for the right of suffrage by constitutional +amendment was presented to the Legislature, but the bill not being +introduced within the specific time it went by default. Ashamed of +their lack of political acumen, the women then persuaded +Representative F. F. O'Mahoney, who had a bill prohibiting foreigners +from voting on their first naturalization papers, to strike the word +"male" from his measure, thus making it an equal suffrage enactment, +but bill and rider were defeated. The ladies who worked for suffrage +were treated with such scant courtesy by some of the legislators, and +the general sentiment was so adverse, that ultimate success looked +very distant to the most sanguine friends.</p> + +<p>Some of the club even questioned the advisability of giving an +afternoon a week, as they had been doing, to the study of a government +in which they had no part and might never hope to have. Mrs. Sharman, +a small, delicate woman, who already had passed four-score years, was +its inspiration. She advised the members to remain united, ready for +active effort when opportunity offered, and in the meantime to +continue as seed-sowers and students of citizenship in the preparatory +department.</p> + +<p>The membership slowly increased. Mrs. Tyler served as president until +1892, when Mrs. Olive Hogle was elected. Mrs. Benton (Adams) had given +the use of her rooms in the central part of Denver, and the society +remained with her until, having outgrown its quarters, it accepted the +hospitality of Dr. Minnie C. T. Love early in 1893.</p> + +<p>In the spring of 1891 a small majority of its members had put up a +woman candidate for the East Denver school board and tried their +"prentice hands" at voting. It is a settled fact that a partial +suffrage seldom awakens much interest. The school ballot had been +given to women by the constitution when Colorado became a State, but +here, as elsewhere, they exercised it only when aroused by some +especial occasion. Mrs. Scott Saxton was the candidate selected. The +wiser of the suffragists thought the work should have been undertaken +sooner, if at all,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_511" id="Page_511">[Pg 511]</a></span> as there was not then sufficient time for +canvassing, and the result proved they were right. More women voted +than ever before, but the men opposed to women on the school board +came out in still greater numbers. Twelve hundred ballots were +cast—by far the largest school vote ever polled in the district. Of +these about 300 were for Mrs. Saxton.</p> + +<p>Two years later this effort was repeated and other organizations of +women aided the suffragists. Mrs. Ione T. Hanna was the candidate. +There were four tickets in the field and over 6,000 votes were cast. +This time both men and women voted in favor and, in the face of bitter +opposition, Mrs. Hanna was elected by 1,900 majority.</p> + +<p>A bill providing that the question of full suffrage for women should +be submitted to the voters at the next general election was drawn by +J. Warner Mills and presented in the House early in 1893 by J. T. +Heath. On this, and all other occasions when advice or assistance was +needed, Mr. Mills gave his legal services without charge.</p> + +<p>This was indeed the golden opportunity, the tide which taken at the +flood might lead on to fortune. The Populist party, which was in +power, had a suffrage plank in its State platform; in both the other +parties there were individuals who favored it; and, if the bill +passed, the Governor's signature was a certainty. But there are as +many vicissitudes in the life of a bill as in that of an infant. It is +thrown in the midst of its fellows to struggle for existence, and the +outcome is not a question of the survival of the fittest but of the +one that receives the best nursing. If it escapes the death that lurks +in the committee room, it still may be gently crowded toward the edge +until it falls into the abyss which awaits bills that never reach the +third reading.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Tyler, chairman of legislative work, gave a large share of her +time during the entire session to looking after the bill in the House, +and Miss Minnie J. Reynolds was equally untiring in the Senate. Three +other suffrage bills were introduced that session but two yielded +precedence to the one prepared by the association. The author of the +third believed that women could obtain suffrage only through a +constitutional amendment, which was what his bill called for. The +women received such contradictory<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_512" id="Page_512">[Pg 512]</a></span> advice on this point as to awaken +much anxiety. However, they read in their meetings a copy of the +statutes of Colorado, and possessing only plain common sense and not +the legal ability which would have qualified them for a place in the +Supreme Court, concluded that the referendum to the voters, which +their bill provided for, was the proper thing to request.</p> + +<p>The opposition came from the usual sources. After the bill was +presented, the <i>Remonstrance</i>, the organ of the anti-suffrage society +in Boston, soon appeared on the desk of every legislator. The liquor +influence also was prominent in the lobby.</p> + +<p>The bill was reported from the committee to the House on Jan. 24, +1893, with the recommendation that it should not pass and a minority +report in favor. The former was rejected by a vote of 39 to 21. The +bill was brought to a final vote on March 8. A number of the members +of the suffrage club and some other women who approved their cause +were present by request of the friends in the House. Some of the +arguments used were peculiar. Ruth didn't vote and she married very +well (at least at the second trial) nor did any of the women referred +to in the Bible, so why should the women of the United States do so? +One Representative said he always attended to affairs out of doors and +left those within to his wife. He thought that was the right way and +didn't believe his wife would vote if she could. "But she says she +would," declared another, who was prompted by Mrs. Tyler, and a ripple +of laughter arose at the speaker's expense.</p> + +<p>There was the customary talk about neglected homes and implied +disbelief in woman's ability to use the ballot rightly, but only one +man tried the weapon of insult. Robert W. Bonynge spoke so slightingly +of the character of women who upheld equal suffrage that one incensed +woman, not a member of the association and presumably ignorant of +parliamentary courtesy, gave a low hiss. Immediately he assumed the +denunciatory and threatened immediate expulsion of all persons not +members from the House. Frank Carney then arose and referred to the +fact that the anti-suffrage speakers had received repeated applause +from their adherents and no notice had been taken of it, although it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_513" id="Page_513">[Pg 513]</a></span> +was equally out of place. Mr. Bonynge subsided from his position and +continued his speech.<a name="FNanchor_189_189" id="FNanchor_189_189"></a><a href="#Footnote_189_189" class="fnanchor">[189]</a></p> + +<p>The bill finally passed by 34 ayes, 27 noes; divided politically as +follows: Ayes, 22 Populists, 11 Republicans, 1 Democrat; noes, 3 +Populists, 21 Republicans, 3 Democrats.</p> + +<p>Hamilton Armstrong had introduced the bill into the Senate, where it +had been tabled to await the action of the House. It passed on April 3 +by 20 ayes, 10 noes: Ayes, 12 Populists, 8 Republicans, no Democrat; +noes, one Populist, 4 Republicans, 5 Democrats.</p> + +<p>The bill received the signature of the Populist governor, Davis H. +Waite, without delay.</p> + +<p>A general election was to be held in the fall of 1893, so that the +verdict of the voters was soon to follow. At the annual meeting of the +State Woman Suffrage Association that spring the officers chosen were: +President, Miss Martha Pease; vice-president, Mrs. Ellis Meredith; +secretary, Mrs. C. S. Bradley; treasurer, Mrs. Ensley; chairman +executive committee, Mrs. Tyler. On motion of Mrs. Meredith, the name +of the society was changed to the Non-Partisan Equal Suffrage +Association of Colorado, as in the word "equal" there is an appeal to +justice which does not seem to exist in the word "woman."</p> + +<p>The women realized the conflict before them in the near future, and +Mrs. Ellis Meredith volunteered to visit the Woman's Congress, which +was to meet at Chicago in May, during the World's Fair, and appeal for +aid to the representatives of the National Association who would be +there. Miss Susan B. Anthony, Mrs. Lucy Stone and other notables were +present and appointed a meeting to listen to appeals. These asked help +for the Constitutional Convention Campaign in New York and the Kansas +Amendment Campaign, which were both considered very hopeful compared +to what was thought in the East to be the almost hopeless campaign in +Colorado. Mrs. Lillie Devereux Blake presented the claims of New York, +Mrs. Laura M. Johns of Kansas, and Mrs. Meredith of Colorado. "Why was +your campaign precipitated when our hands are so full?" was one of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_514" id="Page_514">[Pg 514]</a></span> +the discouraging questions. "Are all those Mexicans dead?" asked Miss +Anthony, referring to the heavy vote against equal suffrage in the +first Colorado campaign of 1877. "No," said Mrs. Meredith, "the +Mexicans are all there yet;" but she explained that there were +favorable influences now which did not then exist. In the labor unions +women members voted, and this fact inclined the men belonging to them +to grant the full franchise. The W. C. T. U., now organized throughout +the State, had become a firm friend and advocate, and the ruling +political party was favorable. Clearly this was the time to strike.</p> + +<p>A promise of consideration and such aid as the National Association +was able to furnish was given. Later they decided to send Mrs. Carrie +Chapman Catt and guarantee her expenses in case she was not able to +raise them in the State. From her past record, they thought it likely +she would not only do that but put money in the treasury, and the +result justified their expectations. She was a financial help, but, +much as money was needed, her eloquence and judgment were worth more, +and she always will have a warm place in the hearts of Colorado women +who were active in the campaign of 1893.</p> + +<p>When that campaign opened, there were just $25 in the treasury. Lucy +Stone sent a donation of $100. Iowa and California gave aid, and there +were small contributions in money from members of the E. S. A. and +from auxiliary clubs formed by Mrs. Chapman Catt in different parts of +the State.</p> + +<p>Besides these, others already had been organized. In Longmont a club +was formed in the spring of 1893 by Mesdames Mary L. Carr, Orpha +Bacon, Rosetta Webb and Jane Lincoln. They took up the study of laws +relating to the property rights of women and endeavored to awaken +interest in the question to be settled the following November. The +majority which Longmont gave for suffrage is a testimony to the value +of their work. In Colorado Springs Mrs. Mary C. C. Bradford was +president of a large local society which afterward became auxiliary to +the State association, with Mrs. Ella L. C. Dwinnell as president, and +did excellent work in El Paso County. In Greeley many of the workers +of 1877 were still active. Mrs. Lillian Hartman Johnson organized a +club in Durango and spoke for the cause. Mrs.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_515" id="Page_515">[Pg 515]</a></span> A. Guthrie Brown formed +one in Breckinridge of which Mesdames H. R. Steele, C. L. Westermann +and E. G. Brown were active members.</p> + +<p>All these clubs, large and small, scattered throughout the State, +assisted in arousing public sentiment, but the situation in Denver was +the one of most anxious interest. It is always in cities that reforms +meet defeat, for there the opposing interests are better organized and +more watchful. In no other State is the metropolis so much the center +of its life as is Denver of Colorado. Through this modern Palmyra, +which stands in the center of the continent and of the tide of +commerce from East and West, flow all the veins and arteries of the +State life. Arapahoe County, in which it is situated, contains more +than one-fourth of the population of the entire State. Upon the women +of Denver, therefore, was imposed a triple share of responsibility. +Besides the importance of the large vote, there rested particularly +upon the members of its suffrage club the burden of having invited +this contest and made it a campaign issue.</p> + +<p>In the early fall, the City League of Denver was organized with 100 +members and Mrs. John L. Routt, wife of the ex-governor, as president. +Mrs. Thomas M. Patterson and Mrs. N. P. Hill were prominent workers in +this club. A Young Woman's League was formed by Misses Mary and +Margaret Patterson and Miss Isabel Hill, and there were other leagues +in various parts of the city. In all this work Mrs. Tyler was +indefatigable.</p> + +<p>Miss Minnie J. Reynolds, chairman of press work, enlisted the help of +seventy-five per cent. of the newspapers. In some cases editorial +approval and assistance were given, in others space was allowed for +suffrage matter. In August Mrs. Elizabeth Tabor donated the use of two +rooms in the opera house block, one large enough to seat several +hundred persons, the other a suitable office for the corresponding +secretary. Dr. Minnie C. T. Love had acted gratuitously in that +capacity and opened communication with suffragists throughout the +State, but it was now deemed necessary to employ some one who could +devote her entire time to the work. Miss Helen M. Reynolds was chosen +and added to unusual capability the most earnest zeal. The rooms were +furnished through loans of rugs, desks, chairs, etc.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_516" id="Page_516">[Pg 516]</a></span></p> + +<p>Equal suffrage was indorsed by the county conventions of the +Republican, Prohibition and Populist parties, and also at a called +meeting of the Democratic State Central Committee. Many ministers and +lawyers spoke in its favor. Among the latter were Charles S. Thomas, +since governor of the State, J. Warner Mills, Judge L. C. Rockwell, +Charles Hartzell, Eugene Engley and Attorney-General I. N. Stevens, +who was one of the most trusted advisers.</p> + +<p>There were also women speakers of experience: Mrs. Therese Jenkins of +Wyoming, Mrs. Susan S. Fessenden of Massachusetts; Mrs. Dora Phelps +Buell, Mrs. Mary Jewett Telford, president of the Woman's Relief Corps +in the Department of Colorado and Wyoming and also president for +several terms of the State W. C. T. U., who made a five-months' +speaking tour; Mrs. Leonora Barry Lake of St. Louis, who spoke +efficiently under the auspices of the Knights of Labor. Mrs. Laura +Ormiston Chant of England delivered an address on her way westward.</p> + +<p>Some women made speeches who never had been on the platform before but +have since developed much oratorical ability. When needed, women who +did not dare risk an unwritten address read papers. Meetings were held +all over the city and State. "I should think," said a banker, "from +the campaign the women are running that they had a barrel of money;" +but he was a contributor to the fund and knew it was very limited. In +all about $2,000 were raised, over $300 of which were spent for +literature. Some of the most efficient leaflets were written by +members of the association and printed in Denver. Nearly 150,000 of +these were issued.</p> + +<p>In the city press Mrs. Patience Mapleton represented the cause in the +<i>Republican</i>; Mrs. Ellis Meredith in the <i>Rocky Mountain News</i>. There +were house to house canvassers, distributors of literature and others +who rendered most valuable assistance and yet whose names must +necessarily remain unrecorded. The most of this service was given +freely, but some of the women who devoted all their time received +moderate salaries, for most of the workers belonged to the +wage-earning class. The speakers asked no compensation but their +expenses were frequently borne. Halls and churches had to be paid for +and on several occasions<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_517" id="Page_517">[Pg 517]</a></span> opera houses were rented. When in the final +report the expenses of election day were given as $17 a murmur of +amusement ran through the audience.</p> + +<p>The women who "had all the rights they wanted" appeared late in the +campaign. Some of them sent communications to the papers, complaining +of the effort to thrust the ballot upon them and add to the already +onerous duties of life. When told that they would not be compelled to +vote and that if silent influence was in their opinion more potent +than the ballot, it would not be necessary to cast it aside for the +weaker weapon, they responded indignantly that if they had the +franchise of course it would be their duty to use it. Let it be noted +that many of them have voted regularly ever since they were +enfranchised, though some have reconsidered and returned to their +silent influence.</p> + +<p>The liquor element slept in fancied security until almost the eve of +election, as they did not believe the amendment would receive popular +sanction. When they awoke to the danger they immediately proceeded to +assess all saloon keepers and as many as possible of their prominent +patrons. They got out a large number of dodgers, which were put into +the hands of passers-by. These were an attack upon equal suffrage and +the women who advocated it, and at the bottom of the first issue was a +brewer's advertisement. This dodger stated that "only some old maids +like Lucy Stone, Susan Anthony, Frances Willard, Elizabeth Stanton and +Mary Livermore wanted to vote." They also employed an attorney to +juggle the ballots so that they might be thrown out on a technicality. +There was consternation among the suffragists when the ballot was +finally produced bearing the words "For the Amendment," "Against the +Amendment," for it was well known that the measure was not an +"amendment." The best legal talent in Denver was consulted and an +opinion rendered that the ruse would prove of no avail, as the +intention was still clear. The women, however, issued a leaflet +instructing the voters just where to put the cross on the ticket if +they wished to vote for equal suffrage.</p> + +<p>The suffragists were divided in opinion as to the presence of women at +the polls on the election day which was to decide their fate. Some +thought it might be prejudicial, but the friends<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_518" id="Page_518">[Pg 518]</a></span> among the men +strongly approved their presence in order to influence voters. What +future election could be of more importance to women than this, and +why should they hesitate to show their interest? Under directions from +suffrage headquarters workers at the polls distributed the leaflets, +often supplementing them by their own eloquence. No woman received any +discourtesy.</p> + +<p>The night of November 7 was an anxious one. Women went home and lay +awake wondering whether they had done everything possible to insure +success, or whether failure might be the result of some omission. When +the returns published the next morning, although incomplete, showed +that success really had crowned their efforts it seemed almost too +good to be true. All day long and in the evening people were coming +and going at suffrage headquarters with greetings and congratulations. +Women of all classes seemed drawn together by the new tie of +citizenship.</p> + +<p>The full returns gave the result as follows: For suffrage, 35,798; +against. 29,451; an affirmative majority of 6,347.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>What were the causes of this unique success? First, it may be claimed +that Western men have more than others of that spirit of chivalry of +which the world has heard so much and seen so little. The human mind +inclines to justice, except when turned aside by prejudice, and there +is less prejudice against and a stronger belief in equal rights in the +newer communities. The pressure of hard times, culminating in the +panic of 1893, undoubtedly contributed to the success of the Populist +party, and to its influence the suffrage cause owes much. A new party +boldly accepts new principles while the old parties are struggling to +conform to precedents. This is shown clearly in both the legislative +and the popular vote. It was in the counties giving Populist +pluralities that the majority of 6,818 in favor of equal suffrage was +found. The counties which went Republican and Democratic gave a +majority of 471 against the measure. The fact, however, that in all +parties there were friends who were willing to work and speak for it, +and also the number of suffrage bills which had been introduced at +this time, showed that the State was ready for it.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 448px;"> +<img src="images/gs06.jpg" width="448" height="675" alt="LAURA A. GREGG. +Omaha, Neb. +MARY WOOD SWIFT. +San Francisco, Cal. +ELLIS MEREDITH. +Denver, Colo. +EMMA SHAFTER HOWARD. +Oakland, Cal. +DR. CORA SMITH EATON. +Minneapolis, Minn. +" title="" /> +</div> + +<div class="center"> +<table class="smallprint" summary=""> +<tr><td align="center">LAURA A. GREGG.</td><td> </td><td align="center">MARY WOOD SWIFT.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Omaha, Neb.</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center">San Francisco, Cal.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">ELLIS MEREDITH.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">Denver, Colo.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">EMMA SHAFTER HOWARD.</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center">DR. CORA SMITH EATON.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Oakland, Cal.</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center">Minneapolis, Minn.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_519" id="Page_519">[Pg 519]</a></span></p> + +<p>The favorable influence of the W. C. T. U. and the labor organizations +has been referred to. There was but little active opposition from +women and, as the campaign progressed, indifference often turned into +sympathy. Women who had kept silent even at home for fear of ridicule +were surprised and delighted to hear their husbands express approval. +Those of all classes of society worked unitedly and well. They could +not have done this if they had not been used to organized effort in +other directions. How many doors stand open now through which women +freely pass, unmindful of the fact that they were unlocked by the +earlier workers in the suffrage cause!</p> + +<p>The first feeling was the one common in all victories, that of joy and +exultation, but the weight of responsibility was soon felt. At the +first meeting of the executive board of the equal suffrage association +after the election, Mrs. Routt, a woman of queenly presence, said as +she took the hand of another member, "I never felt so weak in all my +life." Mrs. Routt was the first woman in the State to register.</p> + +<p>It was natural that other women should look to the suffragists for +direction, and as long as headquarters were kept open there were +frequent calls for advice and instruction. Foreign women came to ask +concerning the measures which would make them naturalized citizens; +there were inquiries about registration, and the question often came +from those in humble life: "Now that I have received this new right, +what books shall I get to teach me how to exercise it?" Surely such an +awakening of conscience ought to have a purifying effect! One firm in +Denver stated that they sold more books on political economy in the +first eight months after the suffrage victory than in twenty years +before. The suffrage club took up the study of Fiske's Civil +Government and of parliamentary law, and as long as it existed in the +old form was actively devoted to political subjects.</p> + +<p>The day after the election a German woman came out of her house and +accosted one of the members of the club with the exclamation, "Ach, +Yon he feel so bad; he not vote any more; me, I vote now!" When +assured that John had not been deprived of any of his rights, with +more generosity than can be attributed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_520" id="Page_520">[Pg 520]</a></span> to many of the Johns, she +called her husband, exclaiming delightedly: "Yon, Yon, you vote too; +we bofe vote!"</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">After the Battle Was Won:</span> Colorado had always gone Republican in +national elections until 1892, when the People's Party scored an +overwhelming majority. In 1894, while still partially a unit on +national issues, the parties were widely separated on State affairs +and each put a ticket in the field.</p> + +<p>The reign of the Populists was of short duration. The eccentricities +of Gov. Davis H. Waite brought upon his party an unmerited degree of +censure. The Republicans raised a cry of "Redeem the State!" and under +that motto called to their aid women of former Republican +affiliations. At no subsequent election have women given such close +allegiance to party lines. Mrs. J. Ellen Foster, who was sent by the +National Republican Committee to canvass the State, probably won many +straight Republican votes by arousing in the minds of the women the +fear that by attempting to scratch a ticket they might lose their vote +entirely. They have learned since that the Australian ballot is not so +intricate that any one who can read and write need stand in awe of it.</p> + +<p>The Populist women had formed clubs to assist that party before the +suffrage was granted. In February, 1894, they opened headquarters in +Denver and began organizing throughout the State. Miss Phœbe W. +Couzins of St. Louis assisted them in this campaign. Mrs. Helen M. +Gougar of Indiana worked for the Prohibitionists. When the annual +convention of the National Republican League Clubs was held at Denver, +in June, the Republican women were as yet unorganized. At this time +Mrs. Frank Hall was persuaded to take charge of that department under +the direction of the State Central Committee. Women's Republican +leagues were established throughout the State, and in the larger towns +and cities complete precinct organizations were effected. In Denver +women's Republican clubs were formed in every district and, with their +committees subject to the county central committee, worked separately +from the men. That known as the East Capitol Hill Women's Republican +League, founded by Mrs. H. B. Stevens, acquired a membership of 1,000. +The East Denver Women's Republican Club, president, Mrs. Alma<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_521" id="Page_521">[Pg 521]</a></span> +Lafferty, was equally successful. These were very active in managing +the large mass meetings which contributed so much to the success of +their party.</p> + +<p>The Democratic women had a peculiar task. Their party was in the +minority and it was divided into Silver Democrats and White Wings +(Cleveland Democrats). The women refused to acknowledge either +faction. Mrs. Anna Marshall Cochrane and Mrs. Mary C. C. Bradford +called a meeting of the Democratic women of Denver at the home of the +latter in May, 1894, and organized the Colorado Women's Democratic +Club with a membership of nine: President, Mrs. Mary V. Macon; +secretary, Mrs. Cochrane; treasurer, Mrs. Mary Holland Kincaid. The +National Committee recognized this as the only straight Democratic +association in Colorado, and appointed Mrs. Bradford as organizer. She +canvassed the State and being a pleasant and convincing speaker and +bringing letters from the chairmen of the two State committees, both +factions attended her meetings. She formed twelve large women's clubs +and set them to work. When the two State conventions met in Denver, +they were both quite willing to acknowledge delegates from these +clubs, but the delegates refused to act except with a united +convention. Mrs. Bradford was nominated as State Superintendent of +Public Instruction, being the first woman named in Colorado for a +State office. Mrs. Macon was nominated for regent of the State +University. Since there was no chance of electing their ticket, the +principal work of the Democratic women in this campaign was the +unifying of the party.</p> + +<p>The Republicans elected Mrs. Antoinette J. Peavy Superintendent of +Public Instruction and three women members of the Legislature—Mrs. +Clara Cressingham, Mrs. Frances S. Klock and Mrs. Carrie C. Holly.</p> + +<p>During this campaign women gained a good deal of insight into +political machinery and learned much which dampened their ardor as +party politicians. The idea began to prevail that at least in +municipal government the best results could be attained by +non-partisan methods.</p> + +<p>In the spring of 1895 Mrs. Hall, as vice-chairman of the Republican +State Central, Committee, being in charge of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_522" id="Page_522">[Pg 522]</a></span> woman's department, +called a conference of the several presidents of the women's +Republican clubs of Denver. Their object was to purify the ballot and +to overcome corrupt gang rule and present worthy candidates. A meeting +of all the clubs was called in the Broadway Theater and the house was +crowded. Mrs. E. M. Ashley read an announcement of the objects to be +accomplished "in the party if they could, out of it if they must." At +this election, for the first time, the <i>demi-monde</i> were compelled to +register. Desiring to avoid it they sent a petition to this woman's +organization, imploring its interference in their behalf. A committee +of three women of high standing was appointed and appeared before the +Fire and Police Board to request that these unfortunates should not be +forced to vote against their will. The board promised compliance but +disregarded their pledge and those women were compelled to vote.</p> + +<p>It is no wonder that other organizations sprang up in rebellion +against such corrupt methods. The Tax-Payers' Party and the +Independent Citizens' Movement were examples of these attempts, +defeated at first but succeeding later. The Civic Federation of +Denver, an outcome of these efforts, is an organization composed of +women from all parties, which has endeavored to enforce the selection +of suitable candidates.</p> + +<p>The Silver Issue of 1896 created a division in the ranks of the +Republican party which dissolved many of its women's clubs. The larger +wing, under the name of Silver Republican, fused with the other silver +parties and elected their State ticket. Miss Grace Espy Patton, who +had been prominent in Democratic politics, was chosen State +Superintendent of Public Instruction. Three women were elected to the +Lower House: Mrs. Olive C. Butler, National Silver Party; Mrs. Martha +A. B. Conine, Non-Partisan; Mrs. Evangeline Heartz, Populist, all of +Denver.</p> + +<p>In the campaign of 1898 voters were divided between the National +Republican party under U. S. Senator Edward O. Wolcott and a fusion of +the Silver Republicans, Democrats and Populists under the leadership +of U. S. Senator Henry M. Teller, Thomas M. Patterson and Charles S. +Thomas. In Arapahoe County, owing to various conflicting interests in +the municipal government of Denver, fifteen tickets were filed. Each +of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_523" id="Page_523">[Pg 523]</a></span> principal parties appointed a woman as vice-chairman of the +State Central Committee: National Republican, Mrs. Ione T. Hanna; +Silver Republican, Mrs. Arras Bissel; Democratic, Mrs. S. E. Shields; +Populist, Mrs. Heartz. A woman's executive committee was formed in +each party.</p> + +<p>The Fusion party elected Mrs. Helen M. Grenfell, Silver Republican, as +State Superintendent of Public Instruction; and Mrs. Frances S. Lee, +Democrat, Mrs. Harriet G. R. Wright, Populist, and Dr. Mary F. Barry, +Silver Republican, as members of the House of Representatives.</p> + +<p>Conditions in the State changed materially between the Presidential +elections of 1896 and 1900. The depression in the price of silver, +which closed many mines and reduced the working force in others, set +countless men adrift and led to much prospecting and the discovery of +new gold fields. The mines of Cripple Creek gave Colorado the foremost +place among gold-producing States, California taking second. +Consequently, although interest in the silver question did not cease, +its pressure was less felt. In 1896 the McKinley Republicans had no +hope of carrying the State, while the Silver Republicans, Populists +and Democrats had united and were confident of the success which +always had attended a complete fusion of those parties. Thus in both +cases the incentive to the utmost exertion was wanting.</p> + +<p>In 1900 the situation was different. The Republicans thought there was +a chance to win and the Fusionists were not over-confident, hence both +parties were stimulated to greater efforts. In 1896 the straight +Republicans had only one daily and not more than five weekly papers. +In 1900 they had fifteen daily and 103 weekly papers supporting their +ticket. They were thoroughly organized throughout the State. In Denver +a Woman's Republican League was formed which vied in size with the +organization of 1894. Mrs. Stanley M. Casper, a most efficient member +of the Equal Suffrage Club in the campaign of 1893, was president; +Mrs. A. L. Welch, vice-president and Miss Mary H. Thorn, secretary. +They organized every district in the city of Denver, appointing women +to look after the registration, secure speakers and get out the vote. +It was through this league that U. S. Senator<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_524" id="Page_524">[Pg 524]</a></span> Henry Cabot Lodge came +to the State. Mrs. J. Ellen Foster and U. S. Senator J. B. Foraker +also spoke under their auspices, as well as other distinguished +orators, and from their own ranks Mrs. Hanna, Mrs. Lucy R. Scott, Mrs. +Peavey and Mrs. Thalia M. Rhoads.</p> + +<p>The Colorado Woman's Bryan League were not less active, under the +following officers: Chairman, Mrs. Salena V. Ernest; vice-chairmen, +Mesdames Sarah Platt Decker, Katherine A. G. (Thomas M.) Patterson and +Mary L. Fletcher; secretary, Mrs. Helen Thomas Belford; treasurer, +Mrs. Harriet G. R. Wright.</p> + +<p>Both organizations kept open headquarters, and the daily papers +contained long lists of parlor meetings held throughout the city, +addressed by men and women of prominence. The Bryan League was +fortunate in having among its own members many excellent speakers, +including Mrs. Decker, Mrs. Patton Cowles, formerly State +Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Rose Kidd Beare, Mrs. +Bradford, Mrs. Dora Phelps Buell and Mrs. Wright. Mrs. Grenfell, +present State Superintendent, and Mrs. Heartz, now Representative, +both candidates for re-election, made many speeches.<a name="FNanchor_190_190" id="FNanchor_190_190"></a><a href="#Footnote_190_190" class="fnanchor">[190]</a></p> + +<p>The committees of men and women worked together. On October 27 the +Woman's Bryan League held a rally of the Silver Parties and a +reception to U. S. Senator Teller at the Coliseum. The same evening +the Woman's Republican League gave a reception to their candidates at +Windsor Hall. Women seem to have an unsuspected gift for managing +large meetings. The Denver <i>Times</i> (Republican) said: "The women have +shown an ability to handle campaigns for which they never were given +credit in the past."</p> + +<p>In the election of 1900 the Republicans not only lost their electoral +ticket but carried fewer counties than they had done for years, yet +their vote of 26,000 for McKinley in 1896 was increased to 93,000; and +the Bryan vote was reduced from 161,000 to 122,700. John F. Shafroth +and John C. Bell, Fusionists, both strong advocates of woman suffrage, +were elected by large<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_525" id="Page_525">[Pg 525]</a></span> majorities. The Legislature was overwhelmingly +Democratic, which defeated the re-election to the U. S. Senate of +Edward O. Wolcott, that the women had especially determined upon. +Thomas M. Patterson was elected.</p> + +<p>I. N. Stevens, of the <i>Colorado Springs Gazette</i>, Republican, in +closing an article on the State campaign says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The women have demonstrated their effectiveness in political +campaigns, and wherever party candidates and party politics are +up to the high standard which they have a right to demand they +can be counted upon for loyal support. The Republican party in +Colorado can only hope to triumph in one way and that is by +appealing to the judgment of the honest and intelligent people of +the State with clean candidates for commendable policies and +under worthy leadership.</p></blockquote> + +<p>This testimony certainly implies two things, viz.: That the women of +Colorado are a power in politics which must be reckoned with, and that +their loyal support can be fully counted upon only when the character +of the candidates as well as the political methods and aims of the +party receive due consideration.</p> + +<p>The vote at the second presidential election after the suffrage was +conferred on women was as follows:</p> + +<p>Percentage of population in the State: Males, 55; females, 45 (in +round numbers).</p> + +<p>Percentage of vote cast: Males, (nearly) 58½; females, (over) +41½.</p> + +<p>Percentage of vote cast in Denver: Males, 57½; females, 42½.</p> + +<p>This vote shows that from all causes an average of only three per +cent. of the women in the entire State failed to exercise the +suffrage.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action:</span> The legislation of most importance which is +directly due to woman suffrage may be summed up as follows: Equal +guardianship of children; raising the "age of protection" for girls +from 16 to 18 years; establishment of a State Home for Dependent +Children; a State Industrial School for Girls; indeterminate sentence +for criminals; a State Arbitration Board; open meetings of school +boards; the removal of emblems from ballots; placing drinking +fountains on the corners of most of the down-town streets of Denver.</p> + +<p>Indirectly, the results have been infinitely greater. The change<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_526" id="Page_526">[Pg 526]</a></span> in +the conduct of Denver stores alone, in regard to women employes, is +worthy a chapter. Probably no other city of the same size has more +stores standing upon the so-called White List, and laws which prior to +1893 were dead letters are enforced to-day.</p> + +<p>The bills introduced by women in the Legislature have been chiefly +such as were designed to improve social conditions. The law raising +the "age of protection" for girls, the law giving the mother an equal +right in her children, and the law creating a State Home for Dependent +Children were secured by women in 1895. In the next session they +secured the Curfew Law and an appropriation for the State Home for +Incorrigible Girls. By obtaining the removal of the emblems from the +ballot, they enforced a measure of educational qualification. They +have entirely answered the objection that the immature voter would be +sure so to exaggerate the power of legislation that she would try to +do everything at once.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton said that when she viewed the exhibit of +woman's work at the Centennial, her heart sank within her; but when +she bethought her to examine into the part women had had in the work +accredited to men, she took new courage. In like manner much of the +legislative work women already have done in Colorado is unchronicled. +When a woman finds that there are several other bills besides her own +advocating the same measure of reform, she wisely tries to concentrate +this effort, even if it is necessary to let the desired bill appear in +the name of another. Many excellent bills for which they receive no +credit have run the gauntlet of legislative perils piloted by women.</p> + +<p>A notable instance of this is what was called the Frog-Blocking Bill, +for the protection of railroad employes, which was introduced by a man +but so ably engineered by Mrs. Evangeline Heartz that upon its passage +she received a huge box of candy, with "The thanks of 5,000 railroad +men." While she introduced a number of bills herself, only two of them +finally passed—one compelling school boards to hold open meetings +instead of Star Chamber sessions, and the present law providing for a +State Board of Arbitration. In order to make the latter effective it +should have a compulsory clause, which she will strive for in the +Legislature of 1901.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_527" id="Page_527">[Pg 527]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Laws:</span> While the laws of Colorado always have been liberal to women in +many respects, there are a few notable exceptions.</p> + +<p>The first Legislature of the Territory, in 1861, passed a bill to the +effect that either party to the marriage contract might dispose of +property without the signature or consent of the other. The men of +this new mining country often had left their wives thousands of miles +away in the Eastern States; there was no railroad or telegraph; mining +claims, being real estate, had to be transferred by deed, often in a +hurry, and this law was largely a necessity. It now works great +injustice to women, however, through the fact that all the property +accumulated after marriage belongs to the husband and he may legally +dispose of it without the wife's knowledge, leaving her penniless. +Even the household goods may be thus disposed of.<a name="FNanchor_191_191" id="FNanchor_191_191"></a><a href="#Footnote_191_191" class="fnanchor">[191]</a></p> + +<p>A law of recent years exempts from execution a homestead to the value +of $2,000 for "the head of the family," but even this can be sold by +the husband without the wife's signature, although he can not mortgage +it. This property must be designated as a "homestead" on the margin of +the recorded title, and it must be occupied by the owner. "A woman +occupying her own property as the home of the family has the right to +designate it as a homestead. The husband has the legal right to live +with her and enjoy the homestead he has settled upon her."(!) He has, +however, the sole right to determine the residence of the family, as +in every other State, and by removing from a property the homestead +right is destroyed. If the husband abandon the wife and acquire a +homestead elsewhere, she has a right only in that.</p> + +<p>Neither curtesy nor dower obtains. The surviving husband or wife, if +there are children or the descendants of children living, receives, +subject to the payment of debts, one-half of the entire estate, real +and personal. If there is no living child nor a descendant of any +child, the entire estate goes to the survivor.</p> + +<p>Husband and wife have the same rights in making wills. Each can will +away from the other half of his or her separate property.</p> + +<p>In buying and selling, making contracts, suing and being sued, the +married woman has the same rights as the unmarried.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_528" id="Page_528">[Pg 528]</a></span></p> + +<p>In 1895 fathers and mothers were made joint guardians of the children +with equal powers.</p> + +<p>The expenses of the family and the education of the children are +chargeable upon the property of both husband and wife, or either of +them, and in relation thereto they may be sued jointly or separately.</p> + +<p>In case a man fails to support his family, he can be compelled to do +so on the complaint of the wife, the chairman of the board of county +commissioners, or the agent of the humane society. Unless he show +physical incapacity, or some other good reason for this failure, he +may be committed to jail for sixty days.</p> + +<p>The "age of protection" for girls was raised from 10 to 16 years in +1891; from 16 to 18 in 1895. The penalty is confinement in the +penitentiary not less than one nor more than twenty years.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> School Suffrage was granted to women by the constitution in +1876, the year Colorado became a State.</p> + +<p>The amendment to the constitution adopted by 6,347 majority, Nov. 7, +1893, is as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Every female person shall be entitled to vote at all elections, +in the same manner in all respects as male persons are or shall +be entitled to vote by the constitution and laws of this State, +and the same qualifications as to age, citizenship and time of +residence in the State, county, city, ward and precinct, and all +other qualifications required by law to entitle male persons to +vote, shall be required to entitle female persons to vote.</p></blockquote> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> Possessing the Full Suffrage, women of course are +eligible to all offices, but naturally the men will not surrender them +unless compelled to do so. That of State Superintendent of Public +Instruction is generally conceded by all parties as belonging to a +woman, and no man has been a candidate for this office since 1893. It +can best be spared, as it does not encourage idleness or enable its +holder to amass wealth.</p> + +<p>Beginning with 1895 ten women have been elected to the Lower House of +the Legislature but none to the Senate. Not more than three have been +members during any one term.</p> + +<p>Only two women were elected to State offices in 1900. The others +holding office at present are as follows: County school +superintendents, 29; school directors, 508; county clerk, one;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_529" id="Page_529">[Pg 529]</a></span> county +treasurer, one; assessor, one; clerk of County Court, one; clerk of +District Court, one. Of the county superintendents, three were elected +by a fusion of Democrats and Prohibitionists, three by Democrats, +Prohibitionists and Silver Republicans; ten by Democrats and thirteen +by Republicans.</p> + +<p>The State Board of Charities and Corrections, which has general +supervision over all the charitable and penal institutions, has had +Mrs. Sarah Platt Decker for its president through this and previous +administrations. Dr. Eleanor Lawney also is on this board. On the +board of control of the State Industrial School for Girls, three out +of five members are women; State Home for Dependent Children, four out +of five; State School for Deaf and Blind, one out of five; State +Normal School, two out of seven; State Board of Horticulture, one out +of six. There have been women on the State Board of Pardons.</p> + +<p>There are women physicians in the State Insane Asylum and connected +with all institutions containing women and children.</p> + +<p>The law for jurors is construed by the judges to apply equally to men +and women, but thus far it has been so manipulated that no women have +been drawn for service.</p> + +<p>In 1897-98 two counties had women coroners.</p> + +<p>There are eight women clerks in the Senate and seven in the House of +the present Legislature. A number are employed in the court-house and +in the county offices.</p> + +<p>This partition of offices does not appear very liberal, considering +that women have cast as high as 52 per cent. of the total vote; but +there are in the State 30,000 more men than women, who could vote if +they chose, and they are much more accustomed to holding offices and +much more anxious to get them. The less the probabilities of election, +the more liberal the parties have been in granting nominations to +women.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> The only occupation legally forbidden to women is that of +working in mines. Children under fourteen can not be employed, +legally, in mines, factories, stores, etc.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> All the institutions of learning are open alike to both +sexes. There are five women on the faculty of the State University, +one on that of the School of Agriculture, nine in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_530" id="Page_530">[Pg 530]</a></span> State Normal +School, and in the State Institute for Deaf Mutes seventeen of the +thirty-three teachers are women. The Medical Department of the +University of Denver has three women professors.</p> + +<p>In the public schools there are 727 men and 2,557 women teachers. The +average monthly salary of the men is $67; of the women, $48.42. +Colorado spends a larger amount per capita for public school education +than any other State.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>On June 29, 30, 1894, a general meeting of Colorado suffragists was +held in Denver and a reorganization of the State association effected. +The reason for its continuance was the desire to help other States in +their efforts to win the franchise, and a feeling of loyalty to the +National Association, to which in common with all other women those of +Colorado owed so much.</p> + +<p>In May 1895, Miss Susan B. Anthony, president of the National +Association, and the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, vice-president at large, +on their way to California, addressed a large and delighted audience +in the Broadway Theater, and a reception was given them by the Woman's +Club.</p> + +<p>In 1896 the Colorado E. S. A. raised the funds to send Mrs. Mary C. C. +Bradford to aid in the Idaho amendment campaign.</p> + +<p>During the Biennial of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, held +in Denver in June, 1898, the E. S. A. celebrated the Jubilee +Anniversary of the first Woman's Rights Convention at Seneca Falls, N. +Y., by a meeting in the Auditorium and a reception in the parlors of +the Central Christian Church, with addresses by eminent local and +visiting speakers. In these rooms, for the entire week, this +organization and the Civic Federation kept open house, and in a +flag-draped booth gave an illustration of the Australian system of +voting.<a name="FNanchor_192_192" id="FNanchor_192_192"></a><a href="#Footnote_192_192" class="fnanchor">[192]</a></p> + +<p>In January, 1899, Denver entertained Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, +chairman of the national organization committee, and Miss Mary G. Hay, +secretary, as they were passing through the State. Mrs. A. L. Welch +gave a reception in their honor, at which ex-Gov.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_531" id="Page_531">[Pg 531]</a></span> Charles S. Thomas +and Gov. Alva Adams spoke enthusiastically of the results of equal +suffrage, followed by Mrs. Chapman Catt in an interesting address. The +occasion was especially happy because that day the Legislature had +almost unanimously passed a joint resolution as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, Equal suffrage has been in operation in Colorado for +five years, during which time women have exercised the privilege +as generally as men, with the result that better candidates have +been selected for office, methods of election have been purified, +the character of legislation improved, civic intelligence +increased and womanhood developed to greater usefulness by +political responsibility; therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, by the House of Representatives, the Senate +concurring, That in view of these results the enfranchisement of +women in every State and Territory of the American Union is +hereby recommended as a measure tending to the advancement of a +higher and better social order.</p> + +<p>That an authenticated copy of these resolutions be forwarded by +the Governor of the State to the Legislature of every State and +Territory, and the press be requested to call public attention to +them.<a name="FNanchor_193_193" id="FNanchor_193_193"></a><a href="#Footnote_193_193" class="fnanchor">[193]</a></p></blockquote> + +<p>This year Mrs. Katherine A. G. Patterson, who had been president of +the State E. S. A. for three years, retired and was succeeded by Mrs. +Welch, who was followed in 1900 by Mrs. Amy K. Cornwall, and in 1901 +by Prof. Theodosia G. Ammons.</p> + +<p>One of the uncongenial tasks of the officers of the association has +been the answering of the many attacks made in Eastern papers on the +position of women in Colorado, though this becomes far less trying +when it is remembered that in most States public opinion on the +question of woman suffrage is still in its formative stage. So soon do +we become accustomed to a new thing, if it is in the order of nature, +that the women of Colorado have almost ceased to realize that they +possess an uncommon privilege. It seems as much a matter of course +that women should vote as that they should enjoy the right of free +speech or the protection of the <i>habeas corpus</i> act. It is seldom +defended, for the same reason that it is no longer thought necessary +to defend the Copernican vs. the Ptolemaic theory. One aim of the +association is to arouse a more altruistic spirit, and another so to +unite women that they will stand together for a good cause +irrespective of party. There is at present a strong legislative +committee which has been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_532" id="Page_532">[Pg 532]</a></span> studying the statutes from a non-partisan +standpoint, with a view to influencing needful legislation.<a name="FNanchor_194_194" id="FNanchor_194_194"></a><a href="#Footnote_194_194" class="fnanchor">[194]</a></p> + +<p>Before the autumn of 1893 there were many clubs in Denver, mostly of a +literary nature, each formed of women of a certain rank in life, with +similar tastes and pursuits. Some had a membership so limited as to +render them very difficult of access, but in their way all were good. +Perhaps the only truly democratic association, if those of the +churches were excepted, where the rich and the poor met together on a +plane so perfectly level that only mental or moral height in the +individual produced any difference, was the equal suffrage club. +Whether related to it or not, this new ideal of club life followed +closely after the gaining of political equality.</p> + +<p>The Woman's Club of Denver was organized April 21, 1894, with 225 +charter members, and now has nearly 1,000. It contains many women of +wealth and high social standing, many quiet housekeepers without the +slightest aspirations toward fashionable life, and many women who earn +their daily bread by some trade or profession. What the public school +is supposed to do for our youth in helping us to become a homogeneous +nation, the modern woman's club is doing for those of maturer years. +The North Side Woman's Club of Denver is second to the Woman's Club +only in size and time of organization. The Colorado Federation of +Women's Clubs was formed April 5, 1895, with a charter membership of +thirty-seven. It now is composed of over 100 clubs, containing about +4,000 individuals.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>This is merely a plain tale from the hills. Colorado women feel that +they have done well but have made only a beginning. The fact that +women are factors in politics underlies and overrules many things not +directly connected with the results of election<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_533" id="Page_533">[Pg 533]</a></span> day. Many of the dire +effects predicted of equal suffrage have proved their prophets false. +In some cases the women themselves have been surprised to find they +had entertained groundless fears. This is particularly true concerning +the fierce partisanship which is supposed to run riot in the female +nature. There is a strong tendency on the part of women to stand by +each other, though not always to the extent evinced by one lady who +was and still is a pronounced "anti." At the first election she voted +for every woman placed in nomination for the Legislature, Populist, +Democrat, Republican and Prohibitionist, until she had filled out her +ticket. Women frequently scratch their ballots when by so doing they +can elect a better man. In legislative work there are absolutely no +party lines. The Republican and the Democratic women both want the +same measures, and they look upon themselves as constituents whether +the member belongs to their party or not.</p> + +<p>The vote of the <i>demi-monde</i> always has been a stumbling-block to +certain particularly good people. These women never register, never +vote and never attend primaries except when compelled to do so. Their +identity is often a secret even to their closest associates. It is +almost impossible to learn their true names. All they ask is to be let +alone. Unfortunately the city of Denver is under what is known as the +Metropolitan Fire and Police System. The firemen and police are +controlled by boards appointed by the Governor. If he is a politically +scrupulous man and his appointments are good ones, this class is not +molested. Gov. Davis H. Waite did not compel these women to vote for +him in 1894, though he had the power. Under the administration of +Governor Adams, when the Hon. Ralph Talbot was president of the board, +they took no part whatever.</p> + +<p>Possibly those who have been most disappointed at the workings of +equal suffrage are the Prohibitionists, yet they really have reason +for congratulation. Weld County, which gave the largest vote for equal +suffrage of any in the State, has excluded liquor from its borders +except in one small town, a coal mining camp with a heavy foreign +vote. In many sections the liquor traffic has been abolished, always +by the votes of women, but there are many more men than women in the +State and without their co-operation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_534" id="Page_534">[Pg 534]</a></span> no general reform can be enacted +or enforced. Every political party has banished liquor and tobacco +from its headquarters, as desiring to win the women's support they are +careful not to give offense. On election days Denver has a holiday +appearance. The vote is cast early and the members of a family usually +go together to the polls.</p> + +<p>The most noteworthy result is the improved character of the +candidates, as one of the most important points to be considered is +whether they can get the votes of women. The addition of a large +number of independent and conscientious voters to the electorate; the +wider outlook given to woman herself through the exercise of civic +rights; and the higher degree of comradeship made possible by the +removal of political inequality between man and woman; these are the +greatest benefits which equal suffrage has brought to Colorado.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_188_188" id="Footnote_188_188"></a><a href="#FNanchor_188_188"><span class="label">[188]</span></a> The History is indebted for this chapter to Mrs. Emily +R. Meredith and her daughter, Ellis Meredith of Denver, both strong +factors in securing suffrage for the women of their State; the latter +is on the staff of the <i>Rocky Mountain News</i> and editor of the +<i>Western Clubwoman</i>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_189_189" id="Footnote_189_189"></a><a href="#FNanchor_189_189"><span class="label">[189]</span></a> In 1900 Mr. Bonynge was a candidate for Congress on the +Republican ticket and was overwhelmingly defeated by the votes of +women.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_190_190" id="Footnote_190_190"></a><a href="#FNanchor_190_190"><span class="label">[190]</span></a> Mrs. Grenfell was re-elected on the Fusion ticket, +having been indorsed by the heads of all the State institutions, most +of the county superintendents and all the prominent educators. The +Republicans had a woman candidate for this office. Mrs. Heartz was +re-elected on the Fusion ticket. There was a Republican woman +candidate for the Legislature also.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_191_191" id="Footnote_191_191"></a><a href="#FNanchor_191_191"><span class="label">[191]</span></a> A bill was introduced in the Legislature of 1901 to +give the wife a half-interest in all the earnings after marriage, but +it failed to pass either House, perhaps owing to the time consumed by +the important revenue bill.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_192_192" id="Footnote_192_192"></a><a href="#FNanchor_192_192"><span class="label">[192]</span></a> Governor Adams did a splendid work for equal suffrage +in his welcome to this great body of women. Quite unaware that it was +a tabooed subject, he made a most eloquent address openly glorying in +it and advocating its wholesale extension. Probably no one act of his +administration made him so many friends among women, and it is said +that scores of those from other States went home thoroughly +converted.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_193_193" id="Footnote_193_193"></a><a href="#FNanchor_193_193"><span class="label">[193]</span></a> See <a href="#APPENDIX-TESTIMONY">Appendix—Testimony from Woman Suffrage States</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_194_194" id="Footnote_194_194"></a><a href="#FNanchor_194_194"><span class="label">[194]</span></a> The Legislature of 1901 passed 116 bills, a number +being of special interest to women. Among these was one establishing +truancy schools; another for the care of the feeble-minded; several +humane society bills; a measure permitting the State Board of +Charities and Corrections to investigate private charitable +institutions; a bill for an eight-hour day; one for the preservation +of forest trees; one for a bi-weekly pay-day, and an Insurance Bill +providing that in cases where a company has to be sued for the amount +of a policy it must pay the costs of said suit. This last was indorsed +by nearly every woman's organization in the State. The Eight Hour Law +requires a constitutional amendment, and will be voted on in the fall +of 1902. This is also true of a bill consolidating and reducing the +number of elections, and of one providing for full citizenship and an +educational qualification as requisites for suffrage.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_535" id="Page_535">[Pg 535]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX.</h2> + +<h3>CONNECTICUT.<a name="FNanchor_195_195" id="FNanchor_195_195"></a><a href="#Footnote_195_195" class="fnanchor">[195]</a></h3> + + +<p>The Connecticut Woman Suffrage Association was organized in September, +1869, after a memorable two days' convention in Hartford, under the +call and management of Mrs. Isabella Beecher Hooker,<a name="FNanchor_196_196" id="FNanchor_196_196"></a><a href="#Footnote_196_196" class="fnanchor">[196]</a> The Rev. +Nathaniel J. Burton, D. D., was elected its first president and in +1871 he was succeeded by Mrs. Hooker, who has now held the office +thirty years with unswerving loyalty and devotion to the cause. During +the first fifteen years eight conventions were held, addressed by the +most prominent speakers in the country.</p> + +<p>In 1884 a State convention took place in Hartford, attended by Miss +Susan B. Anthony and a large delegation of men and women from various +parts of the State. But one other (1888) intervened between this and +that which met in Meriden in 1892, when the society was reorganized +under a broader constitution, with the name of Connecticut Woman +Suffrage Society for the Study of Political Science. Mrs. Hooker was +made president and Mrs. Elizabeth D. Bacon +vice-president-at-large.<a name="FNanchor_197_197" id="FNanchor_197_197"></a><a href="#Footnote_197_197" class="fnanchor">[197]</a></p> + +<p>Since then annual conventions have been held in Hartford (four), +Meriden, Willimantic and Southington. Several executive meetings have +been called yearly and the business of the association has been +systematically arranged. Public meetings have been addressed by Miss +Anthony, president of the National Association, Mrs. Carrie Chapman +Catt, chairman of its organization<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_536" id="Page_536">[Pg 536]</a></span> committee, Mrs. Mary Seymour +Howell of New York, Miss Elizabeth Upham Yates of Maine and many +others.<a name="FNanchor_198_198" id="FNanchor_198_198"></a><a href="#Footnote_198_198" class="fnanchor">[198]</a></p> + +<p>The Hartford Equal Rights Club was organized in 1885 through the +efforts of Mrs. Emily P. Collins and Miss Frances Ellen Burr, both +pioneers in the work. Located in the capital, it is the center of the +effort for the enfranchisement of women.</p> + +<p>The Meriden Political Equality Club was formed in 1889. The late Hon. +Isaac C. Lewis, one of its charter members and a lover of justice and +equality, in 1893 gave $10,000 in invested funds to aid its work. The +Equal Rights Club of Willimantic, founded in 1894, is an active body.</p> + +<p>A series of public meetings was held in 1892 at Seymour, Willimantic, +Winsted and Ansonia, arranged and financially supported by the Meriden +Club and addressed by Mrs. Howell.</p> + +<p>In 1895, under the auspices of the State society, a course of twenty +lectures was arranged by Mrs. Bacon for Miss Yates.</p> + +<p>The local clubs have kept the question before the people through +addresses, the circulation of literature and other methods of +propaganda. For several years a suffrage tent was supported at the +State Fair held in Meriden, and one day set apart as Woman's Day, with +good speakers to present the subject. The press department has been an +important feature of the work, most efficiently conducted by Mrs. Ella +B. Kendrick, its superintendent for the past three years.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action and Laws:</span> Women have been instrumental in securing +the passage of laws prohibiting the sale of tobacco in any form to +boys under sixteen years of age; compelling merchants to provide women +and girls in their employment with seats when not engaged in their +duties; securing scientific temperance instruction in the public +schools; and requiring a police matron in all cities of 20,000 or more +inhabitants.</p> + +<p>In 1884 a bill giving women the right to vote in school district +meetings was rejected in the House by 83 ayes, 95 noes, and in the +Senate by a majority vote.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_537" id="Page_537">[Pg 537]</a></span></p> + +<p>In 1885 a bill for School Suffrage was rejected by both Houses.</p> + +<p>In 1886 a bill for Full Suffrage was defeated in both Houses.</p> + +<p>In 1887 two bills were introduced, one asking Full Suffrage and the +other that unmarried women be exempt from taxation. In both cases the +committee reported "Ought not to pass," and the petitioners were given +leave to withdraw. At this session women were made eligible to serve +as School Trustees.</p> + +<p>This year the annual sessions were changed to biennial.</p> + +<p>In 1889 the petitions for Full Suffrage of Mrs. Elizabeth D. Bacon and +others were indefinitely postponed. During the same session women were +made eligible to hold the office of assistant town clerk, and to +become members of ecclesiastical societies.</p> + +<p>In 1891 a legal dispute as to the result of a gubernatorial election +caused the former Governor to hold over, and all legislative business +to be postponed for two years.</p> + +<p>In 1893 the committee, after giving several hearings upon a bill +asking Full Suffrage, substituted, with the consent of the State +association, one for School Suffrage. Upon the third reading this +passed the House, but the Senate referred it back to the committee as +imperfect. There it would have remained but for the efforts of the +Hartford Equal Rights Club. It finally passed the Senate and the +House, was signed by Gov. Luzon B. Morris and became law. Several +attempts have been made to repeal it but unsuccessfully.</p> + +<p>In 1895 a bill providing for the right of women to vote for +Presidential electors was reported unfavorably by the committee, the +report being accepted. The same year a Municipal Suffrage Bill went to +a third reading and was passed by the House, but failed in the Senate +by unanimous vote.</p> + +<p>In 1897 a bill conferring upon women the right to vote for +Presidential electors was rejected after a third reading both in the +House and Senate. Another was presented for the exemption of women +from taxation, the committee reported, "Ought not to pass," and the +report was accepted. A bill for Municipal Suffrage met the same fate. +This year a bill was introduced at the request of the Hartford club, +creating the office of woman factory inspector, with the same salary +as the male inspector. The Judiciary Committee reported unanimously in +favor. Great opposition<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_538" id="Page_538">[Pg 538]</a></span> developed in the House, but after some +amendments it passed, but failed in the Senate.</p> + +<p>In 1899 a Municipal Suffrage Bill was again introduced and reported +upon favorably, but on the third reading it was rejected in the House, +and defeated by 9 ayes, 12 noes in the Senate. A bill also was +presented providing that any woman who pays taxes on real estate +wherein she resides may vote at any meeting upon questions of taxation +or appropriation of money. This passed the House, but was rejected in +the Senate. The House refused to concur, and the Senate adhered to its +former action.</p> + +<p>There have been hearings before the Judiciary Committees of several +Legislatures for the purpose of securing a Reformatory for Women. +Members of the Woman's Aid Society of Hartford and others equally +interested have appeared in its behalf.</p> + +<p>The law regarding the property rights of women upon the statute books +of to-day, except one amendment, was passed in April, 1877, and reads +as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In case of marriage on or after April 20, 1877, neither husband +nor wife shall acquire, by force of marriage, any right to or +interest in any property held by the other before, or acquired +after such marriage, except as to the share of the survivor in +the property as provided by law. The separate earnings of the +wife shall be her sole property. She shall have power to make +contracts with third persons and to convey to them her real +estate, as if unmarried. Her property shall be liable to be taken +for her debts except when exempt from execution, but in no case +shall be liable to be taken for the debts of her husband. And the +husband shall not be liable for her debts contracted before her +marriage, nor upon contracts made after her marriage, except as +provided by the succeeding sections.</p> + +<p>The dower rights of women married before this date are: A life +estate in one-third the husband's realty and one-half his +personalty absolutely, unless they shall have made together with +their husbands a written contract and recorded the same in the +Probate Records, in which they mutually agree to abandon their +respective common-law rights in the property of each other, and +to claim in place thereof certain other rights as provided by +statute made in 1877 as below. The husband before that date took +the whole of the wife's personal estate absolutely and the use +for life of all her real estate.</p> + +<p>Women married on or after April 20, 1877, and those married +earlier, who have made and recorded contracts with their husbands +as above stated, have no dower rights, and their husbands have no +rights by curtesy, but both have, in place of these, rights more +valuable.</p> + +<p>Where there are children, the survivor is entitled to one-third +of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_539" id="Page_539">[Pg 539]</a></span> decedent's real and personal estate absolutely, and in the +absence of children, takes all of the decedent's estate +absolutely to the extent of $2,000, and one-half of the remainder +absolutely after the decedent's debts have been paid.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The father always has been entitled to the custody and control of the +minor children with power to appoint a guardian by will; but a law was +passed the present year (1901) which gives the father and mother equal +rights of guardianship, and on the death of the father makes the +mother the legal guardian.</p> + +<p>If a husband neglect to support his wife he may be committed to the +workhouse or county jail and sentenced to hard labor not more than +sixty days, unless he can show good cause why he is unable to furnish +such support, or unless he can give a bond. If he neglect to comply +with his bond the selectmen of the town shall immediately furnish +support to the extent provided for in such bond. (1895.)</p> + +<p>In 1887 the "age of protection" for girls was raised from 10 to 14 +years, and in 1895 this was increased to 16. The penalty is +imprisonment in the penitentiary not less than three years.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> The School Suffrage Law of 1893 allows all women citizens +who have arrived at the age of majority, and have resided one year in +the State and six months in the town, to vote at any meeting held for +election of school trustees or for any educational purpose.</p> + +<p>At the first election after the passage of this Act, 4,471 women voted +in the State. Since then the number has gradually decreased for +several reasons. Women soon learned that their vote amounted to but +little because of the fact that Connecticut has a minority +representation upon its school boards. This practically eliminates +contest in the election of school officers, for it often occurs that +only the exact number of candidates to be elected are placed in +nomination. In cities men are frequently placed on school boards to +pay political debts or as an opening for further advancement, +therefore it has been found almost impossible to secure the nomination +of women. This, of course, decreases their interest in the election. +In several marked instances, however, where some question of +importance has arisen, women have registered and voted in large +numbers.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_540" id="Page_540">[Pg 540]</a></span></p> + +<p>Willimantic offers a good illustration. All the schools in the town of +Windham, of which Willimantic is a borough, were under the district +system. For some time the largest school district had been unwisely +managed through the influence of one man, who controlled enough votes +to insure his retention as chairman year after year. In June, 1895, +when he had entirely forfeited confidence, Mrs. Ella L. Bennett, +president, and other wide awake members of the Equal Rights Club, +determined he should no longer hold this office. The best citizens +assured the women that their fears of his re-election were groundless, +but they kept on in their efforts and secured the attendance of fifty +women at the district meeting, where he was defeated by about twenty +votes.</p> + +<p>The level-headed ones saw that consolidation of all the school +districts was absolutely necessary. Before the election in October the +women did valiant work in agitating this question. Previous to this +not more than 200 women ever had voted; but now the number registered +reached 1,129, and on election day, although the rain fell in torrents +and rivers of water ran down the streets, 975 cast their ballots. The +Equal Rights Club conducted the election so far as the women were +concerned, assisted in preparing ballots, kept a check-list and sent +carriages where it seemed necessary. Every little while, all day long, +could be heard from the hall where the voting was going on, "Fall +back, ladies, fall back and give the men a chance." At the noon hour a +crowd of male voters saw a line of women coming down the street and, +seizing a ladder, they set it against a window over the stairway, +scrambled up and thus got into the hall and headed off the women until +the men had voted. The measure for consolidation was carried.</p> + +<p>In Hartford the question of consolidation of districts has twice come +before the people since women voted, and in both instances they cast a +large number of ballots. In several districts in this city women have +shown much interest in the annual meetings. One woman has served three +years upon a district committee very acceptably, and it is due to the +efforts and votes of women that wise management has been sustained and +a good principal kept in office.</p> + +<p>In his report of 1896, Secretary Charles D. Hine of the State Board of +Education, after speaking in unmeasured terms of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_541" id="Page_541">[Pg 541]</a></span> efficient +service rendered by women as school visitors, on boards of education +and on town and district committees, says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The returns indicate that women are not anxious to vote upon +educational matters alone. If men were reluctantly permitted as a +great favor to vote for agent of the town-deposit fund, they +would not swarm to the polls. The exciting interests of State +elections are important and varied enough to allure 85 per cent. +of the male voters to the polls, but in many districts it is +difficult to obtain enough of them to transact the business of +the annual meeting. In the largest district in the State, school +meetings have been held and considerable sums of money voted, +with less than a dozen men present. Woman can not be adjudged +peculiarly lacking in interest because they are not found voting +in large numbers on one question and one set of officers.<a name="FNanchor_199_199" id="FNanchor_199_199"></a><a href="#Footnote_199_199" class="fnanchor">[199]</a></p></blockquote> + +<p>In 1897 the Legislature amended the School Suffrage Law. The women +believed that this change was effected to make the process of becoming +a voter more disagreeable. Heretofore they had been permitted to go at +any time before the town clerk, answer the necessary questions and be +registered. The amendment required them to observe the same +regulations as the men who have the full franchise. They must make +application to the registrar at one fixed time, fill out a blank and +have their names published in the newspapers in the list of those who +wish to be made voters. Then at another fixed time they must go before +the selectmen, await their turn, take the necessary oath, etc. In many +towns and cities it was ruled that all who had been made voters under +the old law must re-register. Feeling the injustice of this, many +women refused. In Hartford they rebelled absolutely, and after much +discussion in the papers and otherwise the city attorney decided that +the law was not retroactive.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> Since 1887 women have been eligible as school +trustees, and at present 45 are serving, of whom 29 are school +visitors. The latter prescribe rules for the management, +classification, studies and discipline of the public schools. The old +school district system prevails in many cities and towns and there are +a dozen or more women on district committees.</p> + +<p>Women are filling other offices, elective and appointive, as follows: +Public librarians, 27; police matrons, 5; matron of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_542" id="Page_542">[Pg 542]</a></span> State +Hospital for the Insane, one; matrons of Reform School for Boys, six, +and one assistant; visiting committee of State Industrial School for +Girls, 12, two acting each month; assistant superintendent for same, +one; in each of the eight Homes connected with this school are to be +found a matron and an assistant.</p> + +<p>Two of the five members of the State Board of Charities must be women.</p> + +<p>Women may serve as notaries public and forty-two are now doing so. +They are eligible as assistant town clerks.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> No profession or occupation is forbidden to women by law.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> Wesleyan University, in Middletown, admitted women to equal +privileges with men in 1872. By a vote of the trustees in 1900 the +number of women was limited to 20 per cent. of the total number of +students.</p> + +<p>In 1889 the Theological Seminary (Cong'l) of Hartford admitted women +upon the same terms as men.</p> + +<p>In 1892 Yale University opened the courses of the post-graduate +department, with the degree of Ph. D. to women.</p> + +<p>In 1893, by an Act of the Legislature, the State Agricultural School, +at Storrs, admitted women to its full course.</p> + +<p>In the public schools there are 387 men and 3,692 women teachers. The +average monthly salary of the men is $89.87; of the women, $43.61.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>The State Federation of Women's Clubs was organized in 1897 and under +its auspices traveling libraries have been formed for rural schools, +free kindergartens supported, etc.</p> + +<p>The Society of Colonial Dames has loaned to the library committee +twenty libraries which have been placed in public schools.</p> + +<p>The Civic Club of Hartford, organized in 1895 with a membership of 150 +women, has been instrumental in securing greater cleanliness of +streets and public places. It has raised $3,000 for the support of +vacation schools, for three years, and has instituted plans for public +playgrounds.</p> + +<p>In 1898 the Home for Incurable Children was founded by the Children's +Aid Society, entirely the work of women.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_195_195" id="Footnote_195_195"></a><a href="#FNanchor_195_195"><span class="label">[195]</span></a> The History is indebted for this chapter to Mrs. +Elizabeth D. Bacon of Hartford, vice-president-at-large of the State +Woman Suffrage Association.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_196_196" id="Footnote_196_196"></a><a href="#FNanchor_196_196"><span class="label">[196]</span></a> See <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28556/28556-h/28556-h.htm#Page_321">History of Woman Suffrage, Vol. III, p. 321</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_197_197" id="Footnote_197_197"></a><a href="#FNanchor_197_197"><span class="label">[197]</span></a> County vice-presidents, Mesdames Ella B. Kendrick, J. +H. Hale, Rose I. Blakeslee, Mary L. Hemstead, George Sanger, Mary C. +Hickox, the Hon. Edwin O. Dimock, Miss Elizabeth Sheldon; recording +secretary, Miss Frances Ellen Burr; corresponding secretary, Mrs. G. +W. Fuller; treasurer, Mrs. Mary J. Rogers; auditors, Joseph Sheldon, +Mrs. S. E. Browne; member national executive committee, Miss Sara +Winthrop Smith. +</p><p> +Among others who have served as State officers are Miss Hannah J. +Babcock, Mesdames Jane S. Koons, Emma Hurd Chaffee, Annie C. S. +Fenner, Ella S. Bennett, Ella G. Brooks, B. M. Parsons, Mary J. +Warren.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_198_198" id="Footnote_198_198"></a><a href="#FNanchor_198_198"><span class="label">[198]</span></a> Among those who have advocated and worked for equal +suffrage are the Hon. John Hooker, Judge Joseph Sheldon, Judge George +A. Hickox, the Hon. Radcliffe Hicks, the Rev. John C. Kimball, the +Hon. Henry Lewis, Judge M. H. Holcomb, ex-Speaker John H. Light, +ex-Gov. Charles B. Andrews, the Hon. George M. Gunn, Miss Emily J. +Leon and Mrs. Susan J. Cheney. Honorable mention might be made of many +others who have spent time and money without stint in efforts to +advance this cause.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_199_199" id="Footnote_199_199"></a><a href="#FNanchor_199_199"><span class="label">[199]</span></a> In 1902 a revised State constitution was submitted and +only 15 per cent. of the electors voted on it.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_543" id="Page_543">[Pg 543]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXI" id="CHAPTER_XXXI"></a>CHAPTER XXXI.</h2> + +<h3>DAKOTA.</h3> + + +<p>The Territory of Dakota was created in 1861, but in 1889 it entered +the Union divided into two separate States, North and South Dakota. As +early as 1872 the Territorial Legislature lacked only one vote of +conferring the full suffrage on women. The sparsely settled country +and the long distances made any organized work an impossibility, +although a number of individuals were strong advocates of equal +suffrage.</p> + +<p>In 1879 it gave women the right to vote at school meetings. In 1883 a +school township law was passed requiring regular polls and a private +ballot instead of special meetings, which took away the suffrage from +women in all but a few counties.</p> + +<p>At the convening of the Territorial Legislature in January, 1885, +Major J. A. Pickler (afterward member of Congress), without +solicitation early in the session introduced a bill in the House +granting Full Suffrage to women, as under the organic act the +legislative body had the power to describe the qualifications for the +franchise. The bill passed the House, February 11, by 29 ayes, 19 +noes. Soon afterward it passed the Council by 14 ayes, 10 noes, and +its friends counted the victory won. But Gov. Gilbert A. Pierce, +appointed by President Arthur and only a few months in the Territory, +failed to recognize the grand opportunity to enfranchise 50,000 +American citizens by one stroke of his pen and vetoed the bill. Not +only did it express the sentiment of the representatives elected by +the voters, but it had been generally discussed by the press of the +Territory, and all the newspapers but one were outspoken for it. An +effort was made to carry it over the Governor's veto, but it failed.</p> + +<p>In 1887 a law was passed enlarging the School Suffrage possessed by +women and giving them the right to vote at all school elections and +for all school officers, and also making them eligible<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_544" id="Page_544">[Pg 544]</a></span> to any +elective school office. At this time, under the liberal provisions of +the United States Land Laws, more than one-third of the land in the +Territory was held by women.</p> + +<p>In this same Legislature of 1887 another effort was made to pass an +Equal Suffrage Bill, and a committee from the franchise department of +the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, consisting of Mesdames Helen +M. Barker, S. V. Wilson and Alice M. A. Pickler, appeared before the +committee and presented hundreds of petitions from the men and women +of the Territory. The committees of both Houses reported favorably, +but the bill failed by 13 votes in the House and 6 in the Council.</p> + +<p>It was mainly through women's instrumentality that a local option bill +was carried through this Legislature, and largely through their +exertions that it was adopted by sixty-five out of the eighty-seven +organized counties at the next general election.</p> + +<p>In October, 1885, the American Woman Suffrage Association held a +national convention in Minneapolis, Minn., which was attended by a +number of people from Dakota, who were greatly interested. The next +month the first suffrage club was formed, in Webster. Several local +societies were afterwards started in the southern part of the +Territory, but for five years no attempt was made at bringing these +together in a convention.<a name="FNanchor_200_200" id="FNanchor_200_200"></a><a href="#Footnote_200_200" class="fnanchor">[200]</a></p> + +<p>The long contention as to whether the Territory should come into the +Union as one State or two was not decided until 1889, when Congress +admitted two States. Thenceforth there were two distinct movements for +woman suffrage, one in North and one in South Dakota.</p> + + +<h4>NORTH DAKOTA.<a name="FNanchor_201_201" id="FNanchor_201_201"></a><a href="#Footnote_201_201" class="fnanchor">[201]</a></h4> + +<p>On July 4, 1889, a convention met at Bismarck to prepare a +constitution for the admission of North Dakota as a State. As<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_545" id="Page_545">[Pg 545]</a></span> similar +conventions were to be held in several other Territories, Henry B. +Blackwell, editor of the <i>Woman's Journal</i>, came from Boston in the +interest of woman suffrage. His object was to have it embodied in the +constitution if possible, but failing in this he endeavored to have +the matter left as it had been under the Territorial government, viz.: +in the hands of the Legislature. To this end, H. F. Miller introduced +the following clause:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The Legislature shall be empowered to make further extensions of +suffrage hereafter at its discretion to all citizens of mature +age and sound mind, not convicted of crime, without regard to +sex, but it shall not restrict suffrage without a vote of the +people.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Toward the adoption of this all efforts were directed. Two public +meetings were addressed by Mr. Blackwell, and on July 8 the +Constitutional Convention itself invited him to speak to its members.</p> + +<p>After remaining in Bismarck two weeks he went to Helena to attend the +Montana convention, but before leaving he succeeded in obtaining the +promise of 30 votes out of the 38 necessary for the adoption of the +clause. During his absence Dr. Cora Smith (Eaton), secretary of the +Grand Forks Suffrage Club, was called to Bismarck to carry on the +work. The secretary of the Territory, L. B. Richardson, placed at her +service a room on the same floor as Convention Hall, and to this the +friends of woman suffrage brought members who had not yet declared +themselves in favor. Some ladies were always there to receive them and +present the arguments in the case, among these Mrs. Mary Wilson, Mrs. +George Watson, Dr. Kate Perkins and Mrs. Benjamin of Bismarck. +Everything was managed with scrupulous formality and courtesy.</p> + +<p>Mr. Miller's proposition was championed by R. M. Pollock and Judge +John E. Carland in Committee of the Whole, and after a second reading +was referred to the Committee on Elective Franchise, but on July 25 it +reported the substitute of S. H. Moer, confining the suffrage to +males. A minority report was offered, directing the Legislature at its +first session to submit an amendment to the voters to enfranchise +women. After a heated discussion the minority report was defeated, and +the constitution provided as follows:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_546" id="Page_546">[Pg 546]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>No law extending or restricting the right of suffrage shall be +enforced until adopted by <i>a majority of the electors of the +State voting at a general election</i>.</p></blockquote> + +<p>By requiring not merely a majority of those voting on the question but +of the largest number voting at the election, no amendment for any +purpose ever has been carried.</p> + +<p>On the question of School Suffrage women received greater +consideration, the constitution providing that all women properly +qualified should vote for all school officers, including State +Superintendent, also upon any question pertaining solely to school +matters, and should be eligible to any school office.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Organization:</span> The suffragists were widely scattered over this immense +Territory and there had been little opportunity for organized work. In +the spring of 1888 a call had been issued in Grand Forks, signed by +seventy-five representative men and women, for a meeting to form an +association, and on April 12 this was held in the court-house, which +was crowded to the doors. The extension of the franchise to women was +strongly advocated by Judge J. M. Cochrane, Prof. H. B. Wentworth, +Mrs. Sara E. B. Smith, Mrs. Sue R. Caswell and others; and encouraging +letters were read from the Hon. William Dudley Foulke, Lucy Stone and +Julia Ward Howe of the American Suffrage Association. A public meeting +on July 25 at the same place was addressed by Mrs. Ella M. S. Marble +of Minnesota. On September 9 Mrs. Lillie Devereux Blake of New York +gave a strong lecture.</p> + +<p>Other local clubs were formed during the following years, and the +first State convention was held in Grand Forks, Nov. 14, 15, 1895. It +was called to order by Dr. Cora Smith Eaton, president of the local +society. Mrs. Laura M. Johns of Kansas, a national organizer who had +just made a successful lecturing tour of the State, was elected +chairman and Mrs. Edwinna Sturman was made secretary. Cordial letters +of greeting were read from Miss Susan B. Anthony, president of the +National Suffrage Association, Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, chairman of +the national organization committee, U. S. Senator Henry C. +Hansbrough,<a name="FNanchor_202_202" id="FNanchor_202_202"></a><a href="#Footnote_202_202" class="fnanchor">[202]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_547" id="Page_547">[Pg 547]</a></span> Miss Elizabeth Preston, president of the State W. C. +T. U., and others. In Miss Anthony's letter was outlined the plan of +work that she never failed to recommend to State organizations, which +said in part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>First, your local clubs should cover the respective <i>townships</i>, +and the officers should not only hold meetings of their own to +discuss questions pertaining to their work, but should have the +men, when they go into their <i>town meetings</i> for any and every +purpose pertaining to local affairs—especially into the meetings +which nominate delegates to county conventions—pledged to +present a resolution in favor of the enfranchisement of women. By +this means you will secure the discussion of the question by the +men who compose the different political parties in each +township—an educational work that can not be done through any +distinctively woman suffrage meeting, because so few of the rank +and file of voters ever attend these.</p> + +<p>Then, when the time comes for the county convention to elect +delegates to the State nominating convention, let every town +meeting see to it that they are instructed to vote for a +resolution favoring the submission and indorsement of a +proposition to strike the word "male" from your constitution. If +the State conventions of the several parties are to put +indorsement planks in their platforms, the demand for these must +come from the townships composing the counties sending delegates +thereto. Women going before a committee and asking a resolution +indorsing equal suffrage, are sure to be met with the statement +that <i>they have heard nothing of any such demand among their +constituents</i>. This has been the response on the many different +occasions when this request has been made of State conventions. +From this repeated and sad experience we have learned that <i>we +must begin with the constituents</i> in each township and have the +demand start there.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Dr. Eaton was elected president of the association.</p> + +<p>The second convention took place at Fargo, Nov. 30, 1897. An extra +meeting was held this year at the Devil's Lake Chautauqua Assembly on +Woman's Day, with Mrs. Julia B. Nelson, president of the Minnesota, +and Mrs. Ella Knowles Haskell, of the Montana W. S. A., among the +speakers. Dr. Eaton having removed from the State, Miss Mary Allen +Whedon was made president.</p> + +<p>The third convention met in Larimore, Sept. 27, 28, 1898, with +delegates from eleven counties. Mrs. Chapman Catt was present and +contributed much to the success of the meetings. These were held in +the M. E. Church with the active co-operation of the pastor, the Rev. +H. C. Cooper. Mrs. Flora Blackman Naylor was chosen president.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_548" id="Page_548">[Pg 548]</a></span></p> + +<p>The fourth convention was held in Hillsboro, Sept. 26, 27, 1899, at +which Mrs. Susan S. Fessenden of Massachusetts gave valuable +assistance. A page to be devoted to suffrage matter was secured in the +<i>White Ribbon Bulletin</i>, a paper published monthly under the auspices +of the State W. C. T. U.</p> + +<p>The annual meeting of 1900 convened in Lakota, September 25, 26, in +the M. E. Church, its pastor, the Rev. Stephen Whitford, making the +address of welcome. A Matron's Silver Medal Oratorical Contest was +given under the direction of Mrs. Cora Ross Clark.<a name="FNanchor_203_203" id="FNanchor_203_203"></a><a href="#Footnote_203_203" class="fnanchor">[203]</a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action and Laws:</span> In the Legislature of 1893 a bill was +introduced granting women taxpayers the right of suffrage. This was +voted down by the House: 18 ayes; 22 noes. A motion was offered that +all woman suffrage bills hereafter presented at this session should be +rejected, but it was tabled.</p> + +<p>A bill to submit to the voters an amendment conferring Full Suffrage +on women in the manner provided by the constitution was introduced in +the Senate by J. W. Stevens and passed by 16 ayes, 15 noes. It was +called up in the House on the last day of the session. Miss Elizabeth +Preston was invited to address that body, and the Senate took a recess +and came in. The bill received 33 ayes, a constitutional majority, and +was returned to the Senate. The House then took a recess, and during +this brief time the enemies of the measure secured enough votes to +recall it from the Senate. This body by vote refused to send it back, +thus endorsing it a second time. The Speaker of the House, George H. +Walsh, refused to sign it. Then began a long fight between the House +and the Senate. A motion was made by Judson La Moure instructing the +President of the Senate to sign no more House<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_549" id="Page_549">[Pg 549]</a></span> bills until the Speaker +signed the Woman Suffrage Bill. This armed neutrality lasted until 10 +o'clock that night when some of the senators, who had important +measures yet to pass, weakened and voted to send the bill back to the +House. When it reached there a motion prevailed to expunge all the +records relating to it.</p> + +<p>In the Legislature of 1895 a bill for a suffrage amendment was +introduced in the House by A. W. Edwards, editor of the Fargo <i>Forum</i>. +Mrs. Emma Smith DeVoe was sent by the National Association to assist +in the work for the passage of this and other bills of interest to +women. The courtesy of the floor was extended to her in the House and +she was invited to address the members, the Senate again taking a +recess and coming in to listen. Col. W. C. Plummer spoke against the +bill, which received 28 ayes but not a constitutional majority. No +suffrage bill has been introduced since.<a name="FNanchor_204_204" id="FNanchor_204_204"></a><a href="#Footnote_204_204" class="fnanchor">[204]</a></p> + +<p>Dower and curtesy have been abolished. If either husband or wife die +without a will, leaving only one child or the lawful issue of one +child, the survivor is entitled to one-half of the real and personal +estate. If there is more than one child living, or one child and the +lawful issue of one or more children, the widow or widower receives +one-third of the estate. If there is no issue living, he or she +receives one-half of the estate; and if there is neither father, +mother, brother nor sister, the whole of it. The survivor may retain a +homestead to the value of $5,000, which on his or her death the minor +children are entitled to occupy.</p> + +<p>A married woman may contract, sue and be sued and proceed in all +actions as if unmarried. She may dispose of all her separate property +by deed or will, without the consent of her husband. He can not do +this.</p> + +<p>The father is the legal guardian of the persons, estates and earnings +of the minor children. If he abandon them the mother is entitled +thereto. At his death she is the guardian, if suitable. Should she +marry again she loses the guardianship but, by agreement, the court +may re-appoint her.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_550" id="Page_550">[Pg 550]</a></span></p> + +<p>If the husband is not able to support the family the wife must +maintain him and the children to the best of her ability, and her +separate estate may be held liable. If he wilfully neglect to provide +for them his separate property shall be held liable, and he may be +imprisoned in the county jail not less than sixty days nor more than +six months.</p> + +<p>In case either husband or wife abandons the family and leaves the +State for a year or more, or is sent to prison for a year or more, the +court may authorize the one remaining to sell or encumber the property +of the other for the maintenance of the family or the debts which were +left unpaid after due notice has been given to the absent one.</p> + +<p>The causes for divorce do not differ from those in a number of other +States, but by requiring a residence of only six months a great +inducement is offered to persons from outside to come here for the +express purpose of securing a divorce.</p> + +<p>The "age of protection" for girls was raised from 10 to 14 years in +1887. The women attempted in 1895 to have it raised to 18 but +succeeded only in getting 16 years. The reduction of the penalty, +however, made this of small avail. For the first degree it is +imprisonment in the penitentiary not less than ten years; second +degree, imprisonment in the penitentiary not less than five years. +"But no conviction can be had in case the female is over the age of 10 +years and the man under the age of 20 years, and it appears to the +satisfaction of the jury that the female was sufficiently matured and +informed to understand the nature of the act and consent thereto."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> The Territorial Legislature of 1879 gave women a vote on +questions pertaining to the schools, which were then decided at school +meetings. This was partially repealed by a law of 1883 which required +regular polls and a private ballot, but this Act did not include +fifteen counties which had school districts fully established, and +women still continued to vote at these district school meetings. In +1887 a law was enacted giving all women the right to vote at all +school elections for all officers, and making them eligible for all +school offices. By the State constitution adopted in 1889 all women +properly qualified may<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_551" id="Page_551">[Pg 551]</a></span> vote for all public school officers, including +State Superintendent, and on all questions pertaining solely to school +matters.</p> + +<p>At the special school election held in Grand Forks, Aug. 4, 1890, Mrs. +Sara E. B. Smith and Dr. Cora Smith (Eaton) voted. Objections were +raised, but with the law and the constitution back of them they +carried the day. On September 5, in response to a request from the +Grand Forks W. S. A., Attorney-General J. M. Cochrane gave a written +opinion that the provision of the constitution relating to woman +suffrage was not self-executing, and that until supplementary +legislation was enacted providing the requisite machinery for +recording school ballots cast by women, they could not vote. As the +authorities in a number of places refused to provide separate boxes, +the Legislature of 1893 passed an act requiring them.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> Women are eligible for all school offices, but for no +other elective office.</p> + +<p>In 1892 Mrs. Laura J. Eisenhuth was elected State Superintendent of +Public Instruction on the Democratic ticket. In 1894 she was again +nominated but was defeated by Miss Emma Bates on the Republican +ticket.</p> + +<p>Eleven women are now serving as county superintendents, and many on +local school boards. They do not sit on any State boards. All of the +directors of the Woman's Reformatory, under control of the W. C. T. +U., are women.</p> + +<p>In the Legislature they serve as librarians, journal, enrolling and +engrossing clerks and stenographers. They act also as deputies in +State, county and city offices. By special statute of 1893 they may be +notaries public.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> No profession or occupation is legally forbidden to +women.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> All of the educational institutions are open to both sexes +alike and women are on the faculties. Dr. Janette Hill Knox was +vice-president of Red River Valley University (Meth. Epis.) for five +years.</p> + +<p>There are in the public schools 1,115 men and 2,522 women teachers. +The average monthly salary of the men is $39.92; of the women, +$35.57.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_552" id="Page_552">[Pg 552]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Woman's Christian Temperance Union was the first and still +continues to be the largest of the organizations. It works for the +franchise through public lectures, petitions, legislative bills and +various educational measures. The Woman's Relief Corps and a large +number of church, lodge and literary societies enlist women's +activities in a marked degree. They sit on the official boards of many +churches and some of these are composed entirely of women.</p> + + +<h4>SOUTH DAKOTA.<a name="FNanchor_205_205" id="FNanchor_205_205"></a><a href="#Footnote_205_205" class="fnanchor">[205]</a></h4> + +<p>In June, 1883, a convention was held at Huron to discuss the question +of dividing the Territory and forming two States, and a convention was +called to meet at Sioux Falls, September 4, and prepare a constitution +for those in the southern portion. The suffrage leaders in the East +were anxious that this should include the franchise for women. Mrs. +Matilda Joslyn Gage of New York, vice-president-at-large of the +National Suffrage Association, lectured at various points in the +Territory during the summer to awaken public sentiment on this +question. On September 6 a petition signed by 1,000 Dakota men and +women, praying that the word "male" should not be incorporated in the +constitution, was presented to the convention, accompanied by personal +appeals. There was some disposition to grant this request but the +opponents prevailed and only the school ballot was given to women, +which they already possessed by Act of the Legislature of 1879. +However, this constitution never was acted upon.</p> + +<p>The desire for division and Statehood became very urgent throughout +the great Territory, and this, with the growing sentiment in Congress +in favor of the same, induced the Legislature of 1885 to provide for a +convention at Sioux Falls, composed of members elected by the voters +of the Territory, to form a constitution for the proposed new State of +South Dakota and submit the same to the electors for adoption, which +was done in November, 1885. Many of the women had become landholders +and were interested in the location of schoolhouses, county seats, +State capital and matters of taxation. As their only organization was +the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, a committee<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_553" id="Page_553">[Pg 553]</a></span> was appointed +from that body, consisting of Alice M. A. Pickler, Superintendent of +the Franchise Department, Helen M. Barker and Julia Welch, to appear +before the Committee on Suffrage and ask that the word "male" be left +out of the qualifications of electors. They were helped by letters to +members of the convention from Lucy Stone, Henry B. Blackwell, Susan +B. Anthony, Lillie Devereux Blake and others of national reputation.</p> + +<p>Seven of the eleven members of the committee were willing to grant +this request but there was so much opposition from the convention, +lest the chances for Statehood might be imperiled, that they compelled +a compromise and it was directed that the first Legislature should +submit the question to the voters. They did incorporate a clause, +however, that women properly qualified should be eligible to any +school office and should vote at any election held solely for school +purposes. This applied merely to school trustees, as State and county +superintendents are elected at general and not special elections.</p> + +<p>The constitution was ratified by the voters in 1885, with a provision +that "the Legislature should at its first session after the admission +of the State into the Union, submit to a vote of the electors at the +next general election, the question whether the word 'male' should be +stricken from the article of the constitution relating to elections +and the right of suffrage."</p> + +<p>Congress at that time refused to divide the Territory and thus the +question remained in abeyance awaiting Statehood.</p> + +<p>In 1889, an enabling act having been passed by Congress, delegates +were elected from the different counties to meet in convention at +Sioux Falls to prepare for the entrance of South Dakota into +Statehood. This convention reaffirmed the constitution adopted in +1885, and again submitted it to the voters who again passed upon it +favorably, and the Territory became a State, Nov. 2, 1889.</p> + +<p>The first Legislature met at once in Pierre, and although they were +required by the constitution to submit an amendment for woman suffrage +a vote was taken as to whether this should be done. It stood in the +Senate 40 yeas, one nay; absent or not voting, 4; in the House 84 +yeas, 9 nays; 21 absent.</p> + +<p>On Nov. 11, 1889, Miss Anthony, in response to urgent requests<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_554" id="Page_554">[Pg 554]</a></span> from +the State, made a lecture tour of twelve cities and towns and +addressed the Farmers' Alliance at their convention in Aberdeen, when +they officially indorsed the suffrage amendment. On her return home +she sent 50,000 copies of Senator T. W. Palmer's great woman suffrage +speech to individual voters in Dakota under his frank.</p> + +<p>A State Suffrage Association had been formed with S. A. Ramsey, +president, Alonzo Wardall, vice-president, the Rev. M. Barker, +secretary, and Mrs. Helen M. Barker, treasurer and State organizer; +but the beginning of this campaign found the women with no funds and +very little local organization. Mr. Wardall, who was also secretary of +the Farmers' Alliance, went to Washington and, with Representative and +Mrs. J. A. Pickler, presented a strong appeal for assistance to the +national suffrage convention in February, 1890. It was heartily +responded to and a South Dakota campaign committee was formed with +Miss Anthony chairman. The officers and friends made vigorous efforts +to raise a fund and eventually $5,500 were secured. Of this amount +California sent $1,000; Senator Stanford personally gave $300; Rachel +Foster Avery of Philadelphia, the same amount; Mrs. Clara L. McAdow of +Montana, $250; a number gave $100, among them U. S. Senator R. F. +Pettigrew of South Dakota, and different States sent various +sums.<a name="FNanchor_206_206" id="FNanchor_206_206"></a><a href="#Footnote_206_206" class="fnanchor">[206]</a></p> + +<p>The first of May Miss Anthony returned to South Dakota and established +campaign headquarters in Huron. A mass convention of men and women was +held and an active State organization formed with Mrs. Philena Everett +Johnson, president, Mr. Wardall, vice-president, which co-operated +with the national committee and inaugurated an active campaign. The +new State had adopted as its motto, "Under God the People Rule," and +the suffragists wrote upon their banners, "Under God the People Rule. +Women Are People." A large number of national speakers came in the +summer. Local workers would organize suffrage clubs in the +schoolhouses and these efforts would culminate in large rallies at the +county seats where some noted speakers would make addresses and +perfect the organization.</p> + +<p>Those from the outside who canvassed the State were Henry<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_555" id="Page_555">[Pg 555]</a></span> B. +Blackwell, editor <i>Woman's Journal</i>, Boston, the Rev. Anna Howard +Shaw, national lecturer, Mary Seymour Howell (N. Y.), the Rev. Olympia +Brown (Wis.), Matilda Hindman (Penn.), Carrie Chapman Catt (Wash.), +Laura M. Johns (Kan.), Clara Bewick Colby (Neb.), the Rev. Helen G. +Putnam (N. D.), Julia B. Nelson (Minn.) Miss Anthony was always and +everywhere the moving spirit and contributed her services the entire +six months without pay. When $300 were lacking to settle the final +expenses she paid them out of her own pocket. Mr. Blackwell also +donated his services. Most effective State work was done by Mrs. Emma +Smith De Voe, and the home of Mr. and Mrs. De Voe was a haven of rest +for the toilers during the campaign. Among the other valuable State +workers were Dr. Nettie C. Hall, Mrs. Helen M. Barker, and Mrs. +Elizabeth M. Wardall, superintendent of press. A large number of +ministers indorsed the amendment. Two grand rallies of all the +speakers were held, one in Mitchell, August 26, 27, during which time +Miss Anthony, Mr. Blackwell, Miss Shaw and Mrs. Pickler addressed the +Republican State Convention; the other during the State Fair in +September. The 17th was "Woman's Day" and the Fair Association invited +the ladies to speak. Miss Anthony, Miss Shaw and Mrs. De Voe complied. +The summing up of the superintendent of press was as follows: Total +number of addresses by national speakers, 789; State speakers, 707; +under the auspices of the W. C. T. U., 104; total, 1,600; local clubs +of women organized, 400; literature sent to every voter.</p> + +<p>It would be difficult to put into words the hardships of this campaign +of 1890 in a new State through the hottest and dryest summer on +record. Frequently the speakers had to drive twenty miles between the +afternoon and evening meetings and the audiences would come thirty +miles. All of the political State conventions declined to indorse the +amendment. The Republicans refused seats to the ladies on the floor of +their convention although Indians in blankets were welcomed. The +Democrats invited the ladies to seats where they listened to a speech +against woman suffrage by E. W. Miller, land receiver of the Huron +district, too indecent to print, which was received with cheers and +applause by the convention. The minority committee report asking<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_556" id="Page_556">[Pg 556]</a></span> for +an indorsement, presented by Judge Bangs of Rapid City, was +overwhelmingly voted down. A big delegation of Russians came to this +convention wearing huge yellow badges lettered, Against Woman Suffrage +and Susan B. Anthony.</p> + +<p>The greatest disappointment of the campaign was the forming of an +Independent party by the Farmers' Alliance and the Knights of Labor. +The Alliance at its convention the previous year, 478 delegates +present, at the close of Miss Anthony's address, had declared that +they would do all in their power to carry the suffrage amendment, and +it was principally on account of their assurances of support and on +the invitation of their leaders, that she undertook the work in South +Dakota. The Knights of Labor at their convention in January of the +present year had adopted a resolution which said: "We will support +with all our strength the amendment to be voted on at the next general +election giving women the ballot ... believing this to be the first +step toward securing those reforms for which all true Knights of Labor +are striving."</p> + +<p>But the following June these two organizations formed a new party and +absolutely refused to put a woman suffrage plank in their platform, +although Miss Anthony addressed their convention and implored them to +keep their promise, assuring them that their failure to support the +amendment would be its death blow. The previous summer H. L. Loucks, +president of the Farmers' Alliance, had made a special journey to the +State suffrage convention at Minneapolis to invite her to come to +South Dakota to conduct this canvass. He was a candidate for Governor +on this new party ticket and in his speech of acceptance did not +mention the pending amendment. Before adjourning the convention +adopted a long resolution containing seven or eight declarations, +among them one that "no citizen should be disfranchised on account of +sex," but so far as any party advocacy was concerned the question was +a dead issue.</p> + +<p>A bitter contest was being made between Huron and Pierre for the +location of the State capital, and the woman suffrage amendment was +freely used as an article of barter. There were 30,000 Russians, +Poles, Scandinavians and other foreigners in the State, most of whom +opposed woman suffrage. The liquor dealers and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_557" id="Page_557">[Pg 557]</a></span> gamblers worked +vigorously against it, and they were reinforced by the women +"remonstrants" of Massachusetts, who sent their literature into every +corner of the State.</p> + +<p>At the election, Nov. 4, 1890, the amendment received 22,072 ayes, +45,862 noes, majority opposed 23,790. The Republicans carried the +State by 16,000 majority.</p> + +<p>At this same election an amendment was submitted as to whether male +Indians should be enfranchised. It received an affirmative vote of 45 +per cent.; that for woman suffrage received 35 per cent. Of the two +classes of voters it seemed the men preferred the Indians. It was +claimed by many, however, that they did not understand the wording of +the Indian amendment and thought they were voting against it.<a name="FNanchor_207_207" id="FNanchor_207_207"></a><a href="#Footnote_207_207" class="fnanchor">[207]</a></p> + +<p>As the School Suffrage possessed by women applied only to trustees and +did not include the important offices of State and county +superintendents, and as it was held that the franchise for this +purpose could be secured only by a constitutional amendment, it was +decided to ask for this. Through the efforts of Mrs. Anna R. Simmons +and Mrs. Emma A. Cranmer, officers of the State Association, a bill +for this purpose was secured from the Legislature of 1893. As there +seemed to be no objection to women's voting for school trustees it was +not supposed that there would be any to extending the privilege for +the other school officers. It was submitted at the regular election in +November, 1894, and defeated by 17,010 ayes, 22,682 noes, an opposing +majority of 5,672.</p> + +<p>In 1897 the above ladies made one more effort and secured from the +Legislature the submission again of an amendment conferring the Full +Suffrage on women. The campaign was managed almost entirely by Mrs. +Simmons and Mrs. Cranmer. The National Association assisted to the +extent of sending a lecturer, Miss Laura A. Gregg of Kansas, who +remained for two months preceding the election; and $100 worth of +literature also was furnished for distribution. The Dakota women +raised about $1,500, and every possible influence was exerted upon the +voters. The returns of the election in November, 1898, gave for the +amendment 19,698; against, 22,983; adverse majority, 3,285.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_558" id="Page_558">[Pg 558]</a></span></p> + +<p>In 1890 the amendment had received 35 per cent. of the whole vote cast +upon it; in 1898 it received 77 per cent. The figures show +unmistakably that the falling off in the size of the vote was almost +wholly among the opponents.<a name="FNanchor_208_208" id="FNanchor_208_208"></a><a href="#Footnote_208_208" class="fnanchor">[208]</a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Organization:</span> After the defeat of the suffrage amendment in 1890 a +more thorough State organization was effected and a convention has +been held every year since. That of 1891 met in Huron and Mrs. Irene +G. Adams was elected president. Soon afterwards she compiled a leaflet +showing the unjust laws for women which disgraced the statute books.</p> + +<p>In 1892 a successful annual meeting took place at Hastings and Mrs. +Mary A. Groesbeck was made president. In September, 1893, the +convention was held in Aberdeen during the Grain Palace Exposition. +The State president and the president elect, Mrs. Emma A. Cranmer, had +charge of the program for Woman's Day, and Mrs. Clara Hoffman (Mo.) +gave addresses in the afternoon and evening.</p> + +<p>In 1894 Mrs. Anna R. Simmons was elected president and continued in +office for six years. This year $100 was sent to aid the Kansas +campaign. During 1894 and '95 she made twenty public addresses and +held ten parlor meetings. At the convention in Pierre in September, +1895, she was able to report fifty clubs organized with 700 members. +Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, chairman of the national organization +committee, was present at this convention.</p> + +<p>Active work was continued throughout 1896 and 1897, when the +submission of a suffrage amendment was secured. The year of 1898 was +given up to efforts for its success. Mrs. C. C. King established and +carried on almost entirely at her own expense the <i>South Dakota +Messenger</i>, a campaign paper which was of the greatest service. The +State convention met in Mitchell September 28-30. Miss Elizabeth Upham +Yates (Me.) came as representative of the National Association and +gave two addresses to large audiences. The following October a +conference of National and State workers was held at Sioux Falls, the +former represented by Mrs. Chapman Catt, the Rev. Henrietta G. Moore<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_559" id="Page_559">[Pg 559]</a></span> +(O.) and Miss Mary G. Hay, national organizers. Several public +sessions were held.</p> + +<p>The annual meeting of 1899 took place in Madison, September 5, 6. The +tenth convention met in Brookings, Sept. 5, 1900. Mrs. Simmons having +removed from the State, Mrs. Alice M. A. Pickler was elected +president. Mrs. Philena Everett Johnson was made vice-president.<a name="FNanchor_209_209" id="FNanchor_209_209"></a><a href="#Footnote_209_209" class="fnanchor">[209]</a></p> + +<p>Among the prominent friends of woman suffrage may be mentioned the +Hon. Arthur C. Mellette, first State Governor; U. S. Senators Richard +F. Pettigrew, James H. Kyle and Robert J. Gamble; Lieutenant-Governor +D. T. Hindman; members of Congress J. A. Pickler, W. B. Lucas and E. +W. Martin; the Hons. S. A. Ramsey and Coe I. Crawford; +Attorney-General John L. Pyle, Judge D. C. Thomas, General W. H. +Beadle, Professor McClennen, of the Madison Normal School, and +ministers of many churches. The Hon. J. H. Patton and the Hon. W. C. +Bowers paid the expenses of the legislative committee of the suffrage +association while they were in Pierre during the winter of 1897 to +secure the submission of an amendment. Chief Justice of the Supreme +Court A. J. Edgerton, was a pronounced advocate of woman suffrage and +appointed a woman official stenographer of his judicial district, the +best salaried office within his gift. Associate Justice Seward Smith +appointed a woman clerk of the Faulk County district court.<a name="FNanchor_210_210" id="FNanchor_210_210"></a><a href="#Footnote_210_210" class="fnanchor">[210]</a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Laws:</span> Neither dower nor curtesy obtains. If either husband or wife die +without a will, leaving only one child or the lawful issue of one, the +survivor is entitled to one-half of the separate estate of the other; +or one-third if there are more than one child or the issue of more +than one. If there are no children nor the issue of any, the survivor +is entitled to one-half of the estate and the other half goes to the +kindred of the deceased. If there are none the survivor takes all. A +homestead of 160 acres, or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_560" id="Page_560">[Pg 560]</a></span> one-quarter of an acre in town, may be +reserved for the widow or widower.</p> + +<p>Either husband or wife may dispose of separate property, real or +personal, by deed or will, without the consent of the other. Joint +real estate, including the homestead, can be conveyed only by +signature of both, but the husband may dispose of joint personal +property without the consent of the wife.</p> + +<p>In order to control her separate property the wife must keep it +recorded in the office of the county register.</p> + +<p>On the death of an unmarried child the father inherits all of its +property. If he is dead and there are no other children, the mother +inherits it. If there are brothers and sisters she inherits a child's +share.</p> + +<p>A married woman can not act as administrator. Of several persons +claiming and equally entitled to act as executors, males must be +preferred to females.</p> + +<p>A married woman can control her earnings outside the home only when +living separate from her husband.</p> + +<p>The father is the legal guardian and has custody of the persons and +services of minor children. If he refuse to take the custody or has +abandoned his family or has been legally declared a drunkard, the +mother is entitled to the custody.</p> + +<p>The law declares the husband the head of the family and he must +support the wife by his separate property or labor, but if he has not +deserted her, and has no separate property, and is too infirm to +support her by his labor, the wife must support him and their children +out of her separate property or in other ways to the extent of her +ability. An act of Feb. 21, 1896, makes the wife liable for +necessaries for the family purchased on her own account to the same +extent that her husband would be liable under a similar purchase, but +with no control over the joint earnings.</p> + +<p>The causes for divorce are the same as in most States but only six +months' residence is required. The disposition of the children is left +entirely with the court.</p> + +<p>In 1887, through the efforts of the W.C.T.U., the "age of protection" +for girls was raised from 10 to 14 years. In 1893 they tried to have +it made 18 but the Legislature compromised on 16 years. Rape in the +first degree <i>is punishable</i> by imprisonment<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_561" id="Page_561">[Pg 561]</a></span> in the penitentiary not +less than ten years; in the second degree, not less than five years.</p> + +<p>The penalty for seduction and for enticing away for purposes of +prostitution is prescribed by the same words "is punishable," which in +reality leaves it to the judgment of the court, but the statutes fix +the penalty for all other crimes by the words "shall be punished." In +addition to this latitude the penalty for seduction or enticing for +purposes of prostitution is, if the girl is under 15, imprisonment in +the penitentiary not more than five years, or in the county jail not +more than one year, or by fine not exceeding $1,000, or both; with no +minimum penalty.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> The Territorial Legislature of 1879 gave women a vote on +questions pertaining to the schools, which were then decided at school +meetings. This was partially repealed by a law of 1883 which required +regular polls and a private ballot, but this act did not include +fifteen counties which had school districts fully established, and +women still continued to vote at these district school meetings. In +1887 a law was enacted giving all women the right to vote at all +school elections for all officers, and making them eligible for all +school offices. The constitution which was adopted when South Dakota +entered the Union (1889) provided that "any woman having the required +qualifications as to age, residence and citizenship may vote at any +election held solely for school purposes." As State and county +superintendents are elected at general and not special elections, +women can vote only for school trustees. They have no vote on bonds or +appropriations.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> The State constitution provides that all persons, +either male or female, being twenty-one years of age and having the +necessary qualifications, shall be eligible to the office of school +director, treasurer, judge or clerk of school elections, county +superintendent of public schools and State Superintendent of Public +Instruction. All other civil offices must be filled by male electors.</p> + +<p>There are at present eleven women serving as county superintendents. +They sit on the school boards in many places and have been treasurers. +A woman was nominated for State Superintendent of Public Instruction +by the Independent party.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_562" id="Page_562">[Pg 562]</a></span></p> + +<p>Efforts to secure a law requiring women on the boards of State +institutions have failed. The Governor is required to appoint three +women inspectors of penal and charitable institutions, who are paid by +the State and make their report directly to him. They inspect the +penitentiary, reform school, insane hospitals, deaf and dumb institute +and school for the blind. There is one assistant woman physician in +the State Hospital for the Insane. Women in subordinate official +positions are found in all State institutions.</p> + +<p>They act as clerks in all city, county and State offices and in the +Legislature, and have served as court stenographers and clerk of the +Circuit Court.</p> + +<p>There are eight women notaries public at the present time.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> No profession or occupation is legally forbidden to +women. Ten hours is made a legal working day for them. Four women are +editing county papers.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> All institutions of learning are open alike to both sexes +and there are women on the faculties. In the public schools there are +1,225 men and 3,581 women teachers. The average monthly salary of the +men is $36.45; of the women $30.82.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>The W.C.T.U. was the first organization of women in the State and +through its franchise department has worked earnestly and collected +numerous petitions for suffrage. The Woman's Relief Corps is the +largest body, having 1,800 members. The Eastern Star, Daughters of +Rebekah, Ladies of the Maccabees, and other lodge societies are well +organized. The Federation of Clubs, the youngest association, +represents 200 members. A number of churches have women on their +official boards.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_200_200" id="Footnote_200_200"></a><a href="#FNanchor_200_200"><span class="label">[200]</span></a> At the New Orleans Exposition in 1885 the displays of +Kansas, Dakota and Nebraska taught the world the artistic value of +grains and grasses for decoration, but it was exemplified most +strikingly in the Dakota's Woman's Department, arranged by Mrs. J. M. +Melton of Fargo. Among the industrial exhibits was a carriage robe +sent from a leading furrier to represent the skilled work of women in +his employ. There were also bird fans, a curtain of duck skins and +cases of taxidermy, all prepared and cured by women, and a case of +work from women employed in the printing office of the Fargo Argus. +Four thousand bouquets of grasses were distributed on Dakota Day and +carried away as curious and beautiful memorials. All were made by +women in the Territory.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_201_201" id="Footnote_201_201"></a><a href="#FNanchor_201_201"><span class="label">[201]</span></a> The History is indebted for this part of the chapter to +Dr. Janette Hill Knox, of Wahpeton, corresponding secretary of the +State Woman Suffrage Association.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_202_202" id="Footnote_202_202"></a><a href="#FNanchor_202_202"><span class="label">[202]</span></a> U. S. Senator W. N. Roach also wrote and voted in favor +of woman suffrage. Martin N. Johnson, M. C., was a strong advocate.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_203_203" id="Footnote_203_203"></a><a href="#FNanchor_203_203"><span class="label">[203]</span></a> Officers elected: Honorary presidents, Dr. Cora Smith +Eaton and Miss Mary Allen Whedon; president, Mrs. Flora Blackman +Naylor; vice-president, Mrs. G. S. Roberts; corresponding secretary, +Dr. Janette Hill Knox; recording secretary, Mrs. Henrietta Paulson +Haagenson; treasurer, Mrs. Anna Carmody; auditors, Mrs. J. S. Kemp, +Mrs. Addie L. Carr; member national executive committee, Mrs. Lois L. +Muir; organizer and lecturer, Mrs. Mary E. Slater; press +superintendent, Mrs. Flora P. Gates. +</p><p> +In addition to these, the following have served as State officers: +Vice-presidents, Mesdames Mary Wilson, Florence Dixon and G. S. +Roberts; corresponding secretaries, Mrs. Sara E. B. Smith, Mrs. Delia +Lee Hyde; recording secretary, Mrs. Helen de Lendrecie; treasurer, +Mrs. Katherine V. King; auditors, Dr. Helena G. Wink and Mesdames M. +B. Goodrich, L. C. McKinney and L. C. Campbell. +</p><p> +Among other efficient workers may be mentioned Gov. Eli Shortridge, +Gov. Roger Allen, Dr. M. V. B. Knox, Miss Bena Halerow, and Mesdames +Ida S. Clark, Mazie Stevens, Nellie Mott, Frances M. Dixon, R. C. +Cooper and S. M. Woodhull.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_204_204" id="Footnote_204_204"></a><a href="#FNanchor_204_204"><span class="label">[204]</span></a> In the Legislature of 1901 a bill was introduced in the +House by H. E. Lavayea of Grand Forks County, to take away School +Suffrage from women. The bill was unconstitutional and was never +reported from the committee, but its introduction stirred up indignant +protests from all parts of the State.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_205_205" id="Footnote_205_205"></a><a href="#FNanchor_205_205"><span class="label">[205]</span></a> The History is indebted to Mrs. Alice M. A. Pickler of +Faulkton, president of the State Woman Suffrage Association, for the +material contained in this part of the chapter.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_206_206" id="Footnote_206_206"></a><a href="#FNanchor_206_206"><span class="label">[206]</span></a> The speakers raised about $1,400 which went toward +paying their expenses. Over $1,000 were secured by other means. Most +of the State workers donated their expenses.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_207_207" id="Footnote_207_207"></a><a href="#FNanchor_207_207"><span class="label">[207]</span></a> A graphic account of this campaign, with many anecdotes +and personal reminiscences, will be found in the Life and Work of +Susan B. Anthony, Chap. XXXVIII.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_208_208" id="Footnote_208_208"></a><a href="#FNanchor_208_208"><span class="label">[208]</span></a> Petitions have been presented to several Legislatures +to grant Municipal Suffrage by statute but a bill for this purpose has +been brought to a vote only once, in 1893, when it was passed by the +Senate, 27 ayes, 11 noes; and defeated in the House by only one vote.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_209_209" id="Footnote_209_209"></a><a href="#FNanchor_209_209"><span class="label">[209]</span></a> Others who have served in official position are +vice-president, Mrs. Emma A. Cranmer; corresponding secretaries, +Mesdames Kate Uline Folger, F. C. Bidwell, Hannah V. Best; treasurers, +Mrs. Elizabeth M. Wardall, Mrs. Marion L. Bennett, Mrs. Clara M. +Williams; auditor, Mrs. John Davis; superintendents of literature, +Mrs. Jane Rooker Breeden, Mrs. Delia Robinson King.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_210_210" id="Footnote_210_210"></a><a href="#FNanchor_210_210"><span class="label">[210]</span></a> The list of men and women who are not so widely known +but who have stood faithfully for woman suffrage would be a long one. +Among them are S. H. Cranmer, Rev. and Mrs. C. E. Hagar, Mrs. Alice +Gossage, Mrs. C. E. Thorpe, Mrs. Luella A. Ramsey, Mrs. Ruby Smart, +Kara Smart and Floy Cochrane.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_563" id="Page_563">[Pg 563]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXII" id="CHAPTER_XXXII"></a>CHAPTER XXXII.</h2> + +<h3>DELAWARE.<a name="FNanchor_211_211" id="FNanchor_211_211"></a><a href="#Footnote_211_211" class="fnanchor">[211]</a></h3> + + +<p>In the campaign of 1884 the Republicans had a Ship of State called the +New Constitution, with an eagle on the top, which was mounted on +wheels and taken from place to place where they held public meetings. +When they came to Greenwood, the home of Mrs. Mary A. Stuart, she put +a "blue hen" upon it, saying they should not have an eagle to +represent freedom for men and nothing to represent women. So the hen +went from one end of Delaware to the other, sitting in state in a +glass coop. Some of the Republican speakers announced from the +platform this year that they favored enfranchisement of women.</p> + +<p>In 1888 the State Woman's Christian Temperance Union adopted the +franchise department with Mrs. Patience Kent as superintendent, and +held several public meetings. In 1889 Mrs. Martha S. Cranston was +elected her successor, and still occupies the position.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Rachel Foster Avery, corresponding secretary of the National +Association, organized the Wilmington Equal Suffrage Club, the first +in the State, on Nov. 18, 1895, with twenty-five members. The +membership soon increased to fifty-three.</p> + +<p>The following winter Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, chairman of the +national organization committee, sent into the State the Rev. +Henrietta G. Moore of Ohio and Miss Mary G. Hay of New York, the +latter to arrange meetings and the former to address them and organize +clubs. On Jan. 17, 18, 1896, they assisted in a convention at +Wilmington, where a State Association was formed.</p> + +<p>As Delaware was to hold a Constitutional Convention in 1897, the +National Association was especially interested in pushing the suffrage +work there. Mrs. Chapman Catt met with the executive<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_564" id="Page_564">[Pg 564]</a></span> committee in +Wilmington to arrange plans, and Mrs. Mary C. C. Bradford of Colorado +and Miss Laura A. Gregg of Kansas were sent during March and April to +further organization. Three county associations were formed, and Mrs. +Hortense Davenport held parlor meetings in various towns throughout +May.</p> + +<p>On Nov. 27, 1896, the second annual convention was held in the New +Century Club parlors in Wilmington. Judge William N. Ashman of +Philadelphia and Mrs. Mary Heald Way of Oxford, Penn., addressed the +audience in the evening.</p> + +<p>Petitions were circulated throughout the State, and Mrs. Cranston and +Miss Hay went to Dover to present the Constitutional Convention with a +memorial, which was referred to the Committee on Elections. It +contained the signatures of 1,592 men and 1,228 women. A hearing was +granted Jan. 13, 1897. Mrs. Emalea P. Warner, Mrs. Margaret W. Houston +and Miss Emma Worrell made addresses. Mrs. Chapman Catt was the chief +speaker. Only two members of the committee were absent. A vote was +taken February 16 on omitting the word "male" from the new +constitution, and the proposition was defeated by 7 yeas, 17 nays, +with 6 not present.</p> + +<p>A national conference was held in Wilmington April 22, 23. Mrs. +Chapman Catt and the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, national +vice-president-at-large, were the principal speakers, and Mrs. +Elizabeth G. Robinson, Mrs. Elizabeth Walling and Mrs. Houston +assisted in making the meetings a success. On Sunday Miss Shaw +preached in the Union M. E. Church in the morning and the Delaware +Avenue Baptist Church in the evening.</p> + +<p>The third State meeting took place at Wilmington, Dec. 2, 1897, with +addresses by Miss Diana Hirschler of Boston and Mrs. C. O. H. Craigie +of Brooklyn.</p> + +<p>There was no convention in 1898, but the State association held a +meeting in the Unitarian Church, in Wilmington, Dec. 15, 1899, which +was addressed by Mrs. Chapman Catt.</p> + +<p>After the national convention in February, 1900, Mrs. Bradford made a +few addresses in the State. The annual meeting took place in +Newcastle, Nov. 15, 1900. Among the speakers were Mrs. Ellen H. E. +Price of Pennsylvania and Professors William H. Purnell and Wesley +Webb.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_565" id="Page_565">[Pg 565]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mrs. Martha S. Cranston has been president of the State association, +and Mrs. Margaret W. Houston vice-president, since its beginning. +Others who have served in official capacity are Mrs. Margaret H. Kent, +Edward Mullen, Miss Emma Lore, Mrs. Mary R. De Vou and Mrs. May Price +Phillips. Among those not previously mentioned who have given valuable +assistance are Chief Justice Charles B. Lore and Mrs. Gertrude Nields.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action and Laws:</span> No bill for woman suffrage has been +presented to the Legislature since 1881.</p> + +<p>On the petition of women a law was passed in 1887 requiring employers +to provide seats for female employes when not on duty.</p> + +<p>In 1889 a police matron was appointed for Wilmington.</p> + +<p>In 1893 the Bastardy Law, which compelled the father of an +illegitimate child to pay fifty cents a week for its support during +seven years, was repealed; $3 a week for ten years were asked, but the +law made it $1 a week for ten years.</p> + +<p>Until 1889 the "age of protection" for girls was only seven years. +That year, on petition of many women, it was raised to fifteen, but +the violation of the law was declared to be only a "misdemeanor," +punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for not +more than seven years, or both, at the discretion of the court, with +no minimum penalty named. In 1895 the Legislature, on the insistence +of women, raised the "age of protection" to eighteen years, but +continued to extend the "protection" to boys as well as girls. It has +been found very difficult to secure the conviction of men for this +crime, and those convicted have been repeatedly pardoned by the +Governor.</p> + +<p>On May 10, 1897, the Legislature passed a bill requiring the +proprietors of mills, factories and stores in the city of Wilmington +to provide comfortable toilet-rooms for their female employes, and one +giving power for the appointment of women as factory inspectors. One +was appointed by Chief Justice Lore the same year.</p> + +<p>If there is a child or the lawful issue of a child living, the widow +has a life-interest in one-third of the real estate and one-third +absolutely of the personal property. If there is no child nor the +descendant of any child living, the widow has a life-interest in +one-half of the real estate and one-half absolutely of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_566" id="Page_566">[Pg 566]</a></span> personal +estate. If there are neither descendants nor kin—brothers, sisters, +their descendants, father nor mother—the widow has the entire real +estate for her life, and all the personal estate absolutely. If a +child of the marriage was born alive, whether living or dead at the +death of the wife, the widower has her entire real estate during his +life, and the whole of her personal estate absolutely, subject to all +legal claims. If there has not been a child born alive, the widower +has a life-interest in one-half of her real estate, but the whole of +her personal estate absolutely.</p> + +<p>The father is the legal guardian of the children, and he alone may +appoint a guardian at his death.</p> + +<p>For failure to support his wife and minor children, a man may be fined +from $10 to $100; and, by Act of 1887, arrested and required to give +bail not exceeding $500. The court may order him to pay reasonable +support not exceeding $100 per month and give security to the State. +If he fail to comply, he may be committed to jail. The wife is +competent as a witness.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> The women in Milford, Townsend, Wyoming and Newark who pay a +property tax are privileged to vote for Town Commissioners in person +or by proxy. All such women in the State may vote for School Trustees.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> In January, 1900, the Supreme Court denied the +application of a woman to practice at the bar, on the ground that a +lawyer is a State officer and all State officers must be voters.</p> + +<p>In the one city of Wilmington women are eligible as school directors, +but none ever has been elected.</p> + +<p>A woman factory inspector was appointed by the Chief Justice in 1897, +and reappointed in 1900.</p> + +<p>Women never have served as notaries public.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> Only the practice of law is legally forbidden.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> Delaware has one college, at Newark, which receives State +funds. Women were admitted in 1872, and during the next thirteen years +eighty availed themselves of its advantages. It was then closed to +them. The only High School in the State, at Wilmington, is open to +girls.</p> + +<p>There are in the public schools 211 men and 643 women teachers. It is +impossible to obtain their average salaries.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_211_211" id="Footnote_211_211"></a><a href="#FNanchor_211_211"><span class="label">[211]</span></a> The History is indebted for this chapter to Mrs. Martha +S. Cranston of Newport, president of the State Woman Suffrage +Association.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_567" id="Page_567">[Pg 567]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXXIII.</h2> + +<h3>DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.<a name="FNanchor_212_212" id="FNanchor_212_212"></a><a href="#Footnote_212_212" class="fnanchor">[212]</a></h3> + + +<p>The women of the District of Columbia who desire the suffrage have a +unique place among those of other localities. As the franchise for men +even is not included in the privileges of citizenship, all are +compelled to work circuitously through Congress in order to gain that +which in the States is secured directly by the ballot. The suffrage +societies stand in especially close relation to the National +Association, as every year from 1869 until 1895, and each alternate +year since, they have served as its hosts and arranged the many +details of its delegate conventions. Being near, also, to the great +legislative body of the nation they often serve as messengers and +mediators between congressional committees and various State +organizations of women.</p> + +<p>The District, however, has its own vital problems to solve, and in +these the suffrage association takes a prominent part. Since 1883, +through its organized and persistent efforts, alone or in co-operation +with other societies, many local reforms and improvements have been +secured. These have been unusually difficult to obtain because subject +to the dual authority of Congress and of the District Commissioners. +Nevertheless, so systematically and harmoniously have the women worked +that the entire personnel of the association's committees has often +been changed during the long delays in the introduction of a bill, the +lobbying for it and its final passage, without in the least imperiling +its success.</p> + +<p>The District society never has languished since its organization in +1868. Dr. Clara W. MacNaughton is now president and there are over one +hundred active members.<a name="FNanchor_213_213" id="FNanchor_213_213"></a><a href="#Footnote_213_213" class="fnanchor">[213]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_568" id="Page_568">[Pg 568]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Equal Suffrage Association of the District of Columbia is a +separate body, corresponding to a State association, and is composed +of delegates elected from the District society and the Junior Equal +Suffrage Club. It was organized Dec. 2, 1898, and holds regular +meetings. Mrs. Helen Rand Tindall is the president.<a name="FNanchor_214_214" id="FNanchor_214_214"></a><a href="#Footnote_214_214" class="fnanchor">[214]</a></p> + +<p>The association made every possible effort to secure a bill to +recompense Anna Ella Carroll for her services during the war. It has +used its influence in favor of industrial schools and kindergartens in +the public schools and has urged Congress to appropriate money for +vacation schools. In 1895 it petitioned the national convention of the +Knights of Labor, meeting in Washington, to adopt a resolution asking +Congress to restore suffrage to the citizens of the District of +Columbia with no distinction of sex. This was unanimously adopted +without even the formality of referring to a committee. Delegates were +sent to the International Congress of Women in Brussels in 1897.</p> + +<p>In 1900, for the first time, the suffrage women of the District gave +free entertainment to delegates to the national convention. Mrs. Ellen +Powell Thompson was chairman of the committee and contributed largely +to the success of that memorable convention, which ended with the +celebration of Miss Susan B. Anthony's eightieth birthday and her +retirement from the presidency of the National Association. Mrs. +Thompson was especially active in securing the handsome gift of a +purse of over $200, which was presented to her by the District +society. Mrs. Julius C. Burrows assisted in many ways and through her +influence the Corcoran Gallery of Art was opened to the brilliant +reception given in honor of Miss Anthony.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_569" id="Page_569">[Pg 569]</a></span></p> + +<p>Among many who openly espouse woman suffrage are ex-Gov. and Mrs. John +W. Hoyt of Wyoming, now living in Washington, Mrs. John B. Henderson, +Mrs. A. L. Barber, Mrs. Judith Ellen Foster, president of the Woman's +Republican Association of the United States, and Miss Clara Barton, +founder and president of the National Red Cross Society; to whom might +be added hosts of others.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action and Laws:</span> The suffrage association has been largely +instrumental in securing most of the District legislation in favor of +women, as the records of the past twenty years will show. What is +regarded as the most important achievement of this nature since 1884 +is the passage by Congress, in 1896, of the Married Woman's Property +Rights Bill.</p> + +<p>The removal of the disabilities of wives had been agitated for a +number of years by the association. In 1893 a bill for this purpose, +drafted by one of its members, Miss Emma M. Gillett, attorney-at-law, +was passed by the Senate. When it reached the House it went through +the usual stages, was tossed about from one committee to another and +deferred and delayed in the most exasperating manner. It was +championed by Miss Gillett, however, with an unswerving courage and +fidelity which never allowed it to be forgotten or neglected, and she +was treated always with the utmost courtesy when appearing before +congressional committees.</p> + +<p>In 1894 Mrs. Ellen Spencer Mussey, always an ardent suffragist, as +chairman of the committee on legislation for the District Federation +of Women's Clubs, began a vigorous prosecution of this bill before +Congress. Miss Gillett and Mrs. Mussey were ably assisted by Mrs. +Belva A. Lockwood, Mrs. Lucia B. Blount, Mrs. M. E. Coues and Mrs. +Mary S. Lockwood.</p> + +<p>At this time married women had no legal right to hold property, and in +most respects the District laws remained about as arbitrary as they +were in the reign of King Charles II. A mother had no right by law to +her own child, the father having legal sanction to dispose of the +offspring even before it was born. At the time this committee was +urging Congress to pass the bill, the public was horrified by a +notorious case in the courts of the District in which a profligate +father, who had never done<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_570" id="Page_570">[Pg 570]</a></span> anything to benefit his children, had +disposed of them by will, debarring the mother from their custody and +control. This cruelty and injustice was an object-lesson which +especially evoked the sympathy of Congress.</p> + +<p>The bill finally passed both Houses, was approved by President William +McKinley, and became a law June 1, 1896. At a special meeting, held +June 11, Mrs. Belva A. Lockwood presented the association with an +engrossed copy of the new law, and the women held a jubilee to +celebrate their victory.</p> + +<p>The law provides that the real, personal or mixed property which shall +come to a woman by descent, purchase, gift, etc., shall be and remain +her sole and separate property, notwithstanding her marriage, and +shall not be subject to the disposal of her husband or be liable for +his debts.</p> + +<p>A married woman may bargain, sell and convey her real and personal +property, enter into any contract, sue and be sued the same as a +married man.</p> + +<p>A married woman may carry on any business or enter any profession, by +herself or with others, and the proceeds shall be her separate +property and may be invested in her own name.</p> + +<p>The law also provides that the father and mother shall be equal +guardians of their children, and that the survivor may by last will +and testament appoint a guardian.</p> + +<p>The husband, if he have property, is required by a recent decision to +furnish his family with reasonable support; otherwise there is no +penalty for failure to do so.</p> + +<p>Dower and curtesy obtain. The widow's dower is one-third for life of +the real estate, and one-third of the personal estate absolutely if +there is a child or descendant of any living. If there is no issue or +descendant of any, but father, mother, brother, sister or descendants +of these, the widow has one-half the personal estate. If none of +these, the widow may have all of the personal estate, and all of the +real estate if there is no kindred whatever. A widower, if his wife +has borne a living child, is entitled to the use of one-third of her +real estate for life, and one-third of her personal property. If there +are no heirs, lineal or collateral, he takes the whole estate +absolutely.</p> + +<p>The "age of protection" for girls was raised in 1889 from 12<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_571" id="Page_571">[Pg 571]</a></span> to 16 +years. The penalty is, for the first offense imprisonment at hard +labor in the penitentiary not more than fifteen years, and for each +subsequent offense not more than thirty years. No minimum penalty is +fixed.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> Since the Territorial government was abolished and male +citizens disfranchised, in 1874, there have been numerous petitions to +Congress for the ballot by both men and women, but no action has been +taken by that body.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> Through the early '80's Mrs. Belva A. Lockwood, Mrs. +Jane H. Spofford and others worked unceasingly for the placing of +matrons at the jail and police stations. One was appointed in 1884, +and, during the sixteen years since, a matron has been secured for the +jail and three for the ten police stations, largely through the +efforts of the suffragists and especially of Mrs. Ellen Powell +Thompson, president of the District Association. The women have had +the hearty support of Major Richard Sylvester, Chief of Police.</p> + +<p>In 1892 an act was passed for a Board of Guardians for Dependent +Children, of which at least three of the nine members must be women.</p> + +<p>Principally to the efforts of Mrs. Sara A. Spencer, with the help of +other members of the association, is due the bill providing for a +Girl's Reform School, in 1892. The board of managers has always been +composed of men, but there are a woman superintendent and a woman +physician.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lockwood and Mrs. Elizabeth A. Russell worked long and arduously +to secure a House of Detention and also a special carriage and a +special court for the women and children arrested. To Major Sylvester +above all others, however, belongs the credit of securing this House +of Detention. Senator James McMillan of Michigan, chairman of the +Committee on the District of Columbia, framed the bill and it was +finally transformed into law. This house was opened in the summer of +1900. A Lieutenant of Police and three matrons have charge, under +supervision of the Chief.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Marilla M. Ricker was made notary public and master in chancery +in 1885, and Miss Emma M. Gillett soon afterward. They secured the +legislation necessary for women to hold the latter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_572" id="Page_572">[Pg 572]</a></span> office. There are +at present four or five women masters in chancery and twenty women +notaries in the District.</p> + +<p>It required six years of agitation and effort on the part of the +suffrage association before women were allowed to serve as members on +the Board of Public School Education. The principal movers in this +work were Dr. Clara W. MacNaughton, Mrs. Thompson, Mrs. Helen Rand +Tindall, Mrs. Lockwood and Mrs. Caroline E. Kent. During this time the +bill passed through many vicissitudes and its friends became +discouraged, but in 1894 Dr. MacNaughton went to work with a strong +determination to secure its passage. Great assistance was rendered by +Senator McMillan and the Hon. Edwin F. Uhl, at that time Assistant +Secretary of State. The bill was finally passed just before Congress +adjourned for that year. The school board, which has charge of both +white and colored schools, consists of five members, each with a +salary of $500 a year. Mrs. Mary C. Terrill (colored) served five +years and resigned. She was succeeded by Mrs. Betty G. Francis +(colored). Mrs. Mary Hope West (white) is the other woman member. A +woman is serving as assistant superintendent of the public schools, +receiving $2,500 per annum; and a woman is employed as assistant +secretary of the Board of Education.</p> + +<p>Women sit on the Hospital Boards and those of Public Charities. It +never has been possible to secure the appointment of women physicians +at any of the hospitals or asylums.</p> + +<p>As women are admitted to the various Government Departments there +naturally would be more of them holding office in the District of +Columbia than in all the States combined. The relative number of men +and women employed is as follows:</p> + + + +<div class="center"> +<table summary=""> +<tr><td class="center" colspan="3"><i>LEGISLATIVE.</i></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> </td><td class="right"><i>Male.</i></td><td class="right"><i>Female.</i></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Senate, officers and employes</td><td class="right">382</td><td class="right">3</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">House of Representatives, officers and employes</td><td class="right">272</td><td class="right">...</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Capitol Police</td><td class="right">65</td><td class="right">...</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Library of Congress</td><td class="right">216</td><td class="right">151</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">United States Botanic Garden</td><td class="right bb">28</td><td class="right bb">...</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"></td><td class="right">963</td><td class="right">154</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="center" colspan="3"><i>EXECUTIVE.</i></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Executive Office</td><td class="right">28</td><td class="right">...</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">State Department</td><td class="right">92</td><td class="right">17</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Treasury Department</td><td class="right">3,234</td><td class="right">2,313</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">War Department<a name="FNanchor_215_215" id="FNanchor_215_215"></a><a href="#Footnote_215_215" class="fnanchor">[215]</a></td><td class="right">2,411</td><td class="right">300</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Navy Department<a name="FNanchor_216_216" id="FNanchor_216_216"></a><a href="#Footnote_216_216" class="fnanchor">[216]</a></td><td class="right">2,992</td><td class="right">85</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Postoffice Department</td><td class="right">812</td><td class="right">237</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Interior Department</td><td class="right">4,810</td><td class="right">2,862</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Department of Justice</td><td class="right">191</td><td class="right">21</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Department of Agriculture</td><td class="right">650</td><td class="right">332</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Government Printing Office</td><td class="right">2,623</td><td class="right">1,068</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Department of Labor</td><td class="right">74</td><td class="right">10</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Fish Commission</td><td class="right">55</td><td class="right">12</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Interstate Commerce Commission</td><td class="right">133</td><td class="right">...</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Civil Service Commission</td><td class="right">55</td><td class="right">6</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Industrial Commission</td><td class="right">10</td><td class="right">7</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Smithsonian Institution</td><td class="right">320</td><td class="right">39</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Bureau of American Republics</td><td class="right">13</td><td class="right">9</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Local Postoffices in District</td><td class="right bb">606</td><td class="right bb">22</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"></td><td class="right">19,109</td><td class="right">7,340</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="center" colspan="3"><i>JUDICIAL.</i></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Supreme Court of the United States</td><td class="right">12</td><td class="right">...</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Court of Claims</td><td class="right bb">25</td><td class="right bb">2</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"></td><td class="right bb">37</td><td class="right bb">2</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="center" colspan="3"><i>SUMMARY.</i></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"></td><td class="right">20,109</td><td class="right">7,496</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<p>Whether the number of women is increasing or decreasing is a disputed +question. The Civil Service alone enables them to hold their places or +to secure new ones against the tremendous pressure for the offices +which is brought upon the appointing powers by the men who form the +voting constituency of the country. Chiefs of the Divisions rarely +call for a woman on the Civil Service list of eligibles.</p> + +<p>Few women fill the highly salaried positions. One woman receives +$2,500 as Portuguese translator; one, working in the U. S. Land Office +at Lander, Wyoming, receives the same. One secured a $2,250 position +in the Federal Postoffice Department but was soon reduced to an $1,800 +place and her own given to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_574" id="Page_574">[Pg 574]</a></span> a man. The salaries of women in general +range from $900 to $1,600, not more than fifty receiving the latter +sum, while many hundreds of men clerks receive $1,800. Clerkships +under Civil Service rules are supposed to pay the same to men and +women, but the latter rarely secure the better-paid ones. There are a +large number of positions graded above clerkships and paying from +$2,000 to $3,000 a year to which women are practically never +appointed.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> No professions or occupations are forbidden to women. Two +of the pioneer women physicians in the United States made name and +fame in Washington—Dr. Caroline B. Winslow and Dr. Susan A. +Edson—the latter the attending physician during the last illness of +President James A. Garfield.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> Howard University, for white and colored students, is the +only one which graduates women in medicine. In all of its ten +departments, including law, it is co-educational. Columbian University +(Baptist) opens its literary departments to women but excludes them +from those of law and medicine, which are its strongest +departments.<a name="FNanchor_217_217" id="FNanchor_217_217"></a><a href="#Footnote_217_217" class="fnanchor">[217]</a> They were admitted to the Medical School in 1884, +but excluded in 1892 on the ground that the university could not +afford to have professors for separate classes and that the buildings +were too small for the increased number of students.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ellen S. Mussey and Miss Emma M. Gillett, in 1896, established +the Washington College of Law for the legal education of women. Mrs. +Mussey has been the dean since its organization and is the only woman +dean of a law school in the country. The Hon. Edward F. Bingham, Chief +Justice of the Supreme Court of the District, is president of the +board of trustees, and leading members of the bar have used their +influence to make the college a success. The curriculum is the same as +obtains in the leading institutions. There are several men among the +students. Mrs. Mussey is counsel for the Red Cross Society.</p> + +<p>The American University (Methodist Episcopal), now being organized for +post-graduate work, is to be co-educational.</p> + +<p>The great Catholic Universities, here, as everywhere, are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_575" id="Page_575">[Pg 575]</a></span> closed to +women. Trinity College for Women (Roman Catholic) was dedicated Nov. +22, 1900. The necessity for this college became apparent from their +many applications to enter the universities for men. It is the first +institution founded by this church for the higher education of women +such as is provided by the largest of the women's colleges in the +United States.</p> + +<p>There are in the public schools 155 men and 1,004 women teachers. The +average monthly salary of the men is $94.48; of the women, $64.31.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>The introduction of Kindergartens into the public schools received the +assistance of all the women's societies in the District. In 1898 a +bill passed Congress appropriating $15,000 with which to make the +experiment. This proving successful an annual appropriation of $25,000 +was made.<a name="FNanchor_218_218" id="FNanchor_218_218"></a><a href="#Footnote_218_218" class="fnanchor">[218]</a></p> + +<p>The Woman's Christian Temperance Union, Mrs. Clinton Smith, president, +has secured the suppression of liquor selling in the café of the new +Library of Congress, and a large number of most beneficent measures. +In December, 1900, the national convention of the W. C. T. U. was held +in Washington and among the strongest resolutions adopted were those +declaring for woman suffrage and the abolishment of the army canteen. +A bill for the latter purpose passed the House while the convention +was in session, and soon afterwards passed the Senate.</p> + +<p>The District Federation of Women's Clubs includes eleven affiliated +organizations comprising nearly four thousand women.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Julius C. Burrows (Mich.) is among the most prominent of the many +women engaged in philanthropic work. Largely under her direction the +Training School for Nurses connected with the Garfield Memorial +Hospital has become one of the best in the country.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Clara Bewick Colby has long owned and published the <i>Woman's +Tribune</i>. Mrs. Mary S. Lockwood for a number of years has edited the +<i>American Magazine</i>, the official organ of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_576" id="Page_576">[Pg 576]</a></span> National Society +Daughters of the American Revolution. Mrs. Belva A. Lockwood is +associate editor of <i>The Peacemaker</i>.</p> + +<p>Dr. Anita Newcombe McGee was the first woman in the United States +commissioned as surgeon, with the rank of lieutenant and the privilege +of wearing shoulder straps. She examined most of the women nurses who +volunteered their services in Cuba and the Philippines.</p> + +<p>All of the women mentioned above are members of the suffrage +association, and those engaged in public work of all kinds are, almost +without exception, advocates of woman suffrage.</p> + +<p>During the Spanish-American War the women of the District, including +the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Woman's Christian +Temperance Union and the District Federation of Women's Clubs, united +in their services. Pleasant headquarters were opened in different +localities. Mrs. Judith Ellen Foster, Mrs. James B. Tanner and many +other loyal Red Cross women answered the call of Clara Barton, and +assisted daily through the long, hot summer of 1898 in contributing to +the comfort of the soldiers when passing through Washington or while +stationed at Camp Alger; and also in sending supplies for the comfort +of those at the front. There were no castes, creeds or factions in +this great work of patriotism.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_212_212" id="Footnote_212_212"></a><a href="#FNanchor_212_212"><span class="label">[212]</span></a> The History is indebted for this chapter to Mrs. +Florence Adele Chase, for a number of years on the editorial staff of +a daily paper at Grand Rapids, Mich., now on the editorial force in +the Division of Publications of the Agricultural Department at +Washington, the only woman who has held the position.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_213_213" id="Footnote_213_213"></a><a href="#FNanchor_213_213"><span class="label">[213]</span></a> The presidents since 1884 have been Mrs. Ruth G. +Denison, Dr. Susan A. Edson, Mrs. Ella M. S. Marble, Mrs. Mary L. +Bennett, Mrs. Mary Powell Davis, Mrs. Ellen Powell Thompson, Miss Cora +La Matyr Thomas and Mrs. Helen Rand Tindall. +</p><p> +On March 18, 1901, the association was incorporated by Clara W. +MacNaughton, Mary L. Talbott, Ellen Powell Thompson, Helen Rand +Tindall, Clara Bewick Colby, Kate W. Burt, Sara A. Haslett, Caroline +E. Kent and Belva A. Lockwood, "to secure for women citizens of the +United States the full rights of citizenship; to build a clubhouse for +women; and to collect funds for appropriate memorials to the memory of +women who have performed meritorious work for the enfranchisement of +women and the good of humanity."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_214_214" id="Footnote_214_214"></a><a href="#FNanchor_214_214"><span class="label">[214]</span></a> The Junior Equal Suffrage Club is probably the first +organization of young people to become affiliated with the National +Association. It was founded Jan. 24, 1895, by three girls in the +Central High School, Anna Kemball, Alice Stearns and Edith Maddren. +Young men comprise about one-third of its membership and join in its +proceedings and discussions.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_215_215" id="Footnote_215_215"></a><a href="#FNanchor_215_215"><span class="label">[215]</span></a> Not including 71 officers of the U. S. Army on duty at +the War Department.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_216_216" id="Footnote_216_216"></a><a href="#FNanchor_216_216"><span class="label">[216]</span></a> Not including 37 officers U. S. Navy and 4 officers U. +S. Marine Corps on duty at Navy Department.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_217_217" id="Footnote_217_217"></a><a href="#FNanchor_217_217"><span class="label">[217]</span></a> In 1901 women graduates were admitted as special +students to lecture courses in the graduate department, known as the +National School of Jurisprudence and Diplomacy, by a special vote of +the trustees in each case, but no general rule has been made.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_218_218" id="Footnote_218_218"></a><a href="#FNanchor_218_218"><span class="label">[218]</span></a> The Senate committee included Senators Allison, Cullom, +Gorman, Quay and Cockrell. When Mrs. Mussey appeared before them to +ask for a new appropriation, after the trial had proved a success, she +stated that she was about to ask something for that which is the most +precious to every woman's heart—a little child. The Senators at once +declared that a little child was also the dearest thing on earth to a +man's heart, and unanimously recommended the appropriation.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_577" id="Page_577">[Pg 577]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXXIV.</h2> + +<h3>FLORIDA.<a name="FNanchor_219_219" id="FNanchor_219_219"></a><a href="#Footnote_219_219" class="fnanchor">[219]</a></h3> + + +<p>The brief history of work in Florida for the enfranchisement of women +gathers about the name of Mrs. Ella C. Chamberlain. She returned to +her home in Tampa from attendance on the Woman's Inter-State +Conference at Des Moines in the autumn of 1892, and secured space for +a suffrage department in the principal paper of that city. In January, +1893, she presented the question so forcibly at a social gathering, as +a woman taxpayer, that a gentleman suggested forming a society and +twenty members were secured, eight of them men. Mrs. Chamberlain was +made president; O. G. Sexton, secretary; Miss Stowell, treasurer.</p> + +<p>In 1894 the president addressed the Carpenters' Union twice, and +considerable literature was distributed. In December the suffragists +of Tampa, aided by those of Melrose, held a bazar which netted $125.</p> + +<p>In January, 1895, a State convention was held in Tampa and the +following officers were elected: President, Mrs. Chamberlain; +vice-presidents, Mesdames E. W. King, Emma Tebbitts, Jessie M. +Bartlett; secretary, Miss Nellie Glenn; treasurer, J. L. Cae. During +the year Mrs. Chamberlain gave addresses at the De Funiak Springs +Assembly, the Adventists' Campmeeting and in various towns. The +society paid dues to the National Association until 1897, when the +president removed from the State, no one came forward to take the +leadership and the movement has since languished.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action and Laws:</span> Until 1901 the women never had a bill +before the Legislature, although the W. C. T. U. aided greatly in +securing the State Reform School. Its influence also was strongly used +against a Dispensary Bill.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_578" id="Page_578">[Pg 578]</a></span></p> + +<p>Some men and many women had long felt that the law placing the "age of +consent" for girls at 10 years was a disgrace to the State. In 1887 W. +B. Lamar (now Attorney-General) presented a bill raising it to 17 +years, but this was defeated.</p> + +<p>Florida makes a distinction between "age of consent" and "age of +protection." Up to 10 years the crime is rape and the penalty is death +or imprisonment for life. The law "protects" girls until 16 to the +extent of a penalty of imprisonment not more than one year or a fine +not exceeding $500, with no minimum fixed. Several attempts were made +by the W. C. T. U. to have both ages changed to 18 years, but bills +for this purpose always were laid on the table.</p> + +<p>In 1901 this organization, under the leadership of Mrs. C. S. +Burnett-Haney, its superintendent of purity, began a thorough and +systematic canvass of the State to secure such a petition for raising +the age as it would be impossible for the Legislature to ignore. For +this 15,000 signatures of representative men and women were obtained, +besides the official indorsement of U. S. Senators Stephen R. Mallory +and James P. Taliaferro, Congressmen S. M. Sparkman and Robert W. +Davis, four Judges of the Circuit Court, with many other Judges, +attorneys and city officers; also those of Presidents W. F. Yocum of +the State Agricultural College, G. M. Ward of Rollins College, John F. +Forbes of Stetson University, the State Superintendent of Public +Instruction and over 100 other leading educators. The petition +received also the unanimous indorsement of the State Press Association +and the State Medical Association, and the signatures of 100 +physicians, including every member of the State Medical Board.</p> + +<p>In the hope of at least a measure of success two bills were +introduced, one raising the "age of consent" from 10 to 14 years, and, +as it had been found practically impossible to secure a conviction +under the existing penalty, to reduce this to a term of imprisonment. +This bill was presented and championed in the House by R. H. Burr, the +age was raised to 16 years and the bill passed unanimously, May 17. In +the Senate it was indefinitely postponed.</p> + +<p>The second bill asked that the "age of protection" be raised from 16 +to 18 years, and that the penalty be increased to imprisonment<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_579" id="Page_579">[Pg 579]</a></span> from +one to twenty years or a fine of from $500 to $2,000. This bill also +was advocated by Mr. Burr and passed the House May 17, but with no +minimum penalty. The vote stood 26 ayes, 20 noes.</p> + +<p>In the Senate every possible means was adopted to prevent this bill +from reaching a vote, and it was only by the determined efforts of E. +N. Dimick, and all the influence which the W. C. T. U. could bring to +bear, that it finally was passed the last day of the session, May 31, +with but two dissenting votes, although a number of senators absented +themselves. It was signed the same day by Gov. William S. Jennings.</p> + +<p>Thus as the result of all this great canvass, the expenditure of much +time and money and the assistance of the best elements in the +community, a child of 10 years may still consent to her own ruin in +Florida, and the age at which the law will give any protection +whatever was raised only two years. The penalty which may be inflicted +was increased, but by the refusal to fix a minimum of fine or +imprisonment there is but a slight improvement over the original +status.</p> + +<p>If over 16 each of the parties may be punished by imprisonment not +exceeding three months or a fine not exceeding $30.</p> + +<p>All property of the wife, real or personal, owned by her before +marriage or lawfully acquired afterward, by gift, bequest or purchase, +is her separate estate and is not liable for the debts of the husband +without her written consent in legal form. It remains, however, under +his care and management, but he can not charge for these, nor can she +compel him to account for its rents, proceeds or profits.</p> + +<p>The wife can not transfer her real or personal property without the +husband's joinder. If he has been insane one year she can convey or +transfer without his signature. Any married woman who may wish to take +charge of her estate, and become a free dealer in every respect, must +apply to the court for a license. Since 1891 a married woman's +earnings acquired by any employment aside from the household are her +separate property.</p> + +<p>Dower but not curtesy prevails. The widow has the life use of +one-third of the real estate and, if there are no children or but one +child, she has one-half the personal estate absolutely; if more than<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_580" id="Page_580">[Pg 580]</a></span> +one, she has one-third. If there are no children and no will she takes +the whole estate, real and personal. If the wife die without a will, +and the husband but no descendants survive her, the whole of her +estate goes to him; but if there are children or their descendants, +the estate, both real and personal, descends in distribution to them. +The homestead, to the extent of 160 acres of land in the country or a +half-acre in town, is exempt from seizure for debt.</p> + +<p>A married woman may dispose of her property, both real and personal, +by last will and testament in the same manner as if she were +unmarried.</p> + +<p>The father has legal control of the persons, education and property of +the children, and he alone may appoint a guardian by will, during any +part of infancy.</p> + +<p>The husband is required by law to support his family and, on his +failure to do so, the court may make such orders as are necessary. If +living separate from him, the wife may sue for alimony without divorce +if legal cause exist.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> Women possess no form of suffrage.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> Women are not eligible to any office, elective or +appointive, except that they may serve as notaries public.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> Women have been admitted to the practice of law in a few +judicial circuits, but none have been admitted into the medical +profession. No other occupation is legally forbidden.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> All of the institutions of learning are open alike to both +sexes.</p> + +<p>In the public schools there are 1,121 men and 1,671 women teachers. +The average monthly salary of the men is $35; of the women, $32.40.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_219_219" id="Footnote_219_219"></a><a href="#FNanchor_219_219"><span class="label">[219]</span></a> The History is indebted to Mrs. C. S. Burnett-Haney of +Stuart, superintendent of purity for the State Woman's Christian +Temperance Union, for much of the information in this chapter.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_581" id="Page_581">[Pg 581]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXV" id="CHAPTER_XXXV"></a>CHAPTER XXXV.</h2> + +<h3>GEORGIA.<a name="FNanchor_220_220" id="FNanchor_220_220"></a><a href="#Footnote_220_220" class="fnanchor">[220]</a></h3> + + +<p>The first woman suffrage association of Georgia was organized in July, +1890, by Miss H. Augusta Howard and her sister, Miss Claudia Hope +Howard (Maxwell). For some time the membership was composed only of +these two, their mother, Mrs. Anne Jane Lindsay Howard, and other +relatives, all residents of Columbus. Mr. and Mrs. D. M. Allen of +Douglasville were the first outside the Howard family to encourage and +support the infant organization. In 1892 Mrs. Kate Mallette Hardwick +and Mrs. Mary L. McLendon became members, and served for several years +as auditor and vice-president.</p> + +<p>The Atlanta association was organized in the Marietta Street M. E. +Church, March 21, 1894, by Mrs. McLendon and Mrs. Margaret Chandler; +perfected in the Unitarian Church on March 28, and begun with a +membership of forty men and women.</p> + +<p>In the latter part of 1895, Miss Howard and Mrs. Maxwell, who had +served continuously as president, secretary and treasurer of the State +association, resigned their offices; and Mrs. Frances Cater Swift was +elected president; Mrs. U. O. Robertson, secretary; Miss Adelaide +Wilson, treasurer.</p> + +<p>In 1896 Mrs. McLendon was made president; Mrs. S. L. Ober Allen and +Mrs. Ala Holmes Cheney, vice-presidents; Dr. L. D. Morse, +corresponding secretary; Mrs. Gertrude C. Thomas, recording secretary; +Miss Sarah A. Gresham, treasurer.</p> + +<p>The annual convention of the National Association, which was held in +the opera house in Atlanta the first week of February, 1895, gave a +new impetus to the movement in Georgia.<a name="FNanchor_221_221" id="FNanchor_221_221"></a><a href="#Footnote_221_221" class="fnanchor">[221]</a> Men and women throughout +the State felt its widespreading influence.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_582" id="Page_582">[Pg 582]</a></span> Many ancient Southern +prejudices received a death-blow when those who harbored them saw what +manner of women had espoused this hitherto unpopular cause.<a name="FNanchor_222_222" id="FNanchor_222_222"></a><a href="#Footnote_222_222" class="fnanchor">[222]</a></p> + +<p>All the Atlanta papers extended a cordial greeting to the convention +and devoted columns of space to biographical sketches, reports of +meetings, etc., but the <i>Sunny South</i>, edited by Col. Henry Clay +Fairman, was the only one which editorially indorsed the suffrage +movement. The business manager of the Atlanta <i>Constitution</i>, William +A. Hemphill, and his wife, tendered a large reception to the members +of the convention.</p> + +<p>F. H. Richardson, editor of the Atlanta <i>Journal</i>, the largest evening +paper in the State, was converted to a belief in woman suffrage at +this time, and is now an honorary member of the organization. As a +part of his work, he has made an earnest and long-continued effort to +have women placed on the school board.<a name="FNanchor_223_223" id="FNanchor_223_223"></a><a href="#Footnote_223_223" class="fnanchor">[223]</a></p> + +<p>The Woman's Board of the Cotton States and International Exposition, +soon to be held in Atlanta, were so impressed by the <i>personnel</i> of +this convention that an official invitation was extended for them to +hold a Suffrage Day on Oct. 17, 1895, in the Woman's Congress Assembly +Hall. This was accepted by Miss Anthony on behalf of the National +Association, and under the guiding hand of Mrs. Rachel Foster Avery, +its corresponding secretary, Suffrage Day was one of the very best of +the many days celebrated during the Woman's Congress. The State +association also fitted up a booth in the Liberal Arts Building and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_583" id="Page_583">[Pg 583]</a></span> +large quantities of literature were distributed by Mrs. H. M. Tripp, +who kindly took charge.</p> + +<p>The first State convention was held in Atlanta, Nov. 28, 29, 1899. The +following resolution, offered in the Legislature by Representative +Martin V. Calvin, was adopted: "The use of the Hall of the House of +Representatives is hereby granted to Mrs. Virginia D. Young of South +Carolina, Miss Frances A. Griffin of Alabama, and Mrs. Isabella Webb +Parks of Georgia, on the 28th inst., for the purpose of delivering +lectures on the scope of the elective franchise."<a name="FNanchor_224_224" id="FNanchor_224_224"></a><a href="#Footnote_224_224" class="fnanchor">[224]</a></p> + +<p>The first evening session was held in the State capitol. Mrs. +McLendon, the president, called the meeting to order. The address of +welcome for Georgia was made by Mrs. Thomas; for Atlanta, by its +president, Mrs. Swift; Miss Gresham responded to both. Mrs. Young, +Miss Griffin, Mrs. Maxwell and Mrs. Parks delivered addresses to a +large and interested audience.<a name="FNanchor_225_225" id="FNanchor_225_225"></a><a href="#Footnote_225_225" class="fnanchor">[225]</a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action and Laws:</span> In 1888 the Hon. Augustus Dupont applied +to the Legislature for a city charter for the town of Dupont, and +sought to secure suffrage to all persons, male or female, owning +property in the corporation, but failed.</p> + +<p>In 1895 the Atlanta association presented two bills to the +Legislature—one to raise the "age of protection" for girls from 10 to +18 years; the other, drawn by Charles A. Reid, a member of the society +and an able lawyer, to take the necessary measures for granting equal +legal and political rights to women. Neither was reported from the +committees.</p> + +<p>In 1897 Representative Martin V. Calvin introduced a bill to make a +woman eligible to serve on the staff of physicians at the State insane +asylum, but it failed to pass.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_584" id="Page_584">[Pg 584]</a></span></p> + +<p>In 1898 an effort was made to secure a bill providing police matrons +in every city of 10,000 or more inhabitants, and one to exempt the +property of women from taxation until they should be permitted to +vote. Both failed.</p> + +<p>Miss Frances A. Griffin appeared for the Georgia W. S. A. at the +convention of the State Federation of Labor, held in Augusta in April, +1900, and in response to her address it called on its members to +demand a change in the United States Constitution which should secure +the legal and political equality of women. A strong suffrage plank was +added to the platform of the federation, and Miss Griffin was invited +by it to address the Legislature in the interest of the Child Labor +Bill, which it had championed so unsuccessfully for a number of years.</p> + +<p>One result of the State suffrage convention held in Atlanta in 1899, +was that the following petitions were ordered to be circulated and +returned for presentation to the legislative committees in the fall of +1900:</p> + +<blockquote><p>1. That the University of Georgia be opened to women.</p> + +<p>2. That women be members of the boards of education.</p> + +<p>3. That women physicians be placed on the staff of the State +insane asylum.</p> + +<p>4. That women be made eligible to the office of president of the +State Normal and Industrial College for Girls.</p> + +<p>5. That the "age of protection" for girls be raised from 10 to 18 +years.</p> + +<p>6. That girls of eighteen be permitted to enter the textile +department of the State Technological School.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Four bills were considered by the Legislature of 1900 in which the +women of the State were deeply interested. All failed, and many of +them now see that Legislatures, like juries, should be composed of an +equal number of men and women to secure exact justice for both.</p> + +<p>The Child Labor Bills, introduced by Representative Seaborn Wright and +C. C. Houston, to prevent the employment in factories of children +under ten and under twelve years of age were defeated by a vote of +more than three to one.</p> + +<p>The Textile Bill was read twice in the House but failed to secure a +third reading. Lyman Hall, president of the school, was in favor of +the bill.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_585" id="Page_585">[Pg 585]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Age of Protection Bill, introduced by Representative C. S. Reid, +was very quietly handled. Only one paper (the Atlanta <i>Daily News</i>) +informed the public that it would be made the special order for +November 15. It was defeated by 71 ayes, 77 noes. At the request of +women Mr. Reid moved that it be reconsidered November 16, which +resulted in its being voted down by a larger majority than the day +before. Mr. Reid thought it well that his bill was defeated, since it +only asked that the "age of protection" be raised from 10 to 12 years.</p> + +<p>The suffragists asked that it be raised from 10 to 18, and the Woman's +Christian Temperance Union from 10 to 21. Many petitions had been sent +to previous Legislatures by both these organizations, but this was the +first time a bill had been presented and carried to a vote.</p> + +<p>The bill to admit women to the State University was not considered by +the Legislature of 1900.<a name="FNanchor_226_226" id="FNanchor_226_226"></a><a href="#Footnote_226_226" class="fnanchor">[226]</a></p> + +<p>The State W. C. T. U. has been laboring to secure the passage of a law +for scientific temperance instruction in the public schools since +1890, when Mrs. Mary H. Hunt of Massachusetts, who was the first woman +to speak in the capitol building, addressed the Legislature. The bill +passed both Houses in 1894, but was vetoed by Gov. William J. Northen +because no provision had been made to require teachers to stand an +examination on the subject.<a name="FNanchor_227_227" id="FNanchor_227_227"></a><a href="#Footnote_227_227" class="fnanchor">[227]</a></p> + +<p>Since 1857, when the law which gave a husband the right to whip his +wife was amended, there have been some favorable changes. In 1866 a +law was enacted allowing a married woman to own property, but not +including any wages she might earn.</p> + +<p>In 1891, when a married woman was suing for personal injury in a +railroad accident, Chief Justice Logan E. Bleckley decided that the +amount of a wife's recovery for physical damages "is not to be +measured by pecuniary earnings, for such earnings<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_586" id="Page_586">[Pg 586]</a></span> as a general rule +belong to the husband and the right of action for this loss is in +him." In 1892 Judge Thomas J. Simmons rendered practically the same +decision, and in 1893 ruled again: "Inasmuch as the earnings of the +wife belong to her husband, her individual and personal damages can be +measured only by the consciences of an impartial jury."</p> + +<p>In November, 1895, when William H. Flemming (now a member of Congress) +was Speaker of the House of Representatives, he offered a bill which, +as he said, "was to complete the good work begun with the Married +Woman's Property Act of 1866, by making a wife's labor as well as her +acquired property her own." It passed the House by 98 ayes, 29 noes, +but was killed in the Senate.</p> + +<p>As the law now stands a married woman in Georgia can control her +earnings only if a sole trader with her husband's consent by notice +published in the papers for one month, or if living separate from him.</p> + +<p>Dower obtains but not curtesy. If a husband die intestate, leaving a +wife and issue, the wife may elect to take dower—a life interest in +one-third of the real estate—or she may take a child's share of the +whole estate absolutely, unless the shares exceed five in number, when +she may have one-fifth.</p> + +<p>The father is legally entitled to the custody and control of the +children, and at his death may appoint a guardian to the exclusion of +the mother. The husband must furnish necessities for the family +suitable to their station in life.</p> + +<p>The "age of protection" for girls still remains 10 years, with a +penalty of death, or if recommended to mercy by the jury, imprisonment +in the penitentiary at hard labor not less than one nor more than +twenty years.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> Women have no form of suffrage.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> In December, 1884, Representative Martin V. Calvin +introduced and carried through the Legislature, under most unfavorable +pressure, a bill to render women eligible to employment in the State +House. Besides the large number engaged in manual labor, a woman is +now postmaster of the House of Representatives, and many others are +employed as stenographers,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_587" id="Page_587">[Pg 587]</a></span> typewriters and engrossing clerks, the +Governor himself having a woman stenographer.</p> + +<p>In 1896 Representative J. E. Mosley succeeded in having an ancient law +amended, by which women were made eligible to the position of State +librarian; but none has been appointed, although one is now assistant.</p> + +<p>In the opinion of State School Commissioner G. R. Glenn, women are +eligible to sit on School Boards, but none ever has done so. Within +the past two years the Board of Education in Atlanta has appointed a +Board of Women Visitors to the public schools, but they can exercise +no authority. Lately they have been permitted to be present at the +meetings of the board as listeners but they can have no voice.</p> + +<p>In July, 1895, a committee, Mrs. F. S. Whiteside, chairman, appeared +before the city council of Atlanta with a petition asking for a police +matron, signed by more than 1,000 well-known citizens. On the same day +a committee of the W. C. T. U., Mrs. McLendon, chairman, presented a +similar petition from temperance people.<a name="FNanchor_228_228" id="FNanchor_228_228"></a><a href="#Footnote_228_228" class="fnanchor">[228]</a> The matter was referred +to the police committee, who "laid it on the table" and it never was +heard from afterward.</p> + +<p>In 1897 a woman was employed by the Ladies' Society of the First M. E. +Church South to stay at police barracks and serve as matron. In May, +1898, she was engaged by the city at a salary of $20 per month, but +was dismissed without warning in June of the same year. The different +organizations of women protested so vigorously that the position of +police matron was created by the city council with a salary of $40 per +month, but no matron has been appointed up to date.<a name="FNanchor_229_229" id="FNanchor_229_229"></a><a href="#Footnote_229_229" class="fnanchor">[229]</a></p> + +<p>Women can not serve as notaries public.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> Women may practice medicine, but are forbidden by statute +to practice law.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> The Legislature of 1889 established the State Normal and +Industrial College for Girls (white) at Athens, largely through the +efforts of women. The Hon. W. Y. Atkinson,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_588" id="Page_588">[Pg 588]</a></span> afterward Governor, +championed the bill. No woman is eligible to serve as president of +this college. A board of Women Visitors was appointed by Governor +Atkinson.</p> + +<p>Considerable effort has been made by the Georgia Federation of Woman's +Clubs to have the doors of the State University opened to women. At +present they are permitted to enter certain departments of the branch +colleges in different parts of the State, but not to enter the +University itself upon any terms, being thus deprived of the highest +educational facilities.</p> + +<p>The State Normal School and the North Georgia Agricultural College +(both white), the Georgia State Industrial College (colored) and the +Atlanta University (white and colored) are co-educational.</p> + +<p>In the public schools there are 4,168 men and 4,811 women teachers. It +is impossible to obtain the average monthly salaries, but those of +women are estimated to be two-thirds of those paid to men.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_220_220" id="Footnote_220_220"></a><a href="#FNanchor_220_220"><span class="label">[220]</span></a> The History is indebted for the material for this +chapter to Mrs. Mary L. McLendon, of Atlanta, honorary president of +the State Woman Suffrage Association.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_221_221" id="Footnote_221_221"></a><a href="#FNanchor_221_221"><span class="label">[221]</span></a> See <a href="#CHAPTER_XV">Chap. XV.</a></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_222_222" id="Footnote_222_222"></a><a href="#FNanchor_222_222"><span class="label">[222]</span></a> The State association never should cease to be grateful +to "the Howard girls," (Augusta, Claudia and Mrs. Miriam Howard Du +Bose), as the national officers called them, who brought this grand +object lesson to Georgia to give Southern women the advantages which +they themselves had enjoyed the previous year in Washington, D. C. +They refused all proffered aid and themselves paid the expenses, which +amounted to $600, declaring that it was only right for them to do so, +since they had consulted no one when they gave the invitation at +Washington but had taken the full responsibility.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_223_223" id="Footnote_223_223"></a><a href="#FNanchor_223_223"><span class="label">[223]</span></a> William C. Sibley, Will N. Harben, G. Gunby Jordan, +Walter H. Johnson, J. Colton Lynes, Charles Hubner, Lucian Knight, +editor of the <i>Constitution</i>, and Walter B. Hill, chancellor of the +State University, all have declared in favor of woman suffrage. Mrs. +Julia I. Patten, editor of the <i>Saturday Review</i>, is a member of the +Atlanta association and her paper is its official organ. +</p><p> +Among others who have stood by a cause which it requires courage to +advocate in this State are J. H. and Mrs. Addie D. Hale, W. T. Cheney, +S. M. White and William Forsyth; Mesdames Harriet Winchell, A. H. +Ames, Mary Brent Reid, Harry Dewar, Nettie C. Hall, Francis Bellamy, +A. G. Helmer, Sara Strahan, M. T. Wynne, Sarah McDonald Sheridan, +Patrick H. Moore, E. A. Latimer, E. A. Corrigan, Charles Behre and Dr. +Schuman; Misses Mary Lamar Jackson, editor of the woman's department +in the Atlanta <i>Journal</i>, E. Williams, Willette Allen and Sarah +Freeman Clarke, sister of James Freeman Clarke, of Boston.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_224_224" id="Footnote_224_224"></a><a href="#FNanchor_224_224"><span class="label">[224]</span></a> This certainly proved that woman suffrage had gained at +least in respectful consideration among politicians since February, +1895. At that time Gov. W. Y. Atkinson refused the use of the same +hall for the great National Association to hold a mass meeting on the +last day of its visit to Atlanta. He declared it would be +unconstitutional to allow women to use it, although white and negro +men had been permitted to do so for many and varied purposes. The Hon. +Charles A. Collier, a county commissioner, granted the basement of the +courthouse for this meeting, which was a marked success, though held +underground. Speeches were made by Miss Susan B. Anthony, Mrs. Carrie +Chapman Catt, Mrs. Elizabeth Lyle Saxon, Mrs. Josephine K. Henry and +others.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_225_225" id="Footnote_225_225"></a><a href="#FNanchor_225_225"><span class="label">[225]</span></a> Officers elected: President, Mrs. Gertrude C. Thomas; +vice-presidents, Mrs. S. L. Ober Allen, Miss Sarah A. Gresham; +corresponding secretary, Mrs. Alice Daniel; recording secretary, Mrs. +Claudia Howard Maxwell; treasurer, Mrs. E. O. Archer; auditor, D. M. +Allen. Mrs. McLendon, who had been in office since 1892, refused to +serve longer and was made honorary president.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_226_226" id="Footnote_226_226"></a><a href="#FNanchor_226_226"><span class="label">[226]</span></a> A bill presented by Thomas J. Chappelle in 1901 to make +the University co-educational was defeated in the Senate and not +considered in the House. Virginia and Louisiana are the only other +States which exclude women, although North Carolina admits them only +to its post-graduate department.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_227_227" id="Footnote_227_227"></a><a href="#FNanchor_227_227"><span class="label">[227]</span></a> A bill providing for the teaching of the effects of +alcoholic drinks and other narcotics upon the system, requiring all +teachers to stand an examination on this subject, and affixing a +penalty for the failure of any board of education to enforce the law, +passed the Legislature of 1901—Senate, 23 ayes, 7 nays; House, 106 +ayes, 28 nays. It was signed by Gov. Allan C. Candler, December 17. +</p><p> +This law is now in effect in every State, Georgia being the last to +adopt it.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_228_228" id="Footnote_228_228"></a><a href="#FNanchor_228_228"><span class="label">[228]</span></a> The Atlanta South Side W. C. T. U. is the only one in +the State to adopt the franchise department. Mrs. Isabella Webb Parks, +one of the editors of the <i>Union Signal</i> and also a member of the city +suffrage association, is its superintendent of franchise.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_229_229" id="Footnote_229_229"></a><a href="#FNanchor_229_229"><span class="label">[229]</span></a> In August, 1901, a police matron was at last appointed +at a salary of $30 per month. In December one of the police +commissioners stated that she was invaluable and he did not see how +they ever had managed to get on without a matron.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_589" id="Page_589">[Pg 589]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXXVI.</h2> + +<h3>IDAHO.<a name="FNanchor_230_230" id="FNanchor_230_230"></a><a href="#Footnote_230_230" class="fnanchor">[230]</a></h3> + + +<p>Idaho was admitted into the Union as a State in 1890. Previous to this +time there had been practically no work done for woman suffrage in the +Territory except that of Mrs. Abigail Scott Duniway of Oregon. Between +1876 and 1895 she gave 140 public lectures, at the same time securing +subscribers to her paper, the <i>New Northwest</i>, devoted to the +interests of women, and distributing literature. She traveled 12,000 +miles by river, rail, stage and buckboard and canvassed many a mile on +foot.</p> + +<p>In 1887 Mrs. Duniway addressed the Territorial Legislature in behalf +of a bill to enfranchise women. In 1889 she appealed to the +constitutional convention at Boise to adopt a woman suffrage clause. +Judge William H. Claggett, the president, and a majority of the +members favored it, but yielded to the fears of the minority that it +would endanger the acceptance of the constitution by the voters.</p> + +<p>Judge Milton Kelly, founder and for many years editor of the Boise +<i>Daily Statesman</i>, was one of the early advocates of the rights of +women, as also was his wife, who was, indeed, the pioneer suffragist +of Idaho. Mrs. Rebecca Mitchell, president of the State Woman's +Christian Temperance Union, was another early laborer. At her request +Louis E. Workman introduced a bill into the House of the Legislature +of 1893, asking for a constitutional amendment conferring suffrage on +women, and it was defeated by only two votes.</p> + +<p>In a little country schoolhouse, May 16, 1893, at Hagerman, Lincoln +County, the first suffrage society was formed. The teacher, Mrs. +Elizabeth Ingram, was president and prime mover, and its members were +scattered over a territory of ten miles.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_590" id="Page_590">[Pg 590]</a></span></p> + +<p>Up to this time, there had not been any organized effort in the State +to secure the ballot for women, although there was a pronounced +sentiment in its favor. The real campaign began at the time of the +assembling of the Republican State Convention in 1894. At a conference +of a few friends of the measure a resolution was prepared for +presentation, pledging the party to submit the question of equal +suffrage to a vote. The plank was introduced and championed by the +Hon. W. E. Borah. Mrs. J. Ellen Foster of Washington, D. C., addressed +the convention, and the Hon. Edgar Wilson urged the adoption of the +resolution, which was done with little or no opposition.</p> + +<p>The Populist State Convention passed a similar resolution, but it was +not adopted by the Democratic.</p> + +<p>As a result of the election the Republicans were placed in +overwhelming control of the Legislature, and the desired joint +resolution submitting the question to a vote was passed unanimously in +the Senate on January 11, and by 33 yeas, 2 nays in the House on Jan. +17, 1895.</p> + +<p>The campaign for woman suffrage was spirited and effective. In the +early part of the year Mrs. Duniway came to Boise and held a meeting. +A temporary organization was formed at that time, but for sufficient +reasons nothing was done to start the work until some months later.</p> + +<p>In the summer the National Association sent Mrs. Emma Smith DeVoe of +Illinois to assist in organizing the State. She lectured through June +and July and formed many clubs, often making her own appointments and +overcoming the most discouraging obstacles.</p> + +<p>A State convention was held in Boise Nov. 20, 1895, at which officers +were elected as follows: President, Mrs. J. H. Richards; +vice-president, Mrs. W. W. Woods; secretary, Mrs. Eunice Pond Athey; +treasurer, Mrs. Leah Burnside; advisory board, Mrs. Kate E. N. +Feltham, Mrs. M. J. Whitman, Miss Annette Bowman. A telegram was +received from Miss Susan B. Anthony, saying: "Educate the rank and +file of voters through political party newspapers and meetings."</p> + +<p>To the advisory board were added William Balderston,<a name="FNanchor_231_231" id="FNanchor_231_231"></a><a href="#Footnote_231_231" class="fnanchor">[231]</a> D. L.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_591" id="Page_591">[Pg 591]</a></span> +Badley and James A. McGee. The last having been made chairman of the +Democratic State Central Committee was able to be of much assistance +to the suffragists.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Laura M. Johns of Kansas came into the State in May, 1896, in +time to attend a meeting of the advisory board at Nampa and to render +invaluable help. By order of the board a convention was called in +Boise, July 1-3, at which Mrs. Johns was present. The officers elected +were: President, Mrs. Whitman; vice-presidents, Mrs. Feltham, Mrs. +Helen Young, Idaho's only woman attorney, Mrs. D. L. Badley; +secretary, Mrs. Athey; treasurer, Mrs. I. Herron; press committee, +Mrs. Kate Green, Mrs. Young, Mrs. Minnie Priest Dunton. Thus +organized, the association conducted the final campaign.</p> + +<p>The president authorized the secretary to send a circular letter to +all clubs urging them to commence in the precinct primaries the work +of securing suffrage planks in the platforms of the several political +parties. Wherever possible delegates were elected pledged to support +the amendment.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, chairman of the national organizing +committee, came to Boise August 14. On the 18th and 25th she lectured +to crowded houses there and captured her audiences. She addressed the +committees on resolutions of the different party State conventions, +and, with the aid of Mrs. Johns, Major and Mrs. W. W. Woods and other +effective workers, secured a plank favoring the amendment in each of +the four platforms—Republican, Democratic, Populist and Silver +Republican. Her coming was opportune and her work most valuable. The +indorsement by the Democratic convention was a great achievement, and +the fact that the planks had been inserted in all the political +platforms was a strong point later on in the case before the Supreme +Court.<a name="FNanchor_232_232" id="FNanchor_232_232"></a><a href="#Footnote_232_232" class="fnanchor">[232]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_592" id="Page_592">[Pg 592]</a></span></p> + +<p>After the conventions Mrs. Johns returned home, and Mrs. Chapman Catt +went to aid the California campaign, speaking several times in Idaho +<i>en route</i>.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Mary C. C. Bradford of Colorado came in September. For six weeks +she traveled over sandhills, mountains, valleys and sage plains, +visiting points not reached by other workers. She organized fourteen +new clubs and made many converts. Mrs. Helen D. Harford of Oregon +lectured at several places on her way to the St. Louis W. C. T. U. +convention. Many campaign speakers of all political parties called the +attention of the voters to the amendment, and some gave a large +portion of their time to the cause. This proved of great benefit, +reaching voters who would not attend a suffrage meeting.</p> + +<p>Headquarters were opened at Boise August 1. As three of the counties +had no organizations whatever, it was found necessary to reach the +precincts in these, as well as in some others, by correspondence; but +by November 3 there were few without at least one active worker. Mrs. +Whitman came to Boise October 1, and labored zealously until the +election. Previous to her coming Miss Frances Wood had ably assisted +the secretary at headquarters.</p> + +<p>The press was carefully looked after during the last three months of +the campaign, and out of sixty-five papers only three were openly +opposed. Seven thousand copies of the resolutions passed at the +suffrage convention in July were sent out; also literature presented +by the Utah association, 100 copies of the <i>Woman's Tribune</i> and 3,000 +leaflets from Mrs. Clara Bewick Colby, and 9,000 tracts purchased of +the National Association.<a name="FNanchor_233_233" id="FNanchor_233_233"></a><a href="#Footnote_233_233" class="fnanchor">[233]</a></p> + +<p>A strong factor in the campaign was the large colony in the Southern +part of the State who were residents of Utah when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_593" id="Page_593">[Pg 593]</a></span> women voted there +and who believed in their enfranchisement. Mrs. Emily S. Richards of +Utah did effective work among them.</p> + +<p>The amendment was voted upon at the general election of November, +1896. The association had had 50,000 dodgers printed, "Vote for the +woman suffrage amendment." These were sent to every precinct in the +State and given to voters on election day as a reminder. On that day +the local clubs did heroic work. It would be impossible to describe in +detail the final effort made by the women. Mrs. R. H. Leonard, Sr., of +Silver City, and her co-workers stood all day, ankle-deep in snow, +distributing the slips and urging the voters to cast their ballots in +favor of the amendment. At many points refreshments were served as +near the polls as permissible under the law.</p> + +<p>When the results of the election were officially announced it was +found that there were 12,126 votes in favor of the amendment and 6,282 +against it—a majority of 5,844.</p> + +<p>A question arose, however, whether this was such a majority as is +contemplated by the constitution, the number of electors voting on the +amendment not being as great as the largest number voting on the +candidates. The constitution provides that "if a majority of the +electors shall ratify the same, such amendment or amendments shall +become a part of this constitution." It was held by the opponents that +it would require a majority of all the electors to ratify it, and the +matter was taken at once to the Supreme Court. Attorneys J. H. Hawley, +W. E. Borah and M. W. Tate gave their services gratuitously to +prosecute the case. Judge J. H. Richards also rendered valuable +assistance.</p> + +<p>After a few weeks of anxious waiting, this tribunal, consisting of +Judges Isaac N. Sullivan, Joseph W. Huston and John T. Morgan, +rendered a unanimous decision that a <i>majority of those voting on the +question</i> was sufficient to carry it. And thus the women of Idaho were +enfranchised!</p> + +<p>The total expenses of this campaign were less than $2,500.</p> + +<p>The city election of Boise, in July, 1897, was the first after the +adoption of equal suffrage, and the woman vote was a most important +factor. The issue was that of public improvements. On this the +majority of women took sides in favor of progress, although the +<i>personnel</i> of the tickets was such that it was thought<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_594" id="Page_594">[Pg 594]</a></span> they would +generally vote the other way; and to them belongs the credit of the +victory.</p> + +<p>The first State election under equal suffrage was in 1898, and there +was very general participation by women. In all the counties their +clubs did effective work and exercised a good influence. The election +was noticeable for its order and the absence of anything like the +scenes at the polls so common in former times. About 40 per cent. of +the vote was cast by women. One of them, Mrs. B. T. Jeffers, rode +sixty miles on horseback to her old home in order to vote.</p> + +<p>Three women were elected members of the Legislature, Mrs. Clara +Campbell, Republican; Mrs. Hattie Noble, Democrat; Mrs. Mary Allen +Wright, Populist. Mrs. Wright was chairman of the House Committee of +the Whole during one entire afternoon, and ruled with a firm but +impartial hand.</p> + +<p>Four women were elected county treasurers, and these have given entire +satisfaction. One of them has been renominated by her party. Miss +Permeal French was elected State superintendent of public instruction +and re-elected in 1900.<a name="FNanchor_234_234" id="FNanchor_234_234"></a><a href="#Footnote_234_234" class="fnanchor">[234]</a> Fifteen women were chosen county +superintendents.</p> + +<p>In nearly all the counties women are found holding responsible +appointments. Three have been made deputy sheriffs. Since equal +suffrage was adopted women have been placed on the Board of Regents of +the State University for the first time.</p> + +<p>Gov. Frank Steunenberg said in 1900:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In a general sense there can be no doubt that the participation +of women in our public affairs has had a most elevating +influence. All parties see the necessity of nominating the best +individuals. The natural aim of women is toward the highest good +of the community, and the best social conditions. Instead of +seeking extremes of reform, as had been predicted, they are +interested in stable and conservative administration, for the +benefit of the homes and the children, and they avoid radical and +excessive reforms. In short, the objections which in theory have +been urged against woman's participation in public affairs have +been overcome by the actual application of the system in Idaho.</p> + +<p>The suggestion may be made that this activity of women in public<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_595" id="Page_595">[Pg 595]</a></span> +affairs has operated to draw them away from their homes and from +the usual domestic avocations, a suggestion which our experience +amply disproves. In Idaho women are to-day the same loving wives, +kind mothers and capable home-managers that they always have +been. Nor has there been the least belittling of the sex in the +eyes of the men, nor any falling off in that tenderness and +respect which men universally accord to women. There is not the +slightest interruption of family ties. Whether husband and wife +vote together or oppositely excites no interest and no animosity, +although naturally families are apt to have the same party +affiliations. The system has not operated to take women from +their homes, nor has it tended to make them in any way +masculine.<a name="FNanchor_235_235" id="FNanchor_235_235"></a><a href="#Footnote_235_235" class="fnanchor">[235]</a></p></blockquote> + +<p>In the presidential election of 1900 women showed the liveliest +interest. The universal testimony was that never in the history of the +State had there been such order about the polling-places. Four-fifths +of the ballots were cast by 1 o'clock. The women did as effective work +as the men in getting out the voters.</p> + +<p>The total population of Idaho is 161,762, and is composed, in round +numbers, of 58 per cent. of males and 42 per cent. of females. The +total vote of the men was 55,096; of the women, 19,660. In the +counties representing the agricultural, manufacturing and general +business of the State the women's vote averaged 41 per cent. of the +total ballot. In the counties devoted exclusively to mining, where +there are very few women, they cast only 24 per cent. This brought the +average of the women's vote in the entire State down to 35½ per +cent. of the total.</p> + +<p>In Boise 1,982 men and 1,561 women registered; total, 3,543. The vote +cast was 3,281. Allowing for the usual failures on the part of the +men, these figures show that over 40 per cent. of the vote of this +city must have been cast by women.<a name="FNanchor_236_236" id="FNanchor_236_236"></a><a href="#Footnote_236_236" class="fnanchor">[236]</a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action and Laws:</span> The placing of the ballot in the hands of +women has had the effect of bringing about two changes of the highest +importance. The session of the Legislature<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_596" id="Page_596">[Pg 596]</a></span> held immediately after the +adoption of the suffrage amendment passed an act prohibiting gambling. +Prior to that time it had been licensed in the State, and its +establishments were openly conducted in practically all communities. +Against this evil the sentiment of the women was solidly arrayed, and +it could not be ignored. Before they voted, a bill altering the law +would have been ignominiously pigeon-holed, but the ballot in their +hands wrought a change under which a measure abolishing gambling was +enacted. This was found defective, and gambling continued until the +next legislative session. The gambling interests organized a lobby to +prevent the enactment of a valid law against their business, but they +failed, the law was passed, and gambling has since been suppressed in +nearly all communities. The sentiment which obtained the law secures +its enforcement—men do not dare run counter to the wishes of women, +when the latter have in their hands the power to make or unmake +politicians.</p> + +<p>The present session of the Legislature (1900) passed a bill exempting +women from jury service. Gov. Frank W. Hunt returned it with his veto, +in which he said that this was in response to the protests of the +women themselves, who objected to being deprived of this right. There +was some talk in the Legislature of passing it over his veto, but this +was finally abandoned. The women took the ground that while the +ostensible object was to relieve them of an onerous duty, the real one +was to protect the gamblers and other law-breakers to whom women +jurors show no favor.</p> + +<p>It is to be regretted that Governor Hunt could not have been +influenced by the protests of women on another point. The law of Idaho +provides that while a wife may hold property in her own name, the +husband shall have control of it. The present Legislature passed an +act giving married women control of their separate property. This was +vetoed by the Governor, who said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Our statutes as they now exist provide complete adjustment of the +property relations between man and wife, placing them upon equal +terms, excepting that the husband has the management and control +of his wife's property during marriage, unless it should be taken +from him on complaint of the wife for causes set forth in Sec. +2,499.</p></blockquote> + +<p>As the law stands the wife can secure control over her own<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_597" id="Page_597">[Pg 597]</a></span> property +only by going into court, showing that her husband is mismanaging it, +and obtaining a decree taking it away from him.</p> + +<p>The law regarding the inheritance of the separate estates is the same +for husband and wife, but not so of the community. Upon the death of +the wife the entire community property belongs to the husband without +administration. Upon the death of the husband one-half the community +property belongs to the wife; the other half is subject to his +testamentary disposition, or in the absence of that goes to his +descendants in equal shares. If he leave neither will nor descendants, +it goes to the wife.</p> + +<p>The earnings of the wife belong to the husband unless she is living +separate from him.</p> + +<p>No provision is made compelling the husband to support the wife, but +if he is infirm she must support him.</p> + +<p>If the wife desire to engage in business she must apply to the court +for permission, showing the necessity for it; and every time she +wishes to remove to another place she must repeat this process.</p> + +<p>The father is the legal guardian of the children. At his death the +mother, if suitable, is guardian while she remains unmarried.</p> + +<p>The "age of protection" for girls was raised from 10 to 14 years in +1893, and from 14 to 18 in 1895. The penalty is imprisonment in the +penitentiary for not less than five years, and this may be extended +for life.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> Women have complete suffrage.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> Women are eligible to all offices. (See previous +pages.)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> Naturally none are forbidden to women.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> The State University and all other educational institutions +are open to both sexes.</p> + +<p>In the public schools there are 344 men and 558 women teachers. The +average monthly salary of the men is $56.11; of the women, $44.83.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_230_230" id="Footnote_230_230"></a><a href="#FNanchor_230_230"><span class="label">[230]</span></a> The History is indebted for this chapter to William +Balderston, editor of the Boise <i>Daily Statesman</i>, and Mrs. Eunice +Pond Athey, secretary of the State Suffrage Association during the +amendment campaign of 1896, when women became enfranchised.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_231_231" id="Footnote_231_231"></a><a href="#FNanchor_231_231"><span class="label">[231]</span></a> It was through the influence of Mr. Balderston more +than that of any other one man that the suffrage amendment was passed +by the Legislature. His power politically was felt during all the +campaign. It was only his personal influence which secured for the +measure the help of the <i>Daily Statesman</i> of Boise, which it was so +necessary to have. Through his persuasion the co-operation of the +National Woman Suffrage Association was invited. He was our principal +adviser throughout, and with money, voice and pen aided the cause in +every possible way. [Eunice Pond Athey.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_232_232" id="Footnote_232_232"></a><a href="#FNanchor_232_232"><span class="label">[232]</span></a> Republican: We favor the amendments to the constitution +of this State proposed by the late Republican Legislature, including +equal suffrage for men and women, and recommend their adoption. +</p><p> +Silver Republican: We favor the adoption of the proposed amendment to +the constitution of the State providing for the extension of the right +of suffrage to women. +</p><p> +People's Party: Believing in equal rights to all and special +privileges to none, we favor the adoption of the pending woman's +suffrage amendment to the constitution. +</p><p> +Democratic: We recommend to the favorable consideration of the voters +of the State the proposed constitutional amendment granting equal +suffrage, believing that the great question should receive the earnest +attention of every person as an important factor in the future welfare +of the State.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_233_233" id="Footnote_233_233"></a><a href="#FNanchor_233_233"><span class="label">[233]</span></a> Among those who aided this movement were Judge J. H. +Richards, the Hon. Fremont Wood, Ex-Secretary of State George J. +Lewis, Judge C. O. Stockslager, J. H. Hawley, U. S. Marshal Joseph +Pinkham, Judge J. H. Beatty, the Hon. J. A. McGee, the Hon. Joseph +Perrault, the Hon. Edgar Wilson, and their wives; also the wives of +the Justices of the Supreme Court; Mesdames Martha B. Keller, M. A. +Wright and Mina J. Mathew, and Miss Annette Bowman of the faculty of +the State University.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_234_234" id="Footnote_234_234"></a><a href="#FNanchor_234_234"><span class="label">[234]</span></a> Gov. Frank Steunenberg thus testified: "It is conceded +by all that Miss French is the best officer in that capacity the State +ever has had. The place she occupies is one of unusual importance with +us.... Of the three women in the Legislature it may also be said that +they made most acceptable public officers, serving with ability and +success."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_235_235" id="Footnote_235_235"></a><a href="#FNanchor_235_235"><span class="label">[235]</span></a> See <a href="#APPENDIX-TESTIMONY">Appendix—Testimony from Woman Suffrage States</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_236_236" id="Footnote_236_236"></a><a href="#FNanchor_236_236"><span class="label">[236]</span></a> Prof. L. F. Henderson of the State University says that +equal suffrage, even in the few years it has been in operation in +Idaho, has proved itself a thing so simple, so natural, so entirely +free from any objectionable features, that it is now generally +accepted and looked upon as a matter of course. It has already +converted the majority of the men who were opposed and, which is still +more remarkable, has converted also the majority of the women. +</p><p> +Mrs. Henderson says the intelligent women take more interest in +suffrage than the ignorant ones; that women have suffered no loss of +consideration or social influence, but are treated, if anything, with +more respect. The possession of the ballot has made them much more +intelligent about public questions, as it has stimulated the study of +these.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_598" id="Page_598">[Pg 598]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXXVII.</h2> + +<h3>ILLINOIS.<a name="FNanchor_237_237" id="FNanchor_237_237"></a><a href="#Footnote_237_237" class="fnanchor">[237]</a></h3> + + +<p>The Illinois Equal Suffrage Association has had only four presidents +in the past sixteen years. Mrs. Elizabeth Boynton Harbert retired from +this office at the annual meeting of Sept. 25, 1884, and was succeeded +by Mrs. Mary E. Holmes, who served until the autumn of 1889, when Mrs. +Harbert again filled the presidency for one year. At the convention of +1890 Mrs. Holmes was re-elected, and held office until her resignation +in 1897. In May of this year, Mrs. Julia Mills Dunn was elected. In +1899 Mrs. Catharine Waugh McCulloch was made president, and in 1900 +Mrs. Harbert resumed the position for one year. The other officers +elected were: Vice-president, Dr. Julia Holmes Smith; corresponding +secretary, Mrs. Mary Munn; recording secretary, Miss S. Grace +Nicholas; treasurer, the Rev. Kate Hughes; chairman executive +committee, Mrs. Elmina E. Springer.</p> + +<p>As the work is divided into districts and counties, and as there are +twenty-two districts and 102 counties partially organized, it will not +be possible to name in this chapter the hundreds of quiet but very +efficient workers, men and women, or to tell of their unselfish +devotion, shown often in the face of fierce opposition.</p> + +<p>The association has held a State convention each year, except 1893, +the year of the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, when it was decided +instead to attend the World's Congress of Representative Women, which +met in May.<a name="FNanchor_238_238" id="FNanchor_238_238"></a><a href="#Footnote_238_238" class="fnanchor">[238]</a> At many of these meetings national officers were +present, among them Susan B. Anthony<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_599" id="Page_599">[Pg 599]</a></span> and Lucy Stone, and the halls +were seldom large enough to accommodate the crowds in attendance. +There have been also district and county conventions every year, while +Fourth of July celebrations, county fairs and Chautauqua assemblies +have been utilized to disseminate suffrage sentiment.</p> + +<p>In 1888 Senator Miles B. Castle, Judge C. B. Waite, Mrs. Dunn and Mrs. +Helen M. Gougar, the last-named from Indiana, held suffrage +conferences in various cities. Later in this and the following year, +similar meetings were held in a number of other places by the Illinois +workers, with the assistance of Mrs. Gougar and the Rev. Anna Howard +Shaw.</p> + +<p>In 1891 occurred a series of conventions which extended over six weeks +and was conducted by Mrs. Zerelda G. Wallace of Indiana and Mrs. +McCulloch. In November Mrs. Holmes made a two-weeks' lecturing trip.</p> + +<p>In 1892 and '93 Mrs. Emma Smith DeVoe canvassed the State, speaking in +nearly fifty towns and cities, and raising enough money to defray all +expenses and put a handsome amount in the treasury for legislative +work.</p> + +<p>In March, 1893, Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, chairman of the national +organization committee, made a lecture tour of the central and +southern part of Illinois.</p> + +<p>In 1897 the National Association held a series of meetings in Illinois +with Miss Mary G. Hay of New York, Mrs. Jennie Hutchins, Mrs. Leonora +Beck, as managers, and Mrs. Dunn and the Rev. Ida C. Hultin as +speakers. During the summer Mrs. Dunn, with Mrs. Martha A. B. Conine +of Colorado lectured in numerous cities; and in November the national +officers held a conference in Chicago, in which Miss Anthony and Miss +Shaw, president and vice-president of the National Association, Mrs. +Chapman Catt and also many local workers participated.</p> + +<p>In 1898 Miss Lena Morrow made speeches for the State association and +spent a month lecturing before labor organizations. She secured +suffrage resolutions from unions representing a membership of 25,000.</p> + +<p>Mrs. McCulloch gave the month of June, 1890, to canvassing South +Dakota in the interest of the suffrage amendment there; and in the +fall of 1898 Mrs. Dunn and Miss Morrow were sent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_600" id="Page_600">[Pg 600]</a></span> to that State to +assist in its second campaign for one month, at the expense of the +Illinois association. Miss Morrow worked also in the amendment +campaign of 1900 in Oregon for two-and-one-half months, a portion of +her expenses being contributed by Illinois suffragists.</p> + +<p>The Chicago Political Equality League was organized by Miss Ellen A. +Martin, who was at its head for many years.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action and Laws:</span> In 1891, at the request of the State E. +S. A., a joint resolution was presented to the Legislature for an +amendment to the constitution enfranchising women. This was championed +in the House by George W. Curtis and brought to a vote. It received 54 +votes, a majority of those cast but not a constitutional majority, +which is one over one-half of the whole membership. Charles Bogardus +managed the bill in the Senate, but was not able to secure a vote upon +it. The hard work for this Amendment Bill, however, paved the way for +the passage of the School Suffrage Bill later in the session.</p> + +<p>This bill had been prepared by the State Woman's Christian Temperance +Union, and was introduced into the Senate by T. C. MacMillan. Although +there were many more petitions asking for the amendment than for +School Suffrage, their combined influence, with Senator MacMillan's +earnest work, was sufficient to pass this bill through the Senate by +29 ayes, 4 noes. At the closing hour of the last session in the House, +Dr. H. M. Moore, one of the members of a third party that finally had +assisted the Democrats to elect John M. Palmer as United States +Senator, made an urgent plea that something should be done for the +women; and because of his eloquence, or the gratitude of the +Democrats, or the keen sense of justice among all the members, the +Senate School Suffrage Bill was passed by 83 ayes, 43 noes.</p> + +<p>As it was the general impression that women had received the full +School Franchise by this bill, they proceeded to vote on bonds, +location of buildings and various other matters pertaining to the +schools, and also for county superintendents. The bill was obscurely +worded, and it has taken four decisions of the Supreme Court of +Illinois to decide just the points which it covered and the limits to +which it might be constitutionally extended. As it now stands, under +this law women can vote only<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_601" id="Page_601">[Pg 601]</a></span> for candidates for such school offices +as have been created by the Legislature. (See Suffrage.)</p> + +<p>However, this bill was useful in securing from the Supreme Court the +ruling that the Legislature had power to regulate the suffrage +concerning all positions created by itself. Heretofore the weight of +judicial opinion had been the other way; that no change whatever could +be made in the suffrage except by constitutional amendment.<a name="FNanchor_239_239" id="FNanchor_239_239"></a><a href="#Footnote_239_239" class="fnanchor">[239]</a></p> + +<p>During the session of 1893 R. W. Coon secured the passage in the +Senate of a Township Suffrage Bill prepared by the State association. +Its members argued that if school offices not named in the +constitution are creations of the Legislature, so are most of the +township offices and therefore it has power to grant women the +suffrage for these. This bill was accompanied by a petition of 12,000 +names. Senator Bogardus made a spirited report on these, extolling the +character of the signers, whose standing he had ascertained from the +senators of their districts. It passed the Senate by 26 votes, a +constitutional majority. In the House the committee reported it +favorably, many members pledged themselves to its support, and it went +through the second reading safely; but just when expectation ran +highest, it was referred back to the committee and smothered.</p> + +<p>In this same Legislature a bill to repeal the School Suffrage Law was +defeated in the House, less than 40 of the 153 members voting aye. It +was not brought to a vote in the Senate.</p> + +<p>In 1895 Senator Coon introduced the Township Bill again, but owing to +absentees it received only 23 votes, 26 being necessary to pass it. +Fearing that a majority of the members of the House were pledged to +vote for it, the chairman of the committee to which it was referred +made a sub-committee of three notorious opponents who took care that +it never was reported.</p> + +<p>In 1897 Senator G. W. Monroe took charge of the State association's +measures. Bills for Township and Bond Suffrage, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_602" id="Page_602">[Pg 602]</a></span> for suffrage for +certain city, county and township officers and for Presidential +electors, were introduced by him but failed to pass.</p> + +<p>In the special session of 1898 only such matters could be considered +as were named by Gov. John R. Tanner in calling it. The State +association petitioned him to include woman suffrage in the list, but +he did not grant the request. One of the subjects named was taxation. +The association prepared a bill to exempt the property of women from +taxation until they were allowed to vote. All the metropolitan papers +were interested in or amused by this bill, and gave it considerable +publicity, but it was not acted upon.</p> + +<p>In 1899 the three bills championed by Senator Monroe in 1897 were +managed by Senator Isaac H. Hamilton. He forced two of them to a vote, +but neither received a majority.</p> + +<p>During all this time Mrs. Catharine Waugh McCulloch, a practicing +lawyer of Chicago, auditor of the National Association and former +president of the State E. S. A., was the very efficient legislative +superintendent. She pressed the bills with a force which almost +brought success by its own momentum, and yet by her good judgment and +fair methods kept the respect of legislators who were bitterly opposed +to her measures.<a name="FNanchor_240_240" id="FNanchor_240_240"></a><a href="#Footnote_240_240" class="fnanchor">[240]</a></p> + +<p>Sometimes the hearings on these bills occurred in the Senate Chamber +or the House of Representatives. One of the most noteworthy was in +1895, when about twenty women, representing many different localities, +societies and nationalities, made clever five-minute speeches.</p> + +<p>The State association has sent the <i>Woman's Journal</i>, the <i>Woman's +Column</i> and other suffrage literature to members of the Legislature +for months at a time. Petitions always have accompanied the bills. +Added to those presented in 1899 were resolutions adopted by various +Chicago labor organizations of men, representing a membership of +25,000. The petitions of the State association generally have exceeded +all those presented for all other measures.<a name="FNanchor_241_241" id="FNanchor_241_241"></a><a href="#Footnote_241_241" class="fnanchor">[241]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_603" id="Page_603">[Pg 603]</a></span></p> + +<p>There has been no distinction between husband and wife in the laws of +inheritance since 1873. The surviving wife or husband is endowed of a +third part of all the real estate of which the other dies possessed. +If either die without a will, leaving a surviving child or children, +or descendants of such, the survivor receives, in addition, one-third +of the personal estate absolutely. If, however, there are no lineal +descendants, the widow or widower receives absolutely one-half of the +real estate and the whole of the personal estate. If there are no +descendants and no kindred, the whole estate goes to the surviving +widow or widower.</p> + +<p>A married woman has held her property in her own name since 1861. She +has been entitled to engage in business, control her earnings, sue and +be sued and make contracts since 1869.</p> + +<p>Until 1901 the father was entitled to the care of the persons and +education of the minor children. In 1898 Mrs. McCulloch published, in +the form of a story called Mr. Lex, a <i>résumé</i> of the terrible +injustice and cruelty possible under this law; and also pointed out +the same possibilities in the administration of other laws which seem +entirely fair to the casual observer. It was widely reviewed by the +Chicago press and aroused much interest. In the winter of 1901 a bill +was passed by the Legislature giving fathers and mothers equal +guardianship and custody of their minor children. Mrs. McCulloch, +representing the State E. S. A., had charge of this bill. A copy of +her book, Mr. Lex, was sent to every member, as well as the full facts +from every State which had such a law as the one proposed. She also +obtained the indorsement of numerous organizations and influential +persons, and had many individual letters written to members. All this +simply to give mothers equal guardianship with fathers of their own +children!</p> + +<p>Mrs. McCulloch was ably assisted by the Rev. Kate Hughes. The bill +passed by the large vote of 34 ayes, 8 noes, in the Senate; 119 ayes, +one no, in the House. It was signed by Gov. Richard Yates on May 18.</p> + +<p>The wife is entitled to support suited to her condition in life. The +husband is entitled to the same support out of her individual +property. They are jointly liable for family expenses. Failure<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_604" id="Page_604">[Pg 604]</a></span> to +support the wife and children under twelve years of age is a +misdemeanor, and may be punished by a fine of not less than $100 or +more than $500, or imprisonment in the county jail, house of +correction or workhouse not less than one month nor more than twelve +months, or both such fine and imprisonment. The wife may sue for +separate maintenance without divorce.</p> + +<p>The "age of protection" for girls was raised from 10 to 14 years in +1887, but it never has been possible to have this age extended. The +penalty is imprisonment in the penitentiary for from one year to life.</p> + +<p>In 1893 Mrs. Florence Kelley and Miss Mary Kenney, aided by the +women's and men's labor organizations of Chicago and by many women's +clubs, secured a Factory Inspection Law. It contained a prohibition +against the employment of a woman over eight hours daily in any +factory or workshop, but this section was declared unconstitutional +because it was a restriction upon the right to contract.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> The Legislature which adjourned in 1891 left the School +Suffrage Law obscure, incomplete and with no provisions to carry out +its intentions. In many cases the women had to provide their own +ballots and ballot-boxes. To the credit of the large majority of the +judges of election it can be said that they accepted the votes of the +women with no certainty that they were acting legally or would be +sustained by future decisions. In a number of instances, however, in +the more ignorant parts of the State, the votes were insolently +refused.</p> + +<p>In the country and unincorporated towns, in villages and small cities, +where the school boards are elected by the people, there are a number +of officers for whom women may vote;<a name="FNanchor_242_242" id="FNanchor_242_242"></a><a href="#Footnote_242_242" class="fnanchor">[242]</a> but in places like Chicago, +where the board is appointed by the mayor, the only vote they have is +for three trustees of the State University every two years.</p> + +<p>In the summer and fall of 1893 the officers of the State association +agitated the question of asking for the nomination of a woman as one +of these trustees, and in March, 1894, the convention<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_605" id="Page_605">[Pg 605]</a></span> in Danville +approved this suggestion. The auxiliary societies were urged to use +all their influence to have delegates from their counties to the State +political conventions instructed to vote for a woman candidate. Later +in the spring several of the suffrage officers and prominent women of +Chicago appeared before the Republican State Central Committee, and +the same day visited the Republican State Editorial Association, +asking their influence to secure the nomination of a woman for +trustee. Letters were sent to 200 leading politicians of different +parties giving reasons why such action should be taken and asking for +their co-operation. Personal appeals were made to the editors of the +Chicago dailies for their influence.</p> + +<p>Then came the most important work of all—securing the indorsement of +the Cook County conventions. Previous to that of the Republicans Mrs. +McCulloch interviewed leading members of the county committee and +received an invitation to present the matter to the convention, which +she did, representing both the State E. S. A. and the Woman's Club of +Chicago. Mrs. Elmina D. Springer also made an address. They were +invited to meet the resolutions committee, were treated with great +courtesy, and the resolution asking that delegates to the State +convention be instructed to vote as a unit for the nomination of a +woman for University trustee, was adopted.</p> + +<p>The Chicago Woman's Club sent fifty women to the Cook County +Democratic Convention and secured the same pledge.</p> + +<p>Committees were then appointed to manage this question in the State +conventions of the parties. Just a few days before the first +(Democratic), the attorney-general, who was a Democrat, gave the +opinion that women could not legally vote for trustees or be trustees, +and published it widely in the Chicago press. Mrs. McCulloch followed +him with a carefully prepared brief which also was given to the press. +This new difficulty made it imperative for her to attend the +Democratic State Convention to present her view of the disputed legal +point, and this she did with marked success. Whenever any of the +delegates said, "Why, haven't you read Maloney's opinion that a woman +can not hold the office or vote for trustee?" she would answer, "Yes, +but haven't you read my opinion that she can?" She addressed the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_606" id="Page_606">[Pg 606]</a></span> +entire convention, and the nomination of Dr. Julia Holmes Smith was +made unanimously. The other political parties then had to follow with +the nomination of a woman or fall behind the Democrats in chivalry.</p> + +<p>As the Chicago Woman's Club sent a strong representation to the +Republican convention, and as pledges already had been secured from +the delegates, the committee appointed by the suffrage association did +not deem it necessary to attend. Mrs. Lucy L. Flower was nominated by +this body.</p> + +<p>The Prohibitionists nominated two women, one of them the secretary of +the Illinois E. S. A., Prof. Rena Michaels Atchison.</p> + +<p>This recognition from the different parties so encouraged the women +that in 1894 they voted enthusiastically throughout the State, +especially in Chicago where the candidates were well known. Before the +election, however, a difficulty arose from an unexpected quarter. The +men composing the Board of University Trustees became alarmed, and +employed an attorney who gave an opinion that women neither could vote +for trustees nor be elected to the office. He rushed into print; Mrs. +McCulloch, who might have been worn to shreds by this time, patiently +answered the young man, and "the women went right on voting."</p> + +<p>Professor Atchison had the compliment of receiving about 3,000 votes +more than the men on the same ticket as herself, and Dr. Smith +likewise ran ahead of her ticket.<a name="FNanchor_243_243" id="FNanchor_243_243"></a><a href="#Footnote_243_243" class="fnanchor">[243]</a> Mrs. Flower was the successful +candidate, also leading the nominees of her party.</p> + +<p>The Republican women organized by appointing a State Central +Committee, and placed upon it a woman from each congressional +district.<a name="FNanchor_244_244" id="FNanchor_244_244"></a><a href="#Footnote_244_244" class="fnanchor">[244]</a> The Democratic women formed a Cornelia Club which +worked for the interest of their party's nominee.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> A statute of Illinois (1873) provides that no person +shall be debarred from any occupation, profession or employment +(except the military), on account of sex, and that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_607" id="Page_607">[Pg 607]</a></span> this shall not be +construed to affect the eligibility of any person to an elective +office.<a name="FNanchor_245_245" id="FNanchor_245_245"></a><a href="#Footnote_245_245" class="fnanchor">[245]</a></p> + +<p>The following have served as trustees of the State University: Mrs. +Lucy L. Flower, Dr. Julia Holmes Smith, Mrs. Mary Turner Carriel, Mrs. +Alice Asbury Abbott, Mrs. Carrie Thomas Alexander. The term of office +is six years.</p> + +<p>Women are eligible to all school offices (1873) and large numbers have +served as county superintendents, members of city boards of education +and directors of district schools. All the principal cities now have +women on their school boards. In Chicago there are two at the present +time. Ten counties have women for superintendents.</p> + +<p>Miss Cora B. Hirtzell was appointed as assistant by C. S. Thornton, +corporation counsel of Chicago, and served during his whole term of +office.</p> + +<p>Miss Mary M. Bartelme was appointed by Gov. John R. Tanner Public +Guardian of Cook County, and is the only woman in the United States to +fill such a position. Her duties are to look after the persons of +minors and their small estates, when no one else will take the +guardianship, and she has over 200 children under her care. She +received the highest commendation from Judge Christian C. Kohlsaat, +formerly of the Probate Court, and continues to hold office under his +successor.</p> + +<p>A decision of the Supreme Court permits a woman to be Master in +Chancery, but only one ever was appointed.</p> + +<p>Women may be official court reporters, but only two have been +appointed. The office of a Judge being elective he naturally feels +obliged to give these places to voters.</p> + +<p>Women have been notaries public for over twenty years.</p> + +<p>Miss Kate O'Connor was deputy clerk of Winnebago County for ten years, +and Miss Rose Beatson was deputy county treasurer. Mrs. A. T. Ames was +deputy sheriff of Boone County.</p> + +<p>Frequently the position of State Librarian has been filled by a woman, +and of late years that of postmaster in the House and the Senate. The +librarian of the Southern Normal University at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_608" id="Page_608">[Pg 608]</a></span> Carbondale is a woman. +Women have served as presidents of library boards in various places.</p> + +<p>Women sit on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Farmers' +Institute. One of the State Commissioners of Public Charities was a +woman; but she resigned because of the introduction of politics into +the board. A woman has served on the State Board of Health.</p> + +<p>The Home for Juvenile Female Offenders was established in 1893. It is +under the control of five trustees, two of whom are women. The +superintendent also is a woman.</p> + +<p>The Soldiers' Widows' Home was established by a law of 1895, which +provided that of the five trustees three should be women and members +of the State Woman's Relief Corps. The entire board is now composed of +women.</p> + +<p>Chicago has three women deputy factory inspectors, and formerly had a +chief inspector, Mrs. Florence Kelley, who served four years with +great ability.</p> + +<p>Miss Jane Addams of Hull House was appointed garbage inspector of the +nineteenth ward of Chicago by Mayor George B. Swift. She served one +year and was succeeded by Miss Amanda Johnson, also a resident of Hull +House. Under their care this ward, which had been one of the most +neglected in the city, became famous for cleanliness and order.</p> + +<p>Volunteer associations of women in Chicago did so much in this +direction that some of their members finally took the civil service +examinations for garbage inspectors or contractors and several +received official positions. Among the most prominent of these is Mrs. +A. Emmagene Paul, who superintends a large force of men in the first +ward of Chicago. As this is a down-town ward it is one of the hardest +in the city to keep clean, but she performs the work to the +satisfaction of all except "gang" politicians, who have made every +possible effort to have Mayor Carter Harrison remove her.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Bertha Honore Palmer of Chicago was appointed United States +Commissioner at the Paris Exposition of 1900 by President McKinley, +the only woman distinguished by any government with so important a +position. Miss Addams was appointed a member of the Jury of +International Awards, Department of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_609" id="Page_609">[Pg 609]</a></span> Social Economics, for the same +exposition. Her election as vice-president of this jury made her +eligible to membership in the Group Jury, on which she also served. +This was a distinction conferred upon no other woman.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> All occupations were opened to women by a statute of +1873, which declared also that they should not be required to work on +streets or roads or serve upon juries.</p> + +<p>They were not allowed to practice law until 1872, Mrs. Myra W. +Bradwell having been the first to make application in 1869.<a name="FNanchor_246_246" id="FNanchor_246_246"></a><a href="#Footnote_246_246" class="fnanchor">[246]</a> Since +that time ninety women have been admitted to the bar. Among those who +have done noteworthy work is the daughter of Judge and Mrs. Bradwell, +Mrs. Bessie Bradwell Helmer, who was chief editor of twenty volumes of +the Appellate Court Reports and, since the death of her mother, has +been president of the <i>Chicago Legal News</i> Company, which issues the +principal law publications of the State.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Catharine V. Waite published the <i>Chicago Law Times</i> for two +years; Mrs. Marietta B. R. Shay wrote The Student's Guide to Common +Law Pleading; and Miss Ellen A. Martin organized the National Woman +Lawyer's League, and is its secretary. Women are members of the State +and the Chicago Bar Associations and of the Chicago Law Institute.</p> + +<p>The World's Columbian Exposition, held in Chicago in 1893, opened +large fields of usefulness and power to women. Those of Illinois were +especially conspicuous in the wonderful work done by their sex during +this World's Fair. Its Board of Lady Managers was appointed under an +Act of Congress to represent the special interests of women at the +exposition, and Mrs. Bertha Honore Palmer was elected president. Mrs. +Ellen M. Henrotin of Chicago was vice-president and active +superintendent of the Woman's Branch of the World's Congress +Auxiliary.</p> + +<p>A complete official report of nearly 1,000 pages of the Congress of +Representative Women, the greatest assemblage of women which ever had +been held up to this date, was prepared by the Chairman of the +Organization Committee, Mrs. May Wright Sewall of Indianapolis, who +made several trips abroad in the interest of the Congress. To her +great executive capacity and untiring<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_610" id="Page_610">[Pg 610]</a></span> efforts for three years, with +those added of its secretary, Mrs. Rachel Foster Avery of +Philadelphia, and the splendid co-operation of the committee of +Chicago women—Miss Frances E. Willard. Dr. Sarah Hackett Stevenson, +Dr. Julia Holmes Smith, Mrs. Lydia Avery Coonley, Mrs. Elizabeth +Boynton Harbert and Mrs. William Thayer Brown—is due the fact that +this Congress was the most conspicuous success of any held during the +Exposition, with the exception of the Parliament of Religions. It +convened May 15, 1893, and continued one week, during which eighty-one +meetings were held in the different rooms of the Art Palace. +Twenty-seven countries and 126 organizations were represented by 528 +delegates. According to official estimate the total attendance +exceeded 150,000.<a name="FNanchor_247_247" id="FNanchor_247_247"></a><a href="#Footnote_247_247" class="fnanchor">[247]</a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education</span>: The law colleges never have been closed to women. Union +College of Law was the first in the United States to graduate a woman, +Mrs. Ada H. Kepley, in 1870.</p> + +<p>Some of the medical schools are still bitterly opposed to admitting +women. All the homeopathic colleges are open to them with the +exception of the Chicago Homeopathic. At Harvey Medical College about +half the students are women, and several of the full professorships +are filled by them. Hahnemann College admits them but has no woman +professor or instructor. In 1899 Dr. Julia Holmes Smith was elected +dean of the National Medical College (Homeopathic) with no dissenting +vote, and in 1900 she was re-elected. She is the only woman dean of a +medical institution composed of both sexes. Women are received in the +College of Physicians and Surgeons, which is the medical department of +the State University. Rush College, one of the largest of the +allopathic institutions, has just been opened to them. All of the +colleges named above are in Chicago. Dr. Sarah Hackett Stevenson was +the first woman admitted to the American Medical Association.</p> + +<p>The theological schools generally are closed to women. They are +admitted to the full courses of the Garrett Biblical Institute of the +Northwestern University. Lombard University gives them the full +privileges of its Divinity School (Universalist).<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_611" id="Page_611">[Pg 611]</a></span> In 1898 the Chicago +Union Theological Seminary (Congregationalist) opened its doors to +them. They may also enter the theological department of Chicago +University, but its circular of information says: "Women students +receive no encouragement to become ministers."</p> + +<p>The State University and all of the other large universities and +colleges in Illinois are open to women, although some of the minor +institutions are still closed.</p> + +<p>There are in the public schools 6,973 men and 18,974 women teachers. +The average monthly salary of the men is $60.42; of the women, $53.27. +In the Chicago schools women receive the same pay as men for the same +work, but the highly salaried positions are largely monopolized by +men.</p> + +<p>An incident which has no parallel deserves a place on these pages. In +Chicago it was long the custom, whenever retrenchment of taxes became +necessary, to cut down the salaries of the school teachers. In 1899 +they could not get even what was legally due to them, and in 1900 the +same condition prevailed.</p> + +<p>Various reasons were given for the shortage of funds, but two of the +teachers. Miss Margaret Haley and Miss Catharine Goggin, obtained +information that the reason of the deficit was that some of the +largest corporations in the State were not assessed for taxes. Without +any backing they began an investigation. When proof positive was +secured, through a long search of official records, they laid the case +before the Teachers' Federation of 4,000 members, who authorized them +to prosecute it to the end and supplied the necessary funds.</p> + +<p>They went before the Board of Equalization with proofs that hundreds +of millions of dollars of corporation property was not assessed for +taxation; but the board refused absolutely to act. Then they filed a +mandamus to compel it to do so, and brought the matter into the +courts. Every legal, political and financial influence that could be +secured in the State was used to fight these courageous women. They +carried the case through the lower courts and into the Supreme Court, +which confirmed their contention that these corporations should be +taxed (Oct 24. 1901.)</p> + +<p>The Union Traction Company and the Chicago Consolidated Traction +Company, two of the greatest corporations which for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_612" id="Page_612">[Pg 612]</a></span> years had been +avoiding their legal taxes, applied to the United States Circuit Court +for an injunction to restrain the State Board of Equalization from +assessing them. They invoked the Fourteenth Amendment to the Federal +Constitution, which says that private property shall not be taken +without due process of law. The injunction was refused.</p> + +<p>This decision will increase the revenues of Chicago not less than +$5,000,000 a year, unless some scheme is evolved for circumventing the +law, which has not been enforced up to this time. (July, 1902.)</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>During the campaign of 1900 both Republican and Democratic clubs of +women were formed. The Democratic Club of Chicago announced that it +would be permanent, and at all times would oppose every legislative +and congressional candidate who should be unfavorable to woman +suffrage.</p> + +<p>The Illinois Federation of Women's Clubs has been a great educator. It +was organized in 1894, and is composed of 225 clubs with a membership +of 20,000. The Chicago Woman's Club is one of the largest in the +United States and does a vast amount of practical work.</p> + +<p>Miss Frances E. Willard belonged to Illinois as well as to the world, +and it was through her powerful influence that the great organization +of the W. C. T. U. was first swung into line for the enfranchisement +of women. By voice and pen she aided this cause for over twenty years.</p> + +<p>Among other staunch supporters are Mrs. Lydia Avery Coonley-Ward, +whose home and purse and pen are used for the benefit of woman +suffrage; and her mother, Mrs. Susan Look Avery, who speaks and writes +with the vigor of youth, although eighty-three years of age. Mrs. +Emily M. Gross is one of the large contributors.</p> + +<p>Senator Miles B. Castle was chairman of the Illinois E. S. A. +executive committee for over twenty years, and edited and published +the State organ, the <i>Suffragist</i>, for five years, supplying the +deficit from his own pocket. The Rev. C. C. Harrah, now of Iowa, did +valiant service for many years as chairman of the State advisory +committee. He sent his leaflet, Jesus Christ the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_613" id="Page_613">[Pg 613]</a></span> Emancipator of +Woman, at his own expense to hundreds of ministers throughout the +country, and it is still in use by the National Association.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Eva Munson Smith, vice-president of the State association, +published a volume entitled Woman in Sacred Song, which contains poems +written by 830, and 150 musical compositions by 50 different women. +Mrs. Carrie Ashton Johnson, secretary, compiled a popular Suffrage +Dime Speaker. Miss Mary H. Krout, for ten years connected with the +<i>Inter-Ocean</i>, never has failed to use her influence in favor of woman +suffrage. Mrs. Fannie H. Rastall gave her services as editor-in-chief +of the <i>Woman's Forum</i> for several years.</p> + +<p>Sixteen years ago but one paper in Illinois had a woman's department; +now this is a feature of all, and 161 are regularly publishing +suffrage matter furnished by the State press bureau.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_237_237" id="Footnote_237_237"></a><a href="#FNanchor_237_237"><span class="label">[237]</span></a> The History is indebted for this chapter to Mrs. Mary +E. Holmes of Chicago, who has been officially connected with the State +Equal Suffrage Association since 1884.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_238_238" id="Footnote_238_238"></a><a href="#FNanchor_238_238"><span class="label">[238]</span></a> State conventions have been held as follows: Watseka, +1884; Geneseo, 1885; Sandwich, 1886; Galva, 1887; Rockford, 1888; +Joliet, 1889; Moline, 1890; Kewanee, 1891; Aurora, 1892; Chicago +(World's Fair), 1893; Danville, 1894; Decatur, 1895; Harvey, 1896; +Waukegan, 1897; Springfield, 1898; Barry, 1899. The twenty-seventh +annual meeting took place in Edgewater, Oct. 11, 12, 1900.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_239_239" id="Footnote_239_239"></a><a href="#FNanchor_239_239"><span class="label">[239]</span></a> Among the officers for whom the Legislature has the +power to allow women to vote are Presidential electors, members of the +State Board of Equalization, clerk of the Appellate Court, county +collector, county surveyor, members of the Board of Assessors, +sanitary district trustees, members of the Board of Review, all +officers of cities, villages and towns (except police magistrates), +supervisor, town clerk, assessor, collector and highway commissioner. +</p><p> +The Legislature has power also to permit women to vote on general +questions submitted to the electors, besides voting in all annual and +special town meetings.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_240_240" id="Footnote_240_240"></a><a href="#FNanchor_240_240"><span class="label">[240]</span></a> During these years various suffrage bills were +introduced by other organizations. The school board of Winnetka had +one to give women a right to vote on all matters relating to schools; +the W. C. T. U. one for a constitutional amendment; and members of the +Legislature occasionally on their own responsibility introduced +bills.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_241_241" id="Footnote_241_241"></a><a href="#FNanchor_241_241"><span class="label">[241]</span></a> In 1891 an anti-suffrage petition, signed by twelve +persons, aroused some interest on account of its novelty. In later +Legislatures their petitions do not seem to have appeared, but some of +those twelve signers can be found composing the Chicago Anti Suffrage +Society of the present day.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_242_242" id="Footnote_242_242"></a><a href="#FNanchor_242_242"><span class="label">[242]</span></a> In April, 1891, fifteen women of Lombard voted at the +municipal election under a special charter which gave the franchise to +citizens over twenty-one years of age. The judges were about to refuse +the votes, but Miss Ellen A. Martin, of the law firm of Perry & Martin +in Chicago, argued the legal points so conclusively that they were +accepted. No one has contested that election, and the women have +established their right to vote.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_243_243" id="Footnote_243_243"></a><a href="#FNanchor_243_243"><span class="label">[243]</span></a> Although Dr. Smith was defeated she was really the +first woman who served as trustee of the State University, for Gov. +John P. Altgeld appointed her to fill a member's unexpired term and +she took her seat one month before Mrs. Flower, serving eighteen +months. At the next election her name was again placed on the +Democratic ticket, which was again defeated.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_244_244" id="Footnote_244_244"></a><a href="#FNanchor_244_244"><span class="label">[244]</span></a> They continued to hold delegate conventions every two +years to nominate a woman for trustee, until the Primary Election Law, +recently passed, provided that delegates to nominating conventions +must be elected at the polls.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_245_245" id="Footnote_245_245"></a><a href="#FNanchor_245_245"><span class="label">[245]</span></a> During the Legislature of 1873 a Joint Special +Committee was appointed to revise the laws. Through the heroic efforts +of Miles B. Castle in the Senate and Judge James B. Bradwell in the +House, with the assistance of the veteran law professor and reviser of +statutes, the Hon. Harvey B. Hurd, a most liberal legislation for +women, in all directions possible at that time, was secured.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_246_246" id="Footnote_246_246"></a><a href="#FNanchor_246_246"><span class="label">[246]</span></a> See <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_601">History Woman Suffrage, Vol. II, p. 601</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_247_247" id="Footnote_247_247"></a><a href="#FNanchor_247_247"><span class="label">[247]</span></a> Mrs. Sewall's report will be found in most public +libraries. A graphic account of this Congress is contained in the Life +and Work of Susan B. Anthony, Chap. XLI. See also present volume of +this History, <a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">Chap XIV</a>.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_614" id="Page_614">[Pg 614]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXXVIII.</h2> + +<h3>INDIANA.<a name="FNanchor_248_248" id="FNanchor_248_248"></a><a href="#Footnote_248_248" class="fnanchor">[248]</a></h3> + + +<p>The earliest woman suffrage society in Indiana was formed in Dublin +only three years after that first memorable convention at Seneca +Falls, N. Y., in 1848, and annual meetings were held until the +beginning of the Civil War, and resumed after its close.</p> + +<p>That of 1884 took place December 9, 10, in the Methodist Church at +Kokomo with delegates present from a number of cities. The resolutions +included one of sorrow over the deaths of Frances Dana Gage, a pioneer +suffragist, and Laura Giddings Julian, daughter of Joshua R. Giddings +and wife of George W. Julian, M. C., both staunch advocates of the +enfranchisement of women, as she herself had been. Dr. Mary F. Thomas, +who had joined in the call for the first meeting in 1851, was +re-elected president and the Hon. William Dudley Foulke made +vice-president-at-large. Among the speakers were the Reverends +Frazier, Hudson and McCune, Dr. Gifford and Judge Pollard.</p> + +<p>The annual meeting of 1885 was held at Warsaw, October 22, 23, and +welcomed by Mayor Royse. On account of the advanced age of Dr. Thomas +her resignation was accepted and Mrs. Mary S. Armstrong elected +president. Henry B. Blackwell and Lucy Stone were present throughout +the sessions.</p> + +<p>The State convention of 1886 met in Richmond, November 8, 9, in the +Eighth Street Friends' Meeting House and was welcomed by the Mayor. +Addresses were made by Mr. Blackwell, Mrs. Stone, Mrs. Zerelda G. +Wallace, Dr. Thomas, Mr. Foulke, Mrs. Mary E. Haggart, Mrs. Armstrong, +Mrs. Mattie Stewart Charles, Sylvester Johnson and others.</p> + +<p>In 1887 the convention took place at La Porte, December 1, 2, and was +addressed by Mr. Foulke, Professor Hailman and Mrs. Eudora F. Hailman, +the Rev. Mr. Grant, General Packard, Mrs.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_615" id="Page_615">[Pg 615]</a></span> J. W. Ridgway, Mrs. +Rhenton, Sylvanus Grover and others. Mr. Foulke was elected president +and Mrs. Haggart vice-president-at-large.<a name="FNanchor_249_249" id="FNanchor_249_249"></a><a href="#Footnote_249_249" class="fnanchor">[249]</a></p> + +<p>Up to this time these annual meetings had been convened under the +auspices of the American Woman Suffrage Association. In 1878 a strong +society had been organized in Indianapolis with Mrs. Zerelda G. +Wallace, president, Mrs. May Wright Sewall, secretary, and 175 +members. It had held numerous meetings and done a large amount of +legislative and political work, but had made no State or national +alliances. In May, 1887, however, it called a convention, which met in +Plymouth Congregational Church, and with the assistance of Miss Susan +B. Anthony a State organization was effected, auxiliary to the +National Woman Suffrage Association. The officers elected were: +President, Mrs. Helen M. Gougar; vice-president-at-large, Mrs. +Wallace; secretary, Mrs. Ida Husted Harper; treasurer, Mrs. Juliette +K. Wood; chairman executive committee, Mrs. Sewall; superintendent of +press, Miss Mary E. Cardwill.</p> + +<p>In November, under the management of this board, two days' conventions +were held in each of the congressional districts of the State, at +Evansville, Vincennes, Bloomington, Kokomo, Logansport, Wabash, +Lafayette, South Bend, Fort Wayne, Muncie, Madison, New Albany and +Terre Haute. The speakers were Miss Anthony, Mrs. Wallace, Mrs. Sewall +and Mrs. Gougar, the meetings being arranged by Mrs. Harper. They were +well attended, a great deal of suffrage sentiment was aroused and a +balance was left in the treasury.</p> + +<p>The annual convention took place at Indianapolis in the Grand Opera +House, May 15, 16, 1888, with delegates present from every +congressional district. Among the speakers were Mr. Foulke, Mrs. Annie +Jenness Miller and Miss Anthony. The board of officers was re-elected.</p> + +<p>The third convention met at Rushville, Oct. 10, 11, 1889. Miss Anthony +was in attendance. By previous arrangement<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_616" id="Page_616">[Pg 616]</a></span> delegates from the +American branch were present and, with unanimous consent, a union of +two bodies into one State organization was effected. Although +receiving a majority vote, Mrs. Sewall, Miss Cardwill and Mrs. Harper, +for personal reasons, refused longer to serve. The election finally +resulted: President, Mrs. Gougar; vice-president-at-large, Mrs. +Wallace; secretary, Mrs. Caroline C. Hodgin; treasurer, Mrs. Hattie E. +Merrill; chairman executive committee, Mrs. E. M. Seward; +superintendent of press, Mrs. Georgia Wright. A resolution was adopted +mourning the death of Dr. Mary F. Thomas.</p> + +<p>State meetings were held for several years afterward, but the records +of them are not available.</p> + +<p>In 1899, the State association having been apparently defunct for a +long time, a conference of the officers of the National Association +was called to meet in Indianapolis, at the earnest request of Mrs. +Sewall and a committee. There were present on December 7, 8, Miss +Anthony, president, the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, +vice-president-at-large, Mrs. Harriet Taylor Upton, treasurer, Miss +Laura Clay and Mrs. Catharine Waugh McCulloch, auditors, and Mrs. +Carrie Chapman Catt, chairman of the organization committee. Mrs. +Sewall gave two receptions to enable the people of the city to greet +them; a large one was given by Mrs. Lucy McDowell Milburn, wife of the +Rev. Joseph A. Milburn, of the Second Presbyterian Church; and a +luncheon at the handsome residence of Mrs. Alice Wheeler Peirce by the +committee.</p> + +<p>Business meetings were held at the Denison Hotel. The evening +meetings, in Plymouth Church, were large and enthusiastic. A new State +association was formed and also a new local club for Indianapolis, +while the staunch and steadfast old societies of Kokomo and Tipton +were aroused to new activity.<a name="FNanchor_250_250" id="FNanchor_250_250"></a><a href="#Footnote_250_250" class="fnanchor">[250]</a></p> + +<p>At the State meeting in Indianapolis in November, 1900, the old board +of officers was re-elected, except that Mrs. Mary Shank was made +vice-president and Mrs. Ethel B. McMullen, treasurer.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_617" id="Page_617">[Pg 617]</a></span></p> + +<p>A very considerable sentiment in favor of woman suffrage exists +throughout the State and many well-known individuals advocate it, +among them U. S. Senator Albert J. Beveridge and most of the +Congressional delegation, State officials, judges, clergymen and +prominent members of the women's clubs, but there is so slight an +organization that little opportunity is afforded for public expression +or action.</p> + +<p>From 1884 down to the present women have appeared many times in person +and by petition before county and State conventions of the different +political parties, asking for a recognition in their platforms of the +right of women to the suffrage. Although these efforts have met with +no response from the Democratic party, and none from the Republican in +State meetings, a few county conventions have adopted planks to this +effect. In 1889 the Greenback and the United Labor State Conventions +unequivocally indorsed the franchise for women. In 1892 the Populist +and the Prohibition State platforms contained declarations for woman +suffrage. In 1894 the Populists again adopted the plank. Similar +action was taken by the Social Democratic Party in 1900. Among those +appearing before these bodies are found the names of Mrs. Sewall, Mrs. +Gougar, Mrs. Haggart, Mrs. Pauline T. Merritt, Miss Flora Hardin, Mrs. +Florence M. Adkinson, Mrs. Augusta Cooper Bristol and Mrs. Harper.</p> + +<p>During the past sixteen years a number of women have sat as delegates +in the State conventions of the Greenback, Prohibition, Populist, +Socialist and Labor parties. Women have shown great interest in +politics for many years, crowding the galleries at the State +conventions and forming at least one-half of the audiences at the +campaign rallies. Among those who have canvassed the State in national +campaigns are the noted orators, Miss Anna E. Dickinson, and Mrs. +Nellie Holbrook Blinn of California, for the Republican party; Mrs. +Mary E. Lease and Mrs. Annie L. Diggs, both of Kansas, for the +Populist; Miss Cynthia Cleveland for the Democratic, and Mrs. Helen M. +Gougar for the Republican, Prohibition and Populist.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action and Laws</span>: It is most difficult to look up the +history of legislation on any subject in Indiana. The original bills +are not printed but are presented in writing, stowed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_618" id="Page_618">[Pg 618]</a></span> away in +pigeon-holes and thenceforth referred to only by number, with perhaps +a fragment of their titles. After several women, deeply interested in +the question, had attempted to make a list of the suffrage bills +during the last sixteen years and had given up in despair, they +appealed to one of the best lawyers in the State, who is a firm +believer in the enfranchisement of women. He responded that no +accurate report could be made without first going through all the +pigeon-holes and over all the journals of the two Houses during that +period, which would require weeks of time and great expense. As very +few of these bills ever were reported from the committees, it seemed +unnecessary to undertake their resurrection for the purposes of this +History.</p> + +<p>The Indiana Legislature meets biennially and there is seldom a session +in which bills are not presented for municipal or full suffrage. In +1893 bills were before this body asking for the Municipal ballot, and +newspaper accounts speak of Mrs. Zerelda G. Wallace, Mrs. Mary S. +Armstrong and Mrs. Laura G. Schofield as working industriously for +their passage.</p> + +<p>In 1895 Judge George B. Cardwill introduced two bills without request, +one for an amendment to the constitution striking out the word "male;" +the other to amend the law so as to make it obligatory to have one +woman on the school board of every city. The women made no effort to +secure consideration of these bills, and they lay dormant in +committee.</p> + +<p>It never has been thought worth while to make the struggle for School +Suffrage, as Indianapolis is the only city which elects its school +board. In the others this is appointed by the Common Council.</p> + +<p>On Feb. 5, 1897, Miss Susan B. Anthony, who was visiting Mrs. Sewall, +addressed the Legislature in joint session asking it to recommend to +Congress the passage of a Sixteenth Amendment to the Federal +Constitution enfranchising women.</p> + +<p>In 1898, under the auspices of Mrs. M. A. Tompkins, State +superintendent of franchise for the Woman's Christian Temperance +Union, an active and systematic canvass was begun to secure from the +Legislature the submission of an amendment to the State constitution +to strike out the word "male." She was assisted by members of her +organization in every county; short,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_619" id="Page_619">[Pg 619]</a></span> convincing articles were +prepared for the newspapers, petitions circulated and 30,000 names of +men and women obtained.</p> + +<p>Accompanied by these a joint resolution was presented to the +Legislature of 1899—in the Senate by O. Z. Hubbell, in the House by +Quincy A. Blankinship, and both labored strenuously for its passage. +The Senate Bill was referred to the Committee on Revision of Laws, +Frederick A. Joss, chairman, and the House Bill to the Judiciary +Committee, Silas A. Canada, chairman. They granted hearings, were +addressed by Miss Marie Brehm of Chicago, national superintendent of +franchise for the W. C. T. U., and reported the bill favorably. It +passed the Senate by unanimous vote, January 25. The members of the +House had been personally interviewed by Mrs. Tompkins and Miss Brehm, +and two-thirds of them were pledged to vote for the measure.</p> + +<p>The law provides that not more than two bills for amending the State +constitution can be before the Legislature at one time, and, as two +preceded this one, Speaker Littleton, who was opposed to it, ruled it +out of order and would not permit it to be considered. The same +condition existed in the Senate but that body deemed its action +perfectly legal, as all which could be done was to submit the bill to +the next Legislature. Thus all the work of nearly two years was +lost.<a name="FNanchor_251_251" id="FNanchor_251_251"></a><a href="#Footnote_251_251" class="fnanchor">[251]</a></p> + +<p>In 1899 a number of Factory Inspection Laws were passed, some of them +especially intended to protect women. While these serve their purpose +in one way they may defeat it in another, as those, for instance, +limiting the work of women to ten hours a day and prohibiting their +employment at night in any manufacturing concern, when no such +restrictions are imposed on men, which often is to their advantage +with employers. Seats for women employes, suitable toilet-rooms and a +full hour for the noonday meal are commendable features of these new +laws.</p> + +<p>Through the efforts of Robert Dale Owen and a few other broad-minded +men, when the constitution of Indiana was revised in 1851 the laws for +women were made more liberal than those<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_620" id="Page_620">[Pg 620]</a></span> of most other States at that +period, although conservative compared to present standards. Unjust +discriminations have been abolished from time to time since then, +until now, in a very large degree, the laws bear equally upon husband +and wife. Some distinctions, however, still exist, as is shown by the +introduction of bills in almost every Legislature "to remove the +existing disabilities of married women."</p> + +<p>Dower and curtesy are abolished. If a husband die, with or without a +will, one-third of his real estate descends to the widow in fee +simple, free from all demands of creditors; provided, however, that +where the real estate exceeds in value $10,000, the widow shall have +one-fourth only, and where it exceeds $20,000, one-fifth only as +against creditors. If a husband die without a will and leave a widow +and one child, the real estate is divided equally between them; the +personal estate is divided equally if there are not more than two +children; if there are more than two the widow still has one-third. If +a man has children living by a former marriage and none by a +subsequent marriage, the widow can have only a life interest in her +share of his estate. If a wife die, with or without a will, one-third +of her real and personal estate descends to the widower, regardless of +its value, but subject to its proportion of her debts contracted +before marriage. If a husband or wife die without a will, leaving no +child, but father or mother, one or both, three-fourths of the entire +estate goes to the widow or widower, unless it does not exceed $1,000, +in which case it all goes to the widow or widower. If there are +neither children, father nor mother, the entire estate goes to the +widow or widower.</p> + +<p>The husband is liable for the wife's debts incurred before marriage to +the extent of any property received by him through her. He is not +liable for his wife's contracts with respect to her separate property, +business or labor, or for torts committed by her.</p> + +<p>She may sue in her own name for injury to her person, property or +character. The husband may maintain action for the loss of her society +and services.</p> + +<p>A wife can not convey or encumber her separate real estate without the +joinder of her husband, nor can he do this with his separate real +estate unless she joins. Husband and wife each<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_621" id="Page_621">[Pg 621]</a></span> may dispose of +two-thirds of their real and personal estate by will without the +consent of the other.</p> + +<p>A married woman may without any legal formalities carry on business or +trade or perform any labor or services on her sole and separate +account and her earnings shall be her sole and separate property, +provided she keeps her business distinct from her husband's, as all +their joint earnings are his property.</p> + +<p>A wife can act as executor or administrator of an estate only with her +husband's consent.</p> + +<p>No married woman can become surety for any person.</p> + +<p>The father has the custody of the persons and the control of the +education of the minor children, even though there may be a guardian +appointed for their property. (1896.)</p> + +<p>A wife may sue for support: (1) If deserted by her husband and left +without means of support; (2) if he has been convicted of a felony and +put in State prison; (3) if he is a habitual drunkard; (4) if he join +a religious society prohibiting marriage. The court may award +necessary support according to circumstances, may sell lands of the +husband, or allow the wife to sell her lands without his joining. +(1896.)</p> + +<p>The "age of protection" for girls is 14 years. No bills presented by +women to have it raised ever have been allowed to get beyond a +legislative committee. The penalty is imprisonment in the penitentiary +from one to twenty-one years.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> Women possess no form of suffrage. A decision of the Supreme +Court, Feb. 1, 1901, that an amendment to be adopted must receive a +majority of the highest number of votes cast at the election, has made +it practically impossible to secure the franchise for women by +changing the State constitution. It is held, however, by lawyers whose +opinion is of value, that this even now may be legally construed so as +to permit them to vote.</p> + +<p>Sustained in her own belief by these views and by a Supreme Court +decision of 1893, which interpreted this constitution to permit women +to practice law (see Occupations), Mrs. Helen M. Gougar decided to +make a test case, and offered her vote in the State election, Nov. 6, +1894, at her home in Lafayette. It was refused and she brought suit +against the election board in the Superior Court of Tippecanoe County. +Sayler & Sayler and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_622" id="Page_622">[Pg 622]</a></span> John D. Gougar, husband of the plaintiff, were +her attorneys, but she was herself admitted to the bar and argued her +own case before Judge F. B. Everett, Jan. 10, 1895. She based her +masterly argument on the rights guaranteed to all citizens by the +Federal Constitution, and on the first article of the constitution of +Indiana, which declares that "the General Assembly shall not grant to +any citizen, or class of citizens, privileges or immunities which, +upon the same terms, shall not equally belong to all citizens;" and +she used with deadly effect the parallel between the decision of the +Supreme Court in the case of Antoinette D. Leach, by which she was +enabled to practice law, and the claims which were now being made as +to the right of women to vote.<a name="FNanchor_252_252" id="FNanchor_252_252"></a><a href="#Footnote_252_252" class="fnanchor">[252]</a></p> + +<p>The long, adverse decision of Judge Everett was based upon his +declaration that "suffrage is not a natural right or one necessarily +incident to such freedom and preservation of rights as are upheld by +the National and State constitutions;" that "the intention of their +framers to limit the suffrage to males is so strong that it can not be +disregarded;" and that "the legal and well understood rule of +construction is that the express mention of certain things excludes +all others."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Gougar then carried her case to the Supreme Court of Indiana, and +was herself the first woman admitted to practice before that body. Her +brief was filed by her attorneys and she made her own argument before +the full bench, the court-room being crowded with lawyers and members +of the Legislature. It was said by one of the judges to be the +clearest and ablest oral argument presented since he had been a +member.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless the judgment of the lower court was affirmed. The +decision, in which the five judges concurred, was founded almost +exclusively upon the affirmation that "that which is expressed makes +that which is silent cease." This decision reversed absolutely the one +rendered in the case of Leach for the right to practice law, which had +declared that "although the statute says voters may practice, it says +nothing about women, and therefore there is no denial of this right to +them;" or in other words "that which is expressed does <i>not</i> make that +which is silent cease."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_623" id="Page_623">[Pg 623]</a></span> Yet both of these opinions were written by +the same Chief Justice—Leonard J. Hackney!</p> + +<p>The decision closed by saying: "Whatever the personal views of the +Justices upon the advisability of extending the franchise to women, +all are agreed that under the present constitution it can not be +extended to them."</p> + +<p>As it is practically impossible to amend the State constitution, the +outlook for woman suffrage in Indiana appears hopeless except through +an amendment to the National Constitution.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding</span>: Women are not eligible for election to any offices +within the gift of the voters, except those pertaining to the public +schools.</p> + +<p>In 1873 the Legislature enacted that women should be eligible to any +office the appointment or election to which is or shall be vested in +the Governor or General Assembly.</p> + +<p>In 1881 it was enacted that women should be eligible to any office +under the general or special school laws of the State.</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding these liberal provisions there is scarcely one of the +Northern States where so few women have served in office. There never +has been even a woman candidate for that of State Superintendent. Many +years ago there were a few county superintendents but none now fill +that office and not half a dozen women ever have sat on local school +boards. These are appointed by the Common Council in all the towns and +cities except Indianapolis. On one occasion its Local Council of Women +nominated two of its members for school trustees, but both were +defeated. Women themselves were not allowed to vote, but their +interest brought out an unusually large number of men.<a name="FNanchor_253_253" id="FNanchor_253_253"></a><a href="#Footnote_253_253" class="fnanchor">[253]</a> At present +not one woman is known to be filling any school office.</p> + +<p>The law of 1873 includes the boards of all penal and benevolent +institutions, State Librarian, custodians of public buildings, and +many minor offices, but women have found it practically impossible to +secure any of these. The explanation for this probably lies in the +fact that Indiana is a pivotal State in politics and the parties are +so evenly divided that the elections are equally apt to be carried by +either party. It thus becomes vitally necessary to utilize every +office for political purposes and none can be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_624" id="Page_624">[Pg 624]</a></span> spared to persons +without votes. For a number of years the two parties elected women as +State Librarian, and they gave much satisfaction, although several +times the political pressure has been so great that the office has had +to be given to men.<a name="FNanchor_254_254" id="FNanchor_254_254"></a><a href="#Footnote_254_254" class="fnanchor">[254]</a></p> + +<p>A number of times bills have been presented to require the Governor to +put a representation of women on the boards of all State institutions +where women and children are confined, but they never have been +carried.</p> + +<p>In 1873 the first State prison in the United States exclusively for +women was opened in Indianapolis, but the management was vested in a +board of men with a visiting board of women and a woman +superintendent. In 1877 a bill was passed placing the entire +management of this Woman's Reformatory in the hands of women. An +Industrial School for Girls is now under the same supervision.<a name="FNanchor_255_255" id="FNanchor_255_255"></a><a href="#Footnote_255_255" class="fnanchor">[255]</a></p> + +<p>In 1889 an act of the Legislature established the State Board of +Charities and Corrections and provided that two of its six trustees +should be women. It exercises supervision over the State penal and +benevolent institutions. In 1899 a legislative act required that on +petition of fifteen citizens of any county the Circuit Judge must +appoint a board to exercise the same supervision over its +institutions, to consist of four men and two women.</p> + +<p>The only other women serving on State boards are one for the Soldiers' +and Sailors' Orphans' Home at Knightstown and one for the Home for +Feeble-minded Youth at Ft. Wayne.<a name="FNanchor_256_256" id="FNanchor_256_256"></a><a href="#Footnote_256_256" class="fnanchor">[256]</a></p> + +<p>The State Board of Charities and Corrections has made great effort to +secure women physicians at all State Institutions and, though there is +no law authorizing it, there is now one at each of the four Hospitals +for the Insane, and at the Woman's Prison and Girls' Industrial +School. One was appointed for the Home for Feeble-minded but a man now +holds the position.</p> + +<p>Almost every State, county and city office has women deputies,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_625" id="Page_625">[Pg 625]</a></span> +assistants or stenographers. It is said that one-third of the employes +in the State House are women. Many serve as notaries public, and a +number as court stenographers.</p> + +<p>The need of a Police Matron in Indianapolis was so obvious and it had +been so impossible to persuade the authorities of this fact, that in +November, 1890, the Meridian W. C. T. U. obtained permission from the +Mayor and Commissioners to place one on duty at the central station +house at their own expense. This was continued until March, 1891, when +a change in the city charter vested the authority in a Board of +Safety. The matron, Mrs. Annie M. Buchanan, had given such +satisfaction that on petition of the Woman's Local Council she was +regularly employed by the city, with full police powers, at a salary +of $60 per month and two furnished rooms for her occupancy. The first +year 852 women and children came into her charge, 24 of the latter +being under five years of age.</p> + +<p>The State W. C. T. U. appointed Mrs. Buchanan as the head of a +movement to secure Police Matrons in all cities of 7,000 inhabitants. +A bill for this purpose was presented in 1893 but failed to pass. In +1895 the Local Council of Women also made this a special line of work, +and to Mrs. Buchanan's petition, signed by one hundred of the leading +men and women of the State and the entire Common Council, were added +the names of the presidents of the forty-nine societies composing the +Council of Women, representing 8,000 members. It asked for a law +compelling the appointment of Police Matrons in all cities of 10,000 +inhabitants. This time the bill passed both Houses but so altered as +to merely permit the Mayor and Commissioners to appoint such Matrons, +a power they already possessed.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Buchanan remained in office seven years, until her marriage. The +experiment in Indianapolis has been so successful that matrons are now +employed in Evansville, Terre Haute, Richmond and Lafayette, but these +by no means include all of the cities of over 10,000 inhabitants.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations</span>: The only occupations forbidden to women are those of +working in mines and selling liquor. Women have served as bank +cashiers and directors for twenty years.</p> + +<p>In 1875 Miss Elizabeth Eaglesfield was admitted to practice<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_626" id="Page_626">[Pg 626]</a></span> law at +the Vigo County bar, through the efforts of Judge William Mack, and +had a number of cases in the courts of Indianapolis. Eighteen years +later Mrs. Antoinette D. Leach, although properly qualified, was +refused a license to practice in Greene County. The lower court based +its refusal on a clause in the State Constitution which says: "Every +person of good moral character, <i>being a voter</i>, shall be entitled to +practice law in all the courts of the State." She carried the case to +the Supreme Court which reversed this judgment. Its decision, June 14, +1893, says that "while voters are granted admission to practice there +is no <i>denial</i> of such right to women, and it must be held to exist as +long as not forbidden by law. That which is expressed does not make +that which is silent cease." (See Suffrage on previous page.) The +decision continued:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The right to practice law is not a political question, but +belongs to that class of rights inherent in every citizen, and +pertains to the fundamental duty of every inhabitant to gain a +livelihood. Judge Cooley says: "To forbid to an individual or a +class the right to the acquisition or enjoyment of property in +such manner as should be permitted to the community at large, +would be to deprive them of liberty in particulars of primary +importance." In Story on the Constitution it is said that the +right to acquire, possess and enjoy property and to choose from +those which are lawful the profession or occupation of life, are +among the privileges which the States are forbidden by the +Constitution to abridge.<a name="FNanchor_257_257" id="FNanchor_257_257"></a><a href="#Footnote_257_257" class="fnanchor">[257]</a></p></blockquote> + +<p>Basing her claims on this decision, a woman the next year, 1894, +applied for license to sell liquor. This was refused on the ground +that the statute reads: "Any <i>male</i> inhabitant having certain other +specified qualifications may obtain a license." The Supreme Court +decided that "by the use of the word 'male' women are inhibited from +obtaining license to vend intoxicating liquor at retail."</p> + +<p>Thus within three years—1893, '94, '95—the same Supreme Court +rendered three decisions each absolutely reversing the others.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education</span>: The State University was opened to women in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_627" id="Page_627">[Pg 627]</a></span> 1867. They are +admitted on equal terms with men to all State institutions of +learning, including Purdue University (agricultural). The only +colleges closed to them are Wabash at Crawfordsville, and the Rose +Polytechnic at Terre Haute. There are women on the faculties of most +of the co-educational universities. A number of women have been +graduated from the various Law and Medical Schools.</p> + +<p>In the public schools there are 7,252 men and 8,236 women teachers. +The average monthly salary of the men is $48.80; of the women $43.55.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>The Women's Clubs number considerably over one hundred, and there are +also many which are composed of both men and women. The State Press +Association had both as charter members. The Union of Literary Clubs, +a strong organization of 104 branches, includes many of these and also +those composed of women alone and of men alone.</p> + +<p>The Woman's Club of Indianapolis, founded in 1875, is the oldest in +the city. Under its auspices and through the inspiration of Mrs. May +Wright Sewall, the Propylćum, a handsome club house, was built at a +cost of over $30,000. It was dedicated in 1891 with imposing +ceremonies, in which the Governor, the Mayor and many distinguished +guests assisted the board of directors. All of the stock is held by +women and the construction was entirely superintended by women. It is +one of the important institutions of the city, and is used by a number +of men's and of women's clubs and for many public and private +functions.</p> + +<p>In numerous forms of organized work, sanitary inspection, free +kindergartens, flower missions, training schools for nurses, +collegiate alumnć, art associations, musical clubs, industrial unions, +patriotic societies, church missionary boards, lodge auxiliaries and +countless others—women render conspicuous and inestimable service. +The State Monograph for the World's Fair, previously referred to, +gives detailed information of the associated work of Indiana women in +nearly fifty distinct departments.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_248_248" id="Footnote_248_248"></a><a href="#FNanchor_248_248"><span class="label">[248]</span></a> The History is indebted to Mrs. Alice Judah Clarke of +Vincennes for much of the information contained in this chapter.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_249_249" id="Footnote_249_249"></a><a href="#FNanchor_249_249"><span class="label">[249]</span></a> The other names which appear most frequently during +these years as officers and workers are the Rev. A. Marine, Doctors +Isabel Stafford and Anna B. Campbell, Miss Mary D. Naylor and Mesdames +Laura C. Schofield, Georgia Wright, Sarah E. Franklin, Laura Sandefur, +Laura C. Arnold, C. A. P. Smith, S. S. McCain, H. R. Ridpath, Mary B. +Williams, Laura Kregelo, H. R. Vickery, Emma E. Dixon, Pauline T. +Merritt, Eliza J. Hamilton, L. May Wheeler and Florence M. Adkinson.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_250_250" id="Footnote_250_250"></a><a href="#FNanchor_250_250"><span class="label">[250]</span></a> State officers: President, Mrs. Bertha G. Wade; +vice-president, Mrs. Mary S. Armstrong; corresponding secretary, Mrs. +Alice Wheeler Peirce; recording secretary, Mrs. Hester Moore Hart; +treasurer, Mrs. Alice E. Waugh; auditors, Mrs. Grace Julian Clarke and +Mrs. Albertina A. Forrest. +</p><p> +Among the strong members of the Tipton club are Judge and Mrs. Dan +Waugh, State Senator and Mrs. G. W. Gifford, Representative and Mrs. +W. R. Ogleboy, Postmaster and Mrs. M. W. Pershing, Dr. and Mrs. M. V. +B. Newcomer and W. H. Barnhart, editor of the <i>Advocate</i>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_251_251" id="Footnote_251_251"></a><a href="#FNanchor_251_251"><span class="label">[251]</span></a> In 1901 the suffrage societies had a similar bill +before the Legislature, supported by a large petition. It was passed +by the House on March 5 by 52 ayes, 35 noes. Enough votes to carry it +had been pledged in the Senate, but the night following its success in +the House hurried consultations were held and the element which fights +woman suffrage to the death issued its edict. The next morning the +vote was reconsidered and the measure defeated. It was therefore +unnecessary to bring it before the Senate.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_252_252" id="Footnote_252_252"></a><a href="#FNanchor_252_252"><span class="label">[252]</span></a> Mrs. Gougar's argument in full, with authorities cited, +was published in a pamphlet of sixty pages.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_253_253" id="Footnote_253_253"></a><a href="#FNanchor_253_253"><span class="label">[253]</span></a> In 1901 the Political Equality Club of Indianapolis put +up a woman candidate who polled over 4,000 votes but was not elected.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_254_254" id="Footnote_254_254"></a><a href="#FNanchor_254_254"><span class="label">[254]</span></a> The women who have filled this office are Sarah A. +Oren, 1873-75; Margaret F. Peelle, 1879-1881; Elizabeth O. Callis, +1881-1889; Mary A. Ahern, 1893-1895; Mrs. E. L. Davidson, 1895-1897. +At present the first and second assistants are women.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_255_255" id="Footnote_255_255"></a><a href="#FNanchor_255_255"><span class="label">[255]</span></a> For particulars of this unique institution see +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28556/28556-h/28556-h.htm#Page_970">Vol. III, p. 970</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_256_256" id="Footnote_256_256"></a><a href="#FNanchor_256_256"><span class="label">[256]</span></a> A Monograph on the Associated Work of Indiana Women, +prepared in 1893 by Mrs. Ida Husted Harper for the Columbian +Exposition, showed about twenty county and city orphans' home entirely +controlled by women, and also a number of Homes for the Friendless, +Old Ladies' Homes, Children's Aid Societies, etc.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_257_257" id="Footnote_257_257"></a><a href="#FNanchor_257_257"><span class="label">[257]</span></a> Some of the highest legal authorities in the State +declare that this is not the law and that it will be so decided +whenever the question is presented to another Supreme Court. If this +should happen then women could practice law only by an amendment of +the constitution. What then would be the status of the cases in which +Mrs. Leach and other women had acted as attorney?</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_628" id="Page_628">[Pg 628]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXXIX.</h2> + +<h3>IOWA.<a name="FNanchor_258_258" id="FNanchor_258_258"></a><a href="#Footnote_258_258" class="fnanchor">[258]</a></h3> + + +<p>For thirty years the women of Iowa have been petitioning its +legislative body for the elective franchise. Any proposed amendment to +the State constitution must pass two successive Legislatures before +being submitted to the voters, which makes it exceedingly difficult to +secure one. Throughout the State, however, there has been a steady, +healthy growth of favorable sentiment and the cause now numbers its +friends by thousands.</p> + +<p>The Iowa Equal Suffrage Association was formed in 1870 and ever since +has held annual conventions. That of 1884 took place in Des Moines, +November 27, 28, Mrs. Narcissa T. Bemis presiding. The report of the +vice-president, Mrs. Jane Amy McKinney, stated that Miss Matilda +Hindman of Pennsylvania had been employed two months of the year, +besides working several weeks upon her own responsibility. She had +delivered seventy-two lectures, formed about forty organizations and +obtained many hundreds of names to pledges of help. Mrs. Helen M. +Gougar of Indiana had given fifteen addresses, distributed 3,000 +tracts and secured 500 subscribers for her paper, <i>Our Herald</i>. Mrs. +Mariana T. Folsome, financial secretary, had gone from town to town, +arranging her own meetings and visiting many places where no suffrage +work ever before had been done. Mrs. Margaret W. Campbell, State +organizer, had addressed 139 meetings and assisted in organizing ten +counties. Letters urging a Sixteenth Amendment to the Federal +Constitution had been written to all the Iowa members of Congress.</p> + +<p>The convention met Oct. 21, 22, 1885, in Cedar Rapids, and elected +Mrs. Campbell president. Lucy Stone and Henry B. Blackwell delivered +evening addresses, while among the delegates<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_629" id="Page_629">[Pg 629]</a></span> was Mrs. Carrie Lane +Chapman (Catt). Mrs. Mary J. Coggeshall, chairman of the executive +committee, reported that each of the eleven congressional districts +had been given in charge of a vice-president of the State association, +local societies had been formed, numerous public meetings held and +seventeen counties organized. Petitions were in circulation asking the +Legislature to amend the constitution of the State so as to +enfranchise women, and others that women be excused from paying taxes +until they had representation. About forty weekly papers had columns +edited by the press committee. At the State Agricultural Fair this +committee had, as usual, a large amount of literature in a handsomely +decorated booth, which was crowded with visitors from all parts of the +State.</p> + +<p>In the autumn of 1886 the annual meeting convened in Ottumwa. During +that year funds had been raised and a permanent cottage erected on the +State Fair grounds to be used as suffrage headquarters. There was also +established in Des Moines a State paper, the <i>Woman's Standard</i>, with +Mrs. Coggeshall as editor and Mrs. Martha C. Callanan as business +manager. This paper, an eight-page monthly, issued its first number in +September.<a name="FNanchor_259_259" id="FNanchor_259_259"></a><a href="#Footnote_259_259" class="fnanchor">[259]</a></p> + +<p>The State Convention of 1887 was held in Des Moines, and that of 1888 +in Ames. At the latter Miss Susan B. Anthony gave an inspiring +address. The State Agricultural College is located at Ames, and Capt. +James Rush Lincoln of the military department tendered the delegates +an exhibition drill on the campus of Company G, which was composed +entirely of girls.</p> + +<p>The annual convention took place in Oskaloosa, Oct. 30-Nov. 1, 1889. A +letter of approval was received from George A. Gates, president of +Iowa College. Mr. Blackwell and Lucy Stone were present and added much +to the interest of the meetings. Mrs. Campbell was for the third time +elected president.</p> + +<p>On Dec. 4, 5, 1890, the association again assembled in Des Moines, +with Miss Anthony in attendance. The resolutions recommended that the +suffragists make an effort to place women<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_630" id="Page_630">[Pg 630]</a></span> on all the school boards, +and that they work for the election of legislators favoring Municipal +and School Suffrage for women.</p> + +<p>The society was incorporated under the State laws Nov. 7, 1891, as the +Iowa Equal Suffrage Association. The twentieth convention was held at +Ames, December 3, 4. Three departments of work were arranged—fair, +press and oratorical contest—and a superintendent of each was +appointed. Reports were received from all parts of the State which +indicated an increasing growth of sentiment and it was decided to +place another organizer in the field. The delegates were invited by +President William Beardshear to visit the State Agricultural College. +Upon their return they passed a resolution declaring that "the +Legislature ought to provide a suitable hall for women students." +Margaret Hall has since been erected, a commodious building designed +for their exclusive use.</p> + +<p>The twenty-first annual meeting was called at Des Moines, Sept. 22, +1892, in connection with the Mississippi Valley Suffrage Conference. +There were present Miss Anthony, president of the National +Association, Mr. Blackwell, Senator M. B. Castle and Mrs. Catharine +Waugh McCulloch of Illinois, Miss Laura Clay of Kentucky, Mrs. Sarah +Burger Stearns of Minnesota and many others from different States. The +report of Mrs. Eliza H. Hunter, chairman of the executive committee, +said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In no previous year has the demand upon our workers been so +great, and never has the response been so quick and hearty. Mrs. +Chapman Catt, Mrs. Emma Smith DeVoe of Illinois, the Rev. Olympia +Brown of Wisconsin, and Mrs. Belle Mitchell of Iowa, have been +our lecturers and organizers. The association was invited to send +a speaker to the Chautauqua Assembly at Colfax and the Rev. C. C. +Harrah was secured. A plan of work prepared by Mrs. Chapman Catt +was issued as a supplement to the <i>Woman's Standard</i>, and sent to +every county president and local club. Mrs. Callanan published at +the same time the Iowa Collection of Readings and Recitations for +suffrage societies. The study topics arranged for clubs two years +ago had been in such demand that a new supply was necessary. We +also have had printed 6,000 copies of a tract, A Woman Suffrage +Catechism, by Mrs. C. Holt Flint. The State Agricultural Society +by request set apart one day of the fair as Woman's Day, and five +women's organizations took part in the exercises. At the hour +devoted especially to suffrage Mrs. DeVoe made the address, Mrs. +Coggeshall presiding. It was hard to tell where this hour began +and ended, for to the listener all seemed suffrage hours.</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_631" id="Page_631">[Pg 631]</a></span></p> + +<p>This report told also of a series of questions sent out which +ascertained that, in the territory covered by twenty-eight clubs, +seventy-eight ministers were in favor of suffrage and eighteen +opposed; and in the same territory forty editors were in favor and +nineteen opposed. There were at that time fifty-seven clubs in the +State.</p> + +<p>The year 1893 marked a period of unusual activity. The executive +committee held monthly meetings. Four organizers were kept in the +field. A large amount of money was raised and $100 donated to the +campaign in Colorado. A request was sent to the clubs that each +contribute to the campaign in Kansas, which in many instances was +done. The annual meeting took place in Webster City, November 9, 10.</p> + +<p>The convention of 1894 was held in Marshalltown, November 8, 9. That +of 1895 met in Des Moines, October 18, 19. Mrs. Laura M. Johns of +Kansas was secured for a month of organization work and the suffrage +enrollment ordered to be continued.</p> + +<p>In 1896 Mrs. Adelaide Ballard was elected State organizer. At the +State Fair Mrs. Pauline Swalm delivered an address on The Woman +Citizen. The suffrage cottage was kept open and a long list of names +was placed upon the enrollment books. The annual meeting convened in +Independence, November 17-19. Mrs. Ballard reported thirty-seven new +clubs organized. Mrs. Anna H. Satterly announced that forty-two +newspapers were publishing articles furnished by the National +Association, which also sent Mrs. DeVoe for a month's work in the +State.</p> + +<p>In January, 1897, the National Association held its convention in Des +Moines, with many noted women in attendance.<a name="FNanchor_260_260" id="FNanchor_260_260"></a><a href="#Footnote_260_260" class="fnanchor">[260]</a> This gave a great +impetus to the work and had a decided effect upon sentiment in the +State, particularly on that of the daily papers in Des Moines, most of +which since this time have treated the cause with marked courtesy. At +the close of the convention fifty members were added to the city club. +The National Association heartily approved the plan of an active +campaign with a view to securing the submission of a suffrage +amendment from the Legislature. Under the directions of Mrs. Chapman +Catt, chairman of its organization committee, workers were sent into +the field to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_632" id="Page_632">[Pg 632]</a></span> hold a series of conventions for the purpose of +perfecting the organization of the State. These resulted in county +societies in ninety-four of the ninety-nine counties and one hundred +new clubs. The speakers were the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, national +vice-president-at-large, and the Rev. Henrietta G. Moore of Ohio; the +managers, Miss Mary G. Hay of New York and Miss Laura A. Gregg of +Kansas. Mrs. Ballard and Mrs. Clara M. Richey each gave a month to +conducting meetings, and other Iowa women rendered valuable +assistance.</p> + +<p>The annual meeting of 1897 took place in Des Moines, October 13-15. +Mrs. Chapman Catt, Miss Hay, Miss Moore and Mrs. Addie M. Johnson of +Missouri were present. Much enthusiasm was manifested and $1,400 were +raised to carry on the next year's work. It was decided to open +headquarters in Des Moines the first of January, 1898, with Mrs. Ina +Light Taylor as office secretary.</p> + +<p>Beginning in April, 1898, the State association conducted a series of +conferences throughout the northern part of Iowa, employing as +speakers Mrs. Campbell and Mrs. Ballard; and as managers Miss Ella +Harrison of Missouri and Mrs. Richey. At the same time the National +Association sent into the southern part Miss Moore and Mrs. Martha A. +B. Conine of Colorado, as speakers, and Miss Gregg and Mrs. Jennie L. +Wilson as managers. The annual meeting was held in Council Bluffs, +October 19-21. Mrs. Evelyn H. Belden was made president.</p> + +<p>During 1899 a large amount of work was done by correspondence. The +office of press superintendent was transferred to headquarters, from +which 200 newspapers were supplied each week with suffrage matter. Two +hundred and fifty clubs were in active existence. The convention met +in Mason City, October 10-12. Mrs. Belden was unanimously re-elected +and $1,500 were raised.</p> + +<p>The convention of 1900 was held in Des Moines, October 16-18, with +Mrs. Chapman Catt in attendance. During the year Mrs. Nellie Welsh +Nelson had done organization work in northwestern Iowa, and Miss Hay +and Dr. Frances Woods lately had held a number of meetings and formed +several clubs. One thousand dollars were pledged to continue the State +headquarters.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_633" id="Page_633">[Pg 633]</a></span> Mrs. Belden was again elected to the presidency, and +the association entered upon the new century bearing the banner it had +followed for thirty years, with the inscription, "Never give up."<a name="FNanchor_261_261" id="FNanchor_261_261"></a><a href="#Footnote_261_261" class="fnanchor">[261]</a></p> + +<p>Year after year the executive committee have visited the State +conventions of all the political parties asking for a plank in their +platforms indorsing equal suffrage, but without success. Many of the +prominent officials and political leaders, however, have openly +declared in favor of the enfranchisement of women.<a name="FNanchor_262_262" id="FNanchor_262_262"></a><a href="#Footnote_262_262" class="fnanchor">[262]</a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action and Laws:</span> From its organization in 1870 the State +association has had a bill before every Legislature asking some form +of suffrage for women. This usually has passed one House but never +both at the same session. The petitions accompanying these bills have +varied from 8,000 signatures in 1884 to 100,000 in 1900. In 1884 the +measure was carried in the Senate but lost in the House.</p> + +<p>In 1886 a bill for Municipal Suffrage was introduced by Representative +J. A. Lyons, amended to include School Suffrage and recommended for +passage, but it never came to a vote.</p> + +<p>In 1888 a bill for Municipal and School Suffrage was lost in the House +by 11 ayes, 80 noes. This was presented in the Senate also but never +voted upon.</p> + +<p>In 1890 a bill for School Suffrage was recommended for passage in the +House but did not reach a vote. A bill for Municipal Suffrage at the +same session was not reported. Both were killed in the Senate +committee.</p> + +<p>In 1892 a bill allowing women to vote for Presidential Electors was +introduced in the House but was unfavorably reported and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_634" id="Page_634">[Pg 634]</a></span> indefinitely +postponed. In the Senate it was referred to the Committee on Suffrage +and never reported.</p> + +<p>In 1894 a bill for Municipal and School Suffrage was favorably +reported in the House. It was made a special order and, after being +amended so as to give women the right to vote <i>only when bonds were to +be issued</i>, it was returned to the Judiciary Committee. They reported +it without recommendation for the reason that they were not agreed as +to its constitutionality. It was passed by 51 ayes, 39 noes. In the +Senate the amended bill passed by 27 ayes, 20 noes.</p> + +<p>The greatest difficulty in the way of securing Municipal or School +Suffrage was the opinion prevalent among legislators that it would be +unconstitutional. In view of this fact the State association decided +to drop all partial suffrage measures and ask only for the Full +Franchise by constitutional amendment.</p> + +<p>In 1898 a legislative committee was appointed with Mrs. Belden, State +president, as chairman. Assisted by Miss Mary G. Hay of New York, she +spent some time at the capital trying to secure a joint resolution for +the submission of an amendment. The resolution was lost in the House +by 50 ayes, 47 noes—just one short of a constitutional majority, +which is one over a half of the whole number of members. It did not +come to a vote in the Senate.</p> + +<p>In 1900 Mrs. Belden established headquarters at the Savery House in +Des Moines, and with other members of the legislative committee +conducted a vigorous campaign for submission. The bill was reported +favorably by unanimous vote of both House and Senate committees, but +was lost in the House by 44 ayes, 55 noes. Subsequently it passed the +"sifting committee," for the first time in the history of suffrage +legislation in the State. It was then acted upon by the Senate and +lost by 24 ayes, 23 noes—lacking two votes of a constitutional +majority. The absence on account of illness of some of the friends of +the measure contributed to this result. In the meantime work had been +done in the House by Mrs. Belden and the Hon. G. W. Hinkle which had +made it certain that if the bill was carried in the Senate the House +would reconsider and pass it. The bill was treated with courtesy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_635" id="Page_635">[Pg 635]</a></span> and +fairness and instead of ignoring its claims men came voluntarily to +talk about it and showed a genuine interest.</p> + +<p>The laws of inheritance are the same for husband and wife. Dower and +curtesy are abolished. The surviving husband or wife is entitled to +one-third in fee simple of both real and personal estate of the other +at his or her death. If either die intestate, leaving no issue, +one-half of the estate goes to the survivor, the rest to his or her +parents, one or both; or if they are both dead, to their descendants. +If there are none such, the whole estate goes to the surviving husband +or wife. If there should have been more than one wife or husband, the +half portion is equally divided between the husband or wife living and +the heirs of those who are dead, or the heirs of all, if all are dead.</p> + +<p>A married woman may contract, sue and be sued and carry on business in +her own name as if unmarried and her earnings are her sole and +separate property.</p> + +<p>In 1896 an act was passed making it illegal for the husband to +mortgage household goods without the wife's signature. The same year +it was made a misdemeanor and punishable as such for a man to desert a +woman whom he married to escape prosecution for seduction.</p> + +<p>The law declares the father and mother natural guardians and legally +entitled to the custody of the minor children, but in practice the +father has prior claim.</p> + +<p>The support and education of the family are chargeable equally on the +husband's and the wife's property.</p> + +<p>In 1886 the "age of protection" for girls was raised from 10 to 13 +years; and in 1896, on petition of the Woman's Christian Temperance +Union, from 13 to 15 years. The penalty is imprisonment in the +penitentiary for life or for any term of years not less than twenty. +An amendment was made in 1894 that "a man can not be convicted upon +the testimony of the person injured unless she be corroborated by +other evidence."</p> + +<p>The same year this organization secured a law compelling the +separation of men and women prisoners in county jails.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> Since 1894 the right of any citizen to vote at any city, +town or school election, on the question of issuing any bonds for +municipal or school purposes, and for the purpose of borrowing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_636" id="Page_636">[Pg 636]</a></span> money, +or on the question of increasing the tax levy, shall not be denied or +abridged on account of sex.</p> + +<p>At all elections where women may vote, no registration of women shall +be required, separate ballots shall be furnished for the question on +which they are entitled to vote, a separate ballot-box shall be +provided in which all ballots cast by them shall be deposited, and a +separate canvass thereof made by the judges of the election, and the +returns thereof shall show such vote.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> Women are not forbidden by law to hold any office +except that of legislator.</p> + +<p>In 1884 thirteen women were serving as county superintendents and ten +as superintendents of city schools; six were presidents, thirty-five +secretaries and fifty treasurers of school boards. In 1885 the school +board of Des Moines elected a woman city superintendent at a salary of +$1,800, with charge of eighty teachers, including two male principals. +In 1900 twenty-one women were elected county superintendents. A large +number are acting as school trustees but it is impossible to get the +exact figures.</p> + +<p>The office of State librarian always was filled by a woman until 1898, +when Gov. Leslie M. Shaw placed a man in charge. The librarian of the +State University always has been a woman. There are two women on the +Library Board of Des Moines.</p> + +<p>Clerkships in the Legislature and in the executive offices are +frequently given to women.</p> + +<p>For six years Mrs. Anna Hepburn was recorder of Polk County, and this +office has been held by women in other counties.</p> + +<p>A law of 1892 requires cities of over 25,000 inhabitants to employ +police matrons. They wear uniform and star and have the same authority +as men on the force, with this difference in their appointment: The +law makes it permanent and they can not be dismissed unless serious +charges are proved against them.</p> + +<p>A woman has been appointed a member of the Board of Examiners for the +Law Department of the State University. For a number of years women +have been sitting on the State boards of Charities and Reforms. They +have served on the Board of Trustees of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home. A +woman is on the State Board of Education, and another on the State +Library Commission.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_637" id="Page_637">[Pg 637]</a></span></p> + +<p>The law provides that women physicians may be employed in the State +hospitals for the insane, but only two or three have been appointed. +The Board of Control may appoint a woman on the visiting committee for +these asylums but this has not yet been done. A few women have served +on this board.</p> + +<p>The law also provides for women physicians in all State institutions +where women are placed, but does not require them.</p> + +<p>The Legislature of 1900 passed a bill to establish a Woman's +Industrial Reformatory of which the superintendent must be a woman. +The salary is $1,000 a year.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> No profession or occupation is legally forbidden to +women. In 1884 Iowa furnished, at Marion, what is believed to be the +first instance of the election of a woman as president of a United +States national bank.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> The universities and colleges, including the State +Agricultural College, always have been co-educational.</p> + +<p>In the public schools there are 5,855 men and 22,839 women teachers. +The average monthly salary of the men is $37.10; of the women, $31.45.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>The women of Iowa have thrown themselves eagerly into the great club +movement, and clubs literary, philanthropic, scientific and political +abound. The State Federation numbers 300 of these with a membership of +12,000. This, however, does not include nearly all the women's +organizations.</p> + +<p>By all the means at their command women are striving to fit themselves +for whatever duties the future may have in store for them. With an +unfaltering trust in the manhood of Iowa men, those who advocate +suffrage are waiting—and working while they wait—for the time when +men and women shall stand side by side in governmental as in all other +vital matters.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_258_258" id="Footnote_258_258"></a><a href="#FNanchor_258_258"><span class="label">[258]</span></a> The History is indebted for this chapter to Mrs. Clara +M. Richey of Des Moines, recording secretary of the State Equal +Suffrage Association.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_259_259" id="Footnote_259_259"></a><a href="#FNanchor_259_259"><span class="label">[259]</span></a> The <i>Woman's Standard</i> has continued to be a source of +pride to Iowa women up to the present time, and is now edited by J. O. +Stevenson and published by Mrs. Sarah Ware Whitney.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_260_260" id="Footnote_260_260"></a><a href="#FNanchor_260_260"><span class="label">[260]</span></a> See <a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">Chapter XVII.</a></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_261_261" id="Footnote_261_261"></a><a href="#FNanchor_261_261"><span class="label">[261]</span></a> The following have served as presidents, beginning with +1884: Mrs. Narcissa T. Bemis, Mrs. Margaret W. Campbell (four terms), +Mrs. Mary B. Welch, Mrs. Mary J. Coggeshall (two terms), Mrs. Estelle +T. Smith (two terms), Mrs. Rowena Stevens, Mrs. M. Lloyd Kennedy, Mrs. +Adelaide Ballard (two terms), Mrs. Evelyn H. Belden (three terms). +</p><p> +The officers at present are: Vice-president, Mrs. Dollie Romans +Bradley; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Nellie Welsh Nelson; recording +secretary, Mrs. Clara M. Richey; treasurer, Mrs. Mary J. Coggeshall; +executive committee, Mrs. Anna H. Ankeny, Mrs. Emma C. Ladd, Miss +Alice Priest; auditors, Mrs. Martha C. Callanan, Mrs. Ina Light +Taylor; member national executive committee, Mrs. Margaret W. +Campbell; State organizer, Dr. Frances Woods.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_262_262" id="Footnote_262_262"></a><a href="#FNanchor_262_262"><span class="label">[262]</span></a> It is plainly impossible to mention the names of all or +even a large part of the workers in a State where so much has been +done. A few of the most prominent not already named are George W. +Bemis; Mesdames Irene Adams, Virginia Branner, S. J. Cole, S. J. +Cottrell, Mary E. Emsley, Clara F. Harkness, Julia Clark Hallam, Helen +M. Harriman, Etta S. Kirk, Alice S. Longley, Hannah Lecompte, Florence +Maskrey, Emily Phillips, Martha A. Peck, Mettie Laub Romans, C. A. +Reynolds, Cordelia Sloughton, Roma W. Woods; Misses Daisy Deighton, +Ella Moffatt, Katharine Pierce.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_638" id="Page_638">[Pg 638]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XL" id="CHAPTER_XL"></a>CHAPTER XL.</h2> + +<h3>KANSAS.<a name="FNanchor_263_263" id="FNanchor_263_263"></a><a href="#Footnote_263_263" class="fnanchor">[263]</a></h3> + + +<p>The first Woman's Rights Association was organized in Kansas in the +spring of 1859, by a little coterie of twenty-five men and women, with +the object of securing suffrage for women from the convention which +was to meet in July to form a constitution for Statehood. They did not +succeed in this but to them is largely due its remarkably liberal +provisions regarding women.<a name="FNanchor_264_264" id="FNanchor_264_264"></a><a href="#Footnote_264_264" class="fnanchor">[264]</a></p> + +<p>Afterwards local suffrage societies were formed but there was no +attempt to have a State association until 1884. In the winter of that +year Mrs. Bertha H. Ellsworth was sent to the National Convention at +Washington by the society of Lincoln, and she returned enthusiastic +for organization. After some correspondence the first convention was +called by Mrs. Hetta P. Mansfield, who had been appointed +vice-president of Kansas by the National Association, and it met in +the Senate Chamber at Topeka, June 25. Mrs. Helen M. Gougar, who was +making a lecture tour of the State, was invited to preside, and Mrs. +Anna C. Wait, president of the five-year-old society at Lincoln and +for many years the strongest force behind the movement, acted as +secretary.<a name="FNanchor_265_265" id="FNanchor_265_265"></a><a href="#Footnote_265_265" class="fnanchor">[265]</a> Telegrams of greeting were received from Lucy Stone +and Henry B. Blackwell, editors of the <i>Woman's Journal</i>. At the +evening meeting Mrs. Ellsworth recited an original poem and Mrs. +Gougar delivered a fine address to a large audience. Professor W. H. +Carruth, of the University of Kansas, assisted, coming as delegate +from a flourishing suffrage society at Lawrence, of which Miss Sarah +A. Brown was president and Mrs. Annie L. Diggs secretary. A +constitution was adopted and Mrs. Mansfield<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_639" id="Page_639">[Pg 639]</a></span> was elected president; +Mrs. Wait, vice-president; Mrs. Ellsworth, corresponding secretary.</p> + +<p>In the fall of 1884 Mrs. Ellsworth and Mrs. Clara B. Colby of +Nebraska, made an extended lecture and organizing tour. At Salina they +met and enlisted Mrs. Laura M. Johns, and then began the systematic +work which rapidly brought Mrs. Johns to the front as the leader of +the suffrage forces in Kansas. In addition to her great ability as an +organizer, she is an unsurpassed manager of conventions, a forceful +writer, an able speaker and a woman of winning personality.</p> + +<p>On Jan. 15, 16, 1885, the State association held its annual meeting in +Topeka, during the first week of the Legislature. Its chief business +was to secure the introduction of a bill granting Municipal Woman +Suffrage, in which it succeeded. Mrs. Gougar was an inspiring figure +throughout the convention, addressing a large audience in Assembly +Hall. A Committee on the Political Rights of Women was secured in the +Lower House by a vote of 75 yeas, 45 nays, after a spirited contest. +One was refused in the Senate by a tie vote. Much interest and +discussion among the members resulted and a favorable sentiment was +created. Mrs. Wait was made president, Mrs. Johns, vice-president. A +second convention was held this year in Salina, October 28, 29, with +"Mother" Bickerdyke and Mrs. Colby as the principal speakers. A large +amount of work was planned, all looking to the end of securing +Municipal Suffrage from the next Legislature.</p> + +<p>During 1886 the State Woman's Christian Temperance Union, under the +presidency of Mrs. Fannie H. Rastall, zealously co-operated with the +suffrage association in the effort for the Municipal Franchise, Miss +Amanda Way, Mrs. Sarah A. Thurston, Miss Olive P. Bray and many other +able women making common cause with its legislative committee and +working for the bill. About 9,000 suffrage documents were distributed.</p> + +<p>This autumn eleven conventions in the congressional districts of the +State were held under the efficient management of Mrs. Johns and Mrs. +Wait, beginning at Leavenworth, October 4, 5, and following at +Abilene, Lincoln, Florence, Hutchinson, Wichita, Anthony, Winfield, +Independence, Fort Scott and Lawrence.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_640" id="Page_640">[Pg 640]</a></span> Miss Susan B. Anthony, +vice-president-at-large of the National Association, Mrs. Colby and +Mrs. Elizabeth Lyle Saxon of New Orleans, were the speakers. They were +greeted by crowded houses, Miss Anthony especially receiving an +ovation at every place visited.</p> + +<p>In October the American W. S. A. held its national convention in +Topeka. Lucy Stone, Henry B. Blackwell, the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw and +Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, of Massachusetts, and the Hon. William Dudley +Foulke and Mrs. Mary E. Haggart, of Indiana, were present. The meeting +was of incalculable benefit at this time. For the next few months Mrs. +Gougar, with her strong speeches, was everywhere in demand; Mrs. Saxon +was continuously at work; Mrs. Zerelda G. Wallace of Indiana made a +number of powerful addresses, and the whole State was aroused in the +interest of the bill.</p> + +<p>Instead of holding the usual State convention in 1886 it met in +Topeka, Jan. 11-13, 1887, when the Legislature was in session, and was +largely attended for success seemed near at hand. Mrs. Belva A. +Lockwood of Washington, D. C., made an able address. The other +speakers were Professor Carruth, the Rev. C. H. Rogers, Mrs. Saxon and +Mrs. Colby. Miss Sarah A. Brown, as chairman of the committee, +reported a resolution urging the Legislature to confer Municipal +Suffrage on women, which was unanimously carried, and the most +determined purpose to secure its passage by the Legislature then in +session was manifested. Mrs. Johns was elected president, an office +which she held eight consecutive years.</p> + +<p>The bill passed and became a law February 15. The next annual meeting +took place in Newton, Oct. 13-15, 1887, with the usual large +attendance.<a name="FNanchor_266_266" id="FNanchor_266_266"></a><a href="#Footnote_266_266" class="fnanchor">[266]</a> Miss Anthony, Mr. Blackwell, the Rev. Miss Shaw and +Rachel G. Foster (Avery) were the speakers from abroad. Two notable +events were the appearance of Kansas' first woman mayor, Mrs. M. D. +Salter of Argonia, and the reading of a carefully compiled statement +relative to the first vote<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_641" id="Page_641">[Pg 641]</a></span> of women in the towns and cities at the +election the preceding April. This paper was the work of Judge Francis +G. Adams, for many years secretary of the State Historical Society, +and a lifelong friend and helper of woman's enfranchisement. It +answered conclusively the question whether women would vote if they +had an opportunity.</p> + +<p>This convention was followed by a very successful series of meetings +in many cities to arouse public sentiment in favor of Full Suffrage, +under the management of Mrs. Johns and Mrs. Letitia V. Watkins, State +organizer, with Miss Anthony, Miss Shaw and Miss Foster as speakers. +Considerable attention was given to the speech recently made by U. S. +Senator John J. Ingalls at Abilene, vigorously opposing woman +suffrage.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Mary A. Woodbridge of the National, and Mrs. Rastall of the +Kansas W. C. T. U., also made an active canvass of the State. These +organizations united in a strong appeal to women to be equal to their +new responsibilities, which was supplemented by one from the national +president, Miss Frances E. Willard.</p> + +<p>The State convention met at Emporia, Nov. 13-15, 1888, with Miss +Anthony as its most inspiring figure. A notable feature was the +address of Mrs. Johns, the president, in which she said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>And this brings me to speak of our attitude toward political +parties. Whatever may be the individual preferences of the +officers of our State Association, <i>our organization is +non-partisan</i>. I have hitherto regarded it as necessary that it +should be strictly non-partisan, just as I have believed that it +must remain non-sectarian, so that no one of any faith, political +or religious, shall be shut out from our work.... I believe that +this attitude toward sects will be necessary to the day of our +full enfranchisement; but not as it now is will our relations to +<i>party</i> remain. The time is not yet ripe perhaps, but the years +will not be many to go over our heads before we shall feel the +necessity of declaring our allegiance to a party, and it is +possible that to this we will be compelled to come before we +secure an amendment to the constitution of the State striking out +the word "male."</p></blockquote> + +<p>A strong speech was made by Secretary Adams, urging that women should +do aggressive political work with a view of securing the franchise. +From this time on women were not only welcomed as political allies, +but their influence and active participation were sought in party +politics. Many women lent their aid<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_642" id="Page_642">[Pg 642]</a></span> chiefly owing to their belief +that they would thus become so valuable as to win party support to +their full enfranchisement; others were enlisted by reason of their +interest and devotion to the issues. Whether for good or ill as it +should affect full suffrage, Kansas women thenceforth entered fully +into party affiliations, but as individuals and not as representing +the suffrage association.</p> + +<p>The State convention of 1889 assembled in Wichita, October 1-3. Miss +Anthony was an honored guest and among those who made addresses were +Mrs. Colby, Mrs. Mary D. Lowman, mayor of Oskaloosa, and the Hon. +Randolph Hatfield.</p> + +<p>At the convention of 1890 in Atchison, November 18-20, Miss Anthony +was again present accompanied by Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt and Mrs. +Colby.</p> + +<p>The annual meeting of 1891 was held in Topeka, November 20, 21. During +the past year the great political change from Republicanism to +Populism had taken place in Kansas. Women had been among the most +potent factors in this revolution, and as woman suffrage was at that +time a cardinal principle of the Populist party, and there always had +been considerable sentiment in favor of it among Republicans, the +prospects of obtaining the Full Franchise seemed very bright.</p> + +<p>In February and March of 1892 a series of thirty two-days' conventions +was held in the congressional districts and in nearly one-third of the +counties of the State, attended by great crowds. Miss Jennie Broderick +was chairman of the committee, Mrs. Rachel Foster Avery secretary and +treasurer, and Mrs. Martha Powell Davis, Mrs. Martia L. Berry, Mrs. +Diggs and Mrs. Wait were the other members. Mrs. Avery contributed +$1,000 toward this canvass. Outside speakers were Miss Florence +Balgarnie of England, Mrs. Mary Seymour Howell of New York, Mrs. Clara +C. Hoffman of Missouri, and the Rev. Miss Shaw. The State speakers +were Mesdames S. A. Thurston, May Belleville Brown, Elizabeth F. +Hopkins, J. Shelly Boyd and Caroline L. Denton. Mrs. Johns arranged +all of these conventions, presided one day or more over each and spoke +at every one, organizing in person twenty-five of the thirty-one local +societies which were formed as a result of these meetings.</p> + +<p>The first week in June a two-days' suffrage conference was held<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_643" id="Page_643">[Pg 643]</a></span> at +the Ottawa Chautauqua Assembly, with the assistance of Miss Anthony, +president, and Miss Shaw, vice-president-at-large of the National +Association. From here Miss Anthony went to the State Republican +Convention, in session at Topeka, accompanied by Mrs. Johns, Mrs. +Hopkins and Mrs. Brown, officers of the State suffrage society. They +were joined by Miss Amanda Way and "Mother" Bickerdyke, and by +unanimous vote all of these ladies were given seats upon the floor of +the convention. Miss Anthony was invited to address the body, +conducted to the platform amid ringing cheers and her remarks were +cordially received. Later several of the ladies addressed the +resolutions committee, and the final result, by 455 yeas, 267 nays, +was a plank in the platform unequivocally declaring for the submission +of an amendment to the constitution to enfranchise women. A similar +plank already had been adopted by the Populist State Convention at +Wichita with great enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>During the autumn campaign following, Mrs. Diggs and other women spoke +from the Populist platform, and Miss Anthony, Mrs. Johns and Mrs. T. +J. Smith from the Republican. Miss Anthony, however, simply called +attention to the record of the Republican party in the cause of human +freedom, and urged them to complete it by enfranchising women, but did +not take up political issues.</p> + +<p>The State convention of 1892 was held at Enterprise, December 6-8, and +the problem of preserving the non-partisan attitude of the +organization so as to appeal with equal force to Republicans and +Populists presented itself. With this in view, Mrs. Diggs, a Populist, +was made vice-president, as support and counsellor of Mrs. Johns, the +president, who was a prominent Republican, and the association, +despite the political diversity of its members, was held strictly to a +non-partisan basis.</p> + +<p>Both Republicans and Populists having declared for the submission of a +woman suffrage amendment, the Legislature of 1893 passed a bill for +this purpose, championed by Representative E. W. Hoch and Senator +Householder. From that time forward, Mrs. Johns, Mrs. Diggs and +hundreds of Kansas women of both Republican and Populist faith labored +with untiring zeal for its success. Nothing was left undone that human +wisdom could plan or human effort carry out.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_644" id="Page_644">[Pg 644]</a></span></p> + +<p>On Sept. 1, 2, 1893, a mass meeting was held in Kansas City at which +Mrs. Chapman Catt ably presented the question. Mrs. Emma Smith DeVoe +of Illinois agreed to raise $2,000 in the State. Mrs. Thurston, at the +head of the press bureau, announced that hundreds of papers were +pledged to support the amendment; the State Teachers' Association +passed a strong resolution for it; the Grand Army of the Republic was +in favor; Miss Helen L. Kimber related much success in organizing, and +from every county came reports of meetings and debates.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Johns, State president, went to the National Suffrage Convention +in Washington in the winter of 1894 and made a most earnest appeal for +assistance in the way of speakers and funds, both of which were +promised by the association. She was appointed chairman of the +amendment committee with power to name the members,<a name="FNanchor_267_267" id="FNanchor_267_267"></a><a href="#Footnote_267_267" class="fnanchor">[267]</a> and they +opened up with energy the long campaign of agitation, education and +organization. They started enrollment books, appointed polling +committees and undertook to put people to work in every one of the +2,100 voting precincts. The National Association contributed $2,571 +and also a number of speakers. A constitutional amendment campaign was +in progress in New York but Miss Anthony made many trips from there to +Kansas, and spent months in canvassing the State, donating her +services during the entire time.</p> + +<p>Work was continued without cessation for the purpose of creating a +public sentiment which would be strong enough to compel the delegates +to the political State conventions of 1894 to adopt a plank supporting +this amendment, just as in 1892 they had adopted one asking for it. +But in 1892 the Populists had swept the State, and in 1894 the +Republicans were determined to regain possession of it at all hazards. +The amazement and grief of the Republican women was beyond expression +when they learned early in 1894 that their party was going to refuse +indorsement at its convention in June. Every possible influence was +brought to bear by the State and the National Associations. Miss +Anthony, Miss Shaw and Mrs. Chapman Catt went to Kansas to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_645" id="Page_645">[Pg 645]</a></span> open the +spring canvass for the women, May 4. They spoke to an immense audience +in Kansas City and a resolution was adopted urging all parties to put +a woman suffrage plank in their platforms. Miss Anthony's speech was +published in full in the Leavenworth <i>Times</i>, Col. D. R. Anthony, +editor, and circulated throughout the State. This was the beginning of +a great series of two-days' suffrage conventions held by two groups of +speakers and so "overlapping" that meetings were going on in four +county seats every day, until 85 of the 105 counties had been reached +in this way. The Rev. Miss Shaw and Mrs. Chapman Catt represented the +National Association, reinforced by a number of able State speakers. +All of these meetings were arranged and managed by Mrs. Johns.</p> + +<p>Although obliged to return to New York at that time, in three weeks +Miss Anthony went back to Kansas, arriving the day before the +Republican convention, June 6. Neither she nor Miss Shaw was allowed +to address the resolutions committee, which had been carefully +fortified against all efforts by the appointment as chairman of +ex-Gov. C. V. Eskridge, an active opponent of woman suffrage since the +previous campaign of 1867. Mrs. J. Ellen Foster of Washington, D. C., +and Mrs. Johns, both strong Republican speakers, were, however, +permitted to present the claims of the women, but the platform was +absolutely silent, not even recognizing the services of Republican +women in municipal politics.</p> + +<p>The next Saturday night a mass meeting attended by over 1,000 people +was held in Topeka, Mrs. Diggs presiding, Miss Anthony and Miss Shaw +making the addresses.</p> + +<p>Every effort was now put forth to secure a plank from the Populist +convention, June 12. There was great opposition, as the party knew the +approaching struggle would be one of life or death. Gov. L. D. +Lewelling had asserted he would not stand for re-election on a +platform which declared for woman suffrage. While the resolutions +committee was out, Miss Anthony, Miss Shaw and Mrs. Chapman Catt +addressed the convention amidst great enthusiasm. The majority of the +committee, led by its chairman, P. P. Elder, were bitterly opposed to +a suffrage plank. It occupied them most of the night, and was defeated +by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_646" id="Page_646">[Pg 646]</a></span> 13 yeas, 8 nays. The one woman member, Mrs. Eliza Hudson, brought +in a minority report signed by herself and the other seven, and in +spite of every parliamentary tactic it was brought to a debate and +discussed four hours, Judge Frank Doster<a name="FNanchor_268_268" id="FNanchor_268_268"></a><a href="#Footnote_268_268" class="fnanchor">[268]</a> leading the affirmative. +The debate was closed by Mrs. Diggs,<a name="FNanchor_269_269" id="FNanchor_269_269"></a><a href="#Footnote_269_269" class="fnanchor">[269]</a> and the resolution was +adopted by 337 yeas, 269 nays—with a rider attached to it saying, +"but we do not regard this as a test of party fealty."</p> + +<p>The Democratic women brought every possible influence to bear on the +State convention of that party but it adopted the following +resolution: "We oppose woman suffrage as tending to destroy the home +and family, the true basis of political safety, and express the hope +that the helpmeet and guardian of the family sanctuary may not be +dragged from the modest purity of self-imposed seclusion to be thrown +unwillingly into the unfeminine places of political strife."</p> + +<p>Miss Shaw continued canvassing the State for two months. Then Mrs. +Chapman Catt went out and remained until after election, making +addresses, conferring with the politicians and counseling with the +women. Miss Anthony, who was obliged to give most of the summer to the +great campaign in progress in her own State of New York, returned to +Kansas October 20, and spoke daily on the Populist platform in the +principal towns until election day, November 6, but only on the +suffrage plank. A large number of the ablest of the Kansas women made +speeches throughout the campaign and an army of them worked for the +amendment.<a name="FNanchor_270_270" id="FNanchor_270_270"></a><a href="#Footnote_270_270" class="fnanchor">[270]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_647" id="Page_647">[Pg 647]</a></span></p> + +<p>The battle was lost, and the grief and disappointment of the Kansas +women were indescribable. The amendment failed by 34,837 votes—95,302 +yeas, 130,139 nays. The total vote cast for Governor was 299,231; +total vote on suffrage amendment, 225,441; not voting on amendment, +73,790. There was an attempt to keep count of the ballots according to +parties, but it was not entirely successful and there was no way of +correctly estimating their political complexion. However, the vote for +Gov. E. N. Morrill (Rep.) lacked only 1,800 of that for the other +three candidates combined, which shows how easily the Republican party +might have carried the amendment. Subtracting the 5,000 Prohibition +votes, three-fourths of which it was conceded were cast for the +amendment, it lacked 27,000 of receiving as many votes as were cast +for the Populist candidate for Governor. Since some Republicans must +have voted for it, the figures prove that a vast number of Populists +did not do so.<a name="FNanchor_271_271" id="FNanchor_271_271"></a><a href="#Footnote_271_271" class="fnanchor">[271]</a></p> + +<p>The first State convention following the defeat of 1894 was held at +Winfield, December 6, 7, of that year. Mrs. Johns was once more +elected president, but the profound disappointment over the defeat of +the amendment made it impossible to revive organization or interest to +any satisfactory degree.</p> + +<p>From 1887 until 1895 Mrs. Johns was the efficient and devoted +president of the State association. As she declined to serve longer, +the convention which met at Eureka, November 21, 22, elected Mrs. Kate +R. Addison to this office. Mrs. Addison began her official work with +much hopefulness, established a monthly paper, the <i>Suffrage +Reveille</i>, and succeeded in enlisting new workers in the cause. Miss +Laura A. Gregg, State organizer, added a number of clubs and over 200 +members.</p> + +<p>In June, 1896, Mrs. Charlotte Perkins Stetson was brought into the +State for twenty-seven lectures, beginning with the Chautauqua<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_648" id="Page_648">[Pg 648]</a></span> +Assembly at Winfield. The annual meeting took place at Topeka, +November 10, ll, and Mrs. Addison was re-elected.</p> + +<p>The convention of 1897 was held at Yates Center, December 8-10, and +Mrs. Addison was continued in office. Mrs. Stetson had again made a +lecturing tour of the State and a general revival of interest was +reported.</p> + +<p>Miss Anthony and Mrs. Chapman Catt were present at the State +convention in Paola, Oct. 21, 22, 1898. Mrs. Abbie A. Welch, a pioneer +in the cause, was elected to the presidency. During this year Mrs. +Johns and Miss Gregg organized a number of counties, and the press +superintendent, Mrs. Alice G. Young, did effective work with the +newspapers.</p> + +<p>The annual meeting of 1899 was held in Kansas City, October 9-11, and +was the most largely attended since the great defeat. Gov. John P. St. +John was the orator of the occasion. The Rev. Father Kuhls, a Catholic +priest, spoke as a disbeliever in woman's enfranchisement, which +furnished inspiration for a reply by Mrs. Diggs. This event created an +interest equalling the old-time enthusiasm, and it was believed that +the hour for renewed activity had struck. Mrs. Diggs was made +president, and it was unanimously resolved to take up again the work +for full enfranchisement.</p> + +<p>The convention of 1900 was held in Olathe, December 18, 19. The State +at the recent Presidential election having gone strongly Republican, +Mrs. Diggs thought it not political wisdom to remain at the head of +the association and Miss Gregg was elected president. When it was +learned that she had taken charge of the Nebraska suffrage +headquarters her duties devolved upon Miss Helen L. Kimber, the new +vice-president. This convention voted against the proposition to ask +the Legislature of 1901 to submit a constitutional amendment, thinking +it advisable first to devote two years to the work of organization, +after which it is generally believed the full suffrage can be +secured.<a name="FNanchor_272_272" id="FNanchor_272_272"></a><a href="#Footnote_272_272" class="fnanchor">[272]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_649" id="Page_649">[Pg 649]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action:</span> The State Association from its beginning in 1884 +made Municipal Suffrage its chief object. In 1885 a bill for this +purpose was presented in the House by Frank J. Kelly. It was favorably +reported by the Judiciary Committee, but although advanced somewhat on +the calendar it was too far down to reach a vote.</p> + +<p>At a special session in 1886 the bill was reported to the House by the +committee on Political Rights of Women, and a large force of competent +women went to Topeka to urge its passage. On February 10 it stood +eighth from the top on the calendar. On February 11, when the +Committee on Revision submitted its report, it stood sixty-first. A +strong protest was made by its friends on the floor and by a standing +vote it was restored to its original place. The enemies were now +thoroughly alarmed. A State election was close at hand and the +Prohibitionists were crowding the Republicans. The bill was +practically a Republican measure and its opponents in that party hit +upon the scheme of getting up a Third Party scare. They were led by +ex-Gov. George T. Anthony who declared he would spend his last cent to +defeat the bill. It was denounced by press and politicians as a sly +Prohibition trick, some of its best friends were thus silenced and it +was quietly smothered. The bill was introduced in the Senate by L. B. +Kellogg and favorably reported from the Judiciary Committee with an +opposing minority report. It was ably championed by himself, Senators +H. B. Kelly and R. W. Blue, but was eventually stricken from the +calendar by the Committee on Revision and a motion to reinstate was +lost by 12 yeas, 25 nays, on February 16.</p> + +<p>When the Legislature convened in 1887 the election was over and had +resulted favorably for the Republicans. The suffragists had spent the +intervening ten months in a campaign of their own. Miss Anthony had +come to Kansas and they had held conventions<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_650" id="Page_650">[Pg 650]</a></span> in all the principal +cities. At her request the W. C. T. U. had given up their plan of +asking for an amendment to the constitution and joined the attempt to +secure Municipal Suffrage under the leadership of their president, +Mrs. Fannie H. Rastall. Mrs. Zerelda G. Wallace, their national +superintendent of franchise, gave a series of her eloquent lectures. +The strongest suffrage speakers in the country came to the State, +under the management of Mrs. Laura M. Johns, and petitions were +secured containing 10,000 names, more than ever had been presented for +any purpose. This agitation was continued up to the opening of the +Legislature, Jan. 11, 1887, when Mrs. Johns was on hand with the bill. +It was introduced in the Senate by Judge R. W. Blue and referred to +the Judiciary Committee, of which he was chairman. A favorable report, +with a minority dissent, was made, but the original bill had been +substituted by one which provided merely that "women should vote for +all city officers." A vigorous protest was made by the suffrage +leaders. They insisted that the right to vote for city bonds should be +included, and that the inequalities should be remedied in the present +law which prevented women of first and second class cities from voting +on school questions as did those of the third class and the country +districts. A compromise was finally effected and a bill drafted by +which women should vote for all city and school officers and on bonds +for school appropriations.</p> + +<p>A petition against the bill was sent in signed by nineteen women of +Independence, saying in effect that women had all the rights they +needed. On the morning when it was to be discussed an enormous bouquet +adorned the desk of Senator R. M. Pickler, leader of the opponents, +the card inscribed, "From the women of Kansas who do not wish to vote. +History honors the man who dares to do what is right." Later +investigation disclosed the fact that no woman had any part in sending +the flowers, but that, as one member remarked in open session, their +chief perfume was that of alcohol.</p> + +<p>After hours of debate and an adjournment the bill finally was adopted +on January 28, by 25 yeas, all Republicans; 13 nays, 10 Republicans, 3 +Democrats. Judge Blue's table was loaded with flowers and every +Senator who voted in favor was decorated with a choice buttonhole +bouquet sent by the ladies.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_651" id="Page_651">[Pg 651]</a></span></p> + +<p>The bill was already far advanced in the House, under the management +of Gen. T. T. Taylor. On February 10 the discussion continued the +entire day. Scripture was read and Biblical authorities cited from Eve +to St. Paul; the pure female angels were dragged through the filthy +cesspool of politics, and the changes were rung on the usual hackneyed +objections. The measure was splendidly championed, however, by many +members, especially by T. A. McNeal (Rep.) who made a telling response +to the scurrilous speech of Edward Carrol (Dem.), leader of the +opposition. No member of the House rendered more effective service +than did A. W. Smith, Speaker. It passed by 91 yeas—88 Rep., 3 Dem.; +22 nays, 5 Rep., 17 Dem. The total vote of both Houses was 116 +yeas—113 Rep., 3 Dem.; 35 nays, 15 Rep., 20 Dem. The bill was signed +by Gov. John A. Martin (Rep.), February 15, 1887.<a name="FNanchor_273_273" id="FNanchor_273_273"></a><a href="#Footnote_273_273" class="fnanchor">[273]</a></p> + +<p>Notwithstanding all the efficient work done by the officers of the +State association, the local clubs and the platform speakers, this +measure would not have become a law but for the vigilant work of the +women with the Legislature itself. Mrs. Johns was on hand from the +first, tactfully urging the bill. She had very material aid in the +constant presence, active pen and careful work of J. B. Johns, her +husband. Mrs. Helen M. Gougar of Indiana was granted the privilege of +addressing the House while in session. Prominent women from all parts +of the State were in attendance, using their influence with the +members from their districts. On the day of final debate in the House +the floor and galleries were crowded, over 300 women being present. A +jubilee impossible to describe followed the announcement that the bill +had passed.<a name="FNanchor_274_274" id="FNanchor_274_274"></a><a href="#Footnote_274_274" class="fnanchor">[274]</a> The next day the House was transformed by the women +into a bower of blossoms.</p> + +<p>In March, the next month after Municipal Suffrage was granted to +women, the "age of protection" for girls was raised from ten to +eighteen years.</p> + +<p>Two years later, in 1889, a bill was presented to amend this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_652" id="Page_652">[Pg 652]</a></span> law, +which passed the Senate by 26 yeas, 9 nays, and was sent to the House. +It was so smothered in words that the general public was not aware of +its meaning. By the time it reached the House, however, the alarm had +been sounded that it proposed to reduce the age of consent, and there +was a storm of protest. This was not alone from women but also from a +number of men. The Labor Unions were especially active in opposition +and the House was inundated with letters and petitions. The bill was +referred to the Judiciary Committee which reported it with the +recommendation that it be not passed. Its author claimed that it was +intended simply to afford some protection for boys.<a name="FNanchor_275_275" id="FNanchor_275_275"></a><a href="#Footnote_275_275" class="fnanchor">[275]</a> In 1891 +Attorney-General L. B. Kellogg recommended that, in order to protect +young men of immature years from women of immoral life, inquiry as to +the character of the woman bringing the charge should be permitted. +Gov. Lyman U. Humphrey urged that such an amendment should be adopted, +which could be done without lowering the age of protection for girls. +No change, however, has been made in the law.</p> + +<p>In 1889 the divorce law was so amended as to give the wife all the +property owned by her at the time of marriage and all acquired by her +afterward, alimony being allowed from the real and personal estate of +the husband.</p> + +<p>This year a bill was passed creating the Girls' Industrial School. +Mrs. S. A. Thurston was one of the prime factors in securing this +bill.</p> + +<p>As the Legislature was overwhelmingly Republican the greatest effort +was put forth to secure a law making it mandatory to place women on +the State Boards of Charitable Institutions. Thirty-six large +petitions were introduced by as many members in each House but all +failed of effect.</p> + +<p>In 1891 the Populist party gained control of the House of +Representatives, although the Senate was still Republican. Mrs. Annie +L. Diggs had been appointed by the Farmers' Alliance on their State +legislative committee and she began a vigorous campaign to secure Full +Suffrage for Women by Statutory Enactment,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_653" id="Page_653">[Pg 653]</a></span> which it was believed +could be done under the terms of the constitution. The bill was +introduced into the House and urged by J. L. Soupene. Mrs. Diggs had +the assistance of Col. Sam Wood and other ardent friends of suffrage. +The Committee on Political Rights of Women reported the bill +favorably, and said through its chairman, D. M. Watson:</p> + +<blockquote><p>While the constitution declares in the first section of its +suffrage article that "every white male person, etc., shall be +deemed a qualified elector," in the second section it names +certain persons who shall be excluded from voting. Women are not +given the right to vote in the first nor are they excluded in the +second, and this indicates that the question of their right to +vote was intended to be left to the Legislature. The Supreme +Court (Wheeler vs. Brady, 15th Kas., p. 33,) says: "There is +nothing in the nature of government which would prevent it. Women +are members of society, members of the great body politic, +citizens as much as men, with the same natural rights, united +with men in the same common destiny, and are capable of receiving +and exercising whatever political rights may be conferred upon +them."</p></blockquote> + +<p>On February 14 the bill received 60 yeas, 39 nays, not a +constitutional majority. The sentiment in favor was so strong among +the Populists that a reconsideration was finally secured and the bill +passed by 69 yeas—64 Pop., 4 Rep., 1 Dem.; 32 nays—16 Pop., 12 Rep., +4 Dem. Previous to its passage the Speaker, P. P. Elder (Pop.) +presented a protest signed by himself, 7 Populists, 4 Republicans and +4 Democrats, declaring it to be unconstitutional and giving eight +other objections.<a name="FNanchor_276_276" id="FNanchor_276_276"></a><a href="#Footnote_276_276" class="fnanchor">[276]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_654" id="Page_654">[Pg 654]</a></span></p> + +<p>The friends were much elated at its passage over this protest and sent +at once for Mrs. Johns to come to Topeka and work for its success in +the Senate. She made every possible effort but in vain, the +Republicans basing their refusal on its unconstitutionality. There was +every reason to believe the Supreme Court would have upheld the +statute.</p> + +<p>In 1893 an amendment to the constitution was submitted to the electors +by votes of both Republican and Populist members of the Legislature +and was defeated in 1894, as has been related.</p> + +<p>In 1897 two bills were introduced, one providing for a Bond Suffrage +which is not included in the Municipal; the other to enable women to +vote for Presidential electors. They were not reported from committee.</p> + +<p>In 1899 a bill providing that there should be women physicians in +penal institutions containing women and at least one woman on the +State Board of Charities was favorably reported by, the House +committee, but did not reach a vote.</p> + +<p>This year an act was secured creating the Traveling Libraries +Commission. The work for this was initiated and principally carried +forward by Mrs. Lucy B. Johnston, who enlisted the women of the Social +Science Federation in 1897. The federated club women had conducted the +enterprise three years and now turned over to the State forty +libraries of about 5,000 volumes. In 1901 the appropriation was raised +from $2,000 to $8,000.</p> + +<p>On Jan. 14, 1901, a bill prepared by Auditor Carlisle of Wyandotte +county was introduced by its Representative J. A. Butler (Dem.) of +Kansas City, to repeal the law giving Municipal Suffrage to women. It +was received with jeers and shouts of laughter and referred to the +Judiciary Committee, which, on the 17th, reported it with the +recommendation that it be not passed. On January 18 he re-introduced +the same measure under another title. This time protests were sent in +from all parts of the State. Mrs. Diggs went to Mr. Butler's home and +secured a large number of these from his own constituents. A hearing +was given by the Judiciary Committee to a delegation of prominent +women and the bill was never reported.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_655" id="Page_655">[Pg 655]</a></span></p> + +<p>As there seemed so much favorable sentiment it was hastily decided to +ask this Legislature to give women the right to vote for Presidential +electors, which would unquestionably be legal. Mrs. Johns and Miss +Helen Kimber looked after its interests with the Republican members; +Mrs. Diggs with the Populists. The evening of February 26, when the +vote was to be taken in the Senate, floor and galleries were crowded +with women of position and influence. Senator Fred Dumont Smith (Rep.) +had charge of the bill, and Senator G. A. Noftzger (Rep.) led the +opposition. The vote resulted in 22 yeas—16 Rep., 4 Pop., 2 Dem.; 13 +nays—12 Rep., 1 Pop. The friends had every reason to believe the +House would pass the bill, but in the still small hours of the night +following the action of the Senate, its Republican members in caucus +decided that this might injure the party at the approaching State +election, and the next morning it was reconsidered and defeated by 14 +yeas—9 Rep., 4 Pop., 1 Dem.; 23 nays—21 Rep., 1 Pop., 1 Dem.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Laws</span>: The constitution of Kansas, adopted in 1859, contained more +liberal provisions for women than had existed in any State up to that +time. It made the law of inheritance the same for widow and widower; +gave father and mother equal guardianship of children; and directed +the Legislature to protect married women in the possession of separate +property. This was not done, however, until 1868, the next year after +the first campaign to secure an amendment conferring suffrage upon +women. At this time a statute provided that all property, real and +personal, owned by a woman at marriage, and all acquired thereafter by +descent or by the gift of any person except her husband, shall remain +her sole and separate property, not subject to the disposal of her +husband or liable for his debts.</p> + +<p>A married woman may make contracts, sue and be sued as if unmarried; +engage in any business or perform any services and her earnings shall +be her sole and separate property to be used or invested by her. The +wife can convey or mortgage her separate personal property without the +husband's signature. He can do the same without her signature except +such as is exempt so long as a man is married. Neither can convey or +encumber real estate without consent of the other.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_656" id="Page_656">[Pg 656]</a></span></p> + +<p>If there are no children the surviving husband or wife takes all the +property real and personal; if there are children, one-half. Neither +can dispose by will of more than one-half of the separate property +without the consent of the other. A homestead of 160 acres of land, or +one acre within city limits, is reserved free from creditors for the +survivor. If the wife marry again, or when the children have attained +their majority, the homestead must be divided, she taking one-half. If +she die first the husband has the right of occupancy for life, whether +he marry or not, but the homestead must descend to her heirs.</p> + +<p>The husband must support the wife according to his means, or she may +have alimony decreed by the court without divorce, or in some cases +she may sue directly for support. In case of divorce the wife is +entitled to all the property owned by her at marriage and all acquired +by her afterwards, alimony being allowed from the real and personal +estate of the husband.</p> + +<p>The "age of protection" for girls is 18, with penalty of imprisonment +at hard labor not less than five nor more than twenty-one years.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> (See page 659.)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> The first State constitution, in 1859, declared women +eligible for all School offices. As it does not require that any State +officer except member of the Legislature shall be an elector, women +are not legally debarred from any other State office. The constitution +does prescribe the qualifications for some county officers, and the +Legislature for others and for all township officers. Some of these +are required to be electors and some are not; some can be voted for +only by electors and the law is silent in regard to others. It would +perhaps require a Supreme Court decision in almost every case if there +were any general disposition to elect women to these offices. Twenty +years ago a few were serving as county clerks, registers of deeds, +regents of the State University, county superintendents and school +trustees.</p> + +<p>In 1889 Attorney-General L. B. Kellogg (Rep.) appointed his wife +Assistant Attorney-General. She was a practicing attorney and her +husband's law partner and filled the office with great<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_657" id="Page_657">[Pg 657]</a></span> ability. Miss +Ella Cameron served out her father's unexpired term as Probate Judge +and the Legislature legalized her acts.</p> + +<p>There is no law requiring women on the boards of State institutions +but a number have been appointed. Gov. L. D. Lewelling (Pop.) in 1893 +appointed Mrs. Mary E. Lease member of the State Board of Charities +and Mrs. Eva Blackman on the Board of Police Commissioners of +Leavenworth. These were the first and last appointments of women to +these positions.</p> + +<p>In 1894 women physicians were appointed by him in two insane asylums, +the Orphans' Home and the Girls' Industrial School.</p> + +<p>In 1897 Gov. John W. Leedy (Pop.) appointed Mrs. John P. St. John +member Board of Regents of State Agricultural College and Dr. Eva +Harding physician at Boys' Reform School.</p> + +<p>In 1898 Mrs. Annie L. Diggs was appointed State Librarian by the +Supreme Court, Judges Frank Doster, Stephen Allen, Populists; William +A. Johnston, Republican. The term is four years. There are two women +assistants in the State library.</p> + +<p>Miss Zu Adams is first assistant in the State Historical Library. +Three other women are employed as assistants in that office.</p> + +<p>Each of the three State Hospitals for the Insane has a woman +physician, but this is not required. The law provides that the Girls' +Industrial School shall have a woman physician and superintendent. Its +officers always have been women, except the farmer and engineer. In +1894 a woman was appointed as farmer and was said to be the best the +institution ever had.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lucy B. Johnston and Mrs. Mary V. Humphreys are members of the +State Traveling Library Commission, Mrs. Diggs, as State Librarian, +being president.</p> + +<p>Since the very first time that women voted they have been clerks of +elections, and in some instances, judges.</p> + +<p>Several small towns have put the entire local government into the +hands of women. From 1887 to 1894 there had been about fifty women +aldermen, five police judges, one city attorney, several city clerks +and treasurers, and numerous clerks and treasurers of school boards. +In 1896 a report from about half the counties showed twenty women +county superintendents of schools,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_658" id="Page_658">[Pg 658]</a></span> and 554 serving on school boards. +They are frequently made president or secretary of the board.</p> + +<p>Women have been candidates for State Superintendent of Public +Instruction, but none has been elected.</p> + +<p>A number of women within the past few years have been elected county +treasurers, recorders, registers and clerks. They serve as notaries +public. Probably one-third of the county offices have women deputies.</p> + +<p>The record for 1900, as far as it could be obtained, showed the women +in office to be one clerk of the district court, two county clerks, +seven registrars of deeds and twenty-seven county superintendents of +schools. This list is far from complete.</p> + +<p>About twenty-five women have been elected to the office of mayor in +the smaller towns of Kansas. In several instances the entire board of +aldermen have been women. The business record of these women has been +invariably good and their industrious efforts to improve sanitation, +schools, sidewalks, and to advance the other interests of their town, +have been generously seconded and aided by the men of their community. +Among the most prominent of the women mayors were Mrs. Mary D. Lowman +of Oskaloosa, Mrs. Minnie D. Morgan of Cottonwood Falls, and Mrs. +Antoinette Haskell of Gaylord. Mrs. Lowman, the second woman to be +elected, conducted a great work in improving the conditions of the +municipality, morally and physically. She held her office two terms +with entire boards of women aldermen, and refused to serve a third +term, saying that she and her boards had accomplished the work they +set out to do. They retired with much honor and esteem, having made a +creditable amount of street improvements and left the treasury with +more money than they found in it. Mrs. Morgan is editor with her +husband of a Republican newspaper, an officer in the Woman's State +Press Association and holds high official position in the Woman's +Relief Corps. Mrs. Haskell is the wife of a prominent lawyer and +politician. She held the office of mayor for two terms and the last +time her entire board of aldermen were women. Her administration of +municipal affairs was so satisfactory that she was besought to accept +a third term but declined.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_659" id="Page_659">[Pg 659]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> The constitution of the State, framed in 1859, opened +every occupation to women.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> This first constitution also required the admission of +women to all the State educational institutions and gave them a place +on the faculties. As early as 1882 one-half of the faculty of the +State University was composed of women. This university, the State +Agricultural College and the State Normal College average an equal +number of men and women graduates. Women hold places on the faculties +of all these institutions.</p> + +<p>In the public schools there are 5,380 men and 7,133 women teachers. +The average monthly salary of the men is $39; of the women, $32.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> The constitution for Statehood, framed in 1859, provided +that all women over 21 should vote at all School District meetings the +same as men, the first one to contain such a provision. This excluded +all women in first and second class cities in after years, as their +school affairs are not managed through district meetings. When a test +case was made it was decided by the Supreme Court that no women could +legally vote for State or county superintendents, but only for +trustees. (5th Kansas, p. 227.) Both the constitution and the statutes +are confused as to the qualifications of those who may vote for +various county and township officers but women never have been +permitted to do so.</p> + +<p>In 1887 the Legislature granted Municipal Suffrage to women. The law +is as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In any election hereafter held in any city of the first, second +or third class, for the election of city or school officers, or +for the purpose of authorizing the issuance of any bonds for +school purposes, the right of any citizen to vote shall not be +denied or abridged on account of sex; and women may vote at such +elections the same as men, under like restrictions and +qualifications; and any women possessing the qualifications of a +voter under this act shall also be eligible to any such city or +school office.</p></blockquote> + +<p>This law includes women in all of the villages, as these are known as +"third class cities." Women in country districts, however, continue to +have only a limited School Suffrage. It does not give women a vote on +any questions of taxation which are submitted to the electors except +for school purposes.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_660" id="Page_660">[Pg 660]</a></span></p> + +<p>Nevertheless this was an advanced step which attracted the attention +of the entire country. While in Wyoming women had Full Suffrage, it +was a sparsely settled Territory, with few newspapers and far removed +from centers of political activity. Kansas was a battle-ground for +politics, and great interest was felt in the new forces which had been +called into action. From the first women very extensively took +advantage of their new privilege. It was granted February 15 and the +next municipal election took place April 5, so there were only a few +weeks in which to accustom them to the new idea, make them acquainted +with the issues, settle the disputed points and give them a chance to +register. The question was at once raised whether they could vote for +justices of the peace and constables, and at a late hour +Attorney-General S. B. Bradford gave his opinion that they could not +do so, as these are township officers. This made separate ballot-boxes +necessary and in many places these were not provided, so there was +considerable misunderstanding and confusion. On election day a wind +storm of unusual violence, even for that section of the country, raged +all day. Through the influence of the Liquor Dealers' Association, +which had used every possible effort to defeat the suffrage bill, +reporters were sent by a number of large papers in different cities, +especially St. Louis, with orders to ridicule the voting of the women +and minimize its effects. As a result the Eastern press was soon +flooded with sensational and false reports.</p> + +<p>An official and carefully prepared report of 112 pages was issued by +Judge Francis G. Adams, secretary of the Kansas State Historical +Association, and Prof. William H. Carruth of the State University, +giving the official returns from 253 cities. The total vote was +105,216; vote of men, 76,629; of women, 28,587. In a few of the very +small cities there were no women's votes. In many of the second-class +cities more than one-half as many women as men voted. In Leavenworth, +3,967 ballots were cast by men, and 2,467 by women; in Lawrence, 1,437 +by men, 1,050 by women. In Kansas City, Topeka and Fort Scott about +one-fourth as many women as men voted. In these estimates it must be +taken into consideration that there were many more men than<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_661" id="Page_661">[Pg 661]</a></span> women in +the State. In 1890, three years later, the census report showed the +excess of males to be about 100,000.</p> + +<p>The pamphlet referred to contained 100 pages of extracts from the +press of Kansas on the voting of women, and stated that these +represented but a fraction of the comment. They varied as much as the +individual opinions of men, some welcoming the new voters, some +ridiculing and abusing, others referring to the movement as a foolish +fad which would soon be dropped. The Republican and Prohibitionist +papers almost universally paid the highest tribute to the influence of +women on the election and assured them of every possible support in +the future. The Democratic papers, with but few exceptions, scoffed at +them and condemned woman suffrage. The immense majority of opinion was +in favor of the new regime and was an unimpeachable answer to the +objections and misrepresentations which found place in the press of +all other parts of the country.</p> + +<p>The interest of Kansas women in their political rights never has +abated. The proportion of their vote varies in about the same ratio as +that of men. Upon occasions when the character of candidates or the +importance of the issue commands especial attention a great many go to +the polls. Their chief interest, however, centers in questions which +bear directly upon the education and welfare of their children, the +environment of their homes and those of kindred nature. When issues +involving these are presented they vote in large numbers.</p> + +<p>There is always a larger municipal vote in the uneven years when +mayors are to be elected, and therefore a comparison is made in five +prominent cities between the vote of 1887 and that of 1901 to show +that in the fourteen years the interest of women in the suffrage has +increased instead of diminished.</p> + + + +<div class="center"> +<table summary=""> +<tr><td class="center"><i>Town.</i></td><td class="right"><i>Year.</i></td><td class="right"><i>Man-Vote.</i></td><td class="right"><i>Woman-Vote.</i></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Kansas City</td><td class="right">1887</td><td class="right">3,956</td><td class="right">1,042</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Kansas City</td><td class="right">1901</td><td class="right">8,900</td><td class="right">4,582</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Topeka</td><td class="right">1887</td><td class="right">4,580</td><td class="right">1,049</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Topeka</td><td class="right">1901</td><td class="right">7,338</td><td class="right">5,335</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Fort Scott</td><td class="right">1887</td><td class="right">1,273</td><td class="right">425</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Fort Scott</td><td class="right">1901</td><td class="right">1,969</td><td class="right">1,270</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Leavenworth</td><td class="right">1887</td><td class="right">3,967</td><td class="right">2,467</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Leavenworth</td><td class="right">1901</td><td class="right">5,590</td><td class="right">3,018</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Wichita</td><td class="right">1887</td><td class="right">3,312</td><td class="right">2,984</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Wichita</td><td class="right">1901</td><td class="right">.....</td><td align="right">.....</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_662" id="Page_662">[Pg 662]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was impossible to obtain the vote of Wichita in 1901 but the +registration was 6,546 men, 4,040 women, and out of these 10,586, +there were 8,960 who voted. One of the most prominent lawyers in +Wichita writes of this election: "The women fully maintained the ratio +of the registration. The vote was small on account of inclement +weather but I am sure that it kept away more men than women."</p> + +<p>At one election it is recorded the vote of women exceeded that of men +in one second-class and three third-class cities. In one instance all +but two of the women of Cimarron cast their ballots. In Lincoln for +several years women have polled 46 per cent. of the entire vote. The +percentage of males in the State by the census of 1900 was 52.3.</p> + +<p>The question frequently is asked why, with the ballot in their hands, +women do not compel the enforcement of the prohibitory law, as it is +generally supposed that Municipal Suffrage carries with it the right +to vote for all city officials. The same year that women were +enfranchised, the Legislature, for whom women do not vote, passed a +law authorizing the Governor, for whom women do not vote, to appoint a +Board of Police Commissioners for each city of the first class, with +power to appoint the police judge, city marshal and police, and have +absolute control of the organization, government and discipline of the +police force and of all station-houses, city prisons, etc. Temperance +men and women strongly urged this measure as they believed the +Governor would have stamina enough to select commissioners who would +enforce the prohibitory law. This board was abolished at the special +session of the Legislature in 1897, as it was made a scapegoat for +city and county officers who were too cowardly or too unfriendly to +enforce the liquor ordinances, and it did not effect the hoped-for +reforms.</p> + +<p>In 1898 City Courts were established. By uniting the townships with +cities and giving these courts jurisdiction over State and county +cases, to relieve the congested condition of State courts, women are +deprived of a vote for their officers. The exercise of the Municipal +Franchise at present is as follows:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_663" id="Page_663">[Pg 663]</a></span></p> + + + +<div class="center"> +<table summary=""> +<tr><td class="left">MEN VOTE FOR</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Mayor,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Councilmen,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">School Board,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">City Attorney,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">City Treasurer,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">City Clerk,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Judge of City Court,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Clerk of City Court,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Marshal of City Court,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Two Justices of the Peace,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Two Constables.</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">WOMEN VOTE FOR</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Mayor,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Councilmen,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">School Board,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">City Attorney,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">City Treasurer,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">City Clerk.</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">APPOINTED BY MAYOR</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Police Judge,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">City Marshal,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Chief of Police.</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<p>In cities of less than 30,000 the Police Judge is elected and women +may vote for this officer. In the smallest places the City Marshal is +also Chief of Police.</p> + +<p>It will be seen that even for the Police Court in the largest cities +women have only an indirect vote through the Mayor's appointments. In +all the cities and towns liquor sellers when convicted here simply +take an appeal to a higher court over which women have no +jurisdiction. They have no vote for sheriff, county attorney or any +county officer. These facts may in a measure answer the question why +women are helpless to enforce the prohibitory law or any other to +which they are opposed.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless even this small amount of suffrage has been of much +benefit to the women and to the cities. As the years go by the general +average of the woman-vote is larger. Municipal voting has developed a +stronger sense of civic responsibility among women; it has completely +demolished the old stock objections and has familiarized men with the +presence of women at the polls. Without question a higher level in the +conduct of city affairs has resulted. It may, however, well be +questioned as to whether Municipal Suffrage has not militated against +the full enfranchisement of women. Politicians have been annoyed by +interference with their schemes. Men have learned that women command +influence in politics, and the party machine has become hostile to +further extension of woman's opportunity and power to demand cleaner +morals and nobler standards.<a name="FNanchor_277_277" id="FNanchor_277_277"></a><a href="#Footnote_277_277" class="fnanchor">[277]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_664" id="Page_664">[Pg 664]</a></span></p> + +<p>Judge S. S. King, Commissioner of Elections at Kansas City, has given +the suffrage question much thought, and he has gleaned from the +figures of his official records some interesting facts. Alluding to +the mooted question of what class of women vote he says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The opponents of woman suffrage insist that the lower classes +freely exercise the franchise, while the higher classes generally +refrain from voting. As women in registering usually give their +vocation as "housekeeper" it is impossible to learn from that +record what particular ledge of the social strata they stand +upon, therefore, in order to locate them as to trades, business, +etc., I give them the positions occupied by their husbands and +fathers. I take the 17th voting precinct of Kansas City as a +typical one. It is about an average in voting population of white +and colored men and women and in the diversified industries. The +149 white women who registered in this precinct, as indicated by +the vocations of their husbands, fathers, etc., would be +classified thus:</p> + +<p>The trades (all classes of skilled labor), 32; the professions, +26; merchants (all manner of dealers), 16; laborers (unskilled), +15; clerks, 10; public officers, 8; bankers and brokers, 7; +railroad employes, 7; salesmen, 5; contractors, 2; foremen, 2; +paymaster, 1; unclassified, 16. Thus, if the opponents of woman +suffrage use the term "lower classes" according to some +ill-defined rule of élite society, the example given above would +be a complete refutation. If by "lower classes" they mean the +immoral and dissolute, the refutation appears to be still more +complete, for the woman electorate in the 17th precinct is +particularly free from those elements.</p></blockquote> + +<p>It is extremely rare to find a prominent man in Kansas, except certain +politicians, who openly opposes woman suffrage. With a very few +exceptions the most eminent cordially advocate it, including a large +number of ministers, lawyers and editors. It would require a chapter +simply to catalogue the names of well-known men and women who are +heartily in favor of it. Had Kansas men voted their convictions, +Kansas women would long since have been enfranchised, but political +partisanship has been stronger than the sense of justice.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_263_263" id="Footnote_263_263"></a><a href="#FNanchor_263_263"><span class="label">[263]</span></a> The History is indebted for this chapter principally to +Mrs. Annie L. Diggs of Topeka, State Librarian and former president of +the State Woman Suffrage Association. The editors are also under +obligations to Mrs. Laura M. Johns of Salina and Mrs. Anna C. Wait of +Lincoln, former presidents.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_264_264" id="Footnote_264_264"></a><a href="#FNanchor_264_264"><span class="label">[264]</span></a> See <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_191">History of Woman Suffrage, Vol. I, p. 191</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_265_265" id="Footnote_265_265"></a><a href="#FNanchor_265_265"><span class="label">[265]</span></a> +See <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28556/28556-h/28556-h.htm#CHAPTER_L">History of Woman Suffrage, Vol. III, Chap. L.</a> +</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_266_266" id="Footnote_266_266"></a><a href="#FNanchor_266_266"><span class="label">[266]</span></a> At this meeting, on motion of Mrs. Johns, the yellow +ribbon was adopted as the suffrage badge, in honor of the sunflower, +the State flower of Kansas, the one which follows the wheel track and +the plough, as woman's enfranchisement should follow civilization. It +was afterwards adopted by the National Association in recognition of +Kansas, then the most progressive State in regard to women. Those of a +classical bent accepted it because yellow among the ancients signified +wisdom.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_267_267" id="Footnote_267_267"></a><a href="#FNanchor_267_267"><span class="label">[267]</span></a> Secretary, May Belleville Brown; treasurer, Elizabeth +F. Hopkins; Mrs. S. A. Thurston, Mrs. L. B. Smith, Alma B. Stryker, +Eliza McLallin, Bina A. Otis, Helen L. Kimber, Sallie F. Toler, Annie +L. Diggs; from the National Association, Carrie Chapman Catt, chairman +of the organization committee, Rachel Foster Avery and Alice Stone +Blackwell, corresponding and recording secretaries.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_268_268" id="Footnote_268_268"></a><a href="#FNanchor_268_268"><span class="label">[268]</span></a> Now Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Kansas.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_269_269" id="Footnote_269_269"></a><a href="#FNanchor_269_269"><span class="label">[269]</span></a> Of Mrs. Diggs' speech Mrs. Johns writes: "It was one of +the most masterly arguments I ever heard. At one point she said: 'The +great majority of you declare that woman suffrage is right, (a roar of +'yes,' 'yes,' went up), and yet you oppose this plank. Are you afraid +to do right?' Her reply to the flimsy objections of the chairman, P. +P. Elder, was simply unanswerable. She cut the ground from under his +feet, and his confusion and rout were so complete that he stood +utterly confounded. That small woman with her truth and eloquence had +slain the Goliath of the opposition!"</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_270_270" id="Footnote_270_270"></a><a href="#FNanchor_270_270"><span class="label">[270]</span></a> The following speakers and organizers were placed at +fairs, Chautauqua assemblies, picnics, teachers' institutes and in +distinctive suffrage meetings: James Clement Ambrose (Ills.), Theresa +Jenkins (Wyo.), Elizabeth Upham Yates (Me.), Clara C. Hoffman (Mo.); +Mrs. Johns, J. B. Johns, the Revs. Eugenia and C. H. St. John, Mary G. +Haines, Luella R. Kraybill, Helen L. Kimber, Laura A. Gregg, Lizzie E. +Smith, Ella W. Brown, Naomi Anderson, Eva Corning, Ella Bartlett, Alma +B. Stryker, Olive I. Royce, Caroline L. Denton, Mrs. Diggs, May +Belleville Brown, J. Willis Gleed, Thomas L. Bond, the Rev. Granville +Lowther, Prof. W. H. Carruth and Mayor Harrison of Topeka. +</p><p> +During the autumn Mrs. Emma Smith DeVoe (Ills.), and Mrs. Julia B. +Nelson (Minn.), made addresses for one month; Mrs. Rachel L. Child +(Ia.) spoke and organized for two months.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_271_271" id="Footnote_271_271"></a><a href="#FNanchor_271_271"><span class="label">[271]</span></a> Returns were received from 71 out of the 105 counties, +covering 714 of the 2,100 voting precincts. These returns were +carefully tabulated by Mrs. Thurston, acting secretary of the +amendment campaign committee. The result showed that of Republicans +<i>voting on the proposition</i>, 38½ per cent. voted <i>for</i>; of +Populists, 54 per cent.; of Democrats, 14 per cent.; of +Prohibitionists, 88 per cent. +</p><p> +Of the entire vote of the Republican party for its ticket, 22 per +cent. were silent on the amendment; of the entire vote of the People's +party, 22 per cent.; of the Democratic, 28 per cent.; of the +Prohibition, 24 per cent.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_272_272" id="Footnote_272_272"></a><a href="#FNanchor_272_272"><span class="label">[272]</span></a> Others who have held official position are +vice-presidents, Mesdames J.K. Hudson, Sallie F. Toler, Noble L. +Prentis, Abbie A. Welch, Fannie Bobbet and Emma Troudner; +corresponding secretaries, Mrs. Priscilla Finley, Miss Sarah A. Brown, +Dr. Nannie Stephens, Mrs. Elizabeth F. Hopkins, Mrs. Ray Mclntyre, +Mrs. B.B. Baird, Mrs. Alice G. Young; recording secretaries, Dr. Addie +Kester, Mrs. Alice G. Bond, Prof. William H. Carruth, Mrs. M.M. +Bowman, Mrs. Emma S. Albright, Miss Matie Toothaker; treasurers, Mrs. +Martia L. Berry, Dr. C.E. Tiffany, Mrs. Lucia O. Case, Mrs. Henrietta +Stoddard Turner; auditors, Mrs. Emma S. Marshall, Mrs. S.A. Thurston; +parliamentarians, Mesdames Ella W. Brown, Bina A. Otis, Luella R. +Kraybill, Antoinette L. Haskell; librarians, Mrs. May Belleville +Brown, Dr. Emily Newcomb; State organizer, Miss Jennie Newby; +superintendent press work, Mrs. Nannie K. Garrett. +</p><p> +A number of these filled various offices and some of them bore the +brunt of the work continuously for years. Other names which appear +frequently are J. K. Hudson, editor Topeka <i>Capital</i>, Dr. Sarah C. +Hall, Mesdames M. E. De Geer, M. S. Woods, E. D. Garlick, E. A. Elder, +L. B. Kellogg, Jennie Robb Maher, Miss Emma Harriman, the Rev. W. A. +Simkins, Judge Nathan Cree, Walter S. Wait, Sarah W. Rush, Dr. J. E. +Spaulding, Dr. F. M. W. Jackson, Henrietta B. Wall, Mrs. Lucy B. +Johnston, Miss Genevieve L. Hawley.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_273_273" id="Footnote_273_273"></a><a href="#FNanchor_273_273"><span class="label">[273]</span></a> Miss Susan B. Anthony was in the National Convention at +Washington and this news was telegraphed her as a birthday greeting.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_274_274" id="Footnote_274_274"></a><a href="#FNanchor_274_274"><span class="label">[274]</span></a> Among the most influential workers for this bill during +the three sessions of the Legislature, in addition to those mentioned, +were Thomas L. Bond; Mesdames Bertha H. Ellsworth, Hetta P. Mansfield, +Martia L. Berry, S. A. Thurston and Henrietta B. Wall; Misses Jennie +Newby, Olive P. Bray and Amanda Way.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_275_275" id="Footnote_275_275"></a><a href="#FNanchor_275_275"><span class="label">[275]</span></a> Mrs. Johns says of this occasion: "If we had ever had +any doubt that even our small moiety of the suffrage would strengthen +our influence for righteousness, the effect of our protest at this +time and the attitude of the politicians toward us would have +dispelled that doubt. We felt our power and it was a new thrill which +we experienced."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_276_276" id="Footnote_276_276"></a><a href="#FNanchor_276_276"><span class="label">[276]</span></a> Among these were the following: +</p><p> +The relations of man and wife "are one and inseparable" as to the good +to be derived from or the evil to be suffered by laws imposed, and the +addition of woman suffrage will not better their condition, but is +fraught with danger and evil to both sexes and the well-being of +society. +</p><p> +This privilege conferred will bring to every primary, caucus and +election—to our jury rooms, the bench and the Legislature—the +ambitious and designing women only, to engage in all the tricks, +intrigues and cunning incident to corrupt political campaigns, only to +lower the moral standing of their sex; it invites and creates +jealousies and scandals and jeopardizes their high moral standing; +hurls women out from their central orb fixed by their Creator to an +external place in the order of things. Promiscuous mingling with the +rude and unscrupulous element around earnest and exciting elections +tends to a familiarity that breeds contempt for the fair sex deeply to +be deplored. +</p><p> +The demand for female suffrage is largely confined to the ambitious +office-seeking class, possessing an insatiable desire for the forum, +and when allowed will unfit this class for all the duties of domestic +life and transform them into politicians, and dangerous ones at that. +</p><p> +When the laws of nature shall so change the female organization as to +make it possible for them to sing "bass" we shall then be quite +willing for such a bill to become a law. +</p><p> +It is a grave mistake, an injury to both sexes and the party, to add +another "ism" to our political creed. +</p><p> +Republican—A. H. Heber, W. R. Hopkins, F. W. Willard, J. Showalter.<br /> +Democrat—J. O. Milner, G. M. Hoover, T. C. Craig, F. M. Gable.<br /> +Populist—Robt. B. Leedy, J. L. Andrews, Wellington Doty, B. F. Morris,<br /> +Levi Dumbauld, C. W. Dickson, Geo. E. Smith of Neosho. +</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_277_277" id="Footnote_277_277"></a><a href="#FNanchor_277_277"><span class="label">[277]</span></a> In 1901, in Topeka, a candidate for the mayoralty, +supposed to represent the liquor element, speaking on the afternoon of +election day—bleak, dismal and shoe-top deep in snow and mud—said: +"I will lose 1,000 votes on account of the weather as the women are +out and they are opposed to me. It is impossible to keep them from +voting."</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_665" id="Page_665">[Pg 665]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLI" id="CHAPTER_XLI"></a>CHAPTER XLI.</h2> + +<h3>KENTUCKY.<a name="FNanchor_278_278" id="FNanchor_278_278"></a><a href="#Footnote_278_278" class="fnanchor">[278]</a></h3> + + +<p>In October, 1886, the Association for the Advancement of Women held +its annual congress in Louisville, and for the first time woman +suffrage was admitted to a place on the program. It was advocated by +Mrs. Ednah D. Cheney of Massachusetts and Miss Laura Clay.</p> + +<p>The subject was much discussed for the next two years and in February, +1888, Mrs. Mary B. Clay, vice-president of the American and of the +National Woman Suffrage Associations, called a convention in +Frankfort. Delegates from Lexington and Richmond attended, and Mrs. +Zerelda G. Wallace of Indiana was present by invitation. The Hall of +Representatives was granted for two evenings, the General Assembly +being in session. On the first Mrs. Wallace delivered an able address +and the hall was well filled, principally with members of the +Legislature. On the second Mrs. Clay spoke upon the harsh laws in +regard to women, and Prof. E. B. Walker on the injustice of the +property laws and the advantage of giving women the ballot in +municipal affairs. He was followed by Mrs. Sarah Clay Bennett, who +argued that women already had a right to the ballot under the +Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. At the +conclusion of her address she asked all legislators present who were +willing to give the ballot to women to stand. Seven arose and were +greeted with loud applause.</p> + +<p>When the annual meeting of the American W. S. A. convened in +Cincinnati, Ohio, Nov. 20-22, 1888, Miss Laura Clay, member of its +executive committee from Kentucky, issued a call to the suffragists of +that State to attend this convention for the purpose of organizing a +State association. Accordingly delegates<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_666" id="Page_666">[Pg 666]</a></span> from the Fayette and Kenton +county societies met and organized the Kentucky Equal Rights +Association. The following officers were elected: President, Miss +Clay; vice-presidents, Mrs. Ellen Battelle Dietrick, Mrs. Mary B. +Clay; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Eugenia B. Farmer; recording +secretary, Miss Anna M. Deane; treasurer, Mrs. Isabella H. Shepard.</p> + +<p>The second annual convention was held in the court house at Lexington, +Nov. 19-21, 1889, with officers and delegates representing seven +counties. The evening speakers were Mrs. Clay, Mrs. Josephine K. Henry +and Joseph B. Cottrell, D. D. A committee was appointed, Mrs. Henry, +chairman, to present the interests of women to the approaching General +Assembly and the Constitutional Convention. (See Legislative Action +for 1890.)</p> + +<p>The next annual meeting took place in Richmond, Dec. 3, 4, 1890. Mrs. +Sarah Hardin Sawyer was asked to prepare a tract on co-education, +which proved of great assistance in opening the colleges to women. The +evening speakers were Mrs. Shepard, Mrs. Henry and the Rev. John G. +Fee, the venerable Kentucky Abolitionist.</p> + +<p>The fourth convention was held in Louisville, Dec. 8-10, 1891, and was +addressed by the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw and the Rev. Dr. C. K. J. +Jones.</p> + +<p>The fifth annual meeting convened in Richmond, Nov. 9, 10, 1892.<a name="FNanchor_279_279" id="FNanchor_279_279"></a><a href="#Footnote_279_279" class="fnanchor">[279]</a> +Mrs. Lida Calvert Obenchain's paper, "Why a Democratic Woman Wants the +Ballot," was afterwards widely circulated as a leaflet. The evening +speakers were Mrs. Clara Bewick Colby of Washington, D. C., and Dr. J. +Franklin Browne.</p> + +<p>The General Assembly of 1892 was in session most of that year and some +months in 1893, as there was a vast amount of business to be done in +bringing all departments of legislation into harmony with the new +constitution. During all this time the State association was busy +urging the rights of women; and at its sixth convention, held in +Newport, Oct. 17-19, 1893, was able to report that a law had been +secured granting a married woman the power to make a will and control +her separate property. Among the speakers was the Rev. G. W. +Bradford.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_667" id="Page_667">[Pg 667]</a></span></p> + +<p>The annual meeting took place in Lexington, Oct. 24-26, 1894. The most +encouraging successes of any year were reported in the extension of +School Suffrage and the passage of the Married Woman's Property Rights +Bill. In answer to the petition of the Fayette County society to Mayor +Henry T. Duncan and the city council of Lexington to place a woman on +the school board, Mrs. Wilbur R. Smith had been appointed. She was the +first to hold such a position in Kentucky. Mrs. Farmer gave an address +on School Suffrage, with illustrations of registration and voting, +which women were to have an opportunity to apply in 1895.<a name="FNanchor_280_280" id="FNanchor_280_280"></a><a href="#Footnote_280_280" class="fnanchor">[280]</a></p> + +<p>In 1895 Richmond was again selected as the place for the State +convention, December 10-12, at which legislative work in the General +Assembly of 1896 was carefully planned. (See Legislative Action.)</p> + +<p>The convention met in Lexington, Dec. 18, 1896. A committee was +appointed to work for complete School Suffrage in the extra session of +the General Assembly the next year.<a name="FNanchor_281_281" id="FNanchor_281_281"></a><a href="#Footnote_281_281" class="fnanchor">[281]</a></p> + +<p>Covington entertained the annual meeting Oct. 14, 15, 1897. Mrs. Emma +Smith DeVoe of Illinois, a national organizer, was present, being then +engaged in a tour through the State. This convention was unusually +large and full of encouragement.</p> + +<p>The eleventh convention was held in Richmond, Dec. 1, 1898, and the +twelfth in Lexington, Dec. 11, 12, 1899. Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, +chairman of the national organization committee, and Miss Mary G. Hay, +secretary, assisted, the former giving addresses both evenings. It was +decided to ask the General Assembly to make an appropriation for the +establishment of a dormitory for the women students of the State +College.</p> + +<p>Miss Laura Clay has been president of the State Association<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_668" id="Page_668">[Pg 668]</a></span> since it +was organized in 1888. Mrs. Ellen Battelle Dietrick was the first +vice-president, but removing to Massachusetts the following year, Mrs. +Mary Barr Clay, the second vice-president, was elected and has +continued in that office. There have been but two other second +vice-presidents, the Hon. William Randall Ramsey and Mrs. Mary C. +Cramer, and but two corresponding secretaries, Mrs. Eugenia B. Farmer +and Mrs. Mary C. Roark. The office of treasurer has been filled +continuously by Mrs. Isabella H. Shepard.<a name="FNanchor_282_282" id="FNanchor_282_282"></a><a href="#Footnote_282_282" class="fnanchor">[282]</a> During all these years +H. H. Gratz, editor of the Lexington <i>Gazette</i>, and John W. Sawyer, +editor of the <i>Southern Journal</i>, have been among the most faithful +and courageous friends of woman suffrage. The Prohibition papers, +almost without exception, have been cordial.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action and Laws:</span> During the General Assembly of 1890, a +committee of eight from the E. R. A. went to Frankfort to ask +legislation on the property rights of women, and for women physicians +in the State asylums for the insane. A petition for property rights +was presented, signed with 9,000 names. Of these 2,240 were collected +by Mrs. S. M. Hubbard. On January 10 appeals were made in +Representatives' Hall by Miss Laura Clay for the Women Physicians +Bill, and by Mrs. Josephine K. Henry for the Property Rights Bill. The +latter had carefully prepared a compendium of the married women's +property laws in all the States, which was of incalculable value +throughout the years of labor necessary to secure this bill.</p> + +<p>The press of the State, with few exceptions, espoused the cause of +property rights for women. Seven bills were presented to this General +Assembly, among them one drawn and introduced into the Senate by Judge +William Lindsay, afterward United States Senator. This secured to +married women the enjoyment of their property, gave them the power to +make a will and equalized curtesy and dower. Although reported +adversely by the committee, it was taken up for discussion and was +eloquently defended by Judge Lindsay. It passed the Senate, but, was +defeated in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_669" id="Page_669">[Pg 669]</a></span> House by the opposing members withdrawing and +breaking the quorum.<a name="FNanchor_283_283" id="FNanchor_283_283"></a><a href="#Footnote_283_283" class="fnanchor">[283]</a> A bill introduced by the Hon. William B. +Smith, making it obligatory upon employers to pay wages earned by +married women to themselves and not their husbands, became a law at +this session.</p> + +<p>The Constitutional Convention held in 1890-91 was the field of much +labor by the State association. In October a committee consisting of +Mrs. Henry, Miss Clay, Mrs. Eugenia B. Farmer, Mrs. Isabella H. +Shepard and Mrs. Sarah Clay Bennett went to Frankfort to appeal for +clauses in the new constitution empowering the General Assembly to +extend Full Suffrage to women; to secure the property rights of wives; +and to grant School Suffrage to all women. The importance of their +claims was so impressed upon the convention that it appointed a +special Committee on Woman's Rights, with one of its most esteemed +members, the Hon. Jep. C. Jonson, as chairman, who did all in his +power to bring their cause favorably before this body.</p> + +<p>On the evening of October 9, in Representatives' Hall, Miss Clay, Mrs. +Shepard and Mrs. Bennett addressed an audience composed largely of +members, being introduced by Mr. Jonson. Later, Mrs. Henry was given a +hearing before the committee. Her tract appealing for property rights +was read before the convention by Mr. Jonson and supplied to each of +the 100 members. In addition she supplied them several times a week +with leaflets, congressional hearings, etc., and wrote 200 articles +for the press on property rights and thirty-one on suffrage.</p> + +<p>The five ladies, with Mrs. Sarah Hardin Sawyer and Mrs. Margaret A. +Watts, met in Frankfort again on December 8, and obtained hearings +before the Committees on Revision of the Constitution, Education and +Woman's Rights. Mrs. Henry also addressed the Committee on Elections, +who asked that her speech be printed and furnished to each member of +the convention.</p> + +<p>On December 12 the Hon. W. H. Mackoy, at the request of the +suffragists, offered this amendment to the section on elections: "The +General Assembly may hereafter extend full or partial suffrage to +female citizens of the United States of the age of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_670" id="Page_670">[Pg 670]</a></span> 21 years, who have +resided in this State one year, etc." By his motion the ladies +appeared before the convention in Committee of the Whole. They +selected Miss Clay as their spokesman and sat in front of the +speaker's stand during her address.</p> + +<p>The only clause finally obtained in the new constitution was one +permitting the General Assembly to extend School Suffrage to women; +but the Legislature of 1892 made important concessions.</p> + +<p>Among the members of the General Assembly of 1894 especial gratitude +is due to Judges S. B. Vance and W. H. Beckner. The former introduced +the Bill for Married Women's Property Rights in the House, giving +Senator Lindsay credit for being practically its author. Judge Beckner +cordially supported this bill, saying he preferred it to one of his +own, which he had introduced but would push only if it should be +evident that Judge Vance's more liberal bill could not become law. To +the leadership of these two is due the vote of 79 ayes to 14 noes with +which the bill passed the House. In the Senate it came near to defeat, +but was carried through by the strenuous efforts of its friends, +especially of Senators W. W. Stephenson, Rozel Weissinger and William +Goebel. Senator Weissinger withdrew in favor of the House bill one of +his own, not so comprehensive. The bill passed on the very last day of +the session possible to finish business. The Senate vote was 21 yeas, +10 nays.<a name="FNanchor_284_284" id="FNanchor_284_284"></a><a href="#Footnote_284_284" class="fnanchor">[284]</a> It was signed March 15 by Gov. John Young Brown, who +always had favored it.</p> + +<p>Another signal victory this year was School Suffrage for women of the +second-class cities. Since 1838 widows with children of school age had +been voters for school trustees in the country districts, and in 1888 +this right was extended to allow tax-paying widows and spinsters to +vote on school taxes. This general law, however, did not apply to +chartered cities. The vigilance<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_671" id="Page_671">[Pg 671]</a></span> of Mrs. Farmer observed and seized +the opportunity offered by the revision of city charters, after the +adoption of the new constitution, to put in clauses granting full +School Suffrage to all women. At her instigation, in 1892, the equal +rights associations of Covington, Newport and Lexington, the only +second-class cities, petitioned the committee selected to prepare a +charter for such cities to insert a clause in the section on +education, making women eligible as members of school boards and +qualified to vote at all elections of such boards. This was done, and +the charter passed the General Assembly in 1894, and was signed by +Governor Brown on March 19. The influence of the State association was +not sufficient, however, to have School Suffrage put in the charters +of cities of the first, third and fourth classes. The Hons. Charles +Jacob Bronston, John O. Hodges, William Goebel and Joel Baker did +excellent service for this clause.</p> + +<p>The changes wrought by liberal legislation and the part the State +association had in securing this will be best understood by quotations +from a leaflet issued by the State Association:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In 1888 the Kentucky E. R. A. was organized for the purpose of +obtaining for women equality with men in educational, industrial, +legal and political rights.</p> + +<p>We found on the statute books a law which permitted a husband to +collect his wife's wages.</p> + +<p>We found Kentucky the only State which did not allow a married +woman to make a will.</p> + +<p>We found that marriage gave to the husband all the wife's +personal property which could be reduced to possession, and the +use of all her real estate owned at the time or acquired by her +after marriage, with power to rent the same and receive the rent.</p> + +<p>We found that the common law of curtesy and dower prevailed, +whereby on the death of the wife the husband inherited absolutely +all her personalty and, when there were children, a life interest +in all her real estate; while the wife, when there were children, +inherited one-third of her husband's personalty and a +life-interest in one-third of his real estate.</p> + +<p>I. In 1890 we secured a law which made the wife's wages payable +only to herself.</p> + +<p>II. From the General Assembly of 1892-93 we secured a law giving +a married woman the right to make a will and control her real +estate.</p> + +<p>III. From the General Assembly of 1894 we secured the present Law +for Husband and Wife. The main features of this are:</p> + +<p>1. Curtesy and dower are equalized. After the death of either +husband or wife, the survivor is given a life estate in one-third +of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_672" id="Page_672">[Pg 672]</a></span> the realty of the deceased and an absolute estate in one-half +of the personalty.</p> + +<p>2. The wife has entire control of her property, real and +personal. She owns her personal property absolutely, and can +dispose of it as she pleases.<a name="FNanchor_285_285" id="FNanchor_285_285"></a><a href="#Footnote_285_285" class="fnanchor">[285]</a> The statute gives her the +right to make contracts and to sue and be sued as a single woman. +This enables a married woman to enter business and hold her stock +in trade free from the control of her husband and liability to +his creditors.</p> + +<p>3. The power to make a will is the same in husband and wife, and +neither can by will divest the other of dower or interest in his +or her estate.</p> + +<p>These splendid property laws are pronounced by leading lawyers to +be the greatest legal revolution which has taken place in our +history.</p></blockquote> + +<p>A section of the new constitution made it the duty of the General +Assembly to provide by law as soon as practicable for Houses of Reform +for Juvenile Offenders. The State Woman's Christian Temperance Union +decided in 1892 to urge it to act speedily, and the Equal Rights +Association co-operated heartily, with a special view to securing +provision for girls equal to that for boys, and women on the Board of +Managers. A joint committee from the two associations was appointed, +with Mrs. Frances E. Beauchamp chairman for the former and Mrs. S. A. +Charles for the latter. They compiled a bill with legal advice of +Senator Bronston, who had been largely instrumental in securing the +section. The unremitting labor of three years was at last crowned with +success in 1896, when a bill, essentially that prepared by the women, +passed the General Assembly and was signed by Gov. William O. Bradley, +March 21.<a name="FNanchor_286_286" id="FNanchor_286_286"></a><a href="#Footnote_286_286" class="fnanchor">[286]</a> This bill provides for two separate institutions, one +for girls and one for boys, on the cottage family plan. The general +government is vested in a board of six trustees, three women and three +men.</p> + +<p>From the General Assembly of 1898 the E. R. A. finally obtained the +law making it mandatory to have at least one woman physician in each +State insane asylum, for which they had been petitioning ten years. +Representative W. C. G. Hobbs introduced<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_673" id="Page_673">[Pg 673]</a></span> the bill into the House, +where it passed by a vote of 77 ayes, 4 noes. Mr. Bronston supported +it in the Senate, where it received 26 ayes, one no. It was approved +by Governor Bradley March 15.</p> + +<p>In the same year the benevolent associations of the women of +Louisville secured an act providing for police matrons in that city, +the only first-class one in the State, which was approved by the +Governor March 10.<a name="FNanchor_287_287" id="FNanchor_287_287"></a><a href="#Footnote_287_287" class="fnanchor">[287]</a> The first police matron was appointed March 4, +before the law required it, at the request of women and through the +influence of Mayor Charles P. Weaver, Chief of Police Jacob H. Haager, +Jailer John R. Pflanz and Judge Reginald H. Thompson. By the action of +the State Board of Prison Commissioners this year, two women were +appointed as guards for the women's wards in the penitentiary, their +duties being such as usually pertain to a matron.</p> + +<p>This year the Women's Club of Central Kentucky set on foot a movement +for a free library in Lexington. Senator Bronston secured a change in +the city charter to facilitate this object. The act provides that the +library shall be under the control of a board of five trustees and was +intentionally worded to make women eligible. Mayor Joseph Simrall +appointed two of the club women, Mrs. Mary D. Short and Mrs. Ida +Withers Harrison. This is the first free library established in +Kentucky.</p> + +<p>Owing to the turbulent political conditions in the General Assembly of +1900, the State association did not send its usual committee to the +capital. However, a committee from the W. C. T. U. did go, and +succeeded in securing an appropriation to build the young women's +dormitory at the State College, receiving in this effort the +encouragement of the E. R. A., as agreed upon at their convention of +1899.</p> + +<p>The history of the State association would not be complete without +recording its failures. In 1893 an effort to raise the "age of +protection" for girls from 12 to 18 was made a part of its work. It +was deemed expedient to place this in the hands of a special +committee, Mrs. Thomas L. Jones and Mrs. Sarah G. Humphreys consenting +to assume the arduous task. Mrs.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_674" id="Page_674">[Pg 674]</a></span> Henry wrote a strong leaflet on the +"age of protection," and Mrs. Humphreys sent many articles to the +press. A petition was widely circulated and bore thousands of names +when the ladies carried it to the General Assembly in 1894. They +succeeded in having a bill introduced, and were given hearings before +an appropriate committee; but the Assembly adjourned without acting. +In 1895, Mrs. Martha R. Stockwell was added to the committee, which +again went to the Assembly with the petition; but without success, and +the "age of protection" still remains 12 years. The penalty is death +or imprisonment for life.</p> + +<p>By special statute the Common Law is retained which makes 12 years the +legal age for a girl to marry.</p> + +<p>A law to make mothers equal guardians with fathers of minor children +is one to which the State association has devoted much attention, but +which still waits on the future for success. At present the father is +the legal guardian, and at his death may appoint one even for a child +unborn. If the court appoints a guardian, the law (1894) requires that +it "shall choose the father, or his testamentary appointee; then the +mother if [still] unmarried, then next of kin, giving preference to +the males."</p> + +<p>The husband is expected to furnish the necessaries of life according +to his condition, but if he has only his wages there is no law to +punish him for non-support.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> Kentucky was the first State in the Union to grant any form +of suffrage to women by special statute, as its first School Law, +passed in 1838, permitted widows in the country districts with +children of school age to vote for trustees. In 1888 further +extensions of School Suffrage were made and in the country districts, +including fifth and sixth class cities, i. e., the smallest villages, +any widow having a child of school age, and any widow or spinster +having a ward of school age, may now vote for school trustees and +district school taxes; also taxpaying widows and spinsters may vote +for district school taxes.</p> + +<p>In 1894 the General Assembly granted women the right to vote for +members of the board of education on the same terms as men in the +second-class cities, by a special clause in their charter. There are +three of these—Covington, Newport and Lexington.<a name="FNanchor_288_288" id="FNanchor_288_288"></a><a href="#Footnote_288_288" class="fnanchor">[288]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_675" id="Page_675">[Pg 675]</a></span></p> + +<p>In the one first-class city, Louisville, the five third-class and the +twenty or more fourth-class cities, no woman has any vote.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> In 1886 Mrs. Amanda T. Million was appointed to the +office of county superintendent of public schools. Her husband had +been elected in Madison County, but dying at the commencement of his +term, Judge J. C. Chenault, after the eligibility of a woman had been +ascertained, appointed the widow to fill out the year. Mrs. Million +then became a candidate, and was elected for the remaining three years +of the term, being the first woman in the State to fill that office. +Her case attracted much attention and at the election in 1889 four +women were elected county superintendents; in 1893, eight, and in +1897, eighteen.</p> + +<p>In 1895 Mayor Henry T. Duncan appointed two women on the Lexington +School Board, Mrs. Ida Withers Harrison and Mrs. Mary E. Lucas, to +serve until their successors were elected under the laws of the new +charter. In August the women held a mass meeting, conducted by a joint +committee from the local E. R. A., the W. C. T. U. and the Woman's +Club of Central Kentucky, to nominate a woman from each ward. They +named Mrs. Harrison, Mrs. Ella Williamson, Mrs. Sarah West Marshal and +Mrs. Mary C. Roark. This ticket was indorsed the same day by the +Citizens' Association (of men). Judge Frank Bullock allowed private +houses to be used for women to register, one in each precinct, the +registration officers all to be women—clerk, two judges and a +sheriff. They were sworn in and did their duty nobly. The Democratic +and Republican parties refused to accept the Woman's Ticket. The women +therefore selected a man from each ward in addition to the four women +nominated, making the required number of eight, known as the +Independent Ticket, which was triumphantly elected in November by +voters of all parties and both sexes.</p> + +<p>In Covington, three women were placed on the Republican ticket, but +were defeated. About 5,000 women voted. In Newport two women were +placed on the Democratic ticket, but it was defeated. About 2,800 +women registered.</p> + +<p>The Prohibitionists nominated Mrs. Josephine K. Henry for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_676" id="Page_676">[Pg 676]</a></span> clerk of +the Court of Appeals in 1890. Though in many places the election +clerks refused to enter her name on the polling-books, doubting the +eligibility of a woman, she received 4,460 votes. This case is worthy +of note because it was the first in Kentucky where a woman was a +candidate for election to a State office; and because, as she ran on a +platform containing a suffrage plank, practically all the votes for +her were cast for woman suffrage.</p> + +<p>Women have been State librarians continuously since January, 1876, +when the first one was elected.</p> + +<p>In 1894 the Senate for the first time elected a woman as enrolling +clerk, and women have held this office ever since.</p> + +<p>During the session of 1900, stormy as it was, the House for the first +time elected a woman as enrolling clerk.</p> + +<p>Women serve as notaries public. (For other offices see Legislative +Action.)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> Women are engaged in all the professions and no +occupation is forbidden to them by law. On Dec. 15, 1886, the Court of +Appeals affirmed the right of women to dispense medicines. The case +was that of Bessie W. White (Hager), a graduate of the School of +Pharmacy of Michigan University. She applied to the State Board of +Pharmacy for registration in 1883, complying with all the +requirements. They rejected her application, whereupon she applied for +a mandamus. The writ was granted but an appeal was taken. Judge +William H. Holt delivered the opinion of the Appellate Court, saying +in his decision: "It is gratifying to see American women coming to the +front in these honorable pursuits. The history of civilization in +every country shows that it has merely kept pace with the advancement +of its women."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> On April 27, 1889, at a called meeting of the Board of +Curators of Kentucky University (Disciples of Christ) in Lexington, it +was decided to admit women students. This was the result of a petition +the preceding June by the Fayette County E. R. A. In response a +committee had been appointed, President Charles Louis Loos, chairman, +and, upon its favorable report, the resolution was carried by +unanimous vote. An immediate appropriation was made for improvements +to the college buildings to accommodate the new students, the opening +was announced<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_677" id="Page_677">[Pg 677]</a></span> in the annual calendar and women invited to avail +themselves of its advantages. This was the second institution of +higher education opened to women, the State Agricultural and +Mechanical College and Normal School, also in Lexington, having +admitted them in 1880.</p> + +<p>In 1892 the work done by Mrs. Sarah Hardin Sawyer resulted in the +admission of women to Wesleyan College in Winchester. The Baptist +College at Georgetown became co-educational through the influence of +Prof. James Jefferson Rucker. The Homeopathic Medical College, opened +in Louisville the same year, admitted women from the first and placed +a woman upon the faculty. In 1893 the Madison County E. R. A. secured +the admission of girls to Central University at Richmond.</p> + +<p>Co-education now prevails in all the normal and business schools, and +in the majority of the institutions of higher learning; the only +notable exceptions being Centre University, Danville; Baptist College, +Russellville; Baptist Theological College<a name="FNanchor_289_289" id="FNanchor_289_289"></a><a href="#Footnote_289_289" class="fnanchor">[289]</a> and Allopathic Medical +College, Louisville.</p> + +<p>There are in the public schools 4,909 men and 5,057 women teachers. +The average monthly salary of the men is $44; of the women, $37.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>The Woman's Emergency Association of Louisville, organized during the +Spanish-American War, called a non-partisan mass meeting February 6, +1900, "for the special purpose of directing the attention of women to +the importance and necessity of using their influence on behalf of +good citizenship." The mass meeting was addressed by several prominent +gentlemen, who deplored the spirit of lawlessness prevailing in the +State and declared that the remedy rested with the women, but the +suggestion that these should have the franchise was not once made.</p> + +<p>The State E. R. A. sent a memorial to the annual meeting of the +Kentucky Federation of Women's Clubs in 1900, soliciting their +assistance in securing from the General Assembly the extension of +School Suffrage to the women of all towns and cities. It was voted to +give the co-operation desired.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_278_278" id="Footnote_278_278"></a><a href="#FNanchor_278_278"><span class="label">[278]</span></a> The History is indebted for this chapter to Miss Laura +Clay of Lexington, president of the State Equal Rights Association +since its organization, and first auditor of the National-American +Woman Suffrage Association since 1895.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_279_279" id="Footnote_279_279"></a><a href="#FNanchor_279_279"><span class="label">[279]</span></a> The State W. C. T. U. at its convention in 1892 adopted +a franchise department, and has proved a faithful and valuable ally in +educating public sentiment and obtaining desired legislation.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_280_280" id="Footnote_280_280"></a><a href="#FNanchor_280_280"><span class="label">[280]</span></a> In the congressional contest of the Seventh District, +between W. C. P. Breckinridge and W. C. Owens, in 1894, the women took +such a share in defeating the former that their action became an +instructive part of political history. Mrs. F. K. Hunt, president of +their Owens Club, which did such distinguished service for public +morality, afterwards became a member of the Equal Rights Association, +this campaign having convinced her, as she said, that "there is a +place for women in politics."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_281_281" id="Footnote_281_281"></a><a href="#FNanchor_281_281"><span class="label">[281]</span></a> In the Presidential campaign of 1896, Mrs. Josephine K. +Henry and Miss Margaret Ingals spoke for the Silver Democrats, and +Mrs. Frances E. Beauchamp for the Prohibitionists, under the auspices +of the party committees. +</p><p> +In June, 1898, Mrs. Beauchamp, president of the State W. C. T. U., was +elected permanent chairman and presided over the State Prohibition +Convention held in Louisville—the first time a woman ever filled such +a position in Kentucky. She was also elected a member of the National +Central Committee of the Prohibitionists in 1899. This party has +retained the woman suffrage plank in its State platform since 1889.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_282_282" id="Footnote_282_282"></a><a href="#FNanchor_282_282"><span class="label">[282]</span></a> The other State officers have been, recording +secretaries, Dr. Sarah M. Siewers; Mesdames Mary Ritchie McKee, Mary +Muggeridge, Mary R. Patterson, Sarah Hardin Sawyer, Kate Rose Wiggins; +Misses Anna M. Deane, Mary Susan Hamilton, Mary E. Light; third +vice-presidents, Mesdames Sallie H. Chenault, S. M. Hubbard, Mary H. +Johnson, Thomas L. Jones, N. S. McLaughlin; Miss Belle Harris Bennett; +superintendents of press, Mrs. Lida Calvert Obenchain, Mrs. Sarah G. +Humphreys; superintendent of legislative work, Mrs. Josephine K. +Henry.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_283_283" id="Footnote_283_283"></a><a href="#FNanchor_283_283"><span class="label">[283]</span></a> This bill, drawn up with legal precision and clearness, +was practically the one passed four years later (1894), which raised +Kentucky's property laws for wives to a just and honorable plane.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_284_284" id="Footnote_284_284"></a><a href="#FNanchor_284_284"><span class="label">[284]</span></a> On the night of March 8 Mrs. Josephine K. Henry spoke +in Frankfort on the subject of American Citizenship. The Legislative +Hall was voted unanimously and the Senate, which was holding night +sessions, adjourned to hear her address. The Property Rights Bill was +on this night virtually dead. Mrs. Henry in her speech never alluded +to this bill, but plainly asked the Legislature to create a power to +which she could apply and receive her papers of citizenship, claiming +that she had every qualification save that of sex. The speech did not +procure for her the right to vote, but the next morning, amid the +greatest tumult, the dead Property Rights Bill was resurrected and +passed. +</p> +<p class="ltr-right"> +Minutes of Kentucky E. R. A., 1894.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_285_285" id="Footnote_285_285"></a><a href="#FNanchor_285_285"><span class="label">[285]</span></a> The wife can not dispose of real estate without the +husband's signature. He can convey real estate without her signature +but it is subject to her dower.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_286_286" id="Footnote_286_286"></a><a href="#FNanchor_286_286"><span class="label">[286]</span></a> This year the E. R. A., the W. C. T. U. and the Woman's +Club of Central Kentucky petitioned Governor Bradley to appoint a +woman physician for the insane asylum at Lexington. He did appoint +one, Dr. Kathryn Houser, but placed her in the Hopkinsville asylum.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_287_287" id="Footnote_287_287"></a><a href="#FNanchor_287_287"><span class="label">[287]</span></a> A notable feature of this act is that none shall be +appointed who has not been recommended by a committee composed of one +woman selected by each of the following organizations: Home of +Friendless Women, Flower Mission, Free Kindergarten Association, +Humane Society, Charity Organization Society, City Federation of +Women's Clubs, Kentucky Children's Home Society, W. C. T. U. and +Women's Christian Association.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_288_288" id="Footnote_288_288"></a><a href="#FNanchor_288_288"><span class="label">[288]</span></a> This Act was repealed in 1902 because more colored than +white women voted in Lexington at the spring election. This is the +only instance where the suffrage has been taken from women after being +conferred by a Legislature. [Eds.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_289_289" id="Footnote_289_289"></a><a href="#FNanchor_289_289"><span class="label">[289]</span></a> This college was opened to women in 1902.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_678" id="Page_678">[Pg 678]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLII" id="CHAPTER_XLII"></a>CHAPTER XLII.</h2> + +<h3>LOUISIANA.<a name="FNanchor_290_290" id="FNanchor_290_290"></a><a href="#Footnote_290_290" class="fnanchor">[290]</a></h3> + + +<p>The history of woman suffrage in Louisiana must center always about +the names of Mrs. Elizabeth Lyle Saxon and Mrs. Caroline E. Merrick. +In 1879, before there had been any general agitation of this question +in the State, these ladies appeared before the convention which was +preparing a new constitution, and urged that the ballot should be +granted to women on the same terms as to men. The only concession to +their demands was a clause making women eligible to any office of +control or management under the School Laws of the State.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Saxon continued to create equal suffrage sentiment until her +removal to another State, and Mrs. Merrick remains still a principal +figure in the movement. Until his death in 1897 she had the earnest +encouragement and assistance of her distinguished husband, Edwin T. +Merrick, for ten years Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Louisiana +prior to the Civil War.</p> + +<p>As New Orleans is the only large city and contains one-fourth of the +population of a State which is among the most conservative in the +Union, organized work naturally would be confined to this locality, +but up to 1884 it had no active club or society of women. In this year +there was a demand by the press that the women of New Orleans should +organize for the promotion of the World's Cotton Centennial, to be +held there in the autumn and winter of 1884-85. This was done and the +Woman's Department was a conspicuous feature of the centennial. Mrs. +Julia Ward Howe of Massachusetts was the commissioner for the +Government, different States sent capable representatives and there +was cordial co-operation with the women of New Orleans.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 462px;"> +<img src="images/gs07.jpg" width="462" height="689" alt="SUSAN LOOK AVERY. +Louisville, Ky., and Chicago, Ill. +HELEN PHILLEO JENKINS. +Detroit, Mich. +LOUISA SOUTHWORTH. +Cleveland, Ohio. +MARY BENTLEY THOMAS. +Ednor, Md. +KATE M. GORDON. +New Orleans, La." title="" /> +</div> + +<div class="center"> +<table class="smallprint" summary=""> +<tr><td align="center">SUSAN LOOK AVERY.</td><td> </td><td align="center"> HELEN PHILLEO JENKINS.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Louisville, Ky., and Chicago, Ill.</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center">Detroit, Mich.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">LOUISA SOUTHWORTH.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">Cleveland, Ohio.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">MARY BENTLEY THOMAS.</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center">KATE M. GORDON.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Ednor, Md.</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center">New Orleans, La.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>In March, 1885, Miss Susan B. Anthony visited the city for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_679" id="Page_679">[Pg 679]</a></span> two weeks. +She was deluged with invitations for addresses, and spoke in +Agricultural Hall of the exposition at the request of the Press Club, +in Tulane Hall under the auspices of the city teachers, at the Girls' +High School and in half-a-dozen other places. Everywhere she was most +warmly welcomed and was favorably reported in the papers, although her +doctrines were new and unpopular. Mrs. Eliza J. Nicholson, owner and +manager of the <i>Picayune</i>, and Mrs. M. A. Field (Catharine Cole), of +its editorial staff, gave pleasant manifestations of friendship. One +of the addresses delivered by Miss Anthony was before the Woman's +Club, which had been an outgrowth of the exposition committees. Mrs. +May Wright Sewall of Indiana gave an address on this same occasion. +While this club had by no means been formed in the interests of +suffrage, it was a decided innovation and the first step out of +tradition and conservatism.</p> + +<p>The work of the women of Louisiana in the Anti-Lottery campaign of +1891 is entitled to special mention. The lottery, as the great money +power, controlled absolutely the politics of the State, and the +leading newspapers were a unit in its support. The reform movement to +prevent the renewal of its charter was without money, prestige or the +influence of the press. The women came nobly to the rescue of this +apparently hopeless cause. They formed leagues for the collection of +money, they called meetings, they assisted in every possible way to +educate the public mind and awaken the public conscience. To them +belongs a large share of the credit for the final overthrow at the +polls of this octopus corporation, which was so long a reproach to the +State.</p> + +<p>In 1892 the Portia Club was formed, a strictly suffrage organization, +with Mrs. Merrick as president.<a name="FNanchor_291_291" id="FNanchor_291_291"></a><a href="#Footnote_291_291" class="fnanchor">[291]</a> Under its auspices the +Association for the Advancement of Women held its annual congress in +New Orleans in 1895, during which Mrs. Clara Bewick Colby of +Washington, D. C., gave an address on The Philosophy of Woman +Suffrage. At another time Mrs. Clara C. Hoffman of Missouri lectured +for the club.</p> + +<p>In January, 1895, Miss Anthony, president of the National Suffrage +Association, accompanied by Mrs. Carrie Chapman<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_680" id="Page_680">[Pg 680]</a></span> Catt, chairman of its +organization committee, came again to New Orleans. The <i>Picayune</i> said +of their first appearance:</p> + +<blockquote><p>If any one doubted the interest which Southern women feel in the +all-absorbing question of the day, "Woman and her Rights," that +idea would have been forever dispelled by a glance at the +splendid audience assembled last night. The hall was literally +packed to overflowing, not only with women but with men, +prominent representatives in every walk of life.</p></blockquote> + +<p>In 1896 the Era<a name="FNanchor_292_292" id="FNanchor_292_292"></a><a href="#Footnote_292_292" class="fnanchor">[292]</a> Club was organized with Miss Belle Van Horn as +president. The successful work of this society has been largely due to +the ability and personal influence of Mrs. Evelyn W. Ordway, a +progressive Massachusetts woman, professor of chemistry in Newcomb +College, New Orleans, who was its second president. Miss Kate M. +Gordon was the third.</p> + +<p>In 1896 the Era united with the Portia Club in the beginning of a +State suffrage association, of which Mrs. Merrick was made president. +Mrs. Mary C. C. Bradford of Colorado gave two lectures before the new +association this year. Those who have represented this body at the +national conventions are Mrs. Merrick, Miss Katharine Nobles and Miss +Gordon.</p> + +<p>In 1898 a convention was held in New Orleans to prepare a new State +constitution. A committee composed of Mrs. Marie Garner Graham, Miss +Nobles, Miss Gordon and Miss Jean Gordon appeared before the Suffrage +Committee in support of a petition for Full Suffrage for the educated, +taxpaying women of Louisiana, which had been presented to the +convention by the Hon. A. W. Faulkner. Mrs. Graham made an eloquent +appeal in behalf of using the intelligence and morality embodied in +the woman's vote in solving the political problem of the South. The +committee further requested that Mrs. Chapman Catt be permitted to +address the convention. The request was immediately granted and an +official invitation courteously extended.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Merrick, who was a delegate to the suffrage convention then in +session at Washington, urged that some prominent members of the +National Association should accompany this speaker on her important +mission, and Miss Laura Clay of Kentucky and Miss Mary G. Hay of New +York were duly appointed. On<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_681" id="Page_681">[Pg 681]</a></span> February 24, in Tulane Hall, before the +assembled convention and a large throng of listeners in the galleries, +Mrs. Chapman Catt made a strong argument for the enfranchisement of +Louisiana women.</p> + +<p>For many days woman suffrage was seriously considered as a means to +the end of securing white supremacy in the State. The following week +the Athenćum, the finest lecture hall in New Orleans, was crowded with +men and women from all classes of society anxious to hear more on this +daily topic of discussion, as presented by Mrs. Chapman Catt, Miss +Clay and Miss Frances A. Griffin of Alabama. Seats were reserved for +the members of the Constitutional Convention, who responded almost +unanimously to the invitation to be present.</p> + +<p>Dr. Henry Dickson Bruns, a member of the Suffrage Committee, bent +every effort to secure Full Suffrage for women as the only means to +effect the reform in political conditions so much desired. The +majority report of the committee, however, contained only this clause: +"All taxpaying women shall have the right to vote in person or by +proxy on all questions of taxation."</p> + +<p>While the women were greatly disappointed, this was really a signal +victory in so conservative a State.</p> + +<p>Those who supposed that women would make practically no use of this +scrap of suffrage were soon to be undeceived. New Orleans was at this +time a city of 300,000 with absolutely no sewerage system; an +inadequate water supply, and what there was of this in the hands of a +monopoly; an excellent drainage system plodding along for the want of +means at a rate which would have required twenty years to complete it. +The return of yellow fever, the city's arch-enemy, after a lapse of +eighteen years, created consternation. Senseless quarantines prevailed +on all sides; business was paralyzed; property values had fallen; +commercial rivals to the right and left were pressing. A crisis was at +hand, and all depended on the hygienic regeneration of the city.</p> + +<p>The lawful limit of taxation had been reached. One of two ways alone +remained—either to grant franchises to private corporations, or for +the taxpayers to vote to tax themselves for the necessary +improvements. Finally a plan was evolved, where, by a combination with +the drainage funds, the great public necessities—water,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_682" id="Page_682">[Pg 682]</a></span> sewerage and +drainage—could be secured to the city by a tax of two mills on the +dollar, covering a period of forty-two years. A similar proposition +had been voted down two years before, and little hope was entertained +that it would carry this time. Here was the women's opportunity. They +found that one-third of the taxpayers must sign a petition calling the +election to establish its legality. This meant that from 9,000 to +10,000 signatures must be secured. They learned also that to carry the +measure there must be a majority of numbers as well as of property +values.</p> + +<p>Realizing that a campaign of education was on their hands, the Era +Club called a mass meeting of women, at which prominent speakers +presented the necessities of the situation. At its close a resolution +was adopted to form a Woman's League for Sewerage and Drainage, of +which Miss Gordon was made president. The papers, which a short time +before had been most vehement in their denunciation of suffrage for +taxpaying women, were now unanimous in commending their public spirit +and predicting ultimate victory through the women.</p> + +<p>The first work of the league was to secure a correct list of women +taxpayers, the number of whom had been variously estimated from 1,500 +to 7,000. Actual count proved that the names of more than 15,000 women +appeared on the roll, about one-half the taxpayers of the entire city. +Leaving a large margin for possible duplicates, foreign residents and +changes by death, a conservative estimate gave at least 10,000 women +eligible to vote. Few can realize the magnitude of this undertaking, +for the names were without addresses but simply given as owners of +such and such pieces of property in such and such boundaries.</p> + +<p>The work of location was at last accomplished, and then came the task +of securing the names of these women to the petitions. The lists were +divided according to wards, with a chairman for each, who appointed +lieutenants in the various precincts. Parlor meetings to interest +women were held everywhere, in the homes of the rich, the poor and the +middle classes. Volunteer canvassers were secured and suffrage +sentiment awakened. Occasionally mass meetings of men and women +together were called, and good speakers obtained to arouse the people +to the necessity<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_683" id="Page_683">[Pg 683]</a></span> of voting for the tax. It was the number of women's +signatures which enabled the mayor to order the election.</p> + +<p>The law carried with it the privilege of voting by proxy, and the +women who were active in this movement had the great task of gathering +up the proxies of all those who had not the courage to go to the +polls. These had to be made out in legal form and signed by two +witnesses, and they then learned that no woman in Louisiana can +legally witness a document, so in all these thousands of cases it was +necessary to secure two men as witnesses. It made no difference +whether they could read or write, whether they owned property or not, +if males it was sufficient.<a name="FNanchor_293_293" id="FNanchor_293_293"></a><a href="#Footnote_293_293" class="fnanchor">[293]</a></p> + +<p>The election was held June 6, 1899. The <i>Picayune</i>, which, with the +other papers, had opposed the extension of even this bit of suffrage +to women, came out the next morning with a three-quarter-page picture +of a beautiful woman, labeled New Orleans, on a prancing steed named +Progress, dashing over a chasm entitled Sanitary Neglect and +Commercial Stagnation, to a bluff called A Greater City, while in one +corner was a female angel with wings outspread, designated as Victory. +The two-page account began as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The great election for Sewerage and Drainage has come and gone, +and with it a notable chapter in the history of woman's work in +New Orleans in behalf of municipal improvement. It is unanimously +conceded, as incontestably proven by facts, that but for the +number of signatures of women sent to the mayor the election +never would have been called. It was also conceded late yesterday +afternoon that the noble work of the women had won the day in +behalf of these much-needed improvements for our beloved city....</p> + +<p>The politician has been crushed, and let the credit go where it +belongs. The women of New Orleans did it, under the leadership of +those two active, energetic and self-sacrificing young women, the +Misses Kate M. and Jean Gordon, and all the glory is theirs. +Woman plays a most important part in the politics and affairs of +this city. Whenever a crisis approaches, the men on the right +side appeal to her and the appeal is never in vain. She jumps +into the breach, and invariably victory perches upon her banner. +All honor to the fair sex! The women, or rather the few women who +were in the Sewerage and Drainage League, probably did as much +work for the special tax as all the men in this city put +together, and they did it quietly and thoroughly....</p> + +<p>It was the first time in the history of New Orleans that women<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_684" id="Page_684">[Pg 684]</a></span> +were allowed the proud privilege of the suffrage, and it was a +novel sight to see them at the polls, producing their +certificates of assessment and then retiring to the booths, +fixing their ballots and depositing them in the boxes.... Enough +of them showed their independence of the sterner sex to prove to +the community that they are a deal more competent to wield the +ballot than a vast majority of the male suffragans. From what +some of the commissioners of election say, the women demonstrated +that they had observed the instructions as to voting with a great +deal more punctiliousness than the men. They had no difficulty in +arranging their ballots, and knew the routine better than many +men who had been in the habit of voting, not only early but +often.</p></blockquote> + +<p>This paper contained also an interview with Mrs. Merrick, of which the +following is a portion:</p> + +<blockquote><p>"Women are saying everywhere, Mrs. Merrick, that much of the +glory of this day is due to you, for you were the first woman in +the State to pin your faith to the suffrage cause."</p> + +<p>"Without boasting," she said modestly, "the women of Louisiana, I +think, do owe a little to me. For years I stood alone for their +enfranchisement, especially where questions of property and +taxation were concerned.... I may say I have fought, labored and +almost died for suffrage. I do hope to see the women of New +Orleans with the School and Municipal Suffrage before I die. I am +getting old now," she added sweetly; "I am threescore and ten; I +cast my first vote to-day. It was only for sewerage and drainage; +but then it was for the protection of the home from the invasion +of disease, the better health of our city, the greater prosperity +of our commonwealth, and I am satisfied; for it will be +discovered that women hold the balance of power in all things +good and true, and our votes will soon be wanted in other +praiseworthy reforms."</p></blockquote> + +<p>The duties of the women did not end when they had voted for the tax. +It was necessary to have a Sewerage and Water Board of seven +commissioners, and the voters were to decide whether these should be +elected by the people or appointed by the mayor with the ratification +of the City Council. The politicians were determined on the former +method, while the business interests of the city demanded the latter. +The women almost to a unit voted for appointment, and the majority of +1,000 by which it was carried can be placed practically to the credit +of the Woman's League for Sewerage and Drainage.<a name="FNanchor_294_294" id="FNanchor_294_294"></a><a href="#Footnote_294_294" class="fnanchor">[294]</a> It was conceded +that of the 6,000<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_685" id="Page_685">[Pg 685]</a></span> votes cast at this election, at least one-half were +those of women.</p> + +<p>The tax was immediately levied, the necessary legislative and +constitutional authority was obtained, the bonds were all sold and the +work is now under way for a complete system of drainage, sewerage and +water supply.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action and Laws:</span> In 1894 a law was passed permitting women +to receive degrees from Law and Medical Schools; also one allowing a +married woman to "subscribe for, withdraw or transfer stock of +building, homestead or loan associations, and to deposit funds and +withdraw the same without the assistance and intervention of her +husband." This law was secured by these associations to protect their +own interests.</p> + +<p>In 1896 the same privilege was extended in regard to depositing money +in savings banks and withdrawing it, which a married woman could not +do up to this time.</p> + +<p>The laws of Louisiana for the most part are a survival of the +Napoleonic Code:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Art. 25. Men are capable of all kinds of engagements and +functions, unless disqualified by reasons and causes applying to +particular individuals. Women can not be appointed to any public +office, nor perform any civil functions, except those which the +law specially declares them capable of exercising. Widows and +unmarried women of age may bind themselves as sureties or +indorsers for other persons, in the same manner and with the same +validity as men who are of full age.</p> + +<p>Art. 81. If a father has disappeared, leaving minor children born +during his marriage, the mother shall take care of them, and +shall exercise all the rights of her husband with respect to +their education and the administration of their estate.</p> + +<p>Art. 82. If the mother contracts a second marriage, she can not +preserve her superintendence of her children, except with the +consent of a family meeting composed of the relations or friends +of the father. [Failing to call this family meeting, she forfeits +also her right to appoint a guardian at her death.]</p> + +<p>Art. 121. The wife can not appear in court without the authority +of her husband, although she may be a public merchant,<a name="FNanchor_295_295" id="FNanchor_295_295"></a><a href="#Footnote_295_295" class="fnanchor">[295]</a> or +possess her property separate from her husband.</p> + +<p>Art. 122. The wife, even when she is separate in estate from the +husband, can not alienate, grant, mortgage, acquire, either by +gratuitous or encumbered title, unless her husband concurs in the +act, or yields his consent in writing.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_686" id="Page_686">[Pg 686]</a></span></p> + +<p>Art. 126. A married woman over the age of twenty-one years, may, +by and with the authorization of her husband, and with the +sanction of the Judge, borrow money or contract debts for her +separate benefit and advantage, and to secure the same, grant +mortgages or other securities affecting her separate estate, +paraphernal or dotal.</p> + +<p>Art. 135. The wife may make her last will without the authority +of her husband.</p> + +<p>Art. 302. The following persons can not be tutors [<i>i. e.</i>, +guardians]: 1. Minors, except the father and mother. 2. Women, +except the mother or grandmother. 3. Idiots and lunatics. 4. +Those whose infirmities prevent them from managing their own +affairs. 5. Those whom the penal law declares incapable of +holding a public office, etc.</p> + +<p>Art. 1316. Married women, even if separated in property, can not +institute a suit for partition without the authorization of their +husbands or of the Judge.</p> + +<p>Art. 1480. A married woman can not make a donation <i>inter vivos</i> +[between living persons] without the concurrence or special +consent of her husband, or unless she be authorized by the Judge. +But she needs neither the consent of her husband nor any judicial +authorization to dispose by donation <i>mortis causa</i> [in prospect +of death].</p> + +<p>Art. 1591. The following persons are absolutely incapable of +being witnesses to testaments: 1. Women of what age soever. 2. +Male children who have not attained the age of sixteen years +complete. 3. Persons who are insane, deaf, dumb or blind. 4. +Persons whom the criminal laws declare incapable of exercising +civil functions.</p> + +<p>Art. 1664. A married woman can not accept a testamentary +executorship without the consent of her husband. If there is +between them a separation of property, she may accept it with the +consent of her husband, or, on his refusal, she may be authorized +by the courts.</p> + +<p>Art. 1782. All persons have the capacity to contract, except +those whose incapacity is specially declared by law—these are +married women, those of insane mind, those who are interdicted, +and minors.</p> + +<p>Art. 2335. The separate property of the wife is divided into +dotal and extradotal. Dotal property is that which the wife +brings to the husband to assist him in bearing the expenses of +the marriage establishment. Extradotal property, otherwise called +paraphernal property, is that which forms no part of the dowry.</p> + +<p>Art. 2338. Whatever in the marriage contract is declared to +belong to the wife, or to be given to her on account of the +marriage by other persons than the husband, is part of the dowry, +unless there be a stipulation to the contrary.</p> + +<p>Art. 2347. The dowry is given to the husband, for him to enjoy +the same as long as the marriage shall last.</p> + +<p>Art. 2349. The income or proceeds of the dowry belong to the +husband, and are intended to help him support the charges of the +marriage, such as the maintenance of the husband and wife, that +of their children, and other expenses which he may deem proper.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_687" id="Page_687">[Pg 687]</a></span></p> + +<p>Art. 2350. The husband alone has the administration of the dowry, +and his wife can not deprive him of it; he may act alone in a +court of justice for the preservation or recovery of the dowry, +against such as either owe or detain the same, but this does not +prevent the wife from remaining the owner of the effects which +she brought as her dowry.</p> + +<p>Art. 2358. The wife may, with the authorization of her husband, +or, on his refusal, with the authorization of the Judge, give her +dotal effects for the establishment of the children she may have +had by a former marriage.</p></blockquote> + +<p>All accumulations after marriage, except by inheritance, here as in +all States, are the property of the husband. Any wages the wife may +earn, the very clothes she wears, belong entirely to him.</p> + +<p>The laws of inheritance of separate property are practically the same +for widow and widower.</p> + +<p>The father is the legal guardian of the persons and property of minor +children. Until 1888 the custody of children while a divorce suit was +pending was given to the father, but now this is granted to the +mother. The final guardianship is awarded by the Judge to the one who +succeeds in obtaining the divorce.</p> + +<p>Before 1896 no "age of protection" for girls was named in the +statutes, but the penalty for rape was death. In this year, the Arena +Club of New Orleans, a socio-economic society of women, secured a law +fixing the age at 16 years. The penalty was changed to imprisonment, +with or without labor, for a period not exceeding five years, with no +minimum penalty named.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> Since 1898 taxpaying women have the right to vote in person +or by proxy on all questions of taxation.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> The clause in the constitution of 1879 that made women +eligible to school offices was inoperative on account of some +technicality, which in 1894 Mrs. Helen Behrens, a member of the Portia +Club, succeeded in having removed. In 1896 Mrs. Evelyn W. Ordway, as +chairman of a committee from the Era Club, presented a petition to the +City Council signed by all of the editors and many other +representative men of New Orleans, asking for the appointment of a +woman to an existing vacancy on the school board, but this was +refused. No women ever were appointed to such positions except in a +few country districts.</p> + +<p>The office of State librarian had been held by a number of women +previous to 1898. The Constitutional Convention of that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_688" id="Page_688">[Pg 688]</a></span> year, +however, which gave the taxpayer's suffrage to women, swept away every +vestige of their right to hold any office by adopting a clause +declaring that only qualified voters should be eligible to office. +Under this ruling women can not serve as notaries public.</p> + +<p>There are no women on the boards of any public institutions in the +State and none has a woman physician.</p> + +<p>Four police matrons are employed by New Orleans, one for the parish +prison, one for the police jail and two for station houses.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> No profession or occupation is legally forbidden to +women.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> The State University at Baton Rouge is one of three in the +United States which do not admit women to any department. Tulane, in +New Orleans, the largest university in Louisiana, admits women to +post-graduate work and to the Departments of Law and Pharmacy, but the +Medical Department is still closed to them. The H. Sophie Newcomb +Memorial College for Girls is a part of Tulane University. It was +endowed by Mrs. Josephine Louise Newcomb with $2,500,000 in memory of +her daughter. At her death she left to it the remainder of her estate, +valued at $1,500,000.</p> + +<p>New Orleans University (white) and Leland University (colored) are +co-educational. Most of the other colleges in the State are open to +women.</p> + +<p>In the public schools there are 1,991 men and 2,166 women teachers. +The average monthly salary of the men is $37; of the women, $29.70.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_290_290" id="Footnote_290_290"></a><a href="#FNanchor_290_290"><span class="label">[290]</span></a> The History is indebted for the material for this +chapter to Miss Kate M. Gordon, president of the Era Club, Mrs. Evelyn +W. Ordway and Mrs. Martha Gould, all of New Orleans.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_291_291" id="Footnote_291_291"></a><a href="#FNanchor_291_291"><span class="label">[291]</span></a> Other presidents: Mrs. Elizabeth Lyle Saxon, Mrs. +Evelyn W. Ordway, Miss Florence Huberwald, Mrs. Helen Behrens.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_292_292" id="Footnote_292_292"></a><a href="#FNanchor_292_292"><span class="label">[292]</span></a> The clever reader between the lines will see that E. R. +A.—Equal Rights Association—is concealed in this innocent appearing +word.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_293_293" id="Footnote_293_293"></a><a href="#FNanchor_293_293"><span class="label">[293]</span></a> Miss Kate M. Gordon herself obtained and voted 300 +proxies. After the election the Business Men's Association of New +Orleans presented her with a gold medal. [Eds.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_294_294" id="Footnote_294_294"></a><a href="#FNanchor_294_294"><span class="label">[294]</span></a> So determined were the politicians to have this board +elected, instead of appointed, in order that they might get control of +the $42,000,000 fund, that a bill for this purpose was passed by the +Legislature of 1902 and signed by Gov. William W. Heard. The matter +will be carried to the Supreme Court.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_295_295" id="Footnote_295_295"></a><a href="#FNanchor_295_295"><span class="label">[295]</span></a> Certain legal processes are necessary before a woman +can engage in business on her own account.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_689" id="Page_689">[Pg 689]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLIII" id="CHAPTER_XLIII"></a>CHAPTER XLIII.</h2> + +<h3>MAINE.<a name="FNanchor_296_296" id="FNanchor_296_296"></a><a href="#Footnote_296_296" class="fnanchor">[296]</a></h3> + + +<p>The Maine Woman Suffrage Association entered upon its career in 1873, +flourished until 1876 and then ceased active work, which was not +resumed until 1885. In September of that year, a convention was called +in co-operation with the New England W. S. A., which resulted in the +reorganization of the society. The Rev. Henry Blanchard, D. D., pastor +of the First Universalist Church at Portland, was elected president, +continuing in that capacity until 1891. During these six years of +unremitting service, twelve public meetings (with occasional executive +sessions) are recorded, all of which were held in Portland and +addressed by the best speakers on suffrage, including Mrs. Lucy Stone, +Henry B. Blackwell, the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, Mrs. Julia Ward Howe +and Mrs. Mary A. Livermore.</p> + +<p>In 1891 Dr. Blanchard resigned and Mrs. Hannah J. Bailey was elected +president, as she said, "because it was thought best to have a woman +at the head of the organization in order to confute the argument, then +often advanced by the legislators, that women do not want the ballot." +Mrs. Bailey's term of office expired in 1897, by her own request. In +the six years of her leadership, six public conventions took place, +all in Portland. The business of the association having been +systematically arranged, a large amount of work was done in the +executive meetings which occurred frequently.</p> + +<p>In 1892 a local club was organized in Portland, and this, as a live +and aggressive force, has been of incalculable benefit to the cause. +Other clubs were formed in this administration at Saco, Waterville and +Hampden. The last owes its existence to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_690" id="Page_690">[Pg 690]</a></span> efforts of Mrs. Jane H. +Spofford, formerly of Washington, D. C., and for many years treasurer +of the National Association.</p> + +<p>In 1897 the present incumbent, Mrs. Lucy Hobart Day, was chosen State +president. During the past three years there have been three annual +conventions held respectively at Hampden, Waterville and Portland, +with one semi-annual conference at Saco. Miss Susan B. Anthony, +president of the National Association, was present at the first of +these and afterwards addressed a public meeting in Portland.</p> + +<p>In addition to these conventions, in May, 1900, a series of public +meetings in the interest of further organization was held at Old +Orchard, Saco, Waterville, Hampden, Winthrop, Monmouth, Cornish and +Portland, arranged by the president and addressed by Miss Diana +Hirschler, a practicing lawyer of Boston.</p> + +<p>The second week of August, 1900, was celebrated in Maine as "Old Home +Week," and from the 7th to the 11th the State association kept "open +house" in Portland to old and new friends alike. The register shows a +record of 232 names, with fourteen States represented, from California +to Maine.</p> + +<p>On August 24, the association again made a new departure by holding a +Suffrage Day at Ocean Park, Old Orchard, this being the first time +Maine suffragists had appeared on the regular platform of any summer +assembly in the State. The national president, Mrs. Carrie Chapman +Catt, was in attendance and the day was a memorable one.</p> + +<p>Since 1898 the press department has taken on new life under the +management of Mrs. Sarah G. Crosby, and has grown from a circulation +of six to eighty newspapers containing suffrage matter.</p> + +<p>New clubs have been formed at Old Orchard and Skowhegan. A regular +system of bi-monthly meetings of the executive committee has been +instituted, the business there transacted being reported to the +various clubs, thus keeping the mother in touch with her +children.<a name="FNanchor_297_297" id="FNanchor_297_297"></a><a href="#Footnote_297_297" class="fnanchor">[297]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_691" id="Page_691">[Pg 691]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action and Laws:</span> There have been several hearings before +legislative committees in the interest of a reformatory prison for +women, together with repeated petitions for a matron of the State +prison, so far with negative results.</p> + +<p>In all changes of laws in favor of women much work has been done by +themselves. They have been instrumental also in securing the passage +of laws against obscene literature, cigarettes and immoral kinetoscope +exhibitions. They have opposed and prevented the appointment of a +conspicuously immoral man as Judge; have prevented the pardon of +notoriously vile women in some marked cases, and have secured police +matrons in several of the large cities, also matrons of almshouses.</p> + +<p>In 1887 a petition was presented to the Legislature asking for a +constitutional amendment in favor of woman suffrage. "The significant +vote" was upon the third reading of the bill, when it was ordered to +be engrossed by 15 yeas, 13 nays in the Senate, and 67 yeas, 47 nays +in the House; but as a two-thirds vote was necessary it failed to +pass.</p> + +<p>In 1889 the vote on a bill granting Municipal Suffrage to women stood +42 yeas, 91 nays in the House; 18 yeas, 8 nays in the Senate.</p> + +<p>In 1891 the Judiciary Committee reported "ought not to pass" on the +bill to confer Municipal Suffrage on women, to which the House voted +to adhere, the Senate concurring.</p> + +<p>In 1893 it was moved in the House to substitute the favorable minority +report for the majority report on the Municipal Suffrage Bill. This +motion was lost by 54 yeas, 63 nays. The Senate non-concurred with the +House and accepted the minority report by 16 yeas, 13 nays.</p> + +<p>In the campaign of 1895 an exceedingly active canvass for Municipal +Suffrage was made by the use of petitions. These were circulated by +the State Association and the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, over +9,000 names being sent to the Legislature. At the hearing before the +Judiciary Committee every county in the State was represented, and the +hall was crowded to its utmost capacity. The committee reported in +favor, and their report was accepted in the House by 79 yeas, 54 +nays.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_692" id="Page_692">[Pg 692]</a></span> The Senate refused to concur in the action of the House by 11 +yeas, 15 nays.</p> + +<p>In 1897 the petitions for Municipal Suffrage were placed on file, the +House and Senate concurring in this action.</p> + +<p>In 1899 a bill was presented asking "exemption from taxation for the +taxpaying women of Maine," on the ground that "taxation without +representation is tyranny." The Committee on Taxation granted a +hearing and reported "leave to withdraw," which report was accepted in +the House, the Senate concurring.</p> + +<p>Dower and curtesy were abolished in 1895. If there is no will the +interest of the husband or wife in the real estate of the other is the +same; if there is issue of the marriage living, one-third absolutely; +if no such issue, then one-half; if there is neither issue nor +kindred, then the whole of it. The same provisions of law hold +regarding the personal estate of each. Both a wife and a husband have +the right to claim their statutory share in the estate of the other in +preference to any provision that may have been made by a will, +provided that such an election is made within a period of six months. +The widow is entitled to occupy the home for ninety days after the +husband's death, and to have support for that length of time. He is +accorded the same privileges and the presence of a will does not +change the case. A more liberal allowance than formerly is granted to +the family from an insolvent estate.</p> + +<p>In the presence of two witnesses, before marriage, the man and the +woman may determine what rights each shall have in the other's estate +during marriage and after its dissolution by death, and may bar each +other of all rights in their respective estates not then secured to +them.</p> + +<p>A married woman may acquire and hold real and personal property in her +own right, and convey the same without joinder of her husband. He has +the same legal privilege. The wife may control her own earnings, and +carry on business, and the profits are her sole and separate property.</p> + +<p>She can prosecute and defend suits in her own name both in contract +and in tort, and the wages of the wife and minor children are exempt +from attachment in suits against the husband.</p> + +<p>Dower, alimony and other provisions for the wife are made in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_693" id="Page_693">[Pg 693]</a></span> case of +divorce for the husband's fault, and a law of 1895 compels the husband +to support his family or contribute thereto (provided the separation +was not the fault of the wife) and the Supreme Judicial Court may +enforce obedience.</p> + +<p>Maine is one of the few States in the Union where fathers and mothers +have equal guardianship of their children. (1895.)</p> + +<p>In 1887 the "age of protection" for girls was raised from 10 to 13 +years. In 1889 it was advanced to 14 years, providing unqualified +protection, with penalty of imprisonment for life or for a term of +years. In 1897 an act was passed providing a "qualified" protection +for girls between 14 and 16—that is, protection from men over +twenty-one years of age.</p> + +<p>Some of the above laws have originated with the legislators +themselves. Others have been asked for by the women of the State, +through the medium of the W. S. A., the W. C. T. U. and the Woman's +Council; but in the various organizations it has been those who are +suffragists that have carried these measures to a successful +issue.<a name="FNanchor_298_298" id="FNanchor_298_298"></a><a href="#Footnote_298_298" class="fnanchor">[298]</a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> Women have no form of suffrage.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> At the present time women are filling offices, +elective and appointive, as follows: School superintendents, 69; +school supervisor, one; school committee, 112; public librarians, 40; +trustee of State insane asylum, one; physician on board of same, one; +matron of same, one; supervisor female wards of same, one; police +matrons, 2; visiting committee of State Reform School, one; trustees +of Westbrook Seminary, 3; Stenographic commissioners, 4; trustees of +Girls' State Industrial School, 2; principal of same, one; matrons of +same, 3.</p> + +<p>There are fifteen women justices of the peace, with authority to +administer oaths and solemnize marriages.</p> + +<p>Women are eligible also as deputy town clerk and register of probate. +They can not serve as notaries public.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> As early as 1884 Maine had women lawyers, ministers, +physicians, authors and farmers. No occupation is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_694" id="Page_694">[Pg 694]</a></span> forbidden them by +law, and they are found in all departments of work. Since 1887 the +working day for women and children is limited to ten hours.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> The educational advantages accorded to women are equal to +those of men. Bates College, Colby College and the State University, +including the Agricultural Department, were opened to them before +1884. Bowdoin College alone does not admit women.</p> + +<p>There are in the public schools 1,020 men and 5,427 women teachers. +The average monthly salary of the men is $35; of the women, $27.20.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>During the past ten years the literary club movement has done an +immense amount of educational work, and Maine was the first State to +federate. In 1899 the federation instituted a system of traveling +libraries, which has become a great power for good in the rural +districts, and several clubs circulate libraries of their own. It also +has secured minor bills on educational matters.</p> + +<p>In 1893 two important institutions were established—the Home for +Friendless Girls, in Belfast, and the Home for Friendless Boys, in +Portland. There are also other homes for children.</p> + +<p>In 1894 the Invalids' Home (now the Mary Brown Home, in honor of its +founder) was incorporated. Any woman in Portland of good character may +be admitted to it for $3 a week.</p> + +<p>All of the above were organized by women, and are managed by them.</p> + +<p>This in brief is the history of woman's progress in the Pine Tree +State since 1884.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_296_296" id="Footnote_296_296"></a><a href="#FNanchor_296_296"><span class="label">[296]</span></a> The History is indebted for this chapter to Mrs. Lucy +Hobart Day of Portland, president of the State Suffrage Association, +whose work is done under the motto, "In order to establish justice."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_297_297" id="Footnote_297_297"></a><a href="#FNanchor_297_297"><span class="label">[297]</span></a> State officers for 1900: President, Mrs. Lucy Hobart +Day; vice-president-at-large, Mrs. S. J. L. O'Brion; vice-president, +Mrs. Sarah Fairfield Hamilton; corresponding secretary, Miss Anne +Burgess; recording secretary, Miss Lillia Floyd Donnell; treasurer, +Dr. Emily N. Titus; auditor, Miss Eliza C. Tappan; superintendent +press work, Miss Vetta Merrill. +</p><p> +Among others who have served are Mesdames Lillian M. N. Stevens, Etta +Haley Osgood, Winnifred Fuller Nelson and Helen Coffin Beedy; Miss +Louise Titcomb and Dr. Jane Lord Hersom.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_298_298" id="Footnote_298_298"></a><a href="#FNanchor_298_298"><span class="label">[298]</span></a> Among those who have been instrumental in securing +better legislation for the women of the State may be mentioned the +Hon. Thomas Brackett Reed, Judge Joseph W. Symonds, Franklin Payson; +ex-Governors Joseph Bodwell, Frederick Robie, Henry B. Cleaves and +Llewellyn Powers; Mesdames Augusta Merrill Hunt, Margaret T. W. +Merrill and Ann Frances Greeley; Dr. Abby Mary Fulton and the Misses +Cornelia M. Dow, Charlotte Thomas and Elizabeth Upham Yates.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_695" id="Page_695">[Pg 695]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLIV" id="CHAPTER_XLIV"></a>CHAPTER XLIV.</h2> + +<h3>MARYLAND.<a name="FNanchor_299_299" id="FNanchor_299_299"></a><a href="#Footnote_299_299" class="fnanchor">[299]</a></h3> + + +<p>If but one State in the Union allowed woman to represent herself it +should be Maryland, which was named for a woman, whose capital was +named for a woman, and where in 1647 Mistress Margaret Brent, the +first woman suffragist in America, demanded "place and voyce" in the +Assembly as the executor and representative of her kinsman, Lord +Baltimore. Her petition was denied but she must have had some gallant +supporters, as the archives record that the question of her admission +was hotly debated for hours. After the signal defeat of Mistress +Brent, there seems to have been no demand for the ballot on the part +of Maryland women for about 225 years.<a name="FNanchor_300_300" id="FNanchor_300_300"></a><a href="#Footnote_300_300" class="fnanchor">[300]</a></p> + +<p>In 1870 and '71 Miss Susan B. Anthony, Mrs. Lucy Stone and Mrs. Julia +Ward Howe lectured in Baltimore and there was some slight agitation of +the subject.</p> + +<p>Immediately following the national suffrage convention of 1883, in +Washington, Miss Phœbe W. Couzins of Missouri addressed a large and +enthusiastic audience at Sandy Spring. Soon afterwards Madame Clara +Neymann of New York spoke in the same place and was cordially +received. She and Mrs. Caroline Hallowell Miller were invited about +this time to make addresses at Rockville. Mrs. Miller also spoke on +the rights and wrongs of women at the Sandy Spring Lyceum.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_696" id="Page_696">[Pg 696]</a></span></p> + +<p>In 1889 Mrs. Miller invited some of her acquaintances to meet at her +home in Sandy Spring to form a suffrage association. Thirteen men and +women became members, all but one of whom belonged to the Society of +Friends.<a name="FNanchor_301_301" id="FNanchor_301_301"></a><a href="#Footnote_301_301" class="fnanchor">[301]</a> This year Maryland was represented for the first time at +the national suffrage convention by a delegate, Mrs. Sarah T. Miller. +She is now superintendent of franchise in the State Woman's Christian +Temperance Union, this department having been adopted in 1893.</p> + +<p>Annual State conventions have been held since 1889 and about 300 +different members have been enrolled. The membership includes many +men; one public meeting was addressed by a father and daughter, and a +mother and son. The officers for 1900 are: President, Mary Bentley +Thomas; vice-president, Pauline W. Holme; corresponding secretary, +Annie R. Lamb; recording secretary, Margaret Smythe Clarke; treasurer, +Mary E. Moore; member national executive committee, Emma J. M. Funck.</p> + +<p>The first to organize a suffrage club in Baltimore was Mrs. Sarah H. +Tudor. It has now a flourishing society and many open meetings have +been held with large and interested audiences.</p> + +<p>In 1896 six members of the W. C. T. U. of Baltimore went before the +registrars and demanded that their names should be placed on the +polling books. Mrs. Thomas J. Boram, whose husband was one of the +registrars, was spokeswoman and claimed their right to vote under the +Constitution of the United States. She made a strong argument in the +name of taxpaying women and of mothers but was told that the State +constitution limited the suffrage to males. The other ladies were Dr. +Emily G. Peterson, Miss Annie M. V. Davenport, Mrs. Jane H. Rupp, Mrs. +C. Rupp and Mrs. Amanda Peterman.</p> + +<p>Among the outside speakers who have come into the State at different +times are the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, vice-president-at-large of the +National Association, Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, chairman of the +national organization committee, Mrs. Mary C. C. Bradford of Colorado, +Miss Elizabeth Upham Yates of Maine, the Rev. Henrietta G. Moore of +Ohio, Mrs. Annie L. Diggs and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_697" id="Page_697">[Pg 697]</a></span> Miss Laura A. Gregg of Kansas, Miss +Helen Morris Lewis of North Carolina, Mrs. Ruth B. Havens of +Washington, D. C., and Mrs. Catharine Waugh McCulloch of Chicago.</p> + +<p>One of the first and most efficient of the workers is Mrs. Caroline +Hallowell Miller, who has represented her State for many years at the +national conventions and pleased the audiences with her humorous but +strong addresses. Her husband, Francis Miller, a prominent lawyer, was +one of the very few men in the State who advocated suffrage for women +as early as 1874, when he made an appeal for the enfranchisement of +the women of the District of Columbia before the House Judiciary +Committee.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action and Laws:</span> The constitution of Maryland opens as +follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The right of the people to participate in the Legislature is the +best security of liberty and the foundation of all free +government; for this purpose, elections ought to be free and +frequent; and every male (!) citizen having the qualifications +prescribed by the constitution ought to have the right of +suffrage.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The Legislature has been petitioned to grant full suffrage to women; +to raise the "age of protection" for girls, and to refrain from giving +State aid to institutions of learning which do not admit women +students on equal terms with men.</p> + +<p>The Legislature of 1900 took a remarkably progressive step. An act +authorizing the city of Annapolis to submit to the voters the question +of issuing bonds to the amount of $121,000, to pay off the floating +indebtedness and provide a fund for permanent improvements, contained +a paragraph entitling women to vote.</p> + +<p>This bill was introduced in the Senate January 25, by Elijah Williams +and was referred to the Committee on Finance. On January 31, Austin L. +Crothers reported it favorably. On February 1, at the motion of +Senator Williams, the bill was recommitted and on the 15th Senator +Crothers again reported it favorably. On the 19th it was passed by the +Senate unanimously.</p> + +<p>The Senate Bill was presented to the House of Delegates February 20, +and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. On the 28th, +Ferdinand C. Latrobe (who had been mayor of Baltimore four or five +times) reported the bill favorably. On March 23 it was passed by the +House, 69 yeas, one nay, the negative vote being cast by Patrick E. +Finzel of Garrett County.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_698" id="Page_698">[Pg 698]</a></span></p> + +<p>It is a common practice of the General Assembly to pass laws +applicable only to one county or portion of a county, or to one +municipality or to one special occasion, as in this instance.</p> + +<p>As this law was a decided innovation in a very conservative community, +naturally the number of women availing themselves of it for the first +time was not large, and it hardly seemed worth a special Act of the +Legislature, except as a progressive step. The Baltimore <i>Sun</i> of May +14 said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Women voted in Annapolis to-day under the law permitting property +owners to say if $121,000 bonds shall be issued for street and +other improvements. The novelty of their presence did not disturb +the serenity of the polling-room or unnerve the ladies who were +exercising their right to vote for the first time. They were +calm, direct and as unruffled as though it were the usual order +of things. Those who voted are of the highest social standing. +They received the utmost courtesy at the polls and voted without +any embarrassment whatever.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Numerous changes in the statutes have been made during the past twelve +years, modifying the discriminations against married women under the +old Common Law.</p> + +<p>In 1888 it was enacted that a wife might bring action for slander in +her own name and defend her own character.</p> + +<p>The last of these improved laws went into effect in 1898, when the +inheritance of property was made the same for widow and widower. +Absolute control of her own estate was vested in the wife. Power was +given her to make contracts and bring suit, and she alone was to be +liable for her own actions.</p> + +<p>Inequalities still exist, however, in regard to divorce and +guardianship of children. The fifth ground for absolute divorce is as +follows: "Where the woman before marriage has been guilty of illicit +carnal intercourse with another man, the same being unknown to the +husband at the time of marriage." A similar act on the part of the +husband prior to the marriage does not entitle the wife to a divorce.</p> + +<p>The father has complete control of the minor children and may appoint +a guardian by will. If he die without doing so the mother becomes +their natural guardian, but her control over a daughter terminates at +eighteen years of age while the father's continues to twenty-one. This +power of appointing a testamentary<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_699" id="Page_699">[Pg 699]</a></span> guardian was created by an act of +Charles II, and adopted as a part of the laws of Maryland. It gives +the father power, by deed or will, to dispose of the custody and +tuition of his infant children up to the age of twenty-one, or until +the marriage of the daughters. It gives him custody of their persons +and all their real and personal estate, not only such as comes from +his family, but all they may acquire of any person soever, even from +the family of the mother. The guardian is placed <i>in loco parentis</i> +and his rights are generally regarded as paramount.</p> + +<p>For non-support of the family the husband may be fined $100 or +imprisoned in the House of Correction not exceeding one year, or both, +at discretion of the court. (1896.)</p> + +<p>Wife-beaters are punished by flogging or imprisonment.</p> + +<p>In 1899 women succeeded in having the "age of protection" for girls +raised from 14 to 16 years, with penalty ranging from death to +imprisonment in the penitentiary for eighteen months.</p> + +<p>Employers are compelled to provide seats for female employes. Children +under twelve can not work in factories. Women or girls may not be +employed as waiters in any place of amusement.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> Women have no form of suffrage.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> The State librarian is a woman, who has filled the +position most satisfactorily for a number of years and through her +care valuable documents relating to colonial times have been saved +from destruction and classified. A leading paper of Baltimore said +that these had been allowed to remain in the cellar of the State House +for years, and would have been ruined but for the new system of public +housekeeping inaugurated by the womanly element.</p> + +<p>Women physicians have been placed in charge of women patients at one +State insane asylum.</p> + +<p>Police matrons are employed at all the station houses in Baltimore. +During the past two years women have been placed on its jail boards +and on the boards of most of its charitable and reformatory +institutions. By the recommendation of two mayors they have been put +on the school board. They have applied for positions on the +street-cleaning board but without success.</p> + +<p>Women are doing efficient work on the jail and almshouse boards of +Harford County and the school boards of Montgomery.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_700" id="Page_700">[Pg 700]</a></span></p> + +<p>Women serve as notaries public.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> In 1901 Miss Etta Maddox, a graduate of the Baltimore +College of Law, was refused admission to the bar and carried her case +to the Supreme Court. It was argued before the full bench and the +opinion rendered by Justice C. J. McSherry, November 21. Her petition +was denied on the ground that the act providing for admission to the +bar uses the masculine pronouns. In this decision the general +proposition was affirmed that "women are excluded from all occupations +which were denied them by the English common law, except when the +disability has been removed by express statutory enactment."<a name="FNanchor_302_302" id="FNanchor_302_302"></a><a href="#Footnote_302_302" class="fnanchor">[302]</a> It +is believed that this opinion makes it illegal for women to serve as +notaries public, and as a number have been serving for several years, +three in Baltimore, the situation promises to be very serious, many +deeds, etc., having been acknowledged before them.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> Through the leadership of Miss Mary E. Garrett and Dr. M. +Carey Thomas, president of Bryn Mawr College, assisted by Miss Mary +Gwinn and Miss Elizabeth King (now Mrs. William Ellicott), committees +of prominent women were organized in various States for raising a fund +to open a Medical Department in Johns Hopkins University which should +be co-educational. The trustees required an endowment of $500,000. The +committees raised $200,000 and Miss Garrett herself added the +remaining $300,000. In 1893 this Medical College, which is not +outranked in the country, was dedicated alike to men and women with +absolutely no distinction in their privileges. Women are not admitted +to any other department of Johns Hopkins.</p> + +<p>Of the nine other colleges and universities two are open to women, and +the Woman's College of Baltimore, which receives State aid, is for +them alone. They may be graduated from the Baltimore Colleges of Law +and of Dentistry. The State Colleges of Agriculture, of Medicine and +of Law are closed to them. The State Normal Schools admit both sexes +on equal terms.</p> + +<p>There are 1,162 men and 3,965 women teachers in the public schools. It +is impossible to obtain the average monthly salaries.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_299_299" id="Footnote_299_299"></a><a href="#FNanchor_299_299"><span class="label">[299]</span></a> The History is indebted for this chapter to Mrs. Mary +Bentley Thomas of Ednor, who for the last nine years has been +president of the State Suffrage Association.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_300_300" id="Footnote_300_300"></a><a href="#FNanchor_300_300"><span class="label">[300]</span></a> Miss Mary Catherine Goddard conducted the Baltimore +post-office and also the only newspaper in the city, the <i>Maryland +Journal and Commercial Advertiser</i>, through all the trying times of +the Revolutionary War. On July 12, 1775, she published a detailed +account of the battle of Bunker Hill, which had occurred on June 17, +and the Declaration of the Continental Congress giving the causes and +necessity for taking up arms. The first official publication of the +Declaration of Independence, with the signers' names attached, was +entrusted by Congress, at that time sitting in Baltimore, to Miss +Goddard. +</p><p> +She remained in control of her paper for ten years. In 1779 she made +an appeal through its columns for the destitute families of the +American soldiers, and by her efforts $25,000 were raised for their +needs.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_301_301" id="Footnote_301_301"></a><a href="#FNanchor_301_301"><span class="label">[301]</span></a> The charter members were Caroline H., Margaret E., +Sarah T., Rebecca T. and George B. Miller, Margaret B. and Mary +Magruder, Ellen and Martha T. Farquhar, James P. and Jessie B. Stablu, +Hannah B. Brooke and Mary E. Moore. At the second meeting a number of +others became members, including the writer of this chapter.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_302_302" id="Footnote_302_302"></a><a href="#FNanchor_302_302"><span class="label">[302]</span></a> State Senator Jacob M. Moses presented a bill in the +Legislature of 1902 to permit women to practice law, which passed, was +signed by the Governor and Miss Maddox was admitted to the bar.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_701" id="Page_701">[Pg 701]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLV" id="CHAPTER_XLV"></a>CHAPTER XLV.</h2> + +<h3>MASSACHUSETTS.<a name="FNanchor_303_303" id="FNanchor_303_303"></a><a href="#Footnote_303_303" class="fnanchor">[303]</a></h3> + + +<p>The first suffrage convention ever held which assumed a national +character by inviting representatives from other States took place in +Worcester, Mass., Oct. 23, 24, 1850.<a name="FNanchor_304_304" id="FNanchor_304_304"></a><a href="#Footnote_304_304" class="fnanchor">[304]</a></p> + +<p>The New England Woman Suffrage Association was formed at Boston in +November, 1868, with Mrs. Julia Ward Howe as president; and the +Massachusetts Association was organized in the same city Jan. 28, +1870, of which also Mrs. Howe was elected president. In 1871 Henry B. +Blackwell, editor of the <i>Woman's Journal</i>, was made corresponding +secretary of both associations and has filled the office of the latter +continuously, of the former twenty-two years.</p> + +<p>From those years until the present each of these bodies has held an +annual meeting in Boston and they have almost invariably been +addressed by men and women of State, of national and of international +reputation. They have met in various churches and halls, but of late +years the historic old Faneuil Hall has been selected. The State +association meets in the winter and the New England association during +Anniversary Week in May, when there are business sessions with reports +from the various States, public meetings and a great festival or +banquet. The last is attended by hundreds of people, all the tickets +are frequently sold weeks in advance, and with its prominent +after-dinner speakers it has long been an attractive feature.<a name="FNanchor_305_305" id="FNanchor_305_305"></a><a href="#Footnote_305_305" class="fnanchor">[305]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_702" id="Page_702">[Pg 702]</a></span></p> + +<p>The annual meeting of 1884 was held January 22, 23, presided over by +William I. Bowditch, who had succeeded the Rev. Dr. James Freeman +Clarke as president in 1878. A number of fine addresses were given and +the official board was unanimously re-elected.<a name="FNanchor_306_306" id="FNanchor_306_306"></a><a href="#Footnote_306_306" class="fnanchor">[306]</a> Mr. Bowditch's +opening address was afterwards widely circulated as a tract, The +Forgotten Woman in Massachusetts.</p> + +<p>It was voted that a fund should be raised to organize local suffrage +associations or leagues throughout the State, and that, as soon as +$2,500 was in hand, an agent should be put in the field. Mr. Bowditch, +Miss Louisa M. Alcott, John L. Whiting and Henry H. Faxon each +subscribed $100 on the spot; $800 was raised at the meeting and more +than $2,500 within four months.</p> + +<p>This year, in the death of Wendell Phillips, the cause of equal rights +lost one of its earliest and noblest supporters. On February 28 an +impressive memorial service was held in Boston. Mrs. Howe presided and +the other speakers were William Lloyd Garrison, Theodore D. Weld, +Judge Thomas Russell, Mrs. Ednah D. Cheney, Elizur Wright, the Rev. +Samuel May, George W. Lowther, Mrs. Lucy Stone and Mr. Blackwell. John +Boyle O'Reilly and William P. Liscomb read memorial poems.</p> + +<p>Fifty-seven meetings were held this year in different parts of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_703" id="Page_703">[Pg 703]</a></span> the +State, arranged by Arthur P. Ford and Miss Cora Scott Pond. The +speakers were the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, Miss Matilda Hindman, Miss +Pond and Miss Ida M. Buxton, and at some of the meetings Lucy Stone, +Mr. Blackwell and Mrs. Adelaide A. Claflin. In addition six +conventions were held and a large number of local leagues were formed. +Suffrage sociables were given monthly in Boston. Leaflets were +printed, including Wendell Phillips' great speech at the Worcester +Convention in 1850, which were sent out by tens of thousands, and +50,000 special copies of the <i>Woman's Journal</i> were distributed +gratuitously. Mrs. H. M. Tracy Cutler was employed for a month in +Worcester to enlist interest in the churches, and Miss Pond for two +months in Boston. Letters were sent to every town, with postal cards +inclosed for reply, to find who were friends of suffrage, and to those +so found a letter was sent asking co-operation. This constitutes an +average twelve months' work for the past thirty years.</p> + +<p>The sixteenth annual meeting of the New England Association took place +May 26, 27, Lucy Stone presiding. The Rev. Minot J. Savage and Edward +M. Winston of Harvard University were among the speakers. The two +associations united as usual in the May Festival. Letters of greeting +were read from the Hons. George F. Hoar, John D. Long and John E. +Fitzgerald, Postmaster Edward S. Tobey, Col. Albert Clarke and +Chancellor William G. Eliot, of Washington University, St. Louis. The +Rev. Robert Collyer, Mr. Garrison and the Rev. Miss Shaw made +addresses.</p> + +<p>At the State convention, Jan. 27, 28, 1885, addresses were made by +Mrs. Margaret Moore of Ireland, A. S. Root of Boston University, and +the usual brilliant galaxy, while letters expressing sympathy with the +cause were read from John G. Whittier, the Rev. Samuel Longfellow, the +Rev. Samuel J. Barrows and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_704" id="Page_704">[Pg 704]</a></span> many others. An appeal to the Legislature, +written by Lucy Stone, was unanimously adopted.</p> + +<p>An Anti-Woman Suffrage Association formed in Massachusetts the +previous year, had devoted itself chiefly to securing signatures of +women to a protest against the franchise. In 1885 Mrs. Kate Gannett +Wells and her associates obtained the signatures of about 140 +influential men to a remonstrance against "any further extension of +suffrage to women," and published it as an advertisement in the Boston +<i>Herald</i> of Sunday, February 15. The list included President Eliot of +Harvard, a number of college professors, one or two literary men, +several ex-members of the Legislature, and a number of clergymen of +conservative churches; but it was made up largely of those prominent +chiefly on account of their wealth.</p> + +<p>An average of ten suffrage meetings and conventions a month were held +in various cities throughout the year. The Rev. Miss Shaw and Miss +Pond attended nearly all, and Mrs. Stone, Mr. Blackwell, Mrs. Claflin, +Mr. Garrison, Miss Eastman and Mr. Bowditch addressed some of them, +besides local speakers. Two thousand persons gathered in Tremont +Temple on the opening night of the May anniversary, Lucy Stone +presiding. Senator Hoar, Mrs. Livermore and others made short speeches +and later responded to toasts at the Festival.</p> + +<p>Mr. Blackwell presided over the State convention Jan. 26, 1886. At the +New England meeting this year Frederick Douglass delivered an oration +and spoke also at the Festival, over which Miss Eastman presided. The +association kept Miss Shaw in the field for six months and Miss Pond +throughout the year and held summer conventions in Cottage City and +Nantucket, besides ten county conventions in the fall. There were +123,014 pages of literature sent out and agents visited seventy-five +towns. A suffrage bazar was held in December with Mrs. Livermore as +president and Mrs. Howe as editor of the <i>Bazar Journal</i>. The list of +vice-presidents included Phillips Brooks and many other distinguished +persons. The brunt of the work, however, was borne by Miss Pond and +Miss Shaw, and the bazar cleared $6,000.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Howe, Mrs. Stone, Mr. Garrison, Mrs. Cheney, State Senator Elijah +A. Morse and others addressed the annual convention<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_705" id="Page_705">[Pg 705]</a></span> of 1887. +Petitions were circulated for Municipal and Presidential Suffrage and +a constitutional amendment; also for police matrons, the raising of +the age of protection for girls, improvements in the property rights +of married women, a bill enabling husbands and wives to make legal +contracts with each other, and one making women eligible to all +offices from which they are not debarred by the constitution. In March +the association gave $1,000 to the constitutional amendment campaign +in Rhode Island, and a number of the officers contributed their +services.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Howe presided at the May Festival, and among the speakers were +Mrs. Helen M. Gougar of Indiana, Mrs. J. Ellen Foster of Iowa, the +Revs. Henry Blanchard of Maine and Frederick A. Hinckley of Rhode +Island. Mr. Garrison read an original poem rejoicing over the granting +of Municipal Suffrage in Kansas. At the New England Convention which +followed, these speakers were reinforced by the Rev. Jenkyn Lloyd +Jones of Chicago. On October 19 the State Association gave a reception +to Miss Frances E. Willard, president of the National Woman's +Christian Temperance Union, at the Hotel Brunswick.</p> + +<p>In December a great bazar was held in Boston for the joint benefit of +the American Suffrage Association and various States which took part. +The gross receipts were nearly $8,000. This year the association moved +into larger offices at No. 3 Park street; held fifty-one public +meetings and four county conventions and organized twenty-one new +leagues. The <i>Woman's Journal</i> was sent for three months to all the +members of the Legislature; 378,000 pages of suffrage literature were +sold and many thousands more given away.</p> + +<p>During the annual meeting in February, 1888, a reception was given to +Mrs. Rebecca Moore, of England, at which John W. Hutchinson sang and +many bright speeches were made. At the twentieth anniversary of the +New England association, in May, Lucy Stone presided. Mrs. Laura +Ormiston Chant and Mrs. Alice Scatcherd of England, and Baroness +Gripenberg and Miss Alli Trygg of Finland, were among the speakers. +Others were Miss Clara Barton, Mrs. Isabella Beecher Hooker of +Connecticut,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_706" id="Page_706">[Pg 706]</a></span> the Hon. William Dudley Foulke and Mrs. Zerelda G. +Wallace of Indiana. At the Festival Music Hall was crowded to +overflowing and Miss Susan B. Anthony was one of the guests of honor.</p> + +<p>This year great excitement was aroused among both men and women by a +controversy over the historical text-books used in the public schools +of Boston. At the request of a priest the school board removed a +history which the Catholics regarded as unfair in its statements, and +substituted one which many Protestants considered equally unfair. The +school vote of women never had risen much above 2,000, and generally +had been below that number. This year 25,279 applied to be assessed a +poll tax and registered, and 19,490 voted, in one of the worst storms +of the season. All the Catholic candidates were defeated. The suffrage +association kept out of the controversy as a body, but its members as +individuals took sides as their personal views dictated.</p> + +<p>In 1889 Gov. Oliver Ames, for the third time, recommended women +suffrage in his inaugural, saying: "Recent political events have +confirmed the opinion I have long held, that if women have sufficient +reason to vote they will do so and become an important factor in the +settlement of great questions. If we can trust uneducated men to vote +we can with greater safety and far more propriety grant the same power +to women, who as a rule are as well educated and quite as intelligent +as men."</p> + +<p>The convention met January 29-31. Among outside speakers were Mrs. +Ellen Battelle Dietrick of Kentucky, Prof. William H. Carruth of +Kansas, and the Hon. Hamilton Willcox of New York. Col. Thomas +Wentworth Higginson presided at the May Festival and Mrs. Howe's +seventieth birthday was celebrated. Mrs. Laura M. Johns of Kansas, +Mrs. Mary Seymour Howell of New York, Mrs. Emily P. Collins of +Connecticut, and many from other States were present.</p> + +<p>An organizer was kept in the field eight months and a State lecturer +two months; summer meetings were held at Swampscott, Hull and +Nantasket. Two quarterly conferences took place in Boston between the +State officers and representatives from the eighty-nine local leagues. +A great Historical Pageant was given under Miss Pond's supervision in +May and October, which netted $1,582; the <i>Woman's Journal</i> was sent +four months to all the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_707" id="Page_707">[Pg 707]</a></span> legislators, and leaflets to all the students +of Harvard and Boston Universities; 15,000 leaflets were given to the +South Dakota campaign. The State Farmers' Institute, held at West +Brookfield, adopted a woman suffrage resolution almost unanimously.</p> + +<p>In Boston 10,051 women voted and the Catholic candidates for the +school board were again defeated. The Independent Women Voters elected +all their nominees, and candidates who had the joint nomination of +both Republicans and Democrats were defeated.</p> + +<p>Ex-Gov. John D. Long was one of the speakers at the convention of Jan. +28, 29, 1890; also Miss Elizabeth Upham Yates of Maine. In April an +evening with authors and composers was arranged, chiefly by Miss Lucia +T. Ames. Well-known authors read from their writings and musicians +contributed from their own compositions. In the same month a week's +fair called The Country Store was held, Miss Charlotte H. Allen +supervising the arrangements, with gross receipts, $2,346. The Rev. +Charles G. Ames presided at the May Festival and the Rev. Anna Garlin +Spencer of Rhode Island was one of the speakers.</p> + +<p>In July a reception was given in the suffrage parlors to the ladies of +the National Editorial Association and the members of the New England +Women's Press Association. The editors of the <i>Woman's Journal</i>—Lucy +Stone, Mr. and Miss Blackwell—and the associate editor, Mrs. Florence +M. Adkinson, received the guests, assisted by the Rev. Miss Shaw and +Miss Lucy E. Anthony. During Grand Army week in August a reception was +extended to the ladies of the Woman's Relief Corps and others, the +guests received by Mrs. Livermore, Mrs. Howe, the editors of the +<i>Journal</i> and Dr. Emily Blackwell, dean of the Women's Medical College +of the New York Infirmary for Women and Children.</p> + +<p>In October the association exhibited at the Hollis Street Theater a +series of Art Tableaux, The History of Marriage, showing the marriage +ceremonies of different ages and countries, Mrs. Livermore acting as +historian. The receipts were $1,463. The association sent literature +to the legislators, to several thousand college students and to all +the members of the Mississippi Constitutional Convention; had a booth +for two months at the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_708" id="Page_708">[Pg 708]</a></span> Mechanics' Fair in Boston; supplied suffrage +matter every week to 603 editors in all parts of the country and gave +133,334 pages of leaflets to the campaign in South Dakota. The +chairman of its executive committee, Mrs. Stone, also donated 95,000 +copies of the <i>Woman's Column</i> to the same campaign, and the +secretary, Mr. Blackwell, contributed five weeks' gratuitous service +in Dakota, lecturing for the amendment.</p> + +<p>The Boston Methodist ministers, at their Monday meeting, passed +unanimously a resolution in favor of Municipal Woman Suffrage; and a +gathering of Massachusetts farmers, at the rooms of the <i>Ploughman</i>, +did the same with only one dissenting vote, after an address by Lucy +Stone, herself a farmer's daughter.<a name="FNanchor_307_307" id="FNanchor_307_307"></a><a href="#Footnote_307_307" class="fnanchor">[307]</a></p> + +<p>The annual meeting, Jan. 27, 28, 1891, was made a celebration of the +fortieth anniversary of the First National Woman's Rights Convention, +which had been held at Worcester in October, 1850. Miss Susan B. +Anthony came on from Washington to attend. The advance of women in +different lines during the past forty years was ably reviewed in the +addresses by representative women in their respective +departments.<a name="FNanchor_308_308" id="FNanchor_308_308"></a><a href="#Footnote_308_308" class="fnanchor">[308]</a> Only two of the speakers at the convention of forty +years ago were present on this occasion, Lucy Stone and the Rev. +Antoinette Brown Blackwell; and two who had signed the Call—Colonel +Higginson and Charles K. Whipple. The resolutions were reaffirmed +which had been reported by Wendell Phillips and adopted at the +convention of 1850. At this time Mrs. Howe was elected president of +the State association.</p> + +<p>The New England meeting in May was preceded by a reception to Miss +Anthony, the Rev. Miss Shaw and Miss Florence<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_709" id="Page_709">[Pg 709]</a></span> Balgarnie of England, +all of whom made addresses at the convention and the Festival, where +ex-Governor Long presided.</p> + +<p>The meetings this year included a number of college towns and among +the speakers were Senator Hoar, Mr. Garrison, Mr. Blackwell, Mrs. +Livermore, Mrs. Howe and Mrs. Stone, with the younger women, Mrs. Anna +Christy Fall, Mrs. Adelaide A. Claflin, Miss Elizabeth Sheldon +(Tillinghast), Miss Elizabeth Deering Hanscom. At Amherst a large +gathering of students listened to Senator Hoar. President and Mrs. +Merrill E. Gates occupied seats on the platform. At South Hadley +President Elizabeth Storrs Mead of Mt. Holyoke entertained all the +speakers at the college, and at Northampton it was estimated by the +daily papers that 500 Smith College girls came to the meeting.</p> + +<p>On October 21 the association gave a reception to Theodore D. Weld in +honor of his eighty-eighth birthday. This date was the anniversary of +the famous mob of 1835, which attacked the meeting of the Boston +Female Anti-Slavery Society. Later a reception was tendered to Mrs. +Annie Besant of the London School Board. On November 17, during the +week when the W. C. T. U. held its national convention in Boston, a +reception was given in the suffrage parlors to all interested in the +Franchise Department. A special invitation was issued to White +Ribboners from the Southern States where none was yet adopted, and the +spacious rooms were filled to overflowing. Lucy Stone presided and +Julia Ward Howe gave the address of welcome. Many brief responses were +made by the Southern delegates and by Northern delegates and friends.</p> + +<p>In December a suffrage fair was held under the management of Mrs. +Dietrick, now of Boston, which netted $1,800. Senator Hoar's speech at +Amherst was sent to the students of all the colleges in the State.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_710" id="Page_710">[Pg 710]</a></span></p> + +<p>At the annual meeting Jan. 26, 27, 1892, the Rev. Joseph Cook gave an +address. Lucy Stone presided at the New England convention and Mrs. +Howe at the Festival. Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt was the speaker from a +distance. Letters were read from the Hon. Thomas B. Reed, Terence V. +Powderly and U. S. Senators Joseph M. Carey and Francis E. Warren of +Wyoming.</p> + +<p>In addition to the usual work this year $200 were offered in $5 prizes +to the children of the public schools for the best essays in favor of +woman suffrage. Mrs. Dietrick was employed for six months as State +organizer. An appeal for equal suffrage signed by Mrs. Stone, Mrs. +Howe and Mrs. Livermore was sent to editors throughout the State with +the request to publish it and to indorse it editorially, which was +done by many. A letter signed by the same was sent to every minister +in Boston asking him either to present the subject to his congregation +or permit it to be presented by some one else, and a number consented.</p> + +<p>A Woman's Day was held at the State Agricultural Fair in Worcester, +when it was estimated 70,000 people were present. Col. Daniel Needham, +president of the Fair, expressed himself as thankful for the +opportunity to welcome woman suffrage. Mrs. Rufus S. Frost, Lucy +Stone, Mrs. Livermore, Mrs. Claflin and Mr. Blackwell were the +speakers. When a vote was taken at the close, the whole audience rose +in favor of suffrage.</p> + +<p>The Independent Women Voters of Boston again elected their entire +school ticket. Miss Frances E. Willard and Mrs. Claflin addressed the +Working Girls' Clubs of the State on suffrage at their annual reunion +in Boston. The association was represented at the great farewell +reception to Lady Henry Somerset, Lucy Stone presenting her with +twenty-three yellow roses for the States with School Suffrage and one +pure white for Wyoming.</p> + +<p>This year at a special meeting the association amended the old +constitution under which it had been working since 1870, and +unanimously adopted a delegate basis of representation.</p> + +<p>The annual meeting was held Dec. 6, 7, 1892, instead of January, 1893. +Mrs. Howe presided and addresses were made by Mrs. Stone, Mrs. +Livermore, the Hon. George A. O. Ernst, Mrs. Estelle M. H. Merrill, +president of the New England Women's Press Association, and others. +Lucy Stone was elected<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_711" id="Page_711">[Pg 711]</a></span> president and superintendents were instituted +for different departments of work.</p> + +<p>At a gathering of Massachusetts farmers in Boston, Lucy Stone and Mrs. +Olive Wright of Denver, spoke for woman suffrage; the meeting declared +for it unanimously by a rising vote and every farmer present signed +the petition. The State Grange, at its annual convention, adopted a +strong suffrage resolution by 96 yeas, 27 nays. The Unitarian +Ministers' Monday Club of Boston, after an address by Mrs. Stone, did +the same, and every minister present but one signed the petition. The +Universalist Ministers' Monday meeting in Boston, at her request, +voted by a large majority to memorialize the Legislature for woman +suffrage. The Central Labor Union took similar action. The Boston +<i>Transcript</i>, <i>Globe</i>, <i>Advertiser</i>, <i>Traveller and Beacon</i>, the +Springfield <i>Republican</i>, Greenfield <i>Gazette and Courier</i>, Salem +<i>Observer</i>, Salem <i>Register</i> and many other papers supported the +Municipal Suffrage Bill which was then pending.</p> + +<p>At the May Festival of 1893 Senator Hoar presided and 900 persons sat +down to the banquet. Mrs. Laura Ormiston Chant of England, and Miss +Kirstine Frederiksen of Denmark, were the speakers from abroad. A +reception to these ladies preceded the annual meeting of the New +England Association. Mme. Marie Marshall of Paris, was added to the +above speakers, also Wendell Phillips Stafford of Vermont, Mrs. Ellen +M. Bolles of Rhode Island, and others. On June 5 a reception was given +to Mrs. Jane Cobden Unwin of London, Richard Cobden's daughter. On +July 19, by invitation of the Waltham Suffrage Club, the State +association and the local leagues united in a basket picnic at Forest +Grove. On this occasion Lucy Stone made her last public address.</p> + +<p>Woman's Day at the New England Agricultural Fair in Worcester was +observed in September with addresses by Mrs. Chant, Mrs. Livermore, +Mrs. Fanny Purdy Palmer and Mr. Blackwell, representing Lucy Stone, +who was too ill to be present. There was a very large audience. Part +of a day was also secured at the Marshfield Fair with an address by +Mrs. Katherine Lente Stevenson. A convention was held at Westfield, +October 2, when the opera house was crowded to hear Mrs. Livermore.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_712" id="Page_712">[Pg 712]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mr. Blackwell presented a resolution in favor of Municipal Suffrage +for women in the Resolutions Committee of the Republican State +Convention, October 6. It was warmly advocated by the Hon. John D. +Long, Samuel Walker McCall, M. C., Mayor Fairbanks of Quincy, and +others, and would possibly have been passed but for the strenuous +opposition of the chairman, ex-Gov. George D. Robinson, who said he +would decline to read the platform to the convention if the resolution +was adopted. It was finally lost by 4 yeas, 7 nays.</p> + +<p>On Oct. 18, 1893, occurred the death of Lucy Stone at her home in +Dorchester. She said with calm contentment, "I have done what I wanted +to do; I have helped the women." Her last whispered words to her +daughter were, "Make the world better." The funeral was held in James +Freeman Clarke's old church in Boston. Hundreds of people stood +waiting silently in the street before the doors were opened. The Rev. +Charles G. Ames said afterward that, "the services were not like a +funeral but like a solemn celebration and a coronation." The speakers +were Mr. Ames, Colonel Higginson, Mrs. Livermore, Mr. Garrison, Mrs. +Cheney, the Rev. Samuel J. Barrows, Mrs. Chant, the Rev. Anna Garlin +Spencer of Providence, Mary Grew of Philadelphia, with a poem by Mrs. +Howe. A strong impetus was given to the suffrage movement by the wide +publication in the papers of the facts of Lucy Stone's simple and +noble life, and by the universal expression of affection and regret. A +life-long opponent declared that the death of no woman in America had +ever called out so general a tribute of public respect and esteem.</p> + +<p>The State association again held its annual meeting in December. Among +the resolutions adopted was the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In the passing away of Lucy Stone, our president, the beloved +pioneer of woman suffrage, who has been, ever since 1847, its +mainstay and unfailing champion, the cause of equal rights in +this State and throughout the Union has suffered an irreparable +loss.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Her daughter closed the report of the year's work by saying: "Let all +those who held her dear show their regard for her memory in the way +that would have pleased and touched her most—by doing their best to +help forward the cause she loved so well."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Mary A. Livermore was elected president.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_713" id="Page_713">[Pg 713]</a></span></p> + +<p>On December 16 the association celebrated in Faneuil Hall the one +hundred and twentieth anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. One of the +last expressed wishes of Lucy Stone had been that the celebration +should take place in the Old South Church, but the use of this +historic building was refused by the trustees, much to the +mortification of the more liberal members of the General Committee of +the Old South. Colonel Higginson, who had presided at the centennial +celebration of the same event by the suffragists twenty years before, +again presided and made the opening address. Other speakers were Mrs. +Chapman Catt and Wendell Phillips Stafford. Mr. Garrison gave a poem +and Mr. Blackwell read the speech made by Lucy Stone at the +celebration in 1873. Letters were read from Senator Hoar, Frederick +Douglass and others. Governor-elect Frederick T. Greenhalge and Lieut. +Gov.-elect Roger Wolcott occupied seats on the platform.</p> + +<p>This year the Massachusetts W. S. A. had become incorporated. It had +sent suffrage literature to all the Episcopalian, Unitarian and +Universalist clergymen in the State, to most of the Methodist +ministers, to 1,100 public school teachers and to a large number of +college students. Its president, Lucy Stone, had sent, from her death +bed, the largest contribution to the Colorado campaign given by any +individual outside of that State. Its secretary, Mr. Blackwell, had +attended the National Convention of Republican Clubs at Louisville, +Ky., and secured the adoption of the following resolution: "We +recommend to the favorable consideration of the Republican Clubs of +the United States, as a matter of education, the question of granting +to the women of the State and nation the right to vote at all +elections on the same terms and conditions as male citizens."</p> + +<p>A thousand copies of William I. Bowditch's Taxation Without +Representation and George Pellew's Woman and the Commonwealth were +bound and presented to town and college libraries. Mayor Nathan +Matthews, Jr., of Boston appointed two women on the Board of Overseers +of the Poor, despite the strong opposition of the aldermen. He also +appointed three women members of a commission to investigate and +report to him upon the condition of public institutions. Toward the +end of the year he again appointed two women on a similar committee, +including one of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_714" id="Page_714">[Pg 714]</a></span> those who served before. The Hon. George S. Hale +said at the annual suffrage meeting, "Both ladies are admirably +qualified, and the one who acted last year is declared by all the men +who served with her to be the most valuable member of the board."</p> + +<p>Out of 622 students and professors at Wellesley College, who were +questioned as to their views on suffrage, 506 declared themselves in +favor, and 500 of them united in sending a telegram of congratulation +to the women of Colorado on the passage of the equal suffrage +amendment this year. (1893.)</p> + +<p>At the May Festival 1,000 sat down to the banquet and hundreds +occupied the balconies. Ex-Governor Long presided. One of the speakers +was Robert S. Gray, chairman of the Committee on Woman Suffrage in the +Legislature. In honor of Mrs. Howe's seventy-fifth birthday Mrs. Alice +J. Harris sang The Battle Hymn of the Republic, the audience joining +in the chorus.</p> + +<p>On June 18 delegates from many labor organizations met in Boston, in +response to a call from the Boston Workingmen's Political League, and +decided to act together at the ballot box. Their platform demanded +universal suffrage irrespective of sex.</p> + +<p>Lucy Stone mite-boxes were circulated by the association for funds to +aid the amendment campaign in Kansas. Mr. Blackwell attended the +National Convention of Republican Clubs held in Denver. On June 27 it +reiterated the woman suffrage resolution it had passed the year before +in Louisville.</p> + +<p>On July 24 Woman's Day was celebrated at the Massachusetts Chautauqua +in South Framingham, with many able speakers. On September 4 Woman's +Day was observed at the New England Agricultural Fair in Worcester. +Colonel Needham, its president, made an earnest woman suffrage address +and was followed by Mrs. Howe, Miss Yates, Mrs. Mary Sargent Hopkins +and Mr. Blackwell. In December a suffrage fair was held under the +management of Mrs. Abby M. Davis which cleared about $1,800. On the +opening night Mrs. Cheney presided and there were addresses by Lady +Henry Somerset and Miss Frances E. Willard.</p> + +<p>This year the association kept the papers supplied with suffrage +articles more thoroughly than ever before; had speakers present the +subject to thirty-one women's clubs; furnished literature to the +legislators, to 5,000 public school teachers, to all the +Congregational<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_715" id="Page_715">[Pg 715]</a></span> ministers in the State and to many of other +denominations; and sent 3,782 leaflets to college students and +graduates.</p> + +<p>Governor Greenhalge in his inaugural in 1895, said, "I hold to the +views expressed in the message of last year as to the extension of +Municipal Suffrage to women." He also referred to it favorably in an +address before the New England Women's Press Association, and at the +Parliament of Man held in Boston.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Livermore presided at the annual meeting, January 8, 9. Mrs. +Helen H. Gardiner and Representative Alfred S. Roe were among the +speakers. From this time date the Fortnightly Meetings at the suffrage +headquarters, and these have been held ever since except during the +summer vacations. They are usually well attended and seldom fail to +have some speaker of note.</p> + +<p>On May 4 Mr. Blackwell's seventieth birthday was celebrated by a +reception and dinner at Copley Square Hotel, Boston, ex-Governor Long +presiding. A newspaper said, "The guests on this occasion represented +the conscience and culture of New England." Addresses were made by +many of his co-workers,<a name="FNanchor_309_309" id="FNanchor_309_309"></a><a href="#Footnote_309_309" class="fnanchor">[309]</a> and among those who sent letters were the +Rev. Samuel May, Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Ainsworth R. Spofford, +of the Library of Congress, Ex-Governor Claflin, Mrs. J. Ellen Foster, +the Hon. James L. Hughes, president of the Equal Rights Association of +Toronto, Professor and Mrs. Carruth of Kansas University, and others. +On May 14 the golden wedding of the Rev. D. P. and Mrs. Livermore was +celebrated by a reception in the suffrage parlors. Their daughters, +son-in-law and grandchildren received with them. In accordance with +Mrs. Livermore's wish there was no speaking but a great throng of +distinguished guests, including both suffragists and "antis," were +present.</p> + +<p>At the May Anniversary a reception was given to Dr. Mary Putnam Jacobi +of New York, and Miss Elizabeth Burrill Curtis, daughter of the +staunch advocate of suffrage, George William Curtis. Mr. Blackwell +presided at the Festival in Music Hall and 700 sat down to the +banquet.</p> + +<p>Woman suffrage was indorsed by the Garment Makers' Union of Boston, +with its 400 members. This year a long list of prominent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_716" id="Page_716">[Pg 716]</a></span> persons +signed a published statement declaring themselves in favor, all the +names being collected within about a week. This remarkable list +included several hundred names, about one-third of men. So far as +personal achievement goes they were among the most prominent in the +State and included several presidents of colleges, a large number of +noted university men, public officials, lawyers, editors, etc. Among +the women were the president, dean and twenty professors of Wellesley +College; the director of the Observatory and six instructors of Smith +College, physicians, lawyers, authors, large taxpayers, and many noted +for philanthropy.<a name="FNanchor_310_310" id="FNanchor_310_310"></a><a href="#Footnote_310_310" class="fnanchor">[310]</a></p> + +<p>The association secured a Woman's Day at the New England Chautauqua +Assembly; brought the question before hundreds at parlor meetings and +public debates, outside of the many arranged by the Referendum +Committee; published six leaflets and a volume, The Legal Status of +Women in Massachusetts, by Mr. Ernst, and distributed an immense +amount of literature.</p> + +<p>Up to this time the anti-suffrage associations organized in +Massachusetts always had gone to pieces within a short period after +they were formed. But in May, 1895, the present Association Opposed to +the Further Extension of Suffrage to Women was organized, with Mrs. +James M. Codman at its head and Mrs. Charles E. Guild as secretary. +This was a society composed of women alone. Col. Higginson said in +<i>Harper's Bazar</i>:</p> + +<blockquote><p>All the ladies move in a limited though most unimpeachable +circle. All may be presumed to interchange visiting cards and +meet at the same afternoon teas. There is not even a hint that +there is any other class to be consulted. Where are the literary +women, the artists, the teachers, the business women, the +temperance women, the labor reform advocates, the members of the +farmers' grange, the clergymen's wives? Compared with this +inadequate body how comfortably varied looks the list of the +committee in behalf of woman suffrage. [Distinguished names +given.] It includes also women who are wholesomely unknown to the +world at large but well known in the granges and among the +Christian Endeavorers. Can any one doubt which list represents +the spirit of the future?</p> + +<p>The more cultivated social class—the "Four Hundred," as the +saying is—have an immense value in certain directions. They +stand for the social amenities and in many ways for the worthy +charities.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_717" id="Page_717">[Pg 717]</a></span> Generous and noble traditions attach to their names +and nowhere more than in Boston. But one thing has in all ages +and places been denied to this class—that of leadership in bold +reforms.</p></blockquote> + +<p>On November 5 the mock referendum, which had been opposed by many of +the leading suffragists, was voted on and received a large negative +majority. (See Legislative Action.)</p> + +<p>The State association held its annual convention, Jan. 14, 15, 1896, +with large audiences. It opened with a Young People's Meeting, Miss +Blackwell presiding.<a name="FNanchor_311_311" id="FNanchor_311_311"></a><a href="#Footnote_311_311" class="fnanchor">[311]</a> The Rev. Father Scully and Mrs. Fanny B. +Ames, State Factory Inspector, were among the many who gave addresses. +At the business meeting the following resolution on the mock +referendum was adopted:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, The returns show that we only need to convert twenty per +cent. of the male voters in order to have a majority; and</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, Public sentiment is growing rapidly and grows faster the +more the subject is discussed; therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That we petition the Legislature to give us a real +instead of a sham referendum, by submitting to the voters a +constitutional amendment enfranchising women.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The president, Mrs. Livermore, was made a Doctor of Laws by Tufts +College and was given a great birthday reception by her +fellow-townsmen, with addresses by Mrs. Susan S. Fessenden and Mr. +Blackwell and a poem by Hezekiah Butterworth.</p> + +<p>The May Festival also opened with a Young People's Meeting, Mrs. Howe +as "grandmother" introducing the speakers.<a name="FNanchor_312_312" id="FNanchor_312_312"></a><a href="#Footnote_312_312" class="fnanchor">[312]</a> Mr. Garrison presided +at the Festival and the speakers included Alfred Webb, M. P., of +Dublin, the Rev. Dean Hodges, of the Episcopal Theological School, +Mrs. Charlotte Perkins Stetson and Prof. Ellen Hayes of Wellesley.</p> + +<p>A series of meetings was held this year in Berkshire County. Mrs. Mary +Clarke Smith was kept in the field as State organizer for seven +months. A speaker was sent free of charge to every woman's club or +other society willing to hear the suffrage question presented; 13,000 +pages of literature were distributed. On<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_718" id="Page_718">[Pg 718]</a></span> October 27 the State Baptist +Young People's Union at its anniversary indorsed woman suffrage. In +December a rousing meeting was held in Canton, Congressman Elijah +Morse presiding, with Mrs. Livermore and Miss Yates as speakers.</p> + +<p>Among the deaths of the year was that of Frederick T. Greenhalge—the +latest of a long line of Massachusetts governors who have advocated +woman suffrage since 1870—Governors Claflin, Washburn, Talbot, +Brackett, Long, Butler and Ames.</p> + +<p>At the annual meeting, in 1897, the speakers included the Rev. George +L. Perin and Augusta Chapin, D. D. As the laws were about to be +revised and codified it was decided to ask for an equalization of +those bearing on domestic relations. The <i>Women's Journal</i> noted that +never before had so many petitions for suffrage been sent in within so +short a time. On February 16 the association gave a large and +brilliant reception at the Vendome to Miss Jane Addams of Chicago. +Col. Higginson presided, and Miss Addams, Mrs. Howe and Mrs. Livermore +spoke. On April 17 a reception was given in the suffrage parlors to +Mrs. Harriet Tubman, the colored woman so noted in anti-slavery days +for her assistance to fugitive slaves, Mrs. Ednah D. Cheney assisting.</p> + +<p>Mr. Blackwell presided at the Festival, May 27, and eloquent addresses +were made by the Rev. Dr. George C. Lorimer, Lieutenant-Governor John +L. Bates, Mrs. Florence Howe Hall and many others, while letters of +greeting were read from Lady Henry Somerset and Mrs. Millicent Garrett +Fawcett of England. It was Mrs. Howe's seventy-eighth birthday and she +was received with cheers and presented with flowers.</p> + +<p>On July 29 the annual meeting of the Berkshire Historical and +Scientific Society, held at Adams, was "a woman suffrage convention +from end to end," with Miss Susan B. Anthony as the guest of honor in +her native town. Her friends and relatives from all parts of the +country were present and addresses were made by the vice-president of +the society, the Rev. A. B. Whipple, by Miss Shaw, Mrs. Chapman Catt, +Mrs. Rachel Foster Avery, Mrs. Harriet Taylor Upton and Miss +Blackwell, officers of the National Suffrage Association, and by Mrs. +May Wright Sewall, vice-president of the International Council of +Women,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_719" id="Page_719">[Pg 719]</a></span> Mrs. Clara Bewick Colby, editor of the <i>Woman's Tribune</i> and +Mrs. Ida Husted Harper, Miss Anthony's biographer.</p> + +<p>The Prohibition State Convention in September resolved that +"educational qualifications and not sex should be the test of the +elective franchise." The next year it adopted a woman suffrage plank.</p> + +<p>In December the association held a bazar under the management of Miss +Harriet E. Turner which cleared $3,200. During the year the usual +large amount of educational work was done, which included 1,024 +suffrage articles furnished to 230 newspapers, and the holding of 176 +public meetings. The New England Historical and Genealogical Society +voted unanimously to admit women to membership. Strong efforts were +made to have the Boston school board elect several eminently qualified +women as submasters, but sex prejudice defeated them.</p> + +<p>The Anti-Suffrage Association published an anonymous pamphlet entitled +Tested by its Fruits. The Massachusetts W. S. A. published a +counter-pamphlet by Chief-Justice Groesbeck of Wyoming, who testified +that some of the laws which it represented as then in force had been +repealed many years before, and that upon some "an absurd +construction" had been placed.</p> + +<p>The convention of Jan. 26, 1898, was addressed by J. M. Robertson of +England. At the May Festival in Hotel Brunswick, the Hon. Hugh H. Lusk +of New Zealand gave an address, and the occasion was made noteworthy +by bright speeches from young women—Mrs. Helen Adelaide Shaw, Miss +Maud Wood (Park) of Radcliffe and Miss Hanscom of Boston University +and Smith College. Several members of the Legislature spoke and +reports were received from all the New England States.</p> + +<p>Woman's Day was celebrated at the Mechanics' Fair in Boston. This year +the association began to issue a monthly letter to the local leagues. +As an addition to the literature, Secretary-of-the-Navy John D. Long's +suffrage address with his portrait was issued as a handsome pamphlet. +In response to an appeal from the president, Mrs. Livermore (so well +known through the Sanitary Commission during the Civil War), $500 and +many boxes of supplies were sent to the soldiers in the +Spanish-American<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_720" id="Page_720">[Pg 720]</a></span> War, and the secretary of the State association, +Mrs. Ellie A. Hilt, literally worked herself to death in this service.</p> + +<p>The usual meetings were held in 1899 and 1900 and the same great +amount of work was done. To increase the school vote of women in 1899 +thirty-eight public meetings were held by the association, with the +result that in Boston 3,000 new names were added to the registration +list. In 1900 the association contributed liberally to the suffrage +campaign in Oregon. A large and brilliant reception was given at the +Hotel Vendome in honor of Mrs. Livermore's 80th birthday.</p> + +<p>Presidents of the State association since 1883 have been the Hon. +William I. Bowditch (1878) to 1891; Mrs. Julia Ward Howe to 1893; Mrs. +Lucy Stone elected that year but died in October; Mrs. Mary A. +Livermore, 1893 and still in office. Henry B. Blackwell has been +corresponding secretary over thirty years.<a name="FNanchor_313_313" id="FNanchor_313_313"></a><a href="#Footnote_313_313" class="fnanchor">[313]</a></p> + +<p>The first president of the New England association was Mrs. Howe. In +1877 Mrs. Lucy Stone was elected, and at her death in 1893 Mrs. Howe +was again chosen and is still serving.<a name="FNanchor_314_314" id="FNanchor_314_314"></a><a href="#Footnote_314_314" class="fnanchor">[314]</a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action:</span><a name="FNanchor_315_315" id="FNanchor_315_315"></a><a href="#Footnote_315_315" class="fnanchor">[315]</a> The first petition for the rights of women +was presented to the Legislature by William Lloyd Garrison in 1849. In +1853 Lucy Stone, Theodore Parker, Wendell Phillips and Thomas +Wentworth Higginson went before the constitutional convention held in +the State House, with a petition<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_721" id="Page_721">[Pg 721]</a></span> signed by 2,000 names, and pleaded +for an amendment conferring suffrage on women.</p> + +<p>The first appearance of a woman in this State before a legislative +committee was made in 1857, when Lucy Stone, with the Rev. James +Freeman Clarke and Mr. Phillips, addressed the House Judiciary asking +suffrage for women and equal property rights for wives. The next year +Samuel E. Sewall and Dr. Harriot K. Hunt were granted a similar +hearing. In 1869, through the efforts of the New England Suffrage +Association, two hearings were secured to present the claims of 8,000 +women who had petitioned for the franchise on the same terms as men. +This was the beginning of annual hearings on this question, which have +been continued without intermission for over thirty years. Henry B. +Blackwell has spoken at every hearing and Lucy Stone at every one +until her death.</p> + +<p><i>1884</i>—Petitions were presented for Municipal Suffrage, for the +appointment of police matrons; also for laws permitting husbands and +wives to contract with each other and make gifts directly to each +other; allowing a woman to hold any office to which she might be +elected or appointed; and requiring that a certain number of women +should be appointed on Boards of Overseers of the Poor, on State +Boards of Charities and as physicians in the women's wards of insane +asylums. Hearings were given on most of these petitions. At that of +January 25 for Municipal Suffrage the speakers were William I. +Bowditch, Mrs. Stone, Mr. Blackwell, Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, Mrs. Ednah +D. Cheney, the Rev. J. W. and Mrs. Jennie F. Bashford, Mary F. +Eastman, Mrs. H. H. Robinson, Mrs. Harriette Robinson Shattuck and +Miss Nancy Covell.</p> + +<p>On January 29 a hearing was given to the remonstrants conducted by +Thornton K. Lothrop. The speakers were Francis Parkman (whose paper +was read for him by Mr. Lothrop) Louis B. Brandeis, Mrs. Kate Gannett +Wells, William H. Sayward, Mrs. Lydia Warner and George C. Crocker. A +letter was read from Mrs. Clara T. Leonard. Mr. Parkman asserted that +the suffragists "have thrown to the wind every political, not to say +every moral principle;" that "three-fourths of the agitators<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_722" id="Page_722">[Pg 722]</a></span> are in +mutiny against Providence because it made them women;" and that "if +the ballot were granted to women it would be a burden so crushing that +life would be a misery."</p> + +<p>This year 315 petitions for suffrage with 21,608 signatures were +presented. The remonstrants who set out with the avowed intention of +getting more secured about 3,000. A number of persons who signed the +anti-suffrage petition in Boston published letters afterwards over +their own names and addresses saying that they had signed without +reading, upon the assurance of the canvasser employed by the +remonstrants that it was a petition to permit women to vote on the +question of liquor license.</p> + +<p>In the House Municipal Suffrage was discussed March 12, 13, and +finally was defeated by 61 yeas, 155 nays. A bill to let women vote on +the license question, which had not been asked for by the suffrage +association, was voted down without a count.</p> + +<p>A law was enacted requiring two women trustees on the board of every +State lunatic hospital, and one woman physician in each. Samuel E. +Sewall, Frank B. Sanborn, Mr. Blackwell and Miss Mary A. Brigham had +been the speakers at the hearing in behalf of this measure. All the +other petitions were refused.</p> + +<p><i>1885</i>—On Municipal Suffrage and the submission of a constitutional +amendment a hearing was given February 17. As usual the Green Room was +crowded. There were before the committee petitions for suffrage with +16,113 signatures, and petitions against it with 285. The speakers in +favor were the Rev. James Freeman Clarke, Mrs. Cheney, Lucy Stone, Mr. +Blackwell, Mr. Bowditch, William Lloyd Garrison, Jr., Miss Eastman, +Mrs. Adelaide A. Claflin, Mrs. Abby M. Gannett and Miss Lelia J. +Robinson. The opposition was conducted by Mr. Brandeis and the +speakers were Judge Francis C. Lowell, Mrs. Gannett Wells, Thomas +Weston, Jr., Henry Parkman and the Rev. Brooke Hereford, lately from +England, with letters from President L. Clark Seelye of Smith College, +Miss Mary E. Dewey and Mr. Sayward. The committee reported in favor of +Municipal Suffrage with only one dissenting. The House on May 4 +rejected the bill by 61 yeas, 131 nays.</p> + +<p>While the women sat in the gallery waiting for the measure to be +discussed, the bill proposing to limit the working day for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_723" id="Page_723">[Pg 723]</a></span> women and +children to ten hours was "guyed, laughed at and voted down amid +ridicule and uproar." This Legislature also refused the petition of +Mr. Sewall and others for one or more women on every Board of +Overseers of the Poor; for the better protection of wives; for the +submission of a constitutional amendment granting women full suffrage; +and for the amendment of the school suffrage law to make it as easy +for women as for men to register. (See Suffrage.)</p> + +<p><i>1886</i>—At the hearing, January 28, a letter was read from the Hon. +Josiah G. Abbott, and addresses were made by Mr. Garrison, Lucy Stone, +Mr. Blackwell, Mrs. Cheney, Mrs. Eliza Trask Hill, the Rev. Ada C. +Bowles, Mrs. Shattuck, Mrs. Robinson, Miss Eastman and Mrs. Claflin. +The remonstrants' hearing had been appointed for January 29. Their +attorney, E. N. Hill, tried at the last moment to get a postponement +but failed. The leaders of the "antis" declined to speak but several +of the rank and file appeared and made the usual objections. The +committee reported in favor of Municipal Suffrage. It was discussed in +the House April 14, about the same number speaking on each side, and +defeated by 77 yeas, 132 nays, the most favorable vote since 1879.</p> + +<p>On May 20, before the Senate Judiciary Committee, representatives of +the suffrage association and other societies had a hearing in behalf +of bills to raise the "age of protection" and to provide adequate +penalties for seduction, but no action was taken.</p> + +<p><i>1887</i>—On January 6 Governor Oliver Ames, in his inaugural address to +the Legislature, said, "I earnestly recommend, as a measure of simple +justice, the enactment of a law securing Municipal Suffrage to women." +The suffrage petitions this year had 5,741 signatures, the remonstrant +petitions 81. On February 2 it was ordered in the House, on motion of +Josiah Quincy, that the Committee on Woman Suffrage consider the +expediency of submitting the question of Municipal Suffrage to the +women of the different cities and towns, the right to be given to them +in any city or town where the majority of those who voted on the +question should vote in favor; or where a number of women should +petition for it equal to a majority of the number of men who voted at +the last annual municipal or town election; or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_724" id="Page_724">[Pg 724]</a></span> where a majority vote +of the men should be given for it at the annual election.</p> + +<p>On motion of Mr. Quincy an order for legislation to equalize the +interest of husbands and wives in each other's property had been +previously introduced but was lost.</p> + +<p>On February 9 a hearing was given to the petitioners. The speakers +were the same as the previous year with the addition of Col. T. W. +Higginson. Mr. Blackwell presented two letters in favor of the bill, +one addressed to Republicans, one to Democrats.<a name="FNanchor_316_316" id="FNanchor_316_316"></a><a href="#Footnote_316_316" class="fnanchor">[316]</a> Clement K. Fay +spoke for the remonstrants.</p> + +<p>The committee reported in favor of Municipal Suffrage, two dissenting. +It was discussed in the House March 3 and 10. Mr. Bailey of Everett +offered an amendment that the provisions of the bill be tried for ten +years, but it was not put to a vote. The bill was lost by 86 yeas, 122 +nays, including pairs.</p> + +<p>A bill to let women vote on the license question passed the House by +116 yeas to 88 nays, including pairs, but was defeated in the Senate, +24 yeas, 13 nays.</p> + +<p>The bill was passed providing for police matrons in all cities of +30,000 or more inhabitants.</p> + +<p><i>1888</i>—The Legislature was asked for Municipal and Presidential +Suffrage and for the submission of a constitutional amendment; also +for various improvements in the laws relating to women. The Woman's +Christian Temperance Union petitioned for License Suffrage. Several +thousand women signed the petition and one hundred the remonstrance. +On January 25 a hearing was given on the petitions for Municipal and +License Suffrage. Mr. Bowditch, Lucy Stone, Mr. Blackwell, Mrs. Howe +and Mrs. Cheney spoke for Municipal Suffrage and Miss Elizabeth S. +Tobey for License Suffrage. Mr. Brandeis made an argument as attorney +for the remonstrants. Charles Carleton Coffin, A. A. Miner, D. D., +Mrs. Claflin, the Rev. Ada C. Bowles and Miss Cora Scott Pond replied +for the petitioners.</p> + +<p>On February 20 and 25 hearings were given on the petitions<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_725" id="Page_725">[Pg 725]</a></span> for six +bills drawn by Mr. Sewall: 1. To give mothers the equal care, custody +and education of their minor children. 2. To give married women a +right to appoint guardians for their minor children by will. 3. To +repeal the act of 1887 limiting the inheritance of personal property. +4. To regulate and equalize the descent of personal property between +husband and wife. 5. To equalize curtesy and dower and the descent of +real estate between husband and wife. 6. To enable husbands and wives +to make gifts, contracts and conveyances directly with one another, +and to authorize suits between them.</p> + +<p>Addresses in support of the petitions were made by Mr. Sewall, Mrs. +Howe, Mrs. Stone, Mr. Blackwell, the Hon. George A. O. Ernst, Miss +Robinson, George H. Fall and others. All these measures were refused. +Several new statutes for the better protection of women were passed +this year, however, at the instance of Mr. Sewall, among them one +providing severe penalties for any person who should aid in sending a +woman as inmate or servant to a house of ill fame; one prohibiting +railroads from requiring women or children to ride in smoking cars; +one providing that women arrested should be placed in charge of police +matrons.</p> + +<p>On April 23 Municipal Suffrage was defeated in the House, 50 yeas, 121 +nays. License Suffrage, after a prolonged contest, passed by 118 yeas, +110 nays, and was defeated in the Senate, 20 yeas, 19 nays.</p> + +<p><i>1889</i>—At the hearing of January 31 the attendance was larger than +ever before. Prof. W. H. Carruth, Franklyn Howland and the Rev. J. W. +Hamilton (afterwards Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church) were +added to the usual list of speakers.</p> + +<p>On February 4 a hearing was granted to the W. C. T. U. for Municipal +Suffrage, and on February 8 one was given to the remonstrants. The +Hon. John M. Ropes, the Rev. Charles B. Rice, the Rev. Dr. Dexter of +the <i>Congregationalist</i> and Arthur Lord spoke in the negative. They +said they were employed as counsel by the remonstrants, whose names +and numbers they declined to give. As Mr. Lord was unable to complete +his argument in the allotted time, at his request a further hearing +was granted on February 11. Extracts were read from letters by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_726" id="Page_726">[Pg 726]</a></span> Mrs. +Clara T. Leonard and Mrs. A. D. T. Whitney.<a name="FNanchor_317_317" id="FNanchor_317_317"></a><a href="#Footnote_317_317" class="fnanchor">[317]</a> Mrs. Howe, Lucy +Stone, Mr. Blackwell, Col. L. Edwin Dudley and Miss Tobey replied. +Chester W. Kingsley, chairman of the legislative committee, said that +as no petitions against suffrage had been sent in he would ask all the +remonstrants present to rise. Not a person rose, but the men standing +in the aisles tried to sit down. Mr. Lord suggested that the +remonstrants were averse to notoriety, whereupon Senator Kingsley +asked all in favor to rise, and the great audience rose in a body.</p> + +<p>Among the petitions sent in this year for Municipal Suffrage was one +signed by President Helen A. Shafer of Wellesley College, a number of +the professors and about seventy students who were over twenty-one. +The committee reported in favor of both Municipal and License +Suffrage. The former was discussed March 12 and lost by a vote, +including pairs, of 90 yeas, 139 nays. The <i>Woman's Journal</i> said: +"Although not a majority, the weight of character, talent and +experience was overwhelmingly in favor of the bill, as is shown by the +fact that <i>the chairmen of thirty of the House Committees</i>, out of a +total of forty-one, were recorded in its favor."</p> + +<p>License Suffrage passed the Senate, 15 yeas, 12 nays, after a long +fight, and was defeated in the House, 101 yeas, 42 nays.</p> + +<p><i>1890</i>—Suffrage petitions were presented and also petitions asking +that fathers and mothers be made equal guardians of their children; +that contracts between husbands and wives be legally valid; and that a +widow be allowed to stay more than forty days in the house of her +deceased husband without paying rent. All these were refused.</p> + +<p>On March 12 a hearing was given to the petitioners for suffrage. Mrs. +Stone, Mr. Blackwell, the Rev. J. W. Hamilton, Mrs. Ellen B. Dietrick, +the Rev. Frederick A. Hinckley, Mr. Crane of Woburn and Miss Alice +Stone Blackwell spoke in behalf of the W. S. A., and Mrs. Susan S. +Fessenden, Mrs. Amelia C. Thorpe and Miss Tobey in behalf of the W. C. +T. U. Mr. Ropes, Dr. A. P. Peabody and J. B. Wiggin spoke against +woman suffrage. Mr. Lord asked that the hearing be extended for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_727" id="Page_727">[Pg 727]</a></span> +another day, as he wished to speak in behalf of the remonstrants, +although no petitions had been sent in. Mr. Blackwell requested the +chairman of the committee to ask Mr. Lord to state definitely whom he +represented. The chairman answered that if he did not choose to tell +he could not compel him. On March 19 a hearing was given to Mr. Lord, +who spoke for more than an hour. The usual distinguished suffrage +advocates spoke in answer.</p> + +<p>On April 8 seventy-nine Republican Representatives met at the Parker +House, Boston, in response to an invitation from the Republican +members of the House Committee on Woman Suffrage. Ex-Gov. John D. Long +presided. Addresses were made by Mr. Long, U. S. Collector Beard, +Mayor Thomas N. Hart of Boston, the Hon. Albert E. Pillsbury, +ex-president of the Senate, ex-Governor Claflin and State Treasurer +George E. Marden. Letters were read from the Hon. W. W. Crapo and +ex-Governor Ames. The following was unanimously adopted:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That it is the duty of the Republican party of +Massachusetts forthwith to extend Municipal Suffrage to the women +of the commonwealth.</p></blockquote> + +<p>On April 17, after extended discussion in the House, the bill was +lost, including pairs, by 73 yeas, 141 nays. The same Legislature +defeated a proposal to disfranchise for a term of three years men +convicted of infamous crimes, and it voted to admit to suffrage men +who did not pay their poll-tax.</p> + +<p><i>1891</i>—On February 4 a hearing was granted to the petitioners for +Municipal Suffrage, conducted by Mr. Blackwell for the association, by +Mrs. Fessenden for the W. C. T. U. To the usual speakers for the +former were added Mrs. Helen Campbell, the Rev. Charles G. Ames, and +also the Rev. Daniel Whitney, who had advocated woman suffrage in the +Massachusetts constitutional convention of 1853 and now celebrated his +eighty-first birthday by supporting it again. The speakers for the W. +C. T. U. were the Rev. Joseph Cook, Mrs. Thorpe, President Elmer +Hewitt Capen of Tufts College, Mrs. Katherine Lente Stevenson and +others. Mrs. Martha Moore Avery spoke for the labor reformers. No +remonstrants appeared.</p> + +<p>In the Senate, March 31, Senators Gilman, Nutter and Breed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_728" id="Page_728">[Pg 728]</a></span> spoke for +Municipal Suffrage, and no one in the negative. The bill was lost by a +vote, including pairs, of 12 yeas, 25 nays.</p> + +<p>This year a bill was passed requiring the appointment of women as +factory inspectors, and two were appointed.</p> + +<p><i>1892</i>—The suffrage association petitioned for Municipal and Full +Suffrage, also for equal property rights for women. The W. C. T. U. +for Municipal and License Suffrage, and both societies for legislation +granting women equal facilities with men in registering to vote for +school committee. On March 2 a hearing was given by the Committee on +Election Laws on an order introduced by Senator Gorham D. Gilman to +remove the poll-tax prerequisite for women's school vote, as it had +been removed from men. Bills to secure for them a more just and +liberal method of registration, drafted by ex-Governor Long and Mr. +Blackwell, were submitted. Addresses were made by these two, Senator +Gilman, Mrs. Cheney, Dr. Salome Merritt, Mrs. Brockway and others.</p> + +<p>On February 19 a hearing was given on the suffrage petitions which +were advocated by Senator Gilman, Colonel Dudley, Mrs. Howe, Lucy +Stone, Mr. Blackwell, the Hon. George S. Hale, Mrs. Trask Hill and +others. No remonstrants appeared. On March 14 the hearing for the W. +C. T. U. was held with many prominent advocates.</p> + +<p>License Suffrage was discussed in the House April 27, and on a <i>viva +voce</i> vote was declared carried, but on a roll call was defeated, 93 +yeas, 96 nays. A reconsideration was moved next day and the advocates +of the bill secured twenty-three additional votes, but the opponents +also increased their vote and the motion was refused. Out of the 240 +members 117 recorded themselves in favor of the bill. Municipal +Suffrage was voted down in the Senate May 2, without debate, by 10 +yeas, 22 nays.</p> + +<p>The poll-tax was abolished as a prerequisite for voting in the case of +women. This had been done in the case of men in 1890. A bill to permit +a wife to bring an action against her husband, at law or in equity, +for any matter relating to her separate property or estate passed the +House but was defeated in the Senate. The Senate Judiciary Committee +reported against legislation to enable a woman to be appointed a +justice of the peace.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_729" id="Page_729">[Pg 729]</a></span></p> + +<p><i>1893</i>—This year for the first time the State W. S. A., the National +W. S. A. of Massachusetts, the W. C. T. U., the Independent Women +Voters and the Loyal Women of American Liberty all united in +petitioning for a single measure, Municipal Suffrage. The hearing at +the State House on February 1 was conducted by Mr. Blackwell. +Addresses were made by Lucy Stone,<a name="FNanchor_318_318" id="FNanchor_318_318"></a><a href="#Footnote_318_318" class="fnanchor">[318]</a> Mrs. Howe, Mrs. Mary A. +Livermore, Mrs. Stevenson, the Rev. Louis A. Banks, Mayor Elihu B. +Hayes of Lynn, Mrs. A. J. Gordon, Mrs. Trask Hill, Mrs. A. P. +Dickerman, Mrs. Fiske of St. Johns, N. B., Amos Beckford, George E. +Lothrop, Mrs. M. E. S. Cheney and Miss Blackwell. Mrs. M. E. Tucker +Faunce was the sole remonstrant.</p> + +<p>The committee reported in favor of the petitioners, 7 yeas, 4 nays. +The question was debated in the Legislature February 21. Every inch of +space was crowded, the first three rows of the men's gallery were +allowed on this occasion to be occupied by women and even then many +stood. On motion of Representative White of Brookline an amendment was +adopted by 110 yeas, 90 nays, providing that Municipal Suffrage should +be granted conditionally; the question be submitted to a vote of the +men and women of the State, and the measure to go into effect only in +case the majority of those voting on it voted in favor. The bill as +amended was then defeated by 111 yeas, 101 nays, almost every opponent +of suffrage voting against it. They thus virtually declared that they +were not willing women should have Municipal Suffrage even if the +majority of both men and women could be shown to favor it. The adverse +majority this year was ten votes; the smallest in any previous year +had been 49.</p> + +<p><i>1894</i>—Gov. Frederick T. Greenhalge, in his inaugural message to the +Legislature, strongly urged that it should consider the extension of +Municipal Suffrage to women.</p> + +<p>On January 18 a hearing was given by the Joint Special Committee. No +remonstrant petitions had been sent in. The chairman invited alternate +speeches from suffragists and opponents, but only one of the latter +presented himself, J. Otis Wardwell of Haverhill, who said:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_730" id="Page_730">[Pg 730]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>I appear here this morning for a lady who, I understand, has +occupied a position as chairman or secretary of an organization +that has for some time been an active opponent of woman suffrage.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Blackwell</i>—May I inquire what the organization is that the +gentleman refers to? We have never been able to find out much +about this organization against woman suffrage. We hear that +there is one, but if so it is a secret society. What is the name +of it?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mr. Wardwell</span>—I do not know the name of it, sir. [Laughter.]</p></blockquote> + +<p>When pressed for the name of the lady at whose request he appeared he +finally acknowledged that it was Mrs. C. D. Homans of Boston. It was +afterwards reported that she was extremely indignant with him for +having disclosed her name.</p> + +<p>Addresses in favor of suffrage were made by Mrs. Howe, Mrs. Livermore, +Mr. Ernst, Mr. Garrison, Mr. and Miss Blackwell, for the State W. S. +A.; by Mrs. Cheney, president, for the State School Suffrage +Association; by Dr. Salome Merritt and Miss Charlotte Lobdell for the +National W. S. A. of Massachusetts; by Willard Howland, Mrs. Gleason +and others for the W. C. T. U.; by Mrs. Trask Hill for the Independent +Women Voters; and by Mrs. Avery for the labor element; also by Miss +Catherine Spence of Australia, Mrs. Emily A. Fifield of the Boston +school board, and others. Henry H. Faxon added a few words.</p> + +<p>A second hearing was given January 19, at which Mrs. Fessenden and +twelve other speakers represented the W. C. T. U. No remonstrants +appeared. At the request of a member of the Joint Special Committee a +third hearing was given on January 29. The Rev. Dr. Hamilton, Mrs. L. +A. Morrison, Mrs. Trask Hill and others spoke in favor of suffrage, +and Jeremiah J. Donovan against it. The committee made a majority +report against Municipal Suffrage and a minority report in favor.</p> + +<p>On January 31 Arthur S. Kneil offered an amendment providing that the +question should be submitted to the men and women of the State, and +that the act should take effect only if a majority of the votes cast +on the proposition were in favor. Wm. H. Burges wanted it submitted to +the men only. A second amendment proposed to lay the whole matter on +the table till the opinion of the Supreme Court could be taken on the +constitutionality of Mr. Kneil's amendment. On February 1 there was a +spirited discussion but finally both amendments were defeated,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_731" id="Page_731">[Pg 731]</a></span> and +the minority report in favor of the bill was substituted for the +adverse majority report by a vote of 104 yeas, 90 nays.</p> + +<p>On February 2 Senator Arthur H. Wellman urged the adoption of his +order that the Justices of the Supreme Court should be required to +give their opinion to the House on three questions:</p> + +<blockquote><p>1. Is it constitutional, in an act granting to women the right to +vote in town and city elections, to provide that such act shall +take effect throughout the commonwealth upon its acceptance by a +majority of the voters of the commonwealth?</p> + +<p>2. Is it constitutional to provide in such an act that it shall +take effect in a city or town upon its acceptance by a majority +of the voters of such city or town?</p> + +<p>3. Is it constitutional to provide that such an act shall take +effect throughout the commonwealth upon its acceptance by a +majority of the voters of the commonwealth, including women +specially authorized to register and vote upon this question?</p></blockquote> + +<p>Alfred S. Roe and the other leading advocates of Municipal Suffrage +withdrew their opposition to the order, saying that they preferred the +bill as it stood, but that if amendments were to be added to it at any +subsequent stage it would be well to know whether they were +constitutional. The order was adopted.</p> + +<p>On March 3 four Justices of the Supreme Court—Field, Allen, Morton +and Lathrop—answered "No" to all three questions. Justices Holmes and +Barker answered "Yes" to all three; and Justice Knowlton answered "No" +to the first and third and "Yes" to the second. These opinions were +published in full in the <i>Woman's Journal</i> of March 10, 1894.</p> + +<p>On March 14 Municipal Suffrage was discussed in open session. An +amendment was offered to limit the right to taxpaying women and a +substitute bill to allow women to vote at one election only. The +latter was offered by Richard J. Hayes of Boston, who said, "You would +see the lowest women literally driven to the polls by thousands by +mercenary politicians. The object lesson would settle the question +forever." The amendment and the substitute were lost and the bill was +passed to its third reading by a vote, including pairs, of 122 yeas, +106 nays.</p> + +<p>On March 29 the galleries were crowded with women. Richard Sullivan of +Boston offered an additional section that the question be submitted to +the men at the November election for an expression of opinion. This +was adopted by 109 yeas, 93 nays.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_732" id="Page_732">[Pg 732]</a></span> The bill to grant women Municipal +Suffrage at once, irrespective of what the expression of opinion in +November might be, was then passed to be engrossed, by a vote, +including pairs, of 118 yeas, 107 nays. A motion to reconsider was +voted down.</p> + +<p>On April 5 the bill came up in the Senate. Floor and galleries were +crowded and hundreds were turned away. Senator William B. Lawrence of +Medford, a distiller, offered as a substitute for the bill a proposal +to submit the question to the men at the November election for an +expression of opinion as a guide to action by the next Legislature. He +said it was absurd to grant women the suffrage first and call for an +expression of opinion by the men afterward. The vote on the substitute +was a tie, 19 yeas, 19 nays. To relieve the president of the Senate +from the necessity of voting Senator John F. Fitzgerald changed his +vote, but Senator Butler declined to be so relieved and gave his +casting vote against the substitute. The bill for Municipal Suffrage +was then defeated by 14 yeas, 24 nays.</p> + +<p>The Boston <i>Herald</i>, of April 9, had an editorial entitled Liquor and +Woman Suffrage, expressing satisfaction in the defeat of the bill but +emphatic disapproval of the corrupt methods used against it in the +Senate. A majority of the Senators had promised to vote for it but the +Liquor Dealer's Association raised a large sum of money to accomplish +its defeat, a persistent lobby worked against it and several Senators +changed front. The <i>Herald</i> plainly intimated that the result was due +to bribery.</p> + +<p>The credit of the unusually good vote in the House in 1893 and '94 was +largely due to Representative Alfred S. Roe of Worcester, an able +member, highly esteemed and very popular, who worked for the bill with +the utmost zeal and perseverance.</p> + +<p>There were petitions this year from many different organizations +representing a vast aggregate membership. On June 9 a bill to allow +women to be notaries public was defeated in the Senate by 10 yeas, 12 +nays.</p> + +<p><i>1895.</i>—On January 30 a great hearing was held in old +Representatives' Hall at the State House, with floor, aisles and +galleries crowded to the utmost capacity. Senator Alpheus M. Eldridge +presided and Mrs. Livermore, as president of the State Association, +conducted the hearing for the five organizations<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_733" id="Page_733">[Pg 733]</a></span> that appeared as +petitioners. Addresses were made by Lady Henry Somerset, Mrs. Howe, +Mr. Blackwell, Profs. Hayes and Webster of Wellesley College, Mrs. +Fessenden, Mrs. Trask Hill, Mrs. Emily McLaughlin, Mrs. Boland, John +Dean, F. C. Nash, Frank H. Foster, chairman of the legislative +committee of the American Federation of Labor for Massachusetts, James +F. Norton, the representative of 10,000 Good Templars.</p> + +<p>No opposing petitions had been sent in but Thomas Russell appeared as +attorney for the remonstrants and said: "Believing as they do that the +proper place for women is not in public urging or remonstrating +against legislation before public gatherings, but rather in the home, +the hospital, the school, the public institution where sin and +suffering are to be found and to be alleviated, they have not +themselves appeared before you"—but had sent him.<a name="FNanchor_319_319" id="FNanchor_319_319"></a><a href="#Footnote_319_319" class="fnanchor">[319]</a> Representative +Roe said that the lawyer who had spoken for the remonstrants at the +hearing of 1894 had received $500 for his services, and asked Mr. +Russell if he appeared in the same capacity. He answered that no +compensation had been promised him, and that he did not mean to accept +any. He added: "I represent no organization, anything more than an +informal gathering of ladies, and as for the numbers I can not state. +But I do not come here basing my claim to be heard on the numbers of +those who have asked me to appear. It is the justice of the cause +which I speak upon that entitles me to a hearing, as it would if there +were no one but myself."</p> + +<p>Later twelve remonstrances were sent in, signed by 748 women. For +suffrage there were 210 petitions from 186 towns and cities +representing 133,111 individuals, men and women.</p> + +<p>The opposition, alarmed by the large affirmative vote of 1894, this +year put forth unprecedented efforts. Daily papers were paid for +publishing voluminous letters against suffrage—sometimes of four +columns—and an active and unscrupulous lobby worked against the bill. +For the first time in history an anti-suffrage association was formed +within the Legislature itself. Representatives Dallinger, Humphrey, +Bancroft of Clinton, Eddy of New Bedford, and others, organized +themselves into<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_734" id="Page_734">[Pg 734]</a></span> a society, elected a chairman and secretary and +worked strenuously and systematically, making a thorough canvass of +the House and pledging as many members as possible to vote "No."</p> + +<p>The suffragists made the mistake of devoting their attention mainly to +the Senate, where it was expected that the bill would come up first, +and where it was believed that the main difficulty would be, but on +March 5 the Municipal Suffrage Bill was brought up in the House. Every +inch of space was crowded with spectators. After much discussion the +bill was defeated by 137 yeas, 97 nays.</p> + +<p>On March 13 a bill to raise the "age of protection" for girls from 16 +to 18 years was defeated by 108 yeas, 55 nays.</p> + +<p>On May 17 Senator Wellman's bill for a "mock referendum" was adopted +by the Legislature. It proposed to take a vote of the men and women of +the State on the question "Is it expedient that Municipal Suffrage +should be extended to women?"</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Mock Referendum:</span> This is called by the advocates of equal rights a +"mock referendum" because it was to have no legal validity and was to +give the women nothing even if it should be carried in their favor. +The <i>Woman's Journal</i> said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Two years ago an amendment was added to the Municipal Suffrage +Bill providing that it should become law when ratified by a vote +of the majority of the men and women of the State. Nearly every +opponent in the House voted against the bill after that amendment +had been incorporated, showing clearly that they were not willing +to let women have suffrage even if a majority of the men and +women of the State should vote for it. It was then believed that +such action would be constitutional. The Supreme Court afterwards +gave its opinion that Municipal Suffrage could not be extended by +a popular vote of either the men or the women, or both, but must +be extended, if at all, by the Legislature. Following that +decision, the opponents have become clamorous for a popular vote.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The suffragists, who, beginning in 1869, had petitioned year after +year for the submission to the voters of a legal and straightforward +constitutional amendment, which would give women the ballot if the +majority voted for it, were disgusted with this sham substitution. +Mrs. Livermore, the State president, declared that she would neither +take part in the mock vote herself nor advise others to do so. This +feeling was so general that at the last meeting of the executive +committee of the W. S. A. for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_735" id="Page_735">[Pg 735]</a></span> the season, in June, it was found +impossible even to pass a resolution recommending those men and women +who favored equal suffrage to go to the polls and say so.</p> + +<p>A number of individual suffragists, however, believed that advantage +should be taken of the chance to make an educational campaign and, as +the <i>Woman's Journal</i> of June 8 said, "to use the opportunity for what +it is worth as a means of agitation." Therefore a Suffrage Referendum +State Committee was formed of more than fifty prominent men and women, +including U. S. Senator Hoar, ex-Governor Long, the Hon. J. Q. A. +Brackett, Mrs. Howe, Mrs. Livermore, Mrs. Fannie B. Ames, Mrs. +Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward, the editors of the <i>Woman's Journal</i> and +others. Mrs. Mary Clarke Smith was employed as organizer, beginning +July 10, and as good a campaign was made as the circumstances +permitted. By the time the executive committee reassembled in October, +every one had become convinced of the wisdom of this course, and the +State Suffrage Association and the Referendum Committee worked hand in +hand during the last few weeks before election. It was a disadvantage +that the bill for the "mock referendum" was passed just before people +went away for the summer, and that the vote was to be taken soon after +they came back in the fall; nevertheless, a spirited campaign was +made, a large number of meetings and rallies were held and a great +quantity of literature was distributed.</p> + +<p>About six weeks before election a Man Suffrage Association was formed +with Francis C. Lowell as chairman, Thomas Russell as treasurer and +Charles R. Saunders as salaried secretary.<a name="FNanchor_320_320" id="FNanchor_320_320"></a><a href="#Footnote_320_320" class="fnanchor">[320]</a> This society was +composed wholly of men. It sent out an enormous number of circulars +and other documents, spent money like water, enlisted active political +workers, utilized to a considerable extent the party "machines," and +as far as possible secured a committee of men to work at each polling +place on election day and roll up a large negative vote of men. It +contained a number of influential politicians who displayed much skill +in their tactics. They published a manifesto against equal rights +signed by one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_736" id="Page_736">[Pg 736]</a></span> hundred prominent men. The <i>Woman's Journal</i>, which +printed this document on October 19, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In the main the protest represents merely money and social +position. There are half-a-dozen names on it which it is a pity +and a shame to see there. All the rest were to be expected. They +are men whose opinion would be of weight on questions of stocks +and bonds, but whose opinion on questions of moral reform has +only a minus value.... Its signers have pilloried themselves for +posterity. It is regarded as discourteous to-day to remind +President Eliot of Harvard that his father was the only member of +Congress from Massachusetts who voted for the Fugitive Slave Law. +Forty years hence it will be regarded as cruel to remind the +children of these gentlemen [among whom was President Eliot] that +their fathers put their names to a protest against equal rights +for women.</p></blockquote> + +<p>At first the two anti-suffrage associations, the men's and the +women's, co-operated with the suffragists in getting up debates; but +no man ever consented to take part in one against suffrage a second +time, and toward the end of the campaign it became almost impossible +to secure speakers in the negative. Both sides published appeals and +counter-appeals and the question was discussed in the press, at public +meetings and in social circles to an extent unprecedented in the +history of the State. Even the advertisements in the street cars began +with the query in large letters, Should Women Vote? in order to +attract attention to a particular brand of soap, etc.</p> + +<p>During the early part of the canvass the opponents of suffrage +circulated pledges for signature by women promising to vote "No" in +November,<a name="FNanchor_321_321" id="FNanchor_321_321"></a><a href="#Footnote_321_321" class="fnanchor">[321]</a> but they soon became convinced that in trying to get +out a large vote of women against suffrage they had undertaken more +than they could accomplish. The Massachusetts Association Opposed to +the Further Extension of Suffrage to Women supplied in plate form to a +large number of State papers a series of articles one of which urged +women to express themselves against suffrage, warned them that +"<i>silence will be cited as consent</i>," and said: "It is our duty in any +clear and forcible way that presents itself, to say 'I am not sure +that our country should run this enormous new risk.'"</p> + +<p>The "antis" have since asserted that in saying "in any clear<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_737" id="Page_737">[Pg 737]</a></span> and +forcible way that presents itself," they did not mean to include the +most obvious way, <i>i. e.</i>, by voting "No" when given an opportunity by +the Legislature to do so. Later in the campaign they issued a +manifesto declaring that they did not urge women to register or vote, +and that <i>silence was not to be interpreted as consent</i>. And finally, +just before registration closed in Boston and the other cities, when +it was clear that the majority of women were not going to register to +vote either way, they issued another manifesto urging women <i>not</i> to +vote against suffrage!</p> + +<p>This was a transparent device to conceal the fewness of their numbers, +and they thus stultified all their previous professions, as they had +asserted for years that whenever women were given the right to vote on +an important question it would be their duty to do so, irrespective of +their personal inclinations, and it was in order to save women from +this burden that their enfranchisement was opposed. If they could have +brought out an overwhelming vote of women against equal suffrage, of +course they would have done so. Since they could not, it was their +policy to advise women not to express themselves and thus let the few +who were strongly opposed be confounded with the mass of those who +were indifferent. The Man Suffrage Association, which professed to be +working in full harmony with the women's organization, declared in +small and inconspicuous type that it did not urge women to take the +trouble to register, merely for the sake of expressing themselves on +the referendum, but that it did urge those who voted at all to vote +"No." It published a circular giving reasons "why women and the +friends of women should vote no," and it covered walls and fences from +one end of the State to the other with huge placards bearing in +enormous letters the words, "Men and Women, Vote No!"</p> + +<p>The main object of this association, however, was not to get an +expression of opinion from the women (which would weigh little either +way) but to influence the Legislature through a large negative vote +from the men. Mr. Saunders was reported in an interview in the Boston +<i>Herald</i> as saying that the women who took the trouble to vote at all +would probably vote in favor ten to one (it proved to be twenty-five +to one), but that if the <i>men</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_738" id="Page_738">[Pg 738]</a></span> would give a good majority against it +the Legislature could be relied upon to defeat a genuine amendment for +years.</p> + +<p>The suffragists spent only $1,300 during the entire canvass. The Man +Suffrage Association never made the sworn report of its receipts and +expenditures which the law requires of every campaign committee, +although even the papers opposed to suffrage exhorted it to do so and +warned it that it was placing itself in a false position by refusing, +but the treasurer published an unsworn statement, not of his receipts +but of his general expenditures, by which it appeared that the +association, during the six weeks of its existence, spent $3,576. In +addition large sums were expended by the women's anti-suffrage +association, which, not being a campaign committee but a permanent +society, was under no legal obligation to file a statement.</p> + +<p>The "mock referendum" was voted on at the State election, Nov. 5, +1895, receiving 108,974 yeas, 187,837 nays. Men cast 86,970 yeas, +186,115 nays; women cast 22,204 yeas, 861 nays. Forty-eight towns gave +a majority for equal suffrage, two were a tie, and in several the +adverse majority was only one or two votes, and yet in most of these +towns no suffrage league existed, and in some of them no suffrage +meeting ever had been held.</p> + +<p>The number of men who voted in the affirmative was a general surprise. +A leaflet by one of the leading remonstrants, circulated during the +campaign, asserted that "not one citizen of sound judgment in a +hundred is in favor of woman suffrage;" but nearly one-third of the +male voters who expressed themselves declared for it. There was the +smallest affirmative vote in the most disreputable wards of Boston. +Nearly 2,000 more votes of men were cast for suffrage than had been +cast for prohibition in 1889. The proportion of votes in favor was +almost twice as large as in Rhode Island, the only other New England +State in which the question had been submitted, although in that there +was no anti-suffrage association in the field. Outside of Boston the +largest negative vote by women was cast in Cambridge and Newton, which +have the reputation of being remonstrant strongholds. In 238 of the +322 towns not one woman voted "No." In most of these the anti-suffrage +association had no branches, and there is no reason to suppose that +the women ever had heard<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_739" id="Page_739">[Pg 739]</a></span> of its eleventh-hour advice to women not to +vote. In every county, and in every Congressional, Senatorial and +Representative district the women's vote was in favor at least ten to +one. The "mock referendum" answered the main purpose of its promoters, +however, for it did seriously cut down the vote for suffrage in the +Legislature for several years thereafter, but it made a host of +converts among the people at large and gave a fresh impetus to the +activity of the State Suffrage Association, which ever since has +steadily grown in membership.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p><i>1896</i>—The usual petitions for suffrage were presented from 79 cities +and towns, with 7,780 signatures. The Joint Special Committee on Woman +Suffrage, which had been appointed annually for many years, was +discontinued, with the good result that the suffragists ever since +have had their hearings before two more influential committees, those +on Constitutional Amendments and on Election Laws. On February 26 the +latter gave a hearing for Municipal Suffrage. Mr. Blackwell opened the +case for the petitioners and the usual number of fine addresses were +made. Thomas Russell spoke for the remonstrants, and Miss Blackwell +replied to him. On February 27 the Committee on Constitutional +Amendments gave a hearing. Addresses were made by Mrs. Howe, Mr. +Garrison, the Rev. Florence E. Kollock, Oswald Garrison Villard, Mr. +Ernst, Mrs. Isabel C. Barrows, Miss Cora A. Benneson and Clyde +Duniway, formerly of Oregon. Mr. Russell again spoke for the +remonstrants and was answered by Miss Blackwell, Miss Gail Laughlin +and Mrs. Mary Clarke Smith.</p> + +<p>On March 4 a hearing was given to the petitioners for License +Suffrage. Just after the hearing closed Mr. Russell arrived to +remonstrate, but too late.</p> + +<p>On March 9 a hearing was given on the petition of the State W. S. A. +that the times of registration should be the same for women (school) +voters as for men.</p> + +<p>The Committee on Constitutional Amendments recommended that the +question of submitting a suffrage amendment be referred to the next +Legislature—three dissenting and favoring its submission<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_740" id="Page_740">[Pg 740]</a></span> this year. +On March 23 consideration of the question was voted down and the yeas +and nays were refused.</p> + +<p>On March 31 and April 1 License Suffrage was discussed and finally +defeated by 93 yeas, 116 nays, including pairs.</p> + +<p>The Committee on Election Laws reported in favor of Municipal Suffrage +but the bill was defeated.</p> + +<p>The Supreme Court decided that women could not be made notaries public +because they are not distinctly named as eligible in the State +constitution.</p> + +<p>Thomas F. Keenan, an opponent of woman suffrage, introduced a bill to +license houses "for commercial sexual intercourse," which he alone +voted for.<a name="FNanchor_322_322" id="FNanchor_322_322"></a><a href="#Footnote_322_322" class="fnanchor">[322]</a></p> + +<p><i>1897</i>—It was decided to ask this year for a thorough revision and +equalization of the statutes bearing on domestic relations, in view of +the fact that the last Legislature had appointed a committee of +lawyers to revise and codify the laws. Especial attention was called +to the need of a law making fathers and mothers joint guardians of +their children. Mr. Ernst, in behalf of the association, prepared a +bill equalizing the property rights of husbands and wives. Mr. +Russell, in behalf of the M. A. O. F. E. S. W. (which had for years +been circulating leaflets declaring that the laws of Massachusetts +were already more than just to women) prepared a bill tending in a +similar direction; and a Judge of Probate prepared a more limited +bill. All three appeared before the revising committee and, after +repeated conferences, a bill making some improvements was recommended +by the committee and enacted by the Legislature, but with a proviso +that it should not go into effect until the following year, in order +that the next Legislature might have a chance to amend it.</p> + +<p>On February 10 the committee gave a hearing to the petitioners for the +submission of an amendment to enfranchise women. It was addressed by +Mr. Blackwell, Mrs. Cheney, Mrs. Boland, the Rev. Thomas Scully, the +Rev. Mr. Ames, the Rev. Augusta Chapin, Miss Blackwell and others. No +remonstrants appeared.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_741" id="Page_741">[Pg 741]</a></span> The committee reported favorably, but on +February 18 the bill was defeated by 74 yeas, 107 nays.</p> + +<p>On February 24 the Committee on Election Laws heard arguments for +Municipal and Presidential Suffrage, and also on the petition of the +W. C. T. U. for License Suffrage. The committee had before it 144 +largely signed petitions for suffrage and none against it. Mrs. Howe +and Mr. Blackwell spoke in behalf of the measures asked for by the +suffrage association, and a large number of prominent women for the W. +C. T. U. Mr. Russell, Mrs. J. Elliott Cabot, Frank Foxcroft, Miss +Dewey, Dr. Walter Channing, Mrs. A. J. George, A. Lawrence Lowell and +Miss Mary A. J. McIntyre spoke against all three bills. Miss +Blackwell, at the close, replied in behalf of both associations. +Members of the committee asked the president of the anti-suffrage +association, Mrs. Cabot, and almost all the women who spoke on that +side whether they would vote for or against license if they had the +ballot. Everyone answered that she would vote for license. Mr. Russell +had declared that if women were allowed to vote, "no license would be +carried in every town and city of the commonwealth, contrary to the +will of the people." The committee gave a majority report against all +the bills.</p> + +<p>On March 10 the question of accepting the adverse report on License +Suffrage came up in the Legislature. The vote stood, 100 yeas, 100 +nays, and Speaker John L. Bates gave his casting vote in favor of +substituting the bill for the adverse report. On March 18 the question +was debated and the vote resulted in 108 yeas, 125 nays. There was +much public interest and a lively discussion in the papers. Municipal +and Presidential Suffrage were lost without a roll-call. A bill to +make the Boston School Board appointive instead of elective, which +would have deprived women of their School Suffrage, was defeated.</p> + +<p><i>1898</i>—The hearing on February 2 was conducted by Mr. Blackwell for +the petitioners; Mr. Russell for the remonstrants. A letter from +ex-Gov. William Claflin in favor of suffrage was read. Mrs. Anna +Christy Fall, Mr. Garrison, ex-U. S. Attorney Frank B. Allen, Mrs. +Helen Adelaide Shaw, Dr. A. E. Winship, editor of the <i>Journal of +Education</i>, and others spoke for suffrage; Mrs. Arthur D. Gilman, Mrs. +Egbert C. Smythe, Mrs. Rothery<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_742" id="Page_742">[Pg 742]</a></span> of Wellesley, Mrs. Lincoln R. Stone +and Mrs. George against it. Miss Blackwell replied for the +petitioners. The committee reported "leave to withdraw." On February +14, after debate in the House of Representatives, the vote stood 44 +yeas, 97 nays.</p> + +<p>On February 23 the committee gave a hearing on Municipal Suffrage and +on License Suffrage, both of which were eloquently urged. Mrs. Cabot, +Mrs. Charles E. Guild, the Rev. Thomas Van Ness, the Rev. Reuen +Thomas, Mrs. Henry F. Durant, Mrs. William T. Sedgwick, Mr. Foxcroft +and Mr. Russell spoke in opposition. Municipal Suffrage was not +debated, but after discussion on March 10 and 11, in the House of +Representatives, the vote on License Suffrage, including pairs, stood +60 yeas, 116 nays.</p> + +<p>The record for 1899 and 1900 presented no variations except that a +number of local associations petitioned for Municipal Suffrage for +Taxpaying Women. The State association did not officially ask for +this, though the majority of its officers favored the measure. The +annual hearings were given, the usual large crowds were in attendance, +the ablest men and women in the State advocated the granting of +suffrage, those heretofore mentioned spoke in opposition,<a name="FNanchor_323_323" id="FNanchor_323_323"></a><a href="#Footnote_323_323" class="fnanchor">[323]</a> and the +negative vote was in about the same proportion as before the +"remonstrants" made their appearance.<a name="FNanchor_324_324" id="FNanchor_324_324"></a><a href="#Footnote_324_324" class="fnanchor">[324]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_743" id="Page_743">[Pg 743]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Laws:</span> Until 1845 the women of Massachusetts suffered to the fullest +extent the barbarities of the English Common Law. After that date the +changes were gradual but very slow. From 1884 there was but little +improvement in the property laws until 1899, when a radical revision +was effected by a legislative committee and approved by the +Legislature. As there was to be a general revision of the statutes and +the new book would not be issued until Jan. 1, 1902, it was decided +that all should go into effect at that date. The new property law for +women provides as follows: No distinction is made between real and +personal property in distributing the estate. The surviving husband or +wife takes and holds one-third if the deceased leaves children or +their descendants; $5,000 and one-half of the remaining estate if the +deceased leaves no issue; and the whole if the deceased leaves no +kindred. This is taken absolutely and not for life. Curtesy and dower +have not been abolished but the old-time curtesy, which is a life +interest in the whole of a deceased wife's real estate, is cut down to +a life interest in one-third, the same as dower; and in order to be +entitled to dower or curtesy the surviving husband or wife must elect +to take it in preference to abiding by the above provisions.</p> + +<p>Either husband or wife can make a will under the new law without the +consent of the other, but the survivor, if not satisfied with the will +of the deceased, can waive it within a year and take the same share of +the estate that he (or she) would have taken if there had been no +will, except that, if he would thus become entitled to more than +$10,000 in value, he shall receive, in addition to that amount, only +the income during his life of the excess of his share of such estate +above that amount; and except that, if the deceased leaves no kindred, +he, upon such waiver, shall take the interest he would have taken if +the deceased had died leaving kindred but no issue.</p> + +<p>A discretionary amount may be assigned by the Probate Court to the +widow for the support of herself and minor children and takes +precedence of the debts of the deceased. The old law took this +allowance out of the personal estate only, and often the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_744" id="Page_744">[Pg 744]</a></span> widow was +not able to receive the immediate assistance she needed, because the +property was all in the form of real estate. The new law permits the +real estate to be used if necessary. It also gives $100 to a minor +child for his immediate necessities, if there is no widow; the old law +gave $50. The new law permits the widow to remain in her husband's +house for six months after his death. The old law gave her only forty +days.</p> + +<p>A married woman has full control of her separate property, and can +dispose of her real estate subject only to the husband's interests. If +she has been deserted or if the court has decreed that she is living +apart from him for justifiable cause, she can by will or deed dispose +of all her real and personal estate as if unmarried. The husband can +do the same.</p> + +<p>A married woman can be executor, administrator, guardian or trustee. +She may make contracts with any one except her husband; may sue and be +sued, carry on business in her own name, by complying with the legal +requirements; control and invest her earnings and enter into +partnerships. She is responsible for her contracts and debts and her +property may be held for them. The husband is not liable on any +judgments recovered against the wife alone, and her separate property +is not liable on any judgment or execution against the husband. Suits +between husband and wife are not allowed except for divorce.</p> + +<p>The father is the legal guardian of the persons and estates of minor +children; he has power to dispose of them during the lifetime of the +mother and may appoint a guardian at his death.<a name="FNanchor_325_325" id="FNanchor_325_325"></a><a href="#Footnote_325_325" class="fnanchor">[325]</a></p> + +<p>For non-support of wife and minor children the husband may be fined +not exceeding $20 or imprisoned in the house of correction not +exceeding six months. At the discretion of the court the fine is paid +in whole or part to the town, city, society or person actually +supporting such wife and children. (1893.)<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_745" id="Page_745">[Pg 745]</a></span></p> + +<p>The "age of protection" for girls was raised from 10 to 13 years in +1886; to 14 in 1888; to 16 in 1893. The penalty is imprisonment in the +State prison for life or for any term of years, or for any term in any +other penal institution in the commonwealth. This may be one day in +the city jail.</p> + +<p>Among various laws passed in the interests of women was one in 1895 +making army nurses eligible to receive State aid. One of 1896 requires +the State to inter the wife or widow of an honorably discharged +soldier, sailor or marine who served during the Civil War, if she did +not leave sufficient means for funeral expenses, provided she was +married prior to 1870. In 1900 it was enacted that the State should +perform a similar service for the mothers of said soldiers, sailors or +marines, and that this should not be with the pauper dead, in either +case.</p> + +<p>Massachusetts has detailed laws regarding the employment of women, +among them one restricting the hours of work in any mercantile +establishment to fifty-eight in a week, except in retail stores during +the month of December. Ten hours is a legal workday for women in +general.</p> + +<p>Separate houses of detention are required for women prisoners in +cities of over 30,000.<a name="FNanchor_326_326" id="FNanchor_326_326"></a><a href="#Footnote_326_326" class="fnanchor">[326]</a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> The original charter of Massachusetts in 1691 did not +exclude women from voting. In 1780 the first constitution prohibited +them from voting except for certain officers. The new constitution of +1820 limited the suffrage strictly to males.</p> + +<p>In 1879 the Legislature enacted that a woman twenty-one years of age, +who could give satisfactory evidence as to residence and who could +stand the educational test (<i>i. e.</i>, be able to read five lines of the +constitution and write her name), and who should give notice in +writing to the assessors that she wished to be assessed a poll tax +(two dollars) and should give in under oath a statement of her taxable +property (which was not required of men, as they had the option of +letting the assessors guess at the amount) should thereupon be +assessed and should be entitled to register and vote for members of +school boards.<a name="FNanchor_327_327" id="FNanchor_327_327"></a><a href="#Footnote_327_327" class="fnanchor">[327]</a> In<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_746" id="Page_746">[Pg 746]</a></span> order to keep her name on the registration +list this entire process had to be repeated every year, while a man's +name once placed on the list was kept there without further effort on +his part, and the payment of the same poll tax entitled him to full +suffrage.</p> + +<p>In 1881 the poll tax was reduced to fifty cents, and the law was +changed so that women's names should remain on the registration list +so long as they continued to reside and pay their taxes in the place +where they were registered. Even now, however, it requires constant +watchfulness on their part to have this done. In 1890 the poll tax as +a prerequisite for voting was abolished for men, and in 1892 for +women. Only a few weeks in each year were set apart when women might +register until 1898, when it was enacted that the time of registration +should be the same for both.</p> + +<p>The School Suffrage includes only a vote for members of the school +board and not for supervisors, appropriations or any questions +connected with the public schools. Women are not authorized to attend +caucuses or have any voice in nominations of school officers. As they +were thus deprived of all voice in selecting candidates, an +association, Independent Women Voters, was formed in Boston in 1889 by +Mrs. Eliza Trask Hill, who served as president until 1896, when she +removed from the city, and Mrs. Sarah J. Boyden has filled the office +since then. This organization, which was entered at the registration +office as a political party, holds a caucus in each ward between +January 1 and April 1 every year and nominates candidates for the +School Board. Such nomination by 100 or more legal voters entitles +their names to be placed on the Australian ballot. Some of the +nominees of the Independent Women Voters are often accepted by the +regular parties, but even when this is refused they are sometimes +elected over the Republican or Democratic candidates.</p> + +<p>Because of the conditions attached and the small privilege granted it +is remarkable that any considerable number of women should have voted +during these past years. When School Suffrage was first granted, in +1879, only 934 women voted, and for the first seven years the average +was only 940. Since then there has been a large increase of interest. +During the past seven years the number never has fallen below 5,000. +In 1898, 5,201 women<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_747" id="Page_747">[Pg 747]</a></span> voted; in 1899, 7,090; in 1900, 9,542; and this +year (1901) there were 15,545 names on the register and 11,620 voted. +The highest number was reached in 1888, when under special +circumstances 25,279 women were registered and 19,490 voted.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> Women have served as School Committee (trustees) since +1874. For some time previous to 1884 they could hold by appointment +the offices of overseers of the poor, trustees of public libraries, +school supervisors, members of the State Boards of Education and of +Health, Lunacy and Charity, without special legislation. It was +required that there should be women on the boards of the three State +Primary and Reform Schools, State workhouse, State almshouse and Board +of Prison Commissioners, and that certain managers and officers of the +Reformatory Prison for Women at Sherborn should be women.</p> + +<p>In 1884 a bill was passed requiring the appointment of two women on +the board of every Hospital for the Insane and one woman physician for +each. In 1885 it was enacted that women might be assistant registers +of deeds; in 1886 that they might be elected overseers of the poor. In +1887 a law was passed requiring police matrons in all cities of 30,000 +inhabitants or more. There had been matrons in Boston fifteen years.</p> + +<p>In 1890 the Supreme Court decided that a woman could not act as notary +public. In 1891 it was enacted that there should be women factory +inspectors; in 1895 that a woman could be appointed assistant town or +city clerk; in 1896 that county commissioners might appoint a woman +clerk <i>pro tempore</i>!</p> + +<p>The evolution of the Special Commissioner shows the laborious +processes by which women make any gains in Massachusetts. In 1883 a +law was passed that women attorneys could be appointed Special +Commissioners to administer oaths, take depositions and acknowledge +deeds. In 1889 it was amended to give Special Commissioners the same +powers as justices of the peace in the above respects and also that of +issuing summonses for witnesses. In 1896 it was provided that any +woman over twenty-one, the same as any man, whether a lawyer or not, +could be appointed commissioner; a change of name by marriage should +terminate her commission but should not disqualify her for +re-appointment. In 1898 the powers were extended to appointments<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_748" id="Page_748">[Pg 748]</a></span> of +appraisers of estates. In 1899 the powers of the Special Commissioner +were made coincident with those of justice of the peace, but the +authority to perform the marriage ceremony was taken from justices +generally and is now given to specified ones only.</p> + +<p>Women can not be justices of the peace. They may be appointed by the +State to take acknowledgments of deeds but not to perform the marriage +ceremony unless regularly ordained ministers.</p> + +<p>Women at present are serving on State Boards as follows: Commissioners +of Prisons, Charity and Free Public Library—two each; trustees of +Insane Hospitals at Danvers, Northampton, Taunton, Worcester and +Medfield—two each, and at Westborough, three; School for +Feeble-minded, one; Hospital for Epileptics, two; for Dipsomaniacs and +Inebriates, one; Hospital Cottages for Children, one; State Hospital +and State Farm, two; Lyman and Industrial Schools, two.</p> + +<p>It has been impossible to ascertain the number of women serving as +School Trustees later than 1898. Then the records showed 194 on boards +in 138 towns, but, as in many cases only the initials of the prefixes +to the names were given, this is probably an underestimate. Women +serve on the boards of public libraries.</p> + +<p>Women are found in the following official positions in Boston: +trustees of public institutions, two; of children's institutions, +three; of insane hospitals, two; of bath departments, two; overseers +of the poor, two; city conveyancer in law department, one; Superior +Court stenographer, one; probation officers, two; chief matron House +of Detention, one; supervisor of schools, one; members of school +committee, four.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> Massachusetts claims the first woman who ever practiced +medicine in the United States—Dr. Harriot K. Hunt, who studied with +her father and began in 1835, long before a medical college in the +country was open to women. In 1881 Lelia J. Robinson applied for +admission to the bar in Boston and the Supreme Court decided a woman +to be ineligible. The Legislature of 1892 enacted that women should be +admitted to the practice of law. No professions or occupations are now +legally forbidden to them.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> One of the first seminaries for women in the United States +was Mt. Holyoke at South Hadley, Mass., now a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_749" id="Page_749">[Pg 749]</a></span> college with 550 +students; the largest college for women in the world is Smith at +Northampton, with 1,131 students; one that ranks among the four +highest in existence, Wellesley, has 819; Radcliffe at Cambridge, has +407. The requirements of admission and the examinations are the same +for Radcliffe as for Harvard and the courses of instruction are +identical. The teaching is done by members of the Harvard faculty, +over one hundred of them. All degrees must be approved by the +President and Fellows of Harvard, the diplomas are countersigned by +the President and bear the University seal. Nevertheless Radcliffe is +not recognized as having any official connection with the ancient +university. A number of graduate courses in Harvard are open to women +but without degrees.</p> + +<p>Boston University, with 1,430 students, is co-educational in all its +departments, including law, medicine and theology. The same is true of +the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the State Agricultural +College. There has been no distinction of sex in Tufts College +(Univers.) since 1892; or in Clark University (post-graduate) in +Worcester, since 1900. The College of Physicians and Surgeons and +Tufts Colleges of Medicine and Surgery, in Boston, admit women. They +are excluded from Andover Theological Seminary (Cong'l), Newton +Theological Institute (Baptist), Amherst College, Williams College and +Worcester Polytechnic Institute.</p> + +<p>In the public schools there are 1,197 men and 12,205 women teachers. +The average monthly salary of the men is $136.23; of the women, +$51.41. Omitting the High School salaries, the average amount paid to +men per month is $130.09; to women, $49.61. In some counties over +one-half as much is paid to women teachers as to men, but in Essex +County the monthly ratio is $127.82 to men, and $47.17 to women, and +in Suffolk County $200.07 to men and $63.44, or less than one-third, +to women. Boston has 215 men teachers at an average monthly salary of +$213.61; and 1,762 women at an average of $69.68. In no other State is +the discrepancy so great in the salary of men and women teachers.</p> + +<p>The women's clubs of Massachusetts are as the sands of the sea. Of +these 169, with a membership of 21,451, belong to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_750" id="Page_750">[Pg 750]</a></span> State +Federation. The New England Woman's Club was organized in 1868, the +same year as Sorosis in New York and about one month earlier. These +two are generally spoken of as the pioneers of women's clubs as they +exist to-day.</p> + + +<h4>THE NATIONAL WOMAN SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.<a name="FNanchor_328_328" id="FNanchor_328_328"></a><a href="#Footnote_328_328" class="fnanchor">[328]</a></h4> + +<p>When the third volume of the History of Woman Suffrage closed in 1885 +it left this association three years old, with Mrs. Harriette Robinson +Shattuck, president, Dr. Salome Merritt, vice-president, and thirteen +other vice-presidents who represented the same number of counties. To +these leaders and others it seemed necessary that Massachusetts should +have this society in order to give a support to the officers and the +methods of the National Woman Suffrage Association, which they were +not receiving from the State society, at that time auxiliary to the +American Association. In those three years conventions had been held +in some twenty cities.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Harriet M. Emerson was then engaged in preparing petitions, to +which she secured many signers, asking for "a statute to enable a +widow who desires it, to become on reasonable terms a co-executor with +those appointed by her husband's will." For several years she spent +much time on this work and had the help of many of the best citizens +of Boston. It was ably presented at each session of the Legislature, +but no action was taken.<a name="FNanchor_329_329" id="FNanchor_329_329"></a><a href="#Footnote_329_329" class="fnanchor">[329]</a></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 480px;"> +<img src="images/gs08.jpg" width="480" height="676" alt="HARRIET MAY MILLS. +Syracuse, N. Y. +FLORENCE HOWE HALL. +Plainfield, N. J. +REV. ANNA GARLIN SPENCER. +Providence, R. I. +LUCRETIA L. BLANKENBURG. +Philadelphia, Pa. +LAVINA A. HATCH. +E. Pembroke, Mass." title="" /> +</div> + +<div class="center"> +<table class="smallprint" summary=""> +<tr><td align="center">HARRIET MAY MILLS.</td><td> </td><td align="center">FLORENCE HOWE HALL.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Syracuse, N. Y.</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center">Plainfield, N. J.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">REV. ANNA GARLIN SPENCER.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">Providence, R. I.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">LUCRETIA L. BLANKENBURG.</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center">LAVINA A. HATCH.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Philadelphia, Pa.</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center">E. Pembroke, Mass.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>Mrs. Harriet H. Robinson, the corresponding secretary, has published +Massachusetts in the Woman Suffrage Movement, The New Pandora, a +woman's play, Capt. Mary Miller, etc.; Mrs. Shattuck, The Woman's +Manual of Parliamentary Law, Advanced Rules for Large Assemblies. +Another member, Mrs. Sara A. Underwood, has done valuable work on the +newspapers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_751" id="Page_751">[Pg 751]</a></span> of Boston, New York and other cities, and before the +Legislature. The writings of Mrs. Evaleen L. Mason are well known.</p> + +<p>In 1888 certain historical text-books which were objected to by the +Roman Catholics were removed from the schools and replaced by others. +This caused great excitement, over 25,000 women registered to vote, +and for two successive years helped to defeat all the Catholic +candidates for the school board and to elect a number of women. The +members of this association maintained the non-partisan side and +opposed the extremists who urged that Catholics should be excluded +from the board, thus depriving it of some of its most experienced and +faithful men.</p> + +<p>In April, 1888, the association applied for a charter and became the +first incorporated body of woman suffragists in the State. In December +a petition was sent to Congress asking for an amendment to the United +States Constitution prohibiting disfranchisement on account of sex.</p> + +<p>In 1889 a petition from this association was introduced in the +Legislature to require assessors to ask at every house whether there +are women there who wish to be assessed a poll tax. A petition was +also sent in for a law providing that one-third of the membership of +the school committee consist of women. These were presented by Mr. +Barker of Malden.</p> + +<p>At the eighth annual meeting in May, 1890, C. W. Ernst gave an +instructive address on political topics.</p> + +<p>In October, 1891, a special meeting was called to discuss the question +of discontinuing auxiliaryship to the National-American Association, +and continuing work as an independent organization. After a full +discussion the vote resulted in remaining auxiliary, only one opposed.</p> + +<p>In March, 1892, a plan was laid before the association by Dr. Merritt +for action in the various cities and towns of the State to secure the +nomination in caucuses of such senators and representatives only as +would declare themselves in favor of woman suffrage. A committee was +formed to confer with other organizations, and at the next meeting it +reported that the Boston Suffrage League, Mrs. Ellen Battelle +Dietrick, president, had approved the plan and called a meeting where +nine wards were represented and a compact signed. In May this +agreement was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_752" id="Page_752">[Pg 752]</a></span> adopted by the Suffolk County Committee, who were to +work in Boston while the association was to manage outside counties. +One thousand copies were printed and circulated but the final results +showed not enough interest to make the measure a success.</p> + +<p>At this time Mrs. Shattuck resigned the presidency, "being engaged in +work more imperative," and Mrs. Robinson gave up her office of +corresponding secretary. At the October meeting Miss Hatch was elected +a member of the executive committee of the National Association for +the Columbian Exposition. Mrs. Sarah A. P. Dickerman acted as +president during the remainder of the year. Valuable discussions were +held on State and National Banks, Should the Governor Exercise the +Veto Power? Shall Immigration Be Restricted? Which Would Benefit +Boston Most, License or No License? and other timely questions.</p> + +<p>In January, 1893, it was voted to petition the Legislature that women +be allowed to vote on a constitutional amendment affecting their +property rights. A special effort was made in petition work both for +Congress and the Legislature. In one small village where forty-two +signatures were obtained, only four persons refused to sign. In May +Dr. Merritt was unanimously elected president of the association, and +remained in office until her death in 1900. At this meeting a +statement was made that in Massachusetts there were from 105,000 to +110,000 families with widows or single women as heads, not represented +by one vote. In December a committee was appointed to confer with the +legislative committee of the State School Suffrage Association to +secure an extension of the time (then only two or three days) which +was allotted to the registration of women.</p> + +<p>At the legislative hearing in January, 1894, petitions were presented +by this association from seven counties, covering twenty-one towns. At +this date 186 women were reported as holding office, eleven being +district superintendents of schools. The following May the +registration laws were so changed that women have since had the same +time as men in which to register. Under the present law, the assessors +in their regular rounds are required to take the names of women voters +having the same residence as on a previous voting list. These are then +entered on the register for the ensuing campaign without further +trouble.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_753" id="Page_753">[Pg 753]</a></span></p> + +<p>In September, 1895, a special meeting was called to decide how best to +help the work for the referendum which had been submitted by the +Legislature in order to ascertain how many women desired to vote. +Twenty-five dollars were appropriated toward defraying the expenses of +the State committee appointed to conduct this campaign.</p> + +<p>In 1896 much time was spent on measures helpful to women and children. +One of these was to secure the early closing of stores, the result +being that through the entire summer all the principal stores in +Boston were closed at 5 <span class="smcap">p. m.</span> every day, and on Saturdays at 12 <span class="smcap">M.</span>, as +they have been each summer since.</p> + + +<p>House Bill 625 of 1896 started with a most innocent appearance under +the title, "A bill to enlarge the powers of the police commissioners +of Boston." In reality it asked that the powers of the police force be +so extended as to allow them to issue permits for the keeping of +houses of ill-repute, with authority for their inspection and control. +Other organizations joined this one in opposition, with the result +that the bill was defeated.</p> + +<p>The association also advocated "A bill to prohibit child insurance," +on account of the injury done to families by absorbing the means which +should be expended for food, clothes and other necessaries in the +payment of policies. It was considered, moreover, in the nature of a +premium for child murder by neglect.</p> + +<p>The most interesting event of 1898 was the celebration of the fiftieth +anniversary of the first woman's rights convention. Dr. Merritt spoke +of the rise of the movement, saying that 1848 was as marked an epoch +in the rights of women as was 1776 in the rights of men. Miss Hatch's +paper gave the trend of events previous to the Seneca Falls +Convention, showing that these molded public sentiment and gave rise +to the calling of this memorable meeting. Speeches, letters from +absent members and a roll of honor, each giving the name of an old +worker and adding appropriate remarks, followed.</p> + +<p>In addition to the usual petitions was one to Congress in behalf of +the Hawaiian women. A protest was also sent against the admission to +Congress of Brigham H. Roberts of Utah, a polygamist and an enemy to +woman suffrage.</p> + +<p>Since 1884 this association has held 128 public meetings. It<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_754" id="Page_754">[Pg 754]</a></span> has been +represented by active working delegates at every convention of the +National Association since becoming an auxiliary in 1882. The +recording secretary has held that office for seventeen years, never +having been absent from a monthly meeting unless because of illness or +attendance at the national conventions. She has been a delegate to the +latter for fourteen years.</p> + +<p>This association did much pioneer press work. From its first session a +report of the same, with items made up of whatever had occurred in any +part of the world advantageous to woman's advancement since the +previous meeting, has appeared next day in the leading Boston dailies, +with scarcely an omission during the eighteen years.</p> + +<p>Besides those already mentioned the following have held office and +been faithful workers: Mesdames A. M. Mahony, Sarah A. Rand and Lydia +L. Hutchins; and the Misses Hannah M. Todd, Elizabeth B. Atwill, +Charlotte Lobdell, Agnes G. Parrott and Sophia M. Hale. In 1901 the +society united with the Massachusetts State Association.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_303_303" id="Footnote_303_303"></a><a href="#FNanchor_303_303"><span class="label">[303]</span></a> The History is indebted for the material for this +chapter to Miss Alice Stone Blackwell, editor of the <i>Woman's Journal</i> +(Boston) and recording secretary of the National American Woman +Suffrage Association since 1890. It is due to the <i>Woman's Journal</i>, +founded in 1869, that so complete a record of the State work has been +obtained.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_304_304" id="Footnote_304_304"></a><a href="#FNanchor_304_304"><span class="label">[304]</span></a> See <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_215">History of Woman Suffrage, Vol. I, p. 215</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_305_305" id="Footnote_305_305"></a><a href="#FNanchor_305_305"><span class="label">[305]</span></a> Among many names which appear in connection with these +annual meetings are those of the Revs. Daniel P. Livermore, Charles W. +Wendte, S. S. Herrick, Philip S. Moxom, Charles F. Thwing, L. B. +Bates, F. A. Abbott, S. W. Bush, William J. Potter, C. P. Pitblado, +George Willis Cooke, Fielder Israel, Eben L. Rexford, Christopher R. +Eliot, David A. Gregg, Edward A. Horton, B. F. Hamilton, George A. +Gordon, Charles F. Dole, Nathan E. Wood, W. W. Lucas, the Revs. Ida C. +Hultin, Lorenza Haynes, Mary Traffern Whitney, Lila Frost Sprague, J. +W. Clarke, of the Boston Traveller, D. H. Beggs, President of the +Central Labor Union, Judge Robert Pitman, the Hon. Joseph H. Walker, +Francis J. Garrison, John Graham Brooks, John L. Whiting, Sam Walter +Foss, Sherman Hoar, W. L. Haskel, Mesdames Martha Perry Lowe, E. N. L. +Walton, Martha Sewall Curtis, O. A. Cheney, Ellie A. Hilt, Abby M. +Davis, Judith W. Smith, Misses Anna Gardner, Lucia T. Ames, Eva +Channing, Amorette Beecher, Alice Parker, all of Massachusetts. The +Rev. J. W. Bashford, Delaware College, Ohio, the Rev. Florence E. +Kollock, Illinois, Mrs. Caroline M. Severance, California, Mrs. Helen +Coffin Beedy, Mrs. Etta H. Osgood, Maine, U. S. Senator Henry W. +Blair, Mrs. Armenia S. White, Miss Mary N. Chase, New Hampshire, Mrs. +M. L. T. Hidden, Mrs. A. D. Chandler, Vermont, Mrs. Elizabeth B. +Chace, Dr. John C. Wyman, Dr. Ira Aldrich, Jeanette S. French, Louise +Tyler, Rhode Island, Mesdames Emily O. Kimball, Josephine M. Bissell, +Emily J. Leonard, Annie C. S. Fenner, Judge Joseph and Miss Elizabeth +Sheldon, Connecticut, Mrs. Cornelia Collins Hussey, New Jersey, Judge +William S. Peirce, Philadelphia, Miss Anna Gordon, Illinois, Dr. Ida +Joe Brooks, Arkansas, Ellis Meredith, Denver, Giles B. Stebbins, +Michigan, Lloyd McKim Garrison, New York, Amelia B. Edwards, Mrs. +Percy Widdrington, England.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_306_306" id="Footnote_306_306"></a><a href="#FNanchor_306_306"><span class="label">[306]</span></a> As this board was continued for many years with but +little change, and as it indicates clearly the personnel of the +association, the remainder is given in full. Vice presidents, Mrs. +Mary A. Livermore, John G. Whittier, U. S. Senator George F. Hoar, +Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, Mrs. Ednah D. Cheney, Theodore D. Weld, ex Gov. +William Claflin, Judge Samuel E. Sewall, William Lloyd Garrison, Mrs. +Ralph Waldo Emerson, the Hon. John Hopkins, Miss Abby W. May, A. +Bronson Alcott, Marie E. Zakrzewska, M. D., Col. Thomas W. Higginson, +Miss Elizabeth Stuart Phelps, Wendell Phillips, Miss Louisa M. Alcott, +the Rev. James Freeman Clarke, Mrs. Adelaide A. Claflin, the Rev. +William I. Haven, Judge Thomas Russell, Lucy Sewall, M. D., Robert C. +Pitman, George A. Walton, Mrs. C. B. Redmund, Charles W. Slack, Seth +Hunt, Mrs. Eliza K. Church, the Rev. Jesse H. Jones, Uretta +McAllister, Julia M. Baxter; recording secretary, Charles K. Whipple; +treasurer, Miss Amanda M. Lougee; executive committee, Mrs. Lucy +Stone, chairman, Mrs. Mary C. Ames, Miss Mary F. Eastman, Mrs. Judith +W. Smith, Mrs. Henrietta L. T. Wolcott, Mrs. W. I. Bowditch, Mrs. S. +E. M. Kingsbury, Mrs. E. N. L. Walton, Mrs. S. C. Vogl, S. C. Hopkins, +Mrs. E. P. Nickles, Mrs. Fenno Tudor, Dr. J. T. Leonard, Miss Alice +Stone Blackwell, Miss Eva Channing, the Rev. J. W. Bashford, Mrs. +Harriet W. Sewall, Miss Kate Ireson, Frederick A. Claflin, Arthur P. +Ford, Miss M. Ada Molineux, S. Frank King, Miss Cora Scott Pond, J. +Avery Howland.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_307_307" id="Footnote_307_307"></a><a href="#FNanchor_307_307"><span class="label">[307]</span></a> In the 111 Granges of the State, 70 women were +secretaries and 39 lecturers this year.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_308_308" id="Footnote_308_308"></a><a href="#FNanchor_308_308"><span class="label">[308]</span></a> Mrs. Helen Campbell spoke on Women in Industry, Mrs. +Howe on Women in Literature, the Rev. Antoinette Brown Blackwell on +Women in the Ministry, Mrs. Charlotte Emerson Brown, president of the +General Federation, on Women's Clubs, Mrs. Susan S. Fessenden, +president of the State W. C. T. U., on Women's Work for Temperance, +Mary A. Greene, LL. B., on Women in Law, Dr. Emily Blackwell on Women +in Medicine, Mrs. Sallie Joy White, late president of the New England +Women's Press Association, on Women in Journalism, and Miss Eastman on +Steps in Education for Girls from Dame School to College. The +opportunities for women at Vassar, Wellesley, Bryn Mawr, Boston +University and Mt. Holyoke were presented respectively by Dr. Emma B. +Culbertson, Prof. A. Eugenia Morgan, Miss Cora A. Benneson, Miss E. D. +Hanscom and Miss Sarah P. Eastman, president of the Boston Mt. Holyoke +Alumnć. Mrs. Cheney read a paper on Women in Hospitals and Miss Alla +Foster gave reminiscences of her mother, Mrs. Abby Kelly Foster. Lucy +Stone spoke on the Gains of Forty Years, Colonel Higginson on +Landmarks of Progress, Mr. Blackwell on Kansas and Wyoming. Woman +Suffrage by State and Federal Legislation; Mr. Garrison on Women +Needed as Political Helpmeets; and the Rev. Ada C. Bowles on the +Suffrage Revival in Worcester in 1869. Miss Elizabeth Upham Yates +spoke on Suffrage, and the Rev. Anna Garlin Spencer on Our Debt to the +Pioneers. +</p><p> +Letters were read from U. S. Senators Joseph M. Carey and Francis E. +Warren of Wyoming, ex-president James H. Fairchild of Oberlin, the +Hon. Charles Robinson of Kansas, Thomas Davis, husband of Paulina +Wright Davis, Francis G. Adams, secretary of the Kansas Historical +Society, Theodore D. Weld, Mesdames Hannah M. Tracy Cutler, Elizabeth +B. Chace, Frances H. Drake, Caroline Healy Dall, J. Elizabeth Jones, +Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Caroline M. Severance, Clara B. Colby, Miss +Mary Grew, Miss Anna L. T. Parsons, Mrs. Millicent Garrett Fawcett of +England, and others.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_309_309" id="Footnote_309_309"></a><a href="#FNanchor_309_309"><span class="label">[309]</span></a> Mrs. Livermore, the Rev. Charles G. Ames, Mrs. Cheney, +Prof. Ellen Hayes of Wellesley, the Hon. Alfred S. Roe, Mrs. Phebe +Stone Beeman, Mrs. Sallie Joy White and Mr. M. H. Gulesian of Armenia, +with a poem by Mr. Garrison.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_310_310" id="Footnote_310_310"></a><a href="#FNanchor_310_310"><span class="label">[310]</span></a> The best known of these names are included in the list +of eminent persons in the Appendix.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_311_311" id="Footnote_311_311"></a><a href="#FNanchor_311_311"><span class="label">[311]</span></a> There were addresses by Fletcher Dobyns and Oswald +Garrison Villard of Harvard, Miss Maud Thompson of Wellesley College, +Edson Reifsnyder of Tufts, and Miss Mabel E. Adams, with music by the +Boston Choral Society.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_312_312" id="Footnote_312_312"></a><a href="#FNanchor_312_312"><span class="label">[312]</span></a> Miss Elva Hurlburt Young, president of the senior class +of Wellesley College, A. M. Kales and Raymond M. Alden of Harvard, W. +H. Spofford Pittinger of Providence, R. I. A poem by Mrs. Stetson, +Girls of To-day, was recited by Miss Marion Sherman of the Boston +School of Oratory.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_313_313" id="Footnote_313_313"></a><a href="#FNanchor_313_313"><span class="label">[313]</span></a> Other officers have been Recording secretary, Miss +Alice Stone Blackwell, treasurers, Miss Amanda M. Lougee, Mrs. Harriet +W. Sewall, Francis J. Garrison, William Lloyd Garrison, chairmen of +the executive committee, Mrs. Lucy Stone, Mrs. Judith W. Smith, Miss +Blackwell. Vice presidents for 1900 are the Hons. George F. Hoar, John +D. Long, William Claflin, W. W. Crapo, Josiah Quincy, George A. O. +Ernst, J. W. Candler, Lieut. Gov. John L. Bates, Col. T. W. Higginson, +the Rev. George Willis Cooke, William I. Bowditch, William Lloyd +Garrison, Prof. Ellen Hayes, Mesdames Julia Ward Howe, Elizabeth +Stuart Phelps Ward, Pauline Agassiz Shaw (Quincy A.), Oliver Ames, +Fanny B. Ames, Abby Morton Diaz, Susan S. Fessenden, Ole Bull, Emma +Walker Batcheller, Martha Perry Lowe, Mary Schlesinger, Miss Mary F. +Eastman, Miss Lucia M. Peabody.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_314_314" id="Footnote_314_314"></a><a href="#FNanchor_314_314"><span class="label">[314]</span></a> Mr. Blackwell was corresponding secretary from 1871 to +1893, Miss Laura Moore of Vermont, one year, and Mrs. Ellen M. Bolles +of Rhode Island, from 1894 to the present time, recording secretaries, +Charles K. Whipple, Mrs. O. Augusta Cheney, Mrs. Ellie A. Hilt, Miss +Eva Channing, treasurers, Mrs. Harriet W. Sewall, John L. Whiting, +Miss Amanda M. Lougee, Francis J. Garrison. The vice presidents are +the presidents and prominent members of the New England State +Associations.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_315_315" id="Footnote_315_315"></a><a href="#FNanchor_315_315"><span class="label">[315]</span></a> Limited space has prevented any résumé of the speeches +made during these years in the conventions or before the legislative +committees. The reader is referred to the files of the <i>Woman's +Journal</i> which have been placed in a number of public libraries. The +names of legislators who have advocated woman suffrage will be found +at the close of Legislative Action.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_316_316" id="Footnote_316_316"></a><a href="#FNanchor_316_316"><span class="label">[316]</span></a> The one to the Republican members was signed by Alanson +W. Beard, William Claflin, William W. Crapo, Henry L. Dawes, Frank P. +Goulding, Thomas N. Hart, George F. Hoar, John D. Long, Samuel May, +Adin Thayer and John G. Whittier; the other to the Democratic by +Josiah G. Abbott, Edward Avery, John M. Corse, John E. Fitzgerald, +John Hopkins, George E. McNeil, Bushrod Morse, Frederick O. Prince, +Albert Palmer and Charles H. Taylor.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_317_317" id="Footnote_317_317"></a><a href="#FNanchor_317_317"><span class="label">[317]</span></a> These letters have been doing duty ever since, being +quoted in adverse reports of congressional committees, Legislatures, +speeches and documents of the opponents, etc.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_318_318" id="Footnote_318_318"></a><a href="#FNanchor_318_318"><span class="label">[318]</span></a> This was the last time Lucy Stone addressed a +legislative committee. She had presented her first plea in 1857. Every +year since 1869 she had made her annual pilgrimage to the State House +to ask for the rights of women.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_319_319" id="Footnote_319_319"></a><a href="#FNanchor_319_319"><span class="label">[319]</span></a> The remonstrants in past years had gone repeatedly +before legislative committees, and since 1897 they have appeared and +spoken every year in opposition to any form of suffrage for women.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_320_320" id="Footnote_320_320"></a><a href="#FNanchor_320_320"><span class="label">[320]</span></a> Mr. Saunders, when asked by a reporter of the Boston +<i>Record</i> if it was true that he received $150 per month for his +services, declined to say, but stated that he should consider that a +small amount, as he was giving practically all of his time and +effort.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_321_321" id="Footnote_321_321"></a><a href="#FNanchor_321_321"><span class="label">[321]</span></a> The M. A. O. F. E. S. W. says that this was not done by +the association officially. It was certainly done by some of its +prominent members.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_322_322" id="Footnote_322_322"></a><a href="#FNanchor_322_322"><span class="label">[322]</span></a> On one occasion, after Mrs. Julia Ward Howe and her +associates had made their appeals, Mr. Keenan referred to them in the +legislative debate as "women masquerading in pants," and said, "I +never knew a woman who loved her children or her home that wanted to +vote."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_323_323" id="Footnote_323_323"></a><a href="#FNanchor_323_323"><span class="label">[323]</span></a> Dr. Lyman Abbott of New York, Miss Heloise E. Hersey, +Miss Sarah E. Hunt, Mesdames Barrett Wendell, W. W. Vaughan, Judith +Andrews, Nathaniel Payne, James H. Robbins, Frank B. Fay and Henry +Thompson also "remonstrated."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_324_324" id="Footnote_324_324"></a><a href="#FNanchor_324_324"><span class="label">[324]</span></a> It seems desirable to preserve the names of those who +have championed and voted for a measure so bitterly opposed. Those of +the eighty four opponents may drop into oblivion. Honor roll Senators +S. Stillman Blanchard, Arthur B. Breed, Gorham D. Gilman, Robert S. +Gray, Charles H. Innes, Francis W. Kittridge, Joel D. Miller, Henry S. +Milton, Joseph O. Neill, Isaac N. Nutter, Representatives John E. +Abbott, Charles H. Adams, Frederick Atherton, Frank E. Badger, Thomas +C. Batchelder, John L. Bates, Alanson W. Beard, Amos Beckford, Frank +P. Bennett, Thomas W. Bicknell, John B. Bottum, Harvey L. Boutwell, +George A. Brown, Walter J. D. Bullock, Edward B. Callender, James F. +Carey, George D. Chamberlain, Albert Clarke, Charles Carleton Coffin, +Henry Cook, Louis A. Cook, Charles U. Corey, Fred E. Crawford, +Franklin Cross, Arthur B. Curtis, Francis W. Darling, William D. +Dennis, Solomon K. Dexter, E. Walter Everett, George H. Fall, Frank E. +Fitts, Jubal C. Gleason, Samuel L. Gracey, James W. Grimes, Thomas E. +Grover, Luther Hall, Harris C. Hartwell, Martin E. Hawes, William R. +Hayden, Alfred S. Hayes, Ehhu B. Hayes, Charles E. Haywood, Edmund +Hersey, John Hildreth, John G. Horan, Charles R. Johnson, George R. +Jones, William E. Judd, Alfred F. Kinney, John Larrabee, Mahlon R. +Leonard, Frederic O. MacCartney, Samuel W. McCall, James H. Mellen, +John M. Merriman, Charles H. Miller, Daniel L. Milliken, Charles P. +Mills, Bushrod Morse, James J. Myers, H. Heustis Newton, Herbert C. +Parsons, George W. Penniman, Francis C. Perry, Albert Poor, Josiah +Quincy, Francis H. Raymond, Alfred S. Roe, (Judge) Thomas Russell, +Thomas E. St. John, Howard K. Sanderson, Charles F. Shute, George T. +Sleeper, Frank Smith, Metcalf J. Smith, George L. Soule, Eugene H. +Sprague, Ezra A. Stevens, Hazard Stevens, Stephen S. Taft, George F. +Tucker, John E. Turtle, O. W. H. Upham, Horace G. Wadlin, Jesse B. +Wheeler, Frederick L. Whitmore, John W. Wilkinson, John A. Woodbury, +Charles L. Young.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_325_325" id="Footnote_325_325"></a><a href="#FNanchor_325_325"><span class="label">[325]</span></a> In 1847 Lucy Stone began to advocate giving the mother +equal guardianship of the children with the father. During the past +thirty years the State Suffrage Association has repeatedly petitioned +the Legislature to this effect. In 1902 many other organizations +joined in the effort, and the petition for equal guardianship was +indorsed by 34,000 women. The Committee on Probate and Chancery +reported adversely. Representative George H. Fall's Equal Guardianship +Bill was debated on two days and finally passed both Houses and was +signed by Gov. W. Murray Crane in June. +</p><p> +The only society of women that has ever ranged itself publicly on the +opposing side of this question is the Massachusetts Anti-Suffrage +Association. For years it circulated with its official imprint a +leaflet in defense of the law which excluded mothers from the custody +and guardianship of their children.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_326_326" id="Footnote_326_326"></a><a href="#FNanchor_326_326"><span class="label">[326]</span></a> For information in regard to the laws the History is +indebted to Mrs. Anna Christy (George H.) Fall, a practicing lawyer of +Malden.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_327_327" id="Footnote_327_327"></a><a href="#FNanchor_327_327"><span class="label">[327]</span></a> This was purely class legislation, as the woman who had +paid property tax was not required to pay poll-tax, and poor women +could not vote without paying two dollars each year. The law was not +asked for by the Suffrage Association.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_328_328" id="Footnote_328_328"></a><a href="#FNanchor_328_328"><span class="label">[328]</span></a> The History is indebted for this chapter to Miss Lavina +Allen Hatch of East Pembroke, recording secretary of the association +from its beginning in 1882, and also corresponding secretary from +1892.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_329_329" id="Footnote_329_329"></a><a href="#FNanchor_329_329"><span class="label">[329]</span></a> In 1884 the Boston Political Class was formed as an +auxiliary. While the idea of such an educational scheme originated +with Sara A. Underwood, its successful development is due to Harriette +Robinson Shattuck, who became president of the class. Lavina Allen +Hatch kept its records, and Dora Bascom Smith gave the use of her +parlors for its fortnightly meetings.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_755" id="Page_755">[Pg 755]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLVI" id="CHAPTER_XLVI"></a>CHAPTER XLVI.</h2> + +<h3>MICHIGAN.<a name="FNanchor_330_330" id="FNanchor_330_330"></a><a href="#Footnote_330_330" class="fnanchor">[330]</a></h3> + + +<p>From the time of the defeat of the suffrage amendment to the State +constitution in 1874 there was no central organization in Michigan for +ten years, although a few local societies maintained an existence. +Through a conjunction of these forces a convention was called at +Flint, May 21, 1884, which resulted in the forming of a State Equal +Suffrage Association, officered as follows: President, Mary L. Doe; +vice-president, Gov. Josiah W. Begole; corresponding secretary, Nellie +Walker; recording secretary, Fannie Holden Fowler; treasurer, Cordelia +F. Briggs.</p> + +<p>The second State convention was held in Grand Rapids, Oct. 7-9, 1885, +with Lucy Stone and Henry B. Blackwell in attendance. Letters were +received from Susan B. Anthony, president of the National Association, +and Thomas W. Palmer, U. S. Senator from Michigan. The latter said: "I +hope that you will put forward the economic aspect of the +question—its effect upon taxation. Women are the natural economists."</p> + +<p>In lieu of the annual meeting in 1886 four political State +conventions—Prohibition, Greenback, Republican and Democratic—were +memorialized for a plank indorsing a Municipal Suffrage Bill. Sarah E. +V. Emery appeared before the Prohibition convention, which adopted the +plank. She also attended the Democratic, where she was invited to the +platform and made a vigorous speech, which was received with applause, +but the suffrage resolution was not adopted. Emily B. Ketcham attended +the Republican convention but was refused a hearing before the +Committee on Resolutions. After its report had been accepted friends +obtained an opportunity for her to address the meeting, but she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_756" id="Page_756">[Pg 756]</a></span> was +received with considerable discourtesy. Mrs. Fowler secured the +adoption of the plank by the Greenback convention.</p> + +<p>The association met in the State House at Lansing, Jan. 13, 14, 1887. +Miss Anthony, vice-president-at-large of the National Association, +gave an address in Representative Hall. She was introduced by Gov. +Cyrus G. Luce, and many senators and representatives were in the +audience.<a name="FNanchor_331_331" id="FNanchor_331_331"></a><a href="#Footnote_331_331" class="fnanchor">[331]</a></p> + +<p>The convention of 1888 took place in Bay City, June 6-8. The Rev. Anna +Howard Shaw and Helen M. Gougar of Indiana addressed large audiences +in the opera house on successive evenings. Immediately afterward a +series of two days' meetings was held by Mrs. Gougar, assisted by May +Stocking Knaggs, at Saginaw, Flint, Port Huron, Detroit, Battle Creek +and Grand Rapids, societies being organized at several places.</p> + +<p>In November the Association for the Advancement of Women met in +Detroit. Many suffragists were in attendance and the State president, +Mrs. Doe, called a council in the parlors of the Church of Our Father. +Fifty responded and it was unanimously decided to renew the effort for +Municipal Suffrage.</p> + +<p>The annual meeting was held in the State House at Lansing, Jan. 19-21, +1889. A letter was received from Senator Palmer, enclosing a draft for +$100 and saying: "Equal suffrage in municipal affairs means better +statutes, better ordinances, better officers, better administration, +lower taxation, happier homes and a better race." This generous gift +enabled the association to keep a committee—Helen Philleo Jenkins, +Harriet A. Cook, Mrs. Ketcham and Mrs. Knaggs—at the capital for +several weeks, where they worked systematically to convert members and +to secure victory.</p> + +<p>The convention met at Detroit, Feb. 13, 14, 1890. Mrs. Doe, who had +been the leader of the State forces since their organization, declined +renomination and Mrs. Jenkins was chosen president.</p> + +<p>The association convened at Lansing again Feb. 10-12, 1891;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_757" id="Page_757">[Pg 757]</a></span> and its +speakers were given a joint hearing in Representative Hall on the +Municipal Suffrage Bill, which was then before the Legislature. +Addresses were made by Harriet J. Boutelle, Belle M. Perry, Sarah E. +V. Emery and Martha Snyder Root.</p> + +<p>Miss Anthony was present at the State convention, which took place in +Battle Creek, May 4, 5, 1892. Articles of incorporation were adopted +and Mrs. Ketcham was elected president.</p> + +<p>In June the State Republican Convention met at East Saginaw. Mrs. +Ketcham, with Mrs. Doe, chairman of the legislative committee, pleaded +before the Committee on Resolutions for recognition of this measure. +They were courteously treated and when about to retire their opinion +was asked on a list of resolutions presented from Genesee County, +<i>viz.</i>: That women professors be appointed at Michigan University +until their number should bear a fair proportion to the number of +women students; that women be appointed on boards of control of the +State penal, reformatory and charitable institutions; that Municipal +Suffrage for women be recommended, and that an amendment to the State +constitution, striking out the word "male" as a qualification for +voters, be submitted to the electors. The ladies indorsed all except +the fourth proposition, but none of them was adopted.</p> + +<p>After the nominations for the Legislature had been made, letters were +written to candidates of all parties to ascertain their attitude +toward the Municipal Suffrage Bill. Many favorable and some evasive +replies were received, while not a few letters were wholly ignored. A +suffrage lecture course was arranged in eight cities, from November, +1892, to March, 1893, inclusive, with Miss Anthony and Miss Shaw, +president and vice-president-at-large of the National Association and +Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, chairman of the organization committee, Mrs. +Clara Bewick Colby of Washington, D. C., and Mrs. Lida A. Meriwether +of Tennessee, as speakers.</p> + +<p>The next annual convention was held in the Capitol, Feb. 1-3, 1893. +Mrs. Colby had preceded it in January with her address on Wyoming, +given in Representative Hall, the facts and figures of which left a +strong impression.<a name="FNanchor_332_332" id="FNanchor_332_332"></a><a href="#Footnote_332_332" class="fnanchor">[332]</a> The speakers addressed the Legislature in +behalf of the Municipal Suffrage Bill.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_758" id="Page_758">[Pg 758]</a></span></p> + +<p>In January, 1894, Miss Anthony lectured at Ann Arbor before the +University Association. By the efforts of Mrs. Olivia B. Hall, her +hostess and friend of many years, preparations had been made for a +mass meeting, in which the State E. S. A. participated, Miss Shaw also +being present. It convened in Newberry Hall, January 15-17, with a +large attendance and resulted in the organization of the Ann Arbor E. +S. A., with one hundred members and Mrs. Hall as president. On the +last evening she gave a large reception at her home in honor of the +two ladies, which was attended by President and Mrs. George B. Angell +and many of the university faculty.</p> + +<p>This year's convention assembled at Grand Rapids, May 7-10, with the +Rev. Ida C. Hultin of Illinois as the principal speaker.</p> + +<p>The meeting of 1895 took place at Saginaw, May 7-9. In the evening +Representative George H. Waldo gave a review of his efforts in behalf +of the Equal Suffrage Bill, and an enthusiastic indorsement of the +measure. This convention had the assistance of Mrs. Chapman Catt, who +made the chief address. Mrs. Ketcham retired from the presidency and +the association elected Mrs. Knaggs. A new standing committee of five +was appointed to secure women physicians and attendants in public +institutions for the care of women and girls. After adjournment the +Saginaw Political Equality Club was formed.</p> + +<p>In 1896 the State convention met in Pontiac, May 19-22. Senator Palmer +was the orator of the occasion.</p> + +<p>The following July Mrs. Knaggs and Carrie C. Faxon addressed the +Democratic State Convention at Bay City, through the courtesy of the +Hons. John Donovan and O'Brien J. Atkinson. They were accorded an +attentive hearing with much applause, and given a rising vote of +thanks, emphasized by an exhortation from the chairman, the Hon. +Thomas Barkworth, that the party prepare to concede to the women of +the State their political rights.</p> + +<p>The annual meeting of 1897 took place in Vermontville, May 11-13. On +November 22, 23, a national conference was held in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_759" id="Page_759">[Pg 759]</a></span> Grand Rapids by +Miss Anthony, Miss Shaw and Mrs. Chapman Catt, together with the +officers of the State association and many other Michigan women.</p> + +<p>In 1898 the convention met in Bay City, May 3-5. On the last evening +Mrs. May Wright Sewall of Indiana gave a brilliant address on The +Duties of Women Considered as Patriots. Its strong peace sentiments +aroused deep interest, as this was at the beginning of the +Spanish-American War.</p> + +<p>The invitation of the Susan B. Anthony Club of Grand Rapids to the +National W. S. A., to hold its annual convention in that city in 1899, +having been accepted, the date was fixed for April 27 to May 3, +inclusive, and it was decided that the State meeting should +immediately follow. This national gathering was full of interest, +affording as it did an opportunity of attendance to many women of the +State who were unable to go to the convention at Washington.<a name="FNanchor_333_333" id="FNanchor_333_333"></a><a href="#Footnote_333_333" class="fnanchor">[333]</a> +Grand Rapids women were generous in their hospitality, all visitors +being entertained free of expense. The executive ability of Mrs. +Ketcham was evident from first to last. The State association held a +business session May 4, and was addressed by Mr. Blackwell and Mrs. +Colby. Mrs. Lenore Starker Bliss was elected president.</p> + +<p>An immediate result of the national meeting was the organization of +the Anna Shaw Junior Equal Suffrage Club of Grand Rapids, with +seventeen youthful members.</p> + +<p>In December the American Federation of Labor held its annual +convention in Detroit. Miss Anthony addressed it by invitation and +urged the members to adopt a resolution asking Congress for a +Sixteenth Amendment forbidding the disfranchisement of United States +citizens on account of sex. Her speech was most enthusiastically +received and the resolution she offered was immediately adopted, and, +in the form of a petition which represented nearly 1,000,000 members, +duly forwarded to Congress.</p> + +<p>Prior to the State convention of 1900 Mrs. Chapman Catt, assisted by +Miss Shaw, Miss Harriet May Mills of New York and Mrs. Root, held two +days' conventions at Hillsdale, Battle Creek, Kalamazoo and Ann Arbor, +organizing suffrage clubs at the first<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_760" id="Page_760">[Pg 760]</a></span> three places. The annual +meeting convened in Detroit, May 15-17, Miss Shaw and Mrs. Chapman +Catt giving addresses on consecutive evenings. Mrs. Bliss declining +renomination, Mrs. Ketcham was unanimously replaced at the head of the +State association.<a name="FNanchor_334_334" id="FNanchor_334_334"></a><a href="#Footnote_334_334" class="fnanchor">[334]</a></p> + +<p>In July, at the request of Miss Anthony, the Columbia Catholic Summer +School held in Detroit extended an invitation for a speech on +suffrage. Mrs. Chapman Catt was selected, all arrangements being made +by Mrs. Jenkins and others. Father W. J. Dalton, who introduced her, +said he hoped to see women voting and filling all offices, even that +of police commissioner.</p> + +<p>The Greenback and the People's parties have welcomed women as +assistants. Prominent among these have been Marian Todd, Martha E. +Strickland and Elizabeth Eaglesfield. In 1896 Mrs. Emery and Mrs. Root +were placed upon the State Central Committee of the People's Party. +The Prohibitionists also have received women as party workers.</p> + +<p>Besides those already named, others who have been foremost in every +plan to forward equality for women are Giles B. and Catharine A. F. +Stebbins, Sara Philleo Skinner, Lila E. Bliss, H. Margaret Downs, +Delisle P. Holmes, Wesley Emery, Brent Harding, Smith G. Ketcham and +John Wesley Knaggs; among the younger women, Florence Jenkins Spalding +and Edith Frances Hall.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action:</span> Prior to 1885 the charters of twelve cities made +inoperative the early State law which gave School Suffrage to women. +By appealing to the Legislature of that year the charters of Grand +Rapids and Bay City were so amended that the right to vote at school +meetings was conferred upon women.</p> + +<p>The new State association organized in 1884 adopted as its principal +plan of work a bill which had been drawn by the Hon. Samuel Fowler and +introduced in the Legislature of 1883, to grant Municipal Suffrage to +women.</p> + +<p>In 1885 this bill was presented in the Senate by John W. Belknap, a +strong supporter. Independent of the State association, Theodore G. +Houk introduced in the House a joint resolution to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_761" id="Page_761">[Pg 761]</a></span> strike the word +"male" from the constitution. The Joint Judiciary Committees granted a +hearing to the friends of woman suffrage in February. The Municipal +Bill came to a vote in the Senate on May 21, which resulted in 14 +ayes, 15 noes, but was not acted upon in the House. The Houk joint +resolution passed the House by 81 ayes, 10 noes, but was not brought +up in the Senate.</p> + +<p>In 1887 the Municipal Suffrage Bill was again taken up, being +introduced simultaneously in both Houses, in the lower by Henry +Watson, in the upper by Charles J. Monroe, both staunch friends. A +hearing was had before the Senate Judiciary and the House Committee on +Elections in March. Miss Frances E. Willard aided the suffragists by a +brief address. On April 12 the House committee reported in favor of +striking out all after the enacting clause, thus completely +obliterating the bill, which report was accepted by a vote of 50 ayes, +33 noes. The Senate Bill was not considered.</p> + +<p>In 1889 the Municipal Suffrage Bill was introduced in the Senate by +Arthur D. Gilmore and in the House by Dr. James B. F. Curtis. It was +referred to the Judiciary Committees, and at their request the hearing +was had before the entire Legislature during the annual convention of +the State E. S. A. No outside lecturers were invited, because the +friends of the measure were met by a strongly-expressed wish that the +women of Michigan should speak for themselves. Short speeches were +made by May Stocking Knaggs, Catharine A. F. Stebbins, Emily B. +Ketcham, Lucy F. Andrews, Elizabeth Eaglesfield, Frances Riddle +Stafford, Harriet A. Cook, Mrs. R. M. Kellogg, Phebe B. Whitfield and +Mary B. Clay of Kentucky who was then residing in the State. Mrs. +Clara Bewick Colby being present, she was invited to make the closing +remarks.</p> + +<p>Just before this hearing the bevy of officers and speakers passing +through the corridor on their way to the House were warned by Joseph +Greusel, a friendly journalist, that a circular of protest had been +placed upon the desk of each member. This was headed: "Massachusetts +Remonstrants against Woman Suffrage, to the Members of the Michigan +Legislature;" and contained<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_762" id="Page_762">[Pg 762]</a></span> the familiar array of misrepresentations. +With the co-operation of Lucy Stone, a reply was printed immediately +after the convention and likewise distributed in the Legislature.</p> + +<p>The House Bill remained under the judicious guardianship of Dr. +Curtis. The chairman of the legislative committee, Mrs. Knaggs, was in +constant attendance and secured valuable information on the practical +working of Municipal Suffrage from Gov. Lyman U. Humphrey, +Attorney-General Simeon B. Bradford, ex-Attorney-General L. B. Kellogg +and Laura M. Johns, all of Kansas. The Hon. Charles B. Waite of +Chicago prepared by request an exhaustive legal opinion on The Power +of the Legislature of Michigan in Reference to Municipal Suffrage. The +Judiciary Committee—John V. B. Goodrich, Russell R. Pealer, Byron S. +Waite, Norris J. Brown, Oliver S. Smith, Thomas C. Taylor, James A. +Randall—gave a unanimous report in favor of the bill, which included +this opinion and the Kansas reports. Senator Thomas W. Palmer, who had +been appointed Minister to Spain, went to Lansing on the very eve of +leaving this country and, in an address to the joint Houses of the +Legislature, made a strong plea for the measure.</p> + +<p>As the day fixed for the consideration of the bill approached, the +suffrage committee found itself confronted by an arrangement, quietly +made by the opponents, to have an address delivered in Representative +Hall by a Mrs. Mary Livermore, who had been holding parlor meetings in +Detroit for pay and speaking against woman suffrage; and the false +report was industriously circulated that this was the great suffragist +of like name, who had discarded her lifelong convictions and gone over +to the enemy.</p> + +<p>The bill was considered May 15, 1889. By the courtesy of J. B. +Mulliken, general manager of the D. L. and N. R. R., a special train +which carried a large delegation of women was sent from Detroit. Some +came from other parts of the State and the societies of Lansing were +well represented. The galleries were filled and the floor of the House +was lined with interested women. After a largely favorable discussion +the vote was taken, resulting in 58 yeas, 34 noes. The bill was +immediately dispatched to the Senate. That body lost no time, but at +once brought the measure<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_763" id="Page_763">[Pg 763]</a></span> under consideration and after a brief +discussion it was defeated by one vote—11 ayes, 12 noes.<a name="FNanchor_335_335" id="FNanchor_335_335"></a><a href="#Footnote_335_335" class="fnanchor">[335]</a></p> + +<p>That evening Mrs. Livermore gave her belated dissertation and, upon +motion, was followed by Adele Hazlitt, who with great courtesy slew +her weak arguments.</p> + +<p>At this session the charters of East Saginaw and Detroit were amended +to give women of those cities the school ballot; the former through +the efforts of Representative Rowland Connor.<a name="FNanchor_336_336" id="FNanchor_336_336"></a><a href="#Footnote_336_336" class="fnanchor">[336]</a></p> + +<p>In 1891 the Municipal Suffrage Bill was again presented to the +Legislature, in the House by Samuel Miller and in the Senate by Alfred +Milnes, both champions of the measure. The State suffrage convention +was in session at the capital February 10-12, and the Legislature gave +a joint hearing in Representative Hall to its speakers, all Michigan +women. The Senate Bill was taken up March 25, discussed and lost by 14 +ayes, 12 noes. It was then tabled and taken up again May 13, receiving +14 ayes, 15 noes. Just prior to this consideration of the bill +ninety-five petitions in its favor, representing eighty-eight towns +and bearing several thousand signatures, were presented.</p> + +<p>This discussion was the most trying of all during the ten years of +effort to secure Municipal Suffrage, owing to the character of the +chief opponent, Senator Frank Smith, who represented the basest +elements of Detroit. Knowing his illiteracy, the reporters had +expected much sport by sending his speech to the papers in full, but +in the interests of decency they refrained from publishing it. Women +came down from the galleries white with anger and disgust, and avowed +that if they never had wanted the ballot before they wanted it now. +The suffrage committee received many friendly courtesies from +Lieut.-Gov. John Strong, besides a substantial gift of money. When +asked for the use of the Senate Chamber for one evening of the +convention he said: "Certainly; your money helped to build the State +House. You have as much right to it as any of us."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_764" id="Page_764">[Pg 764]</a></span></p> + +<p>In March, 1893, the bill was introduced by Henry Wirt Newkirk in the +House and Samuel W. Hopkins in the Senate. Both were lawyers of +distinguished ability, and among the most earnest advocates the +measure ever had. The State suffrage convention was in session while +it was being considered. The Rev. Anna Howard Shaw and the Rev. +Caroline Bartlett made addresses before the Legislature, the latter +speaking on Woman's Legitimate and Illegitimate Work in Politics. +These speeches took the place of the customary committee hearing. The +evening before the bill was voted on Miss Anthony addressed the +Legislature with her customary acumen and force.</p> + +<p>The measure had been made the special order for 2:30 <span class="smcap">p. m.</span> the next +day. The House assembled at 2 o'clock. Following the roll-call the +usual order was the presentation of petitions. At this time a member +in the rear, at a sufficient distance from the Speaker's desk to give +impressiveness to what would follow, rose and presented "A petition +from the people of Chippewa County in favor of the Municipal Woman +Suffrage Bill." A page sprang forward and taking the document, which +was prepared upon paper of an extra size and ornamented with long +streamers of red and green ribbons, ran with it to the clerk's desk, +and that officer proceeded to read it at length, including a long list +of signatures which comprised Patrick O'Shea, Annie Rooney, Spotted +Tail, etc. This petition was followed by two others of similar +character, bearing Indian names of such significance as the wit of the +opposition could invent. After this dignified prelude the House +discussed the measure at length, and defeated it by a vote of 38 ayes, +39 noes. A reconsideration was moved and the bill tabled.</p> + +<p>This Municipal Suffrage Bill was taken up again in May and passed the +House on the 19th with an educational amendment: "Women who are able +to read the constitution of Michigan in the English language." The +vote was 57 ayes, 25 noes. On May 25 it was considered in the Senate +and, after a vigorous battle, was carried by a vote of 18 ayes, 11 +noes. Gov. John T. Rich affixed his signature May 27, and apparent +victory was won after ten years of effort. Representative Newkirk and +Senator Hopkins received the heartfelt gratitude of those for whom +they had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_765" id="Page_765">[Pg 765]</a></span> given their ardent labors, and local societies held jubilee +meetings. The newspapers of the State were unanimous in expressing +welcome to the new class of voters.</p> + +<p>Mary L. Doe started at once upon a tour for the purpose of organizing +municipal franchise leagues for the study of city government, and +everywhere was met with eager interest. She left a league in every +place she visited, men also joining in the plans for study. Thus in +conscientious preparation for their new duties, women in the various +municipalities passed the summer and early autumn of 1893.</p> + +<p>Mayor Pingree of Detroit recognizing the new law, ordered a sufficient +additional number of registration books, but Edward H. Kennedy and +Henry S. Potter, who were opposed to it, filed an injunction against +Hazen S. Pingree and the Common Council to restrain them from this +extra purchase. Mary Stuart Coffin and Mary E. Burnett "countered" by +filing a mandamus September 30, to compel the election commissioners +to provide means for carrying out the law. As these were cases for +testing the constitutionality of the law they were taken directly to +the Supreme Court. They were set for argument October 10, at 2 <span class="smcap">P. M.</span>, +but a case of local interest was allowed to usurp the time till 4 +o'clock, one hour only being left for the arguments with three +advocates on each side. Two of the women's lawyers, John B. Corliss +and Henry A. Haigh, therefore filed briefs and gave their time to the +first attorney, Col. John Atkinson.</p> + +<p>A decision was rendered October 24, the mandamus denied and the +injunction granted, all the judges concurring, on the ground that the +Legislature had no authority to create a new class of voters. Those +who gave this decision were Chief Justice John W. McGrath and Justices +Frank A. Hooker, John D. Long, Claudius B. Grant and Robert M. +Montgomery.<a name="FNanchor_337_337" id="FNanchor_337_337"></a><a href="#Footnote_337_337" class="fnanchor">[337]</a></p> + +<p>In spite of this Waterloo, the names of those men who, through the ten +years' struggle, in the various sessions of the Legislature, stood as +champions of the political rights of women, are cherished in memory. +Besides those already given are Lieut-Gov. Archibald<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_766" id="Page_766">[Pg 766]</a></span> Butters, +Senators Edwin G. Fox, James D. Turnbull, Charles H. McGinley and C. +J. Brundage, and Representative Fremont G. Chamberlain. In both +Houses, session after session, there were many eloquent advocates of +woman's equality.</p> + +<p>No further efforts have been made by women to secure the suffrage; but +in 1895 George H. Waldo, without solicitation, introduced into the +House a joint resolution to amend the constitution by striking out the +word "male." This was done in fulfilment of a promise to his mother +and his wife, when nominated, to do all that he could to secure the +enfranchisement of women if elected. Although the officers of the +State association did not believe the time to be ripe for the +submission of such an amendment, they could not withhold a friendly +hand from so ardent and sincere a champion. The resolution was lost by +one vote.</p> + +<p>This Legislature passed what was known as "the blanket charter act," +in which the substitution of "and" for "or" seemed so to affect the +right of women to the school ballot in cities of the fourth class as +to create a general disturbance. It resulted in an appeal to +Attorney-General Fred A. Maynard, who rendered an opinion sustaining +the suffrage of women in those cities.</p> + +<p>In 1897 the main efforts of the association were directed toward +securing a bill to place women on boards of control of the State +Asylums for the Insane, and one to make mandatory the appointment of +women physicians to take charge of women patients in these asylums and +in the Home for the Feeble-Minded. These measures were both lost; but +on April 15 Governor Pingree appointed Jane M. Kinney to the Board of +Control of the Eastern Michigan Asylum for the Insane at Pontiac for a +term of six years, and after twenty days' delay the Senate confirmed +the appointment.</p> + +<p>Interest was taken also in a bill requiring a police matron in towns +of 10,000 inhabitants or more, which this year became law.</p> + +<p>In 1899 a bill was again introduced into the Legislature to make +mandatory the appointment of women physicians in asylums for the +insane, the Industrial Home for Girls, the Home for the Feeble-Minded, +the School for Deaf Mutes and the School for the Blind. This measure +had now enlisted the interest of the State Federation of Women's Clubs +and many other organizations of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_767" id="Page_767">[Pg 767]</a></span> women, and thousands of petitions +were presented. Emma J. Rose led the work of the women's clubs in its +behalf. It passed the Legislature and became a law.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Laws:</span> In 1885 a law was enacted that manufacturers who employ women +must furnish seats for them; in 1889 that no girl under fifteen years +of age should be employed in factories or stores for a longer period +than fifty-four hours in a single week; in 1893 that no woman under +twenty-one should be employed in any manufacturing establishment +longer than sixty hours in any one week; in 1895 that no woman under +twenty-one should be allowed to clean machinery while in motion.<a name="FNanchor_338_338" id="FNanchor_338_338"></a><a href="#Footnote_338_338" class="fnanchor">[338]</a></p> + +<p>A law enacted in 1897 prohibits the use of indecent, immoral, obscene +or insulting language in the presence of any woman or child, with a +penalty for its violation.</p> + +<p>Dower but not curtesy obtains. The widow is entitled to the life use +of one-third of the real estate, and to one-third of the rents, issues +and profits of property not conveniently divisible, owned by her +husband. She may stay in the dwelling of her husband and receive +reasonable support for one year. She is entitled to her apparel and +ornaments and those of her husband, $250 worth of his household +furniture and $200 worth of his other personal property, which she may +select. If he die without a will and there are no children she +inherits one-half, and if there are no other heirs the whole of her +husband's real estate, and personal property, if the latter, after all +debts are paid, does not exceed $1,000. If there is excess of this it +is distributed like real estate. This reservation is not made for the +widower, but "no individual, under any circumstances, takes any larger +interest than the husband in the personal property of his deceased +wife."</p> + +<p>Where the wife has separate real estate she may sell, mortgage or +bequeath it as if she were "sole." The husband can not give full title +to his real estate unless the wife joins so as to cut off her dower.</p> + +<p>The wife's time, services, earnings and society belong to her husband, +but he may give to his wife her services rendered for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_768" id="Page_768">[Pg 768]</a></span> another, +whether in his own household or elsewhere, so that she may recover for +them in her own name. Damages for the loss of such services and +society, resulting from injuries inflicted upon the wife, belong to +the husband and are to be recovered in his own name. Her obligation to +render family services for him is co-extensive with his obligation to +support her. She can sue in her own name for personal injuries.</p> + +<p>Husband and wife can not be partners in business; but of personal +property owned by them jointly she is entitled to her share the same +as if unmarried; and real estate held by them in fee or in joint +tenancy goes entirely to the survivor without probate or other +proceedings.</p> + +<p>A wife may become a sole trader with the husband's consent, or may +form a business partnership with another. She can not become security.</p> + +<p>All persons, except infants and married women and persons of unsound +mind, may submit differences to arbitration.</p> + +<p>The father is legally entitled to the custody of the persons and +education of minor children, and may appoint a guardian by will for +the minority even of one unborn, but the mother may present objections +to the Probate Judge and appeal from his decision.</p> + +<p>The husband must provide the necessities of life according to his +station and means while the wife remains in his domicile. If she is +deserted or non-supported, the Circuit Court of the county shall +assign such part of his real or personal estate as it deems necessary +for her support, and may enforce the decree by sale of such real +estate, which provision holds during their joint lives.</p> + +<p>In 1887 the "age of protection" for girls was raised from 10 to 14 +years. In 1895 a bill to raise the age from 14 to 18 was introduced in +the Senate by Joseph R. McLaughlin. More than 10,000 persons +petitioned for its passage, two similar bills having been introduced +in the House. A hearing was granted by the Judiciary Committees, at +which speeches were made by Senator and Mrs. McLaughlin, Clara A. +Avery, Mrs. Andrew Howell, Dr. E. L. Shirley, the aged Lucinda +Hinsdale Stone, Melvin A. and Martha Snyder Root. Mrs. Root also +addressed the Legislature in Representative Hall. The bill was amended +to 17 years and passed in the Senate. The next day, after its<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_769" id="Page_769">[Pg 769]</a></span> friends +had dispersed, the vote was reconsidered and the bill amended to 16 +years, passing both Houses in this form. The penalty is imprisonment +for life, or for any such period as the court shall direct, no minimum +penalty being named.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> When at the close of the Civil War the States eliminated the +word "white" from their constitutions, Michigan in 1867 amended her +School Law to conform and also struck out the word "male" as a +qualification for the suffrage, and gave tax-paying women a vote for +school trustees. In 1881 this law was further amended to include +parents or guardians of children of school age. No woman can vote for +county or State Superintendents, as these officers are provided for +under the constitution. Tax-paying women may also vote on bonds and +appropriations for school purposes.</p> + +<p>The year of 1888 was marked by a test of the constitutionality of this +School Law, which involved the right of the Legislature to confer any +form of suffrage whatever upon women. The test was made through the +prosecution of the inspectors of election of the city of Flint by Mrs. +Eva R. Belles, whose vote was refused at a school election, she being +a qualified voter under the State law. Mrs. Belles won her case which +was then appealed to the Supreme Court. This affirmed the decision of +the lower court and sustained the law.</p> + +<p>In May, 1893, the Legislature conferred Municipal Suffrage on women, +but in October the Supreme Court decided it unconstitutional on the +ground that "the Legislature had no authority to create a new class of +voters." (See Legislative Action.) The Court held that it could, +however, confer School Suffrage as "the whole primary school system is +confided to the Legislature and its officers are not mentioned in the +constitution." By this decision women can have no other form of the +franchise except by constitutional amendment.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> Hundreds of women are serving as officers and members +of school boards throughout the State, as township school inspectors +and as county school commissioners and examiners.</p> + +<p>A number are acting as deputy county clerks, and one as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_770" id="Page_770">[Pg 770]</a></span> deputy clerk +of the United States District Court. The latter frequently opens the +court. Women serve as notaries public.</p> + +<p>For thirty years women have filled the office of State Librarian, the +present incumbent being Mary C. Spencer.</p> + +<p>Dr. Harriet M. C. Stone has been for several years assistant physician +in the Michigan Asylum for the Insane at Kalamazoo.</p> + +<p>The State Industrial School for Girls has two women on the Board of +Guardians, one of whom, Allaseba M. Bliss, is the president and is +serving her second term of four years, having been reappointed by Gov. +Hazen S. Pingree.<a name="FNanchor_339_339" id="FNanchor_339_339"></a><a href="#Footnote_339_339" class="fnanchor">[339]</a> Since 1899 the law requires women physicians in +asylums for the insane and other State institutions where women and +children are cared for.</p> + +<p>In the autumn of 1898 Mrs. Merrie Hoover Abbott, law-partner in the +firm of Abbott & Abbott of West Branch, was nominated on the +Democratic ticket as prosecuting attorney of Ogemaw County. She was +elected and entered upon her duties Jan. 1, 1899. <i>Quo warranto</i> +proceedings were instituted by Attorney-General Horace M. Oren to test +her right to the office, and October 17 the Supreme Court filed its +opinion and entered judgment of ouster. In the meantime Mrs. Abbott +had discharged successfully the duties of the position. The opinion +was as follows: "Where the constitution in creating a public office is +silent in regard to qualification to office, <i>electors</i> only are +qualified to fill the same, and since under the constitution women are +not electors, they are not eligible to hold such offices. The office +of prosecuting attorney is a constitutional office which can only be +held by one possessing the qualification of an elector."</p> + +<p>From this opinion Justice Joseph B. Moore dissented, making an able +argument. In closing he said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The statutes of this State confer upon woman the right to +practice law. She may represent her client in the most important +litigation in all the courts, and no one can dispute her right. +She may defend a person charged with murder. Can she not +prosecute one charged with the larceny of a whip? To say she can +not seems illogical.... Individuals may employ her and the courts +must recognize her employment. If the people see fit, by electing +her to an office the duties of which pertain almost wholly to the +practice of the law, to employ her to represent them in their +litigation,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_771" id="Page_771">[Pg 771]</a></span> why should not the courts recognize the +employment?... Where the constitution and the statutes are silent +as to the qualification for a given office, the people may elect +whom they will, if the person so elected is competent to +discharge the duties of the office.... None of the duties of +prosecuting attorney are of such a character as to preclude one +from their performance simply because of sex.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Charles S. Abbott, Allen S. Morse and T. A. E. Weadock were the +advocates for Mrs. Abbott, and she also made a strong oral argument in +her own behalf. Unfortunately the case was not one which permitted an +appeal to the U. S. Supreme Court.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> No profession or occupation is forbidden by law to women.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> All universities and colleges admit women. The University +of Michigan (Ann Arbor), one of the largest in the country, was among +the first to open its doors to them. (1869.) Mrs. Lucinda Hinsdale +Stone was a strong factor in securing their admission. In having women +on its faculty, it is still in advance of most of those where +co-education prevails.</p> + +<p>In the public schools there are 3,471 men and 12,093 women teachers. +The average monthly salary of the men is $44.48; of the women, $35.35.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>Michigan may truly be called the founder of Woman's Clubs, as the +first one for purely literary culture of which we have any record was +formed in Kalamazoo, in 1852, by Mrs. Stone, to whom the women of the +State are deeply indebted in many ways. At present (1902) there are +133 in the General Federation with a membership of about 10,000, and a +number are not federated. This State also leads all others in the +number of women's club houses, ten of the leading clubs possessing +their own. There are two of these in Grand Rapids—the St. Cecilia +(musical) costing $53,000, and the Ladies' Literary costing $30,000, +both containing fine libraries, large audience rooms and every +convenience.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_330_330" id="Footnote_330_330"></a><a href="#FNanchor_330_330"><span class="label">[330]</span></a> The History is indebted for this chapter to Mrs. Mary +L. Doe and Mrs. May Stocking Knaggs, both of Bay City and former +presidents of the State Equal Suffrage Association.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_331_331" id="Footnote_331_331"></a><a href="#FNanchor_331_331"><span class="label">[331]</span></a> This year strong societies were formed in Detroit, Bay +City and Battle Creek. Michigan sent three representatives, Melvin A. +and Martha Snyder Root and Emily B. Ketcham, to the New England Woman +Suffrage Bazaar held at Boston in December. Mr. and Mrs. Root had +spent much time and money canvassing the State to arouse interest and +secure contributions for this, and at its close New England gave to +Michigan the total proceeds of her sales.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_332_332" id="Footnote_332_332"></a><a href="#FNanchor_332_332"><span class="label">[332]</span></a> Melvin A. Root presented at this convention a compact +digest of The Legal Condition of Girls and Women in Michigan, which +was published the following year. It has been used widely, not only in +this but in other States, and has proved of inestimable service. A +liberal gift of money came from the Hon. Delos A. Blodgett of Grand +Rapids, a constant friend.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_333_333" id="Footnote_333_333"></a><a href="#FNanchor_333_333"><span class="label">[333]</span></a> See <a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">Chap. XVIII.</a></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_334_334" id="Footnote_334_334"></a><a href="#FNanchor_334_334"><span class="label">[334]</span></a> Other officers elected: Vice-president, Clara B. +Arthur; corresponding secretary, Alde L. T. Blake; recording +secretary, Edith Frances Hall; treasurer, Martha Snyder Root; +auditors, Margaret M. Huckins, Frances Ostrander; member national +executive committee, Lenore Starker Bliss.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_335_335" id="Footnote_335_335"></a><a href="#FNanchor_335_335"><span class="label">[335]</span></a> Many petitions in favor of the bill had been sent +unsolicited, this not being a part of the plan of work. After the +quick defeat in the Senate it was found that the chairman of the +committee to which these had been referred had on file the names of +5,502 petitioners (2,469 men, 3,033 women) out of twenty-one +senatorial districts. These were in addition to many thousands sent in +previous sessions, when petitioning had been a method of work.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_336_336" id="Footnote_336_336"></a><a href="#FNanchor_336_336"><span class="label">[336]</span></a> Although the Detroit women obtained the change in their +law just before the spring election, they made a house to house +canvass to secure registration and polled a vote of 2,700 women, +electing Sophronia O. C. Parsons to the school board.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_337_337" id="Footnote_337_337"></a><a href="#FNanchor_337_337"><span class="label">[337]</span></a> It is interesting to note that in Wayne County women +registered and attended primary meetings prior to this decision, but +their votes were held not to invalidate the nominations, although at +least one of the Judges of the Recorder's Court owed his election to +being nominated through the votes of women.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_338_338" id="Footnote_338_338"></a><a href="#FNanchor_338_338"><span class="label">[338]</span></a> In April, 1896, a large number of the philanthropic +women of Detroit, including many suffragists, organized the Protective +Agency for Women and Children, opening an office in the Chamber of +Commerce Building and employing an agent on salary. Since then it has +done admirable work and has obtained some good legislation.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_339_339" id="Footnote_339_339"></a><a href="#FNanchor_339_339"><span class="label">[339]</span></a> Mrs. May Stocking Knaggs has been appointed (1901) a +member of the Board of Control of the State Industrial School for +Girls, by Gov. Aaron T. Bliss. [Eds.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_772" id="Page_772">[Pg 772]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLVII" id="CHAPTER_XLVII"></a>CHAPTER XLVII.</h2> + +<h3>MINNESOTA.<a name="FNanchor_340_340" id="FNanchor_340_340"></a><a href="#Footnote_340_340" class="fnanchor">[340]</a></h3> + + +<p>The first agitation of the question of woman suffrage in Minnesota, +and the first petitions to the Legislature to grant it, began +immediately after the Civil War, through the efforts of Mrs. Sarah +Burger Stearns and Mrs. Mary J. Colburn, and the first suffrage +societies were formed by these ladies in 1869. The work has continued +with more or less regularity up to the present.</p> + +<p>From 1883 to 1890 the State Suffrage Association held its annual +meetings regularly in one or the other of the Twin Cities, Minneapolis +and St. Paul. Susan B. Anthony, Lucy Stone, Henry B. Blackwell, Julia +Ward Howe, the Hon. William Dudley Foulke, Mary A. Livermore, the Rev. +Ada C. Bowles, Abigail Scott Duniway and other eminent advocates were +secured as speakers at different times. Dr. Martha G. Ripley succeeded +Mrs. Sarah Burger Stearns as president in 1883, and was re-elected +each year until 1889. She was followed by Mrs. Ella M. S. Marble for +that year, and Dr. Mary Emery for 1890.</p> + +<p>The association contributed toward sending Mrs. Julia B. Nelson to +South Dakota to speak in the suffrage campaign of 1890. On November +18, 19, the State convention was held in St. Paul, Mrs. Stearns +presiding. Mrs. Nelson was elected president. Among the speakers were +Attorney-General Moses E. Clapp, the Reverends Mr. Vail and Mr. +Morgan, Mrs. A. T. Anderson, Mrs. Priscilla M. Niles, Mrs. Ella +Tremain Whitford and the Rev. Olympia Brown of Wisconsin.</p> + +<p>In the autumn of 1891 the convention met at Blue Earth City. This +place had not lost the savor of the salt which Elizabeth Cady Stanton, +Susan B. Anthony and Phœbe W. Couzins had scattered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_773" id="Page_773">[Pg 773]</a></span> in the +vicinity thirteen years before, and the meetings were enthusiastic and +well-attended. The Rev. W. K. Weaver was the principal speaker.</p> + +<p>It was largely as the superintendent of franchise of the State Woman's +Christian Temperance Union, which was better organized, that Mrs. +Nelson, president of the suffrage association from 1890 to 1896, was +able to secure thousands of signatures to the petitions for the +franchise which were sent to each Legislature during those years.</p> + +<p>The meeting of 1892 took place at Hastings, September 6-8, and was +welcomed by the Rev. Lewis Llewellyn. Letters were read from many +noted people, and addresses given by the Rev. Mr. Morgan, Mrs. Stearns +and several local speakers.</p> + +<p>The convention met in Lake City, Aug. 24, 25, 1893, with the usual +fine addresses, good music and representative audiences.</p> + +<p>In 1894 Woman's Day was celebrated at the State Fair, its managers +paying the speakers.</p> + +<p>In the spring and autumn of 1895 Mrs. Emma Smith DeVoe of Illinois and +Mrs. Laura M. Johns of Kansas, national organizers, lectured +throughout Minnesota and formed a number of clubs. They also attended +the State convention, which was held in the Capitol at St. Paul, +September 10, 11. Gov. D. M. Clough was among those who made +addresses.</p> + +<p>In 1896 the president, Mrs. Nelson, gave one month to lecturing and +visiting societies.</p> + +<p>In October, 1897, the acting president, Mrs. Concheta Ferris Lutz, +made an extended lecture tour. The annual meeting convened at +Minneapolis in November, at the same time as a conference of the +officers of the National Association. All arrangements were made by +Dr. Cora Smith Eaton, Dr. Ripley and Mrs. Niles. The meetings in the +First Baptist Church, one of the largest in the city, were very +successful. On Sunday evening the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, +vice-president-at-large of the National Association, preached in the +Universalist Church, and Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, chairman of the +national organization committee, lectured in the Wesley M. E. Church, +both to crowded houses. The next evening, when Miss Anthony, national +president, and the latter spoke, every foot of standing ground was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_774" id="Page_774">[Pg 774]</a></span> +occupied, and on Tuesday, when Miss Shaw gave her lecture on The Fate +of Republics, the church was equally well-filled.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Nelson, after seven years' service, relinquished the office of +president and Dr. Eaton was elected. Professional duties soon made it +necessary for her to resign and her place was filled by Mrs. Lutz. +Political equality clubs were formed in six different wards of +Minneapolis by Dr. Eaton.</p> + +<p>The convention of 1898 was called October 4, 5, at Minneapolis, with +Mrs. Chapman Catt in attendance. The meetings were held in the G. A. +R. Hall, the Masonic Temple and the Lyceum Theater. Mrs. Martha J. +Thompson was elected president and Dr. Ethel E. Hurd corresponding +secretary.</p> + +<p>In 1899 the convention met in the court-house of Albert Lea, October +9, 10. On the first evening Mrs. Chapman Catt was the speaker, her +theme being A True Democracy. The Rev. Ida C. Hultin of Illinois +lectured on The Crowning Race. Miss Laura A. Gregg and Miss Helen L. +Kimber, both of Kansas, national organizers, gave reports of county +conventions conducted by them throughout Minnesota, with the +assistance of Mrs. Evelyn H. Belden, president of the Iowa Equal +Suffrage Association. The records showed ninety-eight suffrage +meetings altogether to have been held during the year.</p> + +<p>In 1900 the convention took place at Stillwater, October 11, 12. The +officers elected were: President, Mrs. Maude C. Stockwell; +vice-president, Mrs. Jennie E. Brown; corresponding secretary, Miss +Delia O'Malley; recording secretary, Mrs. Maria B. Bryant; treasurer, +Dr. Margaret Koch; auditors, Sanford Niles and Mrs. Estelle Way; +chairman executive committee, Mrs. Martha J. Thompson.<a name="FNanchor_341_341" id="FNanchor_341_341"></a><a href="#Footnote_341_341" class="fnanchor">[341]</a></p> + +<p>Judge J. B. and Mrs. Sarah Burger Stearns, C. W. and Mrs. Martha A. +Dorsett have been among the oldest and most valued<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_775" id="Page_775">[Pg 775]</a></span> suffrage workers +in the State. Miss Martha Scott Anderson, on the staff of the +Minneapolis <i>Journal</i>, gives efficient help to the cause. Three +presidents of the State W. C. T. U., Mesdames Harriet A. Hobart, +Susanna M. D. Fry and Bessie Laythe Scoville have been noted as +advocates of equal rights.<a name="FNanchor_342_342" id="FNanchor_342_342"></a><a href="#Footnote_342_342" class="fnanchor">[342]</a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action and Laws:</span> In February, 1891, at the request of Mrs. +Julia B. Nelson, president, and Mrs. A. T. Anderson, chairman of the +executive committee of the State association, S. A. Stockwell +introduced in the House a bill conferring Municipal Suffrage upon +women. Mrs. Nelson spent several weeks at the capital looking after +the petitions which came from all parts of the State, interviewing +members of the Legislature, distributing literature and trying to get +the bill out of the hands of the Committee on Elections, to which it +had been referred. After repeated postponements a hearing finally was +granted, at which she made a strong plea and showed the good results +of woman suffrage in Kansas and Wyoming. The bill was indefinitely +postponed in Committee of the Whole, by a vote of 52 yeas, 40 nays.</p> + +<p>Among the leaflets placed on the desk of each member was one +especially prepared by Mrs. Nelson, entitled Points on Municipal +Suffrage. One of its twelve points was this: "If the Legislature has +the power to restrict suffrage it certainly has the right to extend +it. The Legislature of Minnesota restricted the suffrage which had +been given to women by a constitutional amendment, when it granted to +the city of St. Paul a charter taking the election of members of the +school board entirely out of the hands of women by giving their +appointment to the mayor, an officer elected by the votes of men +only."<a name="FNanchor_343_343" id="FNanchor_343_343"></a><a href="#Footnote_343_343" class="fnanchor">[343]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_776" id="Page_776">[Pg 776]</a></span></p> + +<p>Early in the session of 1893 Mrs. Nelson had a conference with +Ignatius Donnelly, leader of the Populists, who was then in the +Senate. He was willing to introduce a suffrage bill, but as the +Republicans were in the majority it was thought best to have this done +by John Day Smith, the leader of that party in the Senate. Mr. Smith +consented, with the understanding that Mr. Donnelly should help by +championing the bill. "Municipal Suffrage for women with educational +qualifications," was all this bill asked for. Mrs. Nelson, Mrs. Anna +B. Turley and Senator Donnelly made addresses before the Judiciary +Committee at a hearing in the Senate Chamber, with an interested +audience present. Mrs. Nelson also gave an evening lecture here on The +Road to Freedom.</p> + +<p>In place of this bill one to submit an amendment to the voters was +substituted. The suffragists were averse to this, but accepted it with +the best grace possible, and enthusiastically worked for the new bill +to amend the State constitution by striking the word "male" from the +article restricting the suffrage. Senators Smith, Donnelly and Edwin +E. Lommen spoke for the bill, and it passed the Senate by 31 yeas, 19 +nays.</p> + +<p>In the House it was persistently delayed by the chairman of the +Judiciary Committee, George H. Fletcher, and the friends could not get +it upon the calendar in time to be reached unless it should be made a +special order. Edward T. Young endeavored to have this done, but as +there were several hundred other bills to be considered and less than +three days of the session left, his motion was lost. On the last +night, Mr. Young and H. P. Bjorge made an effort to have the rules +suspended and the bill put upon its final passage. The vote on this +motion was 54 yeas, 44 nays, but as a two-thirds vote is necessary it +was lost. Speaker W. E. Lee voted with the affirmative.<a name="FNanchor_344_344" id="FNanchor_344_344"></a><a href="#Footnote_344_344" class="fnanchor">[344]</a></p> + +<p>Three Suffrage Bills were introduced into the Legislature of 1895, two +in the House and one in the Senate. The first, for an amendment to the +State constitution, was offered by O. L. Brevig and was indefinitely +postponed. S. T. Littleton presented the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_777" id="Page_777">[Pg 777]</a></span> second, which was to give +women a vote upon all questions pertaining to the liquor traffic. This +found favor in the eyes of the W. C. T. U., as did also the County +Option Bill of J. F. Jacobson, but both were unsuccessful. George T. +Barr introduced a Municipal Suffrage Bill into the Senate, but too +late for it to be acted upon.</p> + +<p>In 1897 Ignatius Donnelly secured the introduction of a bill to +enfranchise taxpaying women. A hearing was given by the Judiciary +Committee, at which Mrs. Nelson argued that in simple justice women +who pay taxes should have a voice in their expenditure or be exempted +from taxation, but the bill was not reported.</p> + +<p>This year the State Federation of Clubs secured a resolution to submit +an amendment to the electorate in 1898, giving women the privilege of +voting for and serving on Library Boards.</p> + +<p>In 1899 the Local Council of Women of Minneapolis obtained the +Traveling Library Bill.</p> + +<p>During this year no petitioning or legislative work was done by the +suffragists. The previous legislature had submitted an amendment, +which carried, providing that all amendments hereafter must receive a +majority of the largest number of votes cast at an election, in order +to be adopted. The precedent had been established in 1875 of requiring +a vote of the electors on the granting of School Suffrage to women, +and in 1898, of Library Suffrage, and it was held that <i>the same would +have to be done</i> on granting Municipal or any other form of the +franchise.</p> + +<p>Dower and curtesy were abolished March 9, 1875. If either husband or +wife die without a will, the survivor, if there is issue living, is +entitled to the homestead for life and one-third of the rest of the +real estate in fee-simple, or by such inferior tenure as the deceased +was possessed of, but subject to its just proportion of the debts. If +there are no descendants, the entire real estate goes absolutely to +the survivor. The personal property follows the same rules. If either +husband or wife has wilfully and without just cause deserted and lived +separately from the other for the entire year immediately prior to his +or her decease, such survivor shall not be entitled to any estate +whatever in any of the lands of the deceased.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_778" id="Page_778">[Pg 778]</a></span></p> + +<p>The estate of a child who dies without a will and leaves neither wife +nor children, goes to the father; if he is dead, to the mother.</p> + +<p>The wife can not convey or encumber her separate real estate without +the joinder of her husband. The husband can sell or mortgage all his +real estate without her joinder, but subject to her dower. They are +both free agents as to personal property.</p> + +<p>If divorce is obtained for the adultery of the wife, her own real +estate may be withheld from her, but not so in case of the husband.</p> + +<p>In case of divorce, the court decides which parent is more fit for the +guardianship of children under fourteen years of age; over fourteen, +the child decides. Except when children are given to the mother by +decree of court, the father is the legal guardian of their persons and +property. He may appoint by will a guardian for a child, born or +unborn, to the exclusion of the mother.</p> + +<p>The husband must support the family according to his means. Failure to +do so used to be considered a misdemeanor but it has recently been +made a felony punishable by imprisonment in the penitentiary from one +to three years unless he give bond for their maintenance. This is +likely to be of little effect, however, because of the law of +"privileged communications" which makes it impossible for the wife to +testify against the husband.</p> + +<p>In 1891 the "age of protection" for girls was raised from 10 to 16 +years, after thousands of women had petitioned to have it raised to +18. If the child is under 10 years the penalty is imprisonment in the +penitentiary for life; between 10 and 14 not less than seven nor more +than thirty years; between 14 and 16 not less than one nor more than +seven years, or it may be imprisonment in the county jail not less +than three months nor more than one year.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> An amendment to the constitution was adopted in 1875, giving +women a vote on all questions pertaining to the public schools. It +being held afterward that this did not enable them to vote for county +superintendents, an act for this purpose was passed by the Legislature +in 1885. (!) The constitution was further amended by popular vote in +1898, granting to women the franchise for members of Library Boards, +and making them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_779" id="Page_779">[Pg 779]</a></span> eligible to hold any office pertaining to the +management of libraries. On as harmless an amendment as this 43,600 +men voted in the negative, but 71,704 voted in the affirmative; and it +was adopted.</p> + +<p>This was probably the last election at which any amendment whatever +could have been carried; for, among four submitted in the same year, +was one providing that thereafter no amendment could be adopted by +merely a majority of those voting upon it, but that it must have a +majority of the largest number of votes cast at that election.<a name="FNanchor_345_345" id="FNanchor_345_345"></a><a href="#Footnote_345_345" class="fnanchor">[345]</a> +None ever has been submitted which aroused sufficient interest to +receive as large a vote of both affirmative and negative combined as +was cast for the highest officer. Therefore in Minnesota it is +impossible for women to obtain any further extension of the franchise. +Their only hope for the full suffrage lies in the submission of an +amendment to the Federal Constitution by Congress to the Legislatures +of the various States.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> An act of 1887 declares that a woman shall retain the +same legal existence and legal personality after marriage as before, +and shall receive the same protection of all her rights as a woman +which her husband does as a man; and for any injury sustained to her +reputation, person or property, she shall have the same right to +appeal, in her own name alone, to the courts for redress; but this act +shall not confer upon the wife the right to vote or hold office, +except as is otherwise provided by law. By a constitutional amendment +adopted in 1875 women were made eligible to all offices pertaining to +the public schools and to public libraries. They have served as State +librarians.</p> + +<p>Miss Jennie C. Crays was president of the Minneapolis school board for +two years. There are forty-three women county superintendents at the +present time, each having from 100 to 130 districts to visit. Women +have served as clerks and treasurers of school districts.</p> + +<p>A law of 1889 gave to women as well as men the powers of constables, +sheriffs or police officers, as agents of the Society for the +Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_780" id="Page_780">[Pg 780]</a></span></p> + +<p>A law of 1891 enabled women to be appointed deputies in county +offices.</p> + +<p>Dr. Adele S. Hutchison is a member of the State Medical Board which +examines physicians for license to practice. She was appointed by Gov. +John Lind and is the first woman to hold such a position. Women can +not sit on any other State boards.</p> + +<p>There is no law requiring police matrons but they are employed in +Minneapolis and St. Paul by the city charters.</p> + +<p>The State hospitals for the insane are required by law to have women +physicians. The steward's clerk in the State Institute for Defectives +is a woman. The State Public School for Dependent and Neglected +Children has a matron, a woman agent and a woman clerk. The State +Training School, once called the Reform School, has women for agent +and secretary.</p> + +<p>The State Prison has a matron for the eight women prisoners. There are +about 500 men prisoners (1900).</p> + +<p>The Bethany Home at Minneapolis was established by women in 1875, and +is entirely officered by them. In 1900 it cared for 126 mothers and +226 infants, and had a kindergarten and a training school for nurses. +The city hospitals send all their charity obstetrical cases here, and +about half of its support comes from the city.</p> + +<p>The Northwestern Hospital for Women and Children was founded by women +in 1882, and until 1899 was entirely officered and managed by them.</p> + +<p>The Maternity Hospital for unfortunate women was founded by Dr. Martha +G. Ripley in 1888. In 1899 it cared for 103 mothers and 99 infants.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> No profession or occupation is forbidden to women by law. +Women were admitted to the bar in 1877 by act of the Legislature. +There are sixty-eight women doctors registered as in actual practice +in the State. In Minneapolis there is an active Medical Women's Club +of physicians of both schools. Women ministers are filling pulpits of +Congregational, Universalist, Christian and Wesleyan Methodist +churches, and the superintendent of the State Epworth League is a +woman.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_781" id="Page_781">[Pg 781]</a></span></p> + +<p>Women are especially conspicuous in farming, which is one of the +greatest industries of the State.<a name="FNanchor_346_346" id="FNanchor_346_346"></a><a href="#Footnote_346_346" class="fnanchor">[346]</a></p> + +<p>A number of women own and publish papers, and each of the large +metropolitan dailies has one or more women on its staff.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> Women have been admitted to all departments of the State +University since its foundation, and there are women professors and +assistants in practically every department, including that of +Political Science and the College of Engineering and Mechanic Arts. Of +the four officers of the Department of Drawing and Industrial Art, +three are women. The College of Medicine and Surgery also has women +professors in every department, and women are on the faculty of the +College of Dentistry.</p> + +<p>The State School of Agriculture was established in the fall of 1888. +In October, 1897, women were admitted to the regular course of study. +In the Academic Department their class work is with the men, but +instead of the especial branches of carpentry, blacksmithing and field +work, they have sewing, cooking and laundering. They also have a +department of home management, home economy, social culture, household +art and domestic hygiene, Mrs. Virginia C. Meredith, preceptor.</p> + +<p>All the other educational institutions are open to women, and the +faculties of the Normal Schools are largely composed of women.</p> + +<p>In the public schools there are 2,306 men and 9,811 women teachers. +The average monthly salary of the men is $46; of the women, $35.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>The State Federation of Women's Clubs, Mrs. Lydia P. Williams, +president, is in effect a suffrage kindergarten, many of its members +working on committees of education, reciprocity, town and village +improvements, household economics, legislation, etc.</p> + +<p>In Minneapolis a stock company, capitalized at $80,000, is being +formed to erect a club house for the women's societies.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_782" id="Page_782">[Pg 782]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Local Council of Women of Minneapolis, organized 1892, is one of +the strongest associations of the kind in the United States. During +the past seven years it has been composed of nearly one hundred +different organizations in the city, and now comprises twelve +departments: reform and philanthropy, church, temperance, art, music, +literature, patriotism, history, education, philosophy, social and +civic. Honorary president, Mrs. T. B. Walker, acting president Mrs. A. +E. Higbee, and corresponding secretary, Mrs. J. E. Woodford, are +largely responsible for the success of the Council. (1900).</p> + +<p>The School and Library Association was formed in 1899 at a meeting +called by representatives of the Political Equality, the Business +Women's, the Medical Women's and the Teachers' Clubs of Minneapolis. +Eleven hundred signatures are required for the nomination of a member +of the school board, but the women secured over 5,000 names on each +petition for their candidates for school and library trustees, the +largest one having 5,470. The association sent out dodgers with +pictures and brief write-ups of the candidates, and also leaflets +explaining to the women how to register and vote. Mrs. A. T. Anderson +has been at the head of this work.</p> + +<p>Women attend the conventions of the Prohibition and the People's +parties as delegates, and are welcome speakers. Miss Eva McDonald +(Valesh) was secretary of the Populist Executive Committee. Both +Prohibitionists and Populists have passed woman suffrage resolutions +in their State conventions. The Federation of Labor and the Grange +have done the same.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_340_340" id="Footnote_340_340"></a><a href="#FNanchor_340_340"><span class="label">[340]</span></a> The History is indebted for this chapter to Mrs. Julia +B. Nelson of Red Wing, who for twenty years has been the rock on which +the effort for woman suffrage has been founded in this State. She +acknowledges much assistance from Drs. Cora Smith Eaton and Ethel E. +Hurd, both of Minneapolis.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_341_341" id="Footnote_341_341"></a><a href="#FNanchor_341_341"><span class="label">[341]</span></a> Among the officers of the State association at +different times have been Mesdames Harriet Armstrong, Sarah C. Brooks, +S. P. T. Bryan, E. G. Bickmore, Fxine G. Bonwell, Annie W. Buell, +Charlotte Bolles, Jessie Gray Cawley, E. L. Crockett, L. B. Castle and +Hannah Egleston, Prof. S. A. Farnsworth, Mesdames Eleanor Fremont, +Sarah M. Fletcher, May Dudley Greeley, Mary A. Hudson, Julia +Huntington, Dr. Bessie Park Hames, Oliver Jones, Miss Anna M. Jones, +Mrs. Charles T. Koehler, Miss Ruth Elise Kellogg, the Rev. George W. +Lutz, Mrs. Julia Moore, William B. Reed, Mesdames Susie V. P. Root, +Lottie Rowell, Antoinette B. St. Pierre, H. G. Selden, Miss Blanche +Segur, Mesdames Martha Adams Thompson, T. F. Thurston, Mr. J. M. +Underwood, Miss Emma N. Whitney, Mesdames Belle Wells, Roxana L. +Wilson and Mattie B. Whitcomb</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_342_342" id="Footnote_342_342"></a><a href="#FNanchor_342_342"><span class="label">[342]</span></a> It would be impossible to name all of the men and +women, in addition to those already mentioned, who have rendered +valuable assistance. Among the more conspicuous are Miss Pearl Benham, +Mesdames R. Coons, M. B. Critchett, J. A. Clifford, Edith M. Conant, +Lydia H. Clark, Miss A. A. Connor, Mesdames Eliza A. Dutcher, L. F. +Ferro, H. E. Gallinger, Doctors Chauncey Hobart, Mary G. Hood, Nettie +C. Hall, Mesdames Norton H. Hemiup, Rosa Hazel, Julia A. Hunt, Doctors +Phineas A. and Katherine U. Jewell, Mrs. Lucy Jones, Miss Eva Jones, +Mesdames Leland, Kirkwood, A. D. Kingsley, V. J. D. Kearney, Frances +P. Kimball, M. A. Luly, Viola Fuller Miner, Paul McKinstry, Jennie +McSevany, the Rev. Hannah Mullenix, Mesdames E. J. M. Newcomb, +Antoinette V. Nicholas, the Reverends Margaret Olmstead, Alice Ruth +Palmer, Mesdames Pomeroy, E. A. Russell, D. C. Reed, the Rev. W. W. +Satterlee, Mesdames Rebecca Smith, Abigail S. Strong, C. S. Soule, +Anna Smallidge, M. A. Van Hoesen, Dr. Mary E. Whetstone, Mesdames L. +May Wheeler, Sarah E. Wilson and E. N. Yearley.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_343_343" id="Footnote_343_343"></a><a href="#FNanchor_343_343"><span class="label">[343]</span></a> Mrs. Nelson published at this time, through financial +aid from Mrs. Sarah Burger Stearns, a little paper for gratuitous +distribution, called the <i>Equal Rights Herald</i>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_344_344" id="Footnote_344_344"></a><a href="#FNanchor_344_344"><span class="label">[344]</span></a> This Legislature of 1893 provided for the adoption of a +State Flag, and appointed a committee of women to select an +appropriate design. At the request of a few women the Moccasin Blossom +was made the State Flower by an act of the same Legislature, which was +passed with great celerity.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_345_345" id="Footnote_345_345"></a><a href="#FNanchor_345_345"><span class="label">[345]</span></a> The vote on this was 69,760 for, and 32,881 against, a +total of 102,641; yet the whole number of votes cast in that election +of 1898 was 251,250. The amendment itself could not have been adopted +if its own provisions had been required!</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_346_346" id="Footnote_346_346"></a><a href="#FNanchor_346_346"><span class="label">[346]</span></a> The woman farmer turns up the soil with a gang-plow and +rakes the hay, but not in the primitive fashion of Maud Muller. She is +frequently seen "comin' through the rye," the wheat, the barley or the +oats, enthroned on a twine-binder. The writer has this day seen a +woman seated on a four-horse plow as contentedly as her city cousin +might be in an automobile. Among the many plow-girls of Nobles County +is Coris Young, a genuine American of Vermont ancestry, who has plowed +120 acres this season, making a record of eighty acres in thirteen +days with five horses abreast.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_783" id="Page_783">[Pg 783]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLVIII" id="CHAPTER_XLVIII"></a>CHAPTER XLVIII.</h2> + +<h3>MISSISSIPPI.<a name="FNanchor_347_347" id="FNanchor_347_347"></a><a href="#Footnote_347_347" class="fnanchor">[347]</a></h3> + + +<p>In 1884 the idea of an organization devoted exclusively to the +advancement of the "woman's cause" in Mississippi had not assumed +tangible form, granting that even the audacious conception had found +lodgment in the brain of any person. The nearest approach seems to +have been a Woman's Press Club, which sprung into being about this +time, but was short-lived, due to the fact, it is charged, that a +little leaven of "woman's rights" having crept in, "the whole lump" +was threatened.</p> + +<p>To the Women's Christian Temperance Union the State is largely +indebted for the existence of its Woman Suffrage Association, which +was organized in Meridian, May 5, 1897, immediately upon the +adjournment of a convention of the State W. C. T. U. The seed sown in +1895 by Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, chairman of the national +organization committee, and Miss Elizabeth Upham Yates of Maine, and +in 1897 by Miss Ella Harrison of Missouri and Mrs. Mary C. C. Bradford +of Colorado, now produced a harvest of clubs, and resulted in a roster +of friends in twenty-four towns. Mrs. Nellie M. Somerville was elected +president of the association, and Mrs. Lily Wilkinson Thompson +corresponding secretary.</p> + +<p>The first annual convention was held in Greenville, March 29, 30, +1898. The second and third took place at Clarksdale, the former April +5, 6, 1899, and the latter in May, 1900.<a name="FNanchor_348_348" id="FNanchor_348_348"></a><a href="#Footnote_348_348" class="fnanchor">[348]</a> At this meeting the +report of the superintendent of press, Mrs. Butt, showed that +twenty-two newspapers had opened their columns<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_784" id="Page_784">[Pg 784]</a></span> to suffrage articles. +Mrs. Chapman Catt and Miss Mary G. Hay, national organizer, were +present, and the former gave an address to a large and sympathetic +assemblage. She was likewise greeted with good audiences at seven +other towns, among them Jackson, the capital, where she spoke in the +House of Representatives. A work conference was held at Flora in +September of this year.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action and Laws:</span> The W. S. A. has not attempted any +legislative work, other than the one effort made in 1900 to secure a +bill providing for a woman physician at the State Hospital for the +Insane. This was introduced and championed in the Senate by R. B. +Campbell (to whom the association is also indebted for the compilation +of a valuable pamphlet on The Legal Status of Mississippi Women). It +passed that body almost unanimously, but did not reach the House.</p> + +<p>The measure which provided for the State Industrial Institute and +College for Women (white) was the conception of Mrs. Annie Coleman +Peyton, the bill itself being framed by her brother, Judge S. R. +Coleman, a legislator and a leading attorney. It was sent to the +Legislature as early as 1877, but was not at that time even +considered. Mrs. Peyton continued her agitation in its behalf and +succeeded in having it introduced in 1880 and in 1882, but it was +twice defeated. By the time the Legislature convened in 1884, however, +its author had enlisted the sympathy of so many of the prominent men +and women of the State that the bill was passed at that session. Wiley +P. Nash and Mac C. Martin were its earnest champions on the floor of +the House; while Col. J. L. Power, the present Secretary of State, +Major Jonas, of the Aberdeen <i>Examiner</i>, and Mrs. Olive A. Hastings +were among the ablest coadjutors of Mrs. Peyton.</p> + +<p>In 1900 the suffrage association petitioned Gov. A. H. Longino to +appoint one woman on the board of this institution, which is wholly +for women, but he refused on the ground that it would be +unconstitutional.</p> + +<p>In 1880 the Legislature abrogated the Common Law as to its provisions +for wives, being a pioneer among the Southern States to take such +action. It declared:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_785" id="Page_785">[Pg 785]</a></span></p><blockquote><p>The Legislature shall never create any distinction between the +rights of men and women to acquire, own, enjoy and dispose of +property of all kinds, or their power to contract in reference +thereto. Married women are hereby emancipated from all +disabilities on account of coverture. But this shall not prevent +the Legislature from regulating contracts between husband and +wife; nor shall the Legislature be prevented from regulating the +sale of homesteads.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The property belonging to the wife at the time of marriage no longer +passes to her husband, although it is still largely under his control. +He becomes her debtor and is accountable to her for her separate +property; and she must have him account to her annually for the income +and profits which he may receive from it, otherwise she will be +barred. If the wife permit the husband to employ the income or profits +of her estate in the maintenance of the family, he will not be liable +to her therefor.</p> + +<p>Dower and curtesy are abolished. If either husband or wife die without +a will, leaving no children nor descendants of any, the entire estate, +real and personal, goes to the survivor. But if there are one or more +children or descendants by this or by a former marriage, the surviving +wife or husband has a child's share of both real and personal estate.</p> + +<p>Each has equal rights in making a will, although if the provisions are +not satisfactory to the survivor he or she can take under the law, but +this can not be done if separate property is owned equal to what would +be the inheritable portion of the estate.</p> + +<p>If the residence is upon the property of the husband, that is the +homestead and exempt from his debts and he is the head of the family. +If it is upon the property of the wife, that is the homestead and +exempt from her debts, and she is the head of the family. In neither +case can it be mortgaged or sold unless both join, but the one owning +it may dispose of it by will.</p> + +<p>A married woman may qualify as executor or administrator of the estate +of a deceased person, and as guardian of the estate of a minor or +person of unsound mind.</p> + +<p>She may contract, sue and be sued and carry on business in her own +name as if unmarried and her earnings belong to her.</p> + +<p>The father is the legal guardian of the minor children and by will may +appoint a guardian of their property, but he can not deprive the +mother of the custody of their persons.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_786" id="Page_786">[Pg 786]</a></span></p> + +<p>The husband is required by law to support and maintain his family out +of his estate and by his services unless the wife sees fit to allow +him to use her property for this purpose.</p> + +<p>Alimony is allowed to the wife whether the suit for divorce is brought +by her or against her, or whether she asks simply for separation; but, +even if divorced, unchastity on her part will bar her right to further +alimony.</p> + +<p>The "age of protection" for girls remains at 10 years. The penalty is +death or imprisonment in the penitentiary for life.</p> + +<p>The Constitutional Convention of 1890 provided that no Legislature +should repeal or impair the above property rights of married women.</p> + +<p>This convention was called primarily to change the constitution with +reference to the elimination of the negro vote. It was composed of +representative men thoroughly alive to what they construed as the best +interests of the State. As one way of circumventing the threatened +supremacy of this vote, the enfranchisement of women was variously +considered. The first amendment for this purpose was submitted by +Judge John W. Fewell:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That it is a condition necessary to the solution of +the franchise problem, that the right to vote shall be secured by +proper constitutional enactment to every woman who shall have +resided in this State six months, and who shall be 21 years of +age or upward, and who shall own, or whose husband, if she have a +husband, shall own real estate situate in this State of the clear +value of $300 over and above all incumbrances.</p> + +<p>The vote of any woman voting in any election shall be cast by +some male elector, who shall be thereunto authorized in writing +by such woman so entitled to vote; such constitutional amendment +not to be so framed as to grant to women the right to hold +office.</p></blockquote> + +<p>This was referred to the Committee on Franchise, composed of +thirty-five members, but was defeated. The idea was that a great many +white women owned property, while very few negro women did, hence the +woman vote would furnish a reserve fund which could be called out in +an emergency, the author of the measure himself being "not an advocate +of female suffrage generally," according to his remarks before the +convention. Many, perhaps a majority, at one time favored the scheme, +it was said, though comparatively few of the committee recognized the +justice of woman's enfranchisement <i>per se</i>.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_787" id="Page_787">[Pg 787]</a></span></p> + +<p>J. W. Odom offered, among other measures from the "California +Alliance" of DeSoto County, a proposition that the right of suffrage +be conferred upon women on "certain conditions" not specified. John P. +Robinson and D. J. Johnson also submitted sections providing for +"female suffrage under certain conditions." Jordan L. Morris offered +the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The Legislature shall have power to confer the elective franchise +on all women who are citizens of the State and of the United +States, 21 years of age and upwards, who own, in their own right, +over and above all incumbrances, property listed for taxation of +the value of $500 or upwards, or who, being widows, own jointly +with their own or their husband's children, property of said +value listed for taxation; or who are capable of teaching a +first-grade public school in this State, as prescribed by law, +and who never have been convicted, and shall not thereafter be +convicted of any crime or misdemeanor and not pardoned therefor, +to such extent and under such restrictions and limitations as it +may deem proper to prescribe.</p></blockquote> + +<p>All of these noble efforts resulted in no action whatever to +enfranchise women.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> Since 1880 a woman as a freeholder, or leaseholder, may vote +at a county election, or sign a petition for such an election to be +held, to decide as to the adoption or non-adoption of a law permitting +stock to run at large. She may also, if a widow and, as such, the head +of the family, manifest by ballot her consent or dissent to leasing +certain portions of land in the township, known as the "sixteenth +sections," which are set apart for school purposes. As a patron of a +school, which presupposes her widowhood, she may vote at an election +of school trustees, other than in a "separate school district," which +practically limits this privilege to women in the country.<a name="FNanchor_349_349" id="FNanchor_349_349"></a><a href="#Footnote_349_349" class="fnanchor">[349]</a></p> + +<p>As a taxpayer a woman can petition against the issuance of bonds by +the municipality in which she resides (except where the proposed +issuance is governed and regulated by a charter adopted previous to +the code of 1892), but if a special election is ordered she can not +vote for or against issuing the bonds.</p> + +<p>The Legislature in dealing with the liquor traffic may make<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_788" id="Page_788">[Pg 788]</a></span> the grant +of license depend upon a petition therefor signed by men and women, or +by women only, or upon any other condition that it may prescribe; and +it seems to be equally true that the Legislature may grant to women +the right to vote at elections held to determine whether or not local +option laws shall be put in force, but it never has done so.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> The constitution provides that "all qualified +electors, and no others, shall be eligible to office."</p> + +<p>In the constitutional convention of 1890 Jordan L. Morris offered a +resolution "that the Legislature may make women, with such +qualifications as may be prescribed, competent to hold the office of +county superintendent of schools." This amendment was tabled. J. W. +Cutrer submitted a section "making eligible to all offices connected +with the public schools, except that of State Superintendent of Public +Education, all women of good moral character, twenty-five years or +upwards of age," which was not favorably reported. A clause was +introduced by W. B. Eskridge making "any white woman twenty-one years +old, who has been a <i>bona fide</i> citizen of the State two years before +her election, and who shall be of good moral character," eligible to +the office of chancery or circuit clerk; and another, that "any white +woman, etc., shall be qualified to hold the office of keeper of the +Capitol and State librarian."</p> + +<p>The last office, as recommended in a separate measure by George G. +Dillard, which was adopted, is the only one to which women are +specifically eligible, but none has held it.</p> + +<p>In some counties the constitution has been liberally interpreted to +make women eligible to serve on school boards; this, however, is +regulated usually by the judgment of the county superintendent. Women +are elected to such positions occasionally in the smaller towns.</p> + +<p>The code of 1892 created the text-book committee, whose duty is to +adopt a uniform series of books for use in the public schools of a +county. An official record is kept of its specific functions, all +members being required to "take the oath of office," etc., and thus +constituted public officers according to a recent ruling of the +Attorney-General. The majority of these committees<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_789" id="Page_789">[Pg 789]</a></span> are women +teachers, appointed by the county superintendents, but no provision +has been made for their remuneration.</p> + +<p>Women can not serve as notaries public.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> No profession or occupation is legally forbidden to +women. They are licensed to practice medicine, dentistry and +pharmaceutics. It is believed that the statute would be construed to +enable them to practice law, but the test has not been made. Several +women own and manage newspapers.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> The State University has been open to women for twenty +years, and annually graduates a number. Millsaps College, a leading +institution for men, has recently admitted a few women to its B. A. +course, and this doubtless will become a fixed policy. The +Agricultural and Mechanical College and the State Normal School (both +colored) are co-educational. Several women hold college +professorships.</p> + +<p>In the public schools there are 3,645 men and 4,254 women teachers: +The average monthly salary of the men is $32.18; of the women, $26.69.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>The State Federation of Women's Clubs was organized in 1897 and has a +membership of fifteen societies.</p> + +<p>Women have never actively participated in public campaigns except in +local politics where the liquor question has been the paramount issue. +Miss Belle Kearney is a temperance lecturer of national reputation, +and a pronounced advocate of woman suffrage.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_347_347" id="Footnote_347_347"></a><a href="#FNanchor_347_347"><span class="label">[347]</span></a> The History is indebted for this chapter to Mrs. Hala +Hammond Butt of Clarksdale, president of the State Woman Suffrage +Association and editor of the <i>Challenge</i>, a county paper.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_348_348" id="Footnote_348_348"></a><a href="#FNanchor_348_348"><span class="label">[348]</span></a> Officers elected: President, Mrs. Hala Hammond Butt; +vice-president, Mrs. Fannie Clark; corresponding secretary, Mrs. +Harriet B. Kells; recording secretary, Mrs. Rebecca Roby; treasurer, +Miss Mabel Pugh. Other officers have been Miss Belle Kearney and +Mesdames Nellie Nugent, Charlotte L. Pitman and Pauline Alston Clark.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_349_349" id="Footnote_349_349"></a><a href="#FNanchor_349_349"><span class="label">[349]</span></a> Any municipality of 300 or more inhabitants may be +declared a "separate school district" by an ordinance of the mayor or +board of aldermen if it maintain a free public school at least seven +months in each year. Four months is the ordinary public term, the +additional three months' school being supported by special taxation. +Thus as soon as a woman has to pay a special tax she is deprived of a +vote.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_790" id="Page_790">[Pg 790]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLIX" id="CHAPTER_XLIX"></a>CHAPTER XLIX.</h2> + +<h3>MISSOURI.<a name="FNanchor_350_350" id="FNanchor_350_350"></a><a href="#Footnote_350_350" class="fnanchor">[350]</a></h3> + + +<p>The movement toward equal suffrage in Missouri must always recognize +as its founder Mrs. Virginia L. Minor. She was a thorough believer in +the right of woman to the franchise, and at the November election of +1872 offered her own vote under the provisions of the Fourteenth +Amendment to the Federal Constitution. It was refused; she brought +suit against the inspectors and carried her case to the Supreme Court +of the United States, where it was argued with great ability by her +husband, Francis Minor, but an adverse decision was rendered.<a name="FNanchor_351_351" id="FNanchor_351_351"></a><a href="#Footnote_351_351" class="fnanchor">[351]</a></p> + +<p>The first suffrage association in the State was organized at St. Louis +in the winter of 1867. Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Miss Susan B. +Anthony lectured under its auspices at Library Hall in the autumn of +that year, and a reception was given them in the parlors of the +Southern Hotel. For many years meetings were held with more or less +regularity, Mrs. Minor was continued as president and some legislative +work was attempted.</p> + +<p>On Feb. 8, 9, 1892, an interstate woman suffrage convention was held +in Kansas City. Mrs. Laura M. Johns, president of the Kansas +association, in the chair. Mrs. Minor, Mrs. Beverly Allen and Mrs. +Rebecca N. Hazard were made honorary presidents and Mrs. Virginia +Hedges was elected president. Addresses were given by Mrs. Clara C. +Hoffman, the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, Mrs. Mary Seymour Howell of New +York and Miss Florence Balgarnie of England. A club was formed in +Kansas City with Mrs. Sarah Chandler Coates as president.</p> + +<p>During the next few years the State association co-operated with other +societies in public and legislative work. Mrs. Minor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_791" id="Page_791">[Pg 791]</a></span> passed away in +1894, an irreparable loss to the cause of woman suffrage.</p> + +<p>In May, 1895, the Mississippi Valley Congress was called at St. Louis +under the auspices of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and +various other organizations participated. Miss Anthony and Miss Shaw, +president and vice-president-at-large of the National Association, +stopped on their way to California and made addresses. Just before +Miss Anthony began her address, seventy-five children, some of them +colored, passed before her and each laid a rose in her lap, in honor +of her seventy-five years.</p> + +<p>The preceding spring the National Association had sent Mrs. Anna R. +Simmons of South Dakota into Missouri to lecture for two months and +reunite the scattered forces. A State suffrage convention followed the +congress and Mrs. Addie M. Johnson was elected president. At its close +a banquet with 200 covers was given in the Mercantile Club Room, with +Miss Anthony as the guest of honor. A local society, of nearly one +hundred members, was formed in St. Louis. During October Mrs. Simmons +again made a tour of the State at the expense of the National +Association.</p> + +<p>On June 15, 16, 1896, the annual convention took place in St. Louis +with delegates present from seventeen clubs. Addresses were made by +Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, chairman of the national organization +committee, Henry B. Blackwell, editor of the <i>Woman's Journal</i>, Mrs. +Mary C. C. Bradford of Colorado and others who were in the city trying +to obtain some recognition for women from the National Republican +Convention. Miss Ella Harrison was made president. Public meetings +were called for November 12, 13, in Kansas City, as it was then +possible to have the presence of Miss Anthony, Miss Shaw and Mrs. +Chapman Catt on their return from the suffrage amendment campaign in +California.</p> + +<p>In January, 1897, Mrs. Bradford spent three weeks lecturing in the +State, and the president devoted a month to this purpose during the +autumn. The annual meeting convened in Bethany, December 7-9, Mrs. +Johns and Mrs. Hoffman being the principal speakers.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_792" id="Page_792">[Pg 792]</a></span></p> + +<p>The convention of 1898 was held at St. Joseph, October 17-19, with +Miss Anthony and Mrs. Chapman Catt in attendance, and the board of +officers was re-elected.</p> + +<p>In the fall of 1899 a series of conferences, planned by the national +organization committee, was held in twenty counties, being managed by +Mrs. Johnson and Miss Ella Moffatt, and addressed by Miss Lena Morrow +of Illinois and Mrs. Mary Waldo Calkins. These ended with a State +convention at Chillicothe in October.</p> + +<p>The annual meeting of 1900 was held in St. Joseph during October, and +Mrs. Johnson was elected president.<a name="FNanchor_352_352" id="FNanchor_352_352"></a><a href="#Footnote_352_352" class="fnanchor">[352]</a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action and Laws:</span> In 1887, through the efforts of Mrs. +Julia S. Vincent and Mrs. Isabella R. Slack, a bill was introduced in +the Legislature to found a Home for Dependent Children. The bill was +amended until when it finally passed it created two penal +institutions, one for boys and one for girls.</p> + +<p>In 1893 a bill proposing an amendment to the State constitution, +conferring Full Suffrage on women, was brought to a vote in the +Assembly and received 47 ayes, 69 noes. In 1895 a similar bill was +lost in the Assembly.</p> + +<p>In 1897, largely through the efforts of Miss Mary Perry, a bill was +secured creating a State Board of Charities, two members of which must +be women. This was supported by the Philanthropic Federation of +Women's Societies, who also presented one for women on school boards, +which was not acted upon.</p> + +<p>Bills for conferring School Suffrage on women have been presented on +several occasions, but never have been considered. One has been +secured compelling employers to provide seats for female +employes.<a name="FNanchor_353_353" id="FNanchor_353_353"></a><a href="#Footnote_353_353" class="fnanchor">[353]</a></p> + +<p>Dower and curtesy both obtain. If there are any descendants living, +the widow's dower is a life-interest in one-third of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_793" id="Page_793">[Pg 793]</a></span> real estate +and a child's share of the personal property. If there are no +descendants, the widow is entitled to all her real estate which came +to the husband through the marriage, and to all the undisposed-of +personal property of her own which by her written consent came into +his possession, not subject to the payment of his debts; and to +one-half of his separate real and personal estate absolutely, and +subject to the payment of his debts. If the husband or wife die +intestate, leaving neither descendants, father, mother, brothers, +sisters, or descendants of brothers or sisters, the entire estate, +real and personal, goes to the survivor. If a wife die, leaving no +descendants, her widower is entitled to one-half of her separate real +and personal estate absolutely, subject to her debts. (Act of 1895.)</p> + +<p>In 1889 an attempt was made to give a married woman control of her +separate real estate, which up to that time had belonged to the +husband. Endless confusion has resulted, as the law applies only to +marriages made since that date. To increase the complications a wife +may hold real property under three different tenures: An equitable +separate estate created by certain technical words in the conveyance, +and this she can dispose of without the husband's joining in the deed; +a legal separate estate, which she can not convey without his joining; +and a common-law estate in fee, of which the husband is entitled to +the rents and profits. In either case, if the wife continually permits +the husband to appear as the owner and to contract debts on the credit +of the property, she is estopped from withholding it from his +creditors. There may be also a joint estate which goes to the survivor +upon the death of either.</p> + +<p>No married woman can act as executor or administrator.</p> + +<p>The wife's separate property is liable for debts contracted by the +husband for necessaries for the family. If he is drunken and worthless +she may have him enjoined from squandering her property. For these +causes and for abandonment the court may authorize her to sell her +separate property without his signature.</p> + +<p>The wife may insure the husband's life, or he may insure it for her, +and the insurance can not be claimed by his creditors.</p> + +<p>A married woman may sue and be sued, make contracts and carry on +business in her own name, and possess her wages. She<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_794" id="Page_794">[Pg 794]</a></span> may recover in +her own name for injuries which prevent her from conducting an +independent business, but not for those which interfere with the +performance of household duties, as her services in the home belong to +the husband. She may, however, bring suit in her own name for bodily +injuries.</p> + +<p>The wife may sue for alienation of her husband's affections and +recover, according to a recent Supreme Court decision, "even though +they may not be entirely alienated from her and though he may still +entertain a sneaking affection for her."</p> + +<p>The husband is liable for torts of the wife and for slanders spoken by +her, although out of his presence and without his knowledge or +consent. (1899.)</p> + +<p>The father is the guardian of the persons, estates and education of +minor children. At his death the mother is guardian, but if she +marries again she loses the guardianship of the property because no +married woman can be curator of a minor's estate.</p> + +<p>If the husband abandon or fail to support his family, he may be fined +and imprisoned and the court may decree their maintenance out of his +property. The wife must live where and how the husband shall +determine. If she chooses to live elsewhere his obligation to support +her ceases. In case of divorce he must support the children, even if +their custody is given to the mother.</p> + +<p>The "age of protection" for girls was raised from 12 to 14 years in +1889 and to 18 years in 1895. The penalty was reduced, however, and is +at present "imprisonment in the penitentiary for a term of two years, +or a fine of not less than $100 or more than $500, or imprisonment in +the county jail not less than one month nor more than six months, or +both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court." +Between the ages of 14 and 18 years, the girl must be "of previously +chaste character."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> Women possess no form of suffrage.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> In 1897 the Supreme Court decided that women may hold +any office from which they are not debarred by the constitution of the +State. They are now eligible as county clerks, county school +commissioners and notaries public, and for various offices up to that +of judge of the Supreme Court, which are not provided for by the +constitution. It is the opinion of lawyers that they may serve on city +school boards, and they have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_795" id="Page_795">[Pg 795]</a></span> been nominated without objection, but +none has been elected. Women are barred, however, from all State +offices.</p> + +<p>Two women sit on the State Board of Charities, but they can not do so +on any other State boards.</p> + +<p>A number are now serving as county clerks and county commissioners.</p> + +<p>The W. S. A. and the W. C. T. U. have secured the appointment of +salaried police matrons from the board of police commissioners in St. +Louis, Kansas City and St. Joseph. There are also depot matrons in +these cities, and the first two have women guards at the jails and +workhouses.</p> + +<p>St. Louis has a woman inspector of shops and factories.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> No profession or occupation is legally forbidden to +women.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> This was one of the first States in the Union to open its +Law and Medical Schools to women. In 1850, when Harriet Hosmer, the +sculptor, could not secure admission to any institution in the East +where she might study anatomy she was permitted to enter the Missouri +Medical College.</p> + +<p>In 1869 the Law College of Washington University at St. Louis admitted +Miss Phœbe W. Couzins, and she received her degree in 1872.</p> + +<p>The State University and all the State institutions of learning are +co-educational. The Presbyterian Theological School admits women.</p> + +<p>In the public schools there are 5,979 men and 7,803 women teachers. +The average monthly salary of the men is $49.40; of the women, +$42.40.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_350_350" id="Footnote_350_350"></a><a href="#FNanchor_350_350"><span class="label">[350]</span></a> The History is indebted for material for this chapter +to Mrs. Addie M. Johnson of St. Louis, president of the State Woman +Suffrage Association.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_351_351" id="Footnote_351_351"></a><a href="#FNanchor_351_351"><span class="label">[351]</span></a> See <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_734">History of Woman Suffrage, Vol. II, p. 734</a>, and +following, or Wallace's Supreme Court Reports, Vol. XXI.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_352_352" id="Footnote_352_352"></a><a href="#FNanchor_352_352"><span class="label">[352]</span></a> Other officers elected: Vice-president, Mrs. Kate M. +Ford; corresponding secretary, Dr. Marie E. Adams; recording +secretary, Mrs. Sue DeHaven; treasurer, Mrs. Alice C. Mulkey; +auditors, Miss Almira Hayes and Mrs. Ethel B. Harrison; member +national executive committee, Mrs. Etta E. M. Weink. +</p><p> +Among those who have held official position since 1894 are: +Vice-presidents, Mrs. Cordelia Dobyns, Mrs. Amelie C. Fruchte; +corresponding secretaries, Mrs. G. G. R. Wagner, Mrs. Emma P. Jenkins; +recording secretary, Mrs. E. Montague Winch; treasurer, Mrs. Juliet +Cunningham; auditors, Mrs. Maria I. Johnston, Mrs. Minor Meriwether.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_353_353" id="Footnote_353_353"></a><a href="#FNanchor_353_353"><span class="label">[353]</span></a> In 1901 women obtained a law and appropriation for a +State Home for Feeble-Minded Children.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_796" id="Page_796">[Pg 796]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_L" id="CHAPTER_L"></a>CHAPTER L.</h2> + +<h3>MONTANA.<a name="FNanchor_354_354" id="FNanchor_354_354"></a><a href="#Footnote_354_354" class="fnanchor">[354]</a></h3> + + +<p>In August, 1883, Miss Frances E. Willard, national president, came to +Montana and formed a Territorial Woman's Christian Temperance Union in +Butte. At this time Miss Willard in her speeches, and the union in its +adoption of a franchise department, made the initiative effort to +obtain suffrage for the women of Montana. This organization has been +here, as elsewhere, a great educative force for its members, training +them in parliamentary law, broadening their ideas and preparing them +for citizenship. Out of its ranks have come the Rev. Alice S. N. +Barnes, Mesdames Laura E. Howey, Delia A. Kellogg, Mary A. Wylie, +Martha Rolfe Plassman, Anna A. Walker and many other earnest advocates +of the ballot for women. Within the past five or six years a number of +professional and business women have joined the suffrage forces and +to-day they compose a majority of the active leaders.</p> + +<p>No attempt was made to organize the State until Mrs. Emma Smith De Voe +was sent by the National Association in 1895. She visited most of the +prominent towns and formed clubs or committees. The first State +convention was called at Helena in September of this year by the +suffrage association of that city, Miss Sarepta Sanders, president, +and Mrs. Kellogg, secretary. It was assisted by Mrs. Carrie Chapman +Catt, chairman of the national organization committee, to whose +eloquent addresses was due the great impetus the cause received at +this time.<a name="FNanchor_355_355" id="FNanchor_355_355"></a><a href="#Footnote_355_355" class="fnanchor">[355]</a></p> + +<p>Mrs. De Voe again visited the State in the spring of 1896. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_797" id="Page_797">[Pg 797]</a></span> annual +meeting took place at Butte in November. Mrs. Harriet P. Sanders, wife +of Senator Sanders, having declined re-election, was unanimously made +honorary president, and Mrs. Ella Knowles Haskell succeeded her in the +presidency. Nearly 300 members were reported.</p> + +<p>A large and successful convention met at Helena in November, 1897, +when a State central committee was appointed, with Mrs. Haskell as +chairman and members in nearly every county. Madame F. Rowena Medini +was made president, but she left the State before her year of office +had expired and Dr. Mary B. Atwater filled her place. No convention +being held in 1897 or 1898 she acted as president until that of +October, 1899, when Dr. Maria M. Dean was elected. Mrs. Chapman Catt +was present.</p> + +<p>To Mrs. P. A. Dann of Great Falls, a contemporary of Miss Susan B. +Anthony, too much honor can not be given for her years of service and +financial help. U. S. Senator Wilbur F. Sanders has been a loyal +friend. Foremost among the early workers for woman suffrage in Montana +was Mrs. Clara L. McAdow, whose energy and business talent made the +Spotted Horse, a mine owned by herself and husband, a valuable +property.</p> + +<p>In July, 1889, Henry B. Blackwell, corresponding secretary of the +American W. S. A., came to Montana to present the question to the +Constitutional Convention. His address was received with warm applause +but the convention refused to adopt a woman suffrage amendment by 34 +yeas, 29 nays. A resolution was presented that the Legislature might +extend the franchise to women whenever it should be deemed expedient, +thus putting the matter out of the hands of its proverbial enemies. +The measure had able champions in B. F. Carpenter, W. M. Bickford, J. +E. Rickards, Hiram Knowles, P. W. McAdow, J. A. Callaway, Peter Breen, +T. E. Collins, W. A. Burleigh, W. R. Ramsdell, Francis E. Sargeant, +William A. Clark (now U. S. Senator), its president, and others. +Prominent among those opposed were Martin Maginnis and Allen Joy. It +was lost by a tie vote, July 30. A proposal to submit the question +separately to the electors was defeated by the same vote, August 12. +The constitution conferred School Suffrage, which women already +possessed under<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_798" id="Page_798">[Pg 798]</a></span> Territorial government, and gave to taxpaying women a +vote on questions of taxation.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action and Laws:</span> In 1895 women secured an enactment that +the commissioners of any county, at the request of a certain number of +petitioners, must call a special election for a vote on licensing the +sale of liquor. A two-thirds vote is necessary to prohibit this. Women +themselves can neither petition nor vote on the question.</p> + +<p>This year a bill was introduced by Representative John S. Huseby for a +constitutional amendment granting suffrage to women. It was passed in +the House, 45 yeas, 12 nays; indefinitely postponed in the Senate by a +"rising vote," 14 yeas, 4 nays.</p> + +<p>In 1897 a systematic effort was made to secure a bill for this +amendment. Mrs. Ella Knowles Haskell, chairman of the State central +committee, invaded the legislative halls with an able corps of +assistants from the W. S. A. Petitions signed by about 3,000 citizens +were presented, and it looked for a time as if the bill might pass. It +was debated in the House and attracted much attention from the press, +but lacked five votes of the required two-thirds majority. It was not +acted upon in the Senate.</p> + +<p>In 1899 Dr. Mary B. Atwater, then president of the State Association, +with other officers and members, succeeded in having a Suffrage +Amendment Bill introduced. Some excellent work was done, but the +measure was lost in Committee of the Whole.</p> + +<p>Dower is retained but curtesy abolished. If there is only one child, +or the lawful issue of one child, the surviving husband or wife +receives one-half of the entire estate, real and personal; if there is +more than one child, or one child and the lawful issue of one or more +deceased children, the survivor receives one-third. If there is no +issue living the survivor takes one-half of the whole unless there is +neither father, mother, brother, sister nor their descendants, when +the widow or widower takes it all.</p> + +<p>The wife may mortgage or convey her separate property without the +husband's signature. He may do this but can not impair her dower right +to one-third.</p> + +<p>A married woman may act as executor, administrator or guardian. She +may also sue and be sued and make contracts in her own name.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_799" id="Page_799">[Pg 799]</a></span></p> + +<p>A married woman can control her earnings by becoming a sole trader +through the necessary legal process. She thus makes herself +responsible for the maintenance of her children.</p> + +<p>The father, if living, or if not, the mother, while she remains +unmarried and if suitable, is entitled to the guardianship of minor +children. In case of divorce, other things being equal, if the child +be of tender years, it is given to the mother, and if of an age to +require education and preparation for business, then to the father.</p> + +<p>By the code of 1895 the husband is required to furnish support for the +family as far as he is able, and the wife must help if necessary. Her +personal property is subject to debts incurred for family expenses. +Even though divorce be denied, the court may award maintenance to wife +and children.</p> + +<p>Montana is one of three States which make 18 years the legal age for +the marriage of girls. In all others it ranges from 12 to 16 years.</p> + +<p>In 1887, on petition of women, the "age of protection" for girls was +raised from 10 to 15 years, and in 1895 to 16. The penalty is +imprisonment not less than five years.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> Women may vote for school trustees on the same terms as men, +but not for other school officers. They had this privilege under +Territorial government. Those possessing property may vote also on all +questions submitted to taxpayers. These privileges were incorporated +in the first State constitution.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> Women may serve as county superintendents or hold any +school district office.</p> + +<p>In 1884 there were two women county superintendents; now every county +in the State has a woman in this office. The superintendent of the +Helena schools is a woman. The Rev. Alice S. N. Barnes held the +position of school trustee as early as 1888. Dr. Maria M. Dean has +been elected three times in succession as a trustee in Helena. She is +chairman of the board and has been influential in many progressive +measures.</p> + +<p>Women have served on library boards and been city librarians. Miss Lou +Guthrie has been for a number of years librarian of the State Law +Library, and Mrs. Laura E. Howey fills this position in the State +Historical Library.</p> + +<p>There has been a woman on the State Board of Charities since<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_800" id="Page_800">[Pg 800]</a></span> its +organization in 1893, Mrs. Howey, Mrs. M. S. Cummins and Mrs. Lewis +Penwell having been successively elected.</p> + +<p>Dr. Mary B. Atwater has been for over three years chairman of the +Board of Health of Helena.</p> + +<p>Women served as notaries public until a ruling of Attorney-General C. +B. Nolan (1901) declared this illegal.</p> + +<p>In 1892, the first year the Populist party put a ticket in the field, +it nominated Miss Ella Knowles for the office of Attorney-General. She +made a spirited campaign, addressing more than eighty audiences, and +alone organized some fourteen counties, being the first Populist to +speak in them. She ran 5,000 votes ahead of her ticket, in a State +which casts only about 50,000. The contest was so close that it was +three weeks before it was decided who had been elected; but when the +votes came in from the outlying precincts, where she was unknown, it +was found that her Republican opponent, H. J. Haskell, had a majority. +Miss Knowles was then appointed Assistant Attorney-General, an office +which she filled for four years to the eminent satisfaction of the +people. During this time she married her rival.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> No occupation is now legally forbidden to women. Mainly +through the efforts of Mrs. Haskell, a bill was passed by the +Legislature of 1889 which gave women the right to practice law. The +Rev. Alice S. N. Barnes was ordained in the Congregational Church in +1896, and has preached regularly ever since. In 1889 she was chosen as +moderator at the Conference of the Congregational Churches of Montana, +at Helena.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> The educational advantages for women are the same as those +accorded men. All institutions of learning—the State University, the +Agricultural College, even the School of Mines—are open to both +sexes.</p> + +<p>In the public schools there are 201 men and 885 women teachers. The +average monthly salary of the men is $69.28; of the women, $48.61.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>Montana women were awarded seven medals at the World's Fair in Chicago +in 1893. Their botanical exhibit was one of the most notable at the +exposition. It was artistically arranged by Mrs. Jennie H. Moore, the +flowers being all scientifically labeled<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_801" id="Page_801">[Pg 801]</a></span> and properly classified. Of +the $100,000 appropriated to the use of the State Commission, the men +assigned $10,000 to the women for their department, exercising no +supervision over them. At the close of the exposition they brought +back $2,800, which they turned into the State treasury, and $3,000 +worth of furniture, which they presented to various State +institutions.</p> + +<p>In 1894 there was an exciting contest over removing the location of +the permanent capital and some fear that Helena would lose it. A +number of her leading women, in a special car provided by the Northern +Pacific R. R., visited the prominent towns in Eastern Montana, +speaking and working in the interest of their city and undoubtedly +gaining many votes for Helena, which was selected instead of the +rival, Anaconda.</p> + +<p>In 1896 Mrs. Haskell was made a delegate to the Populist convention of +Lewis and Clarke County, which met in Helena, and also to the Populist +State and National Conventions. She took a prominent part in their +proceedings, and was instrumental in securing a woman suffrage plank +in the Populist State platform after a hard fight on the floor of the +convention. At the Populist convention in St. Louis that year she was +chosen a member of the National Committee.</p> + +<p>In the autumn of 1900 a number of prominent women of Helena appeared +as representatives of the suffragists before the Lewis and Clarke +County Conventions, and before the State conventions—Republican, +Democrat and Populist—asking that they insert a plank in their +platforms recommending the submission of the question of woman +suffrage to the voters. Only the Populists adopted it. The ladies also +attended the State conventions of the three parties with the same +resolution; but the Populists alone indorsed it, "demanding" suffrage +for women.</p> + +<p>One of the important factors in this movement is the Woman's Relief +Corps, an organization which has grown in strength during the last +decade and is making its members staunch patriots and woman +suffragists. It has had an educative influence equal to that of the W. +C. T. U. but on different lines. Women are actively identified with +lodges and clubs, many of the latter being members of the General +Federation of Women's Clubs.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_354_354" id="Footnote_354_354"></a><a href="#FNanchor_354_354"><span class="label">[354]</span></a> The History is indebted for this chapter to Mrs. Mary +Long Alderson of Helena, one of the first officers of the State Woman +Suffrage Association.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_355_355" id="Footnote_355_355"></a><a href="#FNanchor_355_355"><span class="label">[355]</span></a> Officers elected: President, Mrs. Harriet P. Sanders; +vice-president, Mrs. Martha Rolfe Plassman; corresponding secretary, +Mrs. Delia A. Kellogg; recording secretary, Mrs. Mary Long Alderson; +treasurer, Dr. Mary B. Atwater; auditors, Mrs. Martha E. Dunckel and +Mrs. Hiram Knowles; delegate-at-large, Mrs. Mary A. Wylie. Dr. Atwater +has been elected to the same office at each succeeding convention.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_802" id="Page_802">[Pg 802]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LI" id="CHAPTER_LI"></a>CHAPTER LI.</h2> + +<h3>NEBRASKA.<a name="FNanchor_356_356" id="FNanchor_356_356"></a><a href="#Footnote_356_356" class="fnanchor">[356]</a></h3> + + +<p>After the defeat of the constitutional amendment to confer the +suffrage, which was submitted to the voters of Nebraska in 1882, the +women were not discouraged, but continued to hold their State +conventions as usual. That of 1884 took place at York, in January, and +was welcomed by Mayor Harlan.</p> + +<p>On Jan. 16, 17, 1885, the annual meeting was held at Lincoln. Mrs. Ada +M. Bittenbender was the principal speaker, and the convention was +specially favored with music by the noted singer of ante-bellum days, +James G. Clark. Mrs. Clara Bewick Colby, editor of the <i>Woman's +Tribune</i>, was elected president.</p> + +<p>The convention of 1886 met at Madison, August 18, 19, and was +addressed by Mrs. Elizabeth Lyle Saxon of New Orleans.</p> + +<p>On Jan. 6-8, 1887, the convention assembled in the Hall of +Representatives in Lincoln. It was fortunate in having Miss Susan B. +Anthony, who was enthusiastically received by large audiences. The +chancellor postponed the opening lecture of the university course so +that the students might hear her address. Mrs. Saxon again rendered +valuable assistance.</p> + +<p>The convention of 1888 met in the opera house at Omaha, December 3, 4, +memorable in being honored by the presence of the two great leaders, +Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, president, and Miss Susan B. Anthony, +vice-president-at-large of the National Association. A reception was +held at Hotel Paxton, and short speeches were made by prominent men. A +notable feature was the exhibit of the rolls containing the names of +12,000 Nebraska men and women asking for equal suffrage.</p> + +<p>The convention for 1889 took place in May, at Kearney, James Clement +Ambrose being among the speakers.</p> + +<p>Fremont claimed the tenth annual meeting, Nov. 12, 1890,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_803" id="Page_803">[Pg 803]</a></span> Miss +Anthony, and Mrs. Julia B. Nelson of Minnesota stopping off to attend +it on their return from several months' campaigning in South Dakota.</p> + +<p>The convention of 1891 was held at Hastings in October, and that of +1892 at Pender, July 1, 2. In 1893 all efforts were concentrated on +the work done at the World's Fair in Chicago, and the raising of money +to assist the Colorado campaign, and the convention was omitted.</p> + +<p>Miss Anthony, now national president, also attended the meeting of +1894, in Beatrice, November 7, 8. This time she was on her way home +from a campaign in Kansas for a suffrage amendment, to which the +Nebraska association had contributed liberally. A telegram announcing +its defeat was handed her on the platform, just as she was about to +begin her speech, and no one who was present ever will forget her +touching account of the efforts which had been made in various States +for this measure during the past twenty-seven years. The delegates +were welcomed by Mayor Schultz.</p> + +<p>David City was selected for the next convention, Oct. 30, 31, 1895; +and that of 1896 was enjoyed at the summer session of the Long Pine +Chautauqua Assembly. Mrs. Colby had spent two months lecturing +throughout the State and preparing for this meeting. Money was raised +for the Idaho suffrage campaign, then in progress. Mrs. Colby and Miss +Elizabeth Abbott addressed the Resolution Committee of the Populist +State convention, asking for a woman suffrage plank.</p> + +<p>The meeting of 1897, at Lincoln, September 30, was assisted by Mrs. +Ida Crouch Hazlett, a lecturer and organizer from Denver, who was +engaged for State work.</p> + +<p>In October, 1898, the convention was held in Omaha during the +executive meeting of the National Council of Women, which enabled it +to have addresses by Miss Anthony, the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, +vice-president-at-large of the National Association, Mrs. Adelaide +Ballard of Iowa, and other prominent speakers. Mrs. Colby declining to +stand for re-election, after sixteen years' service, Mrs. Mary Smith +Hayward was the choice of the association. One hundred dollars were +sent to South Dakota for amendment campaign work.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_804" id="Page_804">[Pg 804]</a></span></p> + +<p>In October, 1899, the National W. S. A. sent eight organizers into the +State to hold a series of forty-nine county conventions; 250 meetings +were held, 18 county organizations effected and 38 local clubs formed. +The canvass ended in an enthusiastic convention in the capitol +building at Lincoln, with Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, chairman of the +national organization committee, the Rev. Ida C. Hultin of Illinois, +Mrs. Evelyn H. Belden of Iowa, Miss Laura A. Gregg of Kansas and Miss +Mary G. Hay of New York, among the speakers. State headquarters were +opened at Omaha with Miss Gregg in charge. Her work has been so +effective that it has been necessary to employ assistants to send out +press articles, arrange for lectures, etc.</p> + +<p>In 1900 a very successful annual meeting took place in Blair, October +23, 24, with a representation almost double that of the previous year +and an elaborate program. Mrs. Chapman Catt was again present, there +was much enthusiasm and it was resolved to continue the efforts to +create a public sentiment which would insure a woman suffrage clause +in the new State constitution which is expected in the near +future.<a name="FNanchor_357_357" id="FNanchor_357_357"></a><a href="#Footnote_357_357" class="fnanchor">[357]</a></p> + +<p>Among the many flourishing local societies may be mentioned that of +Table Rock, which is so strong an influence in the community that the +need of any other club for literary or public work is not felt. It +holds an annual banquet to which husbands and friends are invited, and +the husbands, in turn, under the name of the H. H. (Happy Husband) +Club give a reception to the suffragists, managing it entirely +themselves.</p> + +<p>The society at Chadron, under the inspiration of Mrs. Hayward, is one +of the most active, and has sent money to assist campaigns in other +States. A canvass of the town in February, 1901, showed that 96 per +cent. of the women wanted full suffrage.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Colby organized a Club in Lincoln which has done excellent +service under the leadership of Dr. Inez C. Philbrick.</p> + +<p>Suffrage headquarters have been established at the Chautauquas held at +Long Pine, Beatrice, Salem and Crete, and various Woman's Days have +been held under the auspices of the State<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_805" id="Page_805">[Pg 805]</a></span> Association, at which +speakers of national reputation have made addresses. Anthony and +Stanton Birthdays have been largely observed by the suffrage clubs.</p> + +<p>The history of the Nebraska work for the past sixteen years is +interwoven with that of the president, Mrs. Colby, who has given her +life and money freely to the cause. At a convention in Grand Island in +May, 1883, it was voted to establish a suffrage paper at Beatrice, for +which the State association was to be financially responsible, and +Mrs. Colby was made editor. A year later, when the executive committee +withdrew from the arrangement, she herself assumed the entire burden, +and has edited and published the <i>Woman's Tribune</i> to the present +time. In 1888 she issued the paper in Washington, D. C., during the +sessions of the International Woman's Council and the National W. S. +A., publishing eight editions in the two weeks, four of sixteen and +four of twelve pages, each averaging daily 12,500 copies. A few years +afterwards the office was permanently removed to Washington. As long +as Mrs. Colby was a resident of Nebraska she stood at the head of +every phase of the movement to obtain equal rights for women. Miss +Mary Fairbrother, editor and proprietor of the <i>Woman's Weekly</i>, has +made her paper a valuable ally.</p> + +<p>Miss Helen M. Goff, a lawyer, acted as corresponding secretary of the +State Association for many years, speaking for the cause in political +campaigns, holding a suffrage booth at State fairs, and working in the +Legislature for suffrage bills.<a name="FNanchor_358_358" id="FNanchor_358_358"></a><a href="#Footnote_358_358" class="fnanchor">[358]</a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action and Laws:</span> In 1887 a bill for Municipal Suffrage was +introduced by Senator Snell of Fairbury, and by Representative Cole of +Juniata. Mrs. Colby had secured 3,000 signatures for this measure, and +with Mrs. Jennie F. Holmes, president of the State Woman's Christian +Temperance Union, worked all winter to secure its passage.<a name="FNanchor_359_359" id="FNanchor_359_359"></a><a href="#Footnote_359_359" class="fnanchor">[359]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_806" id="Page_806">[Pg 806]</a></span></p> + +<p>In 1893 three bills were introduced into the Legislature relating to +suffrage for women, and one asking for a law providing for police +matrons in cities of 25,000 or more inhabitants. Miss Goff remained at +the capital all winter looking after these bills. Mrs. Colby, +representing the State W. S. A., and Mrs. Zara A. Wilson the State W. +C. T. U., had charge of the Bill for Municipal Suffrage. J. F. Kessler +introduced this in the House and worked for it. It was defeated by 35 +ayes, 48 noes.</p> + +<p>The bill for Full Suffrage was introduced into the House by G. C. +Lingenfelter, and championed by W. F. Porter (now Secretary of State) +and others. It was defeated by 42 ayes, 47 noes. The Populist members +supported this, but considered that Municipal Suffrage discriminated +against women in the country. The bill for extended School Suffrage +was introduced too late to reach a vote. The Police Matron Bill was +carried.</p> + +<p>In 1895 the W. S. A. decided to do no legislative work except to +second the efforts of the W. C. T. U. to have the "age of protection" +for girls raised to 18 years; and to secure a resolution asking +Congress to submit a woman suffrage amendment to the Federal +Constitution. The latter measure was not acted upon; the former was +successful.</p> + +<p>In 1897 bills were introduced for the Federal Amendment, for Municipal +Suffrage, to allow women property holders to vote on issuing bonds, +and to make the right of the surviving husband or wife equal in the +family estate. Both branches of the Legislature invited Mrs. Colby to +address them. Immediately afterward the House Judiciary Committee +approved an amendment to the State constitution, striking out the word +"male," but this was defeated later in the session. The other bills +were not reported from the committees.</p> + +<p>In 1899 a hearing was granted to a committee from the suffrage +association urging a resolution asking Congress to submit a woman +suffrage amendment to the State Legislatures, and such a measure was +reported to the House but not adopted.</p> + +<p>Dower and curtesy both obtain. A widow is entitled to the life use of +one-third of the real estate. In case the husband die<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_807" id="Page_807">[Pg 807]</a></span> without a will, +after the payment of all debts, charges, etc., she may have household +furniture to the value of $250 and other personal property not +exceeding $200. If any residue remains she is entitled to the same +share that a child receives. If there is no issue living, a widow +takes the use for life of the entire estate, both real and personal. +If there is no kindred of the husband, the widow comes into absolute +possession. If a wife die, leaving no issue, the husband has the life +use of all her real estate. If she leave children by a former husband +they are entitled to all of the estate which did not come to her as a +gift from her surviving husband. If she leave issue by the latter +only, or by both, then the widower has a life interest in one-third of +her real estate. After the payment of her debts her personal property +is distributed in the same way as her real estate.</p> + +<p>The wife can mortgage or sell her real estate without the husband's +signature and without regard to his curtesy. He can do the same with +his separate property but subject to her dower. Both must join in an +incumbrance or sale of the homestead.</p> + +<p>A married woman may control her own property and wages and carry on +business in her own name.</p> + +<p>Father and mother have equal guardianship and custody of minor +children. (1895.)</p> + +<p>The husband is expected to furnish suitable maintenance according to +his own ideas. The property which belonged to the wife before marriage +can be levied on for the husband's debts for necessaries furnished the +family if he have no property.</p> + +<p>The mother is not "next of kin" and can not sue for damages to a minor +child. In 1900 a child of thirteen was injured by a locomotive, and +the Judge held that the father and not the mother was entitled to +bring suit, although she had a divorce years before and had brought up +the child without any assistance from him.</p> + +<p>If a divorce is granted for the wife's adultery "the husband may hold +such of her personal estate as the court may term just and +reasonable." If she secure a divorce on account of his adultery, "the +court may restore to her the whole, or such part as may seem just, <i>of +her own property</i> which she had at marriage. If this is insufficient +for the support of herself and her children the court may decree +alimony from the husband's estate."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_808" id="Page_808">[Pg 808]</a></span></p> + +<p>The "age of protection" for girls was raised in 1885 from 10 to 12 +years; in 1887 from 12 to 15; in 1895 from 15 to 18. The penalty is +imprisonment in the penitentiary not more than twenty nor less than +three years, but the law provides that if such "female child is over +15 and previously unchaste" this penalty shall not be inflicted. For +such the law offers no protection. Nor shall there be conviction for +the crime against a child of any age without other evidence than her +own testimony. (1895.)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> In 1869 School Suffrage was conferred on women. In 1875 the +Legislature repealed this law except for widows and spinsters. In 1881 +it was again changed, and women since then have voted in school +district matters on the same terms as men; <i>i. e.</i>, if parents of +children of school age or assessed on property real or personal they +may vote at all elections pertaining to schools. They can not, +however, vote for State or county superintendents or county +supervisors (commissioners). As the last named levy the taxes, and the +other two are the most important officers connected with the schools, +it will be seen that women are deprived of the most valuable school +vote. All efforts, however, to secure an extension of the school +franchise have resulted in failure.</p> + +<p>As it requires a majority of the highest number of votes cast at an +election to carry an amendment, it is useless to ask the Legislature +to submit one conferring Full Suffrage upon women.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> There is nothing in the State constitution or the +statutes making women ineligible to any elective office except +membership in the Legislature.</p> + +<p>Although they are not allowed to vote for county superintendents there +are at present sixteen women filling this office, eight of them +serving a second term and three a third, while nineteen are +superintendents or principals of schools. A woman was candidate on the +Fusion ticket for regent of the State University; another has been +registrar since the university opened, and one is at present recorder.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ada M. Bittenbender was candidate for Supreme Judge.</p> + +<p>A woman is deputy State auditor. Women are serving or have served as +postmasters and as clerks in both houses of the Legislature, clerk of +the State library and member of the State<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_809" id="Page_809">[Pg 809]</a></span> examining committee of +education. Miss Mary Fairbrother was proof-reader in the House in +1899. Miss Helen M. Goff is assistant reporter in the State department +of the Judiciary. Women act as notaries public.</p> + +<p>The W. S. A. and W. C. T. U. secured a bill requiring the appointment +of women physicians at three State insane asylums. There are matrons +at all of the State institutions for the blind, feeble-minded, etc., +and also at the Girls' Industrial School, although the superintendent +is always a man. The Milford Industrial School has a woman physician, +a woman superintendent and a board of five women visitors. At the Home +for the Friendless all the officers and employees are required to be +women and there is a board of women visitors.</p> + +<p>All cities of 25,000 or more are required to appoint police matrons at +$50 per month. This includes only Omaha and Lincoln.</p> + +<p>A woman is Secretary of the Board of Trade in Omaha and official agent +for the Humane Society with police powers.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> No profession or occupation is legally forbidden to +women. A woman is president of one bank and vice-president of another. +Among the many in newspaper work, an Indian, Mrs. Susette La F. +Tibbles, is prominent.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> All institutions of learning are open to women. In the +public schools there are 2,038 men and 7,154 women teachers. The +average monthly salary of the men is $45.05, of the women, $36.56.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>The Prohibition party always puts a suffrage plank in its State +platform and women candidates on its ticket, even for the office of +Lieutenant-Governor, but it polls so small a vote that this can be +only complimentary. The Populist and Republican parties have indorsed +equal suffrage at county conventions and elected women on their +tickets. Women go as delegates to the Prohibition and Populist +conventions. One of the strongest of the State organizations is the +Woman's Relief Corps.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_356_356" id="Footnote_356_356"></a><a href="#FNanchor_356_356"><span class="label">[356]</span></a> The History is indebted for the material for this +chapter to Mrs. Mary Smith Hayward of Chadron, former president of the +State Woman Suffrage Association.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_357_357" id="Footnote_357_357"></a><a href="#FNanchor_357_357"><span class="label">[357]</span></a> The present officers of the association are: President, +Mrs. Clara A. Young; vice-president, Mrs. Amanda J. Marble; +corresponding secretary, Miss Nelly E. Taylor; recording secretary, +Mrs. Ida L. Denny; treasurer, Mrs. K. W. Sutherland; auditors, Mrs. +Mary Smith Hayward and Mrs. Getty W. Drury.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_358_358" id="Footnote_358_358"></a><a href="#FNanchor_358_358"><span class="label">[358]</span></a> Other names which appear from time to time as doing +good work for this cause are the Hon. J. D. Ream, M. H. Marble, J. W. +Dundas, Mesdames A. J. Marble, Susanna A. Kendall, Irene Hernandez, +Miriam Baird Buck, Lucy Merwin, Vannessa Goff, Maria C. Arter, Mary E. +McMenemy, F. C. Norris, M. A. Van Middlesworth, M. A. Cotton, Misses +Viola Kaufman and Edna Naylor.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_359_359" id="Footnote_359_359"></a><a href="#FNanchor_359_359"><span class="label">[359]</span></a> Mrs. Colby gives this interesting bit of description: +"Our husbands were both in the Senate. We had apartments in the same +house, where, hobnobbing over our partnership housekeeping, we planned +our public work. Our husbands each had a spell of sickness at the same +time, and while our functions of State presidency were temporarily +exchanged for those of nursing, our enemies took advantage of us and +killed that bill, on the very day, February 15, that Gov. John A. +Martin signed the bill under which the women of Kansas have ever since +enjoyed the municipal ballot."</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_810" id="Page_810">[Pg 810]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LII" id="CHAPTER_LII"></a>CHAPTER LII.</h2> + +<h3>NEVADA.<a name="FNanchor_360_360" id="FNanchor_360_360"></a><a href="#Footnote_360_360" class="fnanchor">[360]</a></h3> + + +<p>The question of equal political rights for women always has been a +subject of discussion in Nevada. Through the efforts of Miss Hannah K. +Clapp and a few other women a suffrage bill was passed by the Senate +in 1883, but was defeated in the House. Miss Mary Babcock was one of +the most efficient of these early workers. Many party leaders, +whenever opportunity permitted, have referred to the justice of +enfranchising the women who with the men braved the dangers and +endured the hardships of pioneer life, and are equally interested in +the material development and political well-being of the State. After +the organization of the Nevada Woman's Christian Temperance Union the +superintendent of the franchise department distributed literature, +brought up the topic at public meetings, urged it as a subject of +debate in clubs and schools and thus secured a steady gain in suffrage +sentiment.</p> + +<p>The first step toward associated effort was taken by the women of +Austin, Nov. 30, 1894, in forming the Lucy Stone Non-Partisan Equal +Suffrage League. One or two others were organized that year, and a +general agitation was begun through press and petition work by the +suffragists in every community.</p> + +<p>In the spring of 1895 the visit of Miss Susan B. Anthony, president of +the National Association, and the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, +vice-president-at-large, who were on their way to California, created +such widespread enthusiasm that a new impetus was given to the +movement. A little later Mrs. Emma Smith DeVoe of Illinois was sent by +the National Association to canvass the State with the help of the +local workers. As a result a convention was held at Reno, October 29, +30. Mrs.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_811" id="Page_811">[Pg 811]</a></span> DeVoe and Mrs. Frances A. Williamson were the principal +speakers, and the ten minutes' addresses by the delegates from various +counties were very clever and acceptable. A State Equal Suffrage +Association was formed with Mrs. Williamson as president; Miss Clapp +and Dr. Eliza Cook, vice-presidents; Fannie Weller, corresponding +secretary; Phoebe Stanton Marshall, recording secretary; Elda A. Orr, +treasurer; Kate A. Martin and Alice Ede, auditors; Annie Warren, press +work; Mary A. Boyd, State Fair work; Emma B. Blossom, superintendent +of literature; Marcella Rinkle, member national executive committee.</p> + +<p>The president, who was also chairman of the legislative work +committee, was in the lecture field four months. She had to act as her +own advance agent, but during this time she spoke in every city and +town in the State and organized numerous clubs. Her meetings were well +attended, and great interest was manifested. The second convention was +held at Reno, Sept. 24, 1896, with every county represented. Mrs. Elda +A. Orr was elected president and Mrs. Williamson, State organizer and +lecturer. Mrs. Orr has ever since been continued as president, and to +no one person in Nevada is the cause of woman suffrage so much +indebted for hospitality, financial aid and valuable work.</p> + +<p>The public meeting called on November 9 to greet Miss Anthony and Mrs. +Carrie Chapman Catt, chairman of the national organization committee, +was very successful. Miss Anthony gave a <i>résumé</i> of the exciting +campaign just closed in California, and made an object lesson of its +critical points which greatly amused the audience. Mrs. Chapman Catt +followed in an able argument on woman suffrage as the best and safest +means to secure and maintain good government.</p> + +<p>In order to give the movement a more pronounced individuality Mrs. +Williamson and her daughter, M. Laura Williamson, founded the <i>Nevada +Citizen</i>, a monthly paper devoted to the social, civil and industrial +advancement of women. They edited and managed it, publishing it at +their own risk, and it received a liberal patronage. After a +successful existence of two years, business called both from the State +and it was discontinued.</p> + +<p>In 1897 Mrs. Williamson again canvassed the various counties, and the +most prominent men and women were found willing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_812" id="Page_812">[Pg 812]</a></span> to give the measure +their indorsement. The third annual meeting was held at Carson City, +October 30, with delegates from most of the counties. The numerous +greetings from leading politicians showed an increasing interest in +this question. Mrs. Orr and Mrs. Williamson were both re-elected. The +former made an able address, and Mrs. Frances Folsom gave a general +review of the laws relating to the property rights of women in the +different States.</p> + +<p>The fourth convention was postponed till the meeting of the +Legislature in the winter of 1899, in order that the speakers might +appear before that body with their arguments for the submission of a +woman suffrage amendment to the voters.<a name="FNanchor_361_361" id="FNanchor_361_361"></a><a href="#Footnote_361_361" class="fnanchor">[361]</a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action and Laws:</span> In 1895 a bill was introduced in the +House by Henry H. Beck, to amend the State constitution by eliminating +the word "male" from before the word "citizen" wherever it occurs. All +amendment bills have to pass two successive Legislatures and then be +submitted to the voters. The Rev. Mila Tupper Maynard and Mrs. Frances +A. Williamson managed the legislative work this year. The former made +an eloquent address before the Legislature in joint assembly. An +exciting debate followed in the House, but the bill was defeated by +six votes. About ten days later it was introduced in the Senate by Dr. +William Comins, who supported it with an able speech. It was strongly +opposed but finally passed by a two-thirds vote. Toward the close of +the session it was reconsidered in the House, and after a spirited +debate was passed by four votes.</p> + +<p>In 1897 the legislative work was conducted by Mrs. Williamson. She +read a brief of the constitutional grounds on which women claim the +right of suffrage before the Judiciary Committees of both Houses, and +addressed the Legislature in joint assembly.<a name="FNanchor_362_362" id="FNanchor_362_362"></a><a href="#Footnote_362_362" class="fnanchor">[362]</a> This year the bill +for a constitutional amendment was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_813" id="Page_813">[Pg 813]</a></span> introduced in the Senate by Dr. +Comins. The Judiciary Committee recommended its passage, and after a +lively debate it received a two-thirds vote. Later on the bill was +presented in the House by Frank Norcross. It was held in committee and +delayed in every possible way, but finally was brought up in joint +assembly. A stubborn debate followed, in which the advocates made an +able defense, but it was defeated by a tie vote. A motion to +reconsider it was defeated also.</p> + +<p>In 1899 the Constitutional Amendment Bill again passed the Senate by +the usual two-thirds vote, and was defeated again in the House by the +usual small vote.</p> + +<p>Governors Colcord, Jones and Sadler recommended in their biennial +messages to the Legislature that the proposed suffrage amendment to +the State constitution be submitted to the voters.<a name="FNanchor_363_363" id="FNanchor_363_363"></a><a href="#Footnote_363_363" class="fnanchor">[363]</a> The Reno +<i>Gazette</i> and Wadsworth <i>Dispatch</i> merit special mention for the able +manner in which they have advocated the suffrage movement.</p> + +<p>A married woman may control her separate property if a list of it is +filed with the county recorder, but unless it is kept constantly +inventoried and recorded it becomes community property.</p> + +<p>The community property, both real and personal, which includes all +accumulated after marriage, is under absolute control of the husband, +and at the death of the wife all of it belongs to him without +administration. On the death of the husband the wife is entitled to +one-half of it. If he die leaving no will and no children, she may +claim all of it after she has secured the payment of debts to the +satisfaction of creditors. The inheritance of separate property is the +same for both, and either may claim a life interest in a homestead not +exceeding $5,000 in value.</p> + +<p>To become a sole trader a woman must comply with certain legal +conditions. Her earnings are considered by law to belong to her if her +husband has allowed her to appropriate them to her own use, when they +are regarded <i>as a gift from him to her</i>.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_814" id="Page_814">[Pg 814]</a></span></p> + +<p>A married woman may sue and be sued and make contracts in her own +name.</p> + +<p>The father is the legal guardian of the children and may appoint one +by will. If this is not done, the mother, if suitable, is the guardian +while she remains unmarried.</p> + +<p>The husband is required to furnish the necessaries of life to the +family; but there is no penalty for failure to do so, except that +where the neglect has been continued for one year, when it could have +been avoided by ordinary industry, the wife is entitled to a divorce.</p> + +<p>In 1889 the "age of protection" for girls was raised from 12 to 14 +years. The penalty is imprisonment in the penitentiary for a term of +not less than five years, which may extend for life.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> Women possess no form of suffrage.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> Women are not eligible to any elective or appointive +offices except those of county school superintendents and school +trustees. There are serving at present one county superintendent and +fifteen trustees.</p> + +<p>Women act as clerks in State, county and city offices. They can not +serve as notaries public.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> No profession or occupation is legally forbidden to +women. A number are carrying on mining, and have had mines patented in +their own names.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> Women are admitted to all educational institutions on the +same terms as men.</p> + +<p>In the public schools there are 40 men and 274 women teachers. The +average monthly salary of the men is $101; of the women, $61.50.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_360_360" id="Footnote_360_360"></a><a href="#FNanchor_360_360"><span class="label">[360]</span></a> The History is indebted for this chapter to Mrs. +Frances A. Williamson, first president of the State Equal Suffrage +Association.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_361_361" id="Footnote_361_361"></a><a href="#FNanchor_361_361"><span class="label">[361]</span></a> Among those who have filled the various offices are: +Vice presidents, Margaret Campbell and Susan Humphreys, corresponding +secretaries, May Gill and Catharine Shaw; auditors, A. A. Rattan, Mary +Cowen and Laura A. Huffines; superintendent of press work, Margaret +Furlong; superintendent of literature, Hester Tate; members national +executive committee, Caroline B. Norcross and Elizabeth Webster. +</p><p> +Prominent among the active suffragists, besides those already +mentioned, are Sadie Bath, Lettie Richards, Martha J. Wright, Gerty +Grey, Annie Ronnow, Emma Hilp, Mary Haslett, Mamie Dickey, Edith +Jenkins, Louisa Loschenkohl, Clara Dooley, Mary Bonner, Eliza Timlin +and Josie Marsh.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_362_362" id="Footnote_362_362"></a><a href="#FNanchor_362_362"><span class="label">[362]</span></a> Mrs. Williamson was assisted by Elda A. Orr, Elizabeth +Webster, Mary Alt, Mary A. Boyd, Jane Frazer, Kate A. Martin, +Elizabeth Evans, Marcella Rinkle, Susan Humphreys, Sara Reynolds, +Frances Folsom, Emma B. Blossom and others, whose womanly and +dignified work was complimented by the legislative body and the public +in general.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_363_363" id="Footnote_363_363"></a><a href="#FNanchor_363_363"><span class="label">[363]</span></a> Among the members of both Houses who from time to time +have championed this question and favored all legislation for the +advancement of women are Messrs. Bell, Birchfield, Coryell, Denton, +Ernest, Garrard, Gregooich, Haines, Julien, Kaiser, Lord, Mante, +Martin, Marshall, McHardy, McNaughton, McCone, Murphy, Richards, +Skagg, Vanderleith and Williamson.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_815" id="Page_815">[Pg 815]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LIII" id="CHAPTER_LIII"></a>CHAPTER LIII.</h2> + +<h3>NEW HAMPSHIRE.</h3> + + +<p>New Hampshire has been rich in distinguished citizens who believed in +woman suffrage. Ex-United States Senator Henry W. Blair always has +been one of its most devoted advocates, and his successor, Dr. Jacob +H. Gallinger, is no less a staunch friend. The names of both for many +years have stood as vice-presidents of the State Association. From +1868 the Hon. Nathaniel P. and Mrs. Armenia S. White were the pillars +of the movement and there was an efficient organization. His death in +1880 and her advancing years deprived it of active leadership and, +while the sentiment throughout the State continued strong, there was +little organized work. Mrs. White was president for many years and +afterwards was made honorary president. Parker Pillsbury was for a +long time vice-president and later the Hon. Oliver Branch. Mrs. Jacob +H. Ela and Mrs. Bessie Bisbee Hunt served several years as chairmen of +the executive committee.<a name="FNanchor_364_364" id="FNanchor_364_364"></a><a href="#Footnote_364_364" class="fnanchor">[364]</a> Many petitions for suffrage were +circulated and sent to the Legislature and money was raised for the +National Association. The Grange and the Woman's Christian Temperance +Union have been valuable allies.</p> + +<p>On June 29, 30, 1887, a convention was held in Concord and +arrangements made for a systematic canvass of the State.</p> + +<p>On Jan. 10, 1889, Mrs. White and other officers of the State +Association were granted a hearing by the Constitutional Convention +then in session. They presented petitions and made a plea that the +State constitution be amended so as to prohibit<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_816" id="Page_816">[Pg 816]</a></span> political +distinctions on account of sex. The special committee reported +"inexpedient to legislate" and their report was adopted.</p> + +<p>A State meeting was held in Concord, Dec. 14, 1892, a full board of +officers was elected and it was voted to become auxiliary to the +National American Association and to remain auxiliary to the New +England Association.</p> + +<p>On Jan. 10, 1895, the New England W. S. A. held a convention in Nashua +with Miss Elizabeth Upham Yates of Maine, Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, Henry +B. Blackwell and Miss Alice Stone Blackwell, editors of the <i>Woman's +Journal</i>, Boston, as speakers. The day after its close the annual +business meeting of the New Hampshire Association was held and was +addressed by Miss Blackwell. On November 8 it called a meeting at the +same place for the transaction of some special business.</p> + +<p>On Jan. 10, 1896, and on Feb. 24, 1897, the annual meetings were held +in Nashua, the latter addressed by Miss Blackwell. Mrs. Marilla M. +Ricker, a former officer of the society but now practicing law in +Washington, D.C., was candidate for U. S. Minister to Colombia, and +New Hampshire was one of six States which petitioned for her +appointment. Ex-Senator Blair exerted himself in her behalf, but it is +hardly necessary to say that she was not appointed.</p> + +<p>The desire for a more effective organization had grown so strong that +in November, 1900, Mrs. Susan S. Fessenden of Boston was sent into the +State by the New England Association and spent two weeks, forming +clubs in Concord, Newport, Littleton, Andover and North Conway, and +preparing for societies in Nashua and Manchester.</p> + +<p>In the autumn of 1901 Miss Mary N. Chase of Andover spent a month +organizing local societies. A convention was called for December 16, +17, in Manchester, at which ten towns were represented. The meetings +were held in the City Hall, and Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, president of +the National Association, was introduced to a fine audience the first +evening by Cyrus H. Little, Speaker of the House of Representatives. +Addresses were made also by Mr. and Miss Blackwell. A strong official +board was elected<a name="FNanchor_365_365" id="FNanchor_365_365"></a><a href="#Footnote_365_365" class="fnanchor">[365]</a> and an effort will be made to educate public<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_817" id="Page_817">[Pg 817]</a></span> +sentiment to demand a woman suffrage clause from the convention to +revise the State constitution, which is likely to be held within a +short time. On the evening of December 17 Mrs. Chapman Catt spoke in +Concord, the State capital.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action and Laws:</span> The suffrage association has been +petitioning the Legislature since 1870. That year it secured a law +allowing women to serve on school boards. In 1878 it obtained School +Suffrage for women.</p> + +<p>In 1885 it presented a petition, signed by several thousand citizens, +asking the Full Franchise for women, and was given "leave to +withdraw."</p> + +<p>In 1887 a bill conferring Municipal Suffrage and permitting women to +hold all municipal offices was presented with a petition signed by +2,500 citizens. A hearing was granted by the committee on July 6 and +300 persons were present. On the 13th it was favorably reported in the +House, but August 6, it was defeated by 87 ayes, 148 noes. This year +the House raised the "age of protection" for girls from 10 to 14 years +but the Senate amended to 13 years.</p> + +<p>In 1889 the bill for Municipal Suffrage was again introduced, sent to +the Judiciary Committee and referred to the next session as +"unfinished business."</p> + +<p>In 1891 the petitions for this bill contained 3,000 signatures, and +Mr. Angell of Derry also introduced a bill for suffrage for tax-paying +women, but neither was acted upon. This experience was repeated in +1893.</p> + +<p>In 1895, after a hearing had been granted to the women, the bill was +reported favorably by the Judiciary Committee and passed a second +reading in the House, but a third was refused. D. C. Remick and M. +Lyford were earnest in their support of the measure. This year the +"age of protection" for girls was raised to 16, but the bill was +vetoed by Gov. Busiel who claimed that it was not properly framed.</p> + +<p>Dower and curtesy both obtain. The widow is entitled to a life +interest in one-third of the real estate and a homestead right of +$500, and if she waive the provisions of the will in her favor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_818" id="Page_818">[Pg 818]</a></span> she +may have, after the payment of debts, one-third of the personal +property if issue survive; if not, one-half. If she waive its +provisions and release her dower and homestead right, she may have, +after all debts and expenses of administration are paid, one-third of +the real estate absolutely if issue by her survive, and, if not, +one-half, and the same amount of personal property. The widower is +entitled to a life interest in all the wife's real estate, and a +homestead right of $500, and if he waive the provisions of her will in +his favor, the same amount of her personal property as she would +receive of his. If he release his curtesy and homestead right he is +entitled to the same amount of her real estate as she would have of +his.</p> + +<p>A married woman retains control of her separate property. She can +mortgage or convey it without the husband's joinder but can not bar +his curtesy of life use of the whole or his homestead right; nor can +she deprive him of these by will. The husband has the same privileges, +subject to her dower.</p> + +<p>A married woman may carry on business in her own name. She may sue and +be sued and make contracts. Her earnings are her sole and separate +property. She can not become surety for her husband.</p> + +<p>The father is the legal guardian but if he is insane or has given +cause for divorce the court may award the minor children to the +mother. The judge of probate may appoint a guardian, when necessary, +to have care of the persons and property of minor children, and it may +be either the father or mother.</p> + +<p>If the husband refuse to provide for his family he may be prosecuted +in criminal form. If he is insane or has given cause for divorce the +court may award support out of his property.</p> + +<p>The common law making 12 years the legal age for a girl to marry has +been retained by special statute.</p> + +<p>The "age of protection" for girls is 13 years with a penalty of +imprisonment not exceeding thirty years, but no minimum punishment +named.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> Since 1878 women, possessing the same qualifications +required of men, that is, residence in the district three months +preceding the election, are entitled to vote for members of the school +board and for appropriations of money. There<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_819" id="Page_819">[Pg 819]</a></span> are no county +superintendents, and the State Superintendent of Instruction is +appointed by the Governor and Council. The city ordinances of +Manchester, Franklin and Nashua prohibit women from this suffrage, but +they may vote in Concord, the capital.</p> + +<p>New Hampshire was the first State in New England to give School +Suffrage to women.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> Women are eligible to all elective or appointive +School offices except where it is forbidden by special charters. They +are not eligible to any other elective office.</p> + +<p>A number are serving on School Boards. They may sit on State Boards +which are appointed by the Governor. They have done so only on the +Board of Charities and Corrections and on that of the State Normal +School.</p> + +<p>There is no law requiring women physicians in any State institutions, +or police matrons in any city. One has been appointed in Manchester.</p> + +<p>Women may act as notaries public.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> On July 25, 1889, Chief Justice Charles Doe of the +Supreme Court delivered the opinion that women may become members of +the bar and practice in all the courts. No occupation or profession is +legally forbidden. Ten hours are made a working day.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> The old college of Dartmouth at Hanover is for men only. +The State Agricultural College at Durham admits both sexes.</p> + +<p>In the public schools there are 256 men and 2,714 women teachers. The +average monthly salary of the men is $69.75; of the women $40.59.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_364_364" id="Footnote_364_364"></a><a href="#FNanchor_364_364"><span class="label">[364]</span></a> Among other officers since 1884 are: Presidents, Mrs. +E. J. C. Gilbert and Miss Josephine F. Hall; vice-presidents, Judge J. +W. Fellows, Gen. Elbert Wheeler, the Rev. Enoch Powell, Mrs. Martha E. +Powell, John Scales, Mesdames C. A. Quimby, Caroline R. Wendell, N. H. +Knox, Marilla H. Ricker, M. L. Griffin, Fanny W. Sawyer and Mary +Powers Filley; corresponding secretaries, Mrs. Jacob H. Ela, Mrs. +Maria D. Adams; recording secretary, the Rev. H. B. Smith; treasurers, +Mesdames A. W. Hobbs, C. R. Meloon, Uranie E. Bowers and Miss Abbie E. +McIntyre; auditor, Mrs. C. R. Pease; executive committee, Mrs. Mary E. +H. Dow and Mrs. (Dr.) Tucker.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_365_365" id="Footnote_365_365"></a><a href="#FNanchor_365_365"><span class="label">[365]</span></a> President, Miss Mary N. Chase; vice-president, Mrs. +Elizabeth B. Hunt; secretary, Miss Mary E. Quimby; treasurer, the Rev. +Angelo Hall; auditors, Miss C. R. Wendell and the Hon. Sherman E. +Burroughs.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_820" id="Page_820">[Pg 820]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LIV" id="CHAPTER_LIV"></a>CHAPTER LIV.</h2> + +<h3>NEW JERSEY.<a name="FNanchor_366_366" id="FNanchor_366_366"></a><a href="#Footnote_366_366" class="fnanchor">[366]</a></h3> + + +<p>Although many local suffrage meetings had been held in New Jersey +prior to 1867, in that year a State Society was organized by Lucy +Stone, which met regularly in various cities until she removed to +Massachusetts a few years afterwards, when the association and its +branches gradually suspended, except the one at Vineland, with Mrs. +Anna M. Warden as president. Mrs. Cornelia C. Hussey, Mrs. Katherine +H. Browning, Mrs. Warden and others continued to represent the State +as vice-presidents at the national conventions.</p> + +<p>In 1890 Dr. Mary D. Hussey, who had been a member of the old society, +invited a number of active suffragists to unite in forming a new State +association. Eleven responded and, at the residence of Mrs. Charlotte +N. Enslin, in Orange, February 5, a constitution was adopted, Judge +John Whitehead elected president and Dr. Hussey secretary and +treasurer.<a name="FNanchor_367_367" id="FNanchor_367_367"></a><a href="#Footnote_367_367" class="fnanchor">[367]</a></p> + +<p>In 1891 the Rev. Antoinette Brown Blackwell became president; Mrs. +Amelia Dickinson Pope was elected in 1892; and in 1893 Mrs. Florence +Howe Hall, daughter of Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, accepted the presidency.</p> + +<p>The first public meeting of the association was held at Orange, March +4, 1893, where Mrs. Clara C. Hoffman of Missouri, gave an address. The +first auxiliary society formed was that of Essex County, with forty +members, Mrs. Jennie D. De Witt, president. Five other State meetings +were held and the membership trebled. Among the lecturers were Aaron +M. Powell, Mrs. Blackwell, Mrs. S. M. Perkins of Ohio, and the +president. A number of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_821" id="Page_821">[Pg 821]</a></span> clergymen gave sermons on suffrage, 14,000 +pages of literature were circulated in seventeen of the twenty-one +counties, and the <i>Woman's Column</i> was sent to 200 persons at the +expense of Mrs. Cornelia C. Hussey. The women's vote at school +meetings greatly increased and a number were elected trustees. The +annual convention was held at Newark in November.</p> + +<p>The constitutional amendment campaign in the neighboring State of New +York had a very favorable effect on public opinion in New Jersey +during 1894. In addition to the usual meetings a memorial service in +honor of Lucy Stone was held in Peddie Memorial Church, Newark, one of +the largest churches in the State, with more than 2,000 people +present, Mrs. Mary A. Livermore being the chief speaker. Another +meeting was held in Orange, Mrs. Julia Ward Howe making the principal +address.</p> + +<p>A sunflower lunch was given to raise funds for the campaign in Kansas +and $200 were sent, of which half was contributed by Mrs. Hussey. +Among the vast amount of literature circulated were 1,000 copies of +suffrage papers. The State convention was held as usual in Newark, +November 24. This year the Populist party declared for woman suffrage +in its State convention. The Knights of Labor also have indorsed it.</p> + +<p>In 1895, before entering upon the three years' campaign for the +restoration of School Suffrage, which had been declared +unconstitutional the previous year, the association presented to the +Legislature petitions signed by about 1,000 persons, asking for the +restoration of full suffrage to the women of New Jersey, which had +been taken away in 1807. This was done not with any expectation of +success but in order to place the association on record as having +demanded this right. In the new measure for School Suffrage they +begged that it might include the women of towns and cities instead of +merely country districts, according to the law of 1887, but this was +refused.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Anna B. S. Pond arranged a course of lectures for the benefit of +the School Suffrage fund and, with a souvenir, $100 were raised. A +handsome suffrage flag was presented to the association by Miss Martha +B. Haines, recording secretary.</p> + +<p>Four meetings of the State association were held in Newark, and one in +Plainfield during the year, and lectures were given by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_822" id="Page_822">[Pg 822]</a></span> Mrs. Lillie +Devereux Blake of New York, Mrs. Annie L. Diggs of Kansas, Miss +Elizabeth Upham Yates of Maine, and Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, chairman +of the national organization committee. The fifth convention assembled +in the chapel of Trinity (Episcopal) Church, Elizabeth, November 29. +Mrs. Ella B. Carter, chairman on press work, stated that many leading +papers were advocating the restoring of School Suffrage. Mrs. Harriet +L. Coolidge, chairman of the School Suffrage Committee, reported that +about fifty women had held the office of trustee since 1873, when this +right was given, that twelve more were still serving despite the +Supreme Court decision, and that women had voted in school meetings in +almost every county.</p> + +<p>The School Suffrage Resolution passed the Legislature, but as it had +to be approved by two successive Legislatures before it could be +submitted to the voters, it was necessary to agitate the subject so +the law-makers might see that the people really desired the passage of +this measure, and the winter of 1896 was devoted to this purpose. A +new circular setting forth the success it had previously been was +circulated in connection with the petition. As the president was +unable to attend the session of the Legislature, Miss Mary Philbrook, +chairman of the Committee on Laws, took charge of the measure, which +in March was passed for the second time without opposition. It was +decided, however, to have certain other proposed amendments to the +constitution altered, and that for School Suffrage was kept back with +the others, as the constitution can be amended only once in five +years.</p> + +<p>In the spring circulars were sent to 300 newspapers to be published, +urging women to attend school meetings and to exercise the scrap of +franchise still left to them—a vote on appropriations.<a name="FNanchor_368_368" id="FNanchor_368_368"></a><a href="#Footnote_368_368" class="fnanchor">[368]</a> New +Jersey sent $150 to the National Association and $50 to California for +its campaign this year, in addition to the money spent on State work. +The annual meeting was held in Orange, Nov. 27, 1896. A vote of thanks +was tendered Miss Jane Campbell of Philadelphia for her generous gift +of 300 copies of "Woman's Progress" containing an account of suffrage +in New Jersey by Mrs. Hall.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_823" id="Page_823">[Pg 823]</a></span></p> + +<p>The signatures to the petition were increased to over 7,000 in 1897, +and the Legislature passed the resolution for the School Suffrage +Amendment for the third time, in March. The association at once began +active work to influence the voters. Meetings were held in halls, +churches and parlors in all parts of the State and many articles were +published explaining the scope of the amendment. The State Federation +of Women's Clubs, the Granges, Working Girls' Societies, Daughters of +Liberty, the Ladies of the G. A. R., the Junior Order of American +Mechanics and other organizations gave cordial indorsement. Mrs. Hall +delivered three addresses on this subject before the State Federation +of Clubs; Mrs. Emily E. Williamson, afterwards its president, also +made a strong speech, urging the members to work for the amendment, +and paid for 5,000 of the Appeals which were sent out. The W. C. T. U. +rendered every possible assistance in securing signers for the +petitions and educating public sentiment.</p> + +<p>During the summer an extensive correspondence was carried on with +prominent people including the State board of education, State, county +and city superintendents of public instruction, etc. They were asked +to sign An Appeal to the Friends of Education which clearly set forth +the advantages of the proposed amendment. Having obtained the one +hundred influential signatures desired the document was widely +distributed to the press. Copies were sent to many organizations of +men and women, and also to the clergy, with the request that they +would use their influence with their congregations. A number did so, +but probably many were afraid to speak on this subject lest they +injure the chances of the Anti-Gambling Amendment to the constitution, +which was to be voted on at the same time. The school authorities +strongly indorsed the amendment and related the benefit which School +Suffrage for women had been within their experience. Extracts from +these letters, including one from the State Superintendent of Public +Instruction, the Hon. Charles J. Baxter, thanking the association for +work in its behalf, were widely published.</p> + +<p>The Republican State Executive Committee and some county committees +indorsed the amendment. Efforts were made to have it presented at the +many meetings which were held in behalf<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_824" id="Page_824">[Pg 824]</a></span> of the Anti-Race Track +Amendment, but they were not always successful. Through an unavoidable +circumstance the press work fell principally on the president. The +corresponding secretary, Dr. Hussey, gave an immense amount of labor, +devoting the whole summer to the work of the campaign. Mrs. Angell +rendered most efficient service, a part of it the sending of a letter +to nearly every minister in the State. Mrs. L. H. Rowan was chairman +of the finance committee but so sure were the friends of success that +only $150 were expended.</p> + +<p>The special election was held Sept. 28, 1897, and the result was a +great disappointment. The School Suffrage Amendment, to which it was +generally supposed there would be practically no opposition, was +defeated—65,021 ayes, 75,170 noes. The adverse vote came almost +entirely from the cities where the actual experiment never had been +made. The country districts, where women had exercised School +Suffrage, understood its workings and voted for the amendment. The +Germans in particular opposed it, and it was said that they and many +other voters understood it to give complete suffrage to women. As it +was printed in full on the ballot itself, the carelessness and +indifference of the average voter were thus made painfully apparent.</p> + +<p>The labor was not altogether wasted, however, as through it the people +were brought to understand that women still had a partial vote at +school meetings. (See Suffrage.) For instance the women of Cranford, +where a new schoolhouse was badly needed, were told by their town +counsel that they had lost the ballot, but the president of the +suffrage association informed them of the error of this learned +gentleman, and they came out and voted, the campaign being conducted +by the Village Improvement Association, a club composed of women. The +majority in favor of the new schoolhouse was only seven. The +opposition called a second meeting and reversed this decision. The +women circulated petitions and compelled the school board to call a +third meeting where they won the day. It was voted to erect one new +building to cost $24,700 and another on the south side to cost nearly +$11,000.</p> + +<p>This same year, in South Orange, two unsuccessful attempts were made +to get an appropriation to build a much-needed High<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_825" id="Page_825">[Pg 825]</a></span> School. The men +finally decided to call upon the women for help. Nearly 500 attended +the meeting, and the $25,000 appropriation was carried by an +overwhelming majority. The school at Westfield and two new High School +buildings at Asbury Park and Atlantic Highlands were built because of +the women's vote. Manual training was introduced into the Vineland +schools through the zeal of women. A report from Moorestown says: "The +year that women first began to vote at school meetings marks a decided +revival of intelligent interest in our public schools." In Scotch +Plains, where the meetings were held in the public school building, a +holiday afterwards had always been necessary in order to clean it. +With the advent of the feminine voters, expectoration and peanut +shells ceased to decorate the floors, and the children were able to +attend school the next day as usual. The Women's Educational +Association introduced manual training into the public schools of East +Orange.<a name="FNanchor_369_369" id="FNanchor_369_369"></a><a href="#Footnote_369_369" class="fnanchor">[369]</a></p> + +<p>A number of meetings of the State association were held during 1897, +and among the speakers were Mrs. Mary C. C. Bradford and Mrs. Ellis +Meredith of Colorado, Mrs. Celia B. Whitehead and Miss Laura E. +Holmes. The annual convention took place at Wissner Hall, Newark, +November 30.</p> + +<p>Three State meetings were held in 1898, the conference of the National +Board co-operating with the State association, taking the place of the +convention. This was held May 6, 7, at Orange, and was the strong +feature of the year. Through the efforts of the local committee, Mrs. +Minola Graham Sexton, chairman, a large attendance was secured. Among +the speakers were the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, vice-president-at-large +of the National Association, Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, Mrs. Mariana W. +Chapman, president of the New York State Association, and a number of +State women. New Jersey contributed this year $648 to the Organization +Committee of the National, most of which went to the Oklahoma +campaign. The largest contributions were from Mrs. Cornelia C. Hussey, +$450; Moorestown League (Miss S.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_826" id="Page_826">[Pg 826]</a></span> W. Lippincott) $50; collections at +Orange, $41; Essex County, $40; Mrs. A. Van Winkle, $20.</p> + +<p>The annual meeting was held at Camden, Nov. 29, 1898. Mrs. Rachel +Foster Avery, corresponding secretary of the National Association, and +Miss Jane Campbell, president of the Philadelphia county association, +were the afternoon speakers, Mrs. Bradford making the principal +address of the evening. The New Jersey Legal Aid Association was +formed this year in Newark, Dr. Hussey taking an active part. The +first president was Miss Cecilia Gaines, who was succeeded by Mrs. +Stewart Hartshorn. Its object is to give legal assistance to those +unable to pay for it, and especially to women. All its officers are +women, and a woman attorney is employed. Up to the present time (1901) +it has had applications from 700 persons.</p> + +<p>Two meetings of the State Association were held in 1899. A +contribution of $220 was made to the National Organization Committee. +At the annual meeting, held November 28, at Jersey City, Major Z. K. +Pangborn, editor of the <i>Journal</i>, made an address at the evening +session. The principal speaker was Mrs. Percy Widdrington of London, +who gave an account of woman suffrage and its good practical results +in England.</p> + +<p>Resolutions of deep regret for the death of Aaron M. Powell, editor of +<i>The Philanthropist</i>, were adopted.</p> + +<p>The State Association held two meetings during 1900, and did a great +deal of work in preparation for the National Suffrage Bazar. Dr. +Hussey was made chairman of the Bazar Committee, while Mrs. Sexton +arranged the ten musical entertainments which were given during the +Bazar. The tenth annual convention was held at Moorestown, November +13, 14. There was a large attendance, including many men. The new +national president, Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, was the principal +speaker. Others were Mrs. Lucretia L. Blankenburg, president of the +Pennsylvania Association; Mrs. Mary V. Grice, president of the State +Congress of Mothers; Mrs. Catharine B. Lippincott, representing the +Grange, and Mrs. Hall, who spoke on the American Woman in the American +Home.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Hall, who had been president during the whole period of active +life of the association, declined re-election. She did so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_827" id="Page_827">[Pg 827]</a></span> with the +greatest reluctance, but felt that the increasing pressure of work +made it important that some one with more leisure at her disposal +should fill the office. Mrs. Sexton was elected president.<a name="FNanchor_370_370" id="FNanchor_370_370"></a><a href="#Footnote_370_370" class="fnanchor">[370]</a></p> + +<p>Mrs. Cornelia C. Hussey is the largest contributor in New Jersey to +the suffrage cause in general. Since many of her donations have been +made to the National Association directly, not passing through the +hands of the State treasurer, they can not be computed here, nor does +she herself know their full amount. She has given also most liberally +to State work and her contributions run well up into the thousands. A +number of New Jersey women have been made life members of the National +Association by her. She is a member of its organization +committee.<a name="FNanchor_371_371" id="FNanchor_371_371"></a><a href="#Footnote_371_371" class="fnanchor">[371]</a></p> + +<p>In early days Mrs. Theresa Walling Seabrook stood almost alone in the +W. C. T. U. in her advocacy of woman suffrage and it required ten +years of effort to secure a franchise department, of which she was +made the first superintendent. For many years, however, this +organization has been an active and helpful force and undoubtedly has +made numerous converts, besides securing valuable legislation. The +Grange has been always a faithful ally of the woman suffrage cause.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action and Laws:</span> On Feb. 13, 1884, a special committee of +the Assembly granted a hearing on the petition of Mrs. Celia B. +Whitehead and 220 others, asking the restoration of the right of Full +Suffrage which had been unconstitutionally taken away from women in +1807. (See Suffrage.) Henry B. Blackwell and the Rev. Phœbe A. +Hanaford of Massachusetts and Mrs. Theresa Walling Seabrook presented +the question. They asked also for School Suffrage. The committee +reported favorably on both measures. The former reached a vote and was +defeated by 24 yeas, 27 nays.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_828" id="Page_828">[Pg 828]</a></span></p> + +<p>In 1887 Dr. William M. Baird, Speaker of the Assembly, had a bill +introduced conferring School Suffrage on women in villages and country +districts, and advocated it from the floor. It passed unanimously, +March 23, not on its merits but because the Speaker wanted it. It was +passed by the Senate March 31, by 15 yeas, 2 nays, and signed April 8, +by Gov. Robert S. Green.</p> + +<p>This year Aaron M. Powell and the Rev. A. H. Lewis secured a law +raising the "age of protection" for girls from 10 to 16.</p> + +<p>In 1894 the courts decided that the law granting School Suffrage to +women was unconstitutional and that an amendment to the constitution +would be necessary to enable them to exercise it. The suffrage +association immediately took steps to secure a resolution submitting +this amendment to the electors, as previously described. In 1895 it +was introduced in the Senate by Foster M. Voorhees (now Governor) and +passed in June by 13 yeas, 2 nays. It passed the Assembly by 36 yeas, +one nay. It had to be acted upon by two Legislatures. In March, 1896, +it passed the Senate unanimously; and the Assembly by 57 yeas, one +nay. A technicality required it to pass the third Legislature, which +it did in March, 1897—Senate, 15 yeas, 1 nay; Assembly, 42 yeas, 5 +nays.</p> + +<p>In April, 1894, it was enacted that women might be notaries.</p> + +<p>In March, 1895, a bill was secured making women eligible to +appointment as Commissioners of Deeds, after having failed in 1891, +'92 and '94, and Miss Mary M. Steele was appointed.</p> + +<p>In 1896 Miss Mary Philbrook, an attorney, with the help of the +suffrage officials, secured a bill making women eligible as Masters in +Chancery and was herself the first one appointed.</p> + +<p>This year the State Teachers' Association secured a law permitting a +Teachers' Retirement Fund to be created, which, with some amendments +in 1899, enables a teacher after twenty years' service, if +incapacitated for further work, to receive from $250 to $600 per +annum. Some improvement also was made in the property laws for women.</p> + +<p>In April, 1898, through the efforts of the Federation of Women's +Clubs, a law was passed and an appropriation made for State Traveling +Libraries.</p> + +<p>Dower and curtesy obtain. The widow is entitled to a life use of +one-third of the real estate and, if there is a child or children,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_829" id="Page_829">[Pg 829]</a></span> to +one-third of the personal property absolutely; if there are no +children, to one-half of it. The remainder of the real and personal +estate goes to the husband's kindred. "The widow may remain in the +mansion house of her husband free of rent until dower is assigned." +The widower is entitled to the life use of all the wife's real estate, +and if there is no will, to all her personal property without +administration. She may, however, dispose of all of it by will as she +pleases. She can not by will deprive the husband of his curtesy in +real estate, except by order of the Court of Chancery when she is +living separate from him. She can not encumber or dispose of her +separate estate without his joinder. He can mortgage or convey his +real estate without her joinder but it is subject to her dower. Her +separate property is liable for her debts but not for those of her +husband.</p> + +<p>Since 1895 a married woman may contract as if unmarried, and sue and +be sued in her own name as to property, but for personal injuries the +husband must join. She can not become surety.</p> + +<p>Since 1896 she may carry on business in her own name, her earnings and +wages are her separate property, and her deposits in savings banks are +free from the control of her husband.</p> + +<p>The father is the legal guardian of the persons and estates of minor +children. At his death the mother becomes guardian. In case of +separation with no misconduct on the part of either, the mother has +the preference until the child is seven years old, after which the +rights are equal. Provision is made for the access of the mother to +infant children. On the death of the one to whom the child is assigned +it is subject to the order of the court.</p> + +<p>The husband must furnish such support as will maintain the wife in the +position in which he has placed her by marriage. If he refuse he must +give bonds or go to jail. The wife must contribute to the support of +the family if the husband is unable.</p> + +<p>The "age of protection" for girls was raised from 10 to 16 years in +1887. The penalty is a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment at +hard labor not exceeding fifteen years, or both. No minimum penalty is +named.</p> + +<p>No girl under fourteen shall be employed in a factory, and no children +under fourteen shall be employed in any workshop or factory over ten +hours a day or sixty hours a week. The failure<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_830" id="Page_830">[Pg 830]</a></span> of employers to +provide seats for female employes beside a work bench or counter shall +be punished as a misdemeanor.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> New Jersey is the first State in which a woman ever cast a +ballot. The constitution adopted July 2, 1776, conferred the franchise +on "all inhabitants worth $250, etc." In 1790 a revision of the +election law used the words "he or she," thus giving legislative +sanction to a construction of the constitution which placed women in +the electorate. While the records show that women did vote for various +officers, including President of the United States and members of the +Legislature, yet in those days of almost absolute male supremacy, when +it was not customary for women to own even $250 worth of property and +all they possessed became the husband's at marriage, it is not to be +supposed that very many could avail themselves of the privilege. +Enough did so, however, to make them a factor in the fierce political +contentions which soon arose, and to gain the enmity of politicians. +In 1807 the Legislature passed an arbitrary act limiting the suffrage +to "white male citizens." This was clearly a usurpation of authority, +as the constitution could be changed only by action of the voters. +Nevertheless, men were in power and women were no longer permitted to +exercise the franchise.</p> + +<p>In 1844 a convention framed a new constitution in which the suffrage +was restricted to "white males," and only men were allowed to vote on +its adoption. Women were still electors according to the existing +constitution, and yet they were not permitted to vote for delegates to +this convention nor for the ratification of the new constitution. No +Supreme Court could have rendered any other decision than that this +was illegally adopted.</p> + +<p>For exactly eighty years women were deprived of any franchise. During +the last twenty of this period they made repeated efforts to vote and +presented numerous petitions to the Legislature to have their ancient +right restored. In 1887 this body enacted that women might vote at +school meetings (i. e. in villages and country districts) for +trustees, bonds, appropriations, etc.</p> + +<p>In 1893 a law was enacted giving the right to vote for Road +Commissioner to "all freeholders." An election was very soon contested +at Englewood, and in June, 1894, the Supreme Court decided that the +act was illegal because "it is not competent for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_831" id="Page_831">[Pg 831]</a></span> the Legislature to +enlarge or diminish the class of voters comprehended within the +constitutional definition." [The court had forgotten about that +Legislature of 1807.]</p> + +<p>This gave the opportunity for those who were opposed to women's +exercising the School Suffrage. At a special election for school +trustees held in Vineland, July 27, 1894, the women were forcibly +prevented from depositing their ballots. The State Superintendent of +Public Instruction was appealed to and he directed the county +superintendent to appoint a board of trustees, as the election from +which the women were excluded was illegal. This was done on the advice +of the Attorney-General, who held that the constitution by empowering +the Legislature to "provide for the maintenance and support of a +system of free public schools," gave it the power to confer on women +the right to vote at school meetings for school officers.</p> + +<p>Without following the details it is only necessary to relate that the +Supreme Court declared that "the State constitution says, 'Every male +citizen, etc., shall be entitled to vote for all officers that are now +or may be hereafter elective by the people' (!) and school trustees +are elective officers within this provision, therefore the Act +allowing women to vote for them is unconstitutional."</p> + +<p>Women had been voting for these officers seven years under this Act, +and always for the benefit of the schools, according to the almost +universal testimony of educational authorities. It now became +necessary, in order to continue this privilege, to obtain an amendment +to the constitution. The story of the three years' effort made by the +State Suffrage Association for this purpose is related earlier in the +chapter. Since this had to be made they begged that the amendment +might include School Suffrage for the women in towns and cities also, +but this was refused. And yet even a proposition to restore School +Suffrage to those of villages and rural districts, when submitted to +the voters, was defeated at the election on Sept. 28, 1897, by 65,029 +yeas, 75,170 nays, over 10,000 majority.</p> + +<p>While the Supreme Court decision took away the vote for trustees it +did not interfere with the right of women in villages and country +districts to vote on questions of bonds and appropriations<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_832" id="Page_832">[Pg 832]</a></span> for the +building of schoolhouses and other school purposes, and that is the +amount of suffrage now possessed by women in New Jersey. When the +school laws were revised in 1900 this fragment was carefully guarded +and provision made for furnishing two boxes, one in which the men +might put their vote on all school matters, and the other where women +might put theirs on the ones above specified.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> In 1873 a law was passed that "no person hereafter +shall be eligible to the office of school trustee unless he or she can +read and write," and women were authorized to serve when duly elected. +In 1894, when the School Suffrage was taken away by the Supreme Court, +thirty-two were holding the office and the decision did not abrogate +this right. They have continued to be elected and twenty-seven are +serving at the present time. At Englewood, in 1899, Miss Adaline +Sterling was president of the board. Women are not eligible as State +or county superintendents.</p> + +<p>Four of the nine trustees of the State Industrial School for Girls are +women, and a woman physician is employed when one is needed.</p> + +<p>Dr. Mary J. Dunlop has been superintendent and medical director of the +State Institution for Feeble-Minded Women since 1886, and three of the +seven managers are women.</p> + +<p>There are no women physicians in any other State institution and no +law requiring them. In most of the hospitals there are training +schools for nurses with women superintendents.</p> + +<p>The State Board of Children's Guardians has a woman chairman of the +executive committee, and a woman attorney.</p> + +<p>The State Charities Aid Association has seven women on the Board of +Managers, including the general secretary. Women sit on the boards of +the State School for Deaf Mutes, the Home for Waifs and those of some +county asylums. Most of the almshouses have matrons in the female +department but there are no women on the boards of management.</p> + +<p>A matron and three assistants are in charge of the women in the +penitentiary and there is a matron at the jails of most cities. In +some of them police matrons have been appointed, but no law requires +this.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_833" id="Page_833">[Pg 833]</a></span></p> + +<p>In the State Hospital at Trenton over eighty women are employed, +including four supervisors, a librarian, stenographers, nurses, etc.</p> + +<p>In the State Home for Boys there are over twenty women, including +principal of school, teachers, matrons, typewriters, etc.</p> + +<p>There are women on a number of Public Library Boards, and one, at +least, acts as treasurer. The head librarian and all the assistants of +the Plainfield public library are women. Sixty of the ninety-nine +public libraries in the State employ women librarians, and five are +served by volunteers. Most of the assistants in all cities are women.</p> + +<p>Women act as masters in chancery, commissioners of deeds and notaries +public, and one at least has served as district clerk.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> No profession or occupation is legally forbidden to +women. Admission to the bar having been denied to Miss Mary Philbrook, +in 1894, solely on account of her sex, she requested a hearing before +the Judiciary Committee of the Legislature of 1895, which was +addressed by Mrs. Florence Howe Hall, president of the State Suffrage +Association, Mrs. Carrie Burnham Kilgore, a lawyer of Philadelphia, +and Miss Philbrook herself. Soon afterward a law was enacted making +women eligible to examination for admission to the bar, which, in +June, was passed successfully by Miss Philbrook, who thus became the +first woman lawyer. There are now eight. In 1899, Miss Mary G. Potter +of the New York Bar, Miss Philbrook of the New Jersey Bar, and Dr. +Mary D. Hussey of the New York University Law School, called a meeting +of women attorneys at East Orange. A committee was appointed which +organized the Women Lawyers' Club in New York, on June 24, with +members in both States.</p> + +<p>There are about one hundred women physicians in the State, +seventy-five allopathic and the rest belonging to other schools. They +are members of most of the county medical societies, which makes them +members of the State Medical Society. Dr. Sarah F. Mackintosh was the +first woman admitted to a county society (Passaic) in 1871. Dr. +Frances S. Janney was elected president of the Burlington County +Medical Society in 1900, the first to receive such an honor. The first +meeting of women physicians<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_834" id="Page_834">[Pg 834]</a></span> took place in Atlantic City, June, 1900, +when those of the State gave a reception to those from other States +who were attending the convention of the American Medical Association. +The Medical Club of Newark, the first organization of women +physicians, was formed the next November, with seventeen charter +members from Newark and its vicinity, Dr. Katherine Porter of Orange, +president.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> Princeton University is closed to women, and so are +Princeton Theological Seminary (Presb.), Drew Theological Seminary +(Meth. Epis.) and Rutgers College (Dutch Reformed). There is no +college for women in New Jersey. The State Normal School is +co-educational.</p> + +<p>In the public schools there are 833 men and 5,806 women teachers. The +average monthly salary of the men is $86.21; of the women $48.12. In +Plainfield the principals of all the public schools, except the High +School, are women. This is due to the fact that the city +superintendent from 1881 to 1892 was a woman, Miss Julia Buckley +(afterwards dean of the woman's department of Chicago University), and +the custom established by her has been continued.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>New Jersey has so many associations of women that they have acted as a +bar against the formation of suffrage clubs, women feeling that they +had already too many meetings to attend. The State Federation of +Women's Clubs has been an active and progressive force. It secured +State Traveling Libraries; and if the Palisades are preserved from +destruction, as now seems likely, this will be due to its earnest +efforts. It was influential, in 1899, in having the kindergarten made +a part of the public school system. It also has a town improvement +department, with numerous branches. Several of its auxiliary clubs +have founded public libraries, and some of them have conducted +campaigns to put women on the school board. Other clubs have supported +kindergartens and arranged free lectures for the public.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_366_366" id="Footnote_366_366"></a><a href="#FNanchor_366_366"><span class="label">[366]</span></a> The History is indebted for this chapter to Mrs. +Florence Howe Hall of Plainfield, president of the State Woman +Suffrage Association for the past eight years, and to Dr. Mary D. +Hussey of East Orange, its founder and corresponding secretary.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_367_367" id="Footnote_367_367"></a><a href="#FNanchor_367_367"><span class="label">[367]</span></a> The others present were Mesdames Phebe C. Wright, Alice +C. Angell, Sarah A. McClees, Caroline Ross Graham, Katherine H. +Browning, Anna M. Warden, Mrs. Minola Graham Sexton, Mrs. Emma L. +Blackwell.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_368_368" id="Footnote_368_368"></a><a href="#FNanchor_368_368"><span class="label">[368]</span></a> The sending of this yearly circular to the press, +shortly before the time of the annual school meeting, has been +continued under the special charge of the president.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_369_369" id="Footnote_369_369"></a><a href="#FNanchor_369_369"><span class="label">[369]</span></a> East Orange also had from 1894 to 1900 a school +committee consisting of ten women elected every year at the annual +school meeting—a sort of auxiliary association which did good work. +In 1900 it became a city, and the school officers are now elected at +the polls where women can not vote.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_370_370" id="Footnote_370_370"></a><a href="#FNanchor_370_370"><span class="label">[370]</span></a> The remaining officers elected were: Vice-president, +Mrs. W. J. Pullen; corresponding secretary, Dr. Mary D. Hussey; +recording secretary, Miss J. H. Morris; treasurer, Mrs. Anna B. +Jeffery; auditor, Mrs. Mary C. Bassett. +</p><p> +The other officers who have served during the past ten years are: +Vice-presidents, Mrs. Katherine H. Browning, Mrs. Margaret C. +Campfield, Rev. Antoinette Brown Blackwell, Mrs. Harriet Lincoln +Coolidge; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Charlotte C. R. Smith; +recording secretaries, Miss Martha B. Haines, Mrs. Emma L. Blackwell, +Mrs. Alice C. Angell, Miss Mary Philbrook; treasurers, Mrs. Charlotte +N. Enslin, Dr. Mary D. Hussey, Mrs. Stephen R. Krom; auditors, Aaron +M. Powell, Miss Susan W. Lippincott, Mrs. J. M. Pullen; chairmen press +committee, Anna B. S. Pond, Dr. Florence de Hart.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_371_371" id="Footnote_371_371"></a><a href="#FNanchor_371_371"><span class="label">[371]</span></a> Among many others who have served faithfully as local +presidents and in other ways are Dr. Ella Prentiss Upham, Mrs. Maria +H. Eaton, Mrs. Samuel R. Huntington, Mrs. Madge S. MacClary, Mrs. +Sarah S. Culver, Miss M. Louise Watts.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_835" id="Page_835">[Pg 835]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LV" id="CHAPTER_LV"></a>CHAPTER LV.</h2> + +<h3>NEW MEXICO.<a name="FNanchor_372_372" id="FNanchor_372_372"></a><a href="#Footnote_372_372" class="fnanchor">[372]</a></h3> + + +<p>At the Constitutional Convention held in 1888 an effort was made to +secure equal political rights for women, but it received little +support. In September, 1893, Mrs. E. M. Marble visited Albuquerque and +organized a suffrage club with Mrs. G. W. Granger as president. In +December, 1895, Mrs. Laura M. Johns, president of the Kansas E. S. A. +and national organizer, spent a few days in New Mexico, on the way to +and from Arizona, and formed several clubs.</p> + +<p>In 1896 Mrs. Julia B. Nelson, president of the Minnesota W. S. A., +began work in the Territory under the auspices of the National +Association, her first address being delivered at Raton, April 1, and +her last May 12, at the same place. Her mission was to discover the +suffragists, make converts, arrange for a Territorial convention and +effect an organization auxiliary to the national.<a name="FNanchor_373_373" id="FNanchor_373_373"></a><a href="#Footnote_373_373" class="fnanchor">[373]</a> As a result a +convention was held at Albuquerque, April 28, 29, conducted by Mrs. +Johns and Mrs. Nelson. A Territorial association was formed and the +following officers were elected: President, Mrs. J. D. Perkins; +corresponding secretary, Mrs. Alice P. Hadley; recording secretary, +Miss Clara Cummings; treasurer, Mrs. Martha C. Raynolds.</p> + +<p>In 1897 and 1898 no conventions were held, on account of the absence +of several of the officers from the Territory. Through the efforts of +Mrs. Hadley (herself prevented by physical infirmity), H. B. +Fergusson, delegate to Congress for New Mexico,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_836" id="Page_836">[Pg 836]</a></span> represented the +Territory and made a speech in the convention of the National +Association at Washington in 1898.</p> + +<p>In November, 1899, Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, chairman of the national +organization committee, and Miss Mary G. Hay, secretary, spent one day +in Santa Fé with George H. and Mrs. Catherine P. Wallace. Mr. Wallace +was secretary of the Territory, and in their home, the historic old +Palacio, forty people gathered to hear Mrs. Chapman Catt lecture. She +made an hour's address, after which there was an interesting +discussion. As a result, a meeting was called for December 19, and the +Territorial association was reorganized with the following officers: +President, Mrs. Wallace; vice-president, Mrs. Hadley; corresponding +secretary, Mrs. Esther B. Thomas; recording secretary, Mrs. Anna Van +Schick; treasurer, Miss Mary Morrison; member national executive +committee, Mrs. Ellen J. Palen. Several vice-presidents were named and +twenty-five members enrolled.<a name="FNanchor_374_374" id="FNanchor_374_374"></a><a href="#Footnote_374_374" class="fnanchor">[374]</a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action and Laws:</span> On Feb. 10, 1893, a bill was passed in +the Lower House declaring the right of female citizens to vote at +elections and hold offices relating to public schools and public +education. It was not acted upon by the Senate. In 1895 this bill was +defeated.</p> + +<p>In 1899 a bill was introduced by Representative McIntosh of San Juan +County (near the Colorado line), on request of his constituents, for +the extension of School Suffrage to women. This received the favorable +votes of one-third of the Lower House, but did not reach the Senate.</p> + +<p>A law was passed April 2, 1884, defining the rights of the married +woman. It secured to her the control of property owned by her at the +time of marriage and of wages earned afterward, made her not liable +for her husband's debts and gave her the same power to make contracts, +wills, etc., as was possessed by him. The law at present is as +follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Curtesy still obtains. One-half of the community property goes to +the wife whether the husband dies testate or intestate. In +addition to this she is entitled to one-fourth of the rest of his +estate, "provided<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_837" id="Page_837">[Pg 837]</a></span> this deduction shall only be made when said +property amounts to $5,000, and the heirs be not descendants; +although it may exceed this sum in the absence of the latter. +Also from the property of the wife the fourth shall be deducted +as the marital right of the husband, and upon the same +conditions, should the husband without this aid remain poor." If +there are no legitimate children surviving, the widow or widower +shall be heir to all the acquired property of the marriage +community.</p></blockquote> + +<p>By act of 1897, a mortgage not executed by the wife shall in no wise +affect the homestead rights of the wife or family.</p> + +<p>By act of 1899: "The signature or consent of the wife shall not be +necessary or requisite in any conveyance, incumbrance or alienation of +real property owned by the husband, whether such property became his +before or during coverture; but the right to make such conveyance or +create such incumbrance shall exist in the husband to the same extent +as though he were unmarried."<a name="FNanchor_375_375" id="FNanchor_375_375"></a><a href="#Footnote_375_375" class="fnanchor">[375]</a></p> + +<p>The father is the legal guardian of the minor children.</p> + +<p>The husband is not required by law to support the family.</p> + +<p>In 1887 the "age of protection" for girls was raised from 10 to 14 +years, with penalty of imprisonment not less than five nor more than +twenty years.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> Women have no form of suffrage.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> In 1899 a bill passed for appropriations, etc., for +the Deaf and Dumb Asylum recommended the appointment of two women on +the Board of (five) Trustees. The appointments were duly made and +confirmed.</p> + +<p>Women serve as members of county school examining boards.</p> + +<p>The new office of supervising teacher of the Government Indian Pueblo +Schools has been filled by Miss Mary E. Dissett.</p> + +<p>Women are special masters in court, notaries public, court and +legislative stenographers in Spanish and English and census +enumerators. In the last two administrations a woman has acted as +private secretary to the Governor.</p> + +<p>A woman has been appointed commissioner for New Mexico to take +testimony in Indian depredation claims.</p> + +<p>At a Territorial Irrigation Convention, in 1900, one woman was a duly +elected delegate, taking part in the discussions, etc.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> All professions and occupations are open to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_838" id="Page_838">[Pg 838]</a></span> women. They +conduct ranches and engage in mining. In Santa Fé the Woman's Board of +Trade, an incorporated body, has so ably conducted the work for +charities and for civic improvements as to arouse a sentiment that +women might well be intrusted with educational and more extended +municipal affairs. In Las Cruces an organization of women is doing a +similar work.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> All educational institutions are open to both sexes, and +degrees are conferred alike upon men and women. The Territorial +University at Albuquerque, the Las Vegas Normal University and others +have women on their faculties.</p> + +<p>At the meeting of the Territorial Educational Association in December, +1899, a council was formed composed of twenty-five members, both women +and men. At its first meeting, in September, 1900, a resolution in +favor of School Suffrage for women was unanimously adopted.</p> + +<p>In the public schools there are (approximately) 390 men and 316 women +teachers. The average salaries are not obtainable.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>The call to arms for the Spanish-American War brought men to the +different recruiting posts in New Mexico, but no provision for them +had been made by the government. The women of Santa Fé, Albuquerque, +Las Cruces, Las Vegas and other towns quickly organized Soldiers' Aid +Societies and raised funds to feed and care for them, till the +companies were mustered in and came under Uncle Sam's charge.</p> + +<p>At the Territorial Democratic Convention in Albuquerque, April, 1900, +the following was included in the platform: "It is our belief that +women should be granted an equal voice and position with men in all +matters pertaining to our public schools."</p> + +<p>The native Spanish-Americans have great reverence for their elders. +Among a few of the old Don families where the eldest member living is +a senora, so greatly are her wishes and opinions respected that the +entire community will vote as she dictates; the politician has only to +secure her allegiance and he is sure of the vote in her precinct. The +suffrage bills which have been presented to the Legislature have not +been opposed by the Spanish-American members, but by the +Anglo-Saxons.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_372_372" id="Footnote_372_372"></a><a href="#FNanchor_372_372"><span class="label">[372]</span></a> The History is indebted for this chapter to Mrs. +Catherine P. Wallace of Santa Fé, president of the Territorial +Suffrage Association. While Mr. Wallace was consul-general to +Australia, in 1890, she visited New Zealand and assisted the women +there in their successful effort for the franchise. When this subject +was before the Australian Parliament at Melbourne, she furnished the +Premier with the debate in the United States Congress on the admission +of Wyoming, and with other documents.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_373_373" id="Footnote_373_373"></a><a href="#FNanchor_373_373"><span class="label">[373]</span></a> Mrs. Nelson visited Raton, Blossburg, Albuquerque, +Santa Fé, Springer, Las Vegas, Watrous, Wagon Mound, Socorro, San +Marcial, Las Cruces, Deming, Silver City, Hillsboro and Kingston, +giving two or three lectures at each place and leaving a club in +many.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_374_374" id="Footnote_374_374"></a><a href="#FNanchor_374_374"><span class="label">[374]</span></a> Among the best known of the advocates are Mrs. M. J. +Borden, Professor and Mrs. Hiram Hadley of the Agricultural College, +President and Mrs. C. L. Herrick and Miss Catherine Fields, all of the +Territorial University; Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson Raynolds, Judge and +Mrs. McFie, Col. and Mrs. I. H. Elliott and Secretary George H. +Wallace.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_375_375" id="Footnote_375_375"></a><a href="#FNanchor_375_375"><span class="label">[375]</span></a> This law was repealed by the Legislature of 1901, and +it was made impossible for either husband or wife to convey real +property without the signature of the other.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_839" id="Page_839">[Pg 839]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LVI" id="CHAPTER_LVI"></a>CHAPTER LVI.</h2> + +<h3>NEW YORK.<a name="FNanchor_376_376" id="FNanchor_376_376"></a><a href="#Footnote_376_376" class="fnanchor">[376]</a></h3> + + +<p>The State of New York, home of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. +Anthony, may be justly described as the great battle-ground for the +rights of women, a title which will not be denied by any who have read +the preceding three volumes of this History. The first Woman's Rights +Convention in the world was called at Seneca Falls in 1848.<a name="FNanchor_377_377" id="FNanchor_377_377"></a><a href="#Footnote_377_377" class="fnanchor">[377]</a> New +York was also a pioneer in beginning a reform of the old English +Common Law, so barbarous in its treatment of women. And yet, with all +the splendid work which has been done, the State has been slow indeed +in granting absolute justice. At the commencement of the new century, +however, the legal and educational rights of women are very generally +conceded, but their political rights are still largely denied. Except +during the Civil War, there has not been a year since 1851 when one or +more conventions have not been held to demand these rights, and when a +committee of women has not visited the Legislature to secure the +necessary action. A State association was formed in 1869.</p> + +<p>The convention of 1884 met in the Common Council Chamber at Albany, +March 11, 12, with the usual large attendance of delegates from all +parts of the State, and the evening sessions so crowded that an +overflow meeting was held in Geological Hall. Mrs. Lillie Devereux +Blake, the president, was in the chair and addresses were made by +Mesdames Matilda Joslyn Gage, Mary Seymour Howell, Caroline Gilkey +Rogers and Henrica Iliohan; and by Mrs. Abigail Scott Duniway of +Oregon, Mrs. Elizabeth Boynton Harbert of Illinois and Mrs. Helen M. +Gougar of Indiana,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_840" id="Page_840">[Pg 840]</a></span> who had come from the national convention in +Washington. On the way to Albany a large reception had been tendered +to them at the Hoffman House in New York. On March 13 a hearing was +held in the Assembly Chamber before the Judiciary Committee on the +bill for Full Suffrage for women. The room was filled and strong +speeches were made by all of the above women. Gov. Grover Cleveland +gave a courteous reception to the delegates.</p> + +<p>In 1885 the convention took place in Steinway Hall, New York, February +12, 13, all the counties being represented by delegate or letter. The +speakers were Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Mrs. Gage, Mrs. Howell, +Mrs. Rogers and the Rev. Dr. Charles H. Eaton and Mrs. Delia S. +Parnell (mother of Charles Stewart Parnell). On the evening of the +12th a large reception to Mrs. Stanton was given at the Murray Hill +Hotel.</p> + +<p>The convention of 1886 met in Masonic Hall, New York, March 23, 24. +Addresses were made by Miss Susan B. Anthony, James Redpath, Mesdames +Blake, Howell, Rogers and Iliohan, Gov. John W. Hoyt of Wyoming and +Mrs. Margaret Moore of Ireland. A reception was tendered to Dr. +Clemence S. Lozier at the Park Avenue Hotel.</p> + +<p>In the fall an interesting observance was arranged by the State +Suffrage Association when the statue of Liberty Enlightening the +World, given to the American nation by France, was unveiled on October +28. There was a great excursion down the bay to witness this ceremony +and the association chartered a boat which was filled with friends of +the cause. A place was secured in the line between two of the great +warships, and, while the cannon thundered a salute to the majestic +female figure which embodied Freedom, speeches were made on the +suffrage boat by Mrs. Blake, Mrs. Margaret Parker of England, Mrs. +Harriette R. Shattuck of Massachusetts, Mrs. Gage, Mrs. Howell and +others.</p> + +<p>The convention met again in New York at Masonic Hall, April 21, 22, +1887, and was addressed by Madame Clara Neymann, Rabbi Gustave +Gottheil, Mrs. Florence McCabe, Mrs. Gage, Mrs. Howell, Dr. Lozier and +others.</p> + +<p>In 1888 the annual meeting assembled at the same place, March 22, 23. +It was attended by the many delegates who had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_841" id="Page_841">[Pg 841]</a></span> come from European +countries to the International Congress of Women about to be held in +Washington, D. C. Among the speakers were Baroness Alexandra +Gripenberg of Finland and Mrs. Ashton Dilke, Mrs. Alice Scatcherd and +Mrs. Zadel Barnes Gustafson of England. On the evening preceding the +opening of the convention a large reception was given to these foreign +ladies at the Park Avenue Hotel.</p> + +<p>The State convention was held in Rochester, Dec. 16, 17, 1890, in the +First Universalist Church. Its distinguishing feature was the +reception given in the Chamber of Commerce to Miss Susan B. Anthony by +her fellow townsmen, as a welcome home from her long and hard campaign +in South Dakota. The large rooms were handsomely decorated and over +600 people were present during the evening, including President David +Jayne Hill and a number of the faculty of Rochester University, +several members of Congress and many men of prominence.</p> + +<p>The speakers at the convention were Miss Mary F. Eastman of Boston, +the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, Mrs. Greenleaf, Mrs. Blake, Mrs. Howell and +Miss Anthony. Mrs. Blake positively declined a re-election, having +served eleven consecutive years, and Mrs. Jean Brooks Greenleaf was +elected president. During Mrs. Blake's presidency she had many times +canvassed New York and had extended her lecture tours into various +other States, going as far west as California.</p> + +<p>Henceforth, in addition to annual conventions, the association adopted +the plan of holding mid-year executive meetings in various cities for +the transaction of business, with public sessions in the evenings +addressed by the best speakers.</p> + +<p>In 1891 the convention met in Auburn, November 10, 11, the audiences +crowding the opera house on both evenings. Miss Anthony, Mrs. +Greenleaf, Mrs. Blake, Mrs. Howell and Miss Shaw were the speakers, +with an address of welcome from Mrs. J. Mary Pearson. Reports showed +that the membership had doubled in the last year, and that Woman's Day +had been observed at many fairs, resulting in the forming of county +organizations. A resolution was adopted urging the Legislature to +appoint some women on the State Board of Managers for the Columbian +Exposition in 1893. The convention closed with a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_842" id="Page_842">[Pg 842]</a></span> reception at the +elegant home of Mrs. Eliza Wright Osborne, niece of Lucretia Mott and +daughter of Martha C. Wright, two of those who called the first +Woman's Rights Convention.</p> + +<p>Syracuse was selected for the annual meeting of 1892, November 15-17. +Miss Anthony, president of the National Association, was in +attendance, and the opera house was filled at all the sessions. Mrs. +Martha T. Henderson, vice-president-at-large, who had been appointed +to represent the State, was delegated to arrange for the noon-day +suffrage meetings during the Columbian Exposition. Mrs. Greenleaf's +address reviewed the great debate which had taken place at the New +York Chautauqua Assembly the preceding August, between the Rev. Anna +Howard Shaw and the Rev. J. M. Buckley, editor of the <i>Christian +Advocate</i>, and emphasized the evident sympathy of the immense audience +with the side of the question presented by the former. Suffrage Day +had been observed at the Cassadaga Lake Assembly with an address by +Miss Anthony, and also at the State Fair. The association was +congratulated on the fact that there had been a further extension of +School Suffrage during the year.</p> + +<p>All interest centered in the approaching convention to revise the +constitution of the State, through which it was hoped a woman suffrage +amendment would be obtained. Miss Anthony, Mrs. Blake and Mrs. Howell +had been appointed to address the Legislature, which they had done in +April of this year, for the purpose of securing women delegates to +this convention, that was to be held in 1893, but eventually was +deferred one year. Committees were appointed which visited the +political State conventions the following summer, asking a declaration +in their platforms for this amendment, but were unsuccessful.</p> + +<p>The annual meeting of 1893 was held at Brooklyn, in Long Island +Historical Hall, Nov. 13-16. It was welcomed by Mrs. Mariana Wright +Chapman, president of the Brooklyn suffrage society. The plan of work +was perfected, which had been prepared by Miss Anthony and Mrs. +Stanton, for an active canvass of the State in behalf of a plank in +the approaching Constitutional Convention. Addresses were made by Mrs. +Julia Ward Howe and Henry B. Blackwell of Boston, Miss Anthony, the +Rev. Miss Shaw, national vice-president-at-large; Mrs. Ella<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_843" id="Page_843">[Pg 843]</a></span> A. Boole, +Aaron M. Powell, Gen. C. T. Christiansen, Mrs. Anna C. Field, Mrs. +Emma Bourne, Mrs. Blake and others. Among the resolutions adopted was +the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The thanks of this association are due to Gov. Roswell P. Flower +for his recognition of woman's ability in the appointment to a +State office of our national president, Susan B. Anthony, viz: as +one of the Board of Managers of the State Industrial School at +Rochester.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The great campaign of 1894, undertaken to secure a clause for woman +suffrage in the revised State constitution, will be considered further +on in this chapter.</p> + +<p>The annual convention met in Ithaca, Nov. 12-14, 1894, the opera house +being filled with the usual large audiences. It was welcomed by Mayor +Clinton D. Bouton and President Jacob Gould Schurmann of Cornell +University. Miss Anthony was present and a galaxy of eloquent New York +women made addresses.</p> + +<p>Newburgh entertained the convention Nov. 8-12, 1895. The speakers were +Miss Anthony, Dr. Edward McGlynn, Miss Elizabeth Burrill Curtis, +daughter of George William Curtis; Miss Arria S. Huntington, daughter +of Bishop Frederick D. Huntington; Miss Margaret Livingston Chanler, +Madame Neymann, Mrs. Maude S. Humphrey, Mrs. Chapman, Mrs. Cornelia K. +Hood, Miss Julie Jenney, Mrs. Boole, Mrs. Annie E. P. Searing, Mrs. M. +R. Almy, Miss Harriette A. Keyser, Mrs. Blake, Mrs. Howell, the Rev. +Miss Shaw and Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, chairman of the national +organization committee. Miss Anthony was especially stirred by a +previous speech which reflected on the dress, manners and social +standing of the pioneers in the movement for the rights of women, and +which felicitated the present advocates on their great superiority in +these respects. She named the pioneers, one by one, paid warm tribute +to their beautiful personality and commanding ability and asked where +a woman could be found in all the present generation to excel, if, +indeed, to equal them.</p> + +<p>The delegates enjoyed visits to the many interesting places in the +neighborhood, including West Point and Vassar College. A beautiful +reception was given by Mrs. C. S. Jenkins. It was supposed that the +disappointment of the previous year in failing to secure an amendment +from the Constitutional Convention<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_844" id="Page_844">[Pg 844]</a></span> would result in a falling off in +membership, but instead this was found to be considerably augmented. +At the close of the convention the delegates went to New York to +attend Mrs. Stanton's eightieth birthday reception at the Metropolitan +Opera House.</p> + +<p>The convention of 1896 was held in Rochester, November 18, 19, with +more delegates present than ever before. It was preceded by a +reception on the evening of the 17th, where the guests were delighted +to greet Miss Anthony and her little band, who had arrived that +morning from their arduous field of labor in the California amendment +campaign. The welcome for the city was extended by Mayor George +Warner. Many of the speakers of the previous year were present, with +the addition of the Rev. Antoinette Brown Blackwell, the first +ordained woman minister, and the noted colored woman of anti-slavery +days, Harriet Tubman. The press chairman, Mrs. Elnora Monroe Babcock, +reported that, instead of the 135 newspapers of the year before, 253 +in the State were now using suffrage matter regularly furnished by her +committee.</p> + +<p>On the Friday night succeeding the convention a banquet was given in +honor of Miss Anthony, with over 200 guests. Mrs. Mary Lewis Gannett +was toastmistress and Miss Anthony and Miss Shaw made interesting +addresses.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Greenleaf, who had done such heroic work during the past six +years and sustained the association on so high a plane, felt obliged +to decline a re-election, and Mrs. Mariana Wright Chapman was +unanimously chosen for her place. Mrs. Greenleaf was appointed +fraternal delegate to the annual meeting of the State Grange, and Mrs. +Howell to the State Labor Convention, and both were cordially +received. The Grange had on several occasions declared for woman +suffrage.</p> + +<p>Geneva extended a welcome to the convention Nov. 3-5, 1897, and +successful meetings were held in Collins Hall and the opera house. The +speakers from abroad and many delegates were entertained at the +handsome home of Mrs. Elizabeth Smith Miller, daughter of Gerrit +Smith. Added to the usual list were Miss Alice Stone Blackwell, +recording secretary of the National Association; the Rev. Annis Ford +Eastman, Mrs. Gannett, Mrs. Mary E. Craigie, and Miss M. F. Blaine, +Charles Hemiup, W.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_845" id="Page_845">[Pg 845]</a></span> Smith O'Brien, the Rev. Remick and Dr. William H. +Jordan of Geneva. A pleasant event of the year had been the carving of +Miss Anthony's face on the stairway of the magnificent new Capitol +building at Albany, by order of George W. Aldridge, State +superintendent of public works.</p> + +<p>On April 28, 29, 1898, the fortieth anniversary of the first Woman's +Rights Convention was held in Rochester. This city also had +entertained that convention which had adjourned in Seneca Falls to +hold a session here. The anniversary proceedings took place afternoons +and evenings in the Central Presbyterian church with a fine corps of +speakers.<a name="FNanchor_378_378" id="FNanchor_378_378"></a><a href="#Footnote_378_378" class="fnanchor">[378]</a></p> + +<p>On Nov. 8-11, 1898, the annual meeting was held in the court house at +Hudson. It was welcomed by the mayor, Richard A. M. Deeley, for the +city and by Mrs. Mary Holsapple for the local suffrage club. An +address of greeting also was given by Judge Levi S. Longley, and the +Hudson Club extended its courtesies. A letter from Mrs. Stanton was +read by her daughter, Mrs. Harriot Stanton Blatch of England, who also +made an address. Many of the strong speakers were present who have +been frequently mentioned in connection with these State conventions. +The treasurer reported receipts for the year $3,220.</p> + +<p>Chautauqua County invited the convention of 1899 to Dunkirk, November +1-3, and entertained it royally. There was a reception on the first +evening, and a luncheon was given every day to the delegates who +wished to remain at the hall between sessions. Both day and evening +meetings were large and enthusiastic, the former held at the Woman's +Union, the latter in Academy Hall. Mayor Alexander Williams welcomed +the convention for the city, and Mrs. Ellen Cheney for the county in a +witty poem, Mrs. Chapman responding. Stirring addresses were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_846" id="Page_846">[Pg 846]</a></span> made by +the Hon. F. S. Nixon and Dr. J. T. Williams. Miss Anthony was present, +with many of the old speakers and several new ones, among them Mrs. +Carrie E. S. Twing.</p> + +<p>The last annual meeting of the century convened at Glens Falls, Oct. +29-Nov. 1, 1900, in Ordway Hall. Addresses of welcome were made by the +Hon. Addison B. Colvin and the president of the Warren County +association, Mrs. Susie M. Bain. Mrs. Chapman Catt, Miss Shaw, Mrs. +Boole, president State Woman's Christian Temperance Union; Mrs. +Chapman, Mrs. Howell and Miss Harriet May Mills were among the +principal speakers. A notable feature was the presence of many bright +and enthusiastic young workers. Pledges of support were made for the +national bazar to be held the next month in New York.</p> + +<p>Among the resolutions adopted was one congratulating Miss Anthony upon +her success in raising the last of the $50,000 fund which was to open +the doors of Rochester University to women.</p> + +<p>In addition to this long array of conventions without a break, the +mid-year executive meetings in various cities have been of almost +equal interest. At nearly every one of these State conventions Miss +Anthony has assisted with her inspiring presence and strong words of +counsel. To many of them Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, not able to come +in person, has sent ringing letters of encouragement, for which the +affectionate greetings of the delegates have been returned. New York +has the largest membership of any State in the Union and pays the +largest amount of money into the national treasury each year, not +alone in auxiliary dues, but in private subscriptions.</p> + +<p>The State association has had but three presidents in over twenty +years: Mrs. Lillie Devereux Blake, 1879-1890; Mrs. Jean Brooks +Greenleaf, 1890-1896; Mrs. Mariana W. Chapman, 1896 and still serving. +Mrs. Matilda Joslyn Gage was continuously in office from the time a +State association first existed.<a name="FNanchor_379_379" id="FNanchor_379_379"></a><a href="#Footnote_379_379" class="fnanchor">[379]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_847" id="Page_847">[Pg 847]</a></span></p> + +<p>With active work in progress for so many years, and with suffrage +organizations in the counties and towns throughout all of this large +State, it would be impossible to make personal mention of even a small +fraction of those who have aided the movement. The hundreds who have +furnished the money and the thousands who have served in a quiet way +through all the years would require a separate chapter.<a name="FNanchor_380_380" id="FNanchor_380_380"></a><a href="#Footnote_380_380" class="fnanchor">[380]</a></p> + +<p>It would be equally impossible to describe the efforts made from year +to year, the meetings held, the memorials presented to political +conventions, the debates, the parliamentary drills, the lecture +courses, the millions of pages of literature distributed, the +struggles to place women on the school boards, the special efforts of +the standing committees on legislation, press, industries, work among +children, etc. It is far more difficult to write the history of a +State where so much has been done than where the tale may be quickly +told. No State is better organized for suffrage work.<a name="FNanchor_381_381" id="FNanchor_381_381"></a><a href="#Footnote_381_381" class="fnanchor">[381]</a> There is no +doubt that a strong sentiment exists outside of New York City in favor +of the enfranchisement of women. However, with the adverse influence +always exerted by a great metropolis, it is impossible to foretell +when this will be accomplished.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Constitutional Amendment:</span> The history of the struggle of a +comparatively few women to secure a clause for equal suffrage in the +State constitution, when it was revised in 1894, told in the fewest +possible words, is as follows:<a name="FNanchor_382_382" id="FNanchor_382_382"></a><a href="#Footnote_382_382" class="fnanchor">[382]</a></p> + +<p>As early as 1887 Gov. David B. Hill, at the earnest request of the +State Suffrage Association, had recommended that women should have a +representation in the convention which would frame this revision. Miss +Susan B. Anthony, Mrs. Lillie<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_848" id="Page_848">[Pg 848]</a></span> Devereux Blake, Mrs. Mary Seymour +Howell and Mrs. Caroline Gilkey Rogers addressed a joint committee of +the Legislature urging that women delegates should be permitted to sit +in this convention. Mrs. Blake also prepared a strong written appeal +which was sent to every member. Gov. Roswell P. Flower in his message +in 1892 made a similar recommendation. Again Miss Anthony, Mrs. Blake +and Mrs. Howell made a plea for women, this time before the Assembly +Judiciary Committee.</p> + +<p>The original bill provided for a certain number of delegates to be +appointed by the Governor, among these four to represent the +Prohibitionists, three the Labor Party and three the Woman Suffrage +Association. The power of the Governor to appoint was afterwards +declared unconstitutional. A bill allowing three women delegates +passed the Assembly, but was defeated in the Senate. The act which +finally was secured provided that all the delegates should be elected, +and that there should be two representatives each for the Prohibition, +Labor and Socialist parties. None was granted to the Suffragists; but +the law said: "The electors may elect any citizen of the State above +the age of twenty-one years."</p> + +<p>The following was then sent to each of the political party +conventions, through properly accredited delegates:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Among other duties incumbent upon the members of your honorable +body is that of nominating delegates-at-large to the convention +called for the revision of the State constitution. As women are +eligible to these positions we offer you the names of three who +have been selected by the executive board of the State W. S. A. +as their choice of delegates for that convention, with the hope +that you will accept them as candidates of your own.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The names presented were those of Miss Anthony, Mrs. Howell and Miss +Emily Howland, the last a large taxpayer and an excellent business +woman. The ladies were courteously listened to by the Democrats, and +refused an opportunity to speak by the Republicans. Similar efforts +were made in district conventions.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 455px;"> +<img src="images/gs09.jpg" width="455" height="674" alt="MARY S. ANTHONY. +Rochester, N. Y. +JEAN BROOKS GREENLEAF. +Rochester. N. Y. +MARIANA W. CHAPMAN. +Brooklyn, N. Y. +EMILY HOWLAND. +Sherwood, N. Y. +ELIZA WRIGHT OSBORNE. +Auburn, N. Y." title="" /> +</div> + +<div class="center"> +<table class="smallprint" summary=""> +<tr><td align="center">MARY S. ANTHONY.</td><td> </td><td align="center">JEAN BROOKS GREENLEAF.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Rochester, N. Y.</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center">Rochester. N. Y.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">MARIANA W. CHAPMAN.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">Brooklyn, N. Y.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">EMILY HOWLAND.</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center"> ELIZA WRIGHT OSBORNE.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Sherwood, N. Y.</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center">Auburn, N. Y.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>Both Republicans and Democrats, however, refused to nominate any +women, the compensation of $10 per day, in addition to the political +power conferred, making the positions entirely too valuable to give to +a disfranchised class. The name of even Susan B. Anthony was declined +by the Republicans of her district.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_849" id="Page_849">[Pg 849]</a></span> The Democrats of that district, +who were in a hopeless minority, made the one exception in the whole +State and nominated Mrs. Jean Brooks Greenleaf, who ran some votes +ahead of the rest of the ticket.</p> + +<p>Every effort was now directed toward obtaining a clause in the new +constitution, as there was little doubt that if this could be done it +would be adopted with the rest of that instrument. An eloquent appeal +was issued to all the friends of liberty throughout the State, urging +them to assist in securing this measure of justice to women. A +campaign was carefully planned with an ability which would have been +creditable to experienced political managers, and $10,000 were raised +and expended with the most rigid economy.<a name="FNanchor_383_383" id="FNanchor_383_383"></a><a href="#Footnote_383_383" class="fnanchor">[383]</a></p> + +<p>To save rent headquarters were established in Miss Anthony's own home +in Rochester, which soon became a beehive of industry, and the work +increased until practically every room was pressed into service. The +president of the State association and campaign committee, Mrs. +Greenleaf, and the corresponding secretary, Miss Mary S. Anthony, gave +practically every hour of their time for six months to this great +effort. The postoffice daily sent mail sacks to the house, which were +filled with petitions and other documents and set out on the porch for +collection.</p> + +<p>Miss Anthony herself, at the age of seventy-four, spoke in every one +of the sixty counties of the State, contributing her services and +expenses. This series of mass meetings was managed by Miss Harriet May +Mills and Miss Mary G. Hay. The Rev. Anna Howard Shaw spoke at forty +of these, and Mrs. Howell at a large number. The entire management of +New York City was put into the hands of Mrs. Blake, while the campaign +for Brooklyn was conducted by Mrs. Mariana W. Chapman. Mrs. Carrie +Chapman Catt made thirty-eight speeches in these two cities and +vicinity. Mrs. Stanton, from her home in New York, sent many strong +articles to the metropolitan press,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_850" id="Page_850">[Pg 850]</a></span> which were copied throughout the +State. Mrs. Martha R. Almy. State vice-president, was an active +worker.</p> + +<p>Women of social influence in this city, who never had shown any public +interest in the question, opened headquarters at Sherry's, held +meetings and secured signatures to a suffrage petition. The leaders of +this branch were Mrs. Josephine Shaw Lowell, Mrs. Joseph H. Choate, +Dr. Mary Putnam Jacobi, Mrs. J. Warren Goddard, Mrs. Robert Abbe, Mrs. +Henry M. Sanders and Miss Adele M. Fielde. Among those who signed the +petition were Chauncey M. Depew, Russell Sage, Frederick Coudert, the +Rev. Heber Newton, the Rev. W. S. Rainsford, Bishop Henry C. Potter, +Rabbi Gustave Gottheil, John D. Rockefeller, Robert J. Ingersoll and +William Dean Howells.</p> + +<p>One of the surprises of the campaign was the organization in Albany of +a small body of women calling themselves "remonstrants," under the +leadership of the Episcopal bishop, William Croswell Doane, and Mrs. +John V. L. Pruyn. Another branch was organized in New York City by +Mrs. Francis M. Scott, and one in Brooklyn with Mrs. Lyman Abbott at +the head and the support of her husband's paper, <i>The Outlook</i>.</p> + +<p>The suffrage forces circulated 5,000 petitions and secured 332,148 +individual signatures, about half of them women (including 36,000 +collected by the W. C. T. U.) and memorials from labor organizations +and Granges, bringing the total, in round numbers, to 600,000.<a name="FNanchor_384_384" id="FNanchor_384_384"></a><a href="#Footnote_384_384" class="fnanchor">[384]</a> +The "remonstrants" obtained only 15,000 signatures, yet at that time +and ever afterwards many of the newspapers insisted that the vast +preponderance of sentiment among men and women was opposed to equal +suffrage.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_851" id="Page_851">[Pg 851]</a></span></p> + +<p>A part of the work was to collect statistics showing the amount of +property on which taxes were paid by women. It was impossible to +obtain these in New York City, but in three-fifths of the towns and +cities outside it was found to be $348,177,107. In Brooklyn women paid +one-fourth of all the taxes. The drudgery of preparing these tax lists +and recounting and labeling all the petitions was done chiefly by Miss +Isabel Howland.</p> + +<p>During the convention an office and a reception room in the Capitol +were granted for the use of the women. On May 24 Miss Anthony and Mrs. +Greenleaf addressed the Suffrage Committee of the Constitutional +Convention in the Assembly Chamber of the Capitol at Albany. A large +crowd was present, including the committee and most of the delegates. +Mrs. Greenleaf's remarks were brief but forcible, and Miss Anthony +spoke earnestly for three-quarters of an hour, seeming to have the +full sympathy of her audience.</p> + +<p>The women of New York City were accorded a hearing on May 31, and +strong arguments were made by Dr. Jacobi, Miss Margaret Livingstone +Chanler, Mrs. Blake and Miss Harriette A. Keyser. On June 7 the +Suffrage Committee was addressed by representative women, in +five-minute speeches, from all of the Senatorial districts outside of +New York City.<a name="FNanchor_385_385" id="FNanchor_385_385"></a><a href="#Footnote_385_385" class="fnanchor">[385]</a> Mrs. Greenleaf presided at all these +meetings.<a name="FNanchor_386_386" id="FNanchor_386_386"></a><a href="#Footnote_386_386" class="fnanchor">[386]</a></p> + +<p>The final hearing was accorded June 28, when U. S. Senator Joseph M. +Carey, who had come from Wyoming by invitation for this purpose, made +a most convincing argument based on the practical experience of his +own State for twenty-five years. He was followed by Mrs. Howell and +Mrs. Mary T. Burt, president of the State W. C. T. U.</p> + +<p>All of these addresses in favor of recognizing woman's right to the +franchise were valueless except for the creation of public<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_852" id="Page_852">[Pg 852]</a></span> sentiment +and as a matter of history, for the chairman of the convention, the +Hon. Joseph H. Choate, had appointed a Suffrage Committee the large +majority of whom were known anti-suffragists, and he was reported to +have said before the convention met that the amendment should not be +placed in the constitution. The committee made an adverse report, +which was discussed by the convention on the evenings of August 8 and +15, with the Assembly Chamber crowded at each session.<a name="FNanchor_387_387" id="FNanchor_387_387"></a><a href="#Footnote_387_387" class="fnanchor">[387]</a> The +advocates of adopting a woman suffrage plank were led by the Hon. +Edward Lauterbach and the opponents by Mr. Root and William P. +Goodelle, chairman of the Suffrage Committee.<a name="FNanchor_388_388" id="FNanchor_388_388"></a><a href="#Footnote_388_388" class="fnanchor">[388]</a></p> + +<p>While the ballot was being taken Mr. Choate went on the floor among +the delegates, and himself gave the last vote against the amendment. +The ballot resulted—in favor of the amendment, 58; opposed, 98.</p> + +<p>Even though a defeat, this was a decided advance over the +Constitutional Convention of 1867, when there were but 19 ayes and 125 +noes. Then less than one-seventh, this time more than one-third of the +members were in favor of the enfranchisement of women.</p> + +<p>The following month Miss Anthony and Mr. Lauterbach addressed the +Committee on Resolutions of the State Republican Convention, and Miss +Anthony and Mrs. Blake that of the Democratic, asking for a +recognition of woman suffrage in their platforms, but both ignored the +request.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action:</span> Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Miss Susan B. +Anthony were the pioneers in legislative work for woman suffrage, the +former making her first speech before a committee—in behalf of +property rights—as early as 1845,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_853" id="Page_853">[Pg 853]</a></span> and continuing her appeals for the +various rights of women during twenty-five years, after which her +addresses were given usually before the committees of the United +States Congress. Miss Anthony made her first appearance in Albany in +1853, and her last one before a committee there in 1897. She devoted +her strongest efforts to the Legislature of her own State until the +demands of national work became so great as to absorb most of her +time, and then she, too, transferred her appeals to the legislative +body of the United States, although assisting always the work in New +York.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile other competent laborers had come into the field. In 1873 +Mrs. Lillie Devereux Blake began her legislative work, and for +twenty-five years there were few bills in the interests of women under +consideration at Albany which were not managed by her, with an able +corps of assistants, chief among whom was Mrs. Mary Seymour Howell.</p> + +<p>For fifty years there is an almost unbroken record of the efforts of +women to secure equality of rights from the Legislature of New York, +and they have succeeded to the extent that now, with the exception of +the statute providing for dower and curtesy, but few serious +discriminations exist against women in the laws, although the +injustice of disfranchisement has been mitigated in only a slight +degree.</p> + +<p>When the Legislature assembled on Jan. 1, 1884, Mrs. Blake and Mrs. +Howell were at hand to further the interests of the pending bill "to +prohibit disfranchisement on account of sex." On March 13 a hearing +was held in the Assembly Chamber before the Judiciary Committee and a +large audience. The speakers were Mrs. Abigail Scott Duniway of +Oregon, Mrs. Elizabeth Boynton Harbert of Illinois and Mrs. Helen M. +Gougar of Indiana, Mrs. Blake, Mrs. Howell and Mrs. Caroline Gilkey +Rogers. On May 8, after an exciting debate, the bill was defeated—57 +ayes, 62 noes.</p> + +<p>The bill of 1885 was drawn by Mrs. Blake and was accompanied by a +strong written argument, with many court decisions to show that it was +within the power of the Legislature itself to protect all citizens +from disfranchisement. This was presented by Gen. James W. Husted, +speaker of the House. Two hearings<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_854" id="Page_854">[Pg 854]</a></span> were given in the Assembly +Chamber, at which addresses were made by Mrs. Stanton, Mrs. Blake, +Mrs. Howell, Mrs. Rogers and Gov. John W. Hoyt of Wyoming.</p> + +<p>The bill was debated April 7. General Husted, Mayor James Haggerty and +Dr. J. T. Williams spoke in favor; Gen. N. M. Curtis and Kidder Scott +in opposition. The vote stood 57 ayes, 56 noes, but a constitutional +majority was lacking.</p> + +<p>During the summer Mrs. Blake spoke in almost every district whose +member had voted against the measure.</p> + +<p>In 1886 a bill for Municipal Suffrage only was presented, drawn by +Augustus Levy and introduced in the Senate by George Z. Erwin, in the +House by Speaker Husted. On February 10 a hearing took place in the +Assembly Chamber. Mrs. Blake presided and the speakers were Mrs. +Matilda Joslyn Gage, Mrs. Howell, Mrs. Rogers and Mrs. Annie Jenness +Miller. On March 2 the Senate gave a hearing to Mr. Levy and James +Redpath. The campaign this winter was one of the most vigorous ever +made. Besides the executive officers of the State association, who +were in Albany some days of every week, much help was secured by the +occasional visits of prominent women and the numerous letters of +influential people from all parts of the State. On the night of the +final vote the Assembly Chamber was filled by friends of the measure +and many officials were present, including the Lieutenant-Governor and +the Attorney-General. As this bill would give women only the right to +vote in municipal affairs, it had many supporters who would not have +favored full suffrage. The debate was long and earnest, Mr. Erwin, +General Husted, Mr. Longley of Brooklyn, Mr. Freligh of Ulster and +others speaking in favor, and General Curtis, William F. Sheehan and +others in opposition. The roll-call was taken in great excitement, and +the ayes went up until their number reached 65, the constitutional +majority. A round of applause broke out, but in an instant two men +arose and changed their votes from the affirmative to the negative, so +that on the final call the vote stood, 63 ayes, 52 noes.</p> + +<p>This winter another law was enacted to remove all doubts as to the +constitutionality of the one of 1880, which conferred School Suffrage +on women in villages and country districts.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_855" id="Page_855">[Pg 855]</a></span> Representative Charles +Sprague introduced a bill making mothers and fathers joint guardians +of their children, but it was defeated.</p> + +<p>In 1887 Mrs. Howell drew up the Municipal Suffrage Bill, which was +introduced by Senator Erwin. She spent ten days personally +interviewing every senator until she had the promise of the twenty +votes which were given the bill on its final passage, seventeen being +necessary. There were but nine noes.</p> + +<p>After the clerk had read the bill in the Assembly, Speaker Husted +said: "If there is no objection this bill will go at once to the third +reading." Wm. F. Sheehan, the leading opponent of woman suffrage, was +asleep at the time and so it was thus ordered. Mrs. Howell continued +her efforts, but the measure was defeated—48 ayes, 68 noes—by a +moneyed influence from New York City, after nearly enough votes to +carry it had been promised.</p> + +<p>A bill providing police matrons in cities, with the exception of New +York and Brooklyn, was secured from this Legislature. It had been +passed in 1882, but not signed by Gov. Alonzo B. Cornell; passed again +in the Assembly in 1883, but defeated in the Senate by the Police +Department of New York City. The bill was finally secured by the +Woman's Prison Association, but it was not made mandatory and no +attention was paid to it by the city authorities.</p> + +<p>A bill was presented this year to relieve women from the death +penalty, on the ground that since they had not the full privileges of +men they should not suffer equal punishment. The measure was ably +supported, but failed to pass.</p> + +<p>In 1888 the Municipal Suffrage Bill was presented in the Senate by +Charles Coggeshall, and in the Assembly by Danforth E. Ainsworth. A +hearing in the Senate Chamber on February 15 was addressed by Mrs. +Blake, Mrs. Rogers and the Rev. Anna Garlin Spencer of Rhode Island. +The bill was lost in the Senate by a tie vote, 15 ayes, 15 noes; in +the House by 48 ayes, 61 noes.</p> + +<p>Laws were enacted at this session providing that there shall be women +physicians in all State insane asylums where women are patients; and +also that there shall be at least one woman trustee in all public +institutions where women are placed as patients, paupers or criminals.</p> + +<p>In 1889 the Municipal Suffrage Bill was again presented in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_856" id="Page_856">[Pg 856]</a></span> the +Assembly by Mr. Ainsworth, but it was lost by 56 ayes, 43 noes, not a +constitutional majority.</p> + +<p>In 1890 the Municipal Suffrage Bill was presented by Speaker Husted, +but was defeated by 47 ayes, 52 noes.</p> + +<p>In 1891 no legislative work was attempted beyond the efforts toward +securing a representation of women in the Constitutional Convention, +which it was supposed would be held at an early date.</p> + +<p>In 1892 an act was passed to enable women to vote for County School +Commissioners, which received the signature of Gov. Roswell P. Flower.</p> + +<p>This year a Police Matron Bill was obtained which was made mandatory +in cities of 100,000 and over. This bill had been passed several times +before and vetoed, but it finally obtained the Governor's signature. +Even then the Police Commissioners of New York refused to appoint +matrons until the matter was taken up by the Woman Suffrage League of +that city. This was the end of a ten years' struggle on the part of +women to secure police matrons in all cities. Most active among the +leaders were Mrs. Mary T. Burt, Mrs. Abby Hopper Gibbons and Mrs. +Josephine Shaw Lowell, backed by the W. C. T. U., the Prison Reform, +the Suffrage and various other philanthropic and religious societies.</p> + +<p>In 1892 Hamilton Willcox, who had worked untiringly in the Legislature +for many years, had a bill introduced in the Assembly to give a vote +to self-supporting women. It was referred to the Judiciary Committee, +but met with general disfavor. Mrs. Howell being in the Assembly +Chamber with friends one evening, three of its members invited her to +go to their committee room and draw up a bill for Full Suffrage, +telling her they would report it favorably in place of the Working +Woman's Bill. This she did and the new bill was at once reported. The +next week she gave every moment to working with the members for it, +aided by General Husted, Mr. Willcox and William Sulzer. On Friday +morning, one week from the day the bill was reported, it came to the +final vote and passed by 70 ayes, only 65 being required for the +constitutional majority. Excitement ran high at this success and ten +minutes were given for congratulations to Mrs. Howell by friends and +foes alike. The Monday following<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_857" id="Page_857">[Pg 857]</a></span> she carried the bill from the +Engrossing Committee to the Senate. Only three days of the session +were left and the committee held no more meetings, so she saw +separately each member of the Judiciary Committee and all gave a vote +in favor of considering the bill. Mr. Sheehan was now +Lieutenant-Governor and presiding officer of the Senate and would +allow no courtesies to Mrs. Howell, but one senator, Charles E. +Walker, arranged for her to see every member, and she secured the +promise of 18 votes, 17 being required. On Thursday evening, although +Senator Cornelius R. Parsons made many attempts to secure recognition, +the bill was not allowed to come before the Senate. There was every +reason to believe Governor Flower would have signed it.<a name="FNanchor_389_389" id="FNanchor_389_389"></a><a href="#Footnote_389_389" class="fnanchor">[389]</a></p> + +<p>In 1893 Mrs. Cornelia H. Cary worked for a bill providing that on all +boards of education one person out of five should be a woman, but it +failed to pass. The measure making fathers and mothers joint guardians +of their children, so often urged, became a law this year chiefly +through the efforts of the Women's Educational and Industrial Union of +Buffalo, which had been hampered constantly in its efforts to care for +helpless children by the interference of worthless fathers.<a name="FNanchor_390_390" id="FNanchor_390_390"></a><a href="#Footnote_390_390" class="fnanchor">[390]</a></p> + +<p>A law also was enacted, championed by Col. George C. Webster, giving +to a married woman the right to make a valid will without her +husband's consent.</p> + +<p>The season of 1894 was given wholly to the work of securing a woman +suffrage amendment in the revised State constitution.</p> + +<p>In 1895 Mrs. Martha R. Almy, as chairman of the Legislative Committee, +began work in Albany early in January and was absent but one +legislative day from that time until May. She was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_858" id="Page_858">[Pg 858]</a></span> assisted by Mrs. +Helen G. Ecob, and their effort was to secure a resolution to amend +the constitution by striking out the word "male." In order to submit +such an amendment in New York, a resolution must be passed by two +successive Legislatures.</p> + +<p>Judge Charles Z. Lincoln, the legal adviser of Gov. Levi P. Morton, +drew up the resolution and it was introduced January 22 in the +Assembly by Fred S. Nixon, and in the Senate by Cuthbert W. Pound. It +was favorably reported by the Senate Judiciary Committee early in the +session. The chairman of the Assembly Committee, Aaron B. Gardenier, +was very hostile, and after every effort to get a report had been +exhausted, Mr. Nixon and Mrs. Almy made a personal appeal to the +committee and were successful. On March 14 six men brought in the +mammoth petition for woman suffrage which had been presented to the +Constitutional Convention the previous year. The resolution was passed +by 80 ayes, 31 noes. This was a remarkable action for the first +Legislature after the great defeat in the Constitutional Convention +only a few months before.</p> + +<p>When the measure came to the Senate it was moved by Senator Pound to +substitute Mr. Nixon's resolution for his own, as they were identical. +But Amasa J. Parker<a name="FNanchor_391_391" id="FNanchor_391_391"></a><a href="#Footnote_391_391" class="fnanchor">[391]</a> objected in order to make it run the gauntlet +of the Senate Committee again, and this gave the anti-suffragists an +opportunity to oppose it. He then asked for a hearing for Bishop +William Croswell Doane and others before the State Judiciary +Committee, of which he was a member, which Chairman Edmond O'Connor +granted. The committee met but once a week, and twice the hearing was +postponed to accommodate the opposition. The second time, as no one +appeared against the resolution, it was again reported favorably. Just +after this had been done Mr. Parker appeared and objected, and the +chairman agreed to recall it and give the opposition one more chance. +On April 10, the time appointed for the hearing, Bishop Doane sent a +letter declining the honor of appearing, but a delegation from New +York City came up, and Mrs. Francis M. Scott and Prof. Monroe Smith of +Columbia University addressed the committee opposing the measure.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_859" id="Page_859">[Pg 859]</a></span> +Mrs. Almy and Mrs. Mary H. Hunt replied in its behalf. For the third +time the resolution was reported favorably by the Senate Committee, +and April 18 the vote was taken. Senators Pound, Coggeshall and +Bradley spoke in favor, and Jacob H. Cantor in opposition. It was +carried by 20 ayes, 5 noes.</p> + +<p>When the resolution went to the Revision Committee it was found that +in one section there was a period where there should have been a +comma. Mrs. Almy was obliged to remain two weeks and get an amendment +through both Houses to correct this error. Finally the resolution was +declared perfect, and was ordered published throughout the State, etc. +Then it was discovered that the word "resident" was used instead of +"citizen," and the entire work of the winter was void. As it is not +required that copies of original bills shall be preserved, the +responsibility for the mistake never can be located.</p> + +<p>The Senate of 1896, by a change in the term of office, was to sit +three years instead of two; and a concurrent resolution, in order to +pass two successive Legislatures, would have to be deferred still +another year, so no work was attempted.</p> + +<p>On Jan. 4, 1897, when the Legislature assembled, every member found on +his desk a personally addressed letter appealing for the right of +women citizens to representation, signed by all the officers of the +State Suffrage Association and by the presidents of all the local +societies. The resolution asking for a suffrage amendment was +introduced in the Senate by Joseph Mullen, in the Assembly by W. W. +Armstrong, and was referred to the Judiciary Committees. Repeated +interviews by Mrs. Mariana W. Chapman, Mrs. Mary E. Craigie, chairman +of the legislative committee, and other members were not sufficient to +secure a favorable vote even from the committees, as they were +frightened by the action of the preceding Legislature.</p> + +<p>The New York Society Opposed to the Further Extension of Suffrage to +Women was at work on the spot, and every legislator received a letter +urging him not to consider any kind of a bill for woman suffrage. +Finally a hearing was appointed by the Senate Committee for March 24. +In the midst of a snowstorm, all the way from Rochester came the +National president, Miss Anthony; from New York City, the State +president, Mrs. Chapman;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_860" id="Page_860">[Pg 860]</a></span> the chairman of the national organization +committee, Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt; Dr. Mary Putnam Jacobi and Miss +Elizabeth Burrill Curtis; from Syracuse, Miss Harriet May Mills; and +in Albany already were Mrs. Blake, Mrs. Almy, Mrs. Julia D. Sheppard +and a number of local suffragists. Miss Anthony, Mrs. Chapman Catt and +Miss Mills addressed the committee. As the delegation withdrew one +senator said to another: "I do not know what is to become of us men +when such women as these come up to the Legislature." Nevertheless the +resolution was not reported by the committee.</p> + +<p>Under the auspices of a Civic Union of all the boroughs of the +proposed "Greater New York," an active campaign was carried on during +this winter to secure various advantages for women under the new +charter, but it met with no especial success.</p> + +<p>In 1898 Mrs. Mary Hilliard Loines was chairman of the legislative +committee, and Mrs. Florence Dangerfield Potter, a graduate of Cornell +and of the New York University Law School, acted as attorney. The +Suffrage Amendment Resolution was introduced the first week of the +session by Representative Otto Kelsey, a steadfast friend of woman +suffrage. The usual number of letters was sent throughout the State to +secure co-operation and a hearing was given March 2 in the Assembly +library. The speakers introduced by Mrs. Loines were Mrs. Chapman, +Miss Mills, Mrs. Craigie, Miss Margaret Livingstone Chanler and Mrs. +Martha A. B. Conine, a member of the Colorado Legislature. The Rev. +William Brundage of Albany spoke forcibly in favor of the amendment. +No opponents were present. Although the chairman and some members of +the committee were in favor, it was learned that the majority were +opposed, so a vote was not pressed. The Senate committee being the +same as the previous year, it was thought not worth while to introduce +the resolution into that body.</p> + +<p>In 1899 the legislative work differed from that of the years directly +preceding, the executive committee having decided that it might be +wiser to ask for some form of suffrage which the Legislature itself +could grant without submitting the question to the voters. The +following bills were authorized:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_861" id="Page_861">[Pg 861]</a></span></p><blockquote><p>1: To make it obligatory to appoint at least one woman on school +boards in those cities, about forty-six in all, where the office +is appointive.</p> + +<p>2: To amend the village law, making it obligatory that in all +charters where a special vote of tax-payers is required on +municipal improvements or the raising or distribution of taxes, +women properly qualified shall vote on the same basis as men.</p></blockquote> + +<p>A great many letters had been sent to Gov. Theodore Roosevelt, then +newly elected, asking him to recognize the rights of women in his +inaugural address, which he did by calling the attention of the +Legislature to "the desirability of gradually extending the sphere in +which the suffrage can be exercised by women." These two bills, +therefore, were sent to him for approval and he appointed an interview +at Albany with a committee from the State association. Mrs. Loines, +Mrs. Blake, Miss Mills, Miss Mary Lyman Storrs and Mrs. Nellie F. +Matheson went with the State president to this interview, and the +Governor cordially indorsed the bills.</p> + +<p>Letters were sent to the legislators and also to the presidents of the +county suffrage societies, asking them to influence their +representatives. The bill for the Taxpayers' Suffrage was introduced +into the Assembly by Mr. Kelsey. That good work was done was evident +by the vote—98 ayes, 9 noes.</p> + +<p>But the battle was with the Senate, where the bill was introduced by +W. W. Armstrong. On February 22 a hearing was given in the Senate +Chamber before the Judiciary Committee. Suffragists and opponents were +there in force. The latter were represented by Mesdames Arthur M. +Dodge, W. Winslow Crannell and Rossiter Johnson. The State president +introduced the suffrage speakers, Miss Chanler, Mrs. Blake and Mrs. +Harriot Stanton Blatch, the last being qualified from residence to +testify to the good effect of this kind of suffrage in England. Mrs. +Elizabeth Smith Miller, Miss Anne Fitzhugh Miller and others were +present. Owing largely to the influence of Elon R. Brown the committee +brought in an adverse report.<a name="FNanchor_392_392" id="FNanchor_392_392"></a><a href="#Footnote_392_392" class="fnanchor">[392]</a> Senator Armstrong moved to disagree +and the vote, thus called for, in the Senate stood 21 ayes, 24 noes—a +vote on the report, not on the bill, but it put the Senate on record.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_862" id="Page_862">[Pg 862]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Bill for Women on Appointed Boards of Education, which had been +changed under protest of the suffragists to "one-third of the members +of the board" from "at least one woman," was voted on April 19. In the +Assembly it received 59 ayes, 23 noes; but 76 was the constitutional +majority, so Senate action was useless. It was bitterly opposed by +many prominent school officers.</p> + +<p>In 1900 the Legislature made a glaring exhibition of the position in +which a non-voting class can be placed. Early in the session a +resolution was offered on the motion of Senator Thomas F. Grady of New +York City, "that it is not expedient or advisable to attempt at this +session any changes in the constitution in regard to woman suffrage." +It passed by 26 ayes, 17 noes. Let it be said, for the honor of the +State, that there were senators who protested indignantly against such +trampling upon the rights of the people. Several who voted in favor of +this resolution afterwards voted for the suffrage bill.</p> + +<p>The Bill for Woman Suffrage on Tax Questions was introduced the very +next day by Senator Armstrong. Soon afterward it was presented in the +Assembly by Mr. Kelsey. On March 22 it passed with only two negative +votes—John Hill Morgan of Brooklyn and James B. McEwan of Albany. +When this bill came to the Senate there were so many before it that +April 4 its friends moved to take it up out of order by suspension of +rules. Senators Armstrong, Coggeshall and Lester H. Humphrey spoke in +favor, Senator Grady against. The vote in favor was 23 ayes, 19 noes +(nine of these from New York City), but twenty-six votes were +necessary to suspend. The situation, however, was more encouraging +than the year before. The legislative committee of the State W. S. A. +this year consisted of Mesdames Loines, Blake, Matheson, Priscilla D. +Hackstaff and Ella Hawley Crossett.</p> + +<p>In 1901 the committee was composed of Mesdames Loines, Hackstaff, +Craigie, Jean Brooks Greenleaf and Lucy P. Allen. All efforts were +centered on the bill to give taxpaying women the right to vote on +questions of taxation. A conference with Governor Odell showed his +friendliness to the bill and disclosed the fact that he had used his +influence to amend the charter of his own city of Newburg to give this +privilege to women.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_863" id="Page_863">[Pg 863]</a></span></p> + +<p>Speaker Nixon, in his opening address, referred to the bill as a +measure of justice which he hoped would be introduced every year until +it became a law. Mr. Kelsey for the third time constituted himself its +champion, and worked earnestly for its success. Letters poured in from +all parts of the State, the W. C. T. U. co-operated cordially, and +hearings were granted by House and Senate committees. The bill passed +the Assembly February 26 by 83 ayes, 29 noes. Of the latter 18 were +from New York City. Of the 38 absent or not voting 22 were from that +city.</p> + +<p>In the Senate the bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee as +usual. On March 20 a hearing before this committee was arranged for +those in favor and opposed. It was conducted by Mrs. Loines for the +suffragists, who were represented by Mrs. Chapman, Miss Chanler, a +large taxpayer in Dutchess County, and Miss Alice Stone Blackwell of +Boston, but a taxpayer in New York. Mrs. Arthur M. Dodge was at the +head of the eighteen women who came from the anti-suffrage society to +protest against taxpaying women being granted a representation on +questions of taxation. The other speakers were Mrs. Rossiter Johnson +of New York City, Mrs. Crannell of Albany, and Mrs. William Putnam of +Groton who read a paper written by Mrs. Charles Wetmore. The first +took the ground that the bill was unconstitutional. The second +protested against the attempt "to force widows, spinsters and married +women to vote against their will." The third begged the members of the +Senate Committee "not to be hoodwinked into believing this was not a +suffrage measure," and assured them that "many of the members had +pledged themselves to vote for it without recognizing that it was a +suffrage bill." She also said: "For the last fifty years, while the +suffragists have been wasting their strength in the effort to get the +ballot, we, and women like us, have been quietly going ahead and +gaining for women the rights they now enjoy in regard to education, +property and the professions. The suffragists had nothing to do with +it."</p> + +<p>The friends of the bill in the Senate tried in vain to obtain a report +from the Judiciary Committee, the chairman, Edgar Truman Brackett, +being opposed to the bill. Finally, on April 11, Senator Humphrey +moved "to discharge the committee from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_864" id="Page_864">[Pg 864]</a></span> further consideration," which +was carried by 22 ayes, 20 noes. On April 19 it was brought to a vote +and passed by 27 ayes, 14 noes, 8 of the latter from New York City. +Mr. Grady was absent.</p> + +<p>The bill was signed by Gov. Benjamin F. Odell, April 24, 1901. It was +generally understood that U. S. Senator Thomas C. Platt was in favor +of the measure. Judge Charles Z. Lincoln, chairman of the Statutory +Revision Committee, gave most valuable assistance.</p> + +<p>The effect of this bill was far greater than had been anticipated, +because of the importance of New York as a State. Before six months +had passed women in considerable numbers had voted in a dozen +different places. Although it applied only to towns and villages, +these numbered about 1,800. What was of more importance, the principle +had been recognized. There was scarcely a newspaper in the United +States that did not contain an editorial upon the subject, which in +the vast majority of cases declared the law to be just.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Laws:</span> Dower and curtesy obtain. If the husband die without a will the +widow is entitled to the life use of one-third of the real estate and, +after the payment of the debts, to one-third of the personal estate +absolutely. If there are no children she may have one-half of the +latter—stocks, cash, furniture, pictures, silver, clothing, etc.—and +the other half goes to the husband's relatives, even down to nephews +and nieces. The widow may, however, have the whole if it does not +exceed $2,000. If it exceed that amount, $2,000 may be added to her +half. If there are no relatives of the husband she may have all the +personal property. If there has been a living child the widower has a +life interest in all the wife's estate. If there have been no children +he takes all the personal property absolutely, and her real estate +goes to her next of kin. If there is a child living he has one-third +of the personal property absolutely.</p> + +<p>The husband is liable for the wife's debts before marriage to the +extent of any property acquired from her by ante-nuptial agreement. +She holds her separate property, however acquired, free from any +control of the husband and from all liability for his debts. She can +live on her own real estate, and forbid her husband entering upon it.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_865" id="Page_865">[Pg 865]</a></span></p> + +<p>Either husband or wife can make a will without the knowledge or +consent of the other, the latter disposing of all her separate +property, the former of all but the wife's life interest in one-third +of the real estate. The law provides, however, that no person having +husband, wife, child or parent can bequeath over one-half of his +property, after payment of debts, to any institution, association or +corporation.</p> + +<p>The wife can mortgage or convey her real and personal estate without +the husband's signature. He may do this with his personal property but +not with his real estate.</p> + +<p>A married woman may carry on any trade or business and perform any +labor or services on her own account, and her earnings are her sole +and separate property. She may sue and be sued as if unmarried, and +may maintain an action in her own name and the proceeds of such action +will be her separate property.<a name="FNanchor_393_393" id="FNanchor_393_393"></a><a href="#Footnote_393_393" class="fnanchor">[393]</a></p> + +<p>She may contract as if unmarried and she and her separate estate are +liable. A woman engaged in business can not be arrested for a debt +fraudulently contracted. All women enjoy certain exemptions from the +sale of their property under execution which in the case of men are +granted only to householders—that is, a man who provides for a +family.</p> + +<p>The husband's creditors have no claim to a life insurance unless the +annual premiums have exceeded $500; and it is also exempt from +execution for the wife's debts.</p> + +<p>Common Law marriages are legal, requiring neither license nor +ceremony, and 14 years is the legal age for the girl.<a name="FNanchor_394_394" id="FNanchor_394_394"></a><a href="#Footnote_394_394" class="fnanchor">[394]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_866" id="Page_866">[Pg 866]</a></span></p> + +<p>Absolute divorce is granted only for adultery. In case of either +absolute or limited divorce the husband may be required to pay alimony +to the wife during her life, even if she should marry again.</p> + +<p>Every married woman is joint guardian of her children with her +husband, having equal powers, rights and duties in regard to them, and +on the death of either parent the survivor continues guardian. (1893.)</p> + +<p>A husband is required to support his wife commensurately with his +means and her station in the community, without regard to the extent +of her individual property. If he fail to do this or if he abandon his +family he may be arrested and compelled to give security that he will +provide for them and will indemnify the town, city or county against +their becoming a charge upon the public within one year. Failing, he +may be sent to prison or penitentiary for not less than six months' +hard labor, or until he gives such bond, but none of this is +obligatory on the court.</p> + +<p>In 1887 the "age of protection" for girls was raised from 10 to 16 +years, and it was made optional with the court to impose less than the +existing penalty of ten years' imprisonment. A few years afterward it +was proposed to reduce the age to 12 years. Mrs. Mary H. Hunt, in +behalf of the W. C. T. U., went before the Judiciary Committee and +said: "I represent 21,000 women and any man who dares to vote for this +measure will be marked and held up to scorn. We are terribly in +earnest." The matter was dropped. In 1895 the age was raised from 16 +to 18, with a penalty for first degree of not more than twenty years' +imprisonment; for second degree, not more than ten. No minimum penalty +is named. Trials may be held privately, and it is the testimony of the +various protective associations of women that it is almost impossible +to secure convictions.</p> + +<p>The laws contain many provisions for the benefit of female employes; +among them one that if any employer in New York City fail to pay wages +due up to $50, none of his property is exempt from execution and he +may be imprisoned without bail.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> In 1880 a law was enacted by the Legislature declaring that +"no person shall be deemed ineligible to serve as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_867" id="Page_867">[Pg 867]</a></span> any school officer, +or to vote at any school meeting, by reason of sex, who has the other +qualifications now required by law."</p> + +<p>It was the undoubted intention to give School Suffrage to all women by +this law, but at once Attorney-General Hamilton Ward rendered a +decision that it did not apply to cities but only to places where +separate "school meetings" were held, mainly country districts and +villages.</p> + +<p>In 1881 another attempt was made by the Legislature to confer School +Suffrage on all women by striking out the word "male" in an old +statute of 1864, but as it failed to amend the very portion of the law +which referred to School Commissioners, this left the condition +unchanged.</p> + +<p>In 1886 the Legislature tried it again by enlarging the qualifications +of voters, but as the words "school district" were used it did not +succeed in giving the suffrage to any women except those who already +possessed it.</p> + +<p>In 1892 the Legislature once more came boldly to the rescue, and +undertook to enact that women should have a vote for <i>District</i> School +Commissioners, which would bring under its provisions all the women of +the State. The Act read: "All persons without regard to sex, who are +eligible to the office of School Commissioner, and have the other +qualifications required by law, shall have the right to vote for +School Commissioner."</p> + +<p>As the Act of 1880 had said specifically that "no person shall be +deemed ineligible to serve as any school officer by reason of sex," +this seemed to settle the question. The Act further provided that "All +persons so entitled to vote for School Commissioner shall be +registered as provided by law for those who vote for county officers, +and whenever School Commissioners are to be elected it shall be the +duty of the county clerk to prepare a ballot to be used exclusively by +those who, by reason of sex, can vote only for School Commissioner."</p> + +<p>This Act went into effect in April, 1893, and in the autumn Mrs. +Matilda Joslyn Gage registered in Manlius, Onondaga County. +Immediately the board of inspectors were requested to remove her name +from the registry. They refused and application was made to the +Supreme Court to strike off her name, on the sole contention that she +was not a lawful voter on account of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_868" id="Page_868">[Pg 868]</a></span> her sex. The application was +granted on the ground that the Act conferring upon women the right to +vote for School Commissioner was unconstitutional. The inspectors +obeyed the order. Mrs. Gage appealed to the General Term, where the +order was affirmed, and then she carried her case to the Court of +Appeals. The decision here was in brief that a School Commissioner is +a <i>county officer</i>, and that by the State constitution only male +citizens may vote for such officers. The decision closed by saying: "A +Constitutional Convention may take away the barrier which excludes the +claimed right of the appellant, but until that is done we must enforce +the law as it stands."<a name="FNanchor_395_395" id="FNanchor_395_395"></a><a href="#Footnote_395_395" class="fnanchor">[395]</a></p> + +<p>Thus after twenty years of time, four acts of the Legislature and +three decisions of the highest courts, the School Suffrage for women +is still confined exclusively to those of the villages and country +districts. The law condensed reads as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Every person of full age residing in any school district, etc., +who owns or hires real property in such district liable to +taxation for school purposes; and every such resident who is the +parent of a child who shall have attended the school in said +district for a period of at least eight weeks within one year +preceding such school meeting; and every such person, not being +the parent, who shall have permanently residing with him or her a +child of school age, etc.; and every such resident and citizen as +aforesaid, who owns any personal property, assessed on the last +preceding assessment-roll of the town, exceeding $50 in value, +exclusive of such as is exempt from execution, and no other, +shall be entitled to vote at any school meeting held in such +district, for all school district officers and upon all matters +which may be brought before said meeting. No person shall be +deemed ineligible to vote at any such school district meeting, by +reason of sex, who has one or more of the other qualifications +required by this section.<a name="FNanchor_396_396" id="FNanchor_396_396"></a><a href="#Footnote_396_396" class="fnanchor">[396]</a></p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_869" id="Page_869">[Pg 869]</a></span></p> + +<p>This was the only suffrage granted to women until 1901, when the +following was enacted by the Legislature:</p> + +<blockquote><p>A woman who possesses the qualifications to vote for village or +town officers, except the qualification of sex, and who is the +owner of property in the town or village assessed upon the last +preceding assessment-roll thereof, is entitled to vote upon a +proposition to raise money by tax or assessment.</p></blockquote> + +<p>This law is believed to include about 1,800 places. The bill for it +was managed by a committee of the State Suffrage Association in three +successive Legislatures.</p> + +<p>By the city charters of eleven of the thirty-six third-class +cities—Amsterdam, Cohoes, Corning, Geneva, Ithaca, Jamestown, +Newburg, Niagara Falls, North Tonawanda, Oswego and Watertown, +taxpaying women have a vote on special appropriations. Hornellsville +also conferred this privilege but it was declared illegal by the +corporation council, because the word "resident" was used instead of +"citizen."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> By a statute of 1880 women are eligible for any school +office. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction is elected by +the Legislature. Instead of county superintendents, as in most States, +New York has District Commissioners. A district may comprise either a +part or the whole of a county, but no city may form any part of it. At +present ten women are serving as District Commissioners. A +considerable number sit on the school boards of cities and villages +but no exact record is kept. In Greater New York thirty women serve as +school inspectors; there are also four supervisors in the departments +of sewing, cooking, kitchen-garden and physical culture, at salaries +ranging from $2,000 to $2,500.</p> + +<p>The same law which enables women to serve as District School +Commissioners makes them eligible to all district offices, including +those of trustee, collector, treasurer and librarian, as the law in +prescribing qualification, omits the word "male."<a name="FNanchor_397_397" id="FNanchor_397_397"></a><a href="#Footnote_397_397" class="fnanchor">[397]</a></p> + +<p>Women also are eligible to the office of village clerk. They serve as +notaries public, clerks of the Surrogate Court and deputy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_870" id="Page_870">[Pg 870]</a></span> tax +collectors. Miss Christine Ross of New York City is a certified public +accountant and auditor.</p> + +<p>Most cities have police matrons. Sixty fill this position in Greater +New York at a salary of $1,000 per annum.</p> + +<p>Women are employed as city physicians in several places. The law +requires one woman physician in each State hospital for the insane and +eleven are at present employed, leaving only the State Homeopathic +Hospital at Gowanda<a name="FNanchor_398_398" id="FNanchor_398_398"></a><a href="#Footnote_398_398" class="fnanchor">[398]</a> and the Manhattan Hospital on Long Island +without one.</p> + +<p>One woman trustee is required on the board of every State institution +where women are placed as patients, paupers or criminals, but this is +not strictly obeyed. A list of the boards of eleven hospitals shows +twelve women and sixty-five men, but four have no women members. Two +women are on the board of Craig Colony of Epileptics; three on that of +the Custodial Asylum for Feeble-Minded.</p> + +<p>The following are serving as State officials: On State Board of +Charities of twelve commissioners, one woman, with thirteen employed +in different departments at from $480 to $1,400 per annum; State +Superintendent Woman's Relief Corps, at $1,500; two State hospital +accountants at $1,400, three at $700; principal of House of Refuge for +Women at Hudson, $1,200; superintendent Western House of Refuge, +$1,200; five in Commission of Lunacy Department, $700 to $1,400; +fourteen in the State Library, $50 to $175 per month; seven in +Administrative Department of the Board of Regents of the University of +New York, and thirteen in the College and High School Departments (not +teachers), $720 to $1,200 per annum; ten in Home Education Department, +$50 to $150 per month; in the Department of Public Instruction, five +confidential clerks at from $900 to $2,000; in Bureau of Examinations +seven women at $900 (men in same positions receive $1,800); in State +Museum one woman at $600; in Training Class Bureau two women clerks at +$900; three women in office of Secretary of State at $900; one index +clerk in Bureau of Charitable Institutions at $1,050; one in State +Comptroller's office at $1,050; one examiner for Civil Service +Commission at $900 (men receive $1,400 for same work), and three<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_871" id="Page_871">[Pg 871]</a></span> +stenographers at $600 to $900; two State's prison stenographers at +$1,000; a Bertillon indexer, $1,200; one clerk for Commission of +Labor, $1,200; one for Free Employment Bureau, $900; under +Superintendent of Insurance, five women, $1,200 to $1,400; in office +of State Architect three, $626 to $900; in Bureau of Records two +clerks, $1,200; thirteen women are Factory Inspectors or employes in +that department, $600 to $1,500; twelve in the service of Commissioner +of Excise, $720 to $1,080.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> No profession or occupation is legally forbidden to +women. Several are presidents of banks, a number are brokers, many are +directors of corporations and there are women managers of countless +enterprises.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> The two great universities, Cornell at Ithaca and Columbia +in New York City, admit women to all departments and grant them the +full degrees. In Cornell they recite in the same classes with the men +students, and have the additional advantage of a residential hall on +the campus. There are no women on the faculty. Dr. M. Carey Thomas, +president of Bryn Mawr College, has been a member of the board of +trustees for several years. The women undergraduates of Columbia have +class-rooms and residence in Barnard, an independent corporation but +an affiliated college, its dean having the same relation to Columbia +as the heads of all the other colleges. The faculty is composed partly +of the regular Columbia staff and partly of special professors, among +whom are a number of women. The seniors attend certain courses in +philosophy and science in the regular university classes, and all of +these are open to post graduates. The University of New York, situated +in and near the city, is co-educational in its post-graduate courses +and in its Departments of Law, Pedagogy and Commerce. Its Law +Department is celebrated for the prominent women it has graduated. +Pratt Institute of Brooklyn is open to both sexes alike.</p> + +<p>The Universities of Syracuse and Rochester are co-educational. The +latter was opened in 1900 through the efforts of the women of the city +in raising a fund of $50,000. The project would have failed, however, +had it not been for the assistance of Miss Anthony. On the morning of +the day when the limit would expire which had been fixed by the +trustees for the raising of this sum,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_872" id="Page_872">[Pg 872]</a></span> $8,000 were still lacking. +Every possible source had been exhausted and in despair the women +appealed to Miss Anthony, who already had collected and turned over a +considerable amount. She set out with the wonderful determination +which always has characterized her, and at 4 o'clock in the afternoon +she went before the board of trustees with the full quota in checks +and pledges, making herself responsible for the last $2,500.</p> + +<p>Union Theological Seminary of New York City (Presbyterian) is one of +the very few orthodox institutions of this kind which admit women.</p> + +<p>The State is distinguished by having in Vassar the first of the great +colleges for women which offer a course of study approximating that of +the best universities. It was founded in 1861. Over 700 students are +in attendance.</p> + +<p>Besides seven large co-educational institutions there are eight or ten +smaller ones for boys alone and several for girls alone.</p> + +<p>In the public schools there are 5,405 men and 28,587 women teachers; +in New York City 1,263 men and 10,949 women. The average annual salary +for teachers in the cities outside of New York is $597; in that city, +which employs one-third of the whole number, $1,035. The average +annual salary in the commissioner districts is $322.49. There are +women in Greater New York receiving $2,500; there are hundreds in the +State receiving one-tenth of that sum. So far as it has been possible +to secure an estimate there is fully as much discrepancy between men's +and women's salaries for the same work as in other States.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>The women of Greater New York take a prominent part in political +campaigns. There are seven or eight Women's Republican Clubs, a Health +Protective Association and a Woman's Municipal League which were +active in 1897 when Seth Low, president of Columbia College, was +candidate for mayor on the Reform ticket.<a name="FNanchor_399_399" id="FNanchor_399_399"></a><a href="#Footnote_399_399" class="fnanchor">[399]</a> There is also a +flourishing Ladies' Democratic Club.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_873" id="Page_873">[Pg 873]</a></span></p> + +<p>A unique observance is the annual Pilgrim Mothers' Dinner at the +renowned Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. This was instituted in December, 1892, +by the New York City Suffrage League, Mrs. Lillie Devereux Blake, +president, in memory of those noble women, who are apt to be +overlooked at the celebrations in honor of the Pilgrim Fathers.</p> + +<p>New York divides with Massachusetts the honor of forming the first +Woman's Club—Sorosis, in 1868—and it continues foremost among the +States in the size and influence of its organizations of women. Over +200, part of them suffrage societies, belong to the Federation of +Clubs, and these represent only a portion of the whole number. There +are eighty auxiliaries to the State Suffrage Association.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_376_376" id="Footnote_376_376"></a><a href="#FNanchor_376_376"><span class="label">[376]</span></a> The History is indebted for the material for this +chapter to Mrs. Mariana Wright Chapman of Brooklyn, Mrs. Jean Brooks +Greenleaf of Rochester, and Mrs. Lillie Devereux Blake of New York, +the presidents of the State Woman Suffrage Association during the past +twenty years.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_377_377" id="Footnote_377_377"></a><a href="#FNanchor_377_377"><span class="label">[377]</span></a> See <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_67">History of Woman Suffrage, Vol. I, p. 67</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_378_378" id="Footnote_378_378"></a><a href="#FNanchor_378_378"><span class="label">[378]</span></a> Those making addresses were Miss Anthony, Miss Shaw, +Mrs. Chapman Catt, Mrs. Gannett, Mrs. Searing, Rabbi Max Landsberg, +the Hon. Charles S. Baker, the Hon. John Van Voorhis, the Rev. H. Clay +Peeples, the Rev. Ward Platt, the Rev. H. H. Stebbins, the Rev. J. W. +A. Stewart and Prof. S. A. Lattimore, acting president of the +Rochester University. +</p><p> +Addresses of welcome: Miss Mary S. Anthony for the City Political +Equality Club, the Rev. W. C. Gannett for the church that welcomed the +first convention, Mrs. Jean Brooks Greenleaf for the State +association. +</p><p> +The committee of arrangements were Mesdames S. A. West, Amy E. T. +Searing, J. G. Maurer, S. C. Blackall, Florence D. Alexander, Mary L. +Gannett, D. L. Kittredge, Emma B. Sweet, A. B. Taylor, D. L. Johnson, +F. B. Van Hoesen; Misses Jessie Post, Frances Alexander; Messrs. C. G. +Alexander and Joseph Bloss.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_379_379" id="Footnote_379_379"></a><a href="#FNanchor_379_379"><span class="label">[379]</span></a> The others who have held office since 1883 are as +follows: Mary S. Anthony, Martha R. Almy, Elnora Monroe Babcock, +Henrietta M. Banker, Ella Hawley Crossett, Hannah B. Clark, Elizabeth +Burrell Curtis, Everline R. Clark, Charlotte F. Daley, Margaret H. +Esselstyne, Mrs. Hannah L. Howland, Emily Howland, Isabel Howland, +Cornelia K. Hood, Maude S. Humphrey, Mary Seymour Howell, Priscilla +Dudley Hackstaff, Ada M. Hall, Martha H. Henderson, Helen M. Loder, +Anne F. Miller, Jennie McAdams, Harriet May Mills, Clara Neymann, +Eliza Wright Osborne, Mary J. Pearson, Helen C. Peckham, Mary Thayer +Sanford, Kate Stoneman, Kate S. Thompson, Emily S. Van Biele, Emilie +J. Wakeman.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_380_380" id="Footnote_380_380"></a><a href="#FNanchor_380_380"><span class="label">[380]</span></a> Aside from those elsewhere mentioned, the names which +seem to occur most often in looking over the records are those of Dr. +Sarah L. Cushing, Dr. Cordelia A. Greene, Zobedia Alleman, Abigail A. +Allen, Kornelia T. Andrews, Amanda Alley, Mary E. Bagg, Charlotte A. +Cleveland, Ida K. Church, Susan Dixwell, Eliza B. Gifford, Esther +Herman, Ella S. Hammond, Mary Bush Hitchcock, Belle S. Holden, Mary H. +Hallowell, Emeline Hicks, Mary N. Hubbard, Marie R. Jenney, Rhody J. +Kenyon, Lucy S. Pierce, Harriet M. Rathbun, Martha J. H. Stebbins, +Julia D. Sheppard, Chloe A. Sisson, Delia C. Taylor.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_381_381" id="Footnote_381_381"></a><a href="#FNanchor_381_381"><span class="label">[381]</span></a> Much of the credit for the excellent organization is +due to Miss Harriet May Mills, State organizer, daughter of C. D. B. +Mills of anti-slavery record. Miss Mills is a graduate of Cornell +University, and is devoting her youth and education entirely to the +cause of woman suffrage.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_382_382" id="Footnote_382_382"></a><a href="#FNanchor_382_382"><span class="label">[382]</span></a> The story of this canvass, the largest and most +systematic which ever has been made for such a purpose, is given in +full in "Record of the New York Campaign of 1894," a pamphlet of 250 +pages, issued by the State association in 1895, and placed in many +libraries throughout the country. It is given also, with many personal +touches, in the Life and Work of Susan B. Anthony, Chap. XLII.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_383_383" id="Footnote_383_383"></a><a href="#FNanchor_383_383"><span class="label">[383]</span></a> From treasurer's report: Emily Howland generously +contributed $1,200. That staunch friend, Sarah L. Willis of Rochester +gave $720. Abby L. Pettengill of Chautauqua County, $220. Mr. and Mrs. +H. S. Greenleaf of Rochester, $200. General C. T. Christiansen of +Brooklyn began the contributions of $100, of which there were eight +others from our own State—Semantha V. Lapham, Ebenezer Butterick, +Mrs. H. S. Holden, Marian Skidmore, Hannah L. Howland, Cornelia H. +Cary, Mr. and Mrs. James Sargent; Mrs. Louisa Southworth of Ohio.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_384_384" id="Footnote_384_384"></a><a href="#FNanchor_384_384"><span class="label">[384]</span></a> One who was a witness gives this description: +</p><p> +"There were no more dramatic scenes during the convention than those +afforded by the presenting of the petitions. The names were enrolled +on pages of uniform size and arranged in volumes, each labeled and +tied with a wide yellow ribbon and bearing the card of the member who +was to present it. At the opening of the sessions, when memorials were +called for, he would rise and say: 'Mr. President, I have the honor to +present a memorial from Mary Smith and 17,117 others (for example), +residents of —— county, asking that the word 'male' be stricken from +the Constitution.' Often one after another would present a bundle of +petitions until it would seem as though the entire morning would be +thus consumed. They were all taken by pages and heaped up on the +secretary's table, where they made an imposing appearance. Later they +were stacked on shelves in a large committee room. +</p><p> +"Mrs. Burt, the president of the W. C. T. U., brought in the petitions +of her society all at once, many great rolls of paper tied with white +ribbon. A colored porter took them down the aisle on a wheelbarrow."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_385_385" id="Footnote_385_385"></a><a href="#FNanchor_385_385"><span class="label">[385]</span></a> Mesdames Cornelia K. Hood, Cornelia H. Cary, Mariana W. +Chapman, Mary E. Craigie, Cora Sebury, Martha R. Almy, A. E. P. +Searing, Elinor Ecob Morse, Marcia C. Powell, Helen G. Ecob, Susie M. +Bain, Carrie E. S. Twing, Clara Neymann, Selina S. Merchant, Henrietta +M. Banker, Maude S. Humphrey, Mary Lewis Gannett; Dr. Sarah H. Morris; +Misses Arria S. Huntington, Emily Howland, Elizabeth Burrill Curtis.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_386_386" id="Footnote_386_386"></a><a href="#FNanchor_386_386"><span class="label">[386]</span></a> A hearing, on June 14, was given to the "Antis," as the +press dubbed the remonstrants. Their petition against being allowed +the suffrage was presented by the Hon. Elihu Root, and the speeches +were made by Francis M. Scott, the Rev. Clarence A. Walworth, the Hon. +Matthew Hale and J. Newton Fiero. Letters were read from the Hon. +Abram S. Hewitt and Austin Abbott.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_387_387" id="Footnote_387_387"></a><a href="#FNanchor_387_387"><span class="label">[387]</span></a> Among the earnest advocates of the suffrage article +were Judges Titus and Blake of New York, Judge Towns of Brooklyn, +Judge Moore of Plattsburg, Messrs. Lincoln, Church and McKinstry of +Chautauqua, Maybee of Sullivan, Cornwall of Yates, Powell of Kings, +Cassidy of Schuyler, Kerwin of Albany, Phipps of Queens, Fraser of +Washington, Arnold of Dutchess, Bigelow and Campbell of New York, +Roche of Troy. +</p><p> +Speeches in opposition were made by Messrs. McClure, Goeller and +Platzek of New York, Fuller of Chenango, Griswold of Greene, Mereness +of Lewis, Sullivan of Erie, Lester of Saratoga, Hirshberg of Newburg, +Kellogg of Oneonta, Mantanye of Cortland, Cookinham of Utica.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_388_388" id="Footnote_388_388"></a><a href="#FNanchor_388_388"><span class="label">[388]</span></a> Members of committee in favor of woman suffrage clause: +Edward Lauterbach, Mirabeau Lamar Towns, Vasco P. Abbott, John +Bigelow, Gideon J. Tucker. Opposed: William P. Goodelle, Henry J. +Cookinham, John F. Parkhurst, Henry W. Hill, D. Gerry Wellington, John +W. O'Brien, Henry W. Wiggins, Thomas G. Alvord, David McClure, De +Lancy Nicoll, John A. Deady, William H. Cochran.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_389_389" id="Footnote_389_389"></a><a href="#FNanchor_389_389"><span class="label">[389]</span></a> In the work for other bills Mrs. Howell was assisted by +Miss Kate Stoneman, New York's first woman lawyer, Mrs. Sarah A. Le +Boeuf, Mrs. Joan Cole and Miss Winnie, all of Albany. George Rogers +Howell, assistant and also State librarian, aided his wife in every +way. As a State officer for many years he had strong influence and it +always was used for woman's political freedom. During these years Mrs. +Howell, as president of the Albany Political Equality Club, conducted +many public meetings in the Senate Chamber of the historic old Capitol +building until it was torn down. Legislators and State officers came +each Tuesday night to hear the suffrage speeches.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_390_390" id="Footnote_390_390"></a><a href="#FNanchor_390_390"><span class="label">[390]</span></a> In 1860, after ten years of persistent effort by Mrs. +Stanton, Miss Anthony and other pioneer workers, who had gathered up +thousands of petitions and besieged the Legislature, session after +session, a law was secured giving father and mother joint +guardianship. In 1862, so quietly that the women were not aware of it, +the Legislature repealed this law and again vested the guardianship +solely in the father. Although repeated efforts were afterwards made +to have the mother's right restored, this was not done for thirty +years.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_391_391" id="Footnote_391_391"></a><a href="#FNanchor_391_391"><span class="label">[391]</span></a> Senator Parker is a brother of Mrs. J. V. L. Pruyn, who +organized the first anti-suffrage society in the State, at Albany.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_392_392" id="Footnote_392_392"></a><a href="#FNanchor_392_392"><span class="label">[392]</span></a> In Senator Brown's own city of Watertown, over 50 per +cent. of the women had just voted to bond the city for a new High +School, the press giving them full credit for it, but he persistently +opposed this bill.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_393_393" id="Footnote_393_393"></a><a href="#FNanchor_393_393"><span class="label">[393]</span></a> It was not supposed that this right could be +questioned, but in 1901, in New York City, a woman who was supporting +her children by washing while her husband was in the hospital, was +thrown from a trolley car with her baby in her arms and injured so +that she could not work. She brought suit against the Street Railway +Company before a municipal court, and was awarded $147.50. The company +appealed to the Supreme Court and Justice David Leaventritt reversed +the decision, saying in his opinion, "At Common Law the husband was +absolutely entitled to the earnings of his wife, and neither the +Enabling Act of 1860 nor the broader one of 1864 has affected the +right, unless the service and earnings were rendered and received +expressly upon her sole and separate account." Afterwards in +explanation he said that the woman had not made it clear in her suit +that she was working for herself and not performing service for her +husband. +</p><p> +In 1902 a law was passed securing absolutely to married women their +own earnings and the right to sue for damages by loss of wages in case +of personal injury.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_394_394" id="Footnote_394_394"></a><a href="#FNanchor_394_394"><span class="label">[394]</span></a> In 1901 an attempt was made to correct this evil, and a +ridiculous law was passed and duly signed by Governor Odell providing +that a couple may become husband and wife by signing an agreement +before witnesses, but in order to make this legal it must be recorded +within six months. If at the end of this time it has not been recorded +both are free to marry somebody else. If the fourteen year old wife +should not know of this legal requirement she may find herself +abandoned without redress.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_395_395" id="Footnote_395_395"></a><a href="#FNanchor_395_395"><span class="label">[395]</span></a> This decision covers many pages with hair-splitting +definitions, tracing the laws governing School Commissioners back to +1843, and summing up with the following unintentional satire. +</p><p> +"The Constitution, in Article 2, Section 1, prescribes the +qualifications of voters 'for all officers that now are or hereafter +may be elected by <i>the people</i>,' and confines the franchise +specifically to 'male citizens.' The office of School Commissioner was +one thereafter made 'elective by <i>the people</i>,' through the operation +of the alternative given by Article 10, Section 2, which provides that +'all officers whose offices may hereafter be created by law shall be +elected by <i>the people</i> or appointed as the Legislature may direct.' +That is, in such cases, it may choose between election and appointment +and in the latter event may dictate the authority and mode of +appointment. The Legislature chose that the office should be elective, +and, becoming such, it fell within the scope and terms of the +constitutional provisions applicable to elections by <i>the people</i>."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_396_396" id="Footnote_396_396"></a><a href="#FNanchor_396_396"><span class="label">[396]</span></a> By the charters of the third class cities of Auburn, +Geneva, Hornellsville, Jamestown, Norwich, Union Springs and Watertown +women have School Suffrage on the same terms as men. The city of +Kingston is divided into several common and union free school +districts and women are authorized to vote.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_397_397" id="Footnote_397_397"></a><a href="#FNanchor_397_397"><span class="label">[397]</span></a> For legal opinion see <a href="#APPENDIX-NEW_YORK">Appendix for New York</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_398_398" id="Footnote_398_398"></a><a href="#FNanchor_398_398"><span class="label">[398]</span></a> In 1902 the hospital at Gowanda, the largest of the +kind in the State, placed a woman on its staff as specialist in +gynecology.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_399_399" id="Footnote_399_399"></a><a href="#FNanchor_399_399"><span class="label">[399]</span></a> In 1901, when Mr. Low was again a candidate and was +elected, these clubs were a prominent factor in the campaign. They +arranged meetings, addressed large audiences, raised $30,000 and +circulated 1,000,000 pieces of literature. Their work was commended by +the press of the whole United States and much credit was given them +for the success of the Reform ticket. When the Board of Education of +forty-six members was appointed by Mayor Low, various societies +petitioned him to give women a representation upon it, but he declined +to do so.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_874" id="Page_874">[Pg 874]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LVII" id="CHAPTER_LVII"></a>CHAPTER LVII.</h2> + +<h3>NORTH CAROLINA.<a name="FNanchor_400_400" id="FNanchor_400_400"></a><a href="#Footnote_400_400" class="fnanchor">[400]</a></h3> + + +<p>The only attempt at suffrage organization in North Carolina was made +by Miss Helen Morris Lewis, Nov. 21, 1894. A meeting was called at the +court house in Asheville and attended by a large audience, which was +addressed by Miss Lewis and Miss Floride Cunningham. Thomas W. Patton, +mayor of the city, made a stirring speech in favor of giving the +ballot to women. At his residence the next day a society was formed +with a membership of forty-five men and women; president, Miss Morris; +vice-president, T. C. Westall; secretary, Mrs. Eleanor Johnstone +Coffin; treasurer, Mayor Patton. The next mayor of Asheville, Theodore +F. Davidson, also advocated woman suffrage.</p> + +<p>In 1895 addresses were made in various cities by Miss Laura Clay of +Kentucky and Miss Elizabeth Upham Yates of Maine, who had been +attending the national convention in Atlanta.</p> + +<p>Later on Miss Frances E. Willard, president of the National Woman's +Christian Temperance Union, and Miss Belle Kearney, a noted lecturer +from Mississippi, aroused considerable enthusiasm in various places by +pleas for woman suffrage in their temperance addresses. Miss Lewis has +spoken in a number of towns and at the State Normal School. No +organized work has been done, however, and but little public interest +is felt.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action and Laws:</span> Early in February, 1895, as a result of +the suffrage meeting held in Asheville, a bill was presented in the +Legislature to place women on school boards. Mrs. Lillie Devereux +Blake of New York, a native of North Carolina, addressed the +legislators in its behalf and upon the rights of women. The bill +provoked a hot discussion but was defeated. It is impossible to obtain +a record of the vote.</p> + +<p>In 1897 a bill to permit women to serve as notaries public was +defeated in the House on the ground that it would be +unconstitutional,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_875" id="Page_875">[Pg 875]</a></span> as this is a State office. The same year a bill +providing for the appointment of women physicians in the State insane +asylums was referred to a committee and never reported.</p> + +<p>Bills also have been presented for full suffrage and suffrage for +tax-paying women, but none has been acted upon. Several Acts have been +passed prohibiting employers from working women in the chain gangs on +the public roads in different counties.<a name="FNanchor_401_401" id="FNanchor_401_401"></a><a href="#Footnote_401_401" class="fnanchor">[401]</a></p> + +<p>The most unjust discriminations against women in the property laws +were removed by the Constitutional Convention of 1868. Since then a +married woman may acquire and hold real estate and have the enjoyment +of its income and profits in her own separate right, and she may +dispose of it by will subject to the husband's curtesy (the life use +of the whole); but she can not sell any of it without his consent. The +husband can not sell his real estate so as to cut off the dower of the +wife (the life use of one-third) without her consent.</p> + +<p>The code of 1883 stipulates that if the husband receives the income of +the wife's separate property and she offers no objection, he can not +be made liable to account for his use of it for more than one year +previous to the date of the complaint or of her death. By an act of +1889, the husband is required to list the property of the wife "in his +control."</p> + +<p>Both dower and curtesy obtain. If there are neither descendants nor +kindred the widow is heir of the entire estate. If there are not more +than two children, and the husband die without a will, one-third of +the personal property goes to the widow; if there are more than two +children, she shares equally with them; if there be no child or legal +representative of a deceased child, one-half goes to the widow, the +other half to the kindred of the husband. If a wife die without a +will, the widower has a life estate in her real property, if there has +been issue born alive, and all of her personal property absolutely, +subject to her debts.</p> + +<p>A homestead to the value of $1,000 is exempt from sale during +widowhood unless the widow have one in her own right.</p> + +<p>The wife is not bound by contract unless the husband joins in writing. +In actions against her he must be served with the suit.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_876" id="Page_876">[Pg 876]</a></span></p> + +<p>The wife can not be a sole trader without the husband's written and +recorded consent, unless living apart from him under legal divorce or +separation, or unless he is an idiot or a lunatic, or has abandoned +her or maliciously turned her out of doors. She controls even her +wages only under these circumstances.</p> + +<p>The divorce laws make the discrimination against women that while the +husband can secure a divorce for one act of adultery on the part of +the wife, she can secure one from him on this ground only if he +separates from her and lives openly in adultery.</p> + +<p>The father is the legal guardian of the persons and education of the +minor children, and may appoint a guardian by will even for one +unborn. The court appoints the guardian for the estate.</p> + +<p>Wilful neglect by the husband to provide adequate support for the wife +and children is a misdemeanor.</p> + +<p>The "age of protection" for girls still remains 10 years, with a +penalty of death. Over 10 and under 14 the crime is a misdemeanor, +punishable with fine or imprisonment in the penitentiary at discretion +of the court, if the child has been previously chaste.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> Women possess no form of suffrage.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> By the State constitution only those entitled to vote +are eligible to office. Women are thus barred from every elective and +appointive office, even that of notary public.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> No profession or occupation is legally forbidden to +women. They are admitted to the State Medical Society and made +chairmen of various sections. There has been a revolution of public +sentiment during the past twenty years in regard to women in +wage-earning occupations. What formerly would have caused ostracism is +now regarded as proper and commendable.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> In 1897 the post-graduate work of the State University was +opened to women. The undergraduate departments are still closed to +them. Other institutions are about equally divided among +co-educational, for boys only and for girls only. The State Normal and +Industrial School for Girls (white) and the Agricultural and +Mechanical College for Boys (colored), both at Greensborough, offer +excellent opportunities. There are four other universities and +colleges for colored students.</p> + +<p>In the public schools there are 4,127 men and 4,077 women teachers. +The average monthly salary of the men is $25.07; of the women, +$22.24.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_400_400" id="Footnote_400_400"></a><a href="#FNanchor_400_400"><span class="label">[400]</span></a> The History is indebted for most of the information in +this chapter to Mrs. Sarah A. Russell of Wilmington, the wife of Gov. +Daniel L. Russell.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_401_401" id="Footnote_401_401"></a><a href="#FNanchor_401_401"><span class="label">[401]</span></a> In 1901 a bill, supported by a petition largely signed +by women, which provided for a reformatory for youthful criminals +where they might be separated from the old and hardened, was +introduced in the Legislature but never was brought to a vote.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_877" id="Page_877">[Pg 877]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LVIII" id="CHAPTER_LVIII"></a>CHAPTER LVIII.</h2> + +<h3>OHIO.<a name="FNanchor_402_402" id="FNanchor_402_402"></a><a href="#Footnote_402_402" class="fnanchor">[402]</a></h3> + + +<p>The second Woman's Rights Convention ever held took place at Salem, +Ohio, in April, 1850, and such meetings were continued at intervals +until the beginning of the Civil War. After the war a State +association was formed, but the records of its existence are not +available. In the early summer of 1884 Mrs. Rachel S. A. Janney, whose +husband was president of the State Agricultural College (now the State +University), called a convention in Columbus, at which Mrs. Rosa L. +Segur, Mrs. Ellen Sully Fray, Mr. and Mrs. O. G. Peters, Mrs. +Elizabeth Coit and family, Mrs. Ammon of Cleveland, and other +well-known advocates were present. So few were in attendance, however, +that it was thought best not to organize permanently, but Judge Ezra +B. Taylor of Warren was chosen president and Mrs. Frances M. Casement, +vice-president. Judge Taylor, in declining because of Congressional +duties, expressed sympathy and interest in the movement. He was a +member of the Judiciary Committee of the U. S. House of +Representatives for thirteen years, and through his influence when +chairman, in 1890, a majority report in favor of a Sixteenth Amendment +to the Constitution to enfranchise women was submitted to the House +for the first and last time.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Casement did very efficient work, especially in the northern part +of the State, and as a result a large and enthusiastic meeting was +held at Painesville, her home, in May, 1885, and a State association +regularly organized. On the list of officers were placed three persons +who through all these years have made the enfranchisement of women +their paramount work—Mrs. Casement, Mrs. Segur of Toledo and Mrs. +Coit of Columbus.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_878" id="Page_878">[Pg 878]</a></span> Mrs. Casement, who was made president, always has +given generously of time and money and is still a member of the +executive committee. Mrs. Segur, who was elected corresponding +secretary, also continues her activity. She does much press work and +is one of the main supports of the Toledo W. S. A., which has held +regular monthly meetings since its organization in 1869. Mrs. Coit was +chosen treasurer and held the office fourteen years, during which she +seldom missed a convention or an executive meeting. In 1900 she was +made honorary president without one dissenting vote.<a name="FNanchor_403_403" id="FNanchor_403_403"></a><a href="#Footnote_403_403" class="fnanchor">[403]</a></p> + +<p>In addition to the State conventions from two to five executive +committee meetings have been held yearly since 1885. Before the +adoption of the biennial sessions of the Legislature, there were +usually conferences at Columbus in midwinter to influence legislation, +and different members remained there for weeks. Mrs. Sarah C. +Schrader, Mrs. Martha H. Elwell and Mrs. Louisa Southworth rendered +especially valuable service in such matters.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Southworth, in her home at Cleveland, also had charge of the +systematic enrollment of persons indorsing woman suffrage, which has +been very effective in answering the objection that women do not want +to vote. This was begun in 1888, when she was made national +superintendent of enrollment, as she was a thorough advocate of this +method of petition. Bills for woman suffrage introduced into the +Legislature need the backing of many names, and in this way more can +be added each year. The blanks are headed: "We believe that women +should vote on equal terms with men;" and an effort is made to keep +the names of men and women separate. The original lists are carefully +preserved, but typewritten copies for reference are made and +classified according to towns, counties and Congressional districts, +pains being taken each year not to register duplicates. The entire +expenses, amounting to several thousand dollars, have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_879" id="Page_879">[Pg 879]</a></span> been borne by +Mrs. Southworth. All of the canvassers have contributed their +services.<a name="FNanchor_404_404" id="FNanchor_404_404"></a><a href="#Footnote_404_404" class="fnanchor">[404]</a></p> + +<p>Good educational work has been done through Woman's Day at colleges, +camp meetings and county fairs. A memorable occasion was that of the +Centennial Celebration of the city of Cleveland in 1896. One day was +devoted to the consideration of the advancement of woman in +philanthropy, education, domestic science, etc. Although the speakers +had been requested not to touch upon the question of her political +enfranchisement, three women indirectly mentioned it and these +received the heartiest applause of any brought out in the course of a +whole day of able speechmaking. One of them was not permitted to +retire until she acknowledged in a graceful word or two the enthusiasm +of the audience. The committee having charge of this celebration asked +a woman in each township on the Western Reserve to gather facts in +regard to its early women, and over 200 granted the request. These +papers when published made four volumes of valuable information +respecting the pioneer women of this famous section of Ohio.</p> + +<p>In 1896 the Rev. Henrietta G. Moore, a Universalist minister of +Springfield, and Miss Laura A. Gregg of Kansas, visited seventeen +towns and cities in the interest of the State W. S. A. and formed +numerous organizations.</p> + +<p>A conference of national and State officers, with several public +meetings, was held at Toledo in the autumn of 1897, Mrs. Fray, +president of Lucas County, making the arrangements. The following +spring Mrs. Harriet Brown Stanton of Cincinnati did the preparatory +work for a two days' meeting in that city, the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, +vice-president-at-large, and Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, chairman of the +organization committee of the National Association, being the +speakers.</p> + +<p>In the spring of 1900 Mrs. Harriet Taylor Upton, president of the +State association, visited fifteen principal towns preparing the way +for organization, while in others plans were made by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_880" id="Page_880">[Pg 880]</a></span> correspondence. +Five persons participated in the campaign made later: Miss Shaw and +Mrs. Chapman Catt as speakers, each contributing two weeks of time; +Miss Harriet May Mills and Miss Mary G. Hay, of New York, national +organizers; Mrs. Upton accompanying the party. The object was to +ascertain suffrage sentiment and to organize the northwestern part of +the State. The next work was done in the southern part, Ohio women +making the arrangements and Dr. Frances Woods of Iowa acting as +speaker and organizer. At the close of 1900 the State had twice as +many members as the year before, with vastly increased interest and +activity. This growth was due to many causes, not least among them +being the work and inspiration of Miss Elizabeth J. Hauser, who was +corresponding secretary for five years, and for ten has scarcely +missed a convention.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action:</span> In 1888 the Legislature was asked to submit to the +voters an amendment giving Full Suffrage to women. This measure was +lost, and a Municipal Suffrage Bill met a like fate.</p> + +<p>In 1889 a bill for Full Suffrage was defeated in the Senate by 19 +ayes, 9 noes, a three-fifths majority being required.</p> + +<p>In 1890 a similar bill was introduced in the House and discussed at +length. It received 54 ayes, 47 noes, but not a constitutional +majority.</p> + +<p>In 1891 the Legislature was petitioned without result, and in 1892 and +1893 School Suffrage Bills were defeated by small majorities.</p> + +<p>It was enacted in 1893 that mayors in cities of 10,000 inhabitants and +upward shall furnish proper quarters for women and female children +under arrest, and that these shall be out of sight of the rooms and +cells where male prisoners are confined. The law further provides for +the appointment of police matrons.</p> + +<p>In 1894 a Municipal Suffrage Bill was introduced but was not reported +from committee. This year, however, School Suffrage was granted to +women.</p> + +<p>To Mrs. Caroline McCullough Everhard and Mrs. Katherine B. Claypole, +president and recording secretary of the State W. S. A., women are +largely indebted for this law. Like all reform measures, it was +preceded by many discouraging defeats. In<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_881" id="Page_881">[Pg 881]</a></span> 1892 a bill was introduced +into the House by E. W. Doty, providing that women should vote for and +serve as members of school boards. It was lost by seven votes, +reconsidered in the adjourned session of 1893 and lost again by six +votes. Another bill was introduced into the House in January, 1894, by +Gustavus A. Wood, but was defeated by 47 ayes, 43 noes. Mrs. Everhard +then made an earnest appeal to Senator William T. Clark to introduce +the same bill. He promptly acceded and it passed the Senate on April +10 by 20 ayes, 6 noes. It was returned to the House and passed April +24 by 55 ayes, 26 noes, 11 not voting. Mr. Clark at once sent a +telegram to the president of the association: "Woman suffrage bill a +law; truth is mighty yet."</p> + +<p>In 1894 the Legislature was asked to enact a law making women eligible +as trustees of homes and asylums for women and children. The request +was refused on the ground that the law would be declared +unconstitutional because such trustees must be electors.</p> + +<p>In 1896 Free Traveling Libraries were established.</p> + +<p>In 1898 the Legislature provided that a woman could be a notary +public. Two months later the law was declared unconstitutional, as +notaries must be electors.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Laws:</span> In 1884 a law was enacted giving a married woman the right to +sue and be sued and to proceed in various other matters as if +unmarried. Her personal property and real estate were liable to +judgment, but she was entitled to the benefits of all exemptions to +heads of families.</p> + +<p>In 1887 married women obtained absolute control of their own property. +This act gave a wife the right to enter into any engagements or +transactions with her husband, or any other person, to hold and +dispose of real and personal property and to make contracts.</p> + +<p>Dower was retained but curtesy abolished, except for a man married +before 1887 and regarding property owned by his wife before that date. +Either husband or wife on the death of the other is now entitled to +one-third of the real estate for life. If either die without a will, +and there are no children or their legal representatives living, all +the real estate passes to the survivor,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_882" id="Page_882">[Pg 882]</a></span> and the personal property +subject to the debts. If there are children, or their legal +representatives, the widow or widower is entitled to one-half of the +first $400, and to one-third of the remainder subject to distribution. +A homestead not exceeding $1,000 in value may be reserved for the +widow.</p> + +<p>In 1893 it was made legal for a married woman to act as guardian; and +in 1894 as executor or administrator.</p> + +<p>By the code of 1892 the father is legal guardian of the children and +may appoint a guardian by will, even of one unborn. If he has +abandoned the mother, she has custody.</p> + +<p>The husband must support his wife and minor children by his property +or labor, but if he is unable to do so, the wife must assist as far as +she is able. The father or, when charged with maintenance thereof, the +mother of a legitimate or illegitimate child under sixteen, who being +able, either by reason of having means or by labor or earnings, shall +neglect or refuse to provide such child with proper home, care, food +and clothing; or, if said child is a legal inmate of the county or +district children's home, shall refuse to pay the reasonable cost of +its keeping, shall upon conviction be guilty of felony and punished by +imprisonment in the penitentiary for not more than three years nor +less than one, or in a county jail or workhouse at hard labor for not +more than one year nor less than three months.</p> + +<p>In 1887 the "age of protection" for girls was raised from 10 to 12 +years; in 1894 from 12 to 14; in 1896 from 14 to 16. The penalty is +imprisonment not more than twenty nor less than three years.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> The law of 1894 permits women, on the same terms as men, to +vote for members of the boards of education (trustees), but not for +State Commissioner (superintendent) nor on any question of bonds or +appropriations. There are no county commissioners in Ohio.</p> + +<p>The history of this law, after it passed into the Revised Statutes, is +as follows: In December, 1894, Mrs. Ida M. Earnhart of Columbus, whose +husband, Senator M. B. Earnhart, had championed the bill, was one of +the first women to register for voting at the school election to be +held the next April. For the purpose of a test case a written request +was made of the board<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_883" id="Page_883">[Pg 883]</a></span> of elections to strike her name from the list; +they refused and suit was brought in the name of the State of Ohio +against the board and Mrs. Earnhart. The case was argued in the +Circuit Court of Franklin County in January, 1895. Mrs. Caroline +McCullough Everhard, president of the State W. S. A., attended the +hearing. Senators William T. Clark and M. B. Earnhart ably defended +the law. On February 1 the decision was rendered by Judge J. G. +Shauck, Judges Charles G. Shearer and Gilbert H. Stewart concurring in +the opinion, which declared the law to be constitutional. The case was +appealed to the Supreme Court, where the decision of the lower court +was sustained. This completed the victory which the State suffrage +association had worked so hard to win. More than 30,000 women voted at +the first election following. In the spring of 1902, 14,800 women +registered in Cleveland and 80 per cent. voted.</p> + +<p>Everything was quiet until the winter of 1898, when the activity of +the suffragists was again called out by the introduction into the +House of a bill by A. J. Hazlett to repeal the School Suffrage law. +The board of elections of Cleveland had asked for this. Forthwith +letters were sent to all the suffrage clubs by Mrs. Everhard, and +requests were made to many prominent persons to use their influence +against it. Protesting petitions were circulated and, with more than +40,000 names, were sent to the Legislature in a very short time. On +Feb. 10, 1898, members of the legislative committee of the State W. S. +A. appeared before the House Committee on Elections and spoke against +the bill. Through courtesy to Mr. Hazlett, who was a member of this +committee, it was reported back, but without recommendation, and when +brought to a vote in the House it was overwhelmingly defeated—76 +against repeal, 22 in favor.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> No woman can be elected or appointed to any office, +with the exception of that of school trustee, as the statutes provide +that all incumbents must be electors. The same law applies to the +boards of all State institutions. It also prevents women from serving +as notaries public.</p> + +<p>They can act as deputies, since these are considered merely as clerks. +The law specifies that women can be Probate Court deputies because +minors are eligible to that office.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_884" id="Page_884">[Pg 884]</a></span></p> + +<p>Women can not be State School Commissioners, and there is no office of +county commissioner. They are serving acceptably on the school boards +of various towns and cities, but no official record is anywhere kept +of the exact number.<a name="FNanchor_405_405" id="FNanchor_405_405"></a><a href="#Footnote_405_405" class="fnanchor">[405]</a></p> + +<p>A law of 1892 says: "In all asylums for the insane there shall be +employed at least one female physician." There are eight such +institutions in the State and at present only four have women +physicians.</p> + +<p>The same year it was made mandatory on every Judge of Common Pleas to +appoint in his county a board of visitors consisting of three men and +three women, whose duty it is to make periodical visits to the +correctional and charitable institutions of the county and to act as +guardians <i>ad litem</i> to delinquent children.</p> + +<p>A law of 1893 requires police matrons in all cities of 10,000 +inhabitants and over. They must be more than thirty years old, of good +moral character and sound physical health, and must have the +indorsement of at least ten women residents of good standing. Their +salary is fixed at not less than two-thirds of the minimum salary paid +to patrolmen in the same city, and they may serve for life unless they +are discharged.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> No profession or occupation is legally forbidden to +women.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> Oberlin was the first co-educational college in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_885" id="Page_885">[Pg 885]</a></span> the United +States (1833). Antioch was the second (1853). The State University and +all other State institutions of learning always have been open to both +sexes alike. Of the thirty-four colleges and universities twenty-seven +are co-educational, five are for men and two for women. There are +seventy-nine higher educational institutions other than colleges, such +as academies, normal and business schools, theological seminaries, +etc. Of these eight are for men, ten for women, fifty-nine +co-educational and two without statistics.</p> + +<p>In the public schools there are 10,556 men and 15,156 women teachers. +The average monthly salary of the men is $50; of the women, $40.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>Ohio is one of the leading States in the number of women's clubs—289, +with a membership of 10,300, being enrolled in the General Federation. +It was principally through the efforts of this large body of women +that a bill was passed in 1896 providing for Traveling Free Libraries +and 900 are now in circulation, more than in any other State. It also +was instrumental in securing a bill for the establishment of State +Normal Schools in connection with Ohio and Miami Universities.</p> + +<p>The Rookwood Pottery of Cincinnati, which has more than a national +reputation, is the result of the intelligence and well directed +efforts of a woman—Mrs. Maria Longworth Nichols (now Mrs. Bellamy +Storer). Inspired by the Japanese display at the Centennial Exposition +in Philadelphia, in 1876, she began experimenting with the clays of +the Ohio valley and eventually developed the exquisite pottery which +is found in every art museum and large private collection in the +country, and whose manufacture employs a number of skilled artists.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_402_402" id="Footnote_402_402"></a><a href="#FNanchor_402_402"><span class="label">[402]</span></a> The History is indebted for this chapter to Mrs. +Harriet Taylor Upton of Warren, treasurer of the National-American +Woman Suffrage Association since 1892 and president of the State +association.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_403_403" id="Footnote_403_403"></a><a href="#FNanchor_403_403"><span class="label">[403]</span></a> Presidents of the State association: Frances M. +Casement, 1885-1888, Martha H. Elwell, 1888-1891, Caroline McCullough +Everhard, 1891-1898, Harriet Brown Stanton, 1898-1899, Harriet Taylor +Upton, 1899 and now serving. +</p><p> +State Conventions: Painesville, 1885, Toledo, 1886, Cleveland, 1887; +Chillicothe, 1888, Akron, 1889, Massillon, 1890, Warren, 1891, Salem, +1892, Delaware, 1893, Cincinnati, 1894, Ashtabula, 1895, Alliance, +1897, Cincinnati, 1898, Akron, 1899, Athens, 1900. During the +Presidential campaign of 1896, when William McKinley, a resident of +Ohio, was a candidate, the excitement was so intense that it was +thought wise to abandon the convention, which was to have been held in +October at Springfield.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_404_404" id="Footnote_404_404"></a><a href="#FNanchor_404_404"><span class="label">[404]</span></a> When the State Suffrage Association decided to abandon +this work, Mrs. Southworth was elected State superintendent of +franchise by the W. C. T. U. and the enrollment was continued. At +their national convention, in 1901, it showed 50,000 names and aroused +great enthusiasm. Of these, 9,650 were collected in the four cities of +Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus and Toledo; during the year 7,500 +names had been added to the list. The system has been adopted by the +unions in many States.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_405_405" id="Footnote_405_405"></a><a href="#FNanchor_405_405"><span class="label">[405]</span></a> Mrs. Harriet Taylor Upton, the author of this chapter, +is now serving her second term on the board of education in Warren, O. +In the spring of 1898 the local political equality club determined to +have some women in this position and selected Mrs. Upton and Mrs. +Carrie P. Harrington. Two vacancies having occurred, the board (which +fills such vacancies) was asked to appoint them but refused. Their +names therefore were presented to the Republican caucus in the spring +of 1898. Instead of two candidates, as usual, there were four, as the +two vacancies were to be filled for the remainder of the term. The +board and the politicians still refused to recommend the women, so six +names went before the caucus. The women were asked whether they wanted +to run for the short term to fill the vacancies or for the full term +of three years. They refused to say, but simply asked that their names +should be considered. They had little hope of anything but to fill the +vacancies, as the president and treasurer of the present board were +candidates for the long term. The night of the caucus was very stormy, +but the women of the city turned out in force and, with the assistance +of the men, the two women were nominated for the long term. A +Republican nomination is equivalent to an election in Warren. +</p><p> +The board was magnanimous, both ladies were placed on committees and +most courteously treated. The next year Mrs. Upton was made chairman +of the most important committee, that on supplies, buildings and +grounds, which expends nine tenths of all the money used by the board. +The other woman member was added to this committee when the new +grammar school was begun in 1899. It is considered one of the best +ventilated and best planned buildings in that part of the State. +</p><p> +In the spring of 1901 both were triumphantly re-elected. Mrs. Upton +was continued as chairman of her committee, and Mrs. Harrington was +made chairman of the next in importance, that on text books. [Eds.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_886" id="Page_886">[Pg 886]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LIX" id="CHAPTER_LIX"></a>CHAPTER LIX.</h2> + +<h3>OKLAHOMA.<a name="FNanchor_406_406" id="FNanchor_406_406"></a><a href="#Footnote_406_406" class="fnanchor">[406]</a></h3> + + +<p>Oklahoma Territory was opened to settlement April 22, 1889, and its +first woman's organization was the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, +founded in Guthrie, March 10, 1890, by Mrs. Margaret O. Rhodes, under +the direction of Miss Frances E. Willard. In the following April a +convention was called at Oklahoma City, delegates coming from ten +societies, and Mrs. Rhodes was elected president. In October, 1890, +the first annual convention was held in Guthrie, the capital, Mrs. +Alice Williams of Missouri being the principal speaker. The first +Legislature was in session and she also addressed this body making a +strong plea for legislation in favor of temperance and woman suffrage.</p> + +<p>In 1895 Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, chairman of the organization +committee of the National Suffrage Association, arranged for a +lecturer to visit all the principal towns on the Rock Island and Santa +Fé Railroads, and Miss Laura A. Gregg of Kansas was selected for this +pioneer work. She came into the Territory the first week in October +and lectured in twelve places, forming clubs. Her campaign closed at +Guthrie where the first suffrage convention was held, November 11, 12, +and an association organized. Miss Margaret Rees was elected +president,<a name="FNanchor_407_407" id="FNanchor_407_407"></a><a href="#Footnote_407_407" class="fnanchor">[407]</a> Mrs. J. R. Keaton, secretary, and Mrs. R. W. Southard, +delegate to the national convention.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Julia B. Nelson of Minnesota was sent into the Territory by the +National Association for three months in May, 1896. She spoke in +twenty-three towns, organizing a number of clubs, and on June 7, 8, +closed her work with a mass meeting in Guthrie.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_887" id="Page_887">[Pg 887]</a></span></p> + +<p>The third convention was held in Perry, Nov. 13, 14, 1897, Mrs. Laura +M. Johns of Kansas being present as the chief speaker. Mrs. Celia Z. +Titus was elected president; Margaret Rees, corresponding secretary; +Sarah L. Bosworth, recording secretary; Eva A. Crosby, treasurer.</p> + +<p>In September, 1898, Miss Mary G. Hay, organizer for the National +Suffrage Association, arranged for a campaign, preparatory to asking +the Legislature to grant woman suffrage, as in a Territory full +suffrage can be given by legislative enactment. In October Mrs. +Chapman Catt came on and meetings were held in the chief towns, where +committees were appointed to look after petitions and other necessary +work. This series of meetings closed November 6, 7, with the annual +convention in Oklahoma City. Mrs. Rhodes was elected president, Mrs. +Della Jenkins, vice-president, Miss Rees continued as secretary, Mrs. +Minnie D. Storm made treasurer.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action:</span> In the first Legislature, in 1890, specific work +was begun for woman suffrage. When the law regarding the franchise was +under discussion a petition was presented praying that it should read, +"Every citizen of the age of 21 shall have a right to vote," instead +of "every male citizen." A proposition for this was lost by three +votes in the House and was not considered by the Council. School +Suffrage was granted to women.</p> + +<p>In 1897 a bill asking for the enfranchisement of women was prepared by +Miss Margaret Rees and introduced in the House, where it was carried +by a vote of 13 yeas, 9 nays, but was killed in the Council. Mrs. +Johns, who had been sent by the National Association, labored most +earnestly for the bill and won hundreds of friends for the cause by +her wise council and able management.</p> + +<p>After the suffrage convention in 1898, described above, Miss Hay +returned to New York and Miss Laura A. Gregg was appointed by the +National Association to co-operate with the Oklahoma women in securing +the franchise from the Legislature of 1899. Their efforts and the +results were thus related in the report to the National Suffrage +Convention at Grand Rapids, Mich., in April, by Mrs. Chapman Catt, who +had remained in Guthrie most of the winter looking after the interests +of the bill with the discretion and ability for which she is +distinguished:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_888" id="Page_888">[Pg 888]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>Last November headquarters were opened in a business block at +Guthrie, in charge of Miss Gregg, from which an active +correspondence was conducted, resulting in a large petition and a +constant accession of new recruits. There was a most thorough +system of press work, nearly every newspaper in the Territory +aiding the movement. The strongest and best men espoused our +cause and the outlook seemed propitious. The Legislature convened +the first week in January, but an unfortunate quarrel arose +between it and the Governor which hindered legislation and +compelled our campaign to drag throughout the entire sixty days' +session. Miss Gregg continued her work at headquarters during the +winter, and Miss Hay spent a month in Guthrie looking after the +interests of our bill. It finally passed the house, 14 yeas, 10 +nays, the week before the session was to close, and immediately +the opposition concentrated its efforts on the Council. However, +a majority were pledged to support our measure, and we felt +little fear.</p> + +<p>As soon as the news spread that the bill was through the House, a +telegram was received by each member of the Council from the +Albany (N. Y.) women remonstrants. These were not all phrased +alike, but each asked the recipient: "What can be done to defeat +the woman suffrage bill? Answer at our expense." At nearly the +same moment, the chief agent of the Saloonkeepers' League, an +association recently organized, as they claimed, "to protect our +interests from unjust legislation," appeared upon the scene. Only +a week remained of the legislative session. Whether this agent of +the Oklahoma saloons came at the invitation of the Albany +remonstrants, or the Albany remonstrants sent their telegrams +offering assistance at the instigation of the Saloonkeepers' +League, or whether their simultaneous appearance was by chance, I +am unable to say. That they appeared together seems significant. +If they work as distinct forces, a study in the vagaries of the +human reason is presented in the motives offered to the public by +these two organizations. The Albany remonstrants would protect +the sweet womanly dignity of Oklahoma women from the debasing +influence of politics. The Saloonkeepers' League would save the +debasing influence of politics from the sweet womanly dignity of +Oklahoma women. So these Albany women, who never fail to inform +the public of their devotion to the church, join hands with the +Oklahoma saloonkeepers, who never fail to declare that the church +is a fanatical obstacle to personal liberty. A queer union it is, +but some day the world will discover the mystery which has +consummated it!</p> + +<p>It so happened that in this Legislature there was a member who +for thirty years, in a neighboring State, had been an avowed +friend of suffrage. This was known to all Oklahoma, and even the +enemies expected him to lead our forces in the Council. This man +not only betrayed us, but headed the opposition in a +filibustering effort to keep the bill from coming to a final vote +and succeeded. Now, why did he fail us? Did he renounce the faith +of a lifetime? No. Did the suffragists offend him? No; but even +if they had done so a man of character does not change his views +in a moment for a personal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_889" id="Page_889">[Pg 889]</a></span> whim. Why, then, this change? Any +member of the Legislature, for or against suffrage, if he would +speak as frankly to others as he did to us, would tell you it was +for money. Rumor was plentiful stating the amount and the donor. +The saloons all over Oklahoma, with a remarkable unanimity of +knowledge, boasted beforehand that the bill was killed and that +this man was the instrument which they had used, and while they +were boasting he was conferring with us and promising us his +faithful support, hoping to conduct the filibustering so adroitly +that we could not detect his hand in it....</p> + +<p>To come to the main point, we had won the victory but a crime +robbed us of it. Suffragists know how to bear defeats with +fortitude, for each one is only a milestone showing the progress +made on a journey, but a defeat by the defection of a friend is a +new thing in the history of our movement.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Dr. Delos Walker of Oklahoma City was one of those who assisted in +every way possible to give the ballot to the women of the Territory. +Dr. C. F. McElwrath of Enid championed the bill in the House and +secured its passage over the head of every opponent. The efforts of +the women were supplemented also by those of Senator I. A. Gandey and +Representative William H. Merten, both of Guthrie, and T. F. Hensley +of El Reno, editor of the <i>Democrat</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Laws:</span> Dower and curtesy do not obtain. If either husband or wife die +without a will, leaving only one child or the lawful issue of one +child, the survivor receives one-half of both real and personal +property. If there is more than one child or one child and descendants +of one or more deceased children, the widow or widower receives +one-third of the estate. If there is no issue living the survivor +receives one-half; and if there is neither issue, father, mother, +brother nor sister, the survivor takes the whole estate. A homestead +may be occupied by the widow or widower until otherwise disposed of +according to law.</p> + +<p>Husband or wife may mortgage or convey separate property without the +consent of the other.</p> + +<p>A married woman may sue and be sued and make contracts in her own +name. She may carry on business as a sole trader and her earnings and +wages are her sole and separate property.</p> + +<p>The usual causes for divorce exist but only a 90 days' residence is +required. A wife may sue for alimony without divorce. In cases where +both parties are equally at fault the court may refuse<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_890" id="Page_890">[Pg 890]</a></span> divorce but +provide for the custody and maintenance of children and equitable +division of property.</p> + +<p>The father is the legal guardian of the children. At his death the +mother becomes the guardian, if a suitable person, but if she +remarries the guardianship passes to the second husband.</p> + +<p>The husband is expected to furnish a suitable support for the family, +but no punishment is prescribed for a failure to do this.</p> + +<p>No law existed for the protection of girls until 1890 when the age was +made 14 years. In 1895 it was raised to 16 years. The penalty is first +degree (under 14), imprisonment not less than ten years; second degree +(under 16), not less than five years. In both cases the girl must have +been "of previous chaste character."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> The first Territorial Legislature (1890) granted School +Suffrage to the extent of a vote for trustees.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> Women may hold all school offices. Eleven of the +twenty-three counties have women superintendents. They are not +eligible to State offices but are not prohibited by law from any +county offices. One woman is registrar of deeds and one is deputy U. +S. marshal. There are at the present time about one hundred women +notaries public.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> No profession or occupation is legally forbidden to +women. Ten hours is made a legal working day.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> All educational institutions are open alike to both sexes. +In the public schools there are 914 men and 1,268 women teachers. The +average monthly salary of the men is $31.93; of the women, $26.20.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>Thirty Federated Clubs in Oklahoma, with over 700 members, are taking +up successfully a great variety of public work. Guthrie contains eight +of these, with a membership of more than one hundred, and the library +committee has succeeded in starting a library, which has now seven +hundred volumes.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_406_406" id="Footnote_406_406"></a><a href="#FNanchor_406_406"><span class="label">[406]</span></a> The History is indebted for material for this chapter +to Mrs. Margaret Olive Rhodes of Guthrie, president of the Territorial +Woman Suffrage Association.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_407_407" id="Footnote_407_407"></a><a href="#FNanchor_407_407"><span class="label">[407]</span></a> Mrs. Rachel Rees Griffith and her two daughters are +known as the Mothers of Equal Suffrage in Oklahoma. Miss Margaret was +the first Territorial president, while no one has done more in the +local club of Guthrie than Miss Rachel. Mrs. Griffith is nearly eighty +years of age, but fully expects to live to see the women of Oklahoma +enjoying the full franchise.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_891" id="Page_891">[Pg 891]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LX" id="CHAPTER_LX"></a>CHAPTER LX.</h2> + +<h3>OREGON.<a name="FNanchor_408_408" id="FNanchor_408_408"></a><a href="#Footnote_408_408" class="fnanchor">[408]</a></h3> + + +<p>After the defeat of the woman suffrage amendment in 1884 no organized +effort was made for ten years, although quiet educational work was +done. On the Fourth of July, 1894, a meeting was called at the +residence of Mrs. Abigail Scott Duniway in Portland and a committee +formed which met every week for several months thereafter. Woman's Day +was celebrated at the convention of the State Horticultural +Association, in September, by invitation of its president, William +Salloway. Addresses were made by N. W. Kinney and Mrs. Duniway, and +Governor Lord and his wife were on the platform. On October 27 a mass +meeting was held at Marquam Grand Theater, at which a State +organization was effected and a constitution adopted which had been +prepared by the committee.<a name="FNanchor_409_409" id="FNanchor_409_409"></a><a href="#Footnote_409_409" class="fnanchor">[409]</a></p> + +<p>In January, 1895, the association secured from the Legislature a bill +for the submission of a woman suffrage amendment, which it would be +necessary for a second Legislature to pass upon. The annual meeting of +the State Association was held at Portland in November as quietly as +possible, it being the aim to avoid arousing the two extremes of +society, consisting of the slum classes on the one hand and the +ultra-conservative on the other, who instinctively pull together +against all progress. Officers were elected as usual and the work went +on in persistent quietude.</p> + +<p>The convention of 1896 met in Portland, November 16.<a name="FNanchor_410_410" id="FNanchor_410_410"></a><a href="#Footnote_410_410" class="fnanchor">[410]</a> Mrs.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_892" id="Page_892">[Pg 892]</a></span> +Duniway, the honorary president, was made acting president, that +officer having left the State; Mrs. H. A. Laughary, honorary +president; Dr. Annice F. Jeffreys, vice-president-at-large; Ada +Cornish Hertsche, vice-president; Frances E. Gotshall, corresponding +secretary; Mary Schaffer Ward, recording secretary; Mrs. A. E. +Hackett, assistant secretary; Jennie C. Pritchard, treasurer. These +State officers were re-elected without change until November, 1898, +when Mrs. W. H. Games was chosen recording secretary and Mrs. H. W. +Coe, treasurer. In 1899, and again in 1900, Mrs. Eunice Pond Athey, +formerly of Idaho, became assistant secretary.</p> + +<p>The year 1896 was a period of continuous effort on the part of the +State officers to disseminate suffrage sentiment in more or less +indirect ways, so that other organizations of whatever name or nature +might look upon the proposed amendment with favor. Early in this year +the executive committee decided to organize a Woman's Congress and +secure the affiliation of all branches of women's patriotic, +philanthropic and literary work, to be managed by the suffrage +association. It was resolved also to obtain if possible the attendance +of Miss Susan B. Anthony, president of the National Association, who +was at that time in the midst of the amendment campaign in California.</p> + +<p>Never has there been a more successful public function in Oregon than +this Congress of Women, which was held the first week in June, 1896, +with Miss Anthony as its bright particular star. The love of the +people for the great leader was universally expressed, socially as +well as publicly. The speakers represented all lines of woman's +work—education, art, science, medicine, sanitation, literature, the +duties of motherhood, philanthropy, reform—but sectarian and +political questions were excluded. It was most interesting to note the +clever manner in which almost all the speakers sandwiched their +speeches and papers with suffrage sentiments, and also the hearty +applause which followed every allusion to the proposed amendment from +the audiences that packed the spacious Taylor Street Church to +overflowing.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_893" id="Page_893">[Pg 893]</a></span> Mrs. Sarah B. Cooper, the noted San Francisco +philanthropist, was a special attraction and made many converts to +woman suffrage by her beautiful presence and eloquent words.</p> + +<p>For ten consecutive days in July commodious headquarters were +maintained at the Willamette Valley Chautauqua, under the supervision +of the State recording secretary, Mrs. Ward. The Rev. Anna Howard Shaw +Day was the most successful one of the assembly. Miss Shaw spoke as if +inspired, and afterward a large reception was held in her honor.</p> + +<p>Thirty-six regular meetings and four mass meetings were held by the +suffrage association during the year.</p> + +<p>The Woman's Club movement had by this time assumed important +proportions among society women, under the tactful management of that +staunch advocate of equal rights, Mrs. A. H. H. Stuart; and the +suffragists joined heartily in the new organization, which, in spite +of its non-political character, strengthened the current of public +opinion in behalf of the proposed amendment.</p> + +<p>The Oregon Emergency Corps and Red Cross Society became another +tacitly acknowledged auxiliary. The Oregon Pioneer Association +approved the amendment by unanimous resolution, and the State Grange, +the Grand Army of the Republic, the Woman's Christian Temperance +Union, the Good Templars, the Knights of Labor, the Printers' Union, +the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and other organizations were +recognized allies.</p> + +<p>In 1898 the second Woman's Congress took place at Portland in April +under the auspices of the executive committee of the State E. S. A., +forty affiliated societies of women participating.</p> + +<p>The suffrage business for this year was all transacted in executive +sessions, and no convention held.</p> + +<p>Woman's Day at the Willamette Valley Chautauqua in July, when forty +different organizations of men and women were represented, was a great +success. Suffrage addresses were given by Mrs. Alice Moore McComas of +California, Dr. Frances Woods of Iowa, and Mrs. Games. Col. R. A. +Miller, the president, himself an ardent suffragist, extended an +invitation for the following year.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_894" id="Page_894">[Pg 894]</a></span></p> + +<p>In 1899 Mrs. Duniway was invited by the Legislature to take part in +the joint proceedings of the two Houses in honor of forty years of +Statehood.</p> + +<p>This year, in preparation for the election at which the woman suffrage +amendment submitted by the Legislature of 1899 was to be voted on, 106 +parlor meetings were held, 30,000 pieces of literature distributed, +and the names and addresses of 30,000 voters in fourteen counties +collected. Mrs. Duniway spoke by special invitation to a number of the +various orders and fraternities of men throughout the State, most of +whom indorsed the amendment. The usual headquarters were maintained +during the Fair, under the management of Dr. Jeffreys.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action:</span> The Legislature, having changed its time of +meeting from September in the even years to January in the odd ones, +convened in 1895. Through the efforts of its leading members, a bill +passed both Houses in February to submit again a woman suffrage +amendment to the voters. The resolution proposing it was carried +without debate in the House by 41 ayes—including that of Speaker +Moore—11 noes. In the Senate the vote was 17 ayes, 11 noes. As Mrs. +Abigail Scott Duniway was lecturing in Idaho, the State suffrage +association was represented at this Legislature by its +vice-president-at-large, Dr. Annice F. Jeffreys.</p> + +<p>The meeting of the Legislature of 1897 found the women ready and +waiting for the necessary ratification of the amendment; but the +Solons of the non-emotional sex fell to quarreling among themselves +over the United States senatorial plum and, being unable to agree on a +choice of candidates, refused to organize for any kind of business, so +another biennial period of public inactivity was enforced upon the +suffragists.</p> + +<p>The Legislature convened in January, 1899, and with it came the +long-delayed opportunity. Mrs. Duniway and Dr. Jeffreys had charge of +the Suffrage Amendment Bill. They were recognized by prominent +members, and admitted by vote to the privileges of the floor in each +House. Senator C. W. Fulton, who had distinguished himself as the +champion of the amendment in 1880 and 1882, was requested by them to +carry their banner to victory once more. He assured them that +personally he was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_895" id="Page_895">[Pg 895]</a></span> willing, but said so many bills on all sorts of +side issues had been insisted upon by women that the members were not +in a mood to listen to any more propositions from persons who had no +votes.</p> + +<p>The ladies did not press the matter, but for days they furnished +short, pithy letters to the papers of the capital city, answering +fully all of the usual objections to woman suffrage. They also sent an +open letter to each member of the Legislature, explaining that this +plea for equal rights was based wholly upon the fundamental principle +of self-government, and not made in the interest of any one reform. In +this were enclosed to every Republican member Clarkson on Suffrage in +Colorado and Clara Barton's Appeal to Voters; to every Democrat her +Appeal and some other document, taking care to keep off of partisan +toes. At length Senators Fulton and Brownell, leaders in the Upper +House, considered the time ripe for calling up the amendment, which +was at once sent in regular order of business to the Lower House, +where it was referred to the Judiciary Committee and—buried.</p> + +<p>Finally Senator Fulton secured a request from the Senate that the bill +be returned for further consideration, and a hearing was made a +special order of business. The room was filled with ladies and Mrs. +Duniway was asked to present the claims of the women of the State, +over half of whom, through their various societies, had asked for the +submission of the amendment. On the roll-call which followed the vote +stood 25 ayes, one no.</p> + +<p>The measure was made a special order of business in the House the same +evening. The hall was crowded with spectators, Mrs. Duniway spoke ten +minutes from the Speaker's desk, and the roll-call resulted in 48 +ayes, 6 noes.</p> + +<p>A feature of the proceedings was the presentation by one of the +members, in a long speech, of a large collection of documents sent by +the Anti-Suffrage Association of Women in New York and Massachusetts. +The preceding autumn they had sent a salaried agent, Miss Emily P. +Bissell of Delaware, to canvass the State against the bill.</p> + +<p>The succeeding campaign was very largely in the nature of a "still +hunt." Mrs. Ida Crouch Hazlett, of Colorado, held meetings for two +months in counties away from the railroads and did effective work +among the voters of the border. Miss Lena Morrow,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_896" id="Page_896">[Pg 896]</a></span> of Illinois, also +did good service for some time preceding election, in visiting the +various fraternal associations of men in the city of Portland, by whom +she was generally accorded a gracious hearing. These ladies +represented the National Association.<a name="FNanchor_411_411" id="FNanchor_411_411"></a><a href="#Footnote_411_411" class="fnanchor">[411]</a></p> + +<p>All went well until about two weeks before election day, June 6, 1900, +and the measure in all probability would have carried had it not been +for the slum vote of Portland and Astoria, which was stirred up and +called out by the <i>Oregonian</i>, edited by H. W. Scott, the most +influential newspaper in the State. It was the only paper, out of 229, +which opposed the amendment. But notwithstanding its terrible +onslaught, over 48 per cent. of all the votes which were cast upon the +amendment were in its favor. Twenty-one out of the thirty-three +counties gave handsome majorities; one county was lost by one vote, +one by 23 and one by 31.</p> + +<p>The vote on the amendment in 1884 was 11,223 ayes; 28,176 noes. In +1900 it stood 26,265 ayes; 28,402 noes. Although the population had +more than doubled in the cities, where the slum vote is naturally the +heaviest and is always against woman suffrage, the total increase of +the "noes" of the State was only 226, while in the same time the +"ayes" had been augmented by 15,042.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Laws:</span> If either husband or wife die without a will and there are no +descendants living, all the real estate and personal property go to +the survivor. If there is issue living, the widow receives one-half of +the husband's real estate and one-half of his personal property. The +widower takes a life interest in all the wife's real estate, whether +there are children or not, and all of her personal property absolutely +if there are no living descendants, half of it if there are any.</p> + +<p>All laws have been repealed that recognize civil disabilities of the +wife which are not recognized as existing against the husband, except +as to voting and holding office.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_897" id="Page_897">[Pg 897]</a></span></p> + +<p>By registering as a sole trader a married woman can carry on business +in her own name.</p> + +<p>In 1880 the Legislature enacted that "henceforth the rights and +responsibilities of the parents, in the absence of misconduct, shall +be equal, and the mother shall be as fully entitled to the custody and +control of the children and their earnings as the father, and in case +of the father's death the mother shall come into as full and complete +control of the children and their estate as the father does in case of +the mother's death."</p> + +<p>If the husband does not support the family, the wife may apply to the +Circuit Court and the Judge may issue such decree as he thinks +equitable, generally conforming to that in divorce cases, and may have +power to enforce its orders as in other equity cases.</p> + +<p>The "age of protection" for girls was raised from 10 to 14 in 1864 and +from 14 to 16 years in 1895. The penalty is imprisonment not less than +three nor more than twenty years. The fact that the victim was a +common prostitute or the defendant's mistress is no excuse.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> In 1878 an Act was passed entitling women to vote for school +trustees and for bonds and appropriations for school purposes, if they +have property of their own in the school district upon which they or +their husbands pay taxes.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> Women are not eligible to any elective office, except +that of school trustee.</p> + +<p>An old law permitted women to fill the offices of State and county +superintendents of schools, but it was contested in 1896 by a defeated +male candidate and declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.</p> + +<p>Women can not sit on any State boards.</p> + +<p>They are employed as court stenographers, and in various subordinate +appointive offices. They may serve as notaries.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> No profession or occupation is legally forbidden to +women.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> All the large educational institutions are open to women. +In the public schools there are 1,250 men and 2,443 women teachers. +The average monthly salary of the men is $43; of the women, $34.81.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_408_408" id="Footnote_408_408"></a><a href="#FNanchor_408_408"><span class="label">[408]</span></a> The History is indebted for the material for this +chapter to Mrs. Abigail Scott Duniway of Portland, honorary president +of the State Equal Suffrage Association and always at the head of the +movement in Oregon.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_409_409" id="Footnote_409_409"></a><a href="#FNanchor_409_409"><span class="label">[409]</span></a> Dr. Frances A. Cady, Lydia Hunt King, Eugenie M. +Shearer, Charlotte De Hillier Barmore, Mary Schaffer Ward, Gertrude J. +Denny, Alice J. McArty, Ada Cornish Hertsche, Maria C. DeLashmutt, +Cora Parsons Duniway, Frances Moreland Harvey and Abigail Scott +Duniway.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_410_410" id="Footnote_410_410"></a><a href="#FNanchor_410_410"><span class="label">[410]</span></a> Department superintendents chosen: Evangelical work, +Mrs. Charlotte De Hillier Barmore; press, Mrs. Eugenie M. Shearer; +round table, Mrs. Julia H. Bauer; music, Mrs. H. R. Duniway, Mrs. A. +E. Hackett; Cooper Medal contests, H. D. Harford and Mrs. S. M. Kern; +health and heredity. Dr. Mary A. Leonard; legislation and petitions, +Dr. Annice F. Jeffreys, Mrs. Duniway. Fifteen counties were +represented by Dr. Annie C. Reed and Mesdames F. M. Alfred, R. A. +Bensell, F. O. McCown, A. A. Cleveland, F. M. Lockhart, J. H. Upton, +J. L. Curry, A. R. Burbank, M. E. Thompson, J. W. Virtue, A. S. +Patterson, A. C. Hertsche and J. J. Murphy.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_411_411" id="Footnote_411_411"></a><a href="#FNanchor_411_411"><span class="label">[411]</span></a> The chairmen of the county committees were Miss Belle +Trullinger, now the wife of Gov. T. T. Geer, and Mesdames R. A. +Bensell, J. A. Blackaby, Thomas Cornelius, S. T. Child, C. H. Dye, W. +R. Ellis, J. B. Eaton, P. L. Fountain, J. B. Huntington, Almira +Hurley, T. B. Handley, Ellen Kuney, H. A. Laughary, Stephen A. Lowell, +A. E. Lockhart, M. Moore, James Muckle, J. J. Murphy, Jennie McCully, +Celia B. Olmstead, R. Pattison, A. S. Patterson, N. Rulison, Anna B. +Reed, E. L. Smith, Thomas Stewart, C. U. Snyder, C. R. Templeton, M. +E. Thompson, J. H. Upton, J. W. Virtue, Clara Zimmerman.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_898" id="Page_898">[Pg 898]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LXI" id="CHAPTER_LXI"></a>CHAPTER LXI.</h2> + +<h3>PENNSYLVANIA.<a name="FNanchor_412_412" id="FNanchor_412_412"></a><a href="#Footnote_412_412" class="fnanchor">[412]</a></h3> + + +<p>The thought of woman suffrage in Pennsylvania always brings with it +the recollection of Lucretia Mott of Philadelphia, one of the four +women who called the first Woman's Rights Convention, at Seneca Falls, +N. Y., July 19, 20, 1848, and among the ablest advocates of the +measure.<a name="FNanchor_413_413" id="FNanchor_413_413"></a><a href="#Footnote_413_413" class="fnanchor">[413]</a></p> + +<p>The Pennsylvania Woman Suffrage Association was organized Dec. 22, +1869, with Mary Grew as president.<a name="FNanchor_414_414" id="FNanchor_414_414"></a><a href="#Footnote_414_414" class="fnanchor">[414]</a> There have been annual +meetings in or near Philadelphia regularly since that time, and large +quantities of suffrage literature have been distributed.<a name="FNanchor_415_415" id="FNanchor_415_415"></a><a href="#Footnote_415_415" class="fnanchor">[415]</a> In 1892 +Miss Grew resigned, aged 80, and was succeeded in the presidency by +Mrs. Lucretia L. Blankenburg, who still holds this office.</p> + +<p>The convention of 1900 took place in Philadelphia, November 1, 2, and +the other officers elected were vice-president, Mrs. Ellen H. E. +Price; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Mary B. Luckie; recording +secretary, Mrs. Anna R. Boyd; treasurer, Mrs. Margaret B. Stone; +auditors, Mrs. Mary F. Kenderdine and Mrs. Selina D. Holton. Miss Ida +Porter Boyer, superintendent of press work, reported that 326 +newspapers in the State, exclusive of those in Philadelphia which were +supplied by a local chairman, were using regularly the suffrage matter +sent out by her bureau, and that the past year this consisted of +17,150 different articles.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_899" id="Page_899">[Pg 899]</a></span></p> + +<p>A number of able speakers have addressed the Legislature or canvassed +the State from time to time, including Miss Susan B. Anthony and the +Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, president and vice-president of the National +Association; Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, chairman of the national +organization committee; Henry B. Blackwell, editor of the <i>Woman's +Journal</i>; Mrs. Charlotte Perkins Stetson of New York, Mrs. Mary C. C. +Bradford of Colorado, Miss Elizabeth Upham Yates of Maine, and Miss +Laura A. Gregg of Kansas; Judge William N. Ashman, Miss Matilda +Hindman, Miss Boyer, Mrs. Blankenburg and Miss Jane Campbell, +president of the Philadelphia society.<a name="FNanchor_416_416" id="FNanchor_416_416"></a><a href="#Footnote_416_416" class="fnanchor">[416]</a></p> + +<p>The latter is the largest and most influential suffrage society in the +State. Previously to 1892 the Philadelphians who were identified with +the movement belonged to the Pennsylvania association. In the fall of +this year it was decided to make it a delegate body, and as that meant +barring out individual memberships, the Philadelphia members formed a +county organization. Miss Grew was invited to lead the new society, +but feeling unable to perform the necessary duties she accepted only +the honorary presidency. It was, however, largely owing to her counsel +and influence that so successful a beginning was made. After her death +in 1896 the office of honorary president was abolished.</p> + +<p>The first president of this society was Miss Campbell, who has been +annually re-elected. The club has quadrupled its membership in the +eight years of its existence, counting only those who pay their yearly +dues, and has now 400 members. It has worked in many directions; +distributed large quantities of literature; has sent speakers to +organizations of women; fostered debates among the young people of +various churches and Young Men's Literary Societies by offering prizes +to those successful on the side of woman suffrage; held public +meetings in different parts of the city, which includes the whole +county; assisted largely in the national press work, and always lent a +generous hand to the enterprises of the National Association.<a name="FNanchor_417_417" id="FNanchor_417_417"></a><a href="#Footnote_417_417" class="fnanchor">[417]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_900" id="Page_900">[Pg 900]</a></span></p> + +<p>In 1895 this society prepared a list of all the real and personal +property owned by women within the city limits, which amounted to +$153,757,566 real and $35,734,133 personal. These figures comprise 20 +per cent. of the total city tax, and all of it is without +representation.</p> + +<p>With the hope of arousing suffrage sentiment, classes were formed +under the auspices of the State association to study political +science; Mrs. Susan S. Fessenden of Massachusetts was employed to +organize clubs in the State; requests were sent to all the clergymen +of Philadelphia to preach a sermon or give an address on Woman +Suffrage; and prizes of $5, $10 and $15 were offered for the three +best essays on Political Equality for Women, fifty-six being received.</p> + +<p>A Yellow Ribbon Bazar was held in Philadelphia in 1895, the net +proceeds amounting to over $1,000. Miss Mary G. Hay, Miss Yates and +Miss Gregg were then employed as organizers, and were very successful +in forming clubs. There are now sixteen active county societies.<a name="FNanchor_418_418" id="FNanchor_418_418"></a><a href="#Footnote_418_418" class="fnanchor">[418]</a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Actions and Laws:</span> In 1885 Miss Matilda Hindman was sent to +Harrisburg to urge the Legislature to submit an amendment to the +voters striking out the word "male" from the suffrage clause of the +State constitution. As a preliminary, 249 letters were sent to members +asking their views on the subject; 89 replies were received, 53 +non-committal, 20 favorable, 16 unfavorable. Miss Hindman and eleven +other women appeared before a Joint Committee of Senate and House to +present arguments in favor of submitting the amendment. A bill for +this purpose passed the House, but was lost in the Senate by a vote of +13 ayes, 19 noes. This was the first concerted action of the +Pennsylvania suffragists to influence legislation for women. A legacy +of $1,390 from Mrs. Mary H. Newbold aided their efforts to secure the +bill.</p> + +<p>Political conditions have been such that it has been considered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_901" id="Page_901">[Pg 901]</a></span> +useless to try to obtain any legislative action on woman suffrage, and +no further attempts have been made. To influence public sentiment, +however, mass meetings addressed by the best speakers were held in the +Hall of the House of Representatives during the sessions of 1893, '95, +'97 and '99.</p> + +<p>In 1897 and 1899 the suffragists made strenuous attempts to secure a +bill to amend the Intestate Law, which greatly discriminates against +married women, but it was killed in committee.</p> + +<p>Owing to a gradual advance in public sentiment laws have been enacted +from time to time protecting wage-earning women; also enlarging the +property rights of wives, enabling them to act as incorporators for +business of profit, and giving them freedom to testify in court +against their husbands under some circumstances.</p> + +<p>In 1891 a number of influential women decided to form a corporation, +with a stock company, for the purpose of building a club house and +equipping the same to rent as a business of profit. The charter was +refused, because several of the women making application were married. +After some delay enough single women were found to take out the +letters patent. When incorporated the original number organized the +company and built the New Century Club House in Philadelphia, which +paid five per cent. to stockholders the first year. One of the members +of this board of directors, to save time and trouble, made application +to be appointed notary public, but she was refused because the law did +not permit a woman to serve. Public attention was thus called to the +injustice of these statutes and, after much legislative tinkering, +laws were passed in 1893 giving wives the same right as unmarried +women to "acquire property, own, possess, control, use, lease, etc." +The same year women were made eligible to act as notaries public.</p> + +<p>Dower and curtesy both obtain. If there is issue living, the widow is +entitled to one-third of the real estate for her life and one-third of +the personal property absolutely. If no issue is living, but +collateral heirs, the widow is entitled to one-half of the real +estate, including the mansion house, for her life, and one-half of the +personal estate absolutely. If a wife die intestate, the widower, +whether there has been issue born alive or not, has a life interest in +all her real estate and all of her personal property<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_902" id="Page_902">[Pg 902]</a></span> absolutely. If +there is neither issue nor kindred and no will the surviving husband +or wife takes the whole estate.</p> + +<p>A husband may mortgage real estate, including the homestead, without +the wife's consent, but she can not mortgage even her own separate +estate without his consent. Each can dispose of personal property as +if single.</p> + +<p>As a rule a married woman can not make a contract, but there are some +exceptions. For instance, she can contract for the purchase of a +sewing-machine for her own use. The wife must sue and be sued jointly +with the husband.</p> + +<p>A married woman must secure the privilege from the court of carrying +on business in her own name.</p> + +<p>The law provides that the party found guilty of adultery can not marry +the co-respondent during the lifetime of the other party. If any +divorced woman, who shall have been found guilty of adultery, shall +afterward openly cohabit with the person proved to have been the +partaker of her crime, she is rendered incapable of alienating either +directly or indirectly any of her lands, tenements or hereditaments, +and all wills, deeds, and other instruments of conveyance therefor are +absolutely void, and after her death her property descends and is +subject to distribution according to law in like manner as if she had +died intestate. This latter clause does not apply to a divorced man.</p> + +<p>In June, 1895, through the legislative committee of the State W. S. +A., Mrs. Lucretia L. Blankenburg, chairman, and with the co-operation +of other women's organizations, the following law, championed by +Representative Frank Riter, was secured:</p> + +<blockquote><p>A married woman who contributes by the efforts of her own labor +or otherwise toward the support, maintenance and education of her +minor child, shall have the same and equal power, control and +authority over her said child, and the same and equal right to +the custody and services, as are now possessed by her husband who +is the father of such minor child.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The best legal authorities are undecided as to whether labor within +the household entitles the mother to this equal guardianship or +whether it must be performed outside the home. The father is held to +be the only person entitled to sue for the earnings of a minor child, +and as no legal means are provided for enforcing the above law it is +practically of no effect.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_903" id="Page_903">[Pg 903]</a></span></p> + +<p>The law says, "As her baron or lord, the husband is bound to provide +his wife with shelter, food, clothing and medicine;" also:</p> + +<blockquote><p>If any husband or father neglect to maintain his wife or +children, it is lawful for any alderman, justice of the peace or +magistrate, upon information made before him, under oath or +affirmation, by the wife or children, or by any other person, to +issue his warrant for the arrest of the man, and bind him over +with one sufficient surety to appear at the next Court of Quarter +Sessions, there to answer the said charge.</p> + +<p>If he is found to be of sufficient ability to pay such sum as the +court thinks reasonable and proper, it makes an order for the +comfortable support of wife or children, or both, the sum not to +exceed the amount of $100 per month. The man is to be committed +to jail until he complies with the order of the court, or gives +security for the payment of the sum. After three months' +imprisonment, if the court find him unable to pay or give +security, it may discharge him.</p></blockquote> + +<p>In 1887 the "age of protection" for girls was raised from 10 to 16 +years. The penalty is a fine not exceeding $1,000, and imprisonment by +separate and solitary confinement at labor, or simple imprisonment, +not exceeding fifteen years. No minimum penalty is named.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> Women possess no form of suffrage.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span><a name="FNanchor_419_419" id="FNanchor_419_419"></a><a href="#Footnote_419_419" class="fnanchor">[419]</a> The State constitution of 1873 made women +eligible for all school offices, but they have had great difficulty in +securing any of these. Out of 16,094 school directors in the State +only thirty-two are women. In Philadelphia a Board of Public +Education, appointed by the courts, co-operates with the school +directors. This board consists of forty-one members, only three being +women. In the entire State, six women are reported to be now filling +the offices of county and city school superintendent and assistant +superintendent.</p> + +<p>In seventeen years but sixty-seven women (in twelve counties) have +been appointed members of the Boards of Public Charities.</p> + +<p>In 1899 a law was passed recognizing Accounting as a profession, and +Miss Mary B. Niles is now a Certified Public Accountant and Auditor.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_904" id="Page_904">[Pg 904]</a></span></p> + +<p>There have been women on the Civil Service Examining Board for nurses, +matrons, etc., but there are none at present.</p> + +<p>To Pennsylvania belongs the honor of appointing the first woman in a +hospital for the insane with exclusive charge—Dr. Alice Bennett, +Norristown Asylum, in 1880. Now all of the six State hospitals for the +insane employ women physicians. In Philadelphia there are five +hospitals under the exclusive control of women.</p> + +<p>Women have entire charge of the female prisoners in the Philadelphia +County jail. Police matrons are on duty at many of the station houses +in cities of the first and second class, sixteen in Philadelphia.</p> + +<p>Committees of women, officially appointed, visit all the public +institutions of Philadelphia and Montgomery counties.</p> + +<p>Dr. Frances C. Van Gasken served several years as health inspector, +the only woman to fill such an office in Philadelphia.</p> + +<p>Six women are employed as State factory inspectors and receive the +same salary as the men inspectors.</p> + +<p>Within the past ten years a large number of women have become city +librarians through appointment by the Common Councils.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Margaret Center Klingelsmith, LL.B., is librarian of the State +University Law School, but has been refused admission to the Academy +of Law (Bar Association) of Philadelphia, although there is a strong +sentiment in her favor led by George E. Nitzsche, registrar of the Law +School.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> The only prohibited industry is mining. No professions +are legally forbidden to women.</p> + +<p>In 1884 a graduate of the Law Department of the University of +Pennsylvania, Mrs. Carrie Burnham Kilgore, made the fight for the +admission of women to the bar and was herself finally admitted to +practice in the courts of Philadelphia. Judges William S. Pierce, +William N. Ashman and Thomas K. Finletter advocated this advanced +step.</p> + +<p>There are 150 women physicians in Philadelphia alone.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> The Woman's Medical College of Philadelphia, Clara +Marshall, M. D., dean, was incorporated in 1850.<a name="FNanchor_420_420" id="FNanchor_420_420"></a><a href="#Footnote_420_420" class="fnanchor">[420]</a> The idea of its +establishment originated with Dr. Bartholomew Fussell, a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_905" id="Page_905">[Pg 905]</a></span> member of +the Society of Friends. Its foundation was made possible through the +effective work of Dr. Joseph S. Longshore in securing a charter from +the Legislature. Dr. Hannah Myers Longshore was a member of the first +graduating class, a pioneer among women physicians, and through her +skill and devotion won high rank in her profession.<a name="FNanchor_421_421" id="FNanchor_421_421"></a><a href="#Footnote_421_421" class="fnanchor">[421]</a> In 1867 the +name was changed by decree of court from Female Medical College to +Woman's Medical College. It is the oldest and largest medical school +for women in the world, and has nearly 1,000 alumnae, including +students from nineteen foreign countries. The management is entirely +in the hands of women.</p> + +<p>In 1861 the Woman's Hospital was founded, mainly through the efforts +of Dr. Ann Preston, to afford women the clinical opportunities denied +by practically all the existing hospitals. It is now one of the +largest in Philadelphia.</p> + +<p>During the past twenty years a number of educational institutions have +been opened to women. Of the forty colleges and universities in the +State, just one-half are co-educational; three are for women alone; +two Catholic, one military and fourteen others are for men alone. Of +the sixteen theological seminaries, only one, the Unitarian at +Meadville, admits women. They have the full privileges of the Colleges +of Pharmacy and Dentistry in Philadelphia.</p> + +<p>The principal institutions closed to women are the Jefferson Medical, +Hahnemann Medical, Medico-Chirurgical, Franklin and Marshall, +Haverford, Lafayette, Moravian, Muhlenberg, St. Vincent, Washington +and Jefferson, Waynesburg, Lehigh and most of the departments of the +Western University.</p> + +<p>In the University of Pennsylvania (State) women are admitted on equal +terms with men to the post-graduate department; as candidates for the +Master of Arts degree; and to the four years' course in biology, +leading to the degree of B. S. They may take special courses in +pedagogy, music and interior decoration (in the Department of +Architecture) but no degree. The Medical, Dental and Veterinary +Departments are entirely closed to them. Of the large departments, Law +is the only one which is fully, freely and heartily open to women on +exactly the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_906" id="Page_906">[Pg 906]</a></span> same terms as to men, and it confers the degree of LL. B. +upon both alike. There are no women on the faculty, but Prof. Sara +Yorke Stevenson, the distinguished archoćlogist, is secretary of the +Department of Archćology and Paleontology and curator of the Egyptian +and Mediterranean Section.</p> + +<p>The Drexel Institute, founded and endowed by Anthony J. Drexel, was +opened in December, 1891. Instruction is given in the arts, sciences +and industries. All the departments are open to women on the same +terms as to men. Booker T. Washington has a free scholarship for a +pupil, and one is held by the Carlisle Indian School.</p> + +<p>Bryn Mawr, non-sectarian, but founded by Joseph W. Taylor, M. D., a +member of the Society of Friends, was opened in 1885. It stands at the +head of the women's colleges of the world, and ranks with the best +colleges for men. Miss M. Carey Thomas, Ph. D., LL. D., is president.</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding these splendid educational advantages, as late as 1891 +there was no opportunity in the Philadelphia public schools for a girl +to prepare for college or for a business office. In 1893 the present +superintendent, Edward Brooks, reorganized the Girls' High School, +arranging a four years' classical course and a three years' business +course.</p> + +<p>There are in the public schools 9,360 men and 19,469 women teachers. +The average monthly salary of the men is $42.69; of the women, $38.45. +In Philadelphia the average for men is $121.93; for women, $67.61. In +this city, by decree of the board of education, the highest positions +are closed to women.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>Pennsylvania is rich in women's clubs, 117 belonging to the State +Federation. The three largest are the New Century, with 600 members; +Civic, 500; New Century Guild (workingwomen), 400—all in +Philadelphia. Most of the clubs have civic departments. The suffrage +societies have full membership in the State Federation of Clubs. The +Civic and Legal Education Society of Philadelphia, composed of men and +women, has lecture courses on national, State and municipal government +and a practical knowledge of law. A study class of municipal law is +conducted by Mrs. Margaret Center Klingelsmith, the law librarian of +the State University.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_412_412" id="Footnote_412_412"></a><a href="#FNanchor_412_412"><span class="label">[412]</span></a> The History is indebted for this chapter to Mrs. +Lucretia Longshore Blankenburg of Philadelphia, who has been president +of the State Suffrage Association since 1892.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_413_413" id="Footnote_413_413"></a><a href="#FNanchor_413_413"><span class="label">[413]</span></a> See <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_67">History of Woman Suffrage, Vol. I, p. 67</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_414_414" id="Footnote_414_414"></a><a href="#FNanchor_414_414"><span class="label">[414]</span></a> Officers in 1884: President, Mary Grew, vice +presidents, John K. Wildman, Ellen M. Child, Passmore Williamson, +corresponding secretary, Florence A. Burleigh, recording secretary, +Anna Shoemaker, treasurer, Annie Heacock, executive committee, Mary S. +Hillborn, Martha B. Earle, Sarah H. Peirce, Gertrude K. Peirce, Joshua +Peirce, Leslie Miller, Maria P. Miller, Harriet Purvis, Caroline L. +Broomall, Deborah Pennock, J. E. Case, Matilda Hindman, Dr. Hiram +Corson.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_415_415" id="Footnote_415_415"></a><a href="#FNanchor_415_415"><span class="label">[415]</span></a> These meetings have been held in Chester, West Chester, +Lancaster, Reading, Lewistown, Oxford, Kennett Square, Norristown, +Scranton, Pittsburg, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Chester and Columbia.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_416_416" id="Footnote_416_416"></a><a href="#FNanchor_416_416"><span class="label">[416]</span></a> For an account of the Citizens' Suffrage Association, +Edward M. Davis, president, see <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28556/28556-h/28556-h.htm#Page_461">Vol. III, p. 461</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_417_417" id="Footnote_417_417"></a><a href="#FNanchor_417_417"><span class="label">[417]</span></a> At the annual meeting of October, 1900, the following +were elected: President, Miss Jane Campbell; vice-presidents, Miss +Eliza Heacock and Miss Elizabeth Dornan; corresponding secretary, Miss +Katherine J. Campbell; recording secretary, Mrs. Olive Pond Amies; +treasurer, Mrs. Mary F. Kenderdine. Sixteen delegates were elected to +represent the society at the State convention.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_418_418" id="Footnote_418_418"></a><a href="#FNanchor_418_418"><span class="label">[418]</span></a> Among the men and women who have been especially +helpful to the cause of woman suffrage since 1884, besides those +already mentioned, are Robert Purvis, John M. Broomall, Edward M. +Davis, Drs. Hannah E. Longshore, Jane V. Myers, Jane K. Garver; +Mesdames Rachel Foster Avery, Emma J. Bartol, Eliza Sproat Turner, +Elizabeth B. Passmore, J. L. Koethen, Jr., Helen Mosher James, +Charlotte L. Peirce, Ellen C. H. Ogden, Mary E. Mumford, Elizabeth +Smith, J. M. Harsh, J. W. Scheel, H. C. Perkins, Hanna M. Harlan, +Misses Julia T. Foster, M. Adeline Thomson, Susan G. Appleton, Julia +A. Myers, L. M. Mather, Lucy E. Anthony.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_419_419" id="Footnote_419_419"></a><a href="#FNanchor_419_419"><span class="label">[419]</span></a> William and Hannah Penn were both Proprietary Governors +of the colony, William from the time of its settlement in 1682 until +1712, when he was stricken with illness. Hannah then took up the +affairs and administered as governor until William's death in 1717, +and after that time until her son became of age. +</p><p> +Sidney Fisher, in his account of the Pennsylvania colony, says that +this is the only instance in history where a woman has acted as +Proprietary Governor. Hannah Penn was skilful in her management and +retained the confidence of the people through financial and political +embarrassments.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_420_420" id="Footnote_420_420"></a><a href="#FNanchor_420_420"><span class="label">[420]</span></a> See <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_389">History of Woman Suffrage, Vol. I, p. 389</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_421_421" id="Footnote_421_421"></a><a href="#FNanchor_421_421"><span class="label">[421]</span></a> Drs. Joseph and Hannah Myers Longshore were the uncle +and mother of Mrs. Lucretia L. Blankenburg. [Eds.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_907" id="Page_907">[Pg 907]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LXII" id="CHAPTER_LXII"></a>CHAPTER LXII.</h2> + +<h3>RHODE ISLAND.<a name="FNanchor_422_422" id="FNanchor_422_422"></a><a href="#Footnote_422_422" class="fnanchor">[422]</a></h3> + + +<p>Rhode Island was one of the pioneer States to form a woman suffrage +association. On Dec. 11, 1868, in answer to a call signed by a large +number of its most distinguished men and women, a successful meeting +was held in Roger Williams Hall, Providence, and Mrs. Paulina Wright +Davis was elected president of the new organization.<a name="FNanchor_423_423" id="FNanchor_423_423"></a><a href="#Footnote_423_423" class="fnanchor">[423]</a> Many series +of conventions in different parts of the State were held between 1870 +and 1884, at which the officers and special speakers presented +petitions for signatures and prepared for legislative appeals.</p> + +<p>In 1884, by unanimous vote of the Assembly, the State House was +granted for the first time for a woman suffrage convention. Four +sessions were held in the Hall of the House of Representatives, and +Frederick Douglass, Susan B. Anthony, Lucy Stone, Henry B. Blackwell, +William Lloyd Garrison, Mary F. Eastman and others addressed great +throngs of people who filled the seats, occupied all the standing room +and overflowed into the lobbies.</p> + +<p>Up to the present date this association has held an annual convention +in October, a special May Festival with social features in the spring, +and from one to four meetings each intervening month. These have been +rendered attractive by papers and addresses from the members and by +public speakers of ability from different parts of the United States +and from other lands. In addition to this active propaganda special +organizers have been secured from time to time to canvass the State +and win intelligent support for the cause.</p> + +<p>The association has had but three presidents—Paulina Wright Davis for +the first two years, Elizabeth Buffum Chace from 1870 until her death +in 1899, aged ninety-two, and Ardelia C. Dewing,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_908" id="Page_908">[Pg 908]</a></span> now serving. When +Mrs. Chace was unable longer to be actively the leader, Anna Garlin +Spencer, who returned in 1889 to reside in Rhode Island, as first +vice-president acted for her about seven years and Mrs. Dewing for the +remainder of the time. Mrs. Davis was an exquisite personality with +soul ever facing the light; Mrs. Chace, a woman of granite strength +and stability of character, with a keen mind always bent upon the +reason and the right of things, and with a single-hearted devotion to +the great principles of life.<a name="FNanchor_424_424" id="FNanchor_424_424"></a><a href="#Footnote_424_424" class="fnanchor">[424]</a></p> + +<p>The vice-presidents of the association number "honorable names not a +few."<a name="FNanchor_425_425" id="FNanchor_425_425"></a><a href="#Footnote_425_425" class="fnanchor">[425]</a> Among them was the Rev. Frederick A. Hinckley, who during +the eleven years of his ministry in Providence, 1878-1889, acted as +the first vice-president and did the greatest possible service to the +association in all ways, ever championing the principle of equality of +rights. The secretaries of the association always have been among the +leaders in the movement. At first Rhoda Anna Fairbanks (Peckham) was +the single officer in that capacity. In 1872 Anna C. Garlin (Spencer) +was added as corresponding secretary but resigned in 1878 when her +marriage required her removal from the State.<a name="FNanchor_426_426" id="FNanchor_426_426"></a><a href="#Footnote_426_426" class="fnanchor">[426]</a> Mrs. Ellen M. +Bolles served from 1891 to 1900 when Mrs. Annie M. Griffin was +elected. There have been but three treasurers—Marcus T. Janes, Mrs. +Susan B. P. Martin and Mrs. Mary K. Wood.<a name="FNanchor_427_427" id="FNanchor_427_427"></a><a href="#Footnote_427_427" class="fnanchor">[427]</a> The chairman of the +Executive Committee has always shared the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_909" id="Page_909">[Pg 909]</a></span> heaviest burdens. Mrs. +Chace was the first chairman. Mrs. S. E. H. Doyle succeeded her and +continued in the office until her death in 1890. Mrs. Anna E. Aldrich +then served to the end of her life in 1898. The association has done a +great deal of active work through its organizers, the brilliant and +versatile Elizabeth Kittridge Churchill, Mrs. Margaret M. Campbell, +Mrs. Louise M. Tyler, and others. Mrs. Ellen M. Bolles, from 1890 to +1898, acted as organizer as well as secretary.</p> + +<p>The State Society affiliated with the New England Woman Suffrage +Association from the first; with the American in 1870 and with the +National-American in 1891. It was incorporated in 1892 and has been +the recipient of legacies from James Eddy, Mrs. Rachel Fry, Mrs. Sarah +Wilbour, Mrs. Elizabeth B. Chace and others. It raised and expended +for the woman suffrage campaign of 1887 more than $5,000 and has had +some paid worker in the field during most of the years.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action:</span> From the first year of its existence, 1869, the +State Association petitioned the Legislature for an amendment to the +constitution abolishing sex as a condition of suffrage, and hearings +were held before many committees.</p> + +<p>In 1885, through the influence of Representative Edward L. Freeman, a +bill for such an amendment actually passed both Houses, but failed +through some technicality.</p> + +<p>In 1886 it passed both Houses again by the constitutional majority of +two-thirds. It was necessary that it should pass two successive +Legislatures, and the vote in 1887 was, Senate, 28 ayes, 8 noes; +House, 57 ayes, 5 noes. The amendment having been published and read +at the annual town and ward meetings was then submitted to the voters. +It was as follows: "Women shall have the right to vote in the election +of all civil officers and on all questions in all legal town, district +or ward meetings, subject to the same qualifications, limitations and +conditions as men."</p> + +<p>The story of this campaign can be compressed into a few sentences, but +it was a great struggle in which heroic qualities were displayed and +was led by the woman whose life has meant so much for Rhode Island, +Mrs. Elizabeth Buffum Chace, who had as her able lieutenant the Rev. +Frederick A. Hinckley, and as her body-guard all the faithful leaders +of the suffrage cause in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_910" id="Page_910">[Pg 910]</a></span> the State and helpers from other +States.<a name="FNanchor_428_428" id="FNanchor_428_428"></a><a href="#Footnote_428_428" class="fnanchor">[428]</a> Headquarters were established immediately in the business +center of Providence. These rooms were opened each morning before nine +o'clock and kept open until ten at night throughout the contest. The +campaign lasted twenty-nine days, during which ninety-two public +meetings were held, some in parlors but most in halls, vestries and +churches. Miss Cora Scott Pond came at once into the State to organize +the larger public meetings and Miss Sarah J. Eddy and Mrs. C. P. +Norton arranged for parlor meetings. The regular speakers were Henry +B. Blackwell, William Lloyd Garrison, the Revs. C. B. Pitblado, Louis +A. Banks, Frederick A. Hinckley, Ada C. Bowles; Mesdames Mary A. +Livermore, J. Ellen Foster, Zerelda G. Wallace, Julia Ward Howe, +Katherine Lente Stevenson, E. S. Burlingame, Adelaide A. Claflin; Miss +Mary F. Eastman and Miss Huldah B. Loud.<a name="FNanchor_429_429" id="FNanchor_429_429"></a><a href="#Footnote_429_429" class="fnanchor">[429]</a> Miss Susan B. Anthony +was invited to make the closing speech of the campaign but declined as +she considered the situation hopeless.</p> + +<p>The cities and towns were as thoroughly canvassed by these speakers as +the short time permitted. A special paper, <i>The Amendment</i>, was edited +by Mrs. Lillie B. Chace Wyman, assisted by Miss Kate Austin and Col. +J. C. Wyman; the first number, issued March 16, an edition of 20,000, +and the second, March 28, an edition of 40,000. They contained +extracts from able articles on suffrage by leading men and women, +letters from Rhode Island citizens approving the proposed amendment, +and answers to the usual objections.</p> + +<p>The principal newspapers of Providence, the <i>Journal</i> and the +<i>Telegram</i>, both led the opposition to the amendment, the former +admitting in an editorial, published March 10, "the theoretic justice +of the proposed amendment to the constitution conferring suffrage upon +women," but hoping it would be rejected because<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_911" id="Page_911">[Pg 911]</a></span> "whatever may be said +for it, the measure has the fatal defect of being premature and +impolitic." The opposition of the <i>Telegram</i> was more aggressive and +even of a scurrilous type. To offset this hostility if possible the +suffrage association hired a column of space in the <i>Journal</i> and half +a column in the <i>Telegram</i> and kept this daily filled with suffrage +arguments; toward the end of the campaign securing space also in the +<i>Daily Republican</i>. The papers of the State generally were opposed to +the measure, but the Woonsocket <i>Daily Reporter</i>, Newport <i>Daily +News</i>, Hope Valley <i>Sentinel-Advertiser</i>, Pawtuxet Valley <i>Gleaner</i>, +Providence <i>People</i>, Bristol <i>Phenix</i>, Central Falls <i>Visitor</i> and a +few others gave effective assistance. The association distributed +about 39,000 packages of literature to the voters.</p> + +<p>In the Providence <i>Journal</i> of April 4 the names of over ninety +prominent voters were signed to this announcement: "We, the +undersigned, being opposed to the adoption of the proposed Woman +Suffrage Amendment to the Constitution, respectfully urge all citizens +(!) to vote against it at the coming election."</p> + +<p>The next day the <i>Journal</i> contained in the space paid for by the +association the signatures of about the same number of equally +prominent men appended to this statement: "We favor the passage of the +Woman Suffrage Amendment which has been submitted to the voters of +Rhode Island for action at the coming election." The same issue +contained a list of many of the most distinguished men and women in +this and other countries, beginning with Phillips Brooks and Clara +Barton, and headed, "Some Other People of Weight Who Have Indorsed +Woman Suffrage. Match This if You Can."</p> + +<p>The election was held April 6, 1887, and at the sixty-two polling +places men and women were on hand to urge the electors to vote for the +amendment. The result was 6,889 ayes, 21,957 noes—the largest defeat +woman suffrage ever received.</p> + +<p>Many of the ablest lawyers having decided that no extension of +franchise, not even a school vote, could be secured in Rhode Island +through the Legislature (except possibly Presidential Suffrage) and +the amendment to the constitution having been defeated by so heavy a +vote, it was deemed best not to ask for another submission of the +question for a term of years. Therefore<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_912" id="Page_912">[Pg 912]</a></span> other matters, involving +legal equality of the sexes, formed for a while the chief subjects for +legislative work.</p> + +<p>In 1892 a special appeal was made to the General Assembly to confer +upon women by statute the right to vote for presidential electors. +Three hearings were had before the House committee but the bill was +not reported.</p> + +<p>In 1895 a hearing, managed by Mrs. Jeanette S. French, was granted by +the Senate committee. A number of able women of the State made +addresses and the committee reported unanimously in favor of +submitting again an amendment for the Full Suffrage. It was too late, +however, for further action and was referred to the May session. At +that time it passed the Senate but was lost in the House by a small +majority.</p> + +<p>In 1897 the Governor was empowered by the General Assembly to appoint +a commission to revise the State constitution. This was deemed by many +as opposed to the spirit of the basic law of the Commonwealth, in +substituting a small appointive body for the Constitutional Convention +of Electors previously considered necessary to revise the fundamental +law of the State, but the commission was appointed. The Woman Suffrage +Association early presented a claim for a hearing which was granted +for May 11. The Rev. Anna Garlin Spencer conducted it and introduced +the other speakers who were all citizens of the State and of influence +in their communities.<a name="FNanchor_430_430" id="FNanchor_430_430"></a><a href="#Footnote_430_430" class="fnanchor">[430]</a> After interviews were held with the +commission, the association adopted resolutions which were afterwards +incorporated in a letter and read by Mrs. Bolles to the Committee on +Revision. It said in part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We are informed that you consider it inadvisable to incorporate a +suffrage amendment in the revised constitution lest it endanger +the acceptance of other proposed and necessary changes. This view +may be correct, but surely it need not prevent you from advising +a provision by which the Legislature would be empowered to extend +suffrage to women at its discretion, and this we greatly desire. +A conservative measure of this nature could not call out a large +amount of antagonism from the voters, while it would be a great +help to women in their efforts to obtain a voice in such matters +of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_913" id="Page_913">[Pg 913]</a></span> public concern as are of vital importance to their interests. +The constitution of Rhode Island is far behind the spirit of the +age in its treatment of women, as only one other State makes it +equally difficult for them to obtain even the simplest form of +political rights. In revising the fundamental law this fact ought +not to be overlooked and the instrument should be so constructed +as to bring it up to date in this respect.</p></blockquote> + +<p>These appeals were not responded to favorably by the Commission, +although great courtesy and willingness to consider the subject were +manifested, and a large minority vote was given in the Commission +itself to empower the Legislature to grant suffrage at discretion by +statute. The proposed revision was submitted to the electors and +during the campaign preceding their vote the association passed the +following resolution at its annual meeting of Oct. 20, 1898: +"Resolved, That we consider the proposed constitution unworthy the +intelligence and civilization of the age, for these reasons: First, It +does not give suffrage to women citizens and makes the obtaining of an +amendment for this purpose even more difficult than it is at present +by requiring a larger legislative majority to submit any question to +the voters. Second, It restricts the suffrage of men by a property +qualification."</p> + +<p>The revised constitution was voted down by a large majority.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Laws:</span> The Suffrage Association from its first existence closely +watched legislation affecting women and children, and often appeared +by representative speakers before committees engaged in framing +changes in such laws; but in 1892 and '93 a special effort was made to +secure full legal equality for men and women. Miss Mary A. Greene, a +Rhode Island lawyer, educated for and admitted to the bar in +Massachusetts, was engaged to prepare a full statement of the existing +laws relating to women and children and to draw up a code for +suggestion to the Legislature which should embody the exact justice +for which the association stood. This step was taken at that time +because the Legislature had just appointed a Committee of Codification +to consider the statutes bearing on domestic relations, contract +powers, etc. The suggestions of the association, as prepared by Miss +Greene, were not acted upon in any formal way, still less with +completeness, but the changes made in the interest of equal rights for +women were marked and the association had a distinct<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_914" id="Page_914">[Pg 914]</a></span> share in them. +The property laws for women are now satisfactory except that of +inheritance which is as follows:</p> + +<p>Dower and curtesy both obtain. If the husband die without a will, +leaving children, the widow is entitled to the life use of one-third +of the real estate, and to one-third of the personal property +absolutely, the remainder going to them. If there are no children or +descendants she takes one-half of the personal property and as much of +the real estate for life as is not required to pay the husband's +debts. The other half of the personal property goes to the husband's +relatives and, after her death, all of the real estate. The widower is +entitled to a life use of all the wife's real estate if there has been +issue born alive. If she die without a will he may take the whole of +her personal property without administration or accountability to the +children or to her kindred. The widow and minor children are entitled +to certain articles of apparel, furniture and household supplies and +to six months' support out of the estate. The widow has the prior +right as administrator.</p> + +<p>The wife may dispose of her personal and real property by will, but +can not impair the husband's curtesy, or the life use of all her real +estate. The husband may do the same subject to the wife's dower, or +life use of one-third of the real estate.</p> + +<p>If any person having neither wife nor children die without a will "the +property shall go to the father of such person if there be a father, +if not, then to the mother, brothers and sisters."</p> + +<p>All the property of a married woman, whether acquired before or after +marriage, is absolutely secured to her sole and separate use, free +from liability for her husband's debts. Personal and real estate may +be conveyed by her as if unmarried, the latter subject to the +husband's curtesy. Her husband must present an order from her to +collect the rents and profits.</p> + +<p>A married woman may make contracts, sue and be sued, and carry on any +trade or business, and her earnings are her sole and separate +property. She can not, however, enter into business partnership with +her husband.</p> + +<p>Neither husband nor wife is liable for the torts of the other. The +wife's property is liable for her debts or torts.</p> + +<p>A married woman may act as executor, administrator or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_915" id="Page_915">[Pg 915]</a></span> guardian if +appointed to those offices by will, but she can not be appointed to +them by the court except to the guardianship of children.<a name="FNanchor_431_431" id="FNanchor_431_431"></a><a href="#Footnote_431_431" class="fnanchor">[431]</a></p> + +<p>In case of divorce for fault of the husband the wife may have dower as +if he were dead. If alimony be claimed the dower is waived. If the +divorce is for the fault of the wife, the husband, if entitled to +curtesy, shall have a life estate in the lands of the wife, subject to +such allowance to her, chargeable on the life estate, as the court may +deem proper. In case of separation only, the petitioner may be +assigned a separate maintenance out of the property of the husband or +wife as the case may be.</p> + +<p>The father is the legal guardian of the minor children. At his death +the mother is entitled to the guardianship and custody. The mother may +be appointed guardian by the court during the husband's lifetime. If +he is insane or has deserted or neglected his children she is entitled +to full custody.</p> + +<p>If the wife is deserted by her husband unjustifiably and not supported +by him, she may receive authority from the court for the custody and +earnings of her minor children, and he may be imprisoned not less than +six months nor more than three years. If he abandon her and is absent +from the State one year or more or is condemned to prison for a year +or more, the court can order the income from his property applied to +the support of his family.</p> + +<p>A law of 1896 provided that a wife owning property might contract in +writing for the support of her husband and children, but this was +repealed in three months. She is not required to support them by her +labor or property, as the husband is the legal head of the family.</p> + +<p>The most of the above laws have been enacted since 1892.</p> + +<p>Until 1889, 10 years was the age for the protection of girls, but then +it was made 14 years, with a penalty of not less than ten years' +imprisonment. In 1894 it was raised to 16 and the penalty made not +more than fifteen years with no minimum number specified. The former +penalty still holds, however, for actual rape.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> Women have no form of suffrage. The husband may vote as a +taxpayer by right of his wife's real estate.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> Eligibility to office is limited by the constitution<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_916" id="Page_916">[Pg 916]</a></span> +to electors. The article referring to school committee (trustees) +merely says, however, that they shall be "residents of the town." In +1872 and '73 the suffrage association procured by direct effort an Act +qualifying women to serve on school committees and many have done so +with distinction. There are sixteen now serving in the State. The city +charter of Pawtucket requires one of the three members to be a woman.</p> + +<p>As far back as 1869 an appeal was made by the suffrage association +that women should be placed on all boards of management of +institutions in which women were confined as prisoners or cared for as +unfortunates. In partial response an Act was passed in 1870 +establishing an Advisory Board of Female Visitors to the charitable, +penal and correctional institutions of the State. This board had no +powers of control, but had full rights of inspection at all times and +constituted an official channel for criticism and suggestions. It is +still in existence and is composed of seven representative women.</p> + +<p>The association was not satisfied with a board of such limited powers +and in 1874 it memorialized the Legislature for an Act requiring that +women, in the proportion of at least three out of seven, should be +placed on the State Board of Charities and Correction, with equal +powers in all particulars. This petition was presented for three years +successively and special hearings granted to its advocates, but at +last was definitely refused. In 1891, however, two institutions, the +State Home and School for Dependent Children and the Rhode Island +School for the Deaf, were placed in charge of boards of control, to be +appointed by the Governor, to report to the Legislature and to +exercise full powers of supervision and management, "at least three of +whom shall be women."</p> + +<p>In 1878 a meeting was held by the association to consider the need of +good and wise women in all places where unfortunate women are in +confinement, and the matter of placing police matrons in stations was +discussed. Agitation followed and the W. C. T. U., under the +enthusiastic lead of Mrs. J. K. Barney, adopted the matter as a +special work, the W. S. A. aiding in all possible ways. In March, +1881, the first police matron in the country (it is believed) was +appointed in Providence and installed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_917" id="Page_917">[Pg 917]</a></span> as a regular officer. From this +beginning the movement spread until in 1893 an Act was passed by the +General Assembly, without a dissenting voice, requiring police matrons +in all cities, the nominations in each to be recommended by twenty +women residents in good standing.</p> + +<p>The first agitation for women probation officers was started in a +meeting of the State Suffrage Association in 1892. The W. C. T. U. and +the leaders in rescue mission work in Providence continued the +movement, and in 1898 a woman was appointed in Providence to that +office, with equal powers of the man probation officer, to be +responsible for women who are released on parole.</p> + +<p>In 1893 an Act was passed as the result of a determined movement +lasting several years, in which the suffrage association shared, +although the principal leaders were the labor reform organizations of +the State and the Council of Women of Rhode Island (to which body the +W. S. A. was auxiliary). It raised the legal age of the child-worker +from ten to twelve years, provided for sanitary conditions and moral +safeguards in shops and factories, and for the appointment of two +factory and shop inspectors, "one of whom shall be a woman," to secure +its enforcement. The man and woman inspector were made exactly equal +in power, responsibility and salary, instead of the woman being, as in +most States, a deputy or special inspector. Mrs. Fanny Purdy Palmer +was chosen for this position.</p> + +<p>Appointive offices which women have held recently, or are holding, are +assistant clerk of the Supreme Court and Court of Common Pleas; +stenographer for same; clerk to State Commissioner of Public Schools; +clerk to State Auditor and Insurance Commissioner; as superintendent +of State Reform School for Girls, and as jailer in Kent county.</p> + +<p>No woman has ever applied to serve as notary public, but doubtless it +would not be considered legal.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> No occupation or profession is forbidden to women, but a +test is soon to be made as to whether they will be admitted to the +bar. Women are prohibited from contracting to work more than ten hours +a day. They can bind themselves to be apprentices till the age of +eighteen, men until twenty-one.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> Rhode Island contains only one university—Brown—founded<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_918" id="Page_918">[Pg 918]</a></span> +in 1764. In 1883 Miss Helen McGill and Miss Annie S. Peck, college +graduates, addressed a meeting at Providence on the higher education +of women. Arnold B. Chace was requested at this time to report at the +next regular meeting of the State Suffrage Association the prospects +for the admission of women to Brown University, as he was treasurer of +the university corporation. At a later meeting the Rev. Ezekiel Gilman +Robinson, then president of the university, by request addressed the +association and declared his views, saying in substance that he was +not in favor of their admission, especially in the undergraduate +departments, as the discipline required by young men and women was +quite different and all social questions would be complicated by the +presence of the latter.</p> + +<p>After much discussion at other meetings it was decided to form a +committee, representing several organizations interested in the +advancement of women, to work more definitely in this direction. On +Feb. 20, 1886, a number of ladies assembled at the home of Mrs. Rachel +Fry, a prominent member of the suffrage association, and, after +discussion and advice from Mr. Chace, appointed a committee.<a name="FNanchor_432_432" id="FNanchor_432_432"></a><a href="#Footnote_432_432" class="fnanchor">[432]</a> +Three days later it met at the home of Mrs. R. A. Peckham, organized +and elected Miss Sarah E. Doyle chairman and Mrs. Fanny Purdy Palmer +secretary. It met again March 14, to hear reports on the conferences +of the members with professors of the university, and the result +showed a considerable number of them in favor of the project. To +influence public opinion the committee published statistics showing +that thirty young women of Rhode Island were attending colleges +outside the State, and argued that most of these who now were "exiles" +would gladly receive the higher education at home.</p> + +<p>The movement was accelerated by the act of four young girls, Elizabeth +Hoyt, Henrietta R. Palmer, Emma L. Meader and Helen Gregory, who took +by permission the classical course in the Providence High School, at +that time limited to boys; and in 1887 addressed a petition prepared +by David Hoyt, the principal, to the president of the university, +urging that when their preparation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_919" id="Page_919">[Pg 919]</a></span> was complete they might be allowed +to share the educational privileges of Brown. They received a +discouraging response and all turned to other colleges.</p> + +<p>Up to this time friends on the faculty and in the corporation of the +university were working up a scheme for the unofficial entrance of +women and their instruction in the class-rooms, and the committee had +engaged itself with the practical details connected with this plan.</p> + +<p>On Feb. 4, 1889, this somewhat informal committee organized an +association and adopted a constitution which declared its object, "to +secure the educational privileges of Brown University for women on the +same terms offered to men." Of the thirty-two original signers to this +constitution eighteen were members of the State Suffrage Association +and the number included the president, two vice-presidents, secretary, +treasurer and four members of the executive committee. The same +officers were continued.</p> + +<p>Prof. Benjamin Franklin Clarke was from the first an earnest supporter +of the claims of the women, and worked within the faculty as Arnold B. +Chace did in the corporation. When in 1889 Elisha Benjamin Andrews +(who as professor had in 1887 indorsed the woman suffrage amendment) +became the president of the university, the cause of the higher +education of women took a great leap forward. In October, 1891, the +Women's College connected with Brown University was established and a +small building hired for its home. Six young women, among them the now +distinguished president of Mount Holyoke College, Miss Mary Woolley, +entered the class rooms. The results of the next ten years are thus +summed up in the official year-book for 1901:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The Women's College was founded in October, 1891. At first only +the privileges of university examinations and certificates of +proficiency were granted. In June, 1892, all the university +degrees and the graduate courses were opened. In November, 1897, +the institution was accepted by the corporation and officially +designated the Women's College of Brown University. The immediate +charge, subject to the direction of the president, was placed in +the hands of a dean. All instruction was required to be given by +members of the university faculty. Pembroke Hall, which was built +by the Rhode Island Society for the Collegiate Education of +Women, was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_920" id="Page_920">[Pg 920]</a></span> formally transferred to the university in October, +1897, and was accepted as the recitation hall of the Women's +College.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The record of the admission of women to this ancient university is +part of the history of the Woman Suffrage Association, because all the +initial movements were taken by that body, the society which continued +the work was separated from the association only for purposes of +practical efficiency, and the first principle on which the movement +proceeded was that of absolute equality in educational opportunity, +which is the corollary of political democracy. With its actual opening +to women, however, other elements of leadership assumed control and +have secured later results.</p> + +<p>On Jan. 16, 1892, the original association having practically secured +its object, the money in the treasury was turned over to the Women's +Educational and Industrial Union, and from that body finally found its +way to a scholarship fund for the Women's College, and the association +disbanded. Later the need for raising funds to meet the requirement +for buildings and endowments led to the reorganization of the work, +and the present Rhode Island Society for the Collegiate Education of +Women was formed. Miss Doyle was elected the president of this new +association, as she had been of the old. At the dedication of Pembroke +Hall, which the efforts of this later society had secured, the early +history (especially the connection of the Woman Suffrage Association +with the work) was not dwelt upon, but the facts should have permanent +record to furnish one more proof that woman suffrage societies have +started great collateral movements, which, when they are fully +successful, often forget or do not know the "mother that bore +them."<a name="FNanchor_433_433" id="FNanchor_433_433"></a><a href="#Footnote_433_433" class="fnanchor">[433]</a></p> + +<p>It was not until 1893 that the full classical course of the Providence +High School, preparatory for the university, was officially thrown +open to girls, although a few had previously attended.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_921" id="Page_921">[Pg 921]</a></span> Now all +departments, including the manual training, are open alike to both +sexes, and there are no distinctions anywhere in the public schools. +In these there are 207 men and 1,706 women teachers. The average +monthly salary of the men is $103.74; of the women, $51. Only one +other State (Mass.) shows so great a discrepancy.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>The Association of Collegiate Alumnć has an active branch in Rhode +Island. Seventeen clubs representing 1,436 members belong to the State +Federation. The Local Council of Women, which is auxiliary to the +National Council, has a membership, by delegate representation, of +thirty-two of the leading educational, church, philanthropic and +reformatory societies of Providence and of the State. About one-half +of these have men as well as women for members, but all are +represented in the Council by women. This body has done many important +things, having taken the most active part in securing Factory and Shop +Inspection; initiated the formation of the Providence Society for +Organizing Charity; started the movement for a Consumers' League and +launched that association; and is now at work to secure a State +institution for the care and training of the Feeble-Minded. The +Council holds from six to ten private meetings in the year, at least +two public meetings, and an annual public Peace Celebration in +conjunction with the Peace Committee of the International Council of +Women.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_422_422" id="Footnote_422_422"></a><a href="#FNanchor_422_422"><span class="label">[422]</span></a> The History is indebted for this chapter to the Rev. +Anna Garlin Spencer of Providence, vice-president-at-large of the +State Woman Suffrage Association.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_423_423" id="Footnote_423_423"></a><a href="#FNanchor_423_423"><span class="label">[423]</span></a> See <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28556/28556-h/28556-h.htm#Page_340">History of Woman Suffrage, Vol. III, p. 340</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_424_424" id="Footnote_424_424"></a><a href="#FNanchor_424_424"><span class="label">[424]</span></a> The annual meeting in October, 1895, celebrated the +completion of a quarter of a century's service on the part of Mrs. +Elizabeth Buffum Chace as president of the Rhode Island Woman Suffrage +Association. Letters from absent friends were read expressing their +high appreciation of her life-long service in the cause of humankind +as well as womankind. Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, Mr. William Lloyd Garrison +and Miss Mary F. Eastman attended to speak for the cause, and to +testify their love for Mrs. Chace. The Hon. E. L. Freeman, ex-Gov. +John W. Davis and others of the State also spoke words of great +respect. The association honored itself by once more electing Mrs. +Chace its chief officer, although she had expressed a strong desire to +retire from the position as she felt that the burden of the work +should be borne by younger shoulders. [Annual Report to National +Suffrage Convention.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_425_425" id="Footnote_425_425"></a><a href="#FNanchor_425_425"><span class="label">[425]</span></a> Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Julia Ward Howe, Rowland +Hazard, Phebe Jackson, Susan Sisson, Sarah Helen Whitman, Elizabeth K. +Churchill, Abraham Payne, Sarah T. Wilbour, Charlotte A. Jenckes, +George L. Clarke, Francis C. Frost, Susan R. Harris, Augustus Woodbury +and many others of the best known and most useful citizens.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_426_426" id="Footnote_426_426"></a><a href="#FNanchor_426_426"><span class="label">[426]</span></a> Others were Mrs. M. M. Brewster, Mrs. Mary C. Peckham, +Mrs. Rowena P. B. Tingley, Miss Charlotte R. Hoswell, Mrs. Anna E. +Aldrich and Mrs. Martha Knowles.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_427_427" id="Footnote_427_427"></a><a href="#FNanchor_427_427"><span class="label">[427]</span></a> Present board: President Mrs. A. C. Dewing; first +vice-president, Mrs. Thomas W. Chase; second vice-president, Mrs. +Ellen M. Bolles; third vice-president, Mrs. Charlotte B. Wilbour; +secretary, Mrs. Annie M. Griffin; treasurer, Mrs. Mary K. Wood; +auditors, Mrs. O. I. Angell, Mrs. Elizabeth Ormsbee; honorary +vice-presidents, the Hon. H. B. Metcalf, Dr. L. F. C. Garvin and +Arnold B. Chace.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_428_428" id="Footnote_428_428"></a><a href="#FNanchor_428_428"><span class="label">[428]</span></a> The officers were: President, Mrs. Chace; +vice-presidents, Mr. Hinckley, Arnold B. Chace, Phebe Jackson, Mary O. +Arnold and Julia Ward Howe; acting secretary, Mrs. Anna E. Aldrich; +treasurer, Mrs. Mary K. Wood; executive committee, Mrs. S. E. H. +Doyle, Miss Sarah J. Eddy, Mesdames Aldrich, Fanny Purdy Palmer, C. P. +Norton, Louisa A. Bowen, Elizabeth C. Hinckley, Susan C. Kenyon, Mary +E. Bliss, Frances S. Bailey and S. R. Alexander, from whom the +campaign committee was selected.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_429_429" id="Footnote_429_429"></a><a href="#FNanchor_429_429"><span class="label">[429]</span></a> Occasional addresses were made by Gen. Thomas W. Chace, +Col. J. C. Wyman, Judge R. C. Pitman, Dr. L. F. C. Garvin, the Revs. +H. C. Westwood, Augustus Woodbury, H. I. Cushman, N. H. Harriman, +Thomas R. Slicer, O. H. Still, J. H. Larry; Messrs. Olney Arnold, +Augustine Jones, R. F. Trevellick, Ralph Beaumont, John O'Keefe and +others.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_430_430" id="Footnote_430_430"></a><a href="#FNanchor_430_430"><span class="label">[430]</span></a> Dr. Helen C. Putnam represented the physicians, Mrs. +Mary Frost Evans the editors, Miss Sarah E. Doyle the teachers, Mrs. +Mary A. Babcock and Mrs. A. B. E. Jackson the W. C. T. U., Mrs. L. G. +C. Knickerbocker and Mrs. S. M. Aldrich women in private life, while +the W. S. A. contributed Mrs. J. S. French, Mrs. A. C. Dewing and Mrs. +Ellen M. Bolles. Edwin C. Pierce and Rabbi David Blaustein, members of +the association, also spoke in favor of suffrage for women.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_431_431" id="Footnote_431_431"></a><a href="#FNanchor_431_431"><span class="label">[431]</span></a> The right to be appointed by the court was given to +married women by Act of 1902.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_432_432" id="Footnote_432_432"></a><a href="#FNanchor_432_432"><span class="label">[432]</span></a> Mrs. Francis W. Goddard, Miss Sarah E. Doyle, principal +of the Girls' High School of Providence; Mrs. M. M. Brewster, +president of the Women's Educational and Industrial Union; Mrs. Fanny +Purdy Palmer and Mrs. R. A. Peckham, representing the State Suffrage +Association; Mrs. Augustine Jones, representing the Friends' School, +and Mrs. M. E. Tucker.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_433_433" id="Footnote_433_433"></a><a href="#FNanchor_433_433"><span class="label">[433]</span></a> The Suffrage Association has held one meeting in +Pembroke Hall, however, which was presided over by its acting +president and at which the daughter of Julia Ward Howe, Mrs. Florence +Howe Hall, spoke upon "The Political Position of Women in England," +and the use of Sayles Hall of Brown University was freely granted for +a series of meetings under the auspices of the W. S. A. devoted to a +presentation of "Woman's Contribution to the Progress of the World." +These were addressed by Abba Goold Woolson, Mary A. Livermore, Lillie +Devereux Blake, Lillie Chace Wyman, Alice Stone Blackwell, Mary F. +Eastman, Prof. Katherine Hanscom and the Rev. Anna Garlin Spencer. +</p><p> +In October, 1901, Miss Susan B. Anthony addressed the students and was +enthusiastically received.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_922" id="Page_922">[Pg 922]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LXIII" id="CHAPTER_LXIII"></a>CHAPTER LXIII.</h2> + +<h3>SOUTH CAROLINA.<a name="FNanchor_434_434" id="FNanchor_434_434"></a><a href="#Footnote_434_434" class="fnanchor">[434]</a></h3> + + +<p>In 1890 Mrs. Virginia Durant Young being on a visit to Mrs. Adelaide +Viola Neblett at Greenville, these two did so inspire each other that +then and there they held a suffrage conference with Mrs. S. Odie +Sirrene, Mrs. Mary Putnam Gridley and others, and pledged themselves +to work for woman's enfranchisement in South Carolina.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Young made a suffrage address to the Woman's Christian Temperance +Union of Beaufort in 1891, and later spoke on the subject by +invitation at Lexington and in the Baptist church at Marion. She +eventually succeeded in forming a State association of 250 men and +women who believed in equal rights, and interested themselves in +circulating literature on this question. Its officers for 1900 are +Mrs. Young, president; Mrs. Mary P. Prentiss, vice-president; Miss +Harriet B. Manville, corresponding secretary; Mrs. Gridley, treasurer.</p> + +<p>In 1895 Miss Susan B. Anthony, president of the National Association, +Mrs. Lillie Devereux Blake of New York, and Mrs. Ellen Battelle +Dietrick of Massachusetts, made addresses at various places, on their +way home from the national convention in Atlanta. In April of this +year Miss Laura Clay of Kentucky, Miss Helen Morris Lewis of North +Carolina, and Miss Elizabeth Upham Yates of Maine, with Mrs. Young and +Mrs. Neblett, began a suffrage campaign at Greenville. They went +thence to Spartanburg, Columbia and Charleston. Here the party +divided, Miss Clay and Mrs. Young going to Georgetown, Florence, +Marion, Latta, Darlington, Timmonsville and Sumter. Later Mrs. +Neblett, Miss Clay and Mrs. Young spoke at Allendale, Barnwell, +Hampton and Beaufort.</p> + +<p>Miss Clay, auditor of the National Association, worked four<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_923" id="Page_923">[Pg 923]</a></span> months in +South Carolina this year at her own expense. Half of the time was +spent in Columbia, assisting Mrs. Young and others in the effort to +have an amendment giving suffrage to taxpaying women incorporated in +the new constitution then being framed. They had hearings before two +committees in September, and presented their arguments to the entire +Constitutional Convention in the State House, with a large number of +citizens present. The amendment failed by a vote of 26 yeas, 121 nays.</p> + +<p>President D. B. Johnston, of the Girls' Industrial and Normal College, +and John J. McMahan, State superintendent of instruction, have done +much to advance the educational status of women, and both believe in +perfect equality of rights. Among other advocates may be mentioned the +Hon. Walter Hazard, Dr. William J. Young, McDonald Furman, B. Odell +Duncan, George Sirrene, Col. John J. Dargan, Col. Ellison Keith, the +Rev. Sidi H. Brown, Col. V. P. Clayton, the Rev. John T. Morrison, +Samuel G. Lawton, J. Gordon Coogler and William D. Evans, president of +the State Agricultural Society.</p> + +<p>Miss Martha Schofield, superintendent of the Colored Industrial School +at Aiken, regularly enters a protest against paying taxes without +representation. Other women who have been devoted workers in the cause +of suffrage are Miss Mary I. Hemphill, editor with her father of the +Abbeville <i>Medium</i>; Mesdames Marion Morgan Buckner, Daisy P. Bailey, +Florence Durant Evans, Lillian D. Clayton, Gertrude D. Lido, Cora S. +Lott, Abbie Christensen, Martha Corley and Mary P. Screven; Dr. Sarah +Allen; Misses Claudia G. Tharin, Iva Youmans, Annie Durant, Kate Lily +Blue and Floride Cunningham.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action and Laws:</span> In 1892 Mrs. Virginia Durant Young +petitioned the Legislature for her personal enfranchisement, adopting +this method of presenting the arguments in a nutshell, and as "news" +they were widely published and commented on. At this session Gen. +Robert R. Hemphill, a stanch advocate, presented a bill in the Senate +to give women the franchise and the right of holding office, and +brought it to a vote on December 17; yeas, 14, nays, 21.</p> + +<p>In 1895 numerously signed petitions for suffrage were sent to the +Legislature by the women of Fairfax, Lexington and Marion.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_924" id="Page_924">[Pg 924]</a></span> The right +of petition was also frequently used by the members of the State W. C. +T. U.</p> + +<p>In 1896 Mrs. Young addressed the Legislature in behalf of Presidential +Suffrage for women.</p> + +<p>In 1892, '93, '95 and '98 the laws were improved in regard to married +women's property rights, allowing them to hold real estate +independently of their husbands, restraining husbands from collecting +debts or wages owing to their wives, and making the wife's signature +necessary to the legality of mortgage.</p> + +<p>In 1895 was enacted by the Constitutional Convention that, "The real +and personal property of a woman, held at the time of her marriage, or +that which she may thereafter acquire, either by gift, grant, +inheritance, devise or otherwise, shall be her separate property, and +she shall have all the rights incident to the same, to which an +unmarried woman or a man is entitled. She shall have the power to +contract and be contracted with, in the same manner as if she were +unmarried."</p> + +<p>Dower prevails but not curtesy. If either husband or wife die without +a will the other has an equal claim on the property. Should there be +one or more children, the survivor receives one-third of the real and +the personal estate. If there are no lineal descendants, but +collateral heirs, the survivor takes one-half of the entire estate. If +there are no lineal descendants, father, mother, brother, sister, +child of such brother or sister, brother of the half-blood or lineal +ancestor, the survivor receives two-thirds of the estate and the other +third goes to the next of kin. If there is no kin, the survivor takes +the whole estate.</p> + +<p>A homestead to the value of $1,000 is exempted to "the head of the +family."</p> + +<p>South Carolina is the only State which does not allow divorce.</p> + +<p>The father is the legal guardian of the children, and may appoint a +guardian of their persons and property by will.</p> + +<p>The law requires the husband to support the family, but there is no +effective way for its enforcement. Any one may sell the wife +necessaries and subject the husband's property to the payment of the +bills, if he does not furnish a suitable support, but he can claim his +homestead against such a debt and in many ways render this remedy +unavailing.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_925" id="Page_925">[Pg 925]</a></span></p> + +<p>In 1895 the "age of protection for girls" was raised from 10 to 14 +years. The penalty is "death, with privilege of the jury to recommend +to mercy, whereupon the penalty may be reduced to imprisonment in the +penitentiary at hard labor during the whole lifetime of the prisoner."</p> + +<p>Seduction under promise of marriage is punished by a fine of not less +than $500 nor more than $5,000, or imprisonment for not less than six +months nor more than five years.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> Women possess no form of suffrage.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> In the early '90's Gov. Benjamin R. Tillman secured +the election of the first woman State librarian. Ever since this +office has been filled by a woman, elected annually by the +Legislature. No other elective office is open to women.</p> + +<p>A number of the engrossing clerks in the Senate are women.</p> + +<p>Through the efforts of the W. C. T. U. there is a police matron at +Charleston.</p> + +<p>Dr. Sarah Allen was appointed physician in the State hospital for the +insane in 1896, and still holds the position.</p> + +<p>There are women directors on the board of the Columbia Library +Association.</p> + +<p>Women do not serve on the board of any State institution.</p> + +<p>They can not be notaries public.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> Women are not permitted to practice law. No other +profession or occupation is legally forbidden to them.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> In 1894 the State University at Columbia opened its doors +to women. In the same year the Medical College of Charleston admitted +them, and still later Furman University (Baptist) at Greenville. These +were direct results of the agitation for equal rights. Charleston +College and Clemson Agricultural College are closed to women, but they +may enter the other educational institutions. Gov. Benjamin R. Tillman +was largely instrumental in securing the Girls' Industrial and Normal +College at Rock Hill, in 1894.</p> + +<p>In the public schools there are 2,245 men and 2,728 women teachers. +The average monthly salary of the men is $25.18; of the women, +$24.29.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_434_434" id="Footnote_434_434"></a><a href="#FNanchor_434_434"><span class="label">[434]</span></a> The History is indebted for this chapter to Mrs. +Virginia D. Young of Fairfax, owner and editor of the <i>Enterprise</i> and +president of the State Woman Suffrage Association.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_926" id="Page_926">[Pg 926]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LXIV" id="CHAPTER_LXIV"></a>CHAPTER LXIV.</h2> + +<h3>TENNESSEE.<a name="FNanchor_435_435" id="FNanchor_435_435"></a><a href="#Footnote_435_435" class="fnanchor">[435]</a></h3> + + +<p>No organized work for woman suffrage had been done in Tennessee up to +1885, when Mrs. Elizabeth Lyle Saxon was appointed president of the +State by the National Association. In 1886 she removed to Washington +Territory and Mrs. Lida A. Meriwether was made her successor. As the +best means of obtaining a hearing from people who would not attend a +suffrage meeting, Mrs. Meriwether decided to begin her work in the +ranks of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. After three years of +quiet effort in this organization (of which she was State president) +she succeeded in adding the "franchise" to its departments and having +a solid suffrage plank nailed into its platform by unanimous vote. In +May, 1889, she formed in Memphis the first local suffrage club, with a +membership of fifty.</p> + +<p>In January, 1895, Miss Susan B. Anthony, president of the National +Association, and Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, chairman of its +organization committee, came to Memphis and were welcomed not only by +the suffrage society, but also by the Local Council of Women, the +Woman's Club and the Nineteenth Century Club. They addressed a fine +audience in the Young Men's Hebrew Association Hall.</p> + +<p>The following June Mrs. Meriwether was employed by the National +Association to lecture and organize for two weeks, and visited the +most important towns in the State.</p> + +<p>In May, 1897, Miss Frances A. Griffin of Alabama made a six weeks' +lecture and organizing tour under the auspices of the association, +during which she spoke in every available town of any size, Mrs. +Nellie E. Bergen acting as advance agent. No other organizing work +ever has been done in Tennessee.</p> + +<p>The first State suffrage convention was held at Nashville in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_927" id="Page_927">[Pg 927]</a></span> May, +1897, an association formed and Mrs. Meriwether unanimously elected +president. This was in fact an interstate convention, being held +during the Tennessee Centennial Exposition at the invitation of the +managing committee, who offered the suffragists the use of the Woman's +Building for three days to give reasons for the faith that was in +them. Delegates were present from Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, +Mississippi and Illinois. Addresses were given by Miss Laura Clay and +Mrs. Lida Calvert Obenchain of Kentucky, Mrs. Virginia Clay Clopton +and Miss Griffin of Alabama, Miss Josephine E. Locke of Illinois, Mrs. +Flora C. Huntington and Mrs. Meriwether.</p> + +<p>The second convention took place at Memphis, April 22, 1900, Mrs. +Chapman Catt and Miss Mary G. Hay, national organizer, in attendance. +Mrs. Meriwether was elected honorary president for life; Mrs. Elise M. +Selden was made president and Miss Margaret E. Henry, corresponding +secretary. On Sunday evening Mrs. Chapman Catt addressed a mass +meeting in the Grand Opera House, and the next evening spoke in the +audience hall of the Nineteenth Century Club, both given free of +charge.</p> + +<p>One incident will further show the growth of public sentiment in this +direction. In 1895 a prominent Memphis woman sent to the <i>Arena</i> an +article entitled The Attitude of Southern Women on the Suffrage +Question, which she claimed to be that of uncompromising opposition. +In conclusion she said: "The views presented have been strengthened by +opinions from women all over the South, from the Atlantic Coast to +Texas, from the Ohio to the Gulf. More than one hundred of the +home-makers, the teachers and the writers have been consulted, all of +them recognized in their own communities for earnestness and ability. +Of these, only thirteen declared themselves outright for woman +suffrage; four believed that women should vote upon property and +school questions; while nine declined to express themselves. All the +others were opposed to woman suffrage in any form." She then gave +short extracts from the letters of eighteen women, four in favor and +fourteen opposed.</p> + +<p>The editor wrote to Mrs. Josephine K. Henry of Kentucky asking for an +article from the other side. She sent one entitled The New Woman of +the New South, and the two were published<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_928" id="Page_928">[Pg 928]</a></span> in the <i>Arena</i> of February, +1895. Mrs. Henry gave extracts from the letters of seventy-two +prominent women in various parts of the South—all uncompromising +suffragists. She had written to Mrs. Meriwether that, as her opponent +was from Tennessee, she wanted a distinct voice from that State, and +requested her to give a few reasons for desiring the suffrage and +obtain the signatures of women to the same. Mrs. Meriwether supplied +the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We, the undersigned women of Tennessee, do and should want the +ballot because—</p> + +<p>1. Being 21 years old, we object to being classed with minors.</p> + +<p>2. Born in America and loyal to her institutions, we protest +against being made perpetual aliens.</p> + +<p>3. Costing the treasuries of our counties nothing, we protest +against acknowledging the male pauper as our political superior.</p> + +<p>4. Being obedient to law, we protest against the statute which +classes us with the convict and makes the pardoned criminal our +political superior.</p> + +<p>5. Being sane, we object to being classed with the lunatic.</p> + +<p>6. Possessing an average amount of intelligence, we protest +against legal classification with the idiot.</p> + +<p>7. We taxpayers claim the right to representation.</p> + +<p>8. We married women want to own our clothes.</p> + +<p>9. We married breadwinners want to own our earnings.</p> + +<p>10. We mothers want an equal partnership in our children.</p> + +<p>11. We educated women want the power to offset the illiterate +vote of our State.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Meriwether sent this "confession of faith" to the presidents of +every suffrage club and W. C. T. U. in Tennessee, giving them a +fortnight to obtain signatures and adding, "The King's business +requires haste." In two weeks it was returned with the names of 535 +women, while several presidents wrote: "If you could only give us two +weeks more we could double the number."<a name="FNanchor_436_436" id="FNanchor_436_436"></a><a href="#Footnote_436_436" class="fnanchor">[436]</a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Actions and Laws:</span> Dower and curtesy both obtain. The widow +receives one-third of the real estate, unless there are neither +descendants nor heirs-at-law, when she takes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_929" id="Page_929">[Pg 929]</a></span> it all in fee-simple. Of +the personal property she takes a child's share, unless there are no +lineal descendants, when she takes it all. The widower is entitled to +a life interest in the wife's real estate, if there has been issue +born alive, and to all of her personal estate whether there are +children or not. The law provides that a homestead to the value of +$1,000 shall inure to the widow.</p> + +<p>The wife can neither sue nor be sued nor make contracts in her own +name, unless the husband has deserted her or is insane. The husband is +entitled to her earnings and savings.</p> + +<p>Meigs' Digest says: "The general principle of the law is that marriage +amounts to an absolute gift to the husband of all personal goods of +which the wife is actually or beneficially possessed at the time, or +which come to her during coverture. So that if it be money in her +pocket or personal property in the hands of a third party, the title +vests at once in the husband.</p> + +<p>"By right of his marriage the husband takes an interest in his wife's +real estate, and during their joint lives the law gives him a right to +the crops, profits and products of her lands. He has the usufruct of +all her freehold estate. The husband is entitled to the profits of all +lands held by the wife for her life, or for the life of another.</p> + +<p>"When a marriage is dissolved at the suit of the husband, and the +defendant is owner in her own right of lands, his right to and +interest therein and to the rents and profits of the same, shall not +be taken away or impaired, but the same shall remain to him as though +the marriage had continued. And he shall also be entitled to her +personal estate, in possession or in action, and may sue for and +recover the same in his own name.</p> + +<p>"When the wife is forced to separate from her husband, by reason of +cruel and inhuman treatment from him, she may, by a bill in equity, +have a suitable provision made for her support, out of the rents and +profits <i>of her land</i>."</p> + +<p>The code says: "A father, whether under the age of twenty-one years, +or of full age, may by deed executed in his lifetime or by last will +and testament in writing, from time to time and in such manner and +form as he thinks fit, dispose of the custody and tuition of any +legitimate child under the age of twenty-one years and unmarried, +whether born at the time of his death or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_930" id="Page_930">[Pg 930]</a></span> afterwards, during the +minority of such child, or for a less time." If the father abandon the +family the mother becomes guardian, but she can not appoint one by +will.</p> + +<p>No law requires the husband to support wife or children.</p> + +<p>The legal age for marriage is fourteen years for boys and twelve for +girls.</p> + +<p>By earnest pleading and continual petitioning during the past ten +years women have secured the following: 1. The passage of a bill +making women eligible as superintendents of county schools. 2. Police +matrons in two cities—Memphis and Knoxville. 3. A law raising the +"age of protection" for girls from 10 to 16 years (1893), but if over +12 the crime is only a misdemeanor. The penalty is, if under 12, +"death by hanging, or, in the discretion of the jury, imprisonment in +the penitentiary for life or for a period not less than ten years;" if +over 12, "imprisonment in the penitentiary not less than three months +nor more than ten years; provided no conviction shall be had on the +unsupported testimony of the female ... or if the female is a bawd, +lewd or kept female." (1895.)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> Women possess no form of suffrage.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> Women are not eligible to any elective office except +that of county superintendent of schools, which was provided for by +special statute about 1890. They can not serve as school trustees.</p> + +<p>For a number of years all the librarians and engrossing clerks of both +Senate and House have been women. They can not act as notaries public.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> Women have engaged in the practice of law, but this was +forbidden by a recent decision of the Supreme Court (1901). It was +based on the ground that an attorney is a public officer, and as women +are not legally entitled to hold public office they can not practice +law.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> Degrees in law have been conferred upon several women at +Vanderbilt University, for white students, and at Fiske University, +for colored. All institutions of learning, except a few of a sectarian +nature, are coeducational.</p> + +<p>In the public schools there are 5,019 men and 4,195 women teachers. +The average monthly salary of the men (estimated) is $31.88; of the +women, $26.18.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_435_435" id="Footnote_435_435"></a><a href="#FNanchor_435_435"><span class="label">[435]</span></a> The History is indebted for this chapter to Mrs. Lida +A. Meriwether of Memphis, honorary president of the State Woman +Suffrage Association.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_436_436" id="Footnote_436_436"></a><a href="#FNanchor_436_436"><span class="label">[436]</span></a> Among prominent men who have aided in protective and +progressive work for women are Legislators W. H. Milburn, Thomas A. +Baker and Joseph Babb; Editors G. W. Armistead of the <i>Issue</i>, Gideon +Baskette of the Nashville <i>Banner</i> and J. M. Keating of the Memphis +<i>Appeal</i>; the Revs. H. S. Williams, W. B. Evans, C. H. Wilson and T. +B. Putnam; Judges E. H. East and Arthur Simpson. Among women may be +mentioned Mesdames E. J. Roach, Georgia Mizelle, Bettie M. Donaldson, +Margaret Gardner, Emily Settle, Ida T. East, Caroline Goodlett, S. E. +Dosser, A. A. Gibson, Mary T. McTeer and Kate M. Simpson; Misses +Louise and Mary Drouillard, J. E. Baillett, M. L. Patterson and S. E. +Hoyt. Lo! all these are of the faithful—and yet "the half hath not +been told."</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_931" id="Page_931">[Pg 931]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LXV" id="CHAPTER_LXV"></a>CHAPTER LXV.</h2> + +<h3>TEXAS.<a name="FNanchor_437_437" id="FNanchor_437_437"></a><a href="#Footnote_437_437" class="fnanchor">[437]</a></h3> + + +<p>The first addresses in favor of woman suffrage in Texas are believed +to have been given by Mrs. Mariana T. Folsom in 1885. The first +attempt at organization was made on May 10, 1893, when Mrs. Rebecca +Henry Hayes called a meeting in the parlors of the Grand Windsor Hotel +at Dallas for the purpose of forming a State association. Fifty-two +names were enrolled; Mrs. Hayes was made president, Dr. Lawson Dabbs +corresponding secretary, and Margaret L. Watrous, recording +secretary.<a name="FNanchor_438_438" id="FNanchor_438_438"></a><a href="#Footnote_438_438" class="fnanchor">[438]</a> Mrs. Sarah S. Trumbull was elected State organizer and +auxiliary associations were formed in various towns. Mrs. Hayes +traveled 9,000 miles in the interest of this cause during the next two +years, but as Texas has 360 counties and a scattered and widely +separated population, organized work is very difficult.</p> + +<p>In 1896 Mrs. Elizabeth Good Houston became president. Mrs. Alice +McAnulty served a number of years most efficiently as corresponding +secretary. Dr. Grace Danforth also did effective work. Mrs. L. A. +Craig presented the question to the Democratic State Convention of +1894, but without any practical result. Mrs. McAnulty and Mrs. +Elizabeth Fry attended the Populist State Convention the same year, +but no action was taken.</p> + +<p>Since 1887 the State W. C. T. U. has been pledged to woman suffrage. +The president, Mrs. S. C. Acheson, under whose management it was +adopted, was an enthusiast upon the subject. Mrs. Fry was the first +State superintendent of franchise, and, through both the W. C. T. U. +and the W. S. A., has rendered valuable service. Later, Mrs. Mary E. +Prendergast filled this position, distributing much literature and +speaking in many<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_932" id="Page_932">[Pg 932]</a></span> cities. Judge Davis McGee Prendergast became a +convert before his wife and convinced her of the righteousness of +woman suffrage. These two ladies are southern-born and life-long +Texans.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action and Laws:</span> In 1891, through the efforts of the W. C. +T. U., the "age of protection" for girls was raised from 10 to 12 +years. In 1895 it was raised to 15 years. The penalty is death or +imprisonment in the penitentiary from not less than five years to +life.</p> + +<p>No attempt ever has been made to secure the franchise, but at this +time (1895) the women learned that thirty of the legislators believed +in woman suffrage, one of them declaring: "If some of these seats were +occupied by women, we men would do better work."</p> + +<p>Neither dower nor curtesy obtains. If there are any lineal descendants +a surviving husband or wife is entitled to a life interest in +one-third of the real estate and to one-third of the personal estate +absolutely; if none, to all the personal property and a life interest +in one-half the real estate. If there are neither father, mother, +brothers, sisters nor their descendants, the surviving husband or wife +is entitled to the whole estate, both real and personal, as to +separate property.</p> + +<p>In addition to such provision, one-half of the community property +passes to the widow or widower if there are one or more children and +the whole of such property if there are no lineal descendants. A widow +or widower is also entitled to retain a homestead not exceeding $5,000 +in value. If either husband or wife die without a will or become +insane, and there are no living descendants, and the other party to +the marriage has no separate estate, the community property passes to +the survivor without an administration, unless there is a guardianship +by the State of the insane spouse. If, however, there are descendants, +the survivor has the exclusive management of the community property. A +woman loses this right if she contract another marriage. In the event +of the insane person being restored to a sound mental condition, an +accounting of such property must be rendered.</p> + +<p>The property which a woman owns at marriage, or acquires<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_933" id="Page_933">[Pg 933]</a></span> by gift, +devise or descent afterward, remains her separate estate, but passes +under the absolute control of the husband, except that he can not sell +it without her consent.</p> + +<p>The wife can not sell her separate property without the husband's +consent. He may sell his separate property without hers.</p> + +<p>He may also sell the community property, except the homestead, without +her consent.</p> + +<p>The wife must sue and be sued jointly with her husband in regard to +her separate property, and all other matters.</p> + +<p>The wages of the wife belong to the husband as part of the community +property, whether she is living with him or separate from him.</p> + +<p>Divorce is granted to the husband if the wife commit a single act of +adultery; to the wife, only if the husband has abandoned her and lived +in adultery with another. The law places the division of the property +entirely in the hands of the judge, but provides that "nothing herein +contained shall be construed to compel either party to divest himself +or herself of real estate." Supreme Court decisions have laid down the +general rule that separate property shall be restored to its owner. +Where there are no children the community property may be divided as +in case of death. The court, however, may make such provision as it +deems essential for the support of wife or children or an invalid +husband. If necessary it may place separate or community property in +the hands of trustees, the rents and profits to be applied to the +maintenance and education of the children or the support of the wife. +The judge assigns the children for their best interests. In general +practice the mother, unless disqualified morally, retains the custody +of female children of any age and of males to the age of eight, when +they are usually given to the father. There is no absolute rule, and +in case of children or property an appeal may be taken to a higher +court.</p> + +<p>The father is the natural guardian of the persons and education of the +minor children, and is entitled to be appointed guardian of their +estates.</p> + +<p>The law of support, revised in 1895, provides that "if the husband +fail to support the wife or children from the proceeds of the land +<i>she</i> may have or fail to educate the children as the fortune<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_934" id="Page_934">[Pg 934]</a></span> of the +<i>wife</i> would justify, she may in either case complain to the County +Court, which upon satisfactory proof shall decree that so much of +<i>her</i> proceeds shall be paid to the wife for the support of herself +and the education of the children as the court may deem +necessary."<a name="FNanchor_439_439" id="FNanchor_439_439"></a><a href="#Footnote_439_439" class="fnanchor">[439]</a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> Women possess no form of suffrage.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> Most of the public offices have some women on their +clerical force, that of the comptroller having seven. They are paid +the same as men for the same work.</p> + +<p>Women were postmasters of both Senate and House in the Legislature of +1900, and acted as clerks of committees.</p> + +<p>They can serve as notaries public.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> No profession or occupation is legally forbidden to +women. They practice law and medicine, are managers of many kinds of +business and proprietors of hotels, and two have been presidents of +banks.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Henrietta King is widely known as "the Cattle Queen of the +World." Her ranch covers a million acres, and the net proceeds of her +sales of horses and cattle are estimated at $500,000 a year. A number +of women own and manage ranches.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> Most of the leading institutions of learning are open to +both sexes. Among these are the State University, Baylor University +(Baptist), Southwestern University (Methodist South), Fort Worth +Polytechnic (Methodist Episcopal), Trinity University (Cumberland +Presbyterian) and Wiley University (colored). Austin College and the +State Agricultural and Mechanical College are restricted to male +students.</p> + +<p>The State Industrial College for Girls (white) was established by the +Legislature of 1900, with an appropriation of $60,000. All of the +industries will be taught, from domestic science to draughting. The W. +C. T. U. and others had been petitioning for this ten years.<a name="FNanchor_440_440" id="FNanchor_440_440"></a><a href="#Footnote_440_440" class="fnanchor">[440]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_935" id="Page_935">[Pg 935]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Prairie View State Normal School for colored youth of both sexes +has had an Industrial Department from its beginning years ago. A +movement is now on foot to establish such a department as a portion of +the public school system. Austin already has one, made possible by +legacy, and its fine results have greatly inspired the law-makers.</p> + +<p>One woman has served as superintendent of schools at Waco, and there +are many women principals of High Schools.</p> + +<p>There are in the public schools 7,347 men and 7,672 women teachers. +The average monthly salary of the men is $49.20; of the women, $35.50.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>Practically all of the progressive steps enumerated above have been +taken since 1883. When it is remembered that less than twenty years +ago women were virtually ostracized if they attempted any kind of +occupation outside the home, even teaching being looked upon askance, +the changes seem almost miraculous.</p> + +<p>Texas has 130 Woman's Clubs with a membership of about 3,500. With +other good works they have distributed great quantities of reading +matter among isolated families. They also have established forty +public libraries and four traveling libraries.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_437_437" id="Footnote_437_437"></a><a href="#FNanchor_437_437"><span class="label">[437]</span></a> The History is indebted for this chapter to Mrs. Helen +M. Stoddard of Fort Worth, president of the State Woman's Christian +Temperance Union.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_438_438" id="Footnote_438_438"></a><a href="#FNanchor_438_438"><span class="label">[438]</span></a> Under the direction of Dr. Dabbs a Congress of Women +was held in connection with the State Fair, and a Texas Woman's +Council was formed, not committed to suffrage but progressive in its +views.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_439_439" id="Footnote_439_439"></a><a href="#FNanchor_439_439"><span class="label">[439]</span></a> The lawyer who was consulted as to the accuracy of +these statements said, after a careful examination: "There are so many +other laws bearing upon each of these that all this is necessarily +imperfect, but there is enough else, that is likewise true, to fill a +book."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_440_440" id="Footnote_440_440"></a><a href="#FNanchor_440_440"><span class="label">[440]</span></a> In 1901 Mrs. Helen M. Stoddard was appointed by Gov. +Joseph D. Sayers a member of the committee to locate this school. The +appointment was confirmed by the Senate, and the committee of twelve +men elected her secretary. She received, of course, the same pay as +the other members. Later three women were placed on the Board of +Regents, herself among the number. [Eds.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_936" id="Page_936">[Pg 936]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LXVI" id="CHAPTER_LXVI"></a>CHAPTER LXVI.</h2> + +<h3>UTAH.<a name="FNanchor_441_441" id="FNanchor_441_441"></a><a href="#Footnote_441_441" class="fnanchor">[441]</a></h3> + + +<p>To write the history of woman suffrage in Utah one must turn backward +to 1870, when the Legislature of the Territory passed a bill +conferring the franchise upon women, to which acting-Governor S. A. +Mann affixed his signature February 12. From that time women voted at +all elections, while some of them took a practical interest in public +matters and acted as delegates to political conventions and members of +Territorial and county committees.</p> + +<p>The first attempt to elect a woman to any important office was made in +Salt Lake City at the county convention of 1878, when Mrs. Emmeline B. +Wells was nominated for treasurer. She received the vote of the entire +delegation, but the statute including the word "male" was held to +debar women from holding political offices. A bill was presented to +the next Legislature with petitions numerously signed asking that this +word be erased from the statutes, which was passed. Gov. George W. +Emory, however, refused to sign it, and though other Legislatures +passed similar bills by unanimous vote, none ever received his +signature or that of any succeeding governor.</p> + +<p>In June, 1871, Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Miss Susan B. Anthony, +the president and vice-president-at-large of the National Woman +Suffrage Association, stopped at Salt Lake City on their way to the +Pacific Coast and met many of the prominent men and women.</p> + +<p>In 1872 the <i>Woman's Exponent</i> was established, and it is impossible +to estimate the advantage this little paper gave to the women of this +far western Territory. From its first issue it was the champion of the +suffrage cause, and by exchanging with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_937" id="Page_937">[Pg 937]</a></span> women's papers of the United +States and England it brought news of women in all parts of the world +to those of Utah. They also were thoroughly organized in the National +Woman's Relief Society, a charitable and philanthropic body which +stood for reform and progress in all directions. Through such an +organization it was always comparatively easy to promote any specific +object or work. The Hon. George Q. Cannon, Utah's delegate in the +'70's, coming from a Territory where women had the ballot, interested +himself in the suffrage question before Congress. He thus became +acquainted with the prominent leaders of the movement, who went to +Washington every winter and who manifested much interest in the women +afar off in possession of the rights which they themselves had been so +long and zealously advocating without apparent results. Among these +were Mrs. Stanton, Miss Anthony, Mrs. Isabella Beecher Hooker and +others of national reputation.</p> + +<p>Women were appointed as representatives from Utah by the National +Suffrage Association, and the correspondence between its officers and +Mrs. Wells, who had been made a member of their Advisory Committee and +vice-president for the Territory, as well as the fact that the women +of Utah were so progressive on the suffrage question and had sent +large petitions asking for the passage of a Sixteenth Amendment to the +Federal Constitution to enfranchise all women, resulted in an +invitation for her to attend its annual convention at Washington, in +January, 1879. Mrs. Wells was accompanied by Mrs. Zina Young Williams +and they were cordially welcomed by Mrs. Stanton and Miss Anthony. +This was a valuable experience for these women, as, even though they +had the right of suffrage, there was much to learn from the great +leaders who had been laboring in the cause of woman's enfranchisement +for more than thirty years. They were invited to address the +convention, and selected with others to go before Congressional +committees and the President of the United States, as well as to +present important matters to the Lady of the White House. The kindness +which they received from Mrs. Hayes and other noted women always will +remain a pleasant memory of that first visit to the national capitol. +On their return home they took up the subject of the ballot more<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_938" id="Page_938">[Pg 938]</a></span> +energetically in its general sense than ever before through public +speaking and writing.</p> + +<p>During the seventeen years, from 1870 to 1887, that the women of Utah +enjoyed the privilege of the ballot several attempts were made to +deprive them of it. In 1880 a case came before the Supreme Court of +the Territory on a mandamus requiring the assessor and registrar to +erase the names of Emmeline B. Wells, Maria M. Blythe and Cornelia +Paddock from the registration list, also the names of all other women +before a certain specified date, but the court decided in favor of the +defendants.</p> + +<p>In the spring of 1882 a convention was held to prepare a constitution +and urge Congress to admit Utah as a State. Three women were +elected—Mrs. Sarah M. Kimball, Mrs. Elizabeth Howard and Mrs. +Wells—and took part in framing this constitution, and their work was +as satisfactory as that of the male members. Although this was a new +departure, it caused no friction whatever and was good political +discipline for the women, especially in parliamentary law and usage.</p> + +<p>This year another case was brought, before the Third District Court, +to test the validity of the statute conferring the elective franchise +upon the women of the Territory. A registrar of Salt Lake City refused +to place the names of women upon the list of voters, and Mrs. Florence +L. Westcott asked for a writ compelling him to administer the oath, +enter her name, etc. The case was called for argument Sept. 14, 1882, +Chief Justice James A. Hunter on the bench, and able lawyers were +employed on both sides of the question. The decision sustained the +Legislative Act of 1870 under which women voted. Associate Justice +Emerson agreed with Judge Hunter, and Associate Justice Twiss +acknowledged the validity of the law, but insisted that women should +be taxpayers to entitle them to the right. This test case decided all +others and women continued to vote until the passage of the +Edmunds-Tucker Law, in March, 1887. During this period women gained +much political experience in practical matters, and their association +with men acquainted with affairs of State, in council and on +committees gave them a still wider knowledge of the manipulation of +public affairs.</p> + +<p>In September, 1882, the National W. S. A. held a conference<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_939" id="Page_939">[Pg 939]</a></span> in Omaha, +Neb., and Mrs. Wells and Mrs. Zina D. H. Young attended. Miss Anthony, +Mrs. May Wright Sewall, chairman of the Executive Committee, and many +other distinguished women were in attendance. Mrs. Wells, as +vice-president for Utah, presented an exhaustive report of the +suffrage work in the Territory, which was received with a great deal +of enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>At the national convention in Washington the previous January the +proposed disfranchisement of Utah women by the Edmunds Bill had been +very fully discussed and a resolution adopted, that "the proposition +to disfranchise the women of Utah for no cause whatever is a cruel +display of the power which lies in might alone, and that this Congress +has no more right to disfranchise the women of Utah than the men of +Wyoming."<a name="FNanchor_442_442" id="FNanchor_442_442"></a><a href="#Footnote_442_442" class="fnanchor">[442]</a> This sympathy was gratefully acknowledged by the women +of the Territory.</p> + +<p>The suffrage women throughout the various States made vigorous +protests against the injustice of this pending measure. A committee +appointed at the convention in Washington, in the winter of 1887, +presented a memorial to the President of the United States requesting +him not to sign the bills, but to veto any measure for the +disfranchisement of the women of Utah.<a name="FNanchor_443_443" id="FNanchor_443_443"></a><a href="#Footnote_443_443" class="fnanchor">[443]</a> Mrs. Belva A. Lockwood +made an able speech before the convention on this question. There were +at that time several bills before Congress to deprive Utah women of +the elective franchise.</p> + +<p>During the subsequent years of this agitation every issue of the +<i>Woman's Exponent</i> contained burning articles, letters and editorials +upon this uncalled-for and unwarranted interference with the affairs +of the women of this Territory. The advocates of the rights of all +women stood up boldly for those of Utah, notwithstanding the scoffs +and obloquy cast upon them. It was a fierce battle of opinions and the +weaker had to succumb. The strong power of Congress conquered at last, +and the Edmunds-Tucker Act of 1887 wrested from all the women, Gentile +and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_940" id="Page_940">[Pg 940]</a></span> Mormon alike, the suffrage which they had exercised for seventeen +years. Naturally they were very indignant at being arbitrarily +deprived of a vested right, but were obliged to submit. They were +determined, however, not to do so tamely but to teach their sons, +brothers and all others the value of equal suffrage, and to use every +effort in their power toward securing it whenever Statehood should be +conferred.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Arthur Brown and Mrs. Emily S. Richards were appointed to +represent the Territory at the National Suffrage Convention in +Washington in 1888, and were there authorized to form an association +uniform with those in various States and Territories. Heretofore it +had not been considered necessary to organize, as women were already +in possession of the ballot.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Elizabeth Lyle Saxon and Mrs. Clara Bewick Colby, who had been +lecturing on suffrage in Oregon and Washington, visited Salt Lake in +September, 1888. They spoke in the theater, and on the following day a +reception was tendered them in the Gardo House, where they had the +opportunity of meeting socially between five and six hundred people, +both Gentiles and Mormons, men and women. The same evening another +large audience in the theater greeted them, and on the day succeeding +at 10 <span class="smcap">a. m.</span> there was a meeting for women only in the Assembly Hall. +These meetings were held under the auspices of the Woman's Relief +Society, Mrs. Zina D. H. Young, president. Though they occurred at a +time when the people were suffering from indignities heaped upon them +because of unjust legislation, yet a strong impression was made on +those (mostly Gentiles) who never previously had been converted to +suffrage.</p> + +<p>After careful deliberation and several preliminary meetings in the +office of the <i>Woman's Exponent</i>, a public call was made through the +daily papers, signed by the most influential women of Salt Lake City, +for a meeting in the Assembly Hall, Jan. 10, 1889, to organize a +Territorial Suffrage Association. Mrs. Richards occupied the chair and +Mrs. Lydia D. Alder was elected secretary <i>pro tem</i>. Prayer was +offered and the old-fashioned hymn, "Know this that every soul is +free," was sung by the congregation.<a name="FNanchor_444_444" id="FNanchor_444_444"></a><a href="#Footnote_444_444" class="fnanchor">[444]</a> One hundred names were +enrolled and Mrs.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_941" id="Page_941">[Pg 941]</a></span> Caine and Mrs. Richards were elected delegates to +the National Convention. Mrs. Caine was already at the Capital with +her husband, the Hon. John T. Caine, Utah's delegate in the House of +Representatives. Mrs. Richards arrived in time to give a report of the +new society, which was heard with much interest.</p> + +<p>Within a few months fourteen counties had auxiliary societies. +Possibly because of the former experience of the women there was very +little necessity of urging these to keep up their enthusiasm. Towns +and villages were soon organized auxiliary to the counties, and much +good work was done in an educational way to arouse the new members to +an appreciation of the ballot, and also to convince men of the +benefits to be derived by all the people when women stood side by side +with them and made common cause.</p> + +<p>On April 11, three months after the Territorial Association was +organized, a rousing meeting was held in the Assembly Hall, in Salt +Lake City, Mrs. Alder, vice-president, in the chair. Eloquent +addresses were made by Bishop O. F. Whitney, the Hon. C. W. Penrose, +the Hon. George Q. Cannon, Dr. Martha P. Hughes (Cannon), Mrs. Zina D. +H. Young, Mrs. Richards, Ida Snow Gibbs and Nellie R. Webber.</p> + +<p>A largely attended meeting took place in the County Court House, Ogden +City, in June, the local president, Elizabeth Stanford, in the chair. +Besides brief addresses from members eloquent speeches were made by C. +W. Penrose and the Hon. Lorin Farr, a veteran legislator. The women +speakers of Salt Lake who had been thoroughly identified with the +suffrage cause traveled through the Territory in 1889, making speeches +and promoting local interests, and strong addresses were given also by +distinguished men—the Hons. John T. Caine, John E. Booth, William H. +King (delegate to Congress), bishops and legislators. The fact can not +be controverted that the sentiment of the majority of the people of +Utah always has been in favor of equal suffrage.</p> + +<p>At the annual meeting, held in the Social Hall, Salt Lake City, in +1890, Mrs. Sarah M. Kimball, a woman of great executive ability, was +elected president.<a name="FNanchor_445_445" id="FNanchor_445_445"></a><a href="#Footnote_445_445" class="fnanchor">[445]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_942" id="Page_942">[Pg 942]</a></span></p> + +<p>In 1890 Mrs. Kimball and Maria Y. Dougall went as delegates to the +National Convention and reached Washington in time to be present at +the banquet given in honor of Miss Anthony's seventieth birthday. In +Mrs. Kimball's report she stated that there were 300 paid-up members +of the Territorial Association exclusive of the sixteen county +organizations.</p> + +<p>During 1890 the women worked unceasingly, obtaining new members and +keeping up a vigorous campaign all the year round. Meetings were held +in the most remote towns, and even the farmer's wife far away in some +mountain nook did her part toward securing the suffrage.</p> + +<p>On July 23, 1890, the day Wyoming celebrated her Statehood, the +Suffrage Association of Utah assembled in Liberty Park, Salt Lake +City, to rejoice in the good fortune of Wyoming women. The fine old +trees were decorated with flags and bunting and martial music +resounded through the park; speeches rich with independent thought +were made by the foremost ladies, and a telegram of greeting was sent +to Mrs. Amalia Post at Cheyenne.</p> + +<p>Conventions were held yearly in Salt Lake City, with the best speakers +among men and women, and the counties represented by delegates. Many +classes in civil government also were formed throughout the Territory.</p> + +<p>At the National Convention in Washington, in February, 1891, there +were present from Utah ten representatives, and the number of paid-up +members entitled the delegates to twenty votes, the largest number of +any State except New York.</p> + +<p>On Feb. 15, 1892, the association celebrated Susan B. Anthony's +birthday in one of the largest halls in Salt Lake City, handsomely +decorated and the Stars and Stripes waving over the pictures of Mrs. +Stanton and Miss Anthony. Several members of the Legislature took part +in the exercises, which were entirely of a suffrage character. A +telegram was received from Miss Anthony which said, "Greetings, dear +friends: that your citizens' right to vote may soon be secured is the +prayer of your co-worker." A message of love and appreciation was +returned.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_943" id="Page_943">[Pg 943]</a></span></p> + +<p>On July 29, 1892, a grand rally in the interest of suffrage was held +in American Fork, attended by the leaders from Salt Lake City and +other parts of the Territory. Ladies wore the yellow ribbon and many +gentlemen the sunflower; the visitors were met at the station with +carriages and horses decorated in yellow, and bands of music were in +attendance. Mrs. Hannah Lapish, the local president, had charge, a +fine banquet was spread, and the entire day was a grand feast of +suffrage sentiment. C. W. Penrose was the orator.</p> + +<p>During 1892 Mrs. Wells traveled in California and Idaho, and wherever +she went, in season and out of season, spoke a good word for the +cause, often where women never had given the subject a thought, or had +considered it brazen and unwomanly. The annual convention in October +was an enthusiastic one, but the real work of the women during that +year was for the Columbian Exposition, though a suffrage song book was +published and much literature circulated, not only in Utah but +broadcast throughout the West; and Mrs. Richards did some work in +Southern Idaho.</p> + +<p>In some striking respects 1893 was a woman's year, and much was done +to advance the suffrage cause indirectly. The association gave a large +garden party in Salt Lake, with addresses by Mrs. Minnie J. Snow, Mrs. +Julia P. M. Farnsworth and the Hon. George Q. Cannon.</p> + +<p>At the annual convention Mrs. Wells was elected president, Mrs. +Richards vice-president, and they continued in office during the time +of the struggle to obtain an equal suffrage clause in the State +constitution. Mrs. Wells made personal visits throughout the +Territory, urging the women to stand firm for the franchise and +encourage the men who were likely to take part in the work toward +Statehood to uphold the rights of the women who had helped to build up +the country, as well as those who since then had been born in this +goodly land, reminding them that their fathers had given women +suffrage a quarter of a century before.</p> + +<p>In February, 1894, Mrs. Wells called an assembly of citizens for the +purpose of arousing a greater interest in a Statehood which should +include equal rights for women as well as men. The audience was a +large one of representative people. They<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_944" id="Page_944">[Pg 944]</a></span> sang Julia Ward Howe's +Battle Hymn of the Republic and also America, and brilliant addresses +were made by the Hon. John E. Booth, the Hon. Samuel W. Richards, Dr. +Richard A. Hasbrouck, a famous orator formerly of Ohio, Dr. Martha +Hughes Cannon, Mrs. Zina D. H. Young and Mrs. Lucy A. Clark. As a +result of this gathering parlor meetings were held in various parts of +the city, arousing much serious thought upon the question, as the +Territory was now on the verge of Statehood.</p> + +<p>On July 16 President Grover Cleveland signed the enabling act and the +<i>Woman's Exponent</i> chronicled the event with words of patriotic ardor, +urging the women to stand by their guns and not allow the framers of +the constitution to take any action whereby they might be defrauded of +their sacred rights to equality. Miss Anthony's message was quoted, +"Let it be the best basis for a State ever engrossed on parchment;" +and never did the faith of its editor waver in the belief that this +would be done.</p> + +<p>From this time unremitting work was carried on by the women in all +directions; every effort possible was made to secure a convention of +men who would frame a constitution without sex distinction, and to +provide that the woman suffrage article should be included in the +document itself and not be submitted separately.</p> + +<p>At the annual convention in October, 1894, a cordial resolution was +unanimously adopted thanking the two political parties for having +inserted in their platforms a plank approving suffrage for women.</p> + +<p>The November election was most exciting. Women all over the Territory +worked energetically to elect such delegates to the convention as +would place equal suffrage in the constitution.</p> + +<p>After the election, when the battle was in progress, women labored +tactfully and industriously; they tried by every means to educate and +convert the general public, circulated suffrage literature among +neighbors and friends and in the most remote corners, for they knew +well that even after the constitution was adopted by the convention it +must be voted on by all the men of the Territory.</p> + +<p>In January, 1895, the president, Mrs. Wells, went to Atlanta to the +National Convention, accompanied by Mrs. Marilla M.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_945" id="Page_945">[Pg 945]</a></span> Daniels and Mrs. +Aurelia S. Rogers. In her report she stated that the women of Utah had +not allied themselves with either party but labored assiduously with +both Republicans and Democrats. In closing she said: "There are two +good reasons why our women should have the ballot apart from the +general reasons why all women should have it—first, because the +franchise was given to them by the Territorial Legislature and they +exercised it seventeen years, never abusing the privilege, and it was +taken away from them by Congress without any cause assigned except +that it was a political measure; second, there are undoubtedly more +women in Utah who own their homes and pay taxes than in any other +State with the same number of inhabitants, and Congress has, by its +enactments in the past, virtually made many of these women heads of +families."</p> + +<p>A convention was held February 18 in the Probate Court room of the +Salt Lake City and County building. Delegates came from far and near. +Mrs. Wells presided, and vice-presidents were Mrs. Richards, Mrs. C. +W. Bennett; secretary, Mrs. Nellie Little; assistant secretary, Mrs. +Augusta W. Grant; chaplain, Mrs. Zina D. H. Young. A committee was +appointed by the Chair to prepare a memorial for the convention,<a name="FNanchor_446_446" id="FNanchor_446_446"></a><a href="#Footnote_446_446" class="fnanchor">[446]</a> +and stirring speeches were made by delegates from the various +counties.</p> + +<p>In the afternoon as many of the ladies as could gain admittance went +into another hall in the same building, where the Constitutional +Convention was in session, and where already some members had begun to +oppose woman suffrage in the constitution proper and to suggest it as +an amendment to be voted upon separately. The Hon. F. S. Richards, a +prominent member, presented their memorial, which closed with the +following paragraph: "We therefore ask you to provide in the +constitution that the rights of citizens of the State of Utah to vote +and hold office shall not be denied or abridged on account of sex, but +that male and female citizens of the State shall equally enjoy all +civil, political and religious rights and privileges." This was signed +by Emeline B. Wells, president Woman Suffrage Association; Emily S. +Richards, vice-president; Zina D. H. Young,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_946" id="Page_946">[Pg 946]</a></span> president National +Woman's Relief Society; Jane S. Richards, vice-president, and all the +county presidents.</p> + +<p>The next morning a hearing was granted to the ladies before the +Suffrage Committee. Carefully prepared papers were read by Mesdames +Richards, Carlton, Cannon, Milton, Pardee and Pratt. Mrs. Wells spoke +last, without notes, stating pertinent facts and appealing for +justice.</p> + +<p>There was much debate, pro and con, in the convention after this time, +and open and fair discussions of the question in Committee of the +Whole. The majority report was as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That the rights of citizens of the State of Utah to +vote and hold office shall not be denied or abridged on account +of sex. Both male and female citizens of this State shall equally +enjoy all civil, political and religious rights and privileges.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The minority report submitted later was too weak and flimsy to be +considered.</p> + +<p>The women addressed a cordial letter of appreciation and thanks to the +committee who had so nobly stood by their cause.<a name="FNanchor_447_447" id="FNanchor_447_447"></a><a href="#Footnote_447_447" class="fnanchor">[447]</a> Having secured +this favorable report the women had not supposed it would be necessary +to continue their efforts, and it would not have been except for a +faction led by Brigham H. Roberts who actively worked against the +adoption of this article by the delegates.<a name="FNanchor_448_448" id="FNanchor_448_448"></a><a href="#Footnote_448_448" class="fnanchor">[448]</a> Numerously signed +petitions for woman suffrage from all parts of the Territory were at +once sent to the convention.</p> + +<p>On the morning of April 8 the section on equal suffrage which had +passed its third reading was brought up for consideration, as had been +previously decided. The hall was crowded to suffocation, but as the +debate was limited to fifteen minutes it was soon disposed of without +much argument from either side. The vote of the convention was 75 +ayes, 6 noes, 12 absent. Every member afterwards signed the +constitution.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_947" id="Page_947">[Pg 947]</a></span></p> + +<p>On May 12, Miss Anthony and the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, president and +vice-president-at-large of the National Association, arrived, as +promised, to hold a suffrage conference. They were accompanied by Mrs. +Mary C. C. Bradford and Mrs. Ellis Meredith of Colorado. The +conference met in the hall where the Constitutional Convention had +adjourned a few days before. Mrs. Wells presided and Gov. Caleb W. +West introduced Miss Anthony, assuring his audience it was a +distinguished honor, and declaring that the new State constitution +which included woman suffrage would be carried at the coming election +by an overwhelming majority. Miss Anthony responded in a most +acceptable manner. Governor West also introduced Miss Shaw who made an +eloquent address. Mrs. Bradford and Mrs. Meredith were formally +presented and welcome was extended by Mesdames Zina D. H. Young, W. +Ferry, B. W. Smith, J. Milton, C. E. Allen, M. I. Home, E. B. Ferguson +and the Hon. J. R. Murdock, a pioneer suffragist and member of the +late convention.</p> + +<p>The same afternoon a reception was given in honor of the ladies at the +handsome residence of the Hon. F. S. and Mrs. Richards, attended by +over three hundred guests, including State officials, officers and +ladies from the military post, and many people of distinction. The +conference lasted two days, with large audiences, and the newspapers +published glowing accounts of the proceedings and the enthusiasm. Many +social courtesies were extended.</p> + +<p>Miss Anthony and her party held meetings in Ogden and were honored in +every possible way, the Hon. Franklin D. Richards and his wife and the +Hon. D. H. Peery being among the entertainers there.</p> + +<p>The question soon arose whether women should vote on the adoption of +the constitution at the coming November election. The commission which +had been appointed by the U. S. Government to superintend affairs in +Utah, decided at their June meeting to submit the matter to the +Attorney-General. There was considerable agitation by the public +press; some newspapers favored the women's voting and others thought +its legality would be questioned and thus the admission to Statehood +would be hindered.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_948" id="Page_948">[Pg 948]</a></span> The women generally were willing to abide by the +highest judicial authority.</p> + +<p>A test case was brought before the District Court in Ogden, August 10. +The court room was crowded with attorneys and prominent citizens to +hear the decision of Judge H. W. Smith, which was that women should +register and vote. The case was then carried to the Supreme Court of +the Territory and the decision given August 31. Chief Justice Samuel +A. Merritt stated that Judge G. W. Bartch and himself had reached the +conclusion that the Edmunds-Tucker Law had not been repealed and would +remain effective till Statehood was achieved, and that he would file a +written opinion reversing the judgment of the lower court. Judge +William H. King, the other member, dissented and declared that "the +disfranchisement of the women at this election he regarded as a wrong +and an outrage."</p> + +<p>The opinion of the Supreme Court could not be ignored and therefore +the women citizens acquiesced with the best grace possible. +Unremitting and effective work continued to be done by the suffrage +association, although the foremost women soon affiliated with the +respective parties and began regular duty in election matters. The +leaders went through the Territory urging women everywhere to look +after the interests of the election and see that men voted right on +the constitution, which was not only of great importance to them and +their posterity but to all women throughout the land.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 465px;"> +<img src="images/gs10.jpg" width="465" height="678" alt="LAURA M. JOHNS. +Salina, Kan. +MARY J. COGGESHALL. +Des Moines, Iowa. +EMMELINE S. WELLS, +Salt Lake City, Utah. +MARY SMITH HAYWARD. +Chadron, Neb. +JULIA B. NELSON. +Red Wing, Minn." title="" /> +</div> + +<div class="center"> +<table class="smallprint" summary=""> +<tr><td align="center">LAURA M. JOHNS.</td><td> </td><td align="center">MARY J. COGGESHALL.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Salina, Kan.</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center">Des Moines, Iowa.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">EMMELINE S. WELLS,</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">Salt Lake City, Utah.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">MARY SMITH HAYWARD.</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center"> JULIA B. NELSON.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Chadron, Neb.</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center">Red Wing, Minn.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>Women attended conventions, were members of political committees and +worked faithfully for the election of the men who had been nominated +at the Territorial Convention. A few women also had been placed on the +tickets—Mrs. Emma McVicker for Superintendent of Public Instruction, +Mrs. Lillie Pardee for the Senate, and Mrs. E. B. Wells for the House +of Representatives, on the Republican ticket, and it was held that +although women were not allowed to vote, they might be voted for by +men. But finally, so many fears were entertained lest the success of +the ticket should be imperiled that the women were induced to +withdraw. Mrs. Wells' name remained until the last, but the party +continuing to insist, she very reluctantly yielded, informing the +committee that she did it under protest. On Nov. 5, 1895,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_949" id="Page_949">[Pg 949]</a></span> the +Republican party carried the election by a large majority; the +constitution was adopted by 28,618 ayes, 2,687 noes, and Full Suffrage +was conferred on women.</p> + + +<p>President Cleveland signed the constitution of Utah, Jan. 4, 1896, and +the inaugural ceremonies were held in the great tabernacle in Salt +Lake City, January 6, "Utah completing the trinity of true Republics +at the summit of the Rockies." Gov. Heber M. Wells took the oath +administered by Chief Justice Charles S. Zane, and at a given signal +the booming of artillery was heard from Capitol Hill. +Secretary-of-State Hammond read the Governor's first proclamation +convening the Legislature at 3 o'clock that day. Mrs. Pardee was +elected clerk of the Senate and entered upon the duties of the office +at the opening session, signing the credentials of the U. S. +Senators—the first case of the kind on record. C. E. Allen had been +elected representative to Congress, and the Legislature at once +selected Frank J. Cannon and Arthur Brown as United States Senators.</p> + +<p>At the National Suffrage Convention in Washington, the evening of +January 27 was devoted to welcoming Utah. Representative Allen and +wife were on the platform. The Rev. Miss Shaw tendered the welcome of +the association. Senator Cannon, who had just arrived in the city, +responded declaring that woman was the power needed to reform +politics. Mrs. Allen and Mrs. S. A. Boyer spoke of the courage and +persistence of the women, and Mrs. Richards gave a graphic account of +the faithful work done by the Utah Suffrage Association.</p> + +<p>In January, 1897, Mrs. Wells attended the National Convention in Des +Moines, Iowa, and described the first year's accomplishments to an +appreciative audience.</p> + +<p>On Oct. 30, 1899, Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, chairman of the National +organization committee, and Miss Mary G. Hay, secretary, came to Salt +Lake City on the homeward way from Montana, and a meeting was held in +the office of the <i>Woman's Exponent</i>, Mrs. Wells in the chair and +about twenty-five ladies present, all ardent suffragists. After due +deliberation a committee was appointed, Mrs. Richards, chairman, Mrs. +J. Fewson Smith, secretary, to work for suffrage in other States, +especially Arizona. Subsequently this committee organized properly,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_950" id="Page_950">[Pg 950]</a></span> +adopted the name Utah Council of Women, and did all in their power to +raise means and carry on the proposed work, and dues were sent to the +national treasury.</p> + +<p>In February, 1900, Mrs. Richards, president, and Mrs. Lucy A. Clark, +delegate, went to Washington and took part in the National Convention +and the celebration of Miss Anthony's eightieth birthday. On this +occasion the Utah Silk Commission presented to her a handsome black +silk dress pattern, which possessed an especial value from the fact +that the raising of the silk worms, the spinning of the thread and all +the work connected with its manufacture except the weaving was done by +women.</p> + +<p>During this year the Council of Women worked assiduously to make a +creditable exhibit at the national suffrage bazar, Mrs. Mary T. Gilmer +having personal charge of it in New York City.</p> + +<p>LAWS: Dower and curtesy are abolished. The law reserves for the widow +one-third of all the real property possessed by the husband free from +his debts, but the value of such portion of the homestead as is set +apart for her shall be deducted from this share. If either husband or +wife die without a will leaving only one child or the lawful issue of +one, the survivor takes one-half the real estate; if there are more +than one or issue of one living, then one-third. If there is issue the +survivor has one-half the personal estate. If none he or she is +entitled to all the real and personal estate if not over $5,000 in +value, exclusive of debts and expenses. Of all over that amount the +survivor receives one-half and the parents of the deceased the other +half in equal shares; if not living it goes to the brothers and +sisters and their heirs.</p> + +<p>Also the widow or widower is entitled to one-half the community +property subject to community debts, and if there is no will, to the +other half provided there are no children living.</p> + +<p>A homestead not exceeding $2,000 in value and $250 additional for each +minor child, together with all the personal property exempt from +execution, shall be wholly exempt from the payment of the debts of +decedent, and shall be the absolute property of the surviving husband +or wife and minor children. This section shall not be construed to +prevent the disposition by will of the homestead and exempt personal +property.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_951" id="Page_951">[Pg 951]</a></span></p> + +<p>A married woman has absolute control over her separate property and +may mortgage or convey it or dispose of it by will without the +husband's consent. The husband has the same right, but in conveying +real estate which is community property, the wife's signature is +necessary.</p> + +<p>A married woman may engage in business in her own name and "her +earnings, wages and savings become her separate estate without any +express gift or contract of the husband, when she is permitted to +receive and retain them and to loan and invest them in her own name +and for her own benefit, and they are exempt from execution for her +husband's debts." (1894.)</p> + +<p>A married woman may make contracts, sue and be sued in her own name.</p> + +<p>The father is the legal guardian of the children, and at his death the +mother. The survivor may appoint a guardian.</p> + +<p>Support for the wife may be granted by the court the same as alimony +in divorce, if the husband have property in the State. If not there is +no punishment for non-support. (1896.)</p> + +<p>The "age of protection" for girls was raised from 10 to 13 years in +1888, and to 18 years in 1896. The penalty is imprisonment in the +penitentiary not less than five years.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> The Territorial Legislature conferred the Full Suffrage on +women in 1870, and they exercised it very generally until 1887 when +they were deprived of it by Congress through what is known as the +Edmunds-Tucker Act. Utah entered the Union in 1896 with Full Suffrage +for women as an article of the State constitution.</p> + +<p>That they exercise this privilege quite as extensively as men is shown +by the following table prepared from the election statistics of 1900. +It is not customary to make separate returns of the women's votes and +these were obtained through the courtesy of Governor Wells, who, at +the request of the Utah Council of Women, wrote personal letters to +the county officials to secure them. Eleven of the more remote +counties did not respond but those having the largest population did +so, and, judging from previous statistics, the others would not change +the proportion of the vote.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_952" id="Page_952">[Pg 952]</a></span></p> + + +<div class="center"> +<table class="xdense" summary=""> +<tr><td class="center bb bt" rowspan="2">Counties.</td><td class="center bl bb bt" colspan="3">Registered.</td><td class="center bl bb bt" colspan="3">Voted.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="center bl bb">Men.</td><td class="center bl bb">Women.</td><td class="center bl bb">Total.</td><td class="center bl bb">Men.</td><td class="center bl bb">Women.</td><td class="center bl bb">Total.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Salt Lake</td><td class="right bl">14,083</td><td class="right bl">13,328</td><td class="right bl">27,411</td><td class="right bl">13,102</td><td class="right bl">12,802</td><td class="right bl">25,904</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Utah</td><td class="right bl">5,921</td><td class="right bl">5,922</td><td class="right bl">11,843</td><td class="right bl">5,649</td><td class="right bl">5,650</td><td class="right bl">11,299</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Cache</td><td class="right bl">3,112</td><td class="right bl">3,210</td><td class="right bl">6,322</td><td class="right bl">2,946</td><td class="right bl">3,085</td><td class="right bl">6,031</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Box Elder</td><td class="right bl">1,759</td><td class="right bl">1,548</td><td class="right bl">3,307</td><td class="right bl">1,677</td><td class="right bl">1,466</td><td class="right bl">3,143</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Davis</td><td class="right bl">1,175</td><td class="right bl">1,327</td><td class="right bl">2,502</td><td class="right bl">1,133</td><td class="right bl">1,277</td><td class="right bl">2,410</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Carbon</td><td class="right bl">986</td><td class="right bl">511</td><td class="right bl">1,497</td><td class="right bl">937</td><td class="right bl">477</td><td class="right bl">1,414</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Uintah</td><td class="right bl">851</td><td class="right bl">683</td><td class="right bl">1,534</td><td class="right bl">796</td><td class="right bl">622</td><td class="right bl">1,418</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Iron</td><td class="right bl">743</td><td class="right bl">672</td><td class="right bl">1,415</td><td class="right bl">708</td><td class="right bl">646</td><td class="right bl">1,354</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Washington</td><td class="right bl">690</td><td class="right bl">752</td><td class="right bl">1,442</td><td class="right bl">690</td><td class="right bl">752</td><td class="right bl">1,442</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Piute</td><td class="right bl">409</td><td class="right bl">264</td><td class="right bl">673</td><td class="right bl">399</td><td class="right bl">246</td><td class="right bl">645</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Morgan</td><td class="right bl">408</td><td class="right bl">387</td><td class="right bl">795</td><td class="right bl">398</td><td class="right bl">378</td><td class="right bl">775</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Rich</td><td class="right bl">404</td><td class="right bl">289</td><td class="right bl">693</td><td class="right bl">398</td><td class="right bl">286</td><td class="right bl">684</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Wayne</td><td class="right bl">342</td><td class="right bl">302</td><td class="right bl">644</td><td class="right bl">318</td><td class="right bl">309</td><td class="right bl">627</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Grand</td><td class="right bl">285</td><td class="right bl">135</td><td class="right bl">420</td><td class="right bl">263</td><td class="right bl">129</td><td class="right bl">392</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Kane</td><td class="right bl">280</td><td class="right bl">341</td><td class="right bl">621</td><td class="right bl">219</td><td class="right bl">285</td><td class="right bl">504</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">San Juan</td><td class="right bl bb">123</td><td class="right bl bb">61</td><td class="right bl bb">184</td><td class="right bl bb">106</td><td class="right bl bb">56</td><td class="right bl bb">162</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left bb"> </td><td class="right bl bb">31,571</td><td class="right bl bb">29,732</td><td class="right bl bb">61,313</td><td class="right bl bb">29,738</td><td class="right bl bb">28,486</td><td class="right bl bb">58,198</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<div class="center"> +<table summary=""> +<tr><td class="left">Total registration of men</td><td class="right">31,571</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " vote " "</td><td class="right">29,738</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Registered but not voting</td><td class="right">1,833</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Total registration of women</td><td class="right">29,732</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " vote " "</td><td class="right">28,486</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Registered but not voting</td><td class="right">1,246</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<p>It will be seen that in five counties the registration and vote of +women was larger than that of men, and in the State a considerably +larger proportion of women than of men who registered voted. Women +cast nearly 50 per cent. of the entire vote and yet the U. S. Census +of this year showed that males comprised over 51 per cent. of the +population.</p> + +<p>All of the testimony which is given in the chapters on Wyoming, +Colorado and Idaho might be duplicated for Utah. From Mormon and +Gentile alike, from the press, from the highest officials, from all +who represent the best interests of the State, it is unanimously in +favor of suffrage for women. The evidence proves beyond dispute that +they use it judiciously and conscientiously, that it has tended to the +benefit of themselves and their homes, and that political conditions +have been distinctly improved.<a name="FNanchor_449_449" id="FNanchor_449_449"></a><a href="#Footnote_449_449" class="fnanchor">[449]</a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> Governor Heber M. Wells at once carried into effect +the spirit of the constitution, adopted in 1895, by appointing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_953" id="Page_953">[Pg 953]</a></span> women +on all State boards of public institutions where it was wise and +possible. Two out of five places on the Board of the Deaf and Dumb +Institute were given to women, Harriet F. Emerson and Dr. Martha +Hughes Cannon.</p> + +<p>The first Legislature, 1896, passed "An act for the establishment of +sericulture" (raising of silk worms). Women had worked energetically +to secure this measure, and it was appropriate that five of them, +three Republican and two Democratic, should be appointed as a silk +commission, Zina D. H. Young, Isabella E. Bennett, Margaret A. Caine, +Ann C. Woodbury and Mary A. Cazier. Each was required to give a +thousand-dollar bond. A later Legislature appropriated $1,000 per +annum to pay the secretary.</p> + +<p>Two women were appointed on the Board of Regents of the State +University, Mrs. Emma J. McVicker, Republican and Gentile; Mrs. +Rebecca E. Little, Democrat and Mormon. Both are still serving. Two +were appointed Regents of the Agricultural College, Mrs. Sarah B. +Goodwin and Mrs. Emily S. Richards.</p> + +<p>At the close of the Legislature the Republican State Central Committee +was reorganized; Mrs. Emmeline B. Wells was made vice-chairman, Miss +Julia Farnsworth, secretary. The Democratic party was quite as liberal +toward women and the feeling prevailed that at the next election women +would be placed in various State and county offices. There were many +women delegates in the county and also in the State conventions of +both parties in 1896, and a number of women were nominated.</p> + +<p>It was a Democratic victory and the women on that ticket were +elected—Dr. Martha Hughes Cannon to the Senate, Eurithe Le Barthe and +Sarah A. Anderson to the House; Margaret A. Caine, auditor of Salt +Lake County; Ellen Jakeman, treasurer Utah County; Delilah K. Olson, +recorder Millard County; Fannie Graehl (Rep.), recorder Box Elder +County, and possibly some others.</p> + +<p>In the Legislature of 1897, Mrs. Le Barthe introduced a bill +forbidding women to wear large hats in places of public entertainment, +which was passed. Dr. Cannon championed the measure by which a State +Board of Health was created, and was appointed by the Governor as one +of its first members. She had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_954" id="Page_954">[Pg 954]</a></span> part in the defeat of the strong lobby +that sought to abolish the existing State Board of Public Examiners, +which prevents incompetents from practicing medicine. She introduced a +bill compelling the State to educate the deaf, mute and blind; another +requiring seats for women employes; what was known as the Medical +Bill, by which all the sanitary measures of the State are regulated +and put in operation; and another providing for the erection of a +hospital for the State School of the Deaf, Dumb and Blind, carrying +with it the necessary appropriation. All the bills introduced or +championed by Dr. Cannon became laws. She served on the Committees on +Public Health, Apportionment, Fish and Game, Banks and Banking, +Education, Labor, etc.</p> + +<p>At the close of their second term the Senate presented her with a +handsome silver-mounted album containing the autographs of all the +Senators and employes. She had drawn what is known as the long term, +and at its close she was chosen to present a handsome gavel to the +president of the Senate in behalf of the members. Thus far she has +been the only woman Senator.</p> + +<p>In 1899 Mrs. Alice Merrill Horne (Dem.), the third woman elected to +the House, was appointed chairman of the State University Land Site +Committee, to which was referred the bill authorizing the State to +take advantage of the congressional land grant offered for expending +$301,000 in buildings and providing for the removal of the State +University to the new site. At a jubilee in recognition of the gift, +held by the faculty and students, at which the Governor and +Legislature were guests, Mrs. Horne was the only woman to make a +speech and was introduced by President Joseph T. Kingsbury in most +flattering terms for the work she had done in behalf of education. She +championed the Free Scholarship Bill giving one hundred annual Normal +School appointments, each for a term of four years; and one creating a +State Institute of Art for the encouragement of the fine arts and for +art in public school education and in manufactures, for an annual +exhibition, a course of lectures and a State art collection, both of +which passed. She was a member of committees on Art, Education, Rules +and Insane Asylum; was the only member sent to visit the State Insane +Asylum, going by direction of the Speaker of the House, as a committee +of one, to surprise<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_955" id="Page_955">[Pg 955]</a></span> the superintendent and report actual conditions. +Mrs. Horne was presented with a photographed group of the members of +the House, herself the only woman in the picture.</p> + +<p>The November election of 1900 was fraught with great interest to the +women, as the State officials were to be elected as well as the +Legislature, and they were anxious that there should be some women's +names on the tickets for both the House and Senate, and that a woman +should be nominated for State Superintendent of Public Instruction by +both parties. For this office the Republican and the Democratic women +presented candidates,—Mrs. Emma J. McVicker and Miss Ada Faust,—but +both conventions gave the nomination to men. Meantime Dr. John R. +Park, the superintendent, died suddenly and Gov. Wells appointed Mrs. +McVicker as his successor for the unfinished term.</p> + +<p>Mrs. J. Ellen Foster, of Washington, D. C. was sent to Utah by the +Republican National Committee, and with Mrs. W. F. Boynton and others, +made a spirited and successful campaign.</p> + +<p>There never has been any scramble for office on the part of women, and +here, as in the other States where they have the suffrage, there is +but little disposition on the part of men to divide with them the +"positions of emolument and trust." Only one woman was nominated for a +State office in 1900, Mrs. Elizabeth Cohen for the Legislature, and +she was defeated with the rest of the Democratic ticket. All of the +women who have served in the Legislature have been elected by the +Democrats.</p> + +<p>Several women were elected to important city and county offices. In +many of these offices more women than men are employed as deputies and +clerks.</p> + +<p>In 1900 Mrs. W. H. Jones was sent as delegate to the National +Republican Convention in Philadelphia, and Mrs. Elizabeth Cohen to the +Democratic in Kansas City, and both served throughout the sessions. +This is the first instance of the kind on record, although women were +sent as alternates from Wyoming to the National Republican Convention +at Minneapolis in 1888.</p> + +<p>Women are exempted from sitting on juries, the same as editors, +lawyers and ministers, but they are not excluded if they wish to serve +or the persons on trial desire them. None has thus far been summoned.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_956" id="Page_956">[Pg 956]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> No profession or occupation is legally forbidden to women +except that of working in mines.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> All of the higher institutions of learning are open to both +sexes. In the public schools there are 527 men and 892 women teachers. +The average monthly salary of the men is $61.42; of the women, $41.19.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>Women in Utah always have been conspicuous in organized work. The +National Woman's Relief Society was established at Nauvoo, Ills., in +1842, and transferred to Salt Lake City in 1848. It is one of the +oldest associations of women in the United States—the oldest perhaps +of any considerable size. It has over 30,000 members and is one of the +valuable institutions of the State. The National Young Ladies' Mutual +Improvement Association has 21,700 members and in 1900 raised $3,000 +partly for building purposes and partly to help the needy.<a name="FNanchor_450_450" id="FNanchor_450_450"></a><a href="#Footnote_450_450" class="fnanchor">[450]</a> There +are also a State Council of Women, Daughters of the Pioneers, +Daughters of the Revolution, Council of Jewish Women, etc. +Thirty-three clubs belong to the National Federation but this by no +means includes all of them.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_441_441" id="Footnote_441_441"></a><a href="#FNanchor_441_441"><span class="label">[441]</span></a> The History is indebted for this chapter to Mrs. +Emmeline B. Wells of Salt Lake City, editor of the <i>Woman's Exponent</i>, +and president of the Territorial Association during the campaign when +Full Suffrage was secured. Valuable assistance has been rendered by +Mrs. Emily S. Richards of that city, vice-president during the same +period.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_442_442" id="Footnote_442_442"></a><a href="#FNanchor_442_442"><span class="label">[442]</span></a> Committee: Lillie Devereux Blake of New York, Virginia +L. Minor of St. Louis, Harriet R. Shattuck of Boston, May Wright +Sewall of Indianapolis and Ellen H. Sheldon of Washington, D. C.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_443_443" id="Footnote_443_443"></a><a href="#FNanchor_443_443"><span class="label">[443]</span></a> Committee: Lillie Devereux Blake, Matilda Joslyn Gage, +Caroline Gilkey Rogers and Mary Seymour Howell, of New York; Clara B. +Colby, Nebraska; Sarah T. Miller, Maryland; Elizabeth Boynton Harbert, +Illinois; Harriet R. Shattuck, Massachusetts, and Louisa Southworth, +Ohio.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_444_444" id="Footnote_444_444"></a><a href="#FNanchor_444_444"><span class="label">[444]</span></a> The officers elected were: President, Margaret N. +Caine; vice-presidents, Lydia D. Alder, Nellie R. Webber, Priscilla J. +Riter; secretary, Cornelia N. Clayton; corresponding secretary, +Charlotte I. Kirby; treasurer, Margie Dwyer; executive committee, +Maria V. Dougall, Nettie Y. Snell, Ann E. Groesbeck, Phoebe Y. Beatie +and Jennie Rowe.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_445_445" id="Footnote_445_445"></a><a href="#FNanchor_445_445"><span class="label">[445]</span></a> Vice-presidents, Mrs. Richards, Ann D. Groesbeck and +Caroline E. Dye; recording secretary, Rachel Edwards; corresponding +secretary, Julia C. Taylor; treasurer, Margie Dwyer; executive +committee, Cornelia H. Clayton, Margaret Mitchell, Nellie Little, +Theresa Hills and May Talmage.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_446_446" id="Footnote_446_446"></a><a href="#FNanchor_446_446"><span class="label">[446]</span></a> Mesdames Richards, Young, Bennett, G. S. Carlton, J. S. +Gilmer, Romania B. Pratt, Phebe Y. Beatie, Amelia F. Young, Martha H. +Cannon, C. E. Allen, Emma McVicker, Ruth M. Fox, Priscilla Jennings, +Lillie Pardee and Martha Parsons.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_447_447" id="Footnote_447_447"></a><a href="#FNanchor_447_447"><span class="label">[447]</span></a> Hon. J. F. Chidester, chairman; A. S. Anderson, Joseph +E. Robinson, Parley Christianson, Peter Lowe, James D. Murdock, +Chester Call, Andreas Engberg, A. H. Raleigh, William Howard, F. A. +Hammond, S. R. Thurman. In addition to this committee those who +sustained the women and pleaded their cause were Messrs. Richards, +Whitney, Evans, Cannon, Murdock, Rich, Hart, Ivins, Snow, Robinson, +Allen, Miller, Farr, Preston, Maeser and Wells. There were others, but +these were the foremost.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_448_448" id="Footnote_448_448"></a><a href="#FNanchor_448_448"><span class="label">[448]</span></a> Mr. Roberts was elected to Congress on the Democratic +ticket in 1900, although strenuously opposed by the women of Utah, +irrespective of politics, but largely owing to the vigorous protests +of the women of the whole United States, he was not permitted to take +his seat. [Eds.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_449_449" id="Footnote_449_449"></a><a href="#FNanchor_449_449"><span class="label">[449]</span></a> See <a href="#APPENDIX-TESTIMONY">Appendix—Testimony from Woman Suffrage States</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_450_450" id="Footnote_450_450"></a><a href="#FNanchor_450_450"><span class="label">[450]</span></a> In 1889 Mrs. Susa Young Gates established the <i>Young +Woman's Journal</i>, a monthly magazine, as the organ of this +association, although it was for eight years financially a private +enterprise. The president, Mrs. Elmina S. Taylor, was her constant +help and inspiration. The first year Mrs. Lucy B. Young, mother of the +editor, then past sixty, took her buggy and traveled over Utah +explaining the venture and securing subscriptions. Two thousand +numbers a year were published. Of late years the business managers +have been women. In 1897 Mrs. Gates made over the magazine to the +association without any consideration, but was retained as editor. +There were at this time practically no debts and 7,000 subscribers, +which later were increased to 10,000.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_957" id="Page_957">[Pg 957]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LXVII" id="CHAPTER_LXVII"></a>CHAPTER LXVII.</h2> + +<h3>VERMONT.<a name="FNanchor_451_451" id="FNanchor_451_451"></a><a href="#Footnote_451_451" class="fnanchor">[451]</a></h3> + + +<p>Much credit is due to the New England Woman Suffrage Association for +the life and efficiency of the Vermont society. In 1883 this +organization secured the services of Mrs. Hannah Tracy Cutler of +Illinois for a series of lectures. At the close of these, and pursuant +to a call signed by twenty-five citizens, a convention was held at St. +Johnsbury, November 8, 9, when, with the aid of Lucy Stone and Henry +B. Blackwell, editors of the <i>Woman's Journal</i>, Mrs. Julia Ward Howe +of Massachusetts, and Mrs. Cutler, the State W. S. A. was formed.<a name="FNanchor_452_452" id="FNanchor_452_452"></a><a href="#Footnote_452_452" class="fnanchor">[452]</a></p> + +<p>In over seventy towns and villages local committees have been +appointed to distribute literature, circulate petitions and further +the general plans of work. For the past two years the editors have +been supplied with suffrage papers weekly or fortnightly.</p> + +<p>Lecture trips have been arranged for the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, +vice-president-at-large of the National Association, Mrs. Zerelda G. +Wallace of Indiana, the Rev. Ada C. Bowles, the Rev. Louis A. Banks, +Miss Alice Stone Blackwell, Miss Diana Hirschler, Miss Ida M. Buxton, +of Massachusetts, and Mrs. M. L. T. Hidden. Eighty appointments have +been filled by Miss Mary N. Chase, A. B. Thirty conventions have been +held at which valuable aid has been rendered by Mr. and Miss +Blackwell, Miss Shaw, Mrs. Howe, Mrs. Mary A. Livermore and Mrs. +Carrie Chapman Catt, chairman of the national organization +committee.<a name="FNanchor_453_453" id="FNanchor_453_453"></a><a href="#Footnote_453_453" class="fnanchor">[453]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_958" id="Page_958">[Pg 958]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action and Laws:</span> Harvey Howes of West Haven was the only +man in a convention called to amend the State constitution in 1870, +who voted to grant full political rights to women; 233 voted in +opposition.</p> + +<p>To secure to taxpaying women the right of Municipal Suffrage, has been +the special line of legislative work for the State association. +Petitions asking for this, with signatures varying in number from +1,225 to 3,616, and bills to grant it, have been presented in both +Houses of the Legislature at nine biennial sessions, beginning with +1884. In every instance save one these have been referred to the +Judiciary Committees.</p> + +<p>In 1884 a Municipal Suffrage Bill was introduced into the House by O. +E. Butterfield and supported by himself and Messrs. Adams, Henry, +Stickney and others, but was lost by 69 yeas, 113 nays.</p> + +<p>In 1886 a bill to permit all women to vote who paid taxes was +introduced and strongly advocated in the House by Luke P. Poland. It +was amended without his consent to require that they should pay taxes +on $200 worth of property, and passed by 139 yeas, 89 nays. In the +Senate it was championed by Messrs. Bates, Blake, Bunker, Clark, +Cushing, Foster, Pierce, Smith, Stanley and Swain, but was lost by 10 +yeas, 18 nays.</p> + +<p>In 1888 a Municipal Suffrage Bill was introduced into the House by C. +P. Marsh, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, that gave a hearing at +which the State W. S. A. was represented. Later, at a public hearing +in Representatives' Hall, Henry B. Blackwell, Prof. W. H. Carruth of +Kansas, Col. Albert Clarke, Mrs. Mary W. Foster and Miss Laura Moore +urged the passage of this bill. It was reported to the House "without +expression of opinion." The friendly members on the committee were +Messrs. Marsh, Ballard and Mann. In the debate which followed, these +three, with Messrs. Southworth and Dole, supported the bill; and a +letter was read from Amasa Scott, presenting arguments in its favor. +It was lost by 38 yeas, 192 nays.</p> + +<p>Still later in this session a petition signed by the officers of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_959" id="Page_959">[Pg 959]</a></span> +State association asking that "property owned by women be exempt from +taxation," was presented in the House; as was also a bill by Hosea +Mann providing that, "The property, both real and personal, owned by +women shall be exempt from taxation, except for school purposes." This +was defeated without debate.</p> + +<p>In 1890 a Municipal Suffrage Bill was introduced into the House by Mr. +Mann and favorably reported by the Judiciary Committee, with reasons +given "why the bill ought to pass," signed by Messrs. Thompson, +Darling, Enright, Mann, Robinson and Smith of St. Albans. It was +advocated by them, Smith of Royalton and others, but was lost by 99 +yeas, 113 nays.</p> + +<p>During this session a bill to incorporate the Vermont W. S. A., was +introduced into the Senate by S. E. Grout. It was favorably reported +from the General Committee, but was refused passage without debate by +8 yeas, 10 nays.</p> + +<p>In 1892 Wendell Phillips Stafford introduced the Municipal Suffrage +Bill into the House; it was made a special order and was championed by +Messrs. Stafford, Booth, Darling, Enright, Martin, Taylor, Weston and +others, and was passed by 149 yeas, 83 nays. When it reached the +Senate it was reported from the Judiciary Committee with a weighty +amendment, and a third reading was refused by 18 yeas, 10 nays.</p> + +<p>At this session Gov. Levi K. Fuller in his address, under the heading +of Municipal Suffrage, called attention to this question and advised +"giving the matter such consideration as in your judgment it may +warrant."</p> + +<p>In 1894 the bill was introduced again into the House by Hosea Mann, +who advocated and voted for this measure in four sessions of the +Legislature. Four members of the Judiciary Committee were +favorable—Messrs. Ladd, Lord, Lawrence and Stone. Its champions were +Messrs. Mann, Burbank, Bridgeman, Butterfield, Fuller, Peck, Paddock, +Smith of Morristown, Vance and others. It was defeated by 106 yeas, +108 nays.</p> + +<p>In 1896, for the first time, a Municipal Suffrage Bill was introduced +into the Senate, by Joseph B. Holton. It was reported favorably by the +committee; ordered to a third reading with only one opposing voice; +advocated by Messrs. Holton, Hulburd, Merrifield and Weeks, and passed +without a negative vote. When<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_960" id="Page_960">[Pg 960]</a></span> the bill reached the House it was +reported from the Judiciary Committee "without recommendation." It was +supported by Speaker Lord, Messrs. Bates, Bunker, Childs, Clark, +Haskins, McClary and others, but a third reading was refused by 89 +yeas, 135 nays.</p> + +<p>In 1898 petitions for Municipal Suffrage signed by 2,506 citizens were +presented to the Legislature and a bill was introduced into the House +by E. A. Smith. This was reported by an unfriendly chairman of the +Judiciary Committee at a time when its author was not present, and was +lost without the courtesy of a discussion.</p> + +<p>In 1900, petitions for Municipal Suffrage for Women Taxpayers were +presented to the Senate; a bill was introduced by H. C. Royce, and at +a hearing granted by the Judiciary Committee Henry B. Blackwell, L. F. +Wilbur, the Hon. W. A. Lord and Mrs. E. M. Denny gave arguments for +it. Adverse majority and favorable minority reports were presented by +the committee. By request of Messrs. Royce and Brown, the bill was +made a special order, when it was advocated by Messrs. Royce and +Leland; but a third reading was refused by 13 yeas, 15 nays. Later in +this session, a petition signed by the officers of the State W. S. A., +asking that "women, who are taxpayers, be exempt from taxation, save +for school purposes," was presented to the Senate. This was, by the +presiding officer, referred to the Committee on the Insane.</p> + +<p>The names of all members voting for suffrage bills have been preserved +by the State association. The names of the opponents pass into +oblivion with no regrets.</p> + +<p>In 1900 a bill was presented, for the second time, by the Federation +of Clubs, providing for women on the boards of State institutions +where women or children are confined, but it was killed in committee.</p> + +<p>In 1884 the law granting to married women the right to own and control +their separate property and the power to make contracts, was secured +through the efforts of the Hon. Henry C. Ide, now United States +Commissioner in the Philippines. Since 1888 their wages have belonged +to them.</p> + +<p>Dower and curtesy were abolished by the Legislature of 1896.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_961" id="Page_961">[Pg 961]</a></span> Where +there are no children the widow or the widower takes in the estate of +the deceased $2,000 and one-half of the remainder, the other half +going to the relatives of the deceased. If there are children, the +widow takes absolutely one-third of the husband's real estate +(homestead of the value of $500 included) and one-third of his +personal property after payment of debts; the widower takes one-third +of the wife's real estate absolutely, but does not share in her +personal property.</p> + +<p>The Court of Chancery may authorize a wife to convey her separate +property without the signature of her husband. The husband can +mortgage or convey all his separate property without the wife's +signature, except her homestead right of $500.</p> + +<p>The law equalizing the division of property to the fathers and mothers +of children dying without wills, was secured by Representative T. A. +Chase in 1894.</p> + +<p>Senator O. M. Barber, now State auditor, was the author, in the same +year, of the law allowing a married woman to be appointed executor, +guardian, administrator or trustee.</p> + +<p>The father is the legal guardian and has custody of the persons and +education of minor children. He may appoint by will a guardian even +for one unborn. (Code, 1894.)</p> + +<p>If the husband fail to support his wife the court may make such +decision as it thinks called for, and the town may recover from a +husband who deserted his wife and children, leaving them a charge upon +it for one year previous to the time of action.</p> + +<p>A married woman deserted or neglected by her husband "may make +contracts for the labor of her minor children, shall be entitled to +their wages, and may in her own name sue for and recover them."</p> + +<p>In 1886 the "age of protection" for girls was raised from 10 to 14 +years. In 1898 it was raised to 16 years. The penalty is imprisonment +in the penitentiary not more than twenty years or a fine not exceeding +$2,000, or both, at the discretion of the court. No minimum penalty is +named.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> Women have the same right as men to vote on all questions +pertaining to schools and school officers in cities, towns and graded +school districts; and the same right to hold offices relating to +school affairs. This law, which had been enacted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_962" id="Page_962">[Pg 962]</a></span> in 1880 and applied +to "school meetings," was re-enacted when the "town system" was +established in 1892, and gave women the right to vote on school +matters in the town meetings.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> Since 1880 "women 21 years of age" may be elected to +the office of town clerk, and to all school offices.</p> + +<p>In 1900 thirteen women were elected town clerks; six were serving as +school directors, eighty-four as county superintendents and +seventy-five as postmasters, according to the Vermont <i>Register</i>, +which is not always complete.</p> + +<p>Women sit on the State Board of Library Commissioners. In 1900 they +were made eligible to serve as trustees of town libraries.</p> + +<p>This year also a law making women eligible to the office of notary +public was secured by Representative J. E. Buxton.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> No profession or occupation is legally forbidden to +women.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> Equal advantages are accorded to both sexes in all the +colleges, except that the State University, at Burlington, does not +admit women to its Medical Department.</p> + +<p>In 1888, Dr. E. R. Campbell, president of the society, reported as +follows: "The Vermont Medical Society opens wide its doors to admit +women, and bids them welcome to all its privileges and honors, on an +equal basis with their brother physicians."</p> + +<p>In the public schools there are 509 men and 3,289 women teachers. The +average monthly salary of the men is $41.23; of the women, $25.04.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>Progressive steps have been taken in the churches of most +denominations. In 1892, for the first time, women were elected as +delegates to the annual State Convention of the Congregational +Churches. In 1900 there were fifteen accredited women delegates in the +convention. The Domestic Missionary Society, an ally of this church, +has employed sixteen women during the past year as "missionaries," to +engage in evangelistic work in the State.</p> + +<p>The Vermont Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, although it +does not admit women to its membership, has passed resolutions five +times in the last ten years, indorsing equal rights, and has +petitioned the Legislature to grant them Municipal Suffrage.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_963" id="Page_963">[Pg 963]</a></span> For this +credit is due to the Rev. George L. Story and the Rev. L. L. Beeman.</p> + +<p>The Free Baptist Church passed a resolution declaring unequivocally +for the Christian principle of political equality for women at its +Yearly Meeting in 1889. That year, for the first time in its history, +it sent a woman delegate to the General Conference.</p> + +<p>A similar resolution was passed at a meeting of the Northern +Association of Universalists, later in the same year. This church +admits women to equal privileges in its conventions and its pulpits. +This is also true of the Unitarian Church.</p> + +<p>The annual meeting of the State Grange in 1891 adopted this +resolution: "We sympathize with and will aid any efforts for equal +suffrage regardless of sex."</p> + +<p>All the political parties have been urged to indorse woman suffrage. +The Prohibitionists did so in their annual convention of 1888. At the +Republican State Convention that year the Committee on Resolutions, +through its chairman, Col. Albert Clarke, presented the following, +which was adopted: "True to its impulses, history and traditions of +liberty, equality and progress, the Republican party in Vermont will +welcome women to an equal participation in government, whenever they +give earnest of desire in sufficient numbers to indicate its +success."</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_451_451" id="Footnote_451_451"></a><a href="#FNanchor_451_451"><span class="label">[451]</span></a> The History is indebted for this chapter to Miss Laura +Moore of Barnet, who has been secretary of the State Woman Suffrage +Association for seventeen years.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_452_452" id="Footnote_452_452"></a><a href="#FNanchor_452_452"><span class="label">[452]</span></a> The following have been presidents: Mrs. M. L. T. +Hidden, C. W. Wyman, Mrs. M. E. Tucker, the Hon. Hosea Mann, Willard +Chase, Mrs. A. D. Chandler, L. F. Wilbur, Mrs. P. S. Beeman, the Rev. +George L. Story, Miss Elizabeth Colley, A. M. +</p><p> +Among those who have served on the executive board are Mesdames L. E. +Alfred, A. F. Baldwin, F. W. Brown, A. M. W. Chase, E. L. Corwin, C. +J. Clark, L. D. Dyer, P. R. Edes, M. W. Foster, C. D. Gallup, S. F. +Leonard, Emma J. Nelson and Julia A. Pierce; Misses Clara Eastman, O. +M. Lawrence, Laura Moore, Julia E. Smith and Mary E. Spencer; the Hon. +Chester Pierce, Col. Albert Clarke, Dudley P. Hall and G. W. Seaver.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_453_453" id="Footnote_453_453"></a><a href="#FNanchor_453_453"><span class="label">[453]</span></a> Some of those who have rendered excellent service to +the cause are Mesdames Clara Bailey, Lucia G. Brown, M. A. Brewster, +Inez E. Campbell, H. G. Minot, G. E. Moody, Harriet S. Moore, Emily E. +Reed, Clinton Smith, Mary H. Semple, Anna E. Spencer, L. B. Wilson and +Jane Marlette Taft; Misses Caroline Scott, Eliza S. Eaton and I. E. +Moody; the Rev. Mark Atwood, L. N. Chandler, Editor Arthur F. Stone +and ex-Gov. Carroll S. Page.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_964" id="Page_964">[Pg 964]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LXVIII" id="CHAPTER_LXVIII"></a>CHAPTER LXVIII.</h2> + +<h3>VIRGINIA.</h3> + + +<p>As early as 1870 and 1871 Miss Susan B. Anthony, Mrs. Matilda Joslyn +Gage of New York and Mrs. Paulina Wright Davis of Rhode Island +lectured on woman suffrage in Richmond. There has been, however, very +little organized effort in its behalf, although the movement has many +individual advocates. Since 1880 the State has been represented at the +national conventions by Mrs. Orra Langhorne, who has been its most +active worker for twenty years. Other names which appear at intervals +are Miss Etta Grimes Farrar, Miss Brill and Miss Henderson +Dangerfield. A few local societies have been formed, and in 1893 a +State Association was organized, with Mrs. Langhorne as president and +Mrs. Elizabeth B. Dodge as secretary and treasurer. Its efforts have +been confined chiefly to discovering the friends of the movement, +distributing literature and securing favorable matter in the +newspapers. The Richmond <i>Star</i> is especially mentioned as a champion +of the enfranchisement of women. In 1895 Miss Anthony, president of +the National Association, on her way home from its convention in +Atlanta, addressed a large audience at the opera house in Culpeper. +Later this year Miss Elizabeth Upham Yates of Maine spoke in the same +place. Mrs. Ruth D. Havens of Washington, D. C., lectured on The Girls +of the Future before the State Teachers' Normal Institute.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action and Laws:</span> Petitions have been sent to the +Legislature from time to time, by the State association and by +individuals for woman suffrage with educational qualifications, the +opening of State colleges to women, the appointment of women +physicians in the prisons and insane asylums, women on school boards, +proper accommodations in jails for women prisoners and the separation +of juvenile offenders from the old and hardened. None of these ever +has been acted upon.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_965" id="Page_965">[Pg 965]</a></span></p> + +<p>In 1898 a bill to permit women to serve as notaries public was vetoed +by the Governor as unconstitutional.</p> + +<p>Dower and curtesy both obtain. The wife inherits a life interest in +one-third of the real estate. If there are children she has one-third +of the personal property absolutely; if none, one-half. The husband +inherits all of the wife's personal property whether there are +children or not, and the entire real estate for life if there has been +issue born alive. If this has not been the case he has no interest in +the wife's separate real estate. The homestead, to the value of +$2,000, is exempted for the wife.</p> + +<p>By Act of 1900, a married woman may dispose as though unmarried of all +property heretofore or hereafter acquired. She can sell her personal +property without her husband's uniting. He has the same right. She can +sell her land without his uniting, but unless he does so, if curtesy +exist, he will be entitled to a life estate. Unless the wife unites +with the husband in the sale of his real estate, she will be entitled +to dower.</p> + +<p>By the above Act a married woman may contract and be contracted with, +sue and be sued, in the same manner and with the same consequences as +if she were unmarried, whether the right or liability asserted by or +against her accrued before or after the passage of the act. The +husband is not responsible for any contract, liability or tort of the +wife, whether the liability was incurred or the tort was committed +before or after marriage.</p> + +<p>There has been no decision as to the wages of a married woman since +the above Act; but it is believed they would be held to belong to her +absolutely, even if not engaged in business as a sole trader.</p> + +<p>The father is the legal guardian of the minor children, and may +appoint a guardian for such time as he pleases.</p> + +<p>The husband is liable for necessaries for the support of the family, +and can be sued therefor by any one who supplies them.</p> + +<p>The "age of protection" for girls was raised from 12 to 14 years in +1896. The penalty is death or imprisonment in the penitentiary not +less than five nor more than twenty years.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> Women possess no form of suffrage.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> No offices are filled by women except that there is +one physician at the Western Insane Asylum and,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_966" id="Page_966">[Pg 966]</a></span> through the efforts +of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, a matron in the woman's +ward of the State prison.</p> + +<p>Women are employed as clerks in various county offices. They can not +serve as notaries public.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> Under the ruling of the courts, a woman can not practice +law. No other profession or occupation is legally forbidden to women.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> For the higher education the women of Virginia must go +outside of their State.<a name="FNanchor_454_454" id="FNanchor_454_454"></a><a href="#Footnote_454_454" class="fnanchor">[454]</a> The State Superintendent of Free Schools +and the Secretary of the State Board of Education both express great +regret at this fact, and the hope that all institutions of learning +will soon be opened to them. Secretary Frank P. Brent says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We have as yet no women acting as school superintendents or +members of school boards, but I feel sure the Constitutional +Convention will make women eligible to one or both of these +positions.</p> + +<p>Last year I had the honor to decide that in matters pertaining to +the educational affairs of this State, the wife may be regarded +as the head of the family, although the husband is living; and +this decision has just been reaffirmed by the United States Court +of Appeals.<a name="FNanchor_455_455" id="FNanchor_455_455"></a><a href="#Footnote_455_455" class="fnanchor">[455]</a></p></blockquote> + +<p>Women are admitted to several of the smaller colleges. The +Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, and the Woman's College at +Lynchburgh, both under the same presidency, rank well among +institutions for women only. Miss Celestia C. Parrish is +vice-president. Hampton Institute, for negroes and Indians, is +co-educational.</p> + +<p>The public schools make no distinction of sex. There are 2,909 men and +5,927 women teachers. The average monthly salary of the men is $32.09; +of the women, $26.39.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_454_454" id="Footnote_454_454"></a><a href="#FNanchor_454_454"><span class="label">[454]</span></a> The State Universities are closed to women only in +Virginia, Georgia and Louisiana, and the undergraduate departments in +North Carolina.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_455_455" id="Footnote_455_455"></a><a href="#FNanchor_455_455"><span class="label">[455]</span></a> The decision of the court was "When an intelligent, +active, industrious, frugal woman finds she has married a man who, +instead of coming up to the standard of a husband, is a mere dependent +... and leaves to her the support of the family, it would be +contradictory of fact and an absurd construction of the law to say +that he, and not she, is the head of the family." +</p><p> +This is believed to be the first legal decision of the kind and has +created wide discussion.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_967" id="Page_967">[Pg 967]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LXIX" id="CHAPTER_LXIX"></a>CHAPTER LXIX.</h2> + +<h3>WASHINGTON.<a name="FNanchor_456_456" id="FNanchor_456_456"></a><a href="#Footnote_456_456" class="fnanchor">[456]</a></h3> + + +<p>The history of woman suffrage in Washington begins with the passage of +a bill by the Legislature, giving women the full rights of the ballot +on the same terms as men, which was approved Nov. 23, 1883, by the +Territorial Governor, William A. Newell. This was due principally to +the efforts of a few individuals, both men and women, as there was no +organization.<a name="FNanchor_457_457" id="FNanchor_457_457"></a><a href="#Footnote_457_457" class="fnanchor">[457]</a></p> + +<p>The municipal elections of the following spring brought the first +opportunity to exercise the newly-acquired right. The women evinced +their appreciation of it by casting 8,368 ballots out of the whole +number of 34,000, and the leading papers testified to the widespread +acknowledgment of the strength and moral uplift of their vote.</p> + +<p>The general election of November, 1884, naturally showed a larger vote +by both men and women, the latter casting 12,000 out of the 48,000 +ballots. It was estimated at this time that there were less than +one-third as many women as men in the Territory. When the scattered +population, the long distances and the difficulties of travel are +taken into consideration it must be admitted that women took the +largest possible advantage of the recently granted privileges.</p> + +<p>For the next two years they continued to use the franchise with +unabated zeal, and newspapers and public speakers were unanimous in +their approval. In a number of instances the official returns, during +the three-and-a-half years they possessed the suffrage, exhibited <i>a +larger percentage of women voting than of men</i>. Chief Justice Roger S. +Greene of the Supreme Court estimated that at the last election before +they were disfranchised four-fifths of all the women in the Territory +went to the polls.</p> + +<p>Many women have remarked upon the increased respect and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_968" id="Page_968">[Pg 968]</a></span> courtesy of +the men during this period. Mrs. Elizabeth Matthews, who removed from +New Orleans to Port Townsend in 1885, states that, although accustomed +from babyhood to the deferential gallantry of the men of the South, +she never had dreamed that any women in the world were receiving such +respectful consideration as she found in Washington Territory at that +time. The political parties realized the necessity of putting their +best men to the front, and it was fully conceded that ethics had +become a factor in politics.</p> + +<p>Prior to the Legislature of 1886 some discussion arose as to the +constitutionality of the Equal Suffrage Law, and, in order to remove +all doubt, a strengthening Act was passed, which was approved by Gov. +Watson C. Squire, November 29.</p> + +<p>On Feb. 3, 1887, the case of <i>Harlan vs. Washington</i> came before the +Territorial Supreme Court. Harlan had been convicted of carrying on a +swindling game by a jury composed of both men and women, and he +contested the verdict on the ground that women were not legal voters. +The Supreme Court, whose <i>personnel</i> had been entirely changed through +a new Presidential administration, decided that the law conferring the +elective franchise upon them was void because it had not been fully +described in its title. This decision also rendered void nineteen +other laws which had been enacted under the same conditions.</p> + +<p>The members of the next Legislature had been elected so long before +the rendering of this decision that their seats could not be +contested; and as their election had been by both men and women they +were determined to re-establish the law which the Supreme Court had +ruthlessly overthrown. Therefore the Equal Suffrage Law was +re-enacted, perfectly titled and worded, and was approved by Gov. +Eugene Semple, Jan. 18, 1888.</p> + +<p>The members of a convention to prepare a State constitution were soon +to be chosen, and the opponents of woman suffrage were most anxious to +have the question considered by the Supreme Court before the election +of the delegates. They arranged that the judges of the spring +municipal election in a certain precinct should refuse to accept the +vote of a Mrs. Nevada Bloomer, the wife of a saloon-keeper and herself +an avowed opponent of woman suffrage. This was done on April 3, and +she brought<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_969" id="Page_969">[Pg 969]</a></span> suit against them. The case was rushed through, and on +August 14 the Supreme Court decided that the Act of January 18 was +invalid, as a Territorial Legislature had no right to enfranchise +women, and that in consequence the Equal Suffrage Law was void. The +Judges responsible for this decision were Associate Justices George +Turner and William G. Langford.</p> + +<p>The very Act of Congress which organized the Territory of Washington +stated explicitly that, at elections subsequent to the first, <i>all +persons should be allowed to vote upon whom the Territorial +Legislature might confer the elective franchise</i>.</p> + +<p>By the organic act under which all the Territories were formed women +had been voting in Wyoming since 1869 and in Utah since 1870. The +arbitrary disfranchisement of the women of the latter by Congress in +1887 demonstrated that this body did have supreme control over +suffrage in the Territories, and therefore unimpeachable power to +authorize their Legislatures to confer it on women, as had been done +by that of Washington. There never was a more unconstitutional +decision than that of this Territorial Supreme Court. Congress should +have refused to admit the Territory until women had voted for +delegates to the constitutional convention and on the constitution +itself.<a name="FNanchor_458_458" id="FNanchor_458_458"></a><a href="#Footnote_458_458" class="fnanchor">[458]</a></p> + +<p>Without doubt the Supreme Court of the United States would have +reversed the decision of the Territorial Court, but Mrs. Bloomer +refused to allow the case to be appealed, and no one else had +authority to do so.</p> + +<p>As the women were thus illegally restrained from voting for delegates, +the opponents of their enfranchisement were enabled to elect a +convention with a majority sufficient to prevent a woman suffrage +clause in the constitution for Statehood.</p> + +<p>Henry B. Blackwell, corresponding secretary of the American W. S. A., +came from Massachusetts to assist in securing such a clause. After a +long discussion as to whether he should be permitted to address the +convention, both sides agreed that the delegates should be invited to +hear him in Tacoma Hall. His address was highly praised even by +newspapers and persons opposed to equal suffrage. Four days later, +with Judge Orange<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_970" id="Page_970">[Pg 970]</a></span> J. Jacobs and Mrs. Elizabeth Lyle Saxon, he was +granted a hearing before the Suffrage Committee of the convention.</p> + +<p>The question of incorporating woman suffrage in the new State +constitution was debated at intervals from Aug. 9 to 15, 1889. The +fight for the measure was led by Edward Eldridge and W. S. Bush. In a +long and able argument Mr. Eldridge reviewed the recent decision of +the Supreme Court and made an eloquent plea for justice to women. +Substitutes granting to women Municipal Suffrage, School Suffrage, the +right to hold office, the privilege of voting on the constitution, all +were defeated. Finally a compromise was forced by which it was agreed +to submit a separate amendment giving them Full Suffrage, to be voted +on at the same time as the rest of the constitution, women themselves +not being allowed to vote upon it.<a name="FNanchor_459_459" id="FNanchor_459_459"></a><a href="#Footnote_459_459" class="fnanchor">[459]</a></p> + +<p>Only two-and-a-half months remained before election, the women were +practically unorganized, there were few speakers, no money, and the +towns were widely scattered. Miss Matilda Hindman of Pennsylvania and +Mrs. Clara Bewick Colby of Washington, D. C., editor of the <i>Woman's +Tribune</i>, came on and canvassed the State. Both were effective +speakers and they received as much local assistance as possible, but +all the money and influence which could be commanded by the +disreputable element that had suffered from the woman's vote were +brought to bear against the amendment, and its defeat was inevitable.</p> + +<p>The constitution was adopted Nov. 5, 1889, the woman suffrage +amendment receiving 16,521 ayes, 35,913 noes; an adverse majority of +19,392.</p> + +<p>In 1890 the first State Legislature conferred School Suffrage on women +to the extent of voting for trustees and directors.</p> + +<p>The political campaign of 1896 was one in which reform of all kinds +was unusually in evidence. Three women sat as delegates in the State +Fusion Convention at Ellensburg. Mrs. Laura E. Peters, president of +the suffrage club at Port Angeles, was a Populist delegate and was +chosen a member of the Platform Committee. Through her efforts a +suffrage plank was inserted in the platform of that branch of the +convention.</p> + +<p>The president of the State Suffrage Association, Mrs. Homer<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_971" id="Page_971">[Pg 971]</a></span> M. Hill, +said in her official report: "The People's Party was composed of +Silver Republicans, Populists and Democrats. At the State convention +these met in separate sessions. The Democrats voted down a resolution +demanding that the Committee on Platform bring in a report favoring +the amendment. The Silver Republicans passed one 'commending the +action of the Free Silver party in presenting to the people the +proposed amendment to the constitution.' The Populists inserted in +their platform a plank declaring that 'direct legislation without +equal suffrage would be government by but one-half of the people,' and +unequivocally favored the amendment.</p> + +<p>"Although each of these three parties had its own platform, the +combination formed the People's Party and made its fight upon one +composed of eleven planks, or articles of faith, to which all three +agreed, <i>but equal suffrage was not one of them</i>. Therefore the +so-called union platform, minus suffrage, was the one generally +published and used as the basis of the campaign speeches. Because of +this no speaker of the People's Party was obliged to mention the +amendment, and it was avoided as an issue in the campaign; the State +Central Committee permitted each speaker to say what he pleased +personally, but he was not allowed to commit the party or to urge men +to vote for it. Nearly every one, however, advocated equal suffrage.</p> + +<p>"The Republicans, in convention at Tacoma, adopted the following: +'Firmly believing in the principle of equal rights to all and special +privileges to none, we recommend to the voters of the State a careful +consideration of the proposed constitutional amendment granting equal +suffrage;' and this always was published as part of the platform. A +few of the leading Republican orators advocated the amendment and none +spoke against it. Its defeat is commonly attributed to the fact that +20,000 of the People's party did not vote upon it, and that <i>the +Republicans passed the word a short time before election to vote +against it</i>.</p> + +<p>"Mrs. W. Winslow Crannell, who was sent out by the Albany (N. Y.) +Anti-Suffrage Association, did not hold a meeting of women or a public +meeting in the State. She conferred with men whom the anti-suffrage +representative, Alfred Downing of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_972" id="Page_972">[Pg 972]</a></span> Seattle, already knew, and her +coming tended to arouse the loyal support of the suffragists.</p> + +<p>"The Prohibition party gave official indorsement. The Social +Democratic party and the Socialist Labor party both inserted suffrage +planks in their platforms. The latter claims 9,000 votes in the +State."</p> + +<p>The Fusion party was everywhere successful and the Legislature of 1897 +was composed of reform elements. Mrs. Peters had charge of the Equal +Suffrage Bill, which was introduced on the first day of the session by +the Hon. J. P. de Mattos, and proposed to amend the constitution by +striking out the word "male" from the suffrage clause. This passed the +House on February 4 by 54 ayes, 15 noes. The bill was amended in the +Senate and was strongly supported by Joseph Hill and W. V. Rinehart. +The amended bill passed the Senate on February 25 by 23 ayes, 11 noes, +and was returned to the House.</p> + +<p>Here it reached a vote March 11, the last day before the close of the +session, only through Mrs. Peters' slipping up to Speaker Charles E. +Cline's desk and whispering to him to recognize L. E. Rader, who +wished to present it. As the Speaker was a staunch suffragist he did +so. The bill passed by 54 ayes, 15 noes, and was sent back for the +signature of the President of the Senate and then returned to the +House for the Speaker to sign. Mrs. Peters thus relates what happened +after he had done so:</p> + +<blockquote><p>By the merest accident, Senator Thomas Miller, a friend, obeyed +an impression to examine the bill to see if it were all right, +when lo and behold! he discovered that the true bill had been +stolen during the short recess and an absolutely worthless bill +engrossed and signed. Senator Miller at once made the fraud +public and Speaker Cline tore his signature from the bill. On +Thursday morning, the last day, a certified copy of the true bill +was sent to the House, where it was ratified and returned to the +Senate. I then requested the President of the Senate to make me a +special messenger to take the bill to the Governor for his +signature. As I happened to hold the peculiar position of having +voted (at the State convention) for both those gentlemen, and as +I had taken pains to remind them of that fact, and as both the +Governor and Lieutenant-Governor were suffragists, I found no +difficulty in having my request granted. I said that the bill had +been delayed, deformed, pigeon-holed and stolen, and I would not +feel safe until it was made law by the Governor's signature.</p> + +<p>I was duly sworn in as special messenger, and very proudly +carried<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_973" id="Page_973">[Pg 973]</a></span> the bill to the office, where Gov. John R. Rogers +affixed his signature to it and declared it law.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The history of the campaign which followed, as condensed by the +president, Mrs. Hill, shows that active work did not begin until the +convention held at Seattle in January, 1898. The executive committee +was called together after its adjournment and the situation thoroughly +canvassed. A resolution which welcomed work for the amendment by other +societies under their own auspices was unanimously passed, as it was +realized that there was not time in which to bring all suffragists +into line under one management. Money was scarce and hard to obtain, +and public attention was divided between the Spanish-American War and +the gold excitement in Alaska. The association at once turned its +attention to the obtaining of funds, the securing of the favorable +attitude of the press and the formal indorsement of the amendment by +other organizations.</p> + +<p>Clubs were formed in wards and precincts to hold meetings, assist the +State association financially, distribute literature and circulate a +petition for signatures of women only, asking that the voters cast +their ballots for the proposed amendment. It was impossible to +prosecute the petition work thoroughly throughout the State, but the +largest cities—Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane and Olympia—with many +country precincts, both east and west of the mountains, were very +satisfactorily canvassed. It was found that over 88 per cent. of all +the women asked to sign the petition did so. The rest were divided +between the indifferent and those positively opposed. No one received +a salary for services. Less than $500 was collected, and $5.47 +remained in the treasury, after every bill was paid, the day before +election.</p> + +<p>The State association issued 5,000 pieces of literature of its own, a +booklet of thirty pages containing testimonials from leading citizens +of the four Free States—Wyoming, Colorado, Utah and Idaho. Early in +the campaign Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, chairman of the national +organization committee, sent 62,200 pieces. Henry B. Blackwell, editor +of the <i>Woman's Journal</i>, shortly before the election forwarded from +Boston 500 pieces to each of the thirty-four counties in Washington. +This literature no doubt helped to swell the vote for the amendment.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_974" id="Page_974">[Pg 974]</a></span></p> + +<p>Forty country newspapers were regularly sent free to State +headquarters; the city papers at half-rates. The press was courteous +in every instance, and either advocated equal suffrage, kept silence +or opened its columns to both sides. The Seattle <i>Daily Times</i> +strongly favored it.</p> + +<p>The Christian Church Convention, which met in Tacoma early in the +campaign, gave hearty indorsement to the amendment. The M. E. Church +Conference followed at the same place with a vote of 27 ayes, 26 noes; +the Congregational Convention at Snohomish with one dissenting vote. +Presbyterian and other ministers throughout the State quietly gave +their support. The ministerial associations of Seattle each received a +committee from the E. S. A. One of the members of the Ministers' +Association of Spokane read a paper on Equal Suffrage, which was +interestingly discussed, showing eight in favor, three opposed and one +doubtful. The Christian Endeavorers at their convention in Walla Walla +passed a resolution calling attention to the approaching election, and +asking for the intelligent consideration of the amendment; eight of +the trustees were in favor of recommending active work in local +societies, but because the sentiment was not more nearly unanimous no +action was taken. The Independent Order of Good Templars and the +Prohibition party indorsed the amendment. The Woman's Christian +Temperance Union lent a helping hand judiciously. All demands and +arguments were non-sectarian and non-political, being based upon the +claims of justice as the only tenable ground on which to stand.</p> + +<p>Many of the most self-sacrificing workers came from the liberal and +free-thought societies, which are generally favorable to equal rights. +The Western Central Labor Union of Seattle extended courtesies to the +E. S. A. and kept suffrage literature in its reading-room. The +<i>Freemen's Labor Journal</i> of Spokane, State organ of the trades +unions, supported the amendment. Single Taxers, as a rule, voted for +it. The State Grange in convention formally indorsed it and promised +support.<a name="FNanchor_460_460" id="FNanchor_460_460"></a><a href="#Footnote_460_460" class="fnanchor">[460]</a></p> + +<p>On Nov. 5, 1898, the amendment was voted upon, receiving 20,658 yeas, +30,540 nays; majority opposed, 9,882. As in 1889,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_975" id="Page_975">[Pg 975]</a></span> the adverse +majority was 19,392, a clear gain was shown of 9,510 in nine years.</p> + +<p>In 1899 a bill was prepared for the State association by Judge J. W. +Langley, amending the constitution so that whenever an amendment +giving the right of suffrage to women should be submitted to the +people, the women themselves should be permitted to vote upon it. John +W. Pratt introduced the bill in the House, but it was referred to the +Committee on Constitutional Revision and not reported. Near the close +of the session Mr. Pratt brought it up on the floor of the House. A +motion to postpone it indefinitely was immediately made and, +practically without discussion, was carried by almost a unanimous +vote.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Organization:</span> For twelve years before the women of Washington were +enfranchised, Mrs. Abigail Scott Duniway of Oregon was in the habit of +canvassing the Territory in behalf of woman suffrage, traveling by +rail, stage, steamer and on foot, and where she found halls and +churches closed against her, speaking in hotel offices and even +bar-rooms, and always circulating her paper the <i>New Northwest</i>. The +Legislature recognized her services by a resolution in 1886, when +accepting her picture, The Coronation of Womanhood. There was not +during all this time any regularly organized suffrage association. +When in the summer of 1888 the women of the Territory saw the +franchise taken away from them by decision of the Supreme Court, a +number of local societies were formed and soon banded themselves into +an association of which the Hon. Edward Eldridge was president until +his death in 1892. Afterward A. H. Stewart was made president, Mrs. +Laura E. Peters, vice-president, and Mrs. Bessie Isaacs Savage, +secretary. Mrs. Zerelda N. McCoy was president of the Olympia Club, +and Mrs. P. C. Hale, treasurer.</p> + +<p>On Jan. 21, 22, 1895, the first delegate convention was held in +Olympia, and a State Equal Suffrage Association formally organized. +Mrs. Savage was elected president; Mrs. Clara E. Sylvester, +vice-president; Mrs. Lou Jackson Longmire, secretary; Mrs. Ella Stork, +treasurer. In April a special meeting was held in Seattle and the +State was divided into six districts for organization and other work, +as it was evident there would soon be another amendment campaign.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_976" id="Page_976">[Pg 976]</a></span></p> + +<p>The second convention was held in Seattle, Jan. 29, 30, 1896, with the +Hon. Orange J. Jacobs as the principal speaker.</p> + +<p>Throughout 1897 the efforts of the suffragists were directed toward +securing a resolution from the Legislature for the submission of an +amendment, and no convention was held.</p> + +<p>In January, 1898, the State association again met in Seattle. Mrs. +Homer M. Hill was elected president; Mrs. Peters, vice-president; Miss +Martha E. Pike, secretary; Mrs. Savage, treasurer.</p> + +<p>The management of the exposition held in Seattle for three weeks in +October, kindly accorded space to the Red Cross, Equal Suffrage +Association, W. C. T. U., Kindergarten and City Federation of Women's +Clubs. Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, with Miss Mary G. Hay, paid +Washington a visit during this month. She spoke in the first M. E. +Church at Seattle to a large audience, and the Woman's Century Club +tendered her a reception. At Tacoma the Woman's Study Club arranged a +lecture for her in the Tacoma Hotel parlors, which was well attended +by representative people. Mrs. Emma C. McCully made the preparations +for her at Ellensburg, and Mrs. Lida M. Ashenfelter bore the expense +of the meeting at Spokane.</p> + +<p>In December, 1899, the State Teachers' Association passed a resolution +strongly indorsing equal suffrage. The Mental Science Convention took +similar action.</p> + +<p>Since the defeat of the amendment in 1898 no State conventions have +been held. During 1900 the corresponding secretary, Miss Pike, visited +many towns and conferred with representative women in reference to +again taking up the work; while the president, Mrs. Hill, endeavored +to secure the interest and indorsement of the various political +parties.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action and Laws:</span> In 1886 the Legislature amended the +Homestead Law and gave to widows possession of the homestead, wearing +apparel and household furniture of their deceased husbands, and the +right to comply with the legal provisions for securing homesteads in +case the husbands had not done so; it further declared that the +homestead should be inviolate from executions for the payment of +debts, either individual or community; it amended the community +property law, giving<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_977" id="Page_977">[Pg 977]</a></span> husband and wife equal rights in the +testamentary disposition of it. It also enabled married women to act +as administrators.</p> + +<p>In 1890 the Legislature conferred School Suffrage upon women. The act +was approved by Gov. E. P. Terry on March 27. The same Legislature +passed a bill requiring employers to provide seats for their female +employes, and enacted that all avenues of employment should be open to +women. It amended the community property law so that husband or wife +could prevent the sale of his or her interest.</p> + +<p>In 1891 a bill was passed which made a woman punishable for the crime +of arson, even though the property set fire to might belong to her +husband.</p> + +<p>The Legislature of 1893 appropriated $5,000 for the Woman's Department +of the State at the World's Fair in Chicago. A bill passed this year +provided matrons for jails in cities of 10,000 or more inhabitants. +The "age of protection" for girls was raised from 12 to 16 years. +Unfortunately the title of this bill was omitted and in compiling the +code it was excluded, but the Supreme Court afterward legalized the +action of the Legislature.</p> + +<p>In 1899 the age was raised to 18 years. This was accomplished through +the efforts of the W. C. T. U., under the management of Misses Mary L. +and Emma E. Page. The penalty is imprisonment in the penitentiary for +life or "for any term of years." No minimum penalty is given. Deceit +or fraud may be considered force.</p> + +<p>Married women were granted the right to act as executors of wills in +1899.</p> + +<p>Dower and curtesy are abolished. The testamentary rights of husband +and wife are the same in regard to their separate property. If either +die without a will, leaving only one child, or the lawful issue of +one, the widow or widower takes half the real estate. If there is more +than one child living, or one child and lawful issue of one or more +children deceased, the widow or widower takes one-third of the real +estate. If there is no descendant living the survivor receives +one-half the real estate, unless there is neither father, mother, +brother nor sister of the decedent living, when he or she takes all of +it. The surviving husband or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_978" id="Page_978">[Pg 978]</a></span> wife has one-half the personal property +if there is issue living, otherwise all of it, after the debts are +paid.</p> + +<p>The old Spanish law in regard to community property obtains. While +each retains control of his or her separate estate, the control of the +community property is vested absolutely in the husband. This includes +all acquired after marriage by the joint or separate efforts of +either; lands acquired under the homestead laws; lands purchased with +money derived from profits or loans of the wife's separate estate; +lands purchased by her with money saved from household expenses; and +the court has held that even her earnings outside the home are +community property unless she is living apart from her husband. The +husband can not convey this without the wife's signature, and he can +not dispose of more than one-half of it by will. Upon the death of +either husband or wife one-half of the community property descends to +the survivor, and the other half is subject to testamentary +disposition. If there is no will the survivor takes half and the heirs +of the deceased half; if there are none he or she takes the whole. The +survivor has the preference in the right of administration.</p> + +<p>A married woman may make contracts and sue and be sued in her own +name. Husband and wife can not enter into business partnerships with +each other.</p> + +<p>By an act of 1879 father and mother were given equal guardianship of +the children, and in case of the death of either the guardianship +passed to the survivor. But in 1896 the Legislature enacted that the +father might appoint by will a guardian of both persons and estates of +minor children to the exclusion of the mother.</p> + +<p>The same Legislature passed a law making the expenses of the family +and education of the children chargeable upon the property of both +husband and wife, or either of them, and provided that in relation +thereto they might be sued jointly or separately.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> Since 1890 women may vote for school trustees, bonds and +appropriations on the same terms as men, but can not vote for State or +county superintendents.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> In the fall of 1894 Miss Ella Guptil was elected +superintendent of schools for Clallam County. Her right<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_979" id="Page_979">[Pg 979]</a></span> to hold the +office was contested by her opponent, C. E. Russell. Miss Guptil asked +the following Legislature to make her position definite, and in +February, 1895, a bill was passed and approved by Gov. John H. McGraw +which removed all doubt, and she assumed the office.</p> + +<p>At the present time (1900) there are seven women county +superintendents. Women may sit on the school boards of all cities and +towns. They are not eligible to any other elective office.</p> + +<p>In 1897-98 Mrs. Carrie Shaw Rice served as a member of the State Board +of Education. Women do not sit on other boards.</p> + +<p>The law requires women matrons in the jails of all cities of 10,000 +inhabitants and upwards, but not at police stations.</p> + +<p>Women are employed in subordinate capacities in various State and +municipal offices. They are also librarians in many places.</p> + +<p>They can not serve as notaries public.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> It was enacted by the Legislature of 1890 that: +"Hereafter in this State every avenue of employment shall be open to +women; and any business, vocation, profession and calling followed and +pursued by men may be followed and pursued by women, and no person +shall be disqualified from engaging in or pursuing any business, +vocation, profession, calling or employment on account of sex: +Provided, That this section shall not be so construed as to permit +women to hold public office."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> All of the educational institutions are open to both sexes +alike.</p> + +<p>In the public schools there are 1,033 men and 2,288 women teachers. +The average monthly salary of the men is $42.13; of the women, +$34.53.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_456_456" id="Footnote_456_456"></a><a href="#FNanchor_456_456"><span class="label">[456]</span></a> The History is indebted for the material for this +chapter to Miss Martha E. Pike of Seattle, corresponding secretary of +the State Equal Suffrage Association.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_457_457" id="Footnote_457_457"></a><a href="#FNanchor_457_457"><span class="label">[457]</span></a> +See <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28556/28556-h/28556-h.htm#Page_776"> +History of Woman Suffrage, Vol. III, p. 776</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_458_458" id="Footnote_458_458"></a><a href="#FNanchor_458_458"><span class="label">[458]</span></a> For further information see <a href="#APPENDIX-WASHINGTON">Appendix for Washington</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_459_459" id="Footnote_459_459"></a><a href="#FNanchor_459_459"><span class="label">[459]</span></a> For addresses and other proceedings see the <i>Woman's +Tribune</i>, Oct. 5, 1889, and the following numbers.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_460_460" id="Footnote_460_460"></a><a href="#FNanchor_460_460"><span class="label">[460]</span></a> That practically all of the best elements in the State +favored this amendment, and yet it was defeated, shows how thoroughly +the disreputable classes controlled politics.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_980" id="Page_980">[Pg 980]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LXX" id="CHAPTER_LXX"></a>CHAPTER LXX.</h2> + +<h3>WEST VIRGINIA.<a name="FNanchor_461_461" id="FNanchor_461_461"></a><a href="#Footnote_461_461" class="fnanchor">[461]</a></h3> + + +<p>In 1867 Samuel Young introduced into the Senate of West Virginia a +bill to confer the suffrage on educated, taxpaying women, but it found +no advocates except himself. In 1869 he presented a resolution asking +Congress for a Sixteenth Amendment to enfranchise women, which +received the votes of eight of the twenty-two senators.</p> + +<p>No further step ever was taken in this direction until the spring of +1895, when Mrs. Annie L. Diggs of Kansas was sent into the State by +the National Woman Suffrage Association but reported that the question +was too new to make any organization possible. In the fall Miss Mary +G. Hay, national organizer, arranged a two weeks' series of meetings +with the Rev. Henrietta G. Moore of Ohio as speaker, and several clubs +were formed in the northern part of the State. A convention was called +to meet in Grafton, November 25, 26, when an association was formed +and the following board of officers was elected: President, Mrs. +Jessie C. Manley; vice-president, Harvey W. Harmer; corresponding +secretary, Mrs. Annie Caldwell Boyd; recording secretary, Mrs. L. M. +Fay; treasurer, Mrs. K. H. De Woody; auditors, Mrs. M. Caswell and +Mrs. Louise Harden.</p> + +<p>The second convention was held at Fairmont in January, 1897, Mrs. +Carrie Chapman Catt, chairman of the national organization committee, +assisting. Everything was so new that her presence and instruction +were an inspiration and a help, without which it is doubtful whether +the work would have continued. Officers were elected as follows: +President. Mrs. Fannie J. Wheat; vice-president, Mrs. Mackie M. +Holbert; recording secretary, Mrs. Beulah Boyd Ritchie; auditors, Mrs. +Mary Long<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_981" id="Page_981">[Pg 981]</a></span> Parson and Mrs. Mary Butcher; member national executive +committee, Mrs. Mary H. Grove. The corresponding secretary and the +treasurer were re-elected.</p> + +<p>In April, 1898, the annual meeting was held at Wheeling, in the +Carroll Club Auditorium. Mrs. Chapman Catt and the Rev. Anna Howard +Shaw, vice-president-at-large of the National Association, made +addresses each afternoon and evening, and both filled the pulpit of +the large Methodist Church on Sunday. All the officers were re-elected +except the treasurer, who was succeeded by Miss J. B. Wilson.</p> + +<p>The next convention took place at Fairmont in the fall of 1899, Mrs. +Chapman Catt again assisting to make it a success. The officers +elected were: President, Mrs. Ritchie; vice-president, Mr. Harmer; +corresponding secretary, Mrs. Boyd; recording secretary, Miss Clara +Reinheimer; treasurer, Mrs. Holbert; auditors, Mrs. Georgia G. Clayton +and Mrs. Belle McKinney; member national executive committee, Mrs. +Wheat; press superintendent, Mrs. Manley.</p> + +<p>Prior to 1895, the subject of the enfranchisement of women was +practically unknown in West Virginia, but now there is no part of the +State in which the injustice and ignominy of their disfranchisement +has not been brought to the mind and conscience of the voters.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action and Laws:</span> In 1897 the Legislature appointed a +committee to draw up a new State constitution, and the suffragists +presented to it a petition, signed by about 600 leading men and women, +asking that the word "male" be omitted from the suffrage clause. +Individual appeals were made and literature sent to each member of the +committee. Many signatures for the petition were obtained at the State +Fair, held in Wheeling, where room for a suffrage booth in the +Manufacturer's Building was given by the president of the board, Anton +Reymann, while every other foot of space was rented out at a large +price. The booth was decorated with portraits of the leaders, Susan B. +Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and made as attractive as +possible.</p> + +<p>In 1899 the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw addressed a joint session of both +Houses of the Legislature in behalf of the enfranchisement<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_982" id="Page_982">[Pg 982]</a></span> of women. +Her expenses were paid by the Fairmont suffrage club.<a name="FNanchor_462_462" id="FNanchor_462_462"></a><a href="#Footnote_462_462" class="fnanchor">[462]</a> The lecture +was a decided success, many members of the Legislature expressing +themselves as favorable to the cause she advocated. The clause +striking out the word "male" was not, however, reported from the +committee, and the whole matter of a new constitution eventually was +dropped.<a name="FNanchor_463_463" id="FNanchor_463_463"></a><a href="#Footnote_463_463" class="fnanchor">[463]</a></p> + +<p>By an Act of 1891, no child under 12 years of age, of either sex, can +be employed in any mine, factory or workshop.</p> + +<p>By an Act of 1893 a married woman may carry on business in her own +name, and her earnings and all property, real and personal, purchased +by her with the proceeds of such earnings, is in all cases her sole +and separate property and not subject to the control or disposal of +her husband or liable for his debts. By another act of this year a +married woman may sue and be sued in any court in her own name.</p> + +<p>By an Act of 1895, a married woman may appoint an attorney in fact to +execute any deed or other writing.</p> + +<p>By an Act of 1899 employers are required to provide seats for female +employes.</p> + +<p>Dower and curtesy both obtain. The widower has a life interest in all +his wife's real estate, whether they have had children or not. The +widow has a life interest in one-third of her husband's real estate, +if there are children living. If there are neither descendants nor +kindred, the entire real estate of a husband or wife dying without a +will goes to the survivor. If there are children living, the widow or +widower has one-third of the personal property, and all of it if there +are none. A homestead to the value of $1,000 is exempted for either.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_983" id="Page_983">[Pg 983]</a></span></p> + +<p>If a child die possessed of property and without descendants or a will +the father is heir to all of it; if he is dead, the mother inherits +only an equal share with each of the remaining children. If both +parents and all brothers and sisters are dead, the grandfather is the +sole heir; he failing the grandmother shares equally with her +surviving children.</p> + +<p>The husband can convey his separate property without his wife's +signature. The wife can not sell or encumber her separate property +without her husband's consent.</p> + +<p>The father is the legal guardian of the minor children. If a widow +remarry the guardianship of the children of the first husband passes +to the second, and she can not even appoint a guardian at her death. +No married woman can be a guardian.</p> + +<p>The husband is required to furnish support adequate to his property +and position in life.</p> + +<p>In 1897 the legal age of marriage for girls was raised from twelve to +sixteen years.</p> + +<p>The "age of protection" remains at 12 years. Formerly the penalty was +death or, in the discretion of the jury, imprisonment for not less +than seven nor more than twenty years. In 1891 it was enacted that it +might be regarded as a felony and punished by imprisonment in the +penitentiary not less than two nor more than ten years. Through the +efforts of women bills to raise the age have been repeatedly +introduced but always have been defeated.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> Women possess no form of suffrage.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> In 1887 Dr. Harriet B. Jones was appointed assistant +hospital physician in the State insane asylum, with the same salary +paid the men physicians. She was the first woman ever appointed to +such a position in a State institution in West Virginia. On her +resignation she was succeeded by Dr. Luella F. Bullard, who still +holds the office.</p> + +<p>To the untiring energy of Dr. Jones is due the State Industrial Home +for Girls. During two sessions of the Legislature she remained at the +capital, entirely at her own expense and leaving a lucrative practice, +to urge the need of this institution. At length $10,000 were +appropriated for this purpose in 1897 and $20,000 more in 1899. Now a +girl committing a minor offense<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_984" id="Page_984">[Pg 984]</a></span> is no longer placed in jail or in the +penitentiary while her brother for the same misdeed is sent to the +Reform School. Dr. Jones was elected president and all the officers +are women.</p> + +<p>The State Home for Incurables also represents the work and ability of +a woman, Mrs. Joseph Ruffner. Before the same Legislatures as Dr. +Jones, she appeared with a bill asking an appropriation, and by +persistence secured one of $66,000. The home is now in successful +operation with Mrs. Ruffner as president. The Governor is required to +appoint boards composed equally of men and women for these two +institutions.</p> + +<p>Women sit also on the boards of orphan asylums, day nurseries and +homes for the friendless.</p> + +<p>The Humane Society of Wheeling was organized in 1896 with Mrs. Harriet +G. List as president. In 1899 she secured an appropriation of $3,000 +from the Legislature to aid in its work.</p> + +<p>A woman is librarian on the staff of the Agricultural Experiment +Station. The board of education of Wheeling appoints the three +librarians in the public library, which is supported from the school +fund, and for several years all of these have been women.</p> + +<p>In some parts of the State women are appointed examiners to decide on +the fitness of applicants to teach in the public schools, but they can +not sit on school boards.</p> + +<p>Women can not serve as notaries public.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> No profession or occupation is legally forbidden to women +except that of mining.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> All institutions of learning are open to both sexes alike. +Bethany College has admitted women for more than ten years, and four +are on the faculty. In 1897 the State University was made +co-educational, after much opposition. It has eight women on its +faculty, and two of the three members of its library staff are women.</p> + +<p>In the public schools there are 4,096 men and 2,712 women teachers. It +is impossible to obtain the average salaries.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_461_461" id="Footnote_461_461"></a><a href="#FNanchor_461_461"><span class="label">[461]</span></a> The History is indebted for this chapter to Mrs. Annie +Caldwell Boyd of Wheeling, who has been an officer continuously in the +State Woman Suffrage Association since it was organized.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_462_462" id="Footnote_462_462"></a><a href="#FNanchor_462_462"><span class="label">[462]</span></a> This club raised money by suppers, festivals and a +Woman's Exchange for use in the work. It subscribed for twenty-five +copies of the <i>Woman's Journal</i> to be sent to the State University, to +the six Normal Schools and to various individuals. It also offered $35 +in prizes for the best orations on The Enfranchisement of Women, to be +competed for by the students of the above schools.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_463_463" id="Footnote_463_463"></a><a href="#FNanchor_463_463"><span class="label">[463]</span></a> In the Legislature of 1901 a bill was introduced +conferring on women the right to vote for Presidential electors, as +this can be done by the legislators without a reference to the voters. +The bill was drawn up by George E. Boyd, Sr. It was reported by the +House Judiciary Committee, February 21, with the recommendation "that +it do not pass." Henry C. Hervey spoke strongly in its favor and was +ably seconded by S. G. Smith, who closed by demanding the ayes and +noes on the Speaker's question, "Shall the bill be rejected?" The ayes +were 31, noes 25, the bill being defeated by six votes. Speaker +William G. Wilson voted against it. +</p><p> +The bill was presented in the Senate by Nelson Whittaker, but U. S. +Senator Stephen B. Elkins came on from Washington and commanded that +it be tabled, which was done.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_985" id="Page_985">[Pg 985]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LXXI" id="CHAPTER_LXXI"></a>CHAPTER LXXI.</h2> + +<h3>WISCONSIN.<a name="FNanchor_464_464" id="FNanchor_464_464"></a><a href="#Footnote_464_464" class="fnanchor">[464]</a></h3> + + +<p>As a Territory Wisconsin interested herself in equal rights. In the +first Constitutional Convention universal suffrage regardless of sex +or color had a considerable vote. In the second woman suffrage +received a certain amount of favorable consideration. Early in the +history of the State widows were made heirs of all the property in +case of the death of the husband without children, and laws were +passed by which a life interest in the homestead was secured to the +wife. In 1851 the regents of the State University declared that their +plan "contemplated the admission of women," and in 1869 women were +made eligible to all school offices.</p> + +<p>The first Woman Suffrage Association was organized in 1869 as a result +of a large convention in Milwaukee, arranged by Dr. Laura Ross and +Miss Lily Peckham, a bright young lawyer, and addressed by Mrs. +Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Mrs. Mary A. Livermore, Miss Susan B. Anthony +and others. Soon after this several local societies were organized. +Its annual meetings since 1883 have been held as follows: 1884, +Richland Center; 1885, Whitewater; 1886, Racine; 1887, Madison; 1888, +Stevens' Point; 1889, Milwaukee; 1890, Berlin; 1891, Menominee; 1892, +Richland Center; 1893, Mukwonago; 1894, Racine; 1895, Evansville; +1896, Waukesha; 1897, Monroe; 1898, Spring Green; 1899, Platteville; +1900, Brodhead.</p> + +<p>The president during 1884 was Mrs. Emma C. Bascom, wife of the +president of the State University. On leaving for the East she was +succeeded by the Rev. Olympia Brown, who has been re-elected every +year since.<a name="FNanchor_465_465" id="FNanchor_465_465"></a><a href="#Footnote_465_465" class="fnanchor">[465]</a> Mrs. Brown was called to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_986" id="Page_986">[Pg 986]</a></span> the pastorate of the +Universalist Church of Racine in 1878, and during her nine years of +service there held occasional meetings in behalf of woman suffrage in +various parts of the State.</p> + +<p>In addition to annual conventions numerous conferences have been held, +too many and too similar in character to make a detailed history of +them essential. In the winter of 1884 a course of lectures was given +in Racine on subjects relating to women by Mrs. Mary A. Livermore, +Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, Mrs. Mary E. Haggart, Mrs. May Wright Sewall and +Mrs. J. G. McMurphy.</p> + +<p>In November, 1886, Mrs. Brown held a series of nine district +conventions in company with Miss Anthony and Mrs. Clara Bewick Colby. +On November 1 she received a telegram from Miss Anthony, then in +Kansas, saying that they would join in holding conventions in all the +congressional districts beginning on the 8th. This seemed a very short +time in which to prepare for such a campaign, but by the president's +deciding on places and dates without consultation, sending posters to +the different towns selected and announcements to all the papers of +the State, and then going in person to secure halls and make local +arrangements, the date named found a tolerable degree of preparation. +The canvass opened with a large reception at the home of Mrs. M. B. +Erskine in Racine, which was followed by conventions at Waukesha, +Ripon, Oshkosh, Green Bay, Grand Rapids, Eau Claire, La Crosse, +Evansville and Madison. At the last place the ladies spoke in the +Senate Chamber to a distinguished audience. The effect of these +meetings was marked. Many members were added to the State association, +branches were organized and an impetus given to the work such as never +was known before and has not been repeated. Since then many +conventions have been held by the president of the association, its +several lecturers and outside speakers.</p> + +<p>In 1896 the suffrage association kept open house for ten days at the +Manona Lake Assembly; during this time the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, +national vice-president-at-large, gave one of the Chautauqua lectures +to an audience of 4,000 people.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_987" id="Page_987">[Pg 987]</a></span></p> + +<p>In 1898 a conference was held in Madison by the officers of the +National Association, attended by the State Executive Board and +representatives of various societies.</p> + +<p>The Rev. Ella Bartlett, the Rev. Nellie Mann Opdale and the Rev. Alice +Ball Loomis have each served as State lecturer for two or more years +and proved most efficient. Mrs. Emma Smith DeVoe has also lectured in +the State during several different seasons with excellent effect.</p> + +<p>Among those who have aided in the work in an early day may be +mentioned Madame Mathilde F. Anneke, Dr. Laura Ross Wolcott, Mrs. Ella +Partridge, Mrs. Emeline Wolcott; and later Mrs. Lephia O. Brown, the +mother, and J. H. Willis, the husband, of the Rev. Olympia Brown.<a name="FNanchor_466_466" id="FNanchor_466_466"></a><a href="#Footnote_466_466" class="fnanchor">[466]</a></p> + +<p>Prof. Henry Doty Maxon stands pre-eminent among the men who have +assisted the cause. He was pastor of the Unitarian Church at Menominee +and vice-president of the State Suffrage Association for a number of +years, attended the annual meetings regularly and himself arranged one +of the most successful, which was held in his church, known as the +Mabel Taintor Memorial Hall. Col. J. G. McMynn exerted an influence in +favor of woman's advancement, at an early day. Many men have aided by +giving money and influence, among them State Senator Norman James, +David B. James, Capt. Andrew Taintor, the Hon. T. B. Wilson, Burr +Sprague, M. B. Erskine, the Hon. W. T. Lewis, Steven Bull, the Hon. +Isaac Stevenson, U. S. Senator Philetus Sawyer and Judge Hamilton of +Neenah. The clergy generally have assisted by giving their churches +for meetings. The Richland Center Club and the Greene County Equal +Rights Association deserve special mention for their faithfulness and +generosity. The Suffrage Club of Platteville is also very active.</p> + +<p>One of the most important features of the work has been the +publication of the <i>Wisconsin Citizen</i>, a monthly paper devoted to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_988" id="Page_988">[Pg 988]</a></span> +the interests of women. It was started in 1887 to educate the people +on the suffrage bill of 1885 and has continued ever since, no other +one influence having been so helpful to the cause. The association +owes this paper to Mrs. Martha Parker Dingee, a niece of Theodore +Parker, who edited it for seven years, reading all the proofs, without +help and without remuneration; and to Mrs. Helen H. Charlton who has +edited and published the paper from 1894 to the present time.</p> + +<p>Miss Sarah H. Richards compiled and published an interesting history +and directory of the Wisconsin Woman Suffrage Association to which the +present sketch is much indebted.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislative Action:</span> Only one measure looking to the extension of +suffrage to women ever has been passed by the Legislature. This was +done in 1885 as the result of the efforts of Alura Collins Hollister, +who was appointed to represent the association in legislative work at +Madison. The following was submitted to the voters: "Every woman who +is a citizen of this State of the age of twenty-one years and upward, +except paupers, etc., who has resided within the State one year and in +the election district where she offers to vote ten days next preceding +any election pertaining to school matters, shall have the right to +vote at such election." This was discussed at length in both branches +of the Legislature and passed on March 13 by a large majority.</p> + +<p>It was voted upon at the fall election in 1886 receiving a majority of +4,583, and thus became a law.<a name="FNanchor_467_467" id="FNanchor_467_467"></a><a href="#Footnote_467_467" class="fnanchor">[467]</a></p> + +<p>It will be noted that this law specifies what women are to vote, viz.: +actual citizens who are not paupers; where women are to vote, viz.: in +the election districts where they reside; when women are to vote, +viz.: when there is an election pertaining to school matters. It does +not specify what women are to vote upon or for whom—they are full +voters without limitation at all elections pertaining to school +matters. What elections pertain to school matters? First, the general +election held once in two years, at which the State Superintendent of +Public Instruction and officers controlling the State University and +other State institutions<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_989" id="Page_989">[Pg 989]</a></span> are chosen. Second, the municipal election +which in most cities pertains to school matters, as a school board or +superintendent is chosen then. Third, other elections in country +villages where one or more school officers are chosen. Fourth, special +elections where subjects relating to schools are voted upon. Of +several suffrage bills reported at this session this one, called the +Ginty Bill, was the only one which provided for a submission of the +question to the voters, which shows the purpose of the framers to have +been to grant State or national suffrage. The broad scope of this law +practically giving women a vote on the election of all national, State +and municipal officers, was pointed out to the leaders of the suffrage +association by some of the men instrumental in its passage, notably +Senator Norman James, chairman of the Joint Special Committee that +reported the bill. It is claimed that the Legislature did not intend +to pass a law so far reaching, but the circumstances of its passage, +political conditions at the time, as well as the statements of its +members and of the committee, show that they did intend to pass this +broad, far-reaching law, giving suffrage to women.</p> + +<p>To awaken women to the necessity of voting at the first +opportunity—the municipal election in 1887—the suffrage association +undertook an active canvass of the State which lasted without +interruption until the autumn of 1888, a period of over two years. The +Rev. Olympia Brown gave up her church in Racine and devoted herself +exclusively to the work. The association was assisted by Miss Anthony, +Mrs. Livermore, Mrs. Elizabeth Lyle Saxon, Mrs. Elizabeth Boynton +Harbert and Mrs. Catharine Waugh McCulloch. Some of these speakers +remained a month, others a week and some only for two or three +lectures. The State president attended every meeting.</p> + +<p>On the morning of the election in April, 1887, Attorney-General +Charles B. Estabrook sent out telegrams to those places where he +supposed women would be likely to vote, ordering the inspectors to +reject their ballots, which was done; but where they were not advised +by him the ballots of women were accepted.</p> + +<p>The next effort of the suffrage leaders was to instruct the people in +the law and the circumstances of its passage, and thus to inspire +confidence in spite of the refusal of the ballots. It was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_990" id="Page_990">[Pg 990]</a></span> suggested +that as the Presidential election was near at hand, politicians would +not leave it uncertain as to whether or not women were entitled to +vote, but would secure an interpretation of the law from the Supreme +Court without proper argument and presentation of the facts, hence the +State W. S. A. decided to test the matter itself. The case was brought +by Mrs. Brown against the election inspectors in Racine for refusing +to accept her vote, and was ably argued before Judge John B. Winslow +of the Circuit Court, now a member of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin. +He overruled the demurrer of the inspectors, stating that women were +entitled to vote at that election and for all candidates, thus +confirming the law.</p> + +<p>An appeal was immediately taken by the inspectors to the Supreme +Court, and in order to keep the subject before the people and to +create a favorable public sentiment the association continued its +canvass by distributing literature and giving lectures. The decision +rendered Jan. 31, 1888, was written by Justice John B. Cassody and was +so vague and loosely worded that lawyers were not agreed as to its +meaning. He reversed the finding of the lower court, however, +declaring the intent of the law to be to confer School Suffrage +only.<a name="FNanchor_468_468" id="FNanchor_468_468"></a><a href="#Footnote_468_468" class="fnanchor">[468]</a></p> + +<p>The association now found itself confronted by a large debt, the whole +suit having cost about $1,500, but by active work the autumn of 1888 +found everything paid. In all this Mrs. Almeda B. Gray, one of the +officers of the association, was a leading spirit, contributing +largely in time and money; Mrs. M. A. Fowler worked night and day, +making routes for speakers and planning the campaign, other women +assisted according to their ability and the club at Richland Center +did excellent service. The decision still left room for litigation, +the claim being made that the ruling of the Supreme Court plainly +recognized the right of women to vote provided their ballots were put +in a separate box.</p> + +<p>In the following November Wm. A. McKinley was elected Superintendent +of Schools for Oconto County by the votes of women placed in a +separate box. His election was contested and the case was argued +before Judge Samuel B. Hastings of Green<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_991" id="Page_991">[Pg 991]</a></span> Bay, who, quoting from the +decision of Judge Cassody, decided that women had a right to vote +provided their ballots were put into a separate box. This case also +was appealed to the Supreme Court, where the decision, rendered by +Judge William P. Lyon, Jan. 26, 1890, was that the votes of the women +in Oconto County were illegally counted. The ground for this finding +was that further legislative action was necessary before separate +ballot-boxes could be legally provided. Judge Cassody dissented from +this opinion.</p> + +<p>The law then became practically a dead letter, except in a few +instances, until 1901, when an Act of the Legislature provided for +separate ballot boxes for women, and in the spring of 1902 they voted +on school questions.</p> + +<p>In 1895 the legislative committee, consisting of Mrs. Jennie +Lamberson, Mrs. Jessie Luther and Mrs. Alice Kollock, assisted by Mrs. +Charlton, secured the introduction of two bills—one to strike the +word "male" from the State constitution, the other for a suffrage +amendment by statute law. A hearing was granted before the joint +committee of both Houses in the Senate Chamber, which was crowded. +Mesdames Elizabeth Boynton Harbert (Ills.), Helen H. Charlton, Nellie +Mann Opdale, Ellen A. Rose and Dr. Annette J. Shaw were the +speakers.<a name="FNanchor_469_469" id="FNanchor_469_469"></a><a href="#Footnote_469_469" class="fnanchor">[469]</a> The bills were reported favorably but were lost after +discussion.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Laws:</span> Dower and curtesy obtain. A widow is entitled to a life interest +in one-third of the real estate and, if the husband die without a +will, to the share of a child in the personal estate. If there is no +lawful issue she has the entire estate, both real and personal. The +widower has a life interest in all the real estate of his wife not +disposed of by will, or in all of it if the wife died intestate, +unless she left issue by a former husband, in which case such issue +takes it, free from the right of the surviving husband to hold the +same by curtesy. If the wife die without a will and leave no issue, +the widower is entitled to the entire estate, both real and personal. +There may also be reserved for the widow a homestead of not more than +forty acres of farm land, or one-quarter of an acre in a town, which +at her subsequent marriage<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_992" id="Page_992">[Pg 992]</a></span> or death passes to the heirs of the former +husband. If none exist she does not lose her homestead rights by +marrying again.</p> + +<p>The wife may dispose of all her real estate by conveyance during her +lifetime or by will, without the husband's consent. He can not destroy +her dower rights.</p> + +<p>A married woman may sue and be sued, make contracts and carry on +business in her own name.</p> + +<p>The father, if living, and in case of his death the mother, while she +remains unmarried, shall be entitled to the custody of the persons and +education of the minor children. The father may by will appoint a +guardian for a child, whether born or unborn, to continue during its +minority or for a less time.</p> + +<p>Neglect to provide for a wife and minor children is a misdemeanor, +punished by imprisonment in the county jail not less than fifteen +days, during ten days of which food may be bread and water only; or by +imprisonment in the penitentiary not exceeding one year, or in the +county workhouse, at the discretion of the court.</p> + +<p>In 1887 a law was passed raising the "age of protection" for girls +from 10 to 14 years. In 1889 this was amended by lowering the age to +12 and reducing the punishment from imprisonment for life to not more +than thirty-five nor less than five years. The clause also was added: +"Provided that if the child shall be a common prostitute, the man +shall be imprisoned in the penitentiary not less than one year nor +more than seven."<a name="FNanchor_470_470" id="FNanchor_470_470"></a><a href="#Footnote_470_470" class="fnanchor">[470]</a> In 1895 the age was raised again to 14 years +with the same penalty.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> By the law of 1885 every woman who is a citizen of this +State of the age of twenty-one years and upwards, except paupers, +etc., who has resided in the State for one year and in the election +district where she offers to vote ten days next preceding any election +pertaining to school matters, shall have a right to vote at such +election. By the present interpretation of this law the suffrage of +women is limited to school officers and questions. Suffrage may be +extended by statute but such law must be ratified by a majority of the +voters at a general election.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_993" id="Page_993">[Pg 993]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> There is no law authorizing women to hold any elective +office except such as pertains to schools, but they have been eligible +to these since 1869. Eighteen women have served as county +superintendents at the same time; nine are acting at present. They sit +on school boards in a number of cities.</p> + +<p>In the Legislature women act as enrolling and engrossing clerks, and +as clerks and stenographers to committees. They are also found as +clerks, copyists and stenographers in the various elective and +appointive State, city and county offices.</p> + +<p>In the State institutions they are employed as teachers, matrons, +bookkeepers, supervisors, State agents for placing dependent children, +etc. The Milwaukee Industrial School for Girls, supported partly by +public and partly by private funds, is the only institution managed +entirely by women.</p> + +<p>There are no women physicians at any of the State institutions. One +woman was appointed county physician in Waukesha, and one or two have +been made city physicians.</p> + +<p>The office of police matron was established by city ordinance in +Milwaukee in 1884. There is none in any other city.</p> + +<p>Women act as notaries public and court commissioners.</p> + +<p>Women could not sit on any State Boards until the Legislature of 1901 +authorized the appointment of one woman on the Board of Regents for +the State University, and one on that of the State Normal School. It +also authorized the appointment of a woman State Factory Inspector.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> No profession or occupation is legally forbidden to +women.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> In 1851 the regents of the State University took a stand in +favor of co-education. In 1866 an Act reorganizing the university +declared that in all its departments it should be opened to male and +female students; but owing to prejudices it was not until 1873 that +complete co-education was established, although women were graduated +in 1869. All institutions of learning are open alike to both sexes.</p> + +<p>In the public schools there are 2,654 men and 9,811 women teachers. +The average monthly salary of the men is $41; of the women, $29.50.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_464_464" id="Footnote_464_464"></a><a href="#FNanchor_464_464"><span class="label">[464]</span></a> The History is indebted for most of the material in +this chapter to the Rev. Olympia Brown of Racine, president of the +State Woman Suffrage Association since 1884.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_465_465" id="Footnote_465_465"></a><a href="#FNanchor_465_465"><span class="label">[465]</span></a> The other officers at present are: Vice-presidents, +Mrs. Ellen A. Rose and Mrs. Madge Waters; chairman executive +committee, Mrs. Etta Gardner; corresponding secretary, Mrs. M. Geddes; +recording secretary, Miss Emma Graham; treasurer, Mrs. Lydia Woodward; +State organizer, the Rev. Alice Ball Loomis; district presidents, Dr. +Abby M. Adams, Mesdames Kate Taylor, M. A. Fowler, L. A. Rhodes, +Augusta Morris, Alura Collins Hollister, L. M. Eastman, Mary Upham, +Emma Shores and Sylvia Rogers; press committee, Mesdames Sarah Buck, +Clara F. Eastland, Jennie Beck and Dora Putnam; finance committee, +Mesdames Anna Gile, Donald Jones and J. B. Hamilton.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_466_466" id="Footnote_466_466"></a><a href="#FNanchor_466_466"><span class="label">[466]</span></a> Besides those mentioned above, Mesdames Nancy Comstock, +Josephine DeGroat, M. A. Derrick, M. A. Fowler, M. M. Frazier, Laura +James, Dr. Sarah Monroe, E. A. Rose, S. A. Rhodes, Burr Sprague and +Lydia Woodward all have been most valuable helpers. Among generous +contributors have been W. H. Crosby, Charles Erskine; Mesdames L. J. +Barlow, Laura C. Demmon, Almeda B. Gray, Mary E. Hulett, Emma V. +Laughton, Mary Merrill, Margaret Messenger, Hannah Patchen, Dr. Laura +Ross Wolcott, Emeline Wolcott and Park Wooster; those who have aided +by the pen are Mesdames Marian V. Dudley, Clara Eastland, Hattie Tyng +Gardner, Etta Gardner, C. V. Leighton and Minnie Stebbins Savage.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_467_467" id="Footnote_467_467"></a><a href="#FNanchor_467_467"><span class="label">[467]</span></a> The State constitution provides that the suffrage may +be extended by a law submitted to the electors at any general +election. If it receives a majority vote it is held to have the force +of a constitutional amendment.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_468_468" id="Footnote_468_468"></a><a href="#FNanchor_468_468"><span class="label">[468]</span></a> The open letter addressed to Judge Cassody, March 28, +1888, by Mrs. Brown, in regard to this decision, was pronounced by the +best lawyers as unsurpassed in logic, legal acumen, keen sarcasm and +righteous indignation. [Eds.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_469_469" id="Footnote_469_469"></a><a href="#FNanchor_469_469"><span class="label">[469]</span></a> E. P. Wilder, associate editor of the Madison <i>State +Journal</i>, chief official organ of the Republican party, made an +excellent address at this time in favor of woman suffrage, which was +afterwards printed as a leaflet.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_470_470" id="Footnote_470_470"></a><a href="#FNanchor_470_470"><span class="label">[470]</span></a> This is believed to be the only case on record where +the age of protection has been lowered. The amendment was urged by +Senator P. J. Clawson of Monroe, Green County At its next meeting the +county suffrage society passed the strongest possible denunciatory +resolutions, and thereafter its members worked diligently to defeat +Mr. Clawson for the nomination to Congress, which they succeeded in +doing.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_994" id="Page_994">[Pg 994]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LXXII" id="CHAPTER_LXXII"></a>CHAPTER LXXII.</h2> + +<h3>WYOMING.<a name="FNanchor_471_471" id="FNanchor_471_471"></a><a href="#Footnote_471_471" class="fnanchor">[471]</a></h3> + + +<p>It is said that a contented people or a happy life is one without a +history. The cause of woman suffrage in Wyoming has not been marked by +agitation or strife, and for that reason there is no struggle to +record, as is the case in all other States. In its story Mrs. Esther +Morris must ever be considered the heroine. A native of New York, she +joined her husband and three sons in 1869 at South Pass, then the +chief town of Wyoming. She was a strong advocate of the +enfranchisement of women and succeeded in enlisting the co-operation +of Col. William H. Bright, president of the first Legislative Council +of the Territory, which that very year passed a bill conferring on +women the full elective franchise and the right to hold all offices. +Gov. John A. Campbell was in some doubt as to signing it, but a body +of women in Cheyenne, headed by Mrs. Amalia Post (wife of Morton E. +Post, delegate to Congress), went to his residence and announced their +intention of staying until he did so. A vacancy occurring soon +afterward in the office of Justice of the Peace at South Pass, the +Governor appointed Mrs. Morris on petition of the county attorney and +commissioners. She tried between thirty and forty cases and none was +appealed to a higher court.<a name="FNanchor_472_472" id="FNanchor_472_472"></a><a href="#Footnote_472_472" class="fnanchor">[472]</a></p> + +<p>In 1871 a bill to repeal this woman suffrage law was passed by the +Legislature and vetoed by Governor Campbell. An attempt to pass it +over his veto failed. No proposition to abolish it ever was made in +the Legislature thereafter.</p> + +<p>In 1884, fifteen years after women had first voted in Wyoming, U. S. +District Attorney Melville C. Brown, at the request of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_995" id="Page_995">[Pg 995]</a></span> Miss Susan B. +Anthony, sent to the National Association an extended résumé of the +status of women suffrage in the Territory, to which he himself had +been opposed in 1869. It expressed throughout the most emphatic +approval without any qualifications. Some of the statements were as +follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Women have exercised their elective franchise, at first not very +generally but of late with universality, and with such good +judgment and modesty as to commend it to the men of all parties +who hold the good of the Territory in high esteem.... It has been +stated that the best women do not avail themselves of the +privilege. This is maliciously false.... The foolish claim has +also been made that the influence of the ballot upon women is +bad. This is not true. It is impossible that a woman's character +can be contaminated in associating with men for a few minutes in +going to the polls any more than it would be in going to church +or to places of amusement. On the other hand women are benefited +and improved by the ballot.... The fact is, Wyoming has the +noblest and best women in the world because they have more +privileges and know better how to use them.</p> + +<p>To conclude I will say: Woman suffrage is a settled fact here, +and will endure as long as the Territory. It has accomplished +much good; it has harmed no one; therefore we are all in favor, +and none can be found to raise a voice against it.</p></blockquote> + +<p>In the convention called the first Monday of September, 1889, to +prepare a constitution for admission as a State, this was the first +clause presented for consideration:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The right of citizens of the State of Wyoming to vote and hold +office shall not be denied or abridged on account of sex. Both +male and female citizens of this State shall enjoy all civil, +political and religious rights and privileges.</p></blockquote> + +<p>After just twenty years' experience of woman suffrage no man in this +convention was found in opposition to it, but to the surprise of the +members, one delegate, A. C. Campbell of Laramie, proposed to amend +this section by making it a separate article to be voted upon apart +from the rest of the constitution. He supported his amendment by a +long speech in which he said that he himself should vote in favor of +the article and, from his observations throughout the Territory, he +believed two-thirds or more of the people would do the same, but he +thought they ought to have a chance to express themselves; that "they +were going to have a pretty tough time anyhow getting into the Union, +and if<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_996" id="Page_996">[Pg 996]</a></span> they put in a proposition of this kind without giving those +persons who were opposed to woman suffrage a chance to express +themselves, they would vote against the whole constitution."</p> + +<p>The other members of the convention looked upon this as a scheme of +the opponents, and Mr. Campbell had no support to his proposition. On +the contrary, the most eloquent addresses were made by George W. +Baxter, Henry A. Coffeen, C. W. Holden, Asbury B. Conaway, Melville C. +Brown, Charles H. Burritt and John W. Hoyt demanding that the suffrage +clause should stand in the constitution regardless of consequences. +Space will permit only the keynote of these courageous speeches.<a name="FNanchor_473_473" id="FNanchor_473_473"></a><a href="#Footnote_473_473" class="fnanchor">[473]</a></p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Mr. Baxter:</span> ... I defend this because it is right, because it is +fair, because it is just.... I shall ever regard as a +distinguished honor my membership in this convention, which, for +the first time in the history of all this broad land, rising +above the prejudice and injustice of the past, will incorporate +into the fundamental law of the State a provision that shall +secure to every citizen within her borders not only the +protection of the courts, but the absolute and equal enjoyment of +every right and privilege guaranteed under the law to any other +citizen.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mr. Coffeen:</span> ... The question, as I take it, is already settled +in the hearts and minds and judgments of the people of our +glorious State proposed-to-be, and shall we stand here to-day and +debate over it when every element of justice and right and +equality is in its favor; when not one iota of weight of argument +has been brought against it; when every word that can be said is +in favor of continuing the good results of woman suffrage, which +we have experienced for twenty years?... I shall not go into the +policy or propriety of submitting such a proposition as this now +before us to the people of this Territory....</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mr. Holden:</span> I do not desire at this time to offer any reason why +the right to vote should be granted to women; that is not the +question before us. The question is, shall we secure that right +by fundamental law? The proposition now under consideration is, +shall we leave it to the people of Wyoming to say whether or not +the privilege of voting shall be secured to women? Now, Mr. +Chairman, I believe that I voice the wishes of my constituency +when I say that rather than surrender the right which the women +of this Territory have so long enjoyed—and which they have used +not only with credit to themselves but with profit to the country +in which they live—I say that rather than surrender that right +we will remain in a Territorial condition throughout the endless +cycles of time.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mr. Conaway:</span> ... The sentiment of this convention, and I believe +of the people whom we represent, is so nearly unanimous that +extended discussion, it seems to me, would be a waste of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_997" id="Page_997">[Pg 997]</a></span> +time.... If it were proposed to submit to a vote of the people +whether the property of the gentleman from Laramie should be +taken from him, or my property should be taken from me and given +to somebody else, there would be no difference of opinion upon +it. In Wyoming this right of our women has been recognized, has +been enjoyed; there are such things in law as vested rights, and +the decisions of our courts are unanimous that it is not within +the power of the Legislature ever to take away from any person +his rights or his property and to confer them upon another, and +that is what this clause proposes to do, to submit to a vote +whether we shall take away from one-half of our citizens—and, as +my friend has well stated, the better half—a certain right, and +increase the rights of the other half by so doing....</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mr. Brown:</span> I was a member of that second Legislature which tried +to disfranchise women.... From that day to the present no man in +the Legislature of Wyoming has been heard to lift his voice +against woman suffrage. It has become one of the fundamental laws +of the land, and to raise any question about it at this time is +as improper, in my judgment, as to raise a question as to any +other fundamental right guaranteed to any citizen in this +Territory. I would sooner think, Mr. Chairman, of submitting to +the people of Wyoming a separate and distinct proposition as to +whether a male citizen of the Territory shall be entitled to +vote....</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mr. Hoyt:</span> ... For twenty years the women of this Territory have +taken part with the men in its government, and have exercised +this right of suffrage equally with them, and we are all proud of +the results. No man in Wyoming ever has dared to say that woman +suffrage is a failure. There has been no disturbance of the +domestic relations, there has been no diminution of the social +order, there has been no lessening of the dignity which +characterizes the exercise of the elective franchise; there have +been, on the contrary, an improvement of the social order, better +laws, better officials, a higher civilization. Why, then, this +extraordinary proposition that, after so many years, having +exercised with us the right of suffrage since the foundation of +this Territorial government, women are now to be singled out, to +be set aside, and the question submitted to a vote as to whether +they shall have a continuance of the rights which have been given +to them by unanimous consent, and which they have exercised +wisely and properly and, as my friend says, with profit to the +whole Territory? This is indeed an extraordinary proposition, to +submit to a vote the continuance of a vested right. I will not +impugn the motives of the gentleman who makes it, but I demand as +a matter of justice that it shall be voted down by an +overwhelming majority, and I would that he had never presented +it.... We are told that if we put this clause into our +constitution as a fundamental law, we shall fail to secure its +approval by the people of Wyoming and its acceptance by the +Congress of the United States; but if it should so prove that the +adoption of this provision to protect the rights of the women +should work against our admission, then I agree with my friend, +Mr.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_998" id="Page_998">[Pg 998]</a></span> Holden, that we will remain out of the Union until a +sentiment of justice shall prevail....</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mr. Burritt:</span> ... Mr. Campbell destroyed any argument that he made +in favor of this amendment by saying, first, that woman suffrage +as a principle is right; second, that he would vote for it if +presented to the people. And he further said that he was not +afraid, in defending the right of petition, to come before this +convention and indorse this proposition to be separately voted +upon, even if it cost him the ladies' vote or the votes of any +other class. That certainly is very courageous on the part of the +gentleman from Laramie.... But I will say this much in addition, +which he did not say, that, as a member of this convention and +believing the right of suffrage to be a vested right, of which it +would be wrong and wicked for us to attempt to deprive women, I +have also the courage to rise above the single constituent that I +have in Johnson County who is opposed to woman suffrage (and I +know but one) and to rise above the majority even of its citizens +if I knew they were opposed, and I am sure that this convention +and this State have as much courage as I have. Believing that +woman suffrage is right, I am sure that this convention has the +courage to go before Congress and say that if they will not let +us in with this plank in our State constitution we will stay out +forever.... I stand upon the platform of justice, and I advocate +the continuance of the right of women to vote and hold office and +enjoy equally with men all civil, religious and political +privileges, and that this right be incorporated as a part of the +fundamental law of the State....</p></blockquote> + +<p>The woman suffrage clause was retained as a part of the constitution, +which was adopted by more than a three-fourths majority of the popular +vote.</p> + +<p>A bill to provide for the admission of Wyoming as a State was +introduced into the House of Representatives on Dec. 18, 1889, and +later was favorably reported from the Committee on Territories by +Charles S. Baker of New York. A minority report was presented by +William M. Springer of Illinois, consisting of twenty-three pages, two +devoted to various other reasons for non-admission and twenty-one to +objections because of the woman suffrage article.</p> + +<p>As it was supposed that the new State would be Republican, a bitter +fight was waged by the Democrats, using the provision for woman +suffrage as a club. The bill was grandly championed by Joseph M. +Carey, delegate from the Territory (afterward United States senator) +who defended the suffrage clause with the same courage and ability as +all the others in the constitution.<a name="FNanchor_474_474" id="FNanchor_474_474"></a><a href="#Footnote_474_474" class="fnanchor">[474]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_999" id="Page_999">[Pg 999]</a></span></p> + +<p>The principal speech in opposition was by Joseph E. Washington of +Tennessee, who said in part:</p> + +<blockquote><p>My chief objection to the admission of Wyoming is the suffrage +article in the constitution. I am unalterably opposed to female +suffrage in any form. It can only result in the end in unsexing +and degrading the womanhood of America. It is emphatically a +reform against nature.... I have no doubt that in Wyoming to-day +women vote in as many [different] precincts as they can reach on +horseback or on foot after changing their frocks and bustles.... +Tennessee has not yet adopted any of these new-fangled ideas, not +that we are lacking in respect for true and exalted +womanhood.<a name="FNanchor_475_475" id="FNanchor_475_475"></a><a href="#Footnote_475_475" class="fnanchor">[475]</a></p></blockquote> + +<p>William C. Oates of Alabama also delivered a long speech in +opposition, of which the following is a specimen paragraph:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I like a woman who is a woman and appreciates the sphere to which +God and the Bible have assigned her. I do not like a man-woman. +She may be intelligent and full of learning, but when she assumes +the performance of the duties and functions assigned by nature to +man, she becomes rough and tough and can no longer be the object +of affection.</p></blockquote> + +<p>He concluded his argument by saying that if ever universal suffrage +should prevail the Government would break to pieces of its own weight.</p> + +<p>The enfranchisement of women was also vehemently attacked by Alexander +M. Dockery of Missouri, George T. Barnes of Georgia, William M. +Springer of Illinois, and William McAdoo of New Jersey. It was +strongly defended by Henry L. Morey of Ohio, Charles S. Baker of New +York, Daniel Kerr and I. S. Struble, both of Iowa, and Harrison B. +Kelley of Kansas.</p> + +<p>Every possible effort was made to compel the adoption of an amendment +limiting the suffrage to male citizens, and it was defeated by only +six votes. The bill of admission was passed March 28, 1890, after +three days' discussion, by 139 ayes to 127 noes. During the progress +of this debate Delegate Carey telegraphed to the Wyoming Legislature, +then in session, that it looked as if the suffrage clause would have +to be abandoned if Statehood were to be obtained, and the answer came +back: "We<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1000" id="Page_1000">[Pg 1000]</a></span> will remain out of the Union a hundred years rather than +come in without woman suffrage."<a name="FNanchor_476_476" id="FNanchor_476_476"></a><a href="#Footnote_476_476" class="fnanchor">[476]</a></p> + +<p>In the Senate the fight against the suffrage article was renewed with +added intensity. The bill for the admission of Wyoming was reported +favorably through the chairman of the Committee on Territories, +Orville H. Platt of Connecticut, in January, 1890, but was not reached +on the calendar until February 17. On objection from Francis M. +Cockrell of Missouri, that there was not time then for its +consideration, it was postponed, but without losing its place on the +calendar. Not until May 2, however, did it come up again as unfinished +business, and only to be again postponed. On May 8 the bill was set +down for the following Monday, but it was June 25 before it finally +received extended consideration. The debate continued for three days +and the clause conferring suffrage on women took a prominent place.</p> + +<p>George G. Vest of Missouri led the opposition and said in the course +of his lengthy oration:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I shall never vote to admit into the Union any State that adopts +woman suffrage. I do not propose to discuss the sentimental side +of the question.... In my judgment woman suffrage is antagonistic +to the spirit, to the institutions, of the people of the United +States. It is utterly antagonistic to my ideas of the Government +as the fathers made it and left it to us. If there were no other +reason I would never give the right of suffrage to women because +the danger to the institutions of the United States to-day is in +hurried, spasmodic, sentimental suffrage.... I believe that with +universal suffrage in this country, the injecting into our +suffrage of all the women of the United States would be the +greatest calamity that could possibly happen to our institutions +and people.... If there were no other reason with me, I would +vote against the admission of Wyoming because it has that feature +in its constitution. I will not take the responsibility as a +senator of indorsing in any way, directly or indirectly, woman +suffrage. I repeat that in my judgment it would be not only a +calamity but an absolute crime against the institutions of the +people of the United States....</p></blockquote> + +<p>In an extended speech John H. Reagan of Texas said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>But what are we going to do, what are the people of this +Territory going to do, by the adoption of this constitution? They +are going to make men of women, and when they do that the +correlative must<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1001" id="Page_1001">[Pg 1001]</a></span> take place that men must become women. So I +suppose we are to have women for public officers, women to do +military duty, women to work the roads, women to fight the +battles of the country, and men to wash the dishes, men to nurse +the children, men to stay at home while the ladies go out and +make stump speeches in canvasses.... Mr. President, when the +Almighty created men and women He made them for different +purposes, and six thousand years of experience have recognized +the wisdom and justice of the Almighty in this arrangement. It is +only latterly that people have got wiser than their Creator and +wiser than all the generations which have preceded them.... The +constitution of society, the necessity for the existence of +society, the necessity of home government, which is the most +important of all the parts of government, can only be preserved +and perpetuated by keeping men in their sphere and women in their +sphere....</p> + +<p>It is a wholesome thing to reflect that after a hard day's +struggle and of rough contacts which men must have with each +other, they can go to a home presided over by one there who +soothes the passions of the day by the sweetness of her temper, +the gentleness of her disposition and the happiness which she +brings around the family circle. But if the wife and the husband +are both out in the bitter contests of the day, making speeches, +electioneering with voters, pushing their way to the polls, they +will both be apt to go home in a bad humor, and there will not be +much happiness in a family during the remainder of the day which +follows such a scene. And while they are both out what will +become of the children? Are they to take care of themselves?</p> + +<p>What rights can women expect to have that they do not have now? +They are clothed with the protection of law.<a name="FNanchor_477_477" id="FNanchor_477_477"></a><a href="#Footnote_477_477" class="fnanchor">[477]</a> In my judgment, +Mr. President, the day that the floodgate of female suffrage is +opened upon this country, the social organism will have reached +the point at which decay and ruin begin.... Why, sir, what is the +advantage? If the head of the family votes he is apt to reflect +the views of the family. It is more convenient than to have all +the family going out to vote.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Wilbur F. Sanders of Montana interrupted Senator Reagan to ask if the +law should not be an expression of the intellectual and moral sense of +all the people, and whether governments did not derive their just +powers from the consent of the governed.</p> + +<p>John T. Morgan of Alabama entered into a long and sarcastic argument +to prove that if a woman could vote in Wyoming she might be sent to +Congress and then she could not be admitted because the law says a +senator or representative "must be an inhabitant of the State in which +<i>he</i> is chosen." He ignored the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1002" id="Page_1002">[Pg 1002]</a></span> fact that all legal papers are made +out with this pronoun, which presents no difficulty in their +application to women.</p> + +<p>Henry B. Payne of Ohio said that he was not in favor of woman +suffrage, and that no woman in England ever had been permitted to +exercise the elective franchise. (Women then had been voting in +England for twenty-one years, the same length of time as in Wyoming.) +He asked, however, if these little technical objections would not be +more than overcome by the moral influence that a woman Representative +might exert in the committee rooms and on the floor of the House.</p> + +<p>Mr. Morgan at once launched forth into a panegyric on the moral +influence of woman which certainly demonstrated that if sentimentalism +were a bar to voting, as Senators Vest and Reagan had insisted it +should be, the senator from Alabama would have to be disfranchised. +Part of it ran as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>It is not the moral influence of woman upon the ballot that I am +objecting to, and it is not to get rid of that or to silence or +destroy such influence that I oppose it, but it is the immoral +influence of the ballot upon woman that I deprecate and would +avoid. I do not want to see her drawn into contact with the rude +things of this world, where the delicacy of her senses and +sensibilities would be constantly wounded by the attrition with +bad and desperate and foul politicians and men. Such is not her +function and is not her office; and if we degrade her from the +high station that God has placed her in to put her at the +ballot-box, at political or other elections, we unman ourselves +and refuse to do the duties that God has assigned to us.</p> + +<p>I can say for myself and for those who are dearest to me of all +the objects in this life, that I would leave a country where it +was necessary that my wife and daughters should go to the polls +to protect my liberties. I would just as soon see them shoulder +their guns and go like Amazons into the field and fight beneath +the flag for my liberties, as to see them muster on election day +for any such purpose.<a name="FNanchor_478_478" id="FNanchor_478_478"></a><a href="#Footnote_478_478" class="fnanchor">[478]</a></p></blockquote> + +<p>James K. Jones of Arkansas based his argument on the estimate of an +equal number of men and women in Wyoming, and assumed that all the +women had voted in favor of the suffrage clause and that therefore it +did not represent the wishes of men, thus denying wholly the right of +women to a voice in a matter which so vitally concerned themselves. In +reality women formed considerably less than one-third of the adult +population, while the constitution was adopted by more than a +three-fourths vote.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1003" id="Page_1003">[Pg 1003]</a></span></p> + +<p>William M. Stewart of Nevada and Algernon S. Paddock of Nebraska +defended the right of the Territory to decide this question for +itself.</p> + +<p>George Gray of Delaware declared his belief that "woman suffrage is +inimical to the best interests of society." John C. Spooner of +Wisconsin disapproved the enfranchisement of women, but believed +Wyoming had a right to place it in its constitution.</p> + +<p>Orville H. Platt of Connecticut in urging the acceptance of the report +said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I never have been an advocate of woman suffrage. I never +believed, as some senators do, that it was wise. But with all +that, I would not keep a Territory out of the Union as a State +because its constitution did allow women to vote, nor would I +force upon a Territory any restriction or qualification as to +what its vote should be in that respect. When Washington +Territory came here and asked for admission and the bill was +passed, it had had woman suffrage, and I was appealed to by a +great many citizens all over the United States to keep it out of +the Union, so far as my action could do so, until it restored the +right of women to vote which had been taken away under a decision +of its own courts—taken away, as I thought, unjustly; for I did +not consider that decision good law. The senator from +Massachusetts, Mr. Hoar, interrogated me when I was advocating +the admission of Washington as to why we did not incorporate into +that enabling act some language that should undo the wrong which +had been done by the Supreme Court of the Territory and restore +to women the right of voting. I said then, as I say now, that I +think this is a matter which belongs to the Territory; and I am +surprised that gentlemen who are so devoted to home rule as a +sacred right which should never be interfered with in this +republic, should not be willing to allow to a Territory, when it +asks for admission, the right to determine whether women should +or should not be permitted to vote by the constitution of the +proposed State.... Why should we, the Congress of the United +States, stand here and say to that Territory, where women have +enjoyed the right of voting for twenty years, and nobody arises +to gainsay it or to intimate that they have not exercised the +right wisely, why should we stand here and say: "Keep out of the +Union; we will let no community, no Territory, in here which does +not deprive its women of the right they have enjoyed while in a +Territorial condition"?</p></blockquote> + +<p>After every possible device to strike out the obnoxious clause had +been exhausted, the bill to admit Wyoming as a State was passed on +June 27, 1890, by 29 ayes, 18 noes, 37 absent.<a name="FNanchor_479_479" id="FNanchor_479_479"></a><a href="#Footnote_479_479" class="fnanchor">[479]</a> Although<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1004" id="Page_1004">[Pg 1004]</a></span> Henry W. +Blair of New Hampshire and Henry M. Teller of Colorado interposed +remarks showing a thorough belief in the enfranchisement of women, +there was no formal argument in its behalf, it being generally +understood that all Republicans would vote for the bill in order to +admit a Republican State, and a number did so who were not in favor of +woman suffrage.</p> + +<p>When the people of Wyoming met at Cheyenne, July 23, to celebrate +their Statehood, by Gov. Francis E. Warren sat Mrs. Amalia Post, +president of the Woman Suffrage Association. The first and principal +oration of the day was made by Mrs. Theresa A. Jenkins, of which the +History of Wyoming says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Proceeding to the front of the platform, Mrs. Jenkins, in clear, +forceful tones which penetrated to the very outskirts of the +crowd, delivered without manuscript or notes an address which in +logic and eloquence has rarely if ever been equaled by any woman +in the land.... At its conclusion she received an ovation and was +presented with a magnificent basket of flowers.</p> + +<p>The great incident of the celebration, the presenting of the +flag, next followed. Mrs. Esther Morris, the "mother" of the +woman suffrage movement in this State, who is widely respected +for her great ability and heroic womanhood, was by general +consent accorded the post of honor and made the presentation to +Governor Warren. Gathering its folds about her she said:</p> + +<p>"On behalf of the women of Wyoming, and in grateful recognition +of the high privilege of citizenship which has been conferred +upon us, I have the honor to present to the State of Wyoming this +beautiful banner. May it always remain the emblem of our +liberties, 'and the flag of the Union forever.'"</p> + +<p>The Governor, on receiving it from Mrs. Morris, made an eloquent +response during which he paid this tribute to women:</p> + +<p>"Wyoming in her progress has not forgotten the hands and hearts +that have helped advance her to this high position; and, in the +adoption of her constitution, equal suffrage is entrenched so +firmly that it is believed it will stand forever.... Women of +Wyoming, you have builded well, and the men of Wyoming extend +heartiest greeting at this time. They congratulate you upon your +achievements, and ask you to join them in the future, as in the +past, in securing good government for our commonwealth."</p></blockquote> + +<p>The poet of the day was a woman, Mrs. I. S. Bartlett, who gave The +True Republic. In every possible way the men showed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1005" id="Page_1005">[Pg 1005]</a></span> their honor and +appreciation of the women, and from this noble attitude they never +have departed.</p> + +<p>In May, 1895, Miss Susan B. Anthony, president of the National +Association, carried out a long-cherished desire to visit Wyoming. She +was on the way to take part in the Woman's Congress of San Francisco, +accompanied by the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, vice-president-at-large, and +they stopped at Cheyenne where they were the guests of Senator and +Mrs. Carey, who gave a dinner party in their honor, attended by +Governor and Mrs. Richards, Senator and Mrs. Warren, Mrs. Morris, Mrs. +Jenkins, Mrs. Post and other distinguished guests. They went +immediately from dinner to the new Baptist church, which was filled to +overflowing, and were introduced by the Governor. At the close of the +lecture Mrs. Jenkins said, "Now I desire to introduce the audience to +the speakers." She then called the names of the Governor and all his +staff, the attorney-general, the United States judges, the senators +and congressmen, the mayor and members of the city council. Each arose +as his name was mentioned, and before she was through it seemed as if +half the audience were on their feet, and the applause was most +enthusiastic.</p> + +<p>Miss Anthony often spoke of this as one of the proudest moments of her +life—when it was not necessary to beg the men in her audience to do +justice to women, but when these men, the most eminent in the State, +rose in a body to pay their respects to the women whom they had +enfranchised without appeal, and to those other women who were +devoting their lives to secure political freedom for all of their sex.</p> + +<p>During the more than thirty years which have elapsed since the +suffrage was given to women, not one reputable person in the State +ever has produced any evidence or even said over his or her own +signature that woman suffrage is other than an unimpeachable success +in Wyoming.</p> + +<p>Every Governor of the Territory for twenty years bore witness to its +good results. Governors of Territories are appointed by the President, +not elected by the people, and as they were not dependent on women's +votes, their testimony was impartial.</p> + +<p>Year after year the State officials, the Judges of the Supreme Court, +ministers, editors and other prominent citizens have testified<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1006" id="Page_1006">[Pg 1006]</a></span> in the +strongest possible manner to the beneficial results of woman +suffrage.<a name="FNanchor_480_480" id="FNanchor_480_480"></a><a href="#Footnote_480_480" class="fnanchor">[480]</a></p> + +<p>Gov. Francis E. Warren said in 1885: "I have seen much of the workings +of woman suffrage. I have yet to hear of the first case of domestic +discord growing therefrom. Our women nearly all vote." He also +reported to the Secretary of the Interior: "The men are as favorable +to woman suffrage as the women are. Wyoming appreciates, believes in +and indorses woman suffrage." In his official report the next year he +stated: "Woman suffrage continues as popular as at first. The women +nearly all vote and neither party objects." And in 1889: "No one will +deny that woman's influence in voting always has been on the side of +good government. The people favor its continuance." In the same year, +while still Governor, he wrote:</p> + +<blockquote><p>After twenty years' trial of woman suffrage in Wyoming Territory, +it is pronounced an unqualified success by men and women alike, +and of both political parties.... I sincerely hope that all the +new States will so provide that it may prevail immediately, or +that it can be extended at any time hereafter when their +Legislatures desire, if they are not now ready to take the step.</p> + +<p>The women of Wyoming have been exceedingly discreet and wise in +their suffrage, so much so that the different Legislatures have +not attempted its overthrow, although majorities have sometimes +been largely Republican and at other times largely Democratic.</p></blockquote> + +<p>During all his years as United States senator Mr. Warren never has +failed to give his testimony and influence in favor of the +enfranchisement of women.</p> + +<p>In 1889 Delegate Joseph M. Carey wrote from the House of +Representatives at Washington: "Wyoming Territory has for twenty years +had full woman suffrage. It has commended itself to the approval of +our people of all parties ... I sincerely hope the new States will +adopt suffrage principles without regard<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1007" id="Page_1007">[Pg 1007]</a></span> to sex, or provide by a +clause in their respective constitutions that the Legislatures may by +statute confer the right of franchise upon women." Throughout his +subsequent term in the United States Senate he was consistent in this +attitude and has remained so ever since.</p> + +<p>Following the example of every Territorial Governor, Amos W. Barber, +the first State Governor, declared:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Woman suffrage does not degrade woman. On the contrary, it +ennobles her and brings out all the strong attributes of true +womanhood. To their credit be it said, the women are almost a +unit for ability, honesty and integrity wherever found, in high +life or low life. A man must walk straight in Wyoming, for the +women hold the balance of power and they are using it wisely and +judiciously. The cause of education is their first aim. They are +making our schools the model of the country, and, too, they can +make a dollar go much further than their husbands can.</p></blockquote> + +<p>In 1900 a petition was circulated in the State, asking Congress to +submit a Sixteenth Amendment to the Federal Constitution, prohibiting +the disfranchisement of United States citizens on account of sex. It +was signed by the Governor, the Secretary of State, the Auditor of +State, the State Superintendent of Instruction, the State engineer, +the Judges of the Supreme Court, the United States district attorney, +the United States surveyor general, the director and the observer of +the United States Weather Bureau, the mayor of Cheyenne and a long +list of editors, ministers, lawyers, physicians, bankers and the most +prominent women in the State. Mrs. Carey, who had the petition in +charge, wrote to Miss Anthony: "Thousands of names could be secured if +it were necessary."</p> + +<p>Literally speaking the testimony from Wyoming in favor of woman +suffrage is limited only by the space for this chapter.<a name="FNanchor_481_481" id="FNanchor_481_481"></a><a href="#Footnote_481_481" class="fnanchor">[481]</a></p> + +<p>In 1901 this joint resolution was passed:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, Wyoming was the first State to adopt woman suffrage, +which has been in operation since 1869 and was adopted in the +constitution of the State in 1890; during which time women have +exercised the privilege as generally as men, with the result that +better candidates have been elected for office, methods of +election purified, the character of legislation improved, civic +intelligence increased and womanhood developed to greater +usefulness by political responsibility; therefore,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1008" id="Page_1008">[Pg 1008]</a></span></p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, By the House of Representatives, the Senate +concurring, That, in view of these results, the enfranchisement +of women in every State and Territory of the American Union is +hereby recommended as a measure tending to the advancement of a +higher and better social order;</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That an authenticated copy of these resolutions be +forwarded by the Governor of the State to the Legislature of +every State and Territory, and that the press be requested to +call public attention to these resolutions.</p> + +<p class="author close"> +<span class="smcap">Edward W. Stone</span>, <i>President of the Senate</i>.<br /> +<span class="smcap">J. S. Atherley</span>, <i>Speaker of the House</i>. +</p> +<p class="close">Approved Feb. 13, 1901.</p> +<p class="author close"> +<span class="smcap">DeForest Richards</span>, <i>Governor</i>.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>For a number of years women served on grand and petit juries. In +compiling the first volume of the Laws of Wyoming, Secretary and +Acting Governor Edward M. Lee said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In the provisions of the woman suffrage clause, enacted in 1869, +we placed this youngest Territory on earth in the van of +civilization and progress. That this statement has been verified +by practical experience the testimony is unanimous, continuous +and conclusive. Not a link is wanting in the chain of evidence +and, as a Governor of the Territory once said: "The only +dissenting voices against woman suffrage have been those of +convicts who have been tried and found guilty by women jurors." +Women exercised the right of jurors and contributed to the speedy +release of the Territory from the régime of the pistol and +bowie-knife. They not only performed their new duties without +losing any of the womanly virtues, and with dignity and decorum, +but good results were immediately seen. Chief Justice J. H. Howe, +of the Supreme Court, under whose direction women were first +drawn on juries, wrote in 1872: "After the grand jury had been in +session two days the dance-house keepers, gamblers and +<i>demi-monde</i> fled out of the State in dismay to escape the +indictment of women jurors. In short, I have never, in +twenty-five years' experience in the courts of the country, seen +a more faithful and resolutely honest grand and petit jury than +these."</p></blockquote> + +<p>The best women in the Territory served as jurors, and they were +treated with the most profound respect and highly complimented for +their efficiency. The successor of Chief Justice Howe was opposed to +their serving and none were summoned by him. Jury duty is not +acceptable to men, as a rule, and the women themselves were not +anxious for it, so the custom gradually fell into disuse. The juries +are made up from the tax lists, which contain only a small proportion +of women. There are no court<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1009" id="Page_1009">[Pg 1009]</a></span> decisions against women as jurors, and +they are still summoned occasionally in special cases.</p> + +<p>Women have not taken a conspicuous part in politics. The population is +scattered, there are no large cities and necessarily no great +associations of women for organized work. They are conscientious in +voting for men who, in their opinion, have the best interests of the +community at heart. More latitude must necessarily be permitted in new +States, but in 1900 they decided that it was time to call a halt on +the evil of gambling, and as the result of their efforts a law was +passed by the present Legislature (1901) forbidding it. The Chicago +<i>Tribune</i> gave a correct summing-up of this matter in the following +editorial:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The women of Wyoming are to be credited with securing one reform +which is a sufficient answer, in that State at least, to the +criticism that woman suffrage has no influence upon legislation +and fails to elevate political action. There will be no legalized +gambling in Wyoming after the first of January next, the +Legislature having just passed a law which makes gambling of +every kind punishable by fine and imprisonment after the above +date.</p> + +<p>This has been the work of the women. When they began their +agitation about a year and a half ago, gambling was not only +permitted but was licensed. The evil was so strongly entrenched +and the revenue accruing to the State so large that there was +little hope at first that anything would be accomplished. The +leaders of the crusade, however, organized their forces skilfully +in every town and village. Their petitions for the repeal of the +gambling statute and for the passage of a prohibitory act were +circulated everywhere, and were signed by thousands of male as +well as female voters. When the Legislature met, the women were +there in force, armed with their voluminous petitions. The +gamblers also were there in force and sought to defeat the women +by the use of large sums of money, but womanly tact and +persuasion and direct personal appeals carried the day against +strong opposition. The Legislature passed the bill, but it was +the women who won the victory.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The most prejudiced must admit that women could not have done this if +they had not represented at least as many votes as the gambling +fraternity.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Laws:</span> The first Legislature (1869), which conferred the suffrage upon +women, gave wives exactly the same rights as husbands in their +separate property.</p> + +<p>Dower and curtesy have been abolished. If either husband or wife die +without a will, leaving descendants, one-half of the estate, both real +and personal, goes to the survivor. If there are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1010" id="Page_1010">[Pg 1010]</a></span> no descendants, +three-fourths go to the survivor, one-fourth to the father and mother +or their survivors, unless the estate, both real and personal, does +not exceed $10,000, in which case it all passes to the widow or +widower. A homestead to the value of $1,500 is exempted for the +survivor and minor children.</p> + +<p>A married woman may sue and be sued, make contracts and carry on +business in her own name.</p> + +<p>The father is the guardian of the minor children, and at his death the +mother. There is no law requiring a husband to support his +family.<a name="FNanchor_482_482" id="FNanchor_482_482"></a><a href="#Footnote_482_482" class="fnanchor">[482]</a></p> + +<p>The "age of protection" for girls was raised from 10 to 14 years in +1882, and from 14 to 18 in 1890. The penalty varies from imprisonment +for one year to life. Seduction under promise of marriage up to the +age of 21 years is a penitentiary offense. Male and female habitues of +a house of ill-repute are considered guilty of the same offense, but +the man is liable for a fine of $100 and imprisonment for sixty days, +while the woman is liable for only half this punishment.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Suffrage:</span> Women have had the Full Franchise since 1869.</p> + +<p>No separate record is kept of their votes, as they have exercised the +suffrage so long that this would seem no more necessary than to keep +one of the men's votes. The census of 1900 gives the percentage of men +in the State as 63 (in round numbers) and of women as 37. The estimate +of those who are best informed is that 90 per cent. of the women who +are eligible use the suffrage.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Office Holding:</span> Since the organization of the Territory in 1869 women +have been eligible to all official positions, but there never has been +any scramble for office.</p> + +<p>No woman ever has served in the Legislature.</p> + +<p>Miss Estelle Reel was State Superintendent of Public Instruction for +four years. She is now National Superintendent of Indian Schools, +appointed by President William McKinley, and has 300 of these under +her charge.</p> + +<p>Miss Grace Raymond Hebard is librarian of the State University, and +for the past ten years has filled the position of secretary of the +board of trustees, upon which women serve.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1011" id="Page_1011">[Pg 1011]</a></span></p> + +<p>Miss Bertha Mills is clerk of the State Land Board, with a salary +equal to that of any clerk or deputy in the State House.</p> + +<p>Miss Rose Foote was assistant clerk in the House of Representatives of +the last Legislature, and as a reader she left nothing to be desired. +Women frequently serve as legislative enrolling clerks. There have +been women clerks of the courts.</p> + +<p>Women hold several important clerkships in the State Capitol and are +found as stenographers, etc., in all the State, county and municipal +offices.</p> + +<p>In many districts they serve on the school board, and nearly all of +the counties elect them to the responsible position of superintendent. +As such they conduct the institutes, examine teachers and have a +general supervision of the schools.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Occupations:</span> The only industry legally forbidden to women is that of +working in mines.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Education:</span> All educational advantages are the same for both sexes.</p> + +<p>By a law of 1869 Wyoming requires equal pay for men and women in all +employment pertaining to the State. This includes the public schools, +in which there are 102 men and 434 women teachers. But here as +elsewhere the men hold the higher positions and their average monthly +salary is $60.40, while that of the women is $42.86.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_471_471" id="Footnote_471_471"></a><a href="#FNanchor_471_471"><span class="label">[471]</span></a> The History is indebted to the Hon. Robert C. Morris of +Cheyenne, clerk of the Supreme Court of Wyoming, for much of the +information contained in this chapter.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_472_472" id="Footnote_472_472"></a><a href="#FNanchor_472_472"><span class="label">[472]</span></a> Mrs. Morris is the mother of Robert C. Morris, and this +paragraph is inserted by the editors. A full account of this first +experiment in woman suffrage will be found in <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28556/28556-h/28556-h.htm#CHAPTER_LII">Vol. III, Chap. LII</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_473_473" id="Footnote_473_473"></a><a href="#FNanchor_473_473"><span class="label">[473]</span></a> Published in full in Wyoming Historical Collections, +Vol. I.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_474_474" id="Footnote_474_474"></a><a href="#FNanchor_474_474"><span class="label">[474]</span></a> In an address Mr. Carey said later: "I was agreeably +surprised to have so many of the ablest men in Congress, both in +public and in private conversation, disclose the fact that they firmly +believed the time would come when women would be permitted to exercise +full political rights throughout the United States."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_475_475" id="Footnote_475_475"></a><a href="#FNanchor_475_475"><span class="label">[475]</span></a> See laws for women in <a href="#CHAPTER_LXIV">Tennessee chapter</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_476_476" id="Footnote_476_476"></a><a href="#FNanchor_476_476"><span class="label">[476]</span></a> Miss Susan B. Anthony was an interested and anxious +listener to this debate from the gallery of the House, and a joyful +witness to the final passage of the bill.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_477_477" id="Footnote_477_477"></a><a href="#FNanchor_477_477"><span class="label">[477]</span></a> See laws for women in <a href="#CHAPTER_LXV">Texas chapter</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_478_478" id="Footnote_478_478"></a><a href="#FNanchor_478_478"><span class="label">[478]</span></a> In 1901, when a convention in Alabama was framing a new +constitution, Senator Morgan sent a strong letter urging that this +should include suffrage for tax-paying women.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_479_479" id="Footnote_479_479"></a><a href="#FNanchor_479_479"><span class="label">[479]</span></a> A telegram announcing that President Harrison had +signed the bill was handed to Miss Anthony while she was addressing a +large audience at Madison, S. D., during the woman suffrage campaign +in that State, and those who were present say, "She spoke like one +inspired." +</p><p> +By request of Miss Anthony and Lucy Stone, officers of the National W. +S. A., the woman suffrage clubs of the entire country celebrated on +the Fourth of July the admission into the Union of the first State +with the full franchise for women, and an address from Mrs. Stanton +was read—Wyoming the First Free State for Women.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_480_480" id="Footnote_480_480"></a><a href="#FNanchor_480_480"><span class="label">[480]</span></a> From 1876 to 1883 Edgar Wilson Nye (Bill Nye) was +editor of the Laramie <i>Boomerang</i>, in which he published the following +as the result of his eight years' observation of woman's voting: +</p><p> +"Female suffrage, I may safely and seriously assert, according to the +best judgment of the majority in Wyoming Territory, is an unqualified +success. An effort to abolish it would be at once hooted down. Its +principal opposition comes from those who do not know anything about +it. I do not hesitate to say that Wyoming is justly proud because it +has thus early recognized woman and given her a chance to be heard. +While she does not seek to hold office or act as juror, she votes +quietly, intelligently and pretty independently. Moreover, she does +not recognize the machine at all, seldom goes to caucuses, votes for +men who are satisfactory, regardless of the ticket, and thus scares +the daylights out of rings and machines."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_481_481" id="Footnote_481_481"></a><a href="#FNanchor_481_481"><span class="label">[481]</span></a> See <a href="#APPENDIX-TESTIMONY">Appendix—Testimony from Woman Suffrage States</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_482_482" id="Footnote_482_482"></a><a href="#FNanchor_482_482"><span class="label">[482]</span></a> When the attention of a distinguished jurist of Wyoming +was called to these laws he said the question never had been raised, +but there would be no objection to changing them.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1012" id="Page_1012">[Pg 1012]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LXXIII" id="CHAPTER_LXXIII"></a>CHAPTER LXXIII.</h2> + +<h3>GREAT BRITAIN.</h3> + +<h4>EFFORTS FOR THE PARLIAMENTARY FRANCHISE.<a name="FNanchor_483_483" id="FNanchor_483_483"></a><a href="#Footnote_483_483" class="fnanchor">[483]</a></h4> + +<h5>BY MISS HELEN BLACKBURN, EDITOR OF THE ENGLISHWOMAN'S REVIEW, LONDON.</h5> + + +<p>The chapter on Great Britain contributed by Miss Caroline Ashurst +Biggs to Vol. III of this History of Woman Suffrage brought the story +down to the passage of the Representation-of-the-People Act of 1884 +which extended Household Suffrage to the Counties and created the +Service Franchise, thus giving the ballot to a large number of +agricultural labourers and men who had their residence on premises of +which their employers paid the rent and taxes, but which still left +all such women without any franchise whatsoever.</p> + +<p>With the passing of that Act may be said to have begun a new phase in +the movement. During the '70's there had been a debate and division on +the Women's Suffrage Bill in the House of Commons nearly every year. +After the General Election of 1880 the question of Household Suffrage +in the Counties came to the front, and all the efforts of the Women's +Suffrage Societies were directed and inspired by the anticipation that +when the claims of the agricultural labourer were dealt with, those of +women would find their opportunity. But far from this, they were left +practically in a worse position than before, for now 2,000,000 new +voters were added to the number of those who could make prior claim to +the attention of their representatives.</p> + +<p><i>1885.</i>—Immediately after the General Election which followed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1013" id="Page_1013">[Pg 1013]</a></span> the +passing of the new Reform Bill, Mr. Gladstone gave notice of his Bill +for Home Rule for Ireland and the party feeling aroused was of such +intensity that the Liberal party was cloven in twain. The Women's +Suffrage movement was affected by the keen party strife, in which +women were as deeply interested as men, and the question of their +enfranchisement was no longer the only rallying point for their +political activity. This period is marked by a rapid development of +organisations amongst women for party purposes. In the Primrose +League, which had been started in 1883, women had been assigned +unprecedented recognition as co-operating with men on equal footing +for political purposes. It does not promote special measures but lays +down for its principle the Maintenance of Religion, of the Estates of +the Realm and of the Imperial Ascendancy of the British Empire, thus +indicating its Conservative tendency. The Women's Liberal Federation, +founded in 1885 to promote liberal principles, endeavours to further +special measures. The Women's Liberal Unionist Association founded in +1888 had for its principal object the defence of the legislative union +between England and Ireland.</p> + +<p>Thus women entered actively into the work of the three respective +parties, and this re-acted in various ways on the Women's Suffrage +propaganda. It might seem that this had a depressing effect, for the +rigid neutrality in regard to party which always had characterised the +National Societies for Women's Suffrage might easily seem dull and +tame to the ardent party enthusiasts, and many of the Liberal women +threw their energies by preference into the Women's Liberal +Associations, but the old charge that women had no interest in +politics, now received its complete quietus. It seems indeed a far cry +from the manners of sixty years ago, when to talk politics to a woman +was considered rude, to the manners of to-day when the Primrose League +balances its 75,000 Knights with 63,000 Dames, besides associates +innumerable, both men and women; and the Women's Liberal Federation +with its 448 Associations has actively worked for candidates in a +great number of counties in England.</p> + +<p><i>1886.</i>—The number of members returned after the General Election of +1885 who were understood to be favorably inclined<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1014" id="Page_1014">[Pg 1014]</a></span> towards the +enfranchisement of women, exceeded any previous experience and on +February 18th the motion to adjourn discussion was rejected by 159 +ayes, 102 noes, and the bill passed second reading without further +division; but before going into Committee another dissolution of +Parliament took place.</p> + +<p>The General Election which followed was even more favorable, the +friendly Members returned being in an actual majority, and yet session +after session passed and the pressure of Government business consumed +Parliamentary time.</p> + +<p><i>1887-1890.</i>—The need of a central point, such as is afforded when +there is a bill before the House, round which all the suffrage forces +could rally independent of party, made it difficult for them to +maintain their cohesion. The Central Committee of the National Society +for Women's Suffrage had been such a point but it could not escape the +distracting outside influences, and a revision of its rules took place +in December, 1888, with the result that the Society as hitherto +existing dissolved and reformed in two separate organisations. One of +these established new rules which enabled it to affiliate with +Societies formed for other purposes; and one adhered to the old rules +which admitted only organisations formed with the sole object of +obtaining the Franchise. But if, as was held, the internal +re-organisation of the Societies redounded to greater strength, even +more so did an unprecedented attack from the outside, in the Summer of +1889, when the <i>Nineteenth Century</i> opened its pages to a protest +against the enfranchisement of women, to which a few ladies in London +society had been diligently canvassing for signatures. The appearance +of this protest was naturally the sign for an immediate counterblast, +and the two Central Societies in London put a form of declaration into +immediate circulation. The <i>Fortnightly Review</i> gave space to a reply +from the pen of Mrs. Millicent Garrett Fawcett and to a selection from +the signatures which poured into the Suffrage Offices with a rapidity +that was amazing, as in sending out the forms for signature numbers +had not been aimed at but rather it was sought to make the list +representative. The <i>Nineteenth Century</i> had contained the names of +104 ladies, mostly known as wives of public men, while those who had +taken part in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1015" id="Page_1015">[Pg 1015]</a></span> work for the good of the community and to advance the +interests of women were conspicuous by their absence. The +<i>Fortnightly</i> gave space for about 600 names asking for the suffrage, +selected from over 2,000 received within a few days.<a name="FNanchor_484_484" id="FNanchor_484_484"></a><a href="#Footnote_484_484" class="fnanchor">[484]</a></p> + +<p>This was the last work in which the distinguished reformer, Miss +Caroline Ashurst Biggs, took part, as she died in September, 1889. +Miss Lydia Becker, editor of <i>The Women's Suffrage Journal</i>, which she +had founded in 1870, passed away the following Summer. These two +deaths were an irreparable loss to the movement for the +enfranchisement of women.</p> + +<p><i>1891.</i>—Parliamentary prospects grew brighter and Mr. William +Woodall, who had charge of the Suffrage Bill, obtained May 13th for +its consideration. The first Lord of the Treasury, Mr. W. H. Smith, +had received a deputation appointed by the Suffrage Societies April +20th, to present him with a largely signed memorial praying that Her +Majesty's Government would reserve the day appointed for the +discussion of a measure "which suffers under the special disadvantage +that those whom it chiefly concerns have no voting power with which to +fortify their claims." They received the assurance that the House +would not adjourn before the 13th, and that the Government had no +intention of taking the day for their business.</p> + +<p>On April 30th, however, when the Government proposed to take certain +specified days for their business, Mr. Gladstone objected, insisting +that they should be uniform in their action and take all Wednesdays up +to Whitsuntide. This afforded a manifest opportunity for shelving the +Suffrage Bill which the opponents<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1016" id="Page_1016">[Pg 1016]</a></span> were quick to perceive and, +although Mr. Smith declared himself unable to take this day, Sir Henry +James moved that all Wednesdays be taken. This was carried and the +Government, for probably the first time in Parliamentary History, had +a day forced on them.</p> + +<p><i>1892.</i>—Better fortunes attended the endeavours of the Parliamentary +leaders in the following session. Mr. Woodall having accepted office +in the Government, Sir Algernon Borthwick (now Lord Glenesk) undertook +the necessary arrangements for the introduction of the Bill. This was +placed, by the result of the ballot for a day, in the hands of Sir +Albert Rollit, who set it down for April 27th in the following terms:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Every woman who (1) in Great Britain is registered as an elector +for any Town Council or County Council, or (2) in Ireland is a +rate-payer entitled to vote at an election for guardians of the +poor, shall be entitled to be registered as a Parliamentary +elector and, when registered, to vote at any Parliamentary +election for the County borough or division wherein the +qualifying property is situate.</p></blockquote> + +<p>This Bill was brought forward for second reading on the appointed day +by Sir Albert Rollit with a powerful statement of the question, and a +debate followed marked by a high and serious tone. For this brief +narrative it will suffice to note the closing speech from the Right +Hon. A. J. Balfour, who concluded by saying that whenever any +important extension of the Franchise was brought up "they would have +to face and deal with the problem of Women's Suffrage—and deal with +it in a complete fashion." The division showed 175 for the Bill, 192 +against—a result which was a surprise to both sides, for the +opponents had exerted themselves in a manner beyond all precedent; +they had sent round a whip signed by twenty members, ten on each side +of the House, and Mr. Gladstone had written a letter to Mr. Samuel +Smith, that had been circulated as a pamphlet, in which amongst other +points he urged that at least it should be ascertained "that the +womanly mind of the country was in overwhelming proportion and with +deliberate purpose bent on procuring the vote."</p> + +<p><i>1893-1895.</i>—At the opening of the Parliament it was a great +satisfaction to the Women's Suffrage party that Viscount Wolmer (now +the Earl of Selborne) had undertaken the Parliamentary<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1017" id="Page_1017">[Pg 1017]</a></span> leadership of +the question. It will hardly be needful here to go into all the causes +which thwarted the vigilance of the leader in procuring a hearing for +the measure in that Parliament.</p> + +<p>On June 1st, 1895, a representative Conference was held at Westminster +Town Hall to consider a plan for an appeal to the House of Commons +from women all over the United Kingdom. Miss Florence Davenport Hill, +who presided, briefly explained that the object of such an appeal was +to convince the country in a more emphatic manner than could be +possible by the petitions, memorials and demonstrations that already +had been tried again and again, all of which were necessarily limited +in their scope. This appeal should be from women of all ranks and +classes in all parts of the United Kingdom. The Appeal for the +Parliamentary Franchise then agreed upon was managed by a committee +appointed from the chief organisations amongst women.</p> + +<p><i>1896.</i>—This effort to "focus the diffused interest of women in the +suffrage into one concentrated expression" resulted in the collection +of 257,796 signatures, nearly every constituency in the United Kingdom +being represented. Although the Appeal was in readiness for +presentation in the session of 1895, a suitable opportunity did not +arise until 1896, when a fairly good place had been drawn in the +ballot by Mr. Faithfull Begg and the Bill was set down for May 20th. +Permission was obtained to place the Appeal in Westminster Hall on May +19th, and passes were given to the Committee to enable them to show it +to any Members of Parliament who might wish to inspect it. +Accordingly—although it was already known that all Wednesdays had +been taken in Government business—the Appeal of the women of this day +and generation for constitutional rights was placed in that grand old +Hall, round which the Parliamentary associations of a thousand years +are clustered. Many Members showed great interest in studying the +signatures from their respective constituencies.</p> + +<p>Irrespective of the interest called forth, other good results +followed, for the Women's Suffrage Societies had been drawn into +pleasant relation with a great many new friends and helpers all over +the country. It was also shown that women who differed widely on +political and social questions could work cordially and unanimously +for this common object. The closer union which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1018" id="Page_1018">[Pg 1018]</a></span> this work had brought +about led to the modification of the Special Appeal Committee into a +combined Committee for Parliamentary Work. A Conference held in the +Priory Rooms, Birmingham, October 16th, attended by delegates from all +the Women's Suffrage Societies, greatly assisted concerted action.</p> + +<p><i>1897.</i>—All was thus in good working order when at the opening of the +session an excellent place was drawn in the ballot by Mr. Faithfull +Begg (M. P. for St. Rollox division of Glasgow) and the Women's +Franchise Bill was set down for February 3rd, when it passed second +reading by a majority of 71. The old opponents sent out a strong whip +against the Bill and mustered in force, but they were exceeded by the +old friends, nor did the division show the whole strength of the +movement, as many known to be favorable were still absent at that +early date of the session.<a name="FNanchor_485_485" id="FNanchor_485_485"></a><a href="#Footnote_485_485" class="fnanchor">[485]</a> A statement issued by the National +Union of Women's Suffrage Societies, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>This vote places the question of Women's Suffrage in a new phase, +and its friends have only to continue to press it upon the +attention of Parliament and the public in order to render it +necessary at no distant date that it should be dealt with by the +Government of the day. This has been the history of nearly all +important measures of reform. They have very rarely been placed +on the Statute Book by private members; but private members by +repeatedly bringing a particular question before the House give +the opportunity for its full consideration by Parliament and the +country, so that in due time it takes its place as a Government +measure. It will be the aim of the Union to put Women's Suffrage +in this position, so that no Government, of whatever party, shall +be able to touch questions relating to representation without at +the same time removing the electoral disabilities of women.</p></blockquote> + +<p>The closer coalition that Autumn of all the Societies which make +Women's Suffrage their sole object into a National Union was in itself +a symptom of that new phase, and the combined Sub-Committee<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1019" id="Page_1019">[Pg 1019]</a></span> was now +further modified into the Executive Committee of the National Union of +Women's Suffrage Societies.</p> + +<p><i>1898-1899.</i>—The value of this second reading has been permanent +notwithstanding that its progress through the next stage of going into +Committee was thwarted by what even the <i>Times</i> described as an +"undignified shuffle." The rule that Bills which have reached +Committee stage before Whitsuntide should be taken on Wednesdays after +Whitsuntide in their turn, so that if any one Bill is not finished on +the day it is taken it is carried to the next, was so worked as to +shut out the Women's Franchise Bill in 1899, and the rule which was +meant to give equitable share to all was abused by purposely +protracted talk over Bills which had no claim to such profuse +attention.</p> + +<p>This was the last opportunity that the pressure of the eventful years +with which the century closed afforded for Parliamentary debate. The +great meeting in Queen's Hall, London, June 29th, 1899, when the +National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies gave hearty welcome to +their fellow-workers from all parts of the globe during the +International Council of Women, remains the latest event of public +significance.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>The new House of Commons, 1901, includes 267 members who have voted in +former Parliaments on the question of extending the Parliamentary +Franchise to Women; of these 96 are opponents, 171 are supporters. One +has continued to be a consistent opponent from the division on Mr. +John Stuart Mill's amendment to the Reform Bill of 1867. Two have +continued to be consistent supporters from the same division. Of +members whose first time of voting dates from one or other of the +numerous divisions which took place between the Reform Acts of 1867 +and 1884, there still remain 20 opponents and 25 supporters. Of the +members who recorded their vote for the first time on the question in +the division on Sir Albert Rollit's Bill of 1892, there remain 24 +opponents and 30 supporters. Of those whose first votes date from the +division on Mr. Faithfull Begg's Bill in 1897, there remain 51 +opponents and 114 supporters.</p> + +<p>Thus the ratio of supporters gradually strengthens, and this +notwithstanding the retirement of twice as many tried friends as of +steady opponents. If to these considerations it is added<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1020" id="Page_1020">[Pg 1020]</a></span> that amongst +the newly-elected members, for each one who is understood to be an +opponent there are at least three understood to be friendly, it will +be seen that the march of time strengthens the ranks of the Women's +Suffrage cause in the House of Commons.</p> + +<p>Amongst the supporters who have retired from Parliamentary life are +three past leaders of the Women's Suffrage Bill, Mr. Leonard Courtney, +Mr. Woodall and Mr. Faithfull Begg. Two past leaders now have seats in +the Cabinet, Lord Selborne and Mr. George Wyndham. The Premier, Lord +Salisbury, has been at all times a true friend; the leader of the +House of Commons, the Right Hon. A. J. Balfour, has voted and spoken +in favor of the question in that body.</p> + +<p>Mention has been made of the death of Miss Becker and of Miss Biggs. +Miss Isabella M. S. Tod of Belfast, who passed away on December 8th, +1896, was a bright and leading spirit, in Ireland especially. In +November, 1899, the Edinburgh Committee lost their much-loved Hon. +Secretary, Miss Eliza Wigham, who had held that office for more than +thirty years. In the same month Mr. Jacob Bright, who secured the +Municipal Franchise for women, also passed away.</p> + +<p>In Ireland the Local Government Act of 1898 gave fresh impetus to +women's public work, and Mrs. Haslam, the veteran Hon. Secretary of +the Dublin Women's Suffrage Society, for the past twenty-six years, +still encourages the rising workers of today.</p> + +<p>The North of England Women's Suffrage Society has just sent a petition +with over 29,000 signatures entirely from women working in Lancashire +cotton factories. The petition, which looked like a garden roller from +its size, was brought up by a deputation of fifteen of the women, and +by them placed in the hands of their Parliamentary friends for +presentation.</p> + +<p>In London the branches have amalgamated into one Central +Society—President, Lady Frances Balfour; Chairman, Mrs. Millicent +Garrett Fawcett—and life and effort are apparent in every +direction.<a name="FNanchor_486_486" id="FNanchor_486_486"></a><a href="#Footnote_486_486" class="fnanchor">[486]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1021" id="Page_1021">[Pg 1021]</a></span></p> + +<p>The new century has opened with a heavy shadow of sorrow for the +British people in the death of their much-loved sovereign, Queen +Victoria. Her reign will always be conspicuous as an era of change of +tone in regard to the studies and pursuits of women. The extent to +which that change is due to the presence on the throne of a woman full +of goodness—one for whom Truth was her guide and Duty her rule in +every action of her life—will stand out more clearly perhaps to +future generations. But this we know, that during the Victorian era +the idea of separateness in the interests of men and women has grown +less and less, while co-operation and sympathy have grown more and +more, so that these words of one of the pioneer thinkers on this +subject, Mrs. Jameson, have become a key-note to the suffrage +movement: "Whatsoever things are good, whatsoever things are wise, +whatsoever things are holy, must be accomplished by communion between +brave men and brave women."</p> + + +<h4>LAWS SPECIALLY AFFECTING WOMEN.</h4> + +<p>Half a century ago married women had no right to their earnings, nor +to dispose of their property; all belonged to the husband unless +settled on the wife and then it was in keeping of trustees. Mothers +had no rights in their children. All professions were closed to women.</p> + +<p><i>1839.</i>—Custody of Infants Act empowered the Lord Chancellor to leave +custody of her child to the mother, up to the age of seven, in case of +divorce.</p> + +<p><i>1873.</i>—Custody of Infants Act allowed the mother custody of her +child to the age of sixteen in case of divorce.</p> + +<p><i>1886.</i>—Guardianship of Infants Act gave the right to a surviving +mother to be joint guardian in addition to any appointed by the +father. The Act also enabled her to appoint a guardian in case of the +father's death or incapacity; it also required the Court to have +regard to the wishes of the mother as well as of the father.</p> + +<p><i>1870-1874.</i>—Married Women's Property Acts secured to them all rights +to property acquired by their own skill and industry, and to all +investments of their own money in their own names.</p> + +<p><i>1882.</i>—Married Women's Property Act consolidated and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1022" id="Page_1022">[Pg 1022]</a></span> amended the +previous act, enabling married women to acquire, hold and dispose by +will or otherwise of any real or personal property without the +intervention of a trustee.</p> + +<p><i>1876.</i>—Medical Education Act permitted medical degrees to be +conferred on women.</p> + +<p><i>1890.</i>—Intestates Act provided that when a man dies intestate +leaving a widow and no children, all his estate if under Ł500, goes to +the widow, if over Ł500 she shall have Ł500 in addition to her share +in the residue.<a name="FNanchor_487_487" id="FNanchor_487_487"></a><a href="#Footnote_487_487" class="fnanchor">[487]</a></p> + + +<h4>LAWS RELATING TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT. (SUFFRAGE.)</h4> + +<p><i>1869.</i>—Municipal Corporations Act restored to women rate-payers of +England the vote in Municipal Elections which had been taken away by +the Municipal Corporation Act of 1835.</p> + +<p><i>1870.</i>—Elementary Education Act created School Boards and placed +women on a complete equality both as electors and as eligible for +election.</p> + +<p><i>1881-1882.</i>—The Municipal Act for Scotland gave to women the same +Municipal Franchise possessed by those of England since 1869. They +already had the School Franchise.</p> + +<p><i>1888.</i>—The County Electors Act gave women equal franchises with men +for the election of Councillors for the County Councils created by the +Local Government Act of that year.</p> + +<p><i>1894.</i>—Local Government Act which reorganised the Parochial Poor-Law +Administration in the Counties, confirmed the rights of women to all +Local Franchises and their eligibility as Poor-Law Guardians; and made +them also eligible as Parish and District Councillors.</p> + +<p><i>1896.</i>—Poor-Law Guardian Act for Ireland made women for the first +time eligible as Poor-Law Guardian.</p> + +<p><i>1898.</i>—Irish Local Government Act reorganized the system of Local +Government in Ireland on similar lines to that in England. Women who +had hitherto been excluded from the Municipal Franchise now had all +Local Franchises conferred on them and were made eligible for Rural +and Urban District Councils.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1023" id="Page_1023">[Pg 1023]</a></span></p> + +<p><i>1899.</i>—London Government Act changed the system of Vestries to that +of Borough Councils throughout the Metropolitan Districts. Women had +been eligible on the old Vestries and several were then serving. Their +claim to sit on the new Borough Councils was, however, rejected.</p> + + +<h4>WOMEN IN PUBLIC WORK.</h4> + +<p>Half a century ago no offices were held by women beyond such parochial +offices as Sextoness, Overseer and Churchwarden, which they +occasionally filled. Their always-existing right to act as Poor-Law +Guardians seems to have been entirely left in abeyance until the early +'70's, when the attention of public-spirited women was being called to +the need of reformation in the workhouses.</p> + +<p><i>1870.</i>—<span class="smcap">Members of School Board:</span> Miss Lydia Becker was the first +woman to be elected to public office by the popular vote. This was at +the first School Board election in Manchester, in November, 1870. She +was re-elected at every subsequent triennial election until her death +in 1890. Several were elected in London and other large towns. Their +number has gone on slowly increasing, both in towns and rural +districts, the women being re-elected again and again whenever they +continued to stand.</p> + +<p><i>1873.</i>—<span class="smcap">Poor-Law Inspectors:</span> The first woman was appointed Poor-Law +Inspector in 1873. Then for some years there was no other. Two now +fill that office, appointed in 1885 and 1898 respectively.</p> + +<p><i>1875.</i> <span class="smcap">Poor-Law Guardians:</span> The first Poor-Law Guardian was elected in +1875. There are now over 1,000 serving as Guardians and District +Councillors in England, a few in Scotland, and about 90 in Ireland.</p> + +<p><i>1892.</i>—<span class="smcap">Royal Commissions:</span> Women were appointed as Assistant +Commissioners on the Royal Commission of Labor in 1892, and as Royal +Commissioners to enquire into secondary education in 1895.</p> + +<p><i>1894.</i>—<span class="smcap">Factory Inspectors:</span> The first women Factory Inspectors were +appointed in 1894, and six are now serving.</p> + +<p>The Education Department also has a few as Inspectors. Local<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1024" id="Page_1024">[Pg 1024]</a></span> +authorities in large towns are realizing the value of women as +Sanitary Inspectors, and the number of these increases gradually.</p> + + +<h4>STEPS IN EDUCATION.</h4> + +<p>Half a century ago there was not one school or college where women +could have any approach to University classes. Now there are over +2,000 women graduates, besides 1,500 who hold certificates from Oxford +and Cambridge in place of the degrees which would have been theirs had +those ancient seats of learning opened their gates to women graduates. +The following table shows the particulars:</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table class="dense" summary=""> +<tr><td class="center">Distribution.</td><td class="center">Women Admitted.</td><td class="center">Approximate total number of graduates in January, 1900.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">London University</td><td class="left">By a supplemental charter of 1878</td><td class="right">1,100</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Victoria University</td><td class="left">By its charter of foundation, 1880</td><td class="right">180</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Royal University of Ireland</td><td class="right">1882 </td><td class="right">425</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left hang">The Scottish Universities:<br />Edinburgh,<br />Glasgow,<br />Aberdeen,<br />St. Andrews.</td><td class="left" valign="top">By an ordinance of the University Commissioners in 1892 empowering the admission of women</td><td class="right">226</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left" valign="top">University of Wales</td><td class="left" valign="top">By a charter in 1893 incorporating the Colleges of Aberystwith, Cardiff, Bangor</td><td class="right">27</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Durham</td><td class="left">By an amending charter in 1895</td><td class="right">25</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Girton College, Cambridge</td><td class="left">Opened for women 1872</td><td class="right">529</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Newnham College, "</td><td class="left">Opened for women 1880</td><td class="right">577</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Halls for Women in Oxford</td><td class="left">Opened for women 1879</td><td class="right">426</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>The students of the three Women's Colleges above take the examinations +of Cambridge and Oxford and have instruction in part from their +faculties, but receive only certificates instead of degrees. The other +universities grant them full degrees.</p> + +<p>The establishment of an equal standard of knowledge for men and women +has brought about the result that the achievements of women in +literature, science and art, once treated as abnormal and exceptional +are now quite normal and usual; and the liberal learning, once +confined to the very few in favored circumstances, is within the reach +of numbers. As a corollary to this it has been recognized that women's +occupations also deserve systematic training, with the result that +when once the training was given the resourcefulness of women has +enabled them to follow out new<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1025" id="Page_1025">[Pg 1025]</a></span> lines, and a new independence has +dawned upon them. At the same time the sense of personal +responsibility which comes of independence has made many more women +realize that they have a duty to the community, and therefore has +compelled them to set their thoughts and minds to the performance of +those duties. As a natural consequence the fact is being more and more +realized by the Electorate and by Government Departments that women +can bring useful service to the community.</p> + + +<h4>THE ISLE OF MAN.</h4> + +<p>[The ancient kingdom of the Isle of Man, with an independent +government since the time of the vikings, and making its own laws +which require only the sanction of the Crown, extended Full Suffrage +to women property owners in December, 1880, and the act received the +assent of Queen Victoria, January 5th, 1881. This was extended to all +women rate-payers in 1892.]</p> + + +<h3>PROGRESS IN THE COLONIES.</h3> + +<h4>NEW ZEALAND.<a name="FNanchor_488_488" id="FNanchor_488_488"></a><a href="#Footnote_488_488" class="fnanchor">[488]</a></h4> + +<p>The first of the Colonies of the British Empire to grant the +Parliamentary Franchise to women was New Zealand, therefore, the story +of Colonial Progress fitly opens with the land of the Maories. The +earliest public mention that this writer has been able to find of the +question was in a speech of Sir Julius Vogel to his constituents in +1876, when he said that he was in favor of extending the franchise to +women—but as far back as 1869 a pamphlet on the subject, entitled An +Appeal to the Men of New Zealand, had been written by Mrs. Mary +Müller, who may be fitly termed the pioneer woman suffragist of that +colony.</p> + +<p>In 1878 the Government introduced an Electoral Bill which included the +franchise for rate-paying women; this passed the House of +Representatives but met with much opposition in the Upper House on +points unconnected with women's suffrage, so that it was ultimately +withdrawn.</p> + +<p>In 1887 Sir Julius Vogel, Colonial Treasurer, introduced a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1026" id="Page_1026">[Pg 1026]</a></span> Bill +giving practically universal suffrage to women. This was supported by +the Premier, Sir Robert Stout, and passed the House of Representatives +May 12, 1887, by 41 ayes, 22 noes. Several Members stated that they +only voted for it in the hope that in Committee it would be limited to +owners of property. An amendment proposed to this effect in Committee +was rejected, but this proved a fatal victory, for when the clause was +put as it stood the "noes" carried the day.</p> + +<p>A resolution moved by Sir John Hall in 1890, carried by a majority of +26, was a further note of encouragement.</p> + +<p>The work for Women's Suffrage was mainly carried on by the Women's +Christian Temperance Union, and they now put forth increased energy, +so that early in 1891 Mrs. Kate W. Sheppard, Franchise Superintendent, +was able to report that many local unions had appointed franchise +superintendents. With what effect they worked was shown when Sir John +Hall presented in August, 1891, a petition for the suffrage seventy +yards long, which was run out to the furthest end of the House; a row +of Members ranged themselves on either side to inspect the signatures +and found no two alike, as some seemed to expect. On September 4th Sir +John Hall's Bill again passed in the House of Representatives, but was +lost by two votes in the Legislative Council, or Upper House.</p> + +<p>In 1892 Sir John Hall presented in behalf of the measure the largest +petition ever seen in the New Zealand Parliament. That year the Hon. +J. Ballance introduced an Electoral Bill on behalf of the Government, +in which the most important new feature was the franchise for women. +It passed the House of Representatives, but a difference on technical +details between the two branches of the Legislature delayed its +passage in the Council.</p> + +<p>In 1893 the Electoral Act of New Zealand conferred the Franchise on +every person over twenty-one, although this did not carry the right to +sit in Parliament.</p> + +<p>As a General Election was close at hand no time was lost in enrolling +women on the register. The report of the New Zealand W. C. T. U. of +1893 supplies the following figures:</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table class="smallprint" summary=""> +<tr><td class="left"> </td><td class="center">Men.</td><td class="ceter">Women.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">On the Register</td><td class="right">177,701</td><td class="right">109,461</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Voting at the Poll</td><td class="right">124,439</td><td class="right">90,290</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1027" id="Page_1027">[Pg 1027]</a></span></p> + +<p>A lady present in Auckland during the election relates that the +interest taken by the Maori women was very great and that nearly half +the Maori votes registered in Auckland were those of women.</p> + +<p>The Hon. H. J. Seddon, Premier of New Zealand, when in England for the +celebration of the Queen's jubilee in 1897, spoke of the measure as a +great success, saying, "It has come to stay." The Bishop of Auckland, +speaking at the Church Congress in England that year, said "it had led +to no harm or inconvenience, but the men of New Zealand were wondering +why they had permitted the women of that Colony to remain so long +without the right to vote in Parliamentary elections."</p> + + +<h4>SOUTH AUSTRALIA.<a name="FNanchor_489_489" id="FNanchor_489_489"></a><a href="#Footnote_489_489" class="fnanchor">[489]</a></h4> + +<p>On July 22d, 1885, Dr. Stirling moved a Resolution in the House of +Assembly in favor of conferring the Franchise for both Houses of the +Legislature, on widows and spinsters who possessed qualifications +(property) which would entitle them to vote for the Legislative +Council. The debate was adjourned on the motion of the +Attorney-General and on August 5th the Resolution carried without a +division or serious opposition.</p> + +<p>This favorable start is the more remarkable that there had been no +previous agitation, no society or committee formed, no petitions +presented, no meetings held. It was a matter of enlightened conviction +on the part of the legislators. Dr. Stirling introduced a Bill in +1886, in the same terms as his resolution, and on April 13th it passed +second reading by a majority of two of those voting, but as amendments +to the Constitution must have a majority of the whole House, the Bill +could not be proceeded with. A general election followed soon after, +at which Dr. Stirling did not re-enter Parliament, and Mr. Caldwell +took charge of the Bill, which in November, 1889, again passed second +reading in the House of Assembly, but again by an insufficient +majority.</p> + +<p>In the Summer of 1889 a public meeting was held to form a Women's +Suffrage League, which set to work holding meetings and collecting +signatures to petitions under the guidance of its Hon. Secretary, Mrs. +Mary Lee. The efforts of the parliamentary<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1028" id="Page_1028">[Pg 1028]</a></span> friends were thrice +baffled—in 1890, 1891 and 1893—by the necessity for a majority of +the whole House, which stopped further immediate progress though each +time the Bill had passed second reading. The growth of support was, +however, evidenced by the reply of the Premier to a deputation from +the Women's Suffrage League in November, 1893—that "on the question +of Women's Suffrage the Government were in the position of just +persons who needed no conversion, as they were thoroughly at one in +the matter and were willing to do all they could to place Women's +Suffrage on the Statute Book."</p> + +<p>When, in August, 1894, the Government brought their Adult Suffrage +Bill to the Legislative Council the opponents did their utmost to +bring about its defeat by obstructive amendments, but in vain. Finally +they moved that the clause prohibiting women from sitting in +Parliament be struck out, expecting thereby to wreck the Bill, but the +supporters of the measure accepted the amendment and so it was carried +by a combination of opponents and supporters, giving women Full +Suffrage and the right to sit in the Parliament. An address and +testimonial were presented to Mrs. Lee by the Hon. C. C. Kingston, the +Premier, Dr. Cockburn, other Members of Parliament and friends. In +making the presentation the Premier said he did so at request of the +Committee, for her important services in one of the greatest +constitutional reforms in Australian history. Royal assent was given +to the Bill in 1895.</p> + +<p>The first election under this Act took place in April, 1896. +Statistics published in the <i>Australian Register</i> of June 10th, give +the following totals:</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table class="smallprint" summary=""> +<tr><td class="left"> </td><td class="center">Men.</td><td class="center">Women.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">On the roll in Adelaide and suburbs</td><td class="right">30,051</td><td class="right">24,585</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">On the roll in the country districts</td><td class="right">47,701</td><td class="right">34,581</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Voting in Adelaide and suburbs</td><td class="right">19,938</td><td class="right">16,253</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Voting in country districts</td><td class="right">31,634</td><td class="right">23,059</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Percentage voting in Adelaide and suburbs</td><td class="right">66.34</td><td class="right">66.11</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Percentage voting in the country districts</td><td class="right">66.32</td><td class="right">66.68</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>Speaking at the Annual Meeting of the Central Committee of the Women's +Suffrage Society in London, July 15th, 1898, Dr. Cockburn (now Sir +John Cockburn, K. C. M. G.) said: "The refining influence of women has +made itself felt in this sphere as in every other: they have elevated +the whole realm of politics<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1029" id="Page_1029">[Pg 1029]</a></span> without themselves losing a jot of their +innate purity. 'No poorer they but richer we,' by their addition to +the electoral roll."</p> + + +<h4>WEST AUSTRALIA.<a name="FNanchor_490_490" id="FNanchor_490_490"></a><a href="#Footnote_490_490" class="fnanchor">[490]</a></h4> + +<p>The women of West Australia enjoyed the unprecedented experience of +having organised their Franchise League and gained the Franchise in +one year. The question, however, had been more or less before the +Colony since 1893. In that year Mr. Cookworthy had introduced a +Women's Suffrage Resolution in the House of Assembly which was lost by +only one vote.</p> + +<p>After the next General Election, Mr. Cookworthy again introduced his +Resolution in 1897, when it was lost by two votes, one of its +strongest supporters being absent. Although there was at that time no +organisation specially for the Suffrage, the Women's Christian +Temperance Union did much to extend interest, and there was a large +body of support to be found amongst the intelligent women of the +Colony. This led to the formation of a Women's Franchise League for +Western Australia.</p> + +<p>This League was formally organized at a public meeting of the Leisure +Hour Club in Perth, May 11th, 1899, Lady Onslow presiding. That autumn +a Resolution similar to the one which had been introduced in the +Legislative Assembly passed the Council, and before the year closed +the Electoral Act was passed of which the important part for women +lies in the interpretation clause, which interprets "Elector" as any +person of either sex whose name is on the Electoral Roll of a province +or district. Royal assent to the Bill was given in 1900. Although +women now can vote for members of the Parliament they can not sit in +that body.</p> + +<p>Already the Women's Franchise League of Western Australia is +transformed into the Women's Electoral League.</p> + + +<h4>NEW SOUTH WALES.<a name="FNanchor_491_491" id="FNanchor_491_491"></a><a href="#Footnote_491_491" class="fnanchor">[491]</a></h4> + +<p>The Mother Colony seems likely to be the next to enfranchise women. +The question in that Colony first came prominently forward when Sir +Henry Parkes, the veteran statesman and oft-times Premier, proposed a +clause to give equal voting power to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1030" id="Page_1030">[Pg 1030]</a></span> women in his Electoral Bill in +1890. The clause was eventually dropped, but the very fact that it had +been introduced in a Government Bill by a man of such high position as +Sir Henry Parkes gave the question the impetus for which the friends +of the movement were waiting to collect the growing interest into +organized form and combined action.</p> + +<p>On May 6th, 1891, the Womanhood Suffrage League of New South Wales was +formed, Lady Windeyer was elected president and an active campaign was +begun. On July 30th Sir Henry Parkes moved a Resolution in the +Legislative Assembly "that in the opinion of this House the franchise +for the election of members of the Legislative Assembly should be +extended to women on the same conditions and subject to the same +qualifications as men." The debate was a very long one, occupying +twelve hours and concluding at 3 a. m., when the motion was lost by 34 +ayes, 57 noes. The friends of Women's Suffrage were in no way cast +down by this vote. They believed that in a full House on a fair test +division their friends would have been in a majority, but many who +were anxious for the passing of the Electoral Bill voted against Sir +Henry Parkes' motion lest the inclusion of women should imperil its +chances in the Upper House.</p> + +<p>The next debate on the question was on November 18th, 1894, when Mr. +O'Reilly moved a Resolution that "in the opinion of this House the +time has arrived when the franchise should be extended to women." This +was supported by Sir Henry Parkes. The Premier, Sir G. H. Reid, +approved of Women's Suffrage in the abstract but objected that the +present Parliament had received no mandate from the people. Sir George +Dibbs thought the demand a just one. Eventually the motion, with the +words "the time has now arrived" omitted, was carried by a large +majority. No debate has taken place since 1894, as the pressure on the +time of the Legislature has been great with Federal and other matters, +but the question was never in a more hopeful position. The sudden +change of government in 1899 placed a strong friend to the cause at +the head of affairs in the present Premier, Sir William Lyne, and at +the annual meeting of the Suffrage League in August, 1900, Mr. Fegan, +M. P. (Minister for Mines) congratulated the women of New South Wales +on being so near<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1031" id="Page_1031">[Pg 1031]</a></span> the goal of their desires. The Premier had +definitely said that before the session closed a Bill would be +introduced to give women the suffrage, and he hoped that next year +they would be able to disband their League, its work being finished. +The Bill was introduced in 1901 but was lost by 19 ayes, 22 noes.</p> + +<p>On Aug. 14, 1902, the bill conferring the Parliamentary Franchise on +women passed the Council. It had already passed the Assembly and is +now law.</p> + + +<h4>VICTORIA.<a name="FNanchor_492_492" id="FNanchor_492_492"></a><a href="#Footnote_492_492" class="fnanchor">[492]</a></h4> + +<p>In Melbourne an organisation for Women's Suffrage has been in +existence some sixteen years, but it is only within the last five +years that the question has come within the region of practical +politics. The movement suffered from want of concentration of energy. +"At one time the original association, though still in existence, was +rivalled by other societies with the same object, but more or less +tinged with local, class or religious characteristics. This rivalry, +though it tended to the growth of the movement, deprived it of force +and eventually led to divided counsels and consequently to comparative +failure." <i>The Australian Woman's Sphere</i><a name="FNanchor_493_493" id="FNanchor_493_493"></a><a href="#Footnote_493_493" class="fnanchor">[493]</a> from which the above +words are quoted, goes on to say: "A few years since, largely owing to +the patience and tact of the late Annette Bear Crawford, its first +Hon. Secretary, there was formed the 'United Council for Women's +Suffrage' which aimed at including representatives of all the leagues +that had for their main object, or for one of them, the political +enfranchisement of women."</p> + +<p>The formation of this Council has been the sign of a new life in the +question in Melbourne. At the General Election of 1894 a determined +effort was made to secure the return of a majority of members pledged +to vote for the suffrage cause. The Government promised a Bill in the +session of 1895, and on November 26th the Premier, Sir George Turner, +introduced a Women's Suffrage Bill which passed the House of Assembly +without a division, but was lost in the Legislative Council by two +votes.</p> + +<p>The Women's Suffrage Bill passed the Legislative Assembly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1032" id="Page_1032">[Pg 1032]</a></span> in 1897, +'98, '99, 1900, '01, each time with an increased majority, but each +time its progress has been stopped in the Council.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless there are many evidences of increasing vitality in the +movement in Victoria, not the least of these being the rise of an +Anti-Women's Suffrage Crusade. These "New Crusaders" have presented a +petition which purports to be signed by 22,987 "adult women" of +Victoria. But in 1891 before the suffrage was a live subject, before +it had entered the region of practical politics, the women suffragists +in six weeks obtained 30,000 signatures of adult women. The first and +the most natural result of the anti-suffrage movement has been to +bring down enquiries on the United Council from all parts of the +Colony how to help Women's Suffrage.</p> + + +<h4>QUEENSLAND.<a name="FNanchor_494_494" id="FNanchor_494_494"></a><a href="#Footnote_494_494" class="fnanchor">[494]</a></h4> + +<p>The Women's Suffrage question appears to have received its first +awakening in Queensland from the visit of Miss Hannah Chenings, who in +1891 came from Adelaide on a lecturing tour in connection with an +effort to obtain a law for the better protection of young girls. Her +account of the Women's Franchise League in South Australia aroused a +wish for a similar organisation here, and after a period of silent +growth the Women's Suffrage Association was formed in 1894, mainly +through the instrumentality of Mrs. Leontine Cooper and Mrs. Maginie, +who, as Miss Allen, had been a member of the New South Wales Society.</p> + +<p>At the first annual meeting of this association, in March, 1895, the +report showed that petitions had been presented with over 11,000 +signatures, and that letters expressing themselves as favorable to the +measure had been received from thirty Members of the Legislative +Assembly. In the General Election of 1897 a large number of candidates +declared themselves in favor, but so far the effort to carry a Bill +through the House has met with disappointment, and the Women's +Suffrage Association are bending their efforts towards inducing the +Government to bring in a Bill. Here, as in the other Colonies where +they are still unenfranchised,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1033" id="Page_1033">[Pg 1033]</a></span> the women feel deeply the injustice of +their exclusion from the Federal Referendum.</p> + + +<h4>TASMANIA.<a name="FNanchor_495_495" id="FNanchor_495_495"></a><a href="#Footnote_495_495" class="fnanchor">[495]</a></h4> + +<p>As long ago as 1885 a Constitutional Amendment Act passed second +reading in the Tasmanian House of Assembly which provided for the +extension of the Franchise to unmarried women rate-payers, but +notwithstanding the support of the Government the question made no +further advance in Parliament.</p> + +<p>In recent years a Bill to enfranchise women on the same terms as men +has passed the House of Assembly on several occasions with increasing +majorities, but the opponents are still too numerous to carry it +through the Upper House. The Women's Christian Temperance Union have +been the most energetic workers in its behalf.</p> + +<p>[It will be noticed that in each of these Australian States the +Women's Suffrage Bill repeatedly passed the Assembly, or Lower House, +which is elected by the people, but was defeated in the Council or +Upper House, which is composed entirely of wealthy and aristocratic +members, who can be voted for only by these classes, and some of whom +are appointed by the Government and hold office for life. In 1901 a +Federation of the six States was formed with a National Parliament, +both Houses to be elected by the people. In June, 1902, a bill passed +this Federal Parliament giving women the right to vote for its members +and be elected to this body. About 800,000 women have been thus +enfranchised, the largest victory ever gained for this movement.</p> + +<p>In South and West Australia and New South Wales women may vote for +members of the State Parliament. In Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania +they may vote for the Federal but not for the State Parliament, an +anomaly which doubtless will be very soon rectified. It is possible +that before this volume is read all the women of the six Australian +States will possess the full franchise by constitutional right.—Eds.]</p> + +<p>In the South African Colonies there has been, as yet, no history to +record. That the question simmers in many thoughtful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1034" id="Page_1034">[Pg 1034]</a></span> minds there can +scarcely be a doubt, but the time for organised action does not seem +to have yet arrived.</p> + +<p>The other Colonies of Great Britain, with the exception of Canada, are +not self-governing.</p> + + +<h4>DOMINION OF CANADA.</h4> + +<p>The story of the movement to obtain the Parliamentary Franchise in the +Dominion dates back to 1883. In April of that year the Premier, Sir +John Macdonald, introduced a Bill in the Legislature for amending the +electoral law, including a clause which gave the suffrage to unmarried +women who possessed the necessary qualifications.</p> + +<p>Previously, on March 9th, the Toronto Women's Literary and Social +Progress Club had gathered in public for the first time in the City +Council Chamber to consider the Suffrage question. Mrs. McEwan +presided and a paper "treating pithily and with much aptness on the +subject of the Franchise" was read by Miss E. Foulds, who moved a +Resolution "that in the opinion of this Meeting the Parliamentary +Franchise should be extended to women who possess the qualifications +which entitle men to vote." This and a second resolution proposing the +formation of a society to forward such legislation as might be +required were both carried, many ladies and gentlemen speaking in +their support and a large number of those present giving in their +names as members. On April 5th an adjourned meeting was held and the +Canadian Women's Suffrage Association was constituted.</p> + +<p>Sir John Macdonald's Bill was presented too late to become a law and +was re-introduced in 1884. It was in this year that members of the +British Suffrage Association visited Canada. Miss Lydia Becker and +Mrs. Lilias Ashworth Hallett were among them, and they and several +other English ladies united in sending an address to Sir John +Macdonald thanking him for the introduction of provisions in his Bill +to enable women to vote and expressing their high appreciation of the +just and generous spirit which had actuated him. Mrs. Hallett had some +conversation with Sir John Hall, who told her the only difficulty they +expected in Canada as regarded passing the Bill was from the French +population. This expectation proved to be well-founded.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1035" id="Page_1035">[Pg 1035]</a></span> The Women's +Suffrage Clauses were rejected by 51 ayes, 78 noes, after a debate +extending over thirty-one consecutive hours.</p> + +<p>It was ten years before any further effort was made to secure the +Parliamentary Franchise. In 1894 a petition for this, in behalf of the +Women's Christian Temperance Union, supplemented by memorials from the +Provinces, was presented by Sir James Grant to the House of Commons, +and by the Hon. Mr. Scott to the Senate, but no resolution was +offered. A Bill introduced by Mr. Dickey, dealing with the electoral +franchise, contained a clause asking suffrage for widows and +spinsters, but the Bill was read only once. Mr. Davis, unsolicited, +brought in a resolution for Women's Franchise on the same terms as +men. Forty members voted for it, one hundred and five against it.</p> + +<p>A petition for the Parliamentary Franchise for women, very largely +signed by Federal voters throughout the Dominion, was presented to the +House of Commons and the Senate in 1896. This was the last effort in +the Parliament, and as a change has since been made in the Electoral +Act, making the voters' list for the Dominion coincide with the +Provincial lists, the battle will therefore have to be fought out in +each separate Province.</p> + + +<h4>THE PRESENT POLITICAL CONDITION.<a name="FNanchor_496_496" id="FNanchor_496_496"></a><a href="#Footnote_496_496" class="fnanchor">[496]</a></h4> + +<p>Women in Canada have no vote for any law maker, either Federal or +Provincial. Their franchise is confined to municipalities, which can +only make by-laws that relate to the execution of existing laws. But +although women have no direct vote, they have, by much labor and +united effort, effected some important changes in the criminal code +and civil laws, as well as in the political position of women in the +municipalities. The societies which have accomplished the most, if not +all, of these changes are the Women's Christian Temperance Union, the +Women's Enfranchisement Association and the National Council of Women.</p> + +<p>In the Province of Ontario, in 1884, widows and spinsters were given +the Municipal Franchise on the same terms as men.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1036" id="Page_1036">[Pg 1036]</a></span> All women, married +or single, if owners of property, may vote on money by-laws where such +are submitted to the electors. Any woman on the assessment roll may +vote for School Trustees and is eligible for this office. In 1892 it +was enacted that women might study law and qualify for the Bar. In +1893 a Bill to give Municipal Suffrage to married women and one to +grant the Provincial Suffrage to all women were defeated by 16 ayes, +53 noes.</p> + +<p>In the Province of New Brunswick the Legislature in 1886 gave, +unsolicited, to widows and spinsters the right to vote on the same +terms as men at Municipal elections. In 1893 an Act was passed +permitting the appointment of a woman as School Trustee. This was +amended in 1896 making it compulsory that two on each Board shall be +women.</p> + +<p>In the Province of Nova Scotia the Municipal Franchise was granted to +widows and spinsters in 1887. A Bill for the Provincial Franchise was +defeated in 1893; and again in 1894 by one vote. An Act of 1895 +permits all women, if rate-payers, to vote on School matters. A +married woman having property in her own right, provided that her +husband is disqualified, may vote in Municipal elections under the +Married Woman's Property Act, since 1891. In the city of Halifax +widows and spinsters who are rate-payers may vote on Municipal +questions. In 1894 a Bill giving women a more extended suffrage was +lost by seven votes; in 1895 by four votes; in 1899 a Bill for the +full Provincial Franchise was lost by twenty-seven votes.</p> + +<p>In the Province of Prince Edward Island, in 1888, the Municipal +Suffrage was granted to widows and spinsters owning property. An Act +of 1899 made women eligible to appointment on School Boards.</p> + +<p>In the Province of British Columbia, in 1888, the Municipal Franchise +was conferred on widows and spinsters owning property. An Act of 1891 +allows the wife of any householder or freeholder to vote on School +matters but not to hold office; in 1897 the Act was amended making +them eligible as School Trustees. This same year all women rate-payers +were given the Municipal Franchise. Only owners of property may vote +on by-laws for raising money upon the credit of the municipality.</p> + +<p>In the Province of Manitoba, in 1891, the Municipal Franchise<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1037" id="Page_1037">[Pg 1037]</a></span> was +extended to women. Any qualified woman rate-payer can vote on School +questions and is eligible for School offices. Women property owners +may vote on all submitted by-laws. In 1892 a measure to give women the +full Provincial Suffrage was defeated by 28 ayes, 11 noes.</p> + +<p>In the Province of Quebec, in 1892, the Municipal and School Franchise +was conferred on widows and spinsters on the same terms as on men. The +law relating to the right of women to sit on the School Board was +ambiguous, so a petition was presented that they be declared eligible. +The response to this was an amendment excluding women. In Montreal, +under the old charter, only widows and spinsters who owned property +had the Municipal Franchise; in 1899 this was amended, adding tenancy +with residence as a qualification. In 1898 a Bill granting them the +Provincial Suffrage was lost on division.</p> + +<p>In the Northwest Territories, in 1894, the Municipal Franchise was +granted to widows and spinsters. In School matters every woman +rate-payer can vote and is eligible to School offices.<a name="FNanchor_497_497" id="FNanchor_497_497"></a><a href="#Footnote_497_497" class="fnanchor">[497]</a></p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_483_483" id="Footnote_483_483"></a><a href="#FNanchor_483_483"><span class="label">[483]</span></a> The women of Great Britain and Ireland possess every +franchise except that for members of Parliament. Local suffrage is +restricted to spinsters and widows, but the important vote for Parish +and District Councils, created by the Local Government Act of 1894, is +possessed by married women "provided husband and wife shall not both +be qualified in respect to the same piece of property." It may be +stated in general terms that all electors must be rate-payers, +although there are some exceptions applying to a small percentage of +persons. [Eds.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_484_484" id="Footnote_484_484"></a><a href="#FNanchor_484_484"><span class="label">[484]</span></a> These were classified in groups: (1) The general list +(2) Wives of clergymen and church dignitaries. This list was headed by +Mrs. Benson and Mrs. Thomson, the wives of the Archbishops of +Canterbury and York. (3) Officials, including ladies who are Poor Law +Guardians and members of School Boards. (4) Education, including the +names of such leaders in the movement for the higher education of +women as Mrs. Wm. Grey, Miss Emily Davies, Mrs. Henry Sidgwick—the +Mistress of Girton, the Principal of Newnham College, upwards of sixty +university lecturers and teachers and head mistresses of High Schools, +upwards of eighty university graduates and certificated students, and +there were omitted for want of space the names of over 200 other women +engaged in the teaching profession. (5) Registered medical +practitioners, headed by Mrs. Garrett Anderson, M. D.; Miss Elizabeth +Blackwell, M. D., and Mrs. Scharlieb, M. D., together with a number of +ladies engaged in the department of nursing. (6) Social and +philanthropic workers. (7) Literature, including Miss Anna Swanwick, +Mrs. Anne Thackeray Ritchie, Miss S. D. Collet, Miss Olive Schreiner, +Mrs. Emily Crawford, Miss Amelia B. Edwards. (7) Art and music. (8) +Landowners, women engaged in business and working women, the latter +class represented by the secretaries of nine women trades' societies, +and over 180 individual signatures of women artisans.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_485_485" id="Footnote_485_485"></a><a href="#FNanchor_485_485"><span class="label">[485]</span></a> The text of the Bill was as follows: +</p><p> +(1) This Act may be cited as the Parliamentary Franchise (Extension to +Women) Act, 1897. +</p><p> +(2) On and after the passing of this Act every woman who is the +inhabitant occupier, as owner or tenant, of any dwelling-house, +tenement or building within the borough or county where such +occupation exists, shall be entitled to be registered as a voter in +the list of voters for such borough or county in which she is so +qualified as aforesaid, and, when registered, to vote for a member or +members to serve in Parliament. +</p><p> +Provided always that such woman is not subject to any legal incapacity +which would disqualify a male voter.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_486_486" id="Footnote_486_486"></a><a href="#FNanchor_486_486"><span class="label">[486]</span></a> The first petition for woman suffrage presented to +Parliament, in 1867, was signed by only 1,499 women. The petition of +1873 was signed by 11,000 women. The petition presented to the members +of the last Parliament was signed by 257,796 women. [Eds.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_487_487" id="Footnote_487_487"></a><a href="#FNanchor_487_487"><span class="label">[487]</span></a> No reference has been made in the above table to the +various Factory Acts which impose restrictions on women's +labour—these belong to a different department—but whether their +interference with the labor of women be for good or for evil, that +interference is an additional argument for allowing them a voice in +the election of representatives.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_488_488" id="Footnote_488_488"></a><a href="#FNanchor_488_488"><span class="label">[488]</span></a> In 1877 New Zealand granted School Suffrage to women, +and in 1886 Municipal Suffrage.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_489_489" id="Footnote_489_489"></a><a href="#FNanchor_489_489"><span class="label">[489]</span></a> In 1880 South Australia granted Municipal Suffrage to +women.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_490_490" id="Footnote_490_490"></a><a href="#FNanchor_490_490"><span class="label">[490]</span></a> In 1871 West Australia granted Municipal Suffrage to +women.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_491_491" id="Footnote_491_491"></a><a href="#FNanchor_491_491"><span class="label">[491]</span></a> In 1867 New South Wales granted Municipal Suffrage to +women.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_492_492" id="Footnote_492_492"></a><a href="#FNanchor_492_492"><span class="label">[492]</span></a> In 1869 Victoria granted Municipal Suffrage to women.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_493_493" id="Footnote_493_493"></a><a href="#FNanchor_493_493"><span class="label">[493]</span></a> The first number of <i>The Australian Woman's Sphere</i> was +published in Melbourne, September 1, 1900. It is edited by Miss Vida +Goldstein and appears monthly.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_494_494" id="Footnote_494_494"></a><a href="#FNanchor_494_494"><span class="label">[494]</span></a> In 1886 Queensland granted Municipal Suffrage to +Women.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_495_495" id="Footnote_495_495"></a><a href="#FNanchor_495_495"><span class="label">[495]</span></a> Tasmania granted Municipal Suffrage to women in 1884.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_496_496" id="Footnote_496_496"></a><a href="#FNanchor_496_496"><span class="label">[496]</span></a> This portion of the report is condensed by the editors +of the History from a chapter written by Mrs. Henrietta Muir Edwards +for "The Women of Canada, Their Life and Work," a handbook prepared by +the National Council of Women, at the request of the Canadian +Government, for the Paris Exposition of 1900.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_497_497" id="Footnote_497_497"></a><a href="#FNanchor_497_497"><span class="label">[497]</span></a> In the city of Vancouver any single woman, widow or +spinster, may vote for municipal officers, and all women possessing +the other necessary qualifications of male voters may vote for all +municipal officers and upon all municipal questions. Married women may +vote in the election of School Trustees. It has recently been decided +that a man possessing no property of his own, and not being a +householder in his own right, may be allowed to vote in municipal +matters if his wife be a property owner or a householder. [Eds.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1038" id="Page_1038">[Pg 1038]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LXXIV" id="CHAPTER_LXXIV"></a>CHAPTER LXXIV.</h2> + +<h3>WOMAN SUFFRAGE IN OTHER COUNTRIES.</h3> + + +<p>In most of the countries of the world women possess some form of +suffrage, but for many reasons it is almost impossible to define +exactly in what it consists. Like suffrage for men it is largely based +on property, and in most cases can be used only through a proxy. +Generally the woman loses the franchise by marriage and the husband +may vote by right of the wife's property. In Belgium, Luxemburg, Italy +and Roumania the husband votes at local elections by right of the +taxes paid by the wife, and in case of a widow this right belongs to +the eldest son, grandson or great grandson, or if there is none, then +to the son-in-law. The Italian electoral law of 1870 gave a widow the +right to vote by proxy in Parliamentary elections. All the Italian +universities are open to women.</p> + +<p>The constitution of Germany says "every German" above twenty-five +years of age shall have the Parliamentary Franchise, but no woman ever +has been permitted to vote under it. There are, besides, twenty-five +constitutions for the different States which form the Empire. By the +wording of some of them, women landed proprietors undoubtedly are +entitled to take part in elections. The Prussian code declares that +the rights of the two sexes are equal, if no special laws fix an +exception, and it gives the Parliamentary Franchise to <i>every one</i> who +possesses the county or burgess suffrage. The by-laws which prescribe +the qualifications for the latter in some instances exclude women and +in others declare that women land holders may act as electors, but +only "through a proctor" (proxy). Teachers undoubtedly, as State +officials, are entitled to take part in local government. Some of the +provinces allow women taxpayers to vote by proxy in the rural +districts. Neither the Government nor public sentiment, however, looks +with favor upon women electors. It is only in recent years that a few +of the most advanced have begun to agitate the question in this +country, which holds a most conservative<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1039" id="Page_1039">[Pg 1039]</a></span> attitude towards women. They +have recently been admitted to a few of the universities.</p> + +<p>In most of the Prussian towns the property qualifications of the wife +are accounted to the husband in order that he may take part in +municipal elections. In Saxony women proprietors of landed estates, +whether married or single, are entitled to a municipal vote but this +can be exercised only by proxy, and for this purpose one of their male +relatives must be invested with their property. In Saxony, Baden, +Wurtemburg, Hesse, the Thuringian States and perhaps a few more, women +are permitted to attend public political meetings and be members of +political societies, but in all other German States they are excluded +from both. They are thus prohibited from forming organizations to +secure the franchise. In Westphalia since 1856, and Schleswig-Holstein +since 1867, all qualified women have some form of suffrage by male +proxy.</p> + +<p>In the Austro-Hungarian Empire, since 1862, women with property have a +proxy vote in municipal and provincial elections and for members of +the Lower House of the Parliament, but there are many restrictions to +this law. In Bohemia, since 1873, women who are large landed +proprietors have a proxy vote for members of the Imperial Parliament +and the local Diet.</p> + +<p>In Russia among the peasant class the representative of the household +votes. The wife, if owner of the necessary amount of property, may +select her husband as proxy, but he may also delegate his vote to the +wife, and it is a common thing to see her take his place at elections +and at village and country meetings of all kinds. In the cities and +territorial assemblies, women, married or unmarried, possessing +sufficient property, may vote by male proxy for members of the +municipal and county assemblies. Property-owning women of the nobility +may vote by proxy in the assemblies of the nobility. Part of the +universities are open to them. There are 650 women physicians in +Russia.</p> + +<p>So far as can be learned women are not eligible to office in the +above-mentioned countries with a very few exceptions.</p> + +<p>In Finland, since 1865, widows and spinsters may vote at rural +elections; since 1873 those who are rate-payers may vote at municipal +elections. Since 1889 women are eligible as Guardians<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1040" id="Page_1040">[Pg 1040]</a></span> of the Poor. In +1900 they were made eligible to all municipal offices. An influential +Finnish Woman's Association with twenty branches is agitating for +suffrage on the same terms as men.</p> + +<p>In Holland there is no form of woman suffrage and the constitution of +1887 expressly prohibits it.</p> + +<p>Women in Denmark have no franchise, but Premier Duentzer has announced +that the first reform movement of the new Cabinet (1901) will be the +extension of Municipal Suffrage to women.</p> + +<p>In 1893, through the efforts of the Socialists, universal suffrage was +granted to men in Belgium. While this gives to every man a vote, it +permits to the married man, if he pays a small tax, two votes as the +head of a family; if he pays tax on what would be about $2,000, or has +a university degree, he is allowed three votes. The vast majority of +those owning property or possessing university degrees belong to the +established (Catholic) Church, and the Socialists soon found +themselves out-voted by a minority. They then instituted a new +movement demanding "one man, one vote," and the Government, which is +Catholic, said: "If you compel this we will enfranchise women," +believing that this would strengthen its power. At this writing the +contest is going on and becoming more violent.</p> + +<p>Switzerland, whose pride is its absolutely republican form of +government, allows no woman a vote on any question or for the election +of any officer. They are admitted to the universities.</p> + +<p>In France, in 1898, unmarried women engaged in commerce (including +market women, etc.) were given a vote for Judges of the Tribunals of +Commerce. A Woman Suffrage Society has just been formed in Paris which +is attracting considerable attention. Women are admitted to the +highest institutions of learning.</p> + +<p>The laws in all the countries thus far mentioned are most unjust to +women and especially to wives.</p> + +<p>Women in Sweden have voted in church matters since 1736. It was +provided in 1862 that women who are rate-payers may vote directly or +by proxy, as they choose, for all officers except for members of the +Parliament. Indirectly they have a voice in the election of the First +Chamber or House of Lords, as they vote for the County Council which +elects this body. They have School and Municipal Suffrage and that for +Provincial representatives.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1041" id="Page_1041">[Pg 1041]</a></span> The laws are very liberal to women. All +of the educational institutions, the professions, occupations and many +of the offices are open to them. They are members of the Boards of +Education, Municipal Relief Committees and Parochial Boards. About six +hundred have received university degrees.</p> + +<p>In Norway, since 1889, in towns women with children may vote for +school inspectors and be eligible to the school boards. In rural +communes they are eligible as inspectors, and women who pay a school +tax may vote on all school questions and officers, while those who pay +no tax but have children may vote on all questions not involving +expenditures. In 1884 a Woman Suffrage Association was formed under +the leadership of Miss Gina Krog for the purpose of securing the +Municipal Franchise. In 1890 a bill for this purpose received 44 out +of 114 votes in the Parliament. It was then made an issue by the +Liberal party. In 1895 a vote on Local Option was granted to women. In +1898 the Radical party secured universal suffrage for men without +property restrictions. They then came to the assistance of women and +were joined by a large number of Conservatives. In 1901 Municipal +Suffrage was granted to all women who pay taxes on an income of 300 +crowns ($71) in country districts and 400 in cities. If husband and +wife together pay taxes on this amount both may vote. About 200,000 +women thus became electors. Women are found in many offices, in most +occupations and professions, and are admitted to all educational +institutions.</p> + +<p>Iceland, since 1882, grants Municipal Suffrage to tax-paying widows +and spinsters; since 1886 all women have had a parish suffrage, which +enables them to vote in the selection of the clergy, who have a +prominent part in public affairs.</p> + +<p>At the Cape of Good Hope women have a limited vote. In the tiny Island +of Pitcairn, in the Southern Pacific, they have the same suffrage as +men. This is doubtless true of many isolated localities whose records +are little known. Among primitive peoples the government is generally +in the hands of the most competent without regard to sex, and some of +these are still under the reign of the Matriarchate, or the rule of +mothers, to whom belong the property and the children. The early +Spanish inhabitants of the North American continent placed much +authority in the hands of women, and the same is true of the Indian +tribes.</p> + + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1042" id="Page_1042">[Pg 1042]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LXXV" id="CHAPTER_LXXV"></a>CHAPTER LXXV.</h2> + +<h3>NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS OF WOMEN.</h3> + + +<p>The most conspicuous and significant movement which challenges +attention at the beginning of the new century is that toward +organization, and the three great combinations which stand out most +prominently in interest and importance are the organization of +capital, the organization of labor and the organization of women. We +scarcely can go back so far in history as not to find men banded +together to protect their mutual interests, but associations of women +are of very modern date. The oldest on record was formed in +Philadelphia, in the closing days of the eighteenth century—Female +Society for the Relief and Employment of the Poor—which in 1798 +established a house of industry in Arch St., known as the Home for +Spinners. The society is still in active existence and gives +employment to a large number of women. Church Missionary Societies of +Women had their origin early in the century, but as mere annexes to +those officered and managed by men. The first association to approach +national prominence was the Female Anti-Slavery Society, founded in +Boston in 1833, which almost cost the reputation of every one who +joined it, so strong was the prejudice against any public action on +the part of women. The American Female Guardian Society and Home for +the Friendless was established in New York in 1834, and still exists, +having cared for 50,000 children. Later in this decade Female Bible +Societies came into being to supply Bibles to penal and charitable +institutions and to put them in various public places.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 434px;"> +<img src="images/gs11.jpg" width="434" height="629" alt="MRS. IDA HUSTED HARPER. +Author of Life and Work of Susan B. Anthony, and Joint Editor with her +of The History of Woman Suffrage, Vol. IV." title="" /> +<span class="caption">MRS. IDA HUSTED HARPER.<br /> +Author of Life and Work of Susan B. Anthony, and Joint Editor with her +of The History of Woman Suffrage, Vol. IV.</span> +</div> + +<p>From 1840 to 1850 the old Washingtonian Societies, composed entirely +of men, were gradually replaced by the Sons of Temperance, and as they +also were decidedly averse to receiving women into their organization, +and as the latter were deeply interested in the subject, a few of them +timidly formed the Daughters<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1043" id="Page_1043">[Pg 1043]</a></span> of Temperance, in the face of extreme +opposition on the part of both sexes. In the decade following +commenced the agitation of the question of Woman Suffrage, and soon +conventions in its interest began to be of frequent occurrence, to the +joy of the newspapers, most of which treated them with ridicule and +denunciation.</p> + +<p>The decade ushered in by 1860 brought the long Civil War, during +which, in the Sanitary Commission, the Woman's Loyal League, the +Freedmen's Bureau and other associations, women displayed an +unsuspected power of organization, and at its close their status in +many ways was completely changed and greatly advanced.</p> + +<p>In 1868 the country was electrified by the advent of Sorosis in New +York City and the New England Woman's Club in Boston. These were the +first societies formed by women purely for their own recreation and +improvement—all others had been for the purpose of reforming the weak +and sinful or assisting the needy and unfortunate—and they met with a +storm of derision and protest from all parts of the country, which +their founders courageously ignored. The last quarter of a century has +witnessed so many organizations of women that it would be practically +impossible to record even their names. Every village which is big +enough for a church contains also a woman's club, and they exist in +many country neighborhoods. In the larger cities single societies have +from 500 to 1,000 members, and in a number handsome club houses have +been built and furnished, some of them costing from $50,000 to +$80,000.</p> + +<p>From 1850 the annual conventions in the interest of Woman's Rights +were called under the auspices of a Central Committee, but in 1869 the +National and American Woman Suffrage Associations were formed. Five +years later the Woman's Christian Temperance Union sprang into +existence. There are now more than one hundred associations of women +in the United States which are national in their form and aims, and a +number have become international through their alliance with those of +other countries. In 1888, in Washington City, the National Council of +Women, a heroic undertaking, was founded to gather these vast and +diverse organizations into one great body. By 1900<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1044" id="Page_1044">[Pg 1044]</a></span> sixteen had become +thus affiliated, representing a membership of about 1,125,000 women.</p> + +<p>An International Council also was organized in 1888 to be composed of +similar National Councils in various countries and to meet in a +Congress every five years. At the close of the century fourteen +National Councils had affiliated with the International, representing +a membership of 6,000,000. This is not only immeasurably larger than +any other association of women but is exceeded in size by very few +organizations of men, and its two great Congresses—during the +Columbian Exposition at Chicago in 1893, and at London in 1899—were +occasions of world-wide interest and value.</p> + +<p>Each of the more than one hundred national associations of women in +the United States holds its annual, biennial or triennial convention +in some one of the large cities, which is attended by delegates from +all parts of the country. The sessions are presided over by a woman, +discussions are carried on with due attention to parliamentary usage, +a large amount of business is transacted with system and accuracy, and +in every respect these meetings compare favorably with those conducted +by men after centuries of experience. They are treated with the +greatest respect by the newspapers which vie with each other in +publishing pictures of the delegates, their addresses and extended and +complimentary reports of the proceedings. The character of these +national organizations, the scope of their objects and the extent of +their achievements can in no way be so strikingly illustrated as by +giving a list of the most important.<a name="FNanchor_498_498" id="FNanchor_498_498"></a><a href="#Footnote_498_498" class="fnanchor">[498]</a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The International Council of Women</span> was organized March 31, 1888, in +Washington, D. C., "to unite the women of all the countries in the +world for the promotion of co-operative internationalism through the +abatement of that prejudice which springs from ignorance<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1045" id="Page_1045">[Pg 1045]</a></span> and which +can be corrected only by that knowledge which results from personal +acquaintance.</p> + +<p>"In the first place its influence has united different organizations +of the same country hitherto indifferent or inimical to each other; +and in the second it has commenced the work of uniting the women of +different nations and abating race prejudice. It has promoted the +movement of peace and arbitration, and through its international +committees it is forming a central bureau of information in regard to +women's contribution to the work of the world."</p> + +<p>It is composed at present of fourteen National Councils of as many +different countries representing an individual membership of about +6,000,000 women. Its president is Mrs. May Wright Sewall, who was one +of its founders.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The National Council of Women</span> was organized in Washington, D. C., +March 31, 1888. Its constitution is introduced by the following +preamble:</p> + +<p>"We, women of the United States, sincerely believing that the best +good of our homes and nation will be advanced by our own greater unity +of thought, sympathy and purpose, and that an organized movement of +women will best conserve the highest good of the family and the State, +do hereby band ourselves together in a confederation of workers +committed to the overthrow of all forms of ignorance and injustice, +and to the application of the Golden Rule to society, custom and law. +This Council is organized in the interest of no one propaganda, and +has no power over its auxiliaries beyond that of suggestion and +sympathy; therefore, no society voting to become auxiliary shall +thereby render itself liable to be interfered with in respect to its +complete organic unity, independence or methods of work, or be +committed to any principle or method of any other society or to any +utterance or act of the Council itself, beyond compliance with the +terms of this constitution."</p> + +<p>The scope of the Council's work is indicated by the heads of its +departments: Home Life, Educational Interests, Church and Missionary +Work, Temperance, Art, Moral Reform, Political Conditions, +Philanthropy, Social Economics, Foreign Relations, Press, +Organization; and by its standing committees: Citizenship, Domestic +Science, Equal Pay for Equal Work, Dress Reform, Social Purity, +Domestic Relations under the Law, Press, Care of Dependent and +Delinquent Children, Peace and Universal Arbitration.</p> + +<p>Each of these departments and committees works along its special lines +and at the annual executive meetings and the triennial Councils the +reports of their work are discussed, their recommendations considered +and every possible assistance rendered. The general public is invited +to the evening sessions and valuable addresses are made by specialists +on the above and other important subjects.</p> + +<p>The Council is composed of sixteen national organizations, one State +Council, six local councils—representing a membership of about +1,125,000 women.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The National Woman's Christian Temperance Union</span> was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1046" id="Page_1046">[Pg 1046]</a></span> organized in +Cleveland, Ohio, Nov. 18-20, 1874, to carry the precepts of the +following pledge into the practice of everyday life: "I hereby +solemnly promise, God helping me, to abstain from all distilled, +fermented and malt liquors, including wine, beer and cider, and to +employ all proper means to discourage the use of and traffic in the +same."</p> + +<p>Its object was further stated as follows: "To confirm and enforce the +rationale of this pledge, we declare our purpose to educate the young; +to form a better public sentiment; to reform, so far as possible, by +religious, ethical and scientific means, the drinking classes; to seek +the transforming power of divine grace for ourselves and all for whom +we work, that they and we may wilfully transcend no law of pure and +wholesome living; and finally we pledge ourselves to labor and to pray +that all these principles, founded upon the Gospel of Christ, may be +worked out into the Customs of Society and the Laws of the Land."</p> + +<p>The W. C. T. U. is held to be the most perfectly organized body of +women in existence. It originated the idea of Scientific Temperance +Instruction in the public schools and has secured mandatory laws in +every State and a federal law governing the District of Columbia, the +Territories and all Indian and military schools supported by the +Government; 16,000,000 children in the public schools receive +instruction under these laws as to the nature and effect of alcohol +and other narcotics on the human system. Through its efforts the +quarterly temperance lesson was included in the International Sunday +School Lesson Series in 1884, and a World's Universal Temperance +Sunday was secured; 250,000 children are taught scientific reasons for +temperance in the Loyal Temperance Legions, and all these children are +pledged to total abstinence and trained as temperance workers. W. C. +T. U. Schools of Methods are held in all Chautauqua gatherings.</p> + +<p>This organization has largely influenced the change in public +sentiment in regard to social drinking, equal suffrage, equal purity +for both sexes, equal remuneration for work equally well done, equal +educational, professional and industrial opportunities for women. It +has been a chief factor in State campaigns for statutory prohibition, +constitutional amendment, reform laws in general and those for the +protection of women and children in particular, and in securing +anti-gambling and anti-cigarette laws. It has been instrumental in +raising the "age of protection" for girls in many States and in +obtaining curfew laws in 400 towns and cities. It aided in securing +the Anti-Canteen Amendment to the Army Bill (1900) which prohibits the +sale of intoxicating liquors at all army posts. It helped to +inaugurate police matrons who are now required in nearly all the large +cities of the United States. It organized Mothers' Meetings in +thirty-seven States before any other society took up the work. +Illinois alone has held 2,000 Mothers' Meetings in a single year.</p> + +<p>It keeps a superintendent of legislation in Washington during the +entire session of Congress to look after reform bills. It aided in +preventing the repeal of the prohibitory law in Indian Territory,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1047" id="Page_1047">[Pg 1047]</a></span> the +resubmission of the prohibitory constitution of Maine, and in +preserving the prohibitory law of Vermont. It has secured 20,000,000 +signatures and attestations, including 7,000,000 on the Polyglot +Petition to the governments of the world. Thousands of girls have been +rescued from lives of shame and tens of thousands of men have signed +the total abstinence pledge and been redeemed from inebriety through +its efforts.</p> + +<p>The association protests against the legalizing of all crimes, +especially those of prostitution and liquor selling. It protests +against the sale of liquor in Soldiers' Homes, where now an aggregate +of $253,027 is spent annually for intoxicating liquors, and only about +one-fifth of the soldiers' pension money is sent home to their +families. It protests against the United States Government receiving a +revenue for liquors sold within prohibitory territory, either local or +State, and against all complicity of the Federal Government with the +liquor traffic. It protests against lynching and lends its aid in +favor of the enforcement of law. It works for the highest well-being +of our soldiers and sailors and especially for suitable temperance +canteens and a generous mess. It works for the protection of the home, +especially against its chief enemy, the liquor traffic, and for the +redemption of our Government from this curse, by the prohibition of +the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors for beverage +purposes.</p> + +<p>The organizing of this great society in the various States and +Territories, and the systematizing of the work under forty different +departments, is due to the efforts of Miss Frances E. Willard more +than to any other one person, and its success is indebted largely to +her ability and personal popularity. As its president until her death +in 1898, she not only perfected the organization in this country, but +originated the idea of the Polyglot Petition and of the World's W. C. +T. U., which was organized under the auspices of that of the United +States. It now includes fifty-eight different countries and has +500,000 members.</p> + +<p>The official organ, <i>The Union Signal</i>, a weekly of sixteen pages, is +issued by the Woman's Temperance Publishing Association of Chicago, +which publishes also <i>The Young Crusader</i> and many books and leaflets. +The National W. C. T. U. gives away 5,000,000 pages of literature per +year, exclusive of that circulated by the States and different +departments. It has received and expended since its organization in +round numbers $400,000. This does not include the large expenditures +of the various State and local unions.</p> + +<p>Every State and Territory in the United States, including Alaska and +Hawaii, has a W. C. T. U., and one is beginning in the Philippines. +These are auxiliary to the National. It is organized locally in over +10,000 cities and towns. The Young Woman's Christian Temperance Union +is called a branch, also the Loyal Temperance Legions among children. +There are thirty-eight other departments, and it is usual to include +the two branches and speak of forty departments. The membership paying +dues is 300,000. There was a gain of 15,000 members this year above +all losses.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1048" id="Page_1048">[Pg 1048]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Frances E. Willard National Temperance Hospital and Training +School for Nurses, in Chicago, is owned and controlled by an +incorporated board of thirty trustees. Its basic principle is the cure +of disease without the use of alcohol as an active medicinal agent. +Eminent physicians are on the staff and every effort is made to have +it rank with the very best of hospitals.</p> + +<p>At the national convention in Washington, D. C., in 1900, fifty States +and Territories were represented by 509 delegates. Mrs. Lillian M. N. +Stevens succeeded Miss Willard as president.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The American National Red Cross Society</span> was organized March 1, 1882, +with headquarters at Washington, D. C. Its object is the relief of +suffering by war, pestilence, famine, flood, fires, and other +calamities of sufficient magnitude to be deemed national in extent. It +is governed by the provisions of the International Convention of Aug. +22, 1864, at Geneva, Switzerland.</p> + +<p>Up to the present time relief has been given on fields as follows: +Michigan forest fires, 1881, material and money, $80,000; Mississippi +floods, 1882, money and seeds, $8,000; Mississippi floods, 1883, +material and seeds, $18,500; Mississippi cyclone, 1883, money, $1,000; +Balkan war, 1883, money, $500; Ohio and Mississippi river floods, +1884, food, clothing, tools, housefurnishings and feed for stock, +$175,000; Texas famine, 1885, appropriations and contributions, +$120,000; Charleston, S. C., earthquake, 1886, money, $500; Mt. +Vernon, Ill., cyclone, 1888, money and supplies, $85,000; Florida +yellow fever epidemic, 1888, physicians and nurses, $15,000; +Johnstown, Pa., flood disaster, 1889, money and all kinds of building +material, furniture, etc., $250,000; Russian famine, 1891-2, food, +$125,000; Pomeroy, Ia., cyclone, 1893, money and nurses, $2,700; South +Carolina Islands hurricane and tidal wave disaster, money and all +kinds of supplies, material, tools, seeds, lumber, $65,000; +reconcentrado relief in Cuba, 1898-9, $500,000; American-Spanish War, +1898-9, $450,000; Galveston flood and hurricane, 1900, $120,000; +total, $2,016,200.</p> + +<p>Miss Clara Barton was its principal founder and has been its president +continuously.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The Association of Collegiate Alumnae</span> was organized January 14, 1882; +incorporated by special act of the Massachusetts Legislature, April +20, 1899, to unite the alumnae of different institutions for practical +educational work.</p> + +<p>From 1890 to 1901 the association gave fourteen $500 European +fellowships (sharing two others) and ten $300 American fellowships. +Among those holding the fellowships was the first woman admitted to +the laboratory of the United States Fish Commission, the first woman +to receive the Ph. D. degree from Yale, the first woman admitted to +Göttingen University, the first woman permitted to work in the +biological laboratory at Strasburg University, the first American +woman to receive the degree of Ph. D. from any German university, and +the first American woman to receive a Ph. D. from Göttingen and +Heidelberg Universities.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1049" id="Page_1049">[Pg 1049]</a></span></p> + +<p>The character of the work accomplished by those holding fellowships +made it possible for the association to establish, three years ago, a +Council to Accredit Women for Advanced Work in Foreign Universities. +Any woman applicant, college graduate or otherwise, found qualified in +work, character and serious purpose, receives a certificate properly +signed and attested which will secure for her, if possible to any +woman, the courtesy and privileges desired at a foreign university.</p> + +<p>The organization contributes to the support of the Association for +Maintaining the American Woman's Table at the Zoological Station at +Naples and to that for Promoting Scientific Research by Women. The +latter pays $500 annually for the support of the Woman's Table, and to +promote research has just offered a prize of $1,000, which offer, it +is expected, will be renewed biennially.</p> + +<p>The A. C. A. Committee on Corporate Membership maintains a high +standard of colleges whose graduates are admitted to this +organization, which has done much in a quiet way to raise the +standards of department work, equipment and endowment of American +colleges admitting women.</p> + +<p>For the past three years the association has published a magazine +containing the addresses and reports given at its annual meetings. +Among its other publications are statistics relative to the Health of +College Women (1885); a Bibliography of the Higher Education of Women +(1897); a full descriptive list of the fellowships for graduate study +open to women in this country, together with a list of the +undergraduate scholarships offered to women in the nineteen colleges +belonging to the A. C. A. (1899). It will soon issue studies of the +growth and development of colleges, a supplement to the Bibliography +of the Higher Education of Women, a study of the child from the point +of view of parents and teachers, and a comprehensive statistical +investigation into the health, occupations and marriage-rate of +college and non-college women.</p> + +<p>The work of the national association is carried on largely by standing +committees which are under the leadership of the women most notable in +education—college presidents, deans and professors. Meanwhile, the +president, six vice-presidents and presidents of the various branches, +acting through a salaried secretary-treasurer, give coherency and +support to the development of its various objects. In addition, each +branch has committees which deal with local issues, such as public +school work of all kinds, home economics, development of children, +civil service reform, college settlements, etc. The investigation of +the sanitary conditions of the Boston public schools, 1895-1896, +started the wave of schoolhouse cleaning which has swept across the +country and which has not stopped at schoolhouses but has included +school boards and systems of school administration. The Chicago branch +has just issued a summary of laws relating to compulsory education and +child-labor in the United States, which shows the inadequacy of the +first (except in three States) and the lack of correlation between the +two which makes for lawlessness and crime. It is hoped that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1050" id="Page_1050">[Pg 1050]</a></span> this +summary will serve as a basis for agitation which shall not cease +until compulsory education becomes a fact and not a theory.</p> + +<p>The association has twenty-five branches and 3,000 members.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The Association for the Advancement of Women</span> was organized in New York +in October, 1873, at the very beginning of the club movement, to +interest the women of the country in matters of high thought and in +all undertakings found to be useful to society, and to promote their +efficiency in these through sympathetic acquaintance and co-operation. +It had a number of distinguished presidents and held congresses in +many States, which almost invariably led to the formation of local +clubs for study and mutual improvement, as well as to good works in +other lines. Among the cities in which a congress was held were New +York, Syracuse, Buffalo, Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago, Des Moines, +Denver, Madison, St. Paul, Toronto, Baltimore, Memphis, Knoxville, +Louisville, Atlanta and New Orleans. Many distinguished women were +included in its membership and it had a strong influence in rendering +possible the extensive formation of the women's clubs which are now so +important a feature in American society. Its work is partly chronicled +in two large volumes which give the papers presented and action taken +at the meetings. The many great organizations of women in recent years +have made further work on the part of the association unnecessary.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The General Federation of Women's Clubs</span> was organized March 20, 1890, +to bring into communication the various women's clubs in order that +they may compare methods and become mutually helpful. The work is +accomplished through three committees—Art, Education and Industries. +Those on Art have used their influence toward its study and its +application to the home, and also for the quickening of enthusiasm in +horticulture and gardening, from which has developed the beautifying +of public squares and school yards. In Education some of the most +important results are the establishment of hundreds of traveling +libraries, assistance in organizing and fostering kindergartens, +encouragement of manual training in the public schools, and the +formation of Mothers' Clubs for the study of child culture. The +federation has worked with other organizations for the appointment of +women on school boards and legislation for broader educational +advantages for women. In fact, its work has ranged from kindergarten +to university.</p> + +<p>The Industrial Committee studies conditions surrounding wage-earning +women and children and encourages co-operation between the woman of +leisure and the one who is self-supporting, and the organization of +laboring women in unions and clubs. One principal object is to +eliminate the child from the factory and then to educate it. The Civic +work has ranged from Health Protective Associations in cities to +Village Improvement Societies.</p> + +<p>There are thirty-six State Federations, eleven foreign clubs and +nearly 700 individual clubs belonging to the federation, representing +over 200,000 members (1900).<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1051" id="Page_1051">[Pg 1051]</a></span></p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The National Association of Colored Women</span> was organized July, 1896, to +arouse all women, especially colored women, to a sense of their +responsibility, both in molding the life of the home and in shaping +the principles of the nation; to secure the co-operation of all women +in whatever is undertaken in the interest of justice, purity and +liberty; to inspire in all women, but especially in colored women, a +desire to be useful in whatever field of labor they can work to the +best advantage.</p> + +<p>Kindergartens and day nurseries for the infants of working women have +been established; mothers' meetings have been generally held and +sewing classes formed; a sanitarium with a training school for nurses +has been founded in New Orleans; ground purchased on which an Old +Folks' Home is to be built in Memphis, and charity dispensed in +various ways. Women on plantations in the "black belt" of Alabama have +been taught how to make their huts decent and habitable with the small +means at their command, and how to care for themselves and their +families in accordance with the rules of health. Schools of Domestic +Science are conducted, and a large branch is that of Business Women's +Clubs. The Convict Lease System, "Jim Crow" Car Laws, Lynching and +other barbarities are thoroughly discussed, in the hope that some +remedy for these evils may be discovered. Statistics concerning the +progress and achievements of colored people are being gathered. +Musical clubs are formed to develop this inherent gift. An organ is +published called <i>Notes</i>, edited by Mrs. Booker T. Washington and an +assistant in each State.</p> + +<p>The association has 125 branches in twenty-six States and over 8,000 +members.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The National Congress of Mothers</span> held its first public convention at +Washington in February, 1897, and permanent organization was effected +there in 1898. Its objects are to raise the standards of home life; to +give young women opportunities to learn how to care for children; to +bring into closer relations the home and the school; to surround the +childhood of the whole world with that wise, loving care in the +impressionable years of life which will develop good citizens.</p> + +<p>Practical efforts have been made to accomplish all of these objects. +Mothers have used their influence in behalf of free kindergartens in +the public schools; in having school buildings properly constructed, +lighted, heated and ventilated, and for shorter hours in school and +less study outside. They have lent their efforts to the uplifting of +the drama, since, rightfully used, it can be made a powerful +educational factor, and have worked for a pure press, recognizing that +it is the greatest material power in the world today. They have +regarded their children first of all as future mothers and fathers, +next as citizens, and they are demanding that public educational +systems adopt their standards of values in the adjustment of +curricula.</p> + +<p>They have established Mothers' Clubs in many communities, especially<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1052" id="Page_1052">[Pg 1052]</a></span> +among women whose opportunities for training of any kind have been +meager; have seen that creches and free kindergartens are provided for +the children of the poor; that reading rooms are open for the use of +boys and girls; have urged that women should serve upon all school +boards and those of all prisons and reformatory institutions; have +taken the city fathers to task wherever laws pertaining to the +cleanliness and health of a community are not enforced; have called +mass meetings once a month to discuss questions pertaining to the +welfare of the child; by precept and example have set forth the +advantages of simplicity of dress and entertainment, and have +interested themselves in all kinds of humane work.</p> + +<p>State Congresses have been formed in nine States, exact membership not +known. Mrs. Theodore W. Birney was the founder of the organization and +has been its president continuously.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The National Woman's Relief Society</span> was organized March 17, 1842, at +Nauvoo, Ills., being almost the oldest woman's society in existence. +It became national in 1868 and was incorporated in 1892, to assist the +needy, and to care for the afflicted, to lift up the fallen, to +ameliorate the condition of suffering humanity, to encourage habits of +industry and economy; to give special attention to those who have not +had proper training for life, to sacredly care for the dying and the +dead, to minister to the lonely, however lowly, in the spirit of grace +and heavenly charity.</p> + +<p>It has been a veritable school of instruction to thousands of women, +and its organization is so perfect that it is comparatively easy to +carry out any plan of work formed by the General Board. Donations are +almost entirely by the members themselves, and they have working +meetings, bazars and fairs occasionally to raise means for the needful +purposes. Many of the branches have built houses for meetings and some +also own houses for their poor instead of paying rent. Industries have +been carried on to supply work to such as were able to do something +for their own support. Of these the most notable is the silk industry +in Utah. Over 100,000 bushels of wheat have been stored in granaries +against a day of famine or scarcity. Hundreds of nurses and many +midwives have been trained under the fostering care of the society. At +present money is being raised by donation to erect a commodious +building in Salt Lake City opposite the Temple, suitable for +headquarters.</p> + +<p>The society has 659 branches and 30,000 members in this and other +countries and upon the islands of the sea. Mrs. Eliza R. Snow and Mrs. +Zina D. H. Young have been the only two presidents.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The International Sunshine Society</span> had its origin in the early +nineties in a department edited by Mrs. Cynthia Westover Alden in the +New York <i>Recorder</i>, which she afterwards carried into the <i>Tribune</i>. +It was first called the Shut-In Society, but the present name was +adopted in 1896 and it was incorporated in 1900.</p> + +<p>Its object is to incite its members to the performance of helpful +deeds, and to thus bring happiness into the greatest possible number +of hearts and homes. The membership fee consists of some act or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1053" id="Page_1053">[Pg 1053]</a></span> +suggestion that will carry sunshine where it is needed. This may be +the exchange of books, pictures, etc., loaning or giving useful +articles, suggesting ideas for work that can be done by a "shut-in" +and sending the materials for it, making holiday suggestions and a +general exchange of helpful ideas.</p> + +<p>There are many Sunshine libraries, some of them traveling, all over +the United States and Canada. In Memphis there is a Sunshine Home for +Aged Men, a Newsboys' Club House and a Lunch Room for Working Girls. +Several branches have Sunshine wards in hospitals. The leading women's +clubs have Sunshine Committees, and hundreds of churches have them in +their King's Daughters' and Christian Endeavor Societies. Among the +thousands of articles which have been placed where they will do the +most good are pianos, sewing machines, invalid chairs, baby carriages, +furniture and clothing of every description.</p> + +<p>There are more than 100,000 members and over 2,000 well-organized +branches. The society is officered and managed by women and they +compose the immense majority of the members. Mrs. Alden has been the +president continuously.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The National Council of Jewish Women</span> was organized in Chicago in 1893, +as a result of the Congress of Jewish Women, which was a branch of the +Parliament of Religions held during the Columbian Exposition. Its +objects are to bring about closer relations among Jewish women and a +means of prosecuting work of common interest; to further united +efforts in behalf of Judaism through a better knowledge of the Bible, +Jewish literature and conditions. It has given much attention to +social reform through preventive philanthropy and it affiliates with +many organizations of women interested in the public welfare. The +Council conducts manual training and industrial schools, sewing and +household schools, kitchen gardens, kindergartens, mothers' clubs, +boys' clubs, circulating libraries, reading rooms, free baths, +employment bureaus, milk and ice depots for the poor, crippled +children's classes and many other philanthropies.</p> + +<p>During the Spanish-American War the Council contributed about $10,000 +in money and goods, and in several cities was the first organization +to undertake this relief work. It has sixty-three sections in various +States and 6,000 members. Mrs. Hannah G. Solomon has been president +continuously.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The Women's National Indian Association</span> was organized in March, 1879, +for the civilization, education, enfranchisement and Christianization +of the native Indians of the United States; the first society devoted +exclusively to Indian advancement, to ask and labor for all these; to +demand from the Government lands in severalty, citizenship, industrial +teaching and education for the aborigines (1881), and these were +granted in the passage of the Dawes Severalty Bill in February, 1887.</p> + +<p>Besides its important work politically, beginning a movement which has +gained 60,000 Indian citizens, at least 25,000 of whom<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1054" id="Page_1054">[Pg 1054]</a></span> pay taxes and +10,000 of whom voted at the last elections, it has opened directly or +indirectly Christian, educational and industrial instruction at +forty-seven stations, or in as many tribes; has builded many Indian +homes, starting civilized industries in these and in tribes, +furnishing agricultural implements, sewing machines, looms, stock, +etc., from a loan fund of $12,000. It has various other departments of +help for red men—schools, libraries, temperance teaching, etc.—and +has expended in all these (besides sending missionary boxes of +supplies for the aged and helpless into seventy tribes) from $15,000 +to $28,000 annually. It has now a House of Industries where women and +girls are taught sewing, knitting, weaving, etc. Altogether forty-one +buildings have been erected.</p> + +<p>The Association has nearly 100 branches in between thirty and forty +States and Territories and has several thousand members. Mrs. Amelia +Stone Quinton was general secretary from the beginning for eight +years, and has since been president continuously.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The National League of Women Workers</span> was organized April 29, 1897, in +the interest of working women and their clubs. It is intended that the +League shall stand as a central bureau of information, offering +counsel and help when sought, but not placing restrictions upon any +club. It has issued various publications, a monthly magazine, <i>The +Club Worker</i>, a collection of songs, one of practical talks, another +of plays and of entertainments; also a pamphlet entitled How to Start +a Club. It has made a collection of all publications issued by the +various auxiliary State associations and clubs, which are distributed +free of charge to members. Between 8,000 and 9,000 publications are +annually sold and distributed. The secretary each year visits from +fifty to one hundred clubs to acquaint them with the work of other +similar organizations. The League has collected data relating to the +management of lunch clubs, vacation houses and co-operative homes for +working women.</p> + +<p>It is made up of five associations, and includes 100 clubs in Vermont, +Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania and +Maryland, with a membership of over 8,000.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The National Christian League for the Promotion of Social Purity</span> was +organized in New York in October, 1885, and a national charter was +obtained in 1889. Its object is to elevate opinion respecting the +nature and claims of morality, with its equal obligation upon men and +women, and to secure a practical recognition of its precepts on the +part of the individual, the family and the nation; to organize the +efforts of Christians in preventive, educational, reformatory and +legislative effort in the interest of Social Purity. It uses every +righteous means to free women and girls from financial dependence upon +men, not only by seeking to raise the status of domestic service, but +by teaching the advantages of self-support in every kind of legitimate +business. During the past six years the League has secured employment +directly for 3,300 applicants; it has supplied temporal and social +benefits to thousands of distressed women; furnished more than +5,000,000 pages of literature<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1055" id="Page_1055">[Pg 1055]</a></span> helpful to all the people; prevented +and stopped immoral shows and impure exhibitions; clothed the naked, +fed the hungry and housed the shelterless.</p> + +<p>The League has Hospital Auxiliaries, Social Culture Clubs, Industrial +Homes with training for Italians and other foreigners; members in +nearly every State and Territory—in Europe, China, Japan, India and +South America. It was founded by Mrs. Elizabeth B. Grannis, who has +been its president continuously.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The Young Ladies' National Mutual Improvement Association</span> was +organized at Salt Lake City in June, 1869. Associations were formed in +different States, and these were gradually grouped into "stake" or +county societies, each one presided over by a president and her board +of workers. On June 19, 1880, an organization of these "stakes" was +effected and a general president elected. The object is mutual +improvement for all, in spiritual, mental and physical conditions.</p> + +<p>It is an educational association and has bettered the condition of +thousands of girls, leading them toward the light, cultivating +unselfishness, a love of humanity, and a desire to help the world; it +has given to all its members a deeper, truer, purer education than +they could otherwise have obtained. While not strictly a beneficiary +organization, it disburses several thousand dollars a year. It owns +considerable property, including houses and libraries.</p> + +<p>The association has 507 branches and 22,000 members in ten States and +Territories and a number of foreign countries. Mrs. Elmina Shepard +Taylor has been president since 1878.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The National Kindergarten Union</span> was organized in July, 1892, to unite +kindergarten interests; to promote the establishment of kindergartens, +and to elevate the standard of their training and teaching. It has +instituted more friendly relations between kindergartners, bringing +together the conservative and radical elements upon a common platform. +A broader conception of the principles of Froebel and their relation +to education in general has been promoted, thus enlarging the scope of +the kindergarten idea and widening its influence. There are at present +seventy branches with 6,000 members.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The Woman's Prison Association and Isaac T. Hopper Home</span> was organized +by Mr. Hopper in 1845 in New York and incorporated in 1854. It was +afterwards sustained for many years by his daughter, Mrs. Abby Hopper +Gibbons. Its object is the amelioration of the condition of women +prisoners, the improvement of prison discipline and the government of +prisons in respect to women; also the support and encouragement of +women convicts after their release. The association has secured in New +York the searching of women prisoners by women; a law requiring police +matrons; one providing a Reformatory for Women and Girls, and others +of like import. The Home is in a large measure self-supporting. From +this first organization a number of similar ones have been established +and the condition of women prisoners has been much improved.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1056" id="Page_1056">[Pg 1056]</a></span></p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The National Household Economic Association</span> was organized in March, +1893, to promote a scientific knowledge of the care of children, and +of the economic and hygienic value of food, fuel and clothing; to +inculcate an intelligent knowledge of sanitary conditions in the home, +and to urge the recognition of housekeeping as a business or trade +which is worthy of highest thought and effort. This was the first +organization to present Household Economics in a comprehensive form as +an important and profound science. The existence of home departments +in nearly every woman's club may be directly or indirectly traced to +its influence. From Maine to California women have received from it +broader and better views of home and home life. It has vice-presidents +in twenty-nine States.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The National Woman's Keeley Rescue League</span> was organized Sept. 18, +1893, to restore the victim of inebriety and drugs to health and +happiness and to aid the unfortunate inebriate to become a +self-supporting citizen instead of an object of charity; to visit the +families of inebriates and by every means possible aid them to a +higher and better life. It has brought sunshine and happiness into +more than one thousand desolate homes, and enabled the heads of these +homes to become self-supporting. Husbands and wives who have been +driven asunder by the curse of drink have been re-united. Thousands of +children who would have been thrown upon the world or into charitable +institutions have been saved and are now cared for in well-provided +homes. Many a family has been kept from becoming a charge upon +charity, and the current of many a human life has been turned in +wholesome channels.</p> + +<p>The League pays for a man's treatment at the time he enters a Keeley +Institute, taking his note (properly secured by the indorsement of +some friend, when possible), and requiring him to pay back in monthly +installments or as his circumstances will permit. This creates a +revolving fund to be used over and over again. It has its friendly +visitors looking after the family while he is taking the treatment and +endeavors to have employment for him upon his return. Men who have +been sent to the work-house repeatedly have been permanently +reclaimed. The League has eighteen branches and 650 members.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The National Federation of Musical Clubs</span> was organized January, 1898, +to bring into communication the various musical societies that they +may compare methods of work and become mutually helpful; and to +arrange in different sections of the country Biennial Musical +Festivals. It works for the musical life of the nation by creating a +musical atmosphere, studying composers and their works and bringing +the best talent in various lines to interpret and illustrate these +studies. Large, strong clubs have been helpful in sending their +members to those smaller in numbers and weaker financially. Two +Musical Festivals have been held, national in character, one in St. +Louis in May, 1899, the other in Cleveland in May, 1901, with every +possible artistic advantage of the highest talent.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1057" id="Page_1057">[Pg 1057]</a></span></p> + +<p>There are branches in thirty-two States and Canada; 160 clubs are +federated with 12,000 members.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The Needlework Guild of America</span> was organized April, 1885, to collect +new garments and distribute them to hospitals, homes and other +charities, and to extend its usefulness by the organization of +branches. It has distributed to hospitals, homes and other charities +in the United States about 2,500,000 new garments. This includes the +results of two or three special collections for national disasters. It +has 308 branches in this country.</p> + + +<p>RELIGIOUS:</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal +Church</span> was organized March 23, 1869. Its object is to engage and unite +the efforts of Christian women in sending missionaries to the women in +foreign mission fields of the church and in supporting them and the +native Christian teachers, and all forms of work carried on by the +society. It has collected and disbursed $5,454,700; sent to foreign +fields 365 missionaries, and established a great educational work for +women throughout the Orient. The first woman's college in Asia, at +Lucknow, India, was founded by this society. It sent the first fully +equipped medical woman to the mission fields of the East, and built +the first hospitals for women in India, China and Korea. Nineteen +hospitals and dispensaries are supported by the society, and 246 +missionaries in Africa, Burmah, Bulgaria, China, India, Italy, Japan, +Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, South America and the Philippines, while +twenty-four medical women are now in the field. There are 18,000 girls +and women in its various schools.</p> + +<p>The society has eleven branches, covering the whole United States, +5,410 auxiliaries, and 171,765 members. Mrs. Cyrus D. Foss is +president.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The Woman's Home Missionary Society of the M. E. Church</span> was organized +July 10, 1880, to enlist and organize the efforts of Christian women +in behalf of the needy and destitute women and children of all +sections of the United States, without distinction of race, and to +co-operate with the other societies and agencies of the church in +educational and missionary work. The total receipts from July, 1880, +to July, 1900, were $2,782,773; total value of property, $736,152. +This property consists of twenty industrial homes and schools, six +mission homes, two immigrant homes, three children's homes, six +centers of city mission work, five deaconess and missionary training +schools, twenty-eight deaconess homes, four rest homes for deaconesses +and missionaries.</p> + +<p>The Society has eighty-nine conferences, 2,500 auxiliary societies, +59,000 adult members and 13,500 children. The Deaconess Department was +established in 1888. There are now (1901) 1,160 deaconesses with +$1,600,000 invested in real estate connected with their work. Mrs. +Clinton D. Fisk is president.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1058" id="Page_1058">[Pg 1058]</a></span></p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The Women's Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Protestant +Church</span> was organized Feb. 14, 1879, to bring the heathen to Christ. It +has established schools, built churches and done a valuable work +especially among girls. It has twenty branches and about 3,000 +members. Mrs. F. A. Brown of Cardington, O., is serving her +twenty-first year as president.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The Woman's Baptist Foreign Missionary Society</span> was organized April 3, +1871. The leading object is the Christianization of women in foreign +lands by furnishing support through the American Baptist Missionary +Union to Christian women employed by said Union as missionaries, +native teachers or Bible readers, together with the facilities needed +for their work. Its missionaries have been sent to Burmah, Assam, +India, China, Japan and Africa. The home constituency is found in the +Baptist churches of the New England and Middle Atlantic States.</p> + +<p>The total number of American missionaries supported for a longer or +shorter time is 142. Of these seventy-eight are now connected with the +society, 112 native Bible women employed as visitors in homes, and 367 +boarding and day schools with more than 14,000 pupils are maintained. +Many women who have been taught in these schools are exerting a strong +influence as Christian wives, mothers and teachers. The medical +missionaries have cared for souls and bodies alike. One of these +doctors reports 17,000 treatments at her dispensary during the last +year. Large sums of money have also been expended for mission work of +various kinds under the care of the wives of missionaries. The total +amount raised and expended in thirty years is over $2,000,000.</p> + +<p>There are numerous auxiliary circles, including about 34,000 women, +besides 10,000 younger women organized in guilds.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The Woman's Baptist Foreign Missionary Society</span> of the West was +organized May 9, 1871, for the elevation and Christianization of the +women of foreign lands by furnishing support to Christian women +employed as missionaries, to native teachers and to Bible women, +together with the facilities needed for their work. It supports 177 +schools, 5,337 pupils, 159 teachers and 94 Bible women. In the medical +department it has two hospitals, two dispensaries, twenty medical +students and three helpers; 597 patients were treated in the hospitals +during the past year and 6,130 outside patients. The amount raised +since organization is $885,279, and 105 missionaries have been sent +out. There are 1,530 auxiliaries.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The Woman's Baptist Home Mission Society</span> was organized Feb. 1, 1877, +to aid in spreading the gospel and to Christianize homes by means of +house-to-house visitation and by missions and schools with special +reference to exceptional populations in the United States, and among +neighboring countries. The missionary training school was organized +Sept. 5, 1881, and located at the headquarters of the society, now in +Chicago. The same year records the first issue of the monthly organ, +<i>Tidings</i>, which has grown<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1059" id="Page_1059">[Pg 1059]</a></span> from a four-page circular to a +thirty-two-page magazine, with a monthly circulation of 13,500 copies. +The training school has enrolled 518 students. The Society supports +also two training schools for negro workers—Shaw University, Raleigh, +N. C., and the Caroline Bishop School in Dallas, Texas. It has +employed on its own fields 159 missionaries among foreign populations +in this country from Europe, Indians, Negroes, Chinese, Syrians (from +Asia), Mexicans, Cubans, Porto Ricans and Americans.</p> + +<p>The missionaries report, for the year, besides work along many other +lines, 80,635 visits in homes. During the twenty-four years the visits +reported aggregate 1,152,950, and from the headquarters of the Society +have gone 6,478,544 pages of literature. The total cash receipts have +been $1,034,104. Besides providing for its own distinctive work, the +Society has aided the American Baptist Home Missionary Society from +1882 until 1901 to an extent represented by a total of $91,288.</p> + +<p>Figures have a certain value, but the best fruit is seen in the +results of the work of the missionaries on the fields, through the +visits in homes, women's meetings, children's meetings, industrial +schools, parents' conferences, Bible bands, fireside schools, training +classes, and the circulation of pure, wholesome literature. Through +this womanly ministry uncounted lives have been transformed and a +multitude of abodes have become Christian homes. There are 2,807 +auxiliaries and about 60,000 members.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The Woman's American Baptist Home Mission Society</span> was organized Nov. +14, 1878, for the evangelization of the women among the freed people, +the heathen, immigrants and the new settlements of the West, and for +evangelizing and educating the women and children in any part of North +America. The amount raised during the last year was $38,000; +fifty-seven teachers, missionaries and Bible women are supported among +colored people, Indians, Mexicans, Mormons, Chinese, Alaskans and +French Catholics.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The Free Baptist Woman's Missionary Society</span> was organized June 12, +1873, to conduct home and foreign missions. This is believed to be the +only Woman's Missionary Society (with possibly the exception of the +Christian and the Friends') which from the beginning has been entirely +independent and not an auxiliary organization. It has furnished eleven +women missionaries for India, one of whom is a professor in the +Theological School and two are physicians, and supports a large number +of schools, many native and Bible women and extensive zenana work. +Besides this it aids all other women missionaries of its +denominational conference board by annual appropriations for their +local work among women and children at the various stations occupied +by Free Baptists. The Rhode Island Kindergarten Hall, the Widows' Home +and the Sinclair Orphanage, all located at Benares, province of +Orissa, India, are the property of this society.</p> + +<p>Its home missionary work is connected with Storer College, Harper's +Ferry, W. Va., to which it has furnished thirteen teachers,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1060" id="Page_1060">[Pg 1060]</a></span> besides +contributing largely to the erection and equipment of two of the main +buildings. Its receipts have been about $200,000. It has a permanent +fund of about $42,000.</p> + +<p>The society has twenty-five State organizations, others in Canada and +India, with between 8,000 and 9,000 members.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The Woman's Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions of the Southwest</span> +was organized at St. Louis in April, 1877; originally to create and +foster a practical and intelligent interest in the spiritual condition +of women and children in our own land and in heathen lands. Since the +close of its fourteenth year its work has been for foreign missions +only, being one of the seven woman's auxiliaries to the Board of +Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian church in the United States of +America. It has given to the cause of missions $249,618, and has had +missionaries, as teachers or physicians, in India, China, Japan, +Korea, Siam, Persia and South America. The record of their work has +been of a nature sufficiently encouraging to warrant continued and +larger support. The Board has 605 branches or auxiliary societies and +13,776 members.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The Woman's Board of Home Missions of the Presbyterian Church</span> was +organized in December, 1878, to establish and maintain Christian +schools among those near home. It has eleven stations in Alaska, +eighteen among the Indians, twenty-seven among the Mexicans, +thirty-one among the Mormons, forty among the mountaineers, six among +the foreigners in this country, five among the Porto Ricans, making a +total of 138, with 425 missionaries and teachers and 9,337 pupils.</p> + +<p>The Board has secured to the Presbyterian church $750,000 worth of +property and has expended about $3,500,000 since organization. Two +magazines are published, the <i>Home Mission Monthly</i>, and <i>Over Sea and +Land</i> for the young, the latter jointly with the Foreign Societies. It +has about 5,000 auxiliary societies with about 100,000 members.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The Christian Woman's Board of Missions</span> was organized Oct. 22, 1874, +to maintain preachers and teachers for religious instruction; to +encourage and cultivate a missionary spirit and effort in the +churches; to disseminate missionary intelligence and secure systematic +contributions for such purposes; to establish and maintain schools for +the education of both sexes.</p> + +<p>Fields: The United States, Jamaica, India, Mexico and Porto Rico. +Work: University Bible lectureships, Michigan, Virginia, Kansas, +Calcutta, India; eighteen schools, four orphanage schools, two +kindergartens, four orphanages with 500 children, one Chinese mission, +one hospital, three dispensaries, one leper mission, thirty mission +stations outside the United States; 135 missionaries, besides native +teachers, evangelists, Bible women and other helpers; $900,000 raised +during twenty-six years; income last year, $106,728. Its publications +are <i>Missionary Tidings</i>, circulation 13,500; <i>Junior Builders</i>, same +circulation; leaflets, calendars, manuals, song<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1061" id="Page_1061">[Pg 1061]</a></span> books, etc. Property +values: United States, $120,000; India, $60,300; Jamaica, $38,550; +Porto Rico, $10,000; total, $229,650; amount of endowment funds, +$85,000.</p> + +<p>This is purely a woman's organization; funds are raised and disbursed, +fields entered and work outlined and managed without connection with +any "parent board," although relations with other organizations of the +church are most cordial. There are thirty-six State organizations, +1,750 auxiliaries, forty-five young ladies' circles, 374 mission +bands, 1,711 junior societies of Christian Endeavor, 177 intermediate +societies and 40,000 members of auxiliaries.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The Woman's State Home Missionary Organization of the Congregational +Church</span> represents a slow but steady growth during the past thirty +years. Branches exist now in forty-two States and Territories. The +last report available, that of 1897, showed $100,768 collected that +year and disbursed for the usual home missionary purposes.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The Woman's Centenary Association of the Universalist Church</span> was +organized in 1869 to assist weak parishes, foster Sunday-schools, help +educate women students for the ministry, endow professorships in +schools and colleges, relieve the wants of sick or disabled preachers, +ministers' widows and orphans, distribute denominational literature, +and do both home and foreign missionary work. Since its organization +it has raised and disbursed over $300,000 and has a permanent fund of +$20,500, the interest of which is annually expended for the purposes +for which the association was organized. Millions of pages of +denominational literature have been distributed. The association has +ten State societies and 100 mission (local) circles.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The National Alliance of Unitarian and other Liberal Christian Women</span> +was organized in 1890. Its objects are primarily to quicken the +religious life of Unitarian churches and to bring the women into +closer acquaintance, co-operation and fellowship; to promote local +organizations of women for missionary and denominational work and to +bring the same into association; to collect and disseminate +information regarding all matters of interest to the church, viz.: +needs of local societies, facilities for meeting them, work to be +done, collection and distribution of money, etc.</p> + +<p>The Alliance takes part in the missionary work of the denomination, +assisting small churches and starting new ones; supports one or more +students each year at the Meadville Theological School and maintains +several circuit ministers. It has lending and traveling libraries and +libraries for ministers, and has established and maintained three +permanent ones in places where there was no free library. Through its +well-known Post Office Mission it distributes annually about 300,000 +sermons and tracts, and through its Cheerful Letter Exchange an untold +amount of miscellaneous literature. Money is not disbursed from a +central treasury, but is given by the branches which are independent +in such matters, an Executive<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1062" id="Page_1062">[Pg 1062]</a></span> Board making recommendations. The +expenditures of the past ten years have been $419,757. The Alliance +has 255 branches and nearly 11,000 members.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The Woman's Missionary Association of the United Brethren in Christ</span> +was organized Oct. 21, 1875, to engage and unite the efforts of women +in sending missionaries into all the world; to support these and other +laborers in mission fields, and to secure by gift, bequest and +otherwise the funds necessary for these purposes. Valuable missionary +work is being done in West Africa, China and the Philippines. The +association in the last twenty-five years has raised $311,920. It has +forty branches and 13,232 members.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The Woman's Foreign Union of Friends</span> was organized May, 1890, to +increase the efficiency for spreading the Gospel of Christ among the +heathen, and to create an additional bond between the women of the +American Yearly Meetings. It has been the instrumentality of greatly +quickening the missionary zeal and activity in the denomination. It +established missions in Japan, China, India and in unoccupied parts of +Mexico, and rendered valuable assistance in planting missions in +Alaska, Jamaica and Palestine. It founded and has successfully managed +the <i>Friends' Missionary Advocate</i>. During the past ten years $300,000 +have been raised and expended. It has ten branches and 4,000 members.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society of the General Synod +of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the U. S. A.</span> was organized in +1879. Its object is to cultivate a missionary spirit, to create a +deeper interest in the spread of the Gospel, to disseminate missionary +intelligence, and to engage and unite the efforts of Christian women +in the Lutheran church in supporting missions and missionaries on home +and foreign fields, in co-operation with the Boards of Home and +Foreign Missions and Church Extension. In the Foreign field it is now +supporting eight women missionaries in India, two of whom are +physicians and one a trained nurse. The principal station is Guntur, +Madras Presidency. In Africa it is supporting two women missionaries +at Muhlenberg, Liberia. In the Home field it has helped support +eighteen missions and build churches for twelve of them. The amount +contributed by the societies for the year ending March 31, 1902, was +$27,286.</p> + +<p>The Society has twenty-two Synodical Societies, 760 auxiliaries and +20,452 members, active and honorary and cradle roll, besides 489 life +members.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The Woman's Missionary Society of the General Synod of the Reformed +Church</span> was organized in 1887, to aid in the advancement of the work of +Christian Missions in Home and Foreign Lands. Individual societies had +existed for ten years previous. The last report available is that of +1893, when 144 societies were reported and $10,000 collected during +the year. One-third was expended for foreign and two-thirds for home +missions. The society has published an official organ, the <i>Woman's +Journal</i>, since 1894.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1063" id="Page_1063">[Pg 1063]</a></span> Women also belong and contribute to the general +missionary societies of the church.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The International Board of Women's and Young Women's Christian +Associations</span> had its beginning in 1871, when thirty of these +associations affiliated for biennial conferences. Later they organized +as the International Board which became incorporated. Its object is to +unite in one central organization these bodies of the United States, +Canada and other countries, and to promote the forming of similar +ones, to advance the mental, moral, temporal and above all the +spiritual welfare of young women.</p> + +<p>The Ladies' Christian Union of New York, organized in 1858, was the +first work in this country for the welfare of young business women. A +home was the imperative need of the friendless young women employed in +cities then as it is now, since the small wages received make possible +for them only the poorest quarters amid demoralizing conditions. These +Christian Women opened a house and took into it as many as they could +reach, giving clean rooms, wholesome food, cheap rent, pure moral +atmosphere and religious influences. From this developed the Young +Women's Christian Association.</p> + +<p>The federated associations now own property valued at over $5,000,000. +In the evolution of this work the Boarding Homes, now accommodating +over 3,000 at one time, have been supplemented as the need arose. The +Traveler's Aid Department seeks to reach the young, ignorant girls +before the agents of evil who haunt the railroad stations and steamer +landings. During 1900 over 10,000 were thus protected. The Employment +Bureau during this year assisted over 20,000 applicants. The +Educational Department, with day and evening classes, has 15,000 +enrolled. There are Recreation Departments, Vacation Homes and many +other important features. Every phase of the life of a girl or woman +is touched by the association. Religion in its broad sense is its +fundamental and guiding principle.</p> + +<p>Twenty-three States are represented in sixty associations in the +United States and Canada, with over 20,000 voting and contributing +members, over 500,000 associate members—self-supporting girls and +women—and 2,500 junior members.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The Woman's National Sabbath Alliance</span> was organized in 1895, to +educate the women of America to an intelligent appreciation of the +relation of this one day in seven to the national life, and to +emphasize woman's responsibility and influence, especially in the home +and in society. The work is along educational lines—in creating +public sentiment in favor of better Sabbath observance. While placing +a wedge in every tiny opening, its members have prayed, protested, +proclaimed and practiced. Through this organization Christian women +have become more fearless in standing for their convictions. The +Alliance has twenty-two branches and over 1,000 members.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1064" id="Page_1064">[Pg 1064]</a></span></p> + + +<p>PATRIOTIC:</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Woman's Relief Corps, Auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic</span>, +was organized July 25, 1883. Its object is specially to aid and assist +the Grand Army of the Republic and to perpetuate the memory of its +heroic dead; to assist such Union veterans as need help and +protection, and to extend needful aid to their widows and orphans; to +cherish and emulate the deeds of army nurses and of all loyal women +who rendered loving service to the country in her hour of peril; to +maintain true allegiance to the United States of America; to inculcate +lessons of patriotism and love of country among children and in the +communities; to encourage the spread of universal liberty and equal +rights to all.</p> + +<p>General legislation is enacted by the annual national convention, the +supreme authority; States are governed by department conventions. The +association has educated women in an exact system of reports and +returns. There are no "benefits," as it is strictly philanthropic. It +supports a National Relief Corps Home for dependent army nurses and +relatives of veterans; has secured pension legislation from the +general Government for destitute army nurses; has influenced State +legislation in the founding of homes for Union veterans and their +dependent ones in Colorado, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, +Indiana, California, New York and Kansas; has led to the establishment +of industrial education in the Ohio Orphans' Home; has been foremost +in financial aid in every national calamity; has unitedly furthered +patriotic teaching in schools and the flag in school rooms; and has +raised and expended for relief in the eighteen years of its existence, +$2,500,000. The corps has thirty-five departments, 3,174 subordinate +corps and 142,760 members.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic</span> were organized Jan. 12, 1886, +to assist the G. A. R., encourage them in their noble work of charity, +extend needful aid to members in sickness and distress and look after +the Soldiers' Homes and the Homes of Soldiers' Widows and Orphans; to +obtain proper situations for the children when they leave the homes; +to watch the schools and see that children are properly instructed in +the history of our country and in patriotism; to honor the memory of +those fallen and to perpetuate and keep forever sacred Memorial Day. +Its departments and circles have spent for relief $16,685 and given to +the G. A. R. $2,658; to the Soldiers' Homes, $364; Soldiers' Widows' +Homes, $1,461; Soldiers' Orphans' Homes, $179.</p> + +<p>The organization has twenty-three departments and 28,070 +members—mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, granddaughters and nieces +of soldiers and sailors who served honorably in the Civil War.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The National Alliance of the Daughters of Veterans of the U. S. A.</span> was +organized and chartered in 1885, to perpetuate the memories of the +fathers and brothers, their loyalty to the Union and their unselfish +sacrifices for its perpetuity; to aid them and their widows and +orphans, when helpless and in distress; to inculcate a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1065" id="Page_1065">[Pg 1065]</a></span> love of +country and patriotism among women; to promote equal rights and +universal liberty, and to acquire, by donation or otherwise, all +necessary property and funds to carry out the aforesaid objects; to +assist the G. A. R. to commemorate the deeds of their fallen comrades +on the 30th of May.</p> + +<p>The Alliance is composed of daughters and granddaughters of the +Northern soldiers who fought in the Civil War, 1861-1865, and has a +sufficient membership to assure the soldiers that their memory will +ever be preserved and their widows and orphans will not want. Over +$2,000 are spent yearly for relief. The value of donations other than +money is nearly double that amount. It has assisted in obtaining +pensions, erected monuments for unknown dead, furnished rooms in +Soldiers' and Soldiers' Widows' Homes, furnished transportation for +helpless soldiers, presented flags and banners, brightened sickrooms +with flowers and cheerful faces. At present it is interested in the +erection of Lincoln Memorial University at Mason City, Ia., where one +building is to be known as the Daughters of Veterans' Building. There +are "tents" scattered all over the Union and many State Departments.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union</span> was organized in +1853. Its purpose was the purchase and preservation of the home and +tomb of General Washington with 200 acres of land. The sum of $200,000 +was raised by voluntary contributions from the women of the United +States.</p> + +<p>The Regent is elected by the Council and is a life officer. Mrs. +Justine V. R. Townsend of New York is serving at present. The Regent +appoints, and the council at its annual meeting ratifies by votes, one +lady in each State as vice-regent to represent the State. The +association is purely patriotic. The great annual increase of both +home and foreign visitors is gratifying, and testifies to the loving +veneration in which the memory of Washington is held. The entrance fee +of twenty-five cents is sufficient to keep the home and grounds in +perfect colonial order.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution</span> was +organized Aug. 9, 1890, to perpetuate the memory of the spirit of the +men and women who achieved American Independence, by the acquisition +and protection of historic spots and the erection of monuments; by the +encouragement of historical research in relation to the Revolution, +and the publication of its results; by the preservation of documents +and relics, and of the records of the individual services of +Revolutionary soldiers and patriots, and by the promotion of +celebrations of all patriotic anniversaries; to carry out the +injunction of Washington in his farewell address to the American +people, "to promote, as an object of primary importance, institutions +for the general diffusion of knowledge;" to cherish, maintain and +extend the institutions of American freedom, to foster true patriotism +and love of country, and to aid in securing for mankind all the +blessings of liberty.</p> + +<p>The society has carried out its desired objects; brought together<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1066" id="Page_1066">[Pg 1066]</a></span> the +women of the North and South; caused many of them to study the +constitution of their country and parliamentary law; rescued from +oblivion the memory of many heroic women of the Revolution; examined +and certified to the 1,000 nurses sent by the Surgeon General's office +to the Spanish-American War; raised $300,000 in money and sent 56,000 +garments to the hospitals during that war; contributed $85,000 for a +Memorial Hall in Washington, D. C. It has organized children's +societies and taught them love for the flag and all it means; made +foreign-born children realize what it is to be American citizens; +offered medals and scholarships for historical essays by pupils in +schools and colleges; helped erect the monuments to Lafayette and +Washington in Paris. By requiring careful investigation of claims to +membership the society has caused many families to become re-united +who had been separated by immigration to remote parts of the country, +and has stimulated a proper pride of birth—not descent from royalty +and nobility but from men and women who did their duty in their +generation and left their descendants the priceless heritage of pure +homes and honest government. The society has 600 chapters and over +36,000 members.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The Society of the Daughters of the Revolution</span> was organized Aug. 20, +1891, to perpetuate the patriotic spirit of the men and women who +achieved American independence; to commemorate prominent events +connected with the War of the Revolution; to collect, publish and +preserve the rolls, records and historic documents relating to this +period and to encourage the study of the country's history.</p> + +<p>Through its State organizations it has marked with tablets historic +places; promoted patriotism by gifts of historical pictures to public +schools; helped to bring about an observance of Flag Day through the +general society; given prizes to various women's colleges for essays +on topics connected with the War of the Revolution; raised $5,000 to +erect a monument at Valley Forge in memory of Washington's Army. The +present work is the establishment of a fund to be loaned in proper +sums to girls trying to make their way through college. It has +nineteen State societies and 3,200 members.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The Colonial Dames of America</span> were organized in New York City, May 23, +1890, to honor the brave men who in any important service contributed +to the achievement of American independence; to collect manuscripts, +traditions and relics and to foster a true spirit of patriotism. A +hereditary society was deemed the most effective for this purpose. It +has made a collection of valuable manuscripts, pedigrees, photographs +and books; effected restorations in the old Swedes' Church at +Wilmington, placed tablets in Baltimore, to Washington, and in +Kingston, N. Y., to Governor Clinton. Historic tableaux have been +given in the city of New York, with readings of original papers and +lectures by historians. The publication of the "Letters to Washington" +from the original manuscripts in the Department of State, has reached +its fourth and last volume. For the sick and wounded in the +Spanish-American War the society<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1067" id="Page_1067">[Pg 1067]</a></span> raised about $6,600, with a +contribution of hundreds of garments and hospital appliances, and +several of its members worked in hospitals and camps.</p> + +<p>The society also has its valued social side. It has five chapters in +New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington and Paris (France), with +about 400 members.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The National Society of United States Daughters of 1812</span> was organized +Jan. 8, 1892. Its object is to publish memoirs of famous women of the +United States, especially those of the period included in the +eligibility of this society; to urge the Government, through an act of +Congress, to compile and publish authentic records of men in military +and naval service in the war of 1812, and of those in civil service +during the period embraced by this society; to secure and preserve +documents of the events for which each State was famous during this +period; to promote the erection of a home where the descendants of the +brave patriots of this war can be sheltered from the storms of life.</p> + +<p>The work done in the various States is as follows: Two tablets, one +marking New York City defenses during the war and one for "those who +served," in the Post Chapel at West Point; Michigan, a monument to +General McComb in the heart of Detroit; Maryland, the restoration of +Fort McHenry (the inspiration of The Star Spangled Banner); Louisiana, +a monument on the field of Cholnette. Massachusetts has received +permission to restore the frigate Constitution and is raising $400,000 +for this purpose; Pennsylvania is offering prizes in the public +schools for historical work, and many other enterprises are under way. +It has nineteen State societies with a membership of 776.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The United Daughters of the Confederacy</span> were organized Sept. 10, 1894. +The objects of the society are educational, memorial, literary and +benevolent; to collect and preserve material for a truthful history of +the War between the States; to honor the memory of those who fought +and those who fell in the service of the Confederacy; to cherish the +ties of friendship among the members of the society and to fulfil the +duties of sacred charity to the survivors of the war and those +dependent upon them. Much aid has been given to aged and indigent +Confederate soldiers. There are homes for these soldiers in every +Southern State and monuments have been erected to the Confederate dead +in nearly every city. The orphans of Confederate soldiers have been +educated and cared for, and in a number of States the society has seen +that correct and impartial histories are used in the public schools. +It has 500 branches and about 25,000 members.</p> + + +<p>LODGES:</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Supreme Hive Ladies of the Maccabees of the World</span> was organized +Oct. 1, 1892, to extend the benefits of life protection to women; to +unite fraternally the wives, mothers, daughters and sisters of the +Knights of the Maccabees, as well as other women<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1068" id="Page_1068">[Pg 1068]</a></span> who are acceptable; +to educate its members socially, morally and intellectually. Four +hundred and twenty-five death claims were paid in 1900, amounting to +$441,380; and twenty-two disability claims, amounting to $2,400. The +total amount paid in claims from organization to Jan. 1, 1901, is +$1,523,504.</p> + +<p>The organization is composed of one supreme body, three subordinate +bodies, known as Great Hives, and 1,835 subordinate or local hives, +with a membership of 84,657, of whom 19,321 are social and 65,336 +benefit members.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The Supreme Temple Rathbone Sisters of the World</span> was organized Oct. +23, 1888, for promoting the moral, mental and social conditions of its +members; cultivating a spirit of fraternal love which shall permeate +and control their daily lives; ministering in all ways to the wants of +the sick and needy; watching at the bedside of the dying; paying the +last sad tribute of love and respect to the dead, comforting and +providing for the widow in her afflictions, and daily exemplifying in +every possible way the Golden Rule.</p> + +<p>The Supreme Temple has general supervision of the Order throughout the +world and makes the general laws. The Grand Temples, or State +organizations, supervise the local Temples within their domain. The +latter, besides carrying out the principles peculiar to a fraternal +society, select some special work for the good of those outside their +ranks. Reading rooms have been established, funds donated for public +improvements, charity, etc. In order to care for the orphans of +Rathbone Sisters a Home is soon to be erected, the fund being already +set aside for this purpose. The local Temples care for their own poor +and sick. In such disasters as those at Galveston and Jacksonville, +the Temples send liberal donations to their members to relieve their +financial losses.</p> + +<p>The Supreme Temple is composed of twenty-four State organizations and +1,124 local Temples, with a membership of 71,247. Four insurance +branches have just been established (1900).</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The Order of the Eastern Star</span> was organized in the latter part of the +eighteenth century—the exact date is not known. Its founders sought +to create a social tie between the families of Masons, but it early +reached a higher standard of usefulness. Among its objects are caring +for the widow and orphan and assisting the Masonic brother in all +deeds of mercy and love. It has founded Eastern Star Homes for widows +and orphans of Masons and has become a mighty impetus in the building +and support of Masonic Homes. Everywhere its members visit the sick, +relieve the distressed and speak words of cheer to the despairing. It +has been found helpful all over the land in carrying forward the +underlying principles of Masonry. It has taught woman to preside in +public meetings and to make herself conversant in parliamentary law. +Masonry unites the heads of families, whereas the Eastern Star unites +the entire families. Its ritualistic teachings are designed to +inculcate morals and to improve the social virtues. The Order +comprises 3,491 chapters with a membership of 218,238.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1069" id="Page_1069">[Pg 1069]</a></span></p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The Daughters of Rebekah</span> were organized in 1851 as a side degree of +the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and chartered lodges were +authorized in 1868. The object is benevolent work. The order stands +very high among charitable organizations and pays out thousands of +dollars each year for the relief of widows and orphans. The report for +the present year shows that 6,212 families were assisted at an expense +of $141,646; and $50,540 were paid for the education of orphans. The +Indiana lodge erected a monument in Indianapolis to Vice-President of +the United States Schuyler Colfax, the principal founder of the order.</p> + +<p>The Daughters of Rebekah usually exist wherever there is a lodge of +the I. O. O. F. Men may take the degree but the affairs of the lodges +are entirely in the hands of women. There are 125,300 men and 200,850 +women members.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The Grand International Auxiliary to the Brotherhood Of Locomotive +Engineers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico</span>, was organized Oct. +16, 1887, to elevate the social standing of railroad people, to +promote a fraternal feeling between families of engineers and to +render assistance in time of trouble. The Voluntary Relief +Association, formed in 1890, has paid to needy families of engineers +over $100,000. It has no home for dependents, but helps widows to keep +a home and care for their own children. It secures homes for orphans +and assists in their education out of a special standing fund. There +are $15,000 in the general fund. The order is exclusively composed of +women, who manufacture all supplies and from this source realize a +considerable revenue. Study clubs for intellectual culture are +maintained in the various branches.</p> + +<p>There are 255 subdivisions and about 10,000 members. It was founded by +Mrs. W. A. Murdock, who has served continuously as president.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The Ladies' Auxiliary to the Order of Railroad Conductors of America</span> +was organized in 1888. The idea originally was merely social, but so +many objects claimed assistance that, in 1895, the Fraternal +Beneficiary Association was added to help the widows and children of +railway conductors. Assessments were levied and in five years $2,200 +had been thus applied. Good speakers, parliamentarians and business +women have been developed and its members have become broader and more +enlightened in every direction. There are 156 local divisions, with a +membership of about 4,000.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Miscellaneous:</span> Various organizations are in existence which are +national in their aims and interests but scarcely have reached +national proportions in the number of auxiliaries and membership. +Among these may be mentioned the <span class="smcap">Sociological Society Of America</span>, +organized in New York in 1883, to disseminate the principles of Social +and Industrial Co-operation; the <span class="smcap">National Women's Republican +Association</span>, founded in 1888; the <span class="smcap">Pro<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1070" id="Page_1070">[Pg 1070]</a></span> Re Nata</span>, started in Washington +in 1889, to perfect its members in the art of extemporaneous speaking; +<span class="smcap">Wimodaughsis</span>, organized in Washington in 1890 for the improvement of +women along all educational lines; the <span class="smcap">Association Opposed to the +Further Extension of Suffrage to Women</span>; the <span class="smcap">National Floral Emblem +Society</span>, formed at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, 1893, to gain +an expression from the people which shall lead to the adoption of a +national flower and also the selection of State flowers, which have +been chosen in nineteen States and the choice ratified by the +Legislature; the <span class="smcap">National Society of New England Women</span>, founded in New +York in 1895, to promote acquaintance among New England women in +various localities throughout the country for purposes of mutual +helpfulness; the <span class="smcap">National League of American Pen Women</span>, started in +Washington City in 1896, to band together women journalists, authors +and illustrators; the <span class="smcap">Women's Press Association</span>, organized earlier and +with branches in various States; the <span class="smcap">George Washington Memorial +Association</span>, incorporated in 1898, to raise $250,000 toward an +Administration Building to be a part of the university as set forth in +the will of George Washington—$25,000 of this amount being now on +hand and as much more guaranteed; the <span class="smcap">Woman's League of the George +Junior Republic</span>, formed in 1899 to promote interest in the National +Republic and establish branches; the <span class="smcap">National Legislative League</span>, +founded in 1900 to obtain for women equality of legal, municipal and +industrial rights through action by the National Congress and the +State Legislatures; <span class="smcap">Woman's Educational and Industrial Union</span>; various +associations for improving cities and villages by means of parks, +shade trees, good streets, sanitary appliances, etc.; and countless +others of a social, educational or philanthropic nature.</p> + +<p>There are also a number of large national organizations composed of +both men and women, with the latter very greatly predominating. Of +these the most prominent are the <span class="smcap">Universal Peace Union</span>, founded in +1866 and chartered in 1888, with forty branches in the United States +and sixty in Europe; the <span class="smcap">Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to +Animals</span>; the <span class="smcap">National Consumers' League</span>; the <span class="smcap">Christian Endeavor +Society</span>; the <span class="smcap">Epworth League</span>; the <span class="smcap">Young People's Union</span>; the <span class="smcap">King's +Daughters and Sons</span>; the <span class="smcap">Anti-Vivisection Society</span>.</p> + + +<p>The above list shows that women are organized for carrying forward +practically every department of the world's work, and that their +associations have been steadily increasing in number, size and scope +during the past half century. In the early years the Woman Suffrage +Association not only stood alone in its advocacy of enfranchisement +but was regarded with the most strenuous disapproval by all other +organizations of women. In 1881, the Woman's Christian Temperance +Union, principally through<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1071" id="Page_1071">[Pg 1071]</a></span> the influence of its president, Miss +Frances E. Willard, established a department of franchise, but it was +many years afterwards before the idea of the ballot was received with +favor by any large number of its members. The sentiment is not now +unanimous, but considered as a body there are no more active workers +for woman suffrage. The National Council of Women has no platform, but +its leaders and also those of the International Council are prominent +advocates of the franchise. These are now found in greater or less +numbers in all the organizations but not one of them includes the +suffrage among the specific objects for which it works. As these +broaden the associations frequently find it necessary to appeal to +Legislative bodies, and the result is usually a significant lesson in +the disadvantage of being without political influence. The Federation +of Clubs, organized in 1890, in its endeavor to secure the passage of +bills for various purposes, has applied to more Legislatures, during +the past few years, than has the Suffrage Association. It is indeed a +most interesting study to watch the evolution of the so-called women's +clubs. Formed at first merely for a superficial literary culture, they +widened by degrees into a study of practical matters related to law +and economics. From these it was but a step into civics, where they +are to-day, struggling to improve municipal, and indirectly national +conditions and gradually having revealed to them the narrow +limitations of woman's power in public affairs.</p> + +<p>With the exception possibly of the church missionary societies and the +various lodges, there is not one of these associations of women which +does not depend in a greater or less measure on City Councils, State +Legislatures or the National Congress for assistance in securing its +objects. No other means could be so effective in convincing women that +politics, which they have heretofore believed did not directly concern +them, in reality touches them at every point. They are learning that +the mere personal influence which usually was sufficient to gain their +ends in the household, society and the church—the three spheres of +action to which they were confined in the past—must be supplemented +by political influence now that they have entered the field of public +work. Women have been so long flattered by the power which they have +possessed over men in social life that they are surprised<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1072" id="Page_1072">[Pg 1072]</a></span> and +bewildered to discover that this is wholly ineffectual when brought to +bear upon men in legislative assemblies. They find that it is not +sufficient to have personal attractions or family position—not even +to be a good wife, mother and worker in church and charities—they +must be also constituents. This is a new word which was not in the +lexicon of woman in past generations. They investigate and they see +that whatever may be the private opinion of these legislators, their +public acts are governed by their constituents, and women alone of all +classes in the community are not constituents.</p> + +<p>This knowledge could come to the average woman only through +experience, and that which as an individual she might not get in ages +she is gaining rapidly through organization. A summary of the +preceding list shows about 2,000,000 women enrolled in the various +associations. The number which may be duplicated by a membership in +several, is probably balanced by the number in those which do not +state the membership. This list includes only national associations +and it is reasonable to assume that not more than one-half of the +local societies are auxiliary to national bodies. This is known +positively to be the case in the General Federation of Clubs, which +includes less than half of those in the different States. It would be +a decided underestimate to say that 4,000,000 women in the United +States are members of one or more organizations, and it is clearly +evident that this number is increasing. The scope of these +associations is constantly broadening as women themselves are emerging +from their narrow environment and seeing the needs of the world in +wider perspective. They are slowly but certainly learning to devote +their time and energy to larger objects, and they are awakening to a +perception, above all else, of the strength that lies in combination, +a knowledge which was a sealed book to the isolated and undeveloped +women of past generations. No other influence has been so powerful in +enabling woman to discover herself and her possibilities.</p> + +<p>There will be no more important element to be reckoned with during the +coming years of the new century than these great associations of +women, constantly gaining strength and momentum, not alone by the +increase of membership but also by its personnel,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1073" id="Page_1073">[Pg 1073]</a></span> for now they are +beginning to be composed of college graduates, of property owners, of +women with business experience. More and more they are directing their +attention to public questions, and when brains, wealth, executive +ability, enthusiasm and a strong desire for an honest and moral +government are thoroughly organized in the effort to obtain it, they +must necessarily become a powerful factor in State and national +affairs, and one which inevitably will refuse to be held in a +disfranchised condition after it shall realize the supreme power which +inheres in the suffrage.</p> + +<p>There is still another and a more important point of view from which +this subject should be studied. Here are more than 4,000,000 women, +about one-third of all in the country, banded into active, working +organizations. The figures given above show that they are raising and +expending millions of dollars and every dollar for some worthy object. +The list demonstrates beyond question that every one of these great +associations exists for the purpose of improving the conditions of +society and helping and bettering humanity. They represent the highest +form of effort for education, morality, temperance, religion, justice, +patriotism and co-operation. Are not these the very qualities most +needed in our electorate? Is not the nation suffering because of the +lack of them since it has placed the ballot in the hands of ignorance, +immorality, intemperance and lawlessness? Does not an emergency exist +for a political influence which shall counterbalance these and tip the +scale the other way? Can the Government afford much longer to delay +the summons for this great, well-organized, finely-equipped force—if +it is to perfect and make permanent the institutions of the +republic?</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_498_498" id="Footnote_498_498"></a><a href="#FNanchor_498_498"><span class="label">[498]</span></a> The National Suffrage Association is not included in +the list, as twenty-one chapters of this volume are devoted to its +work. It was the intention to give the name of the president of each +organization, but as this officer is so frequently changed it seemed +best to abandon this plan save in special instances. The figures given +are for 1900 with but few exceptions. +</p><p> +The church missionary societies not mentioned here, and some other +national bodies, were appealed to several times for statistics without +response. The list, however, includes all of any considerable size and +importance. It did not seem that it would represent the true +proportions of these associations if arranged alphabetically or +according to date of organization, therefore the editors have used +their individual judgment in placing them.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1075" id="Page_1075">[Pg 1075]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="APPENDIX" id="APPENDIX"></a>APPENDIX</h2> + +<h3>EMINENT ADVOCATES OF WOMAN SUFFRAGE.</h3> + + +<p>The following list is so incomplete as to make the advisability of +using it a matter of grave doubt. No name is given except upon what is +believed to be unimpeachable authority, but it is unavoidable that +scores should be omitted which are entitled to a place. The list will +indicate, however, the character of those who have espoused the cause +of woman suffrage, and it is published with the request that readers +will forward to the editors additional names which can be used, and +mention any which should be omitted, in the second edition of this +volume. There has been no attempt to give all in any profession, but +only a few of those who may fairly be considered representative. The +names, for instance, of clergymen alone who are in favor of the +enfranchisement of women would fill many pages, while those of +prominent lawyers in every community would require almost unlimited +space, as it is a question which appeals especially to the sense of +equity. The following list will indicate sufficiently that this is not +a movement of ultra-radical and irresponsible extremists.</p> + +<p>The only President of the United States who declared himself publicly +and unequivocally for woman suffrage was Abraham Lincoln, who said as +early as 1836, "I go for all sharing the privileges of the Government +who assist in bearing its burdens—by no means excluding women," and +later utterances indicated that he did not change his position. +Rutherford B. Hayes never hesitated to express his approval in private +conversation, and in 1872 he assisted materially in placing in the +Republican National Platform the nearest approach to an indorsement +which the movement ever has received from that party. James A. +Garfield said: "Laugh as we may, put it aside as a jest if we will, +keep it out of Congress and political campaigns, still the woman +question is rising on our horizon larger than a man's hand; and some +solution ere long that question must find." Theodore Roosevelt, when a +member of the New York Legislature, voted for a woman suffrage bill, +saying he had been converted by seeing how much the women accomplished +with their school ballot at Oyster Bay, his home. When Governor he +said in his message to the Legislature of 1899: "I call your attention +to the desirability of gradually enlarging the sphere in which the +suffrage can be extended to women." There is reason to believe other +Presidents would have expressed themselves favorably had political +exigencies permitted.</p> + +<p>The only Vice-Presidents on record as advocating and voting for woman +suffrage are Hannibal Hamlin, Schuyler Colfax, Henry Wilson and +William A. Wheeler. Such action is likely to mean the personal loss of +votes and injury to one's party, with no compensation other than the +consciousness of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1076" id="Page_1076">[Pg 1076]</a></span> having done right, as women can give no reward. +Under these conditions it is surprising that so large a number in the +Congress and State Legislatures have sustained the measures for the +enfranchisement of women.<a name="FNanchor_499_499" id="FNanchor_499_499"></a><a href="#Footnote_499_499" class="fnanchor">[499]</a></p> + +<div class="center"> +<table class="smallprint" summary=""> +<tr><td class="center" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">Chief Justices of the U. S. Supreme Court.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td class="center">Chase, Salmon P.</td><td class="center">Wake, Morrison R.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>Practically all of the State Supreme Court Justices of Colorado, +Idaho, Utah and Wyoming, where women have exercised the suffrage for a +number of years, and of Kansas where they have had a municipal vote +for fifteen years, are strong advocates of woman suffrage.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table class="smallprint" summary=""> +<tr><td class="center" colspan="4"><span class="smcap">United States Senators.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Allen, John B.</td><td class="left">Wash.</td><td class="left">Flanagan, J. W. (1871)</td><td class="left">Texas.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Allison, William B.</td><td class="left">Iowa.</td><td class="left">Gallinger, Jacob H.</td><td class="left">N. H.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Anthony, Henry B.</td><td class="left">R. I.</td><td class="left">Gamble, Robert J.</td><td class="left">S. D.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Baker, Edward D.</td><td class="left">Ore.</td><td class="left">Gilbert, Abijah (1874)</td><td class="left">Fla.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Baker, Lucien</td><td class="left">Kas.</td><td class="left">Hamlin, Hannibal</td><td class="left">Me.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Banks, Nathaniel P.</td><td class="left">Mass.</td><td class="left">Hansbrough, Henry C.</td><td class="left">N. D.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Beveridge, Albert J.</td><td class="left">Ind.</td><td class="left">Harvey, James M.</td><td class="left">Kan.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Blair, Henry W.</td><td class="left">N. H.</td><td class="left">Heitfield, Henry</td><td class="left">Ida.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Bowen, Thomas B.</td><td class="left">Col.</td><td class="left">Henderson, John B.</td><td class="left">Mo.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Brice, Calvin S.</td><td class="left">Ohio.</td><td class="left">Hoar, George F.</td><td class="left">Mass.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Brown, B. Gratz</td><td class="left">Mo.</td><td class="left">Jones, John P.</td><td class="left">Nev.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Bruce, Blanche K.</td><td class="left">Miss.</td><td class="left">Kyle, James H.</td><td class="left">S. D.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Burnside, Ambrose</td><td class="left">R. I.</td><td class="left">Lapham, Elbridge G.</td><td class="left">N. Y.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Burrows, Julius C.</td><td class="left">Mich.</td><td class="left">Logan, John A.</td><td class="left">Ills.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Cameron, Angus</td><td class="left">Wis.</td><td class="left">Manderson, Charles F.</td><td class="left">Neb.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Cannon, Frank J.</td><td class="left">Utah.</td><td class="left">Mason, William E.</td><td class="left">Ills.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Carey, Joseph M.</td><td class="left">Wy.</td><td class="left">Matthews, Stanley</td><td class="left">Ohio</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Carpenter, Matthew H.</td><td class="left">Mich.</td><td class="left">McDonald, Joseph E.</td><td class="left">Ind.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Chace, Jonathan</td><td class="left">R. I.</td><td class="left">Mitchell, John H.</td><td class="left">Ore.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Chandler, Zach.</td><td class="left">Mich.</td><td class="left">Mitchell, John I.</td><td class="left">Penn.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Cheney, P. C.</td><td class="left">N. H.</td><td class="left">Morton, Oliver P.</td><td class="left">Ind.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Clark, Clarence D.</td><td class="left">Wy.</td><td class="left">Nye, James W.</td><td class="left">Neb.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Clark, William A.</td><td class="left">Mont.</td><td class="left">Paddock, Algernon S.</td><td class="left">Neb.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Conger, Omar D.</td><td class="left">Mich.</td><td class="left">Palmer, John M.</td><td class="left">Ills.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Conover, Simon B. (1874)</td><td class="left">Fla.</td><td class="left">Palmer, Thomas W.</td><td class="left">Mich.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Cullom, Shelby M.</td><td class="left">Ills.</td><td class="left">Patterson, John J. (1874)</td><td class="left">S. C.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Davis, Cushman K.</td><td class="left">Minn.</td><td class="left">Patterson, Thomas M.</td><td class="left">Col.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Dawes, Henry L.</td><td class="left">Mass.</td><td class="left">Peffer, William A.</td><td class="left">Kas.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Depew, Chauncey M.</td><td class="left">N. Y.</td><td class="left">Perkins, George C.</td><td class="left">Cal.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Dillingham, William P.</td><td class="left">Vt.</td><td class="left">Pettigrew, Richard F.</td><td class="left">S. D.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Dolliver, J. P.</td><td class="left">Iowa.</td><td class="left">Platt, Thomas C.</td><td class="left">N. Y.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Dolph, Joseph N.</td><td class="left">Ore.</td><td class="left">Plumb, P. B.</td><td class="left">Kas.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Dubois, Fred T.</td><td class="left">Ida.</td><td class="left">Pomeroy, S. C.</td><td class="left">Kas.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Farwell, Charles B.</td><td class="left">Ills.</td><td class="left">Pratt, Daniel D.</td><td class="left">Ind.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Ferry, Thomas W.</td><td class="left">Mich.</td><td class="left"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1077" id="Page_1077">[Pg 1077]</a></span>Quay, Matthew S.</td><td class="left">Penn.</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Revels, Hiram P.</td><td class="left">Miss.</td><td class="left">Summer, Charles</td><td class="left">Mass.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Roach, W. N.</td><td class="left">N. D.</td><td class="left">Teller, Henry M.</td><td class="left">Col.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Ross, Jonathan</td><td class="left">Vt.</td><td class="left">Tipton, Thomas W.</td><td class="left">Neb.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Sanders, Wilbur F.</td><td class="left">Mont.</td><td class="left">Wade, Benjamin F.</td><td class="left">Ohio.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Sargent, Aaron A.</td><td class="left">Cal.</td><td class="left">Warner, Willard (1869)</td><td class="left">Ala.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Minister to Germany.</td><td class="left"></td><td class="left">Warren, Francis E.</td><td class="left">Wy.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Sawyer, Philetus S.</td><td class="left">Wis.</td><td class="left">West, J. Rodman (1874)</td><td class="left">La.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Sherman, John</td><td class="left">Ohio.</td><td class="left">White, Stephen M.</td><td class="left">Cal.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Shoup, George L.</td><td class="left">Ida.</td><td class="left">Wilson, Henry</td><td class="left">Mass.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Sprague, William</td><td class="left">R. I.</td><td class="left">Wilson, James F.</td><td class="left">Iowa.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Stanford, Leland</td><td class="left">Cal.</td><td class="left">Windom, William</td><td class="left">Minn.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Stevens, Thaddeus</td><td class="left">Penn.</td><td class="left indent">Sec'y of the Treasury.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Stewart, William M.</td><td class="left">Nev.</td><td class="left">Yates, Richard, Sr.</td><td class="left">Ills.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class="center"> +<table class="smallprint" summary=""> +<tr><td class="center" colspan="4"><span class="smcap">Speakers of the House of Representatives.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Banks, Nathaniel P.</td><td class="left">Mass.</td><td class="left">Keifer, J. Warren</td><td class="left">Ohio.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Henderson, David B.</td><td class="left">Iowa.</td><td class="left">Reed, Thomas B.</td><td class="left">Me.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class="center"> +<table class="smallprint" summary=""> +<tr><td class="center" colspan="4"><span class="smcap">Representatives in Congress.</span><a name="FNanchor_500_500" id="FNanchor_500_500"></a><a href="#Footnote_500_500" class="fnanchor">[500]</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Allen, C. E.</td><td class="left">Utah.</td><td class="left">Fisher, Spencer O.</td><td class="left">Mich.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Baker, Charles S.</td><td class="left">N. Y.</td><td class="left">Fletcher, Lorin</td><td class="left">Minn.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Baker, William</td><td class="left">Kas.</td><td class="left">Giddings, Joshua R.</td><td class="left">Ohio.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Barrows, Samuel J.</td><td class="left">Mass.</td><td class="left">Glenn, Thomas L.</td><td class="left">Ida.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Belford, James B.</td><td class="left">Col.</td><td class="left">Greenleaf, Halbert S.</td><td class="left">N. Y.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Bell, John C.</td><td class="left">Col.</td><td class="left">Gunn, James</td><td class="left">Ida.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Blue, Richard W.</td><td class="left">Kas.</td><td class="left">Handy, L. G.</td><td class="left">Del.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Broderick, Case</td><td class="left">Kas.</td><td class="left">Haskins, Kittridge</td><td class="left">Vt.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Broomall, John M.</td><td class="left">Penn.</td><td class="left">Hepburn, W. P.</td><td class="left">Iowa.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Browne, Thomas M.</td><td class="left">Ind.</td><td class="left">Hitt, Robert R.</td><td class="left">Ills.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Butler, Benjamin F.</td><td class="left">Mass.</td><td class="left">Julian, George W.</td><td class="left">Ind.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Caine, John T.</td><td class="left">Utah.</td><td class="left">Kahn, Julius</td><td class="left">Cal.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Cannon, George Q.</td><td class="left">Utah.</td><td class="left">Kasson, John A.</td><td class="left">Iowa.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Caswell, Lucien B.</td><td class="left">Iowa.</td><td class="left indent">Minister to Germany</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Clapp, Moses E.</td><td class="left">Minn.</td><td class="left">Kelley, Harrison B.</td><td class="left">Kan.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Coffeen, Henry</td><td class="left">Wy.</td><td class="left">Kelley, William D.</td><td class="left">Penn.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Crump, Rousseau O.</td><td class="left">Mich.</td><td class="left">Kerr, Daniel</td><td class="left">Iowa.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Cumback, William</td><td class="left">Ind.</td><td class="left">King, William H.</td><td class="left">Utah.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Curtis, Charles</td><td class="left">Kas.</td><td class="left">Loring, George B.</td><td class="left">Mass.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Cutcheon, Byron M.</td><td class="left">Mich.</td><td class="left">Loughridge, William</td><td class="left">Iowa.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Davis, John</td><td class="left">Kas.</td><td class="left">Lucas, W. B.</td><td class="left">S. D.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Davis, Thomas</td><td class="left">R. I.</td><td class="left">Maguire, James G.</td><td class="left">Cal.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Dingley, Nelson</td><td class="left">Me.</td><td class="left">Martin, E. W.</td><td class="left">S. D.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Douglas, William H.</td><td class="left">N. Y.</td><td class="left">McCall, Samuel Walker</td><td class="left">Mass.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Featherstone, L. P.</td><td class="left">Ark.</td><td class="left">McCoid, Moses A.</td><td class="left">Iowa.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Fergusson, H. B.</td><td class="left">N. M.</td><td class="left"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1078" id="Page_1078">[Pg 1078]</a></span>Miers, Robert W.</td><td class="left">Ind.</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Milnes, Alfred</td><td class="left">Mich.</td><td class="left">Shafroth, John F.</td><td class="left">Col.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Mondell, Frank W.</td><td class="left">Wy.</td><td class="left">Simpson, Jerry</td><td class="left">Kas.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Morey, Henry L.</td><td class="left">Ohio.</td><td class="left">Smith, Henry C.</td><td class="left">Mich.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Morse, Elijah</td><td class="left">Mass.</td><td class="left">Smith, William Alden</td><td class="left">Mich.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Mott, Richard</td><td class="left">Ohio.</td><td class="left">Steele, George W.</td><td class="left">Ind.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Neville, William</td><td class="left">Neb.</td><td class="left">Struble, I. S.</td><td class="left">Iowa.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Northway, S. A.</td><td class="left">Ohio.</td><td class="left">Sulzer, William</td><td class="left">N. Y.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">O'Donnell, James</td><td class="left">Mich.</td><td class="left">Sutherland, George</td><td class="left">Utah.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Orth, Godlove S.</td><td class="left">Ind.</td><td class="left">Taylor, Ezra B.</td><td class="left">Ohio.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Payne, Sereno E.</td><td class="left">N. Y.</td><td class="left">Taylor, Robert W.</td><td class="left">Ohio.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Peelle, Stanton J.</td><td class="left">Ind.</td><td class="left">Tongue, Thomas H.</td><td class="left">Ore.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent" colspan="2">Judge of the U.S. Court of Claims.</td><td class="left">Topp, Robertson</td><td class="left">Tenn.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Peirce, R. B. F.</td><td class="left">Ind.</td><td class="left">Van Voorhis, John</td><td class="left">N. Y.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Pence, Lafayette</td><td class="left">Col.</td><td class="left">Walker, James A.</td><td class="left">Va.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Pickler, J. A.</td><td class="left">S. D.</td><td class="left">Walker, Joseph H.</td><td class="left">Mass.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Powers, Henry H.</td><td class="left">Vt.</td><td class="left">Weadock, Thomas A. E.</td><td class="left">Mich.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Ranney, A. A.</td><td class="left">Mass.</td><td class="left">White, John D.</td><td class="left">Ky.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Ray, George W.</td><td class="left">N. Y.</td><td class="left">Wilson, Edgar</td><td class="left">Ida.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Riddle, Albert G.</td><td class="left">Ohio.</td><td class="left">Woods, S. D.</td><td class="left">Cal.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class="center"> +<table class="smallprint" summary=""> +<tr><td class="center" colspan="4"><span class="smcap">Governors of States.</span> (Incomplete list.)</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Governor Adams,</td><td class="left">Col.</td><td class="left">Governor Hunt,</td><td class="left">Col..</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Altgeld,</td><td class="left">Ills.</td><td class="left"> " Hunt,</td><td class="left">Ida.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Ames,</td><td class="left">Mass.</td><td class="left"> " Jewell,</td><td class="left">Conn.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Andrews,</td><td class="left">Conn.</td><td class="left"> U.S. Postmaster General.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Barber,</td><td class="left">Wy.</td><td class="left"> " Jones,</td><td class="left">Nev.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Bates,</td><td class="left">Mass.</td><td class="left"> " Knapp,</td><td class="left">Alaska.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Begole,</td><td class="left">Mich.</td><td class="left"> " La Follette,</td><td class="left">Wis.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Bliss,</td><td class="left">Mich.</td><td class="left"> " Long,</td><td class="left">Mass.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Brackett,</td><td class="left">Mass.</td><td class="left"> Sec'y of the Navy.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Budd,</td><td class="left">Cal.</td><td class="left"> " Lord,</td><td class="left">Ore.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Burke,</td><td class="left">N. D.</td><td class="left"> " Luce,</td><td class="left">Mich.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Butler,</td><td class="left">Mass.</td><td class="left"> " McDonald,</td><td class="left">Ind.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Butler,</td><td class="left">Neb.</td><td class="left"> " McIntire,</td><td class="left">Col.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Campbell,</td><td class="left">Wy.</td><td class="left"> " Mellette,</td><td class="left">S. D.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Carpenter,</td><td class="left">Iowa.</td><td class="left"> " Morrill,</td><td class="left">Kas.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Chamberlain,</td><td class="left">Ore.</td><td class="left"> " Morton,</td><td class="left">Ind.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Claflin,</td><td class="left">Mass.</td><td class="left"> " Murphy,</td><td class="left">Ariz.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Clough,</td><td class="left">Minn.</td><td class="left"> " Newell,</td><td class="left">Wash.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Colcord,</td><td class="left">Nev.</td><td class="left"> " Odell,</td><td class="left">N. Y.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Davis,</td><td class="left">R. I.</td><td class="left"> " Osborn,</td><td class="left">Wy.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Fifer,</td><td class="left">Ills.</td><td class="left"> " Pattison,</td><td class="left">Penn.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Folger,</td><td class="left">N. Y.</td><td class="left"> " Pingree,</td><td class="left">Mich.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> Sec'y of the Treasury.</td><td class="left"> </td><td class="left"> " Porter,</td><td class="left">Ind.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Fuller,</td><td class="left">Vt.</td><td class="left"> " Rich,</td><td class="left">Mich.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Greenhalge,</td><td class="left">Mass.</td><td class="left"> " Richards,</td><td class="left">Wy.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Hale,</td><td class="left">Wy.</td><td class="left"> " Rickards,</td><td class="left">Mont.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Hoyt,</td><td class="left">Wy.</td><td class="left"> " Rogers,</td><td class="left">Wash.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Hughes,</td><td class="left">Ariz.</td><td class="left"> " Roosevelt,</td><td class="left">N. Y.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Humphrey,</td><td class="left">Kas.</td><td class="left"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1079" id="Page_1079">[Pg 1079]</a></span> " Routt,</td><td class="left">Col.</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Governor Sadler,</td><td class="left">Nev.</td><td class="left">Governor Thomas,</td><td class="left">Utah.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Saunders,</td><td class="left">Nev.</td><td class="left"> " Van Sant,</td><td class="left">Minn.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Savage,</td><td class="left">Nev.</td><td class="left"> " Voorhees,</td><td class="left">N. J.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Semple,</td><td class="left">Wash.</td><td class="left"> " Waite,</td><td class="left">Col.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Sprague,</td><td class="left">R. I.</td><td class="left"> " Warren,</td><td class="left">Wy.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Squire,</td><td class="left">Wash.</td><td class="left"> " Washburn,</td><td class="left">Mass.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Steunenberg,</td><td class="left">Ida.</td><td class="left"> " Wells,</td><td class="left">Utah.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " St. John,</td><td class="left">Kas.</td><td class="left"> " West,</td><td class="left">Utah.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Talbot,</td><td class="left">Mass.</td><td class="left"> " Winans,</td><td class="left">Mich.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Thayer,</td><td class="left">Wy.</td><td class="left"> " Yates, Sr.,</td><td class="left">Ills.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Thomas,</td><td class="left">Col.</td><td class="left"> " Young,</td><td class="left">Utah.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class="center"> +<table class="smallprint" summary=""> +<tr><td class="center" colspan="4"><span class="smcap">Presidents of Universities.</span> (Incomplete list.)</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Andrews, E. Benjamin</td><td class="left">Brown and Neb.</td><td class="left">Latimore, S. A.</td><td class="left">Acting President Rochester.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Aylesworth, Barton O.</td><td class="left">Pres. Col. Agr. Coll.</td><td class="left">Lyons, S. R.</td><td class="left">Monmouth (Ills.).</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Baker, James H.</td><td class="left">Colorado.</td><td class="left">MacLean, James</td><td class="left">Idaho.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Bascom, John</td><td class="left">Wisconsin.</td><td class="left">Marvin, James</td><td class="left">Kansas.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Bashford, J. W.</td><td class="left">Ohio Wesleyan.</td><td class="left">Northrop, Cyrus W.</td><td class="left">Minnesota.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Beardshear, Wm.</td><td class="left">Iowa Agr. College.</td><td class="left">Palmer, Alice Freeman</td><td class="left">Wellesley College.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Capen, Elmer F.</td><td class="left">Tuft's College.</td><td class="left">Park, John R.</td><td class="left">Utah.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Dickinson, Frances E.</td><td class="left">Harvey Medical (Chicago).</td><td class="left">Purnell, W. H.</td><td class="left">Delaware College.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Evans, J. G.</td><td class="left">Hedding (Ills.).</td><td class="left">Rogers, Henry Wade</td><td class="left">Northwestern.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Hale, Horace M.</td><td class="left">Colorado.</td><td class="left">Shafer, Helen A.</td><td class="left">Wellesley College.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Hawley, J. H.</td><td class="left">Willamette (Ore.).</td><td class="left">Sharpless, Isaac</td><td class="left">Haverford College.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Gates, George A.</td><td class="left">Iowa College.</td><td class="left">Slocum, W. F.</td><td class="left">Colorado College.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Gunnison, Almon</td><td class="left">St. Lawrence.</td><td class="left">Smiley, Elmer E.</td><td class="left">Wyoming.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Gunsaulus, Frank W.</td><td class="left">Armour Institute.</td><td class="left">Snow, F. H.</td><td class="left">Kansas.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Henderson, L. F.</td><td class="left">Idaho.</td><td class="left">Stephens, D. S.</td><td class="left">Kansas City.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Herrick, C. L.</td><td class="left">New Mexico.</td><td class="left">Sutliff, Phoebe I.</td><td class="left">Rockford (Ills.).</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Hill, Walter B.</td><td class="left">Georgia.</td><td class="left">Swain, Joseph</td><td class="left">Indiana and Swarthmore.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Hurst, John F.</td><td class="left">American University, D. C.</td><td class="left">Thomas, Martha Carey</td><td class="left">Bryn Mawr College.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Irvine, Julia J.</td><td class="left">Wellesley College.</td><td class="left">Thwing, Charles F.</td><td class="left">Western Reserve.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Jordan, David Starr</td><td class="left">Leland Stanford.</td><td class="left">Warren, William F.</td><td class="left">Boston.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Kellogg, Martin V.</td><td class="left">California.</td><td class="left">Washington, Booker T.</td><td class="left">Tuskeegee Institute.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Kingsbury, J. T.</td><td class="left">Utah.</td><td class="left">Wells, Daniel H.</td><td class="left">Utah.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Knox, Martin Van Buren</td><td class="left">Red River Valley, N. D.</td><td class="left">White, Andrew D.</td><td class="left">Cornell.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Whitney, Orson F.</td><td class="left">Utah. </td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class="center"> +<table class="smallprint" summary=""> +<tr><td class="center" colspan="4"><span class="smcap">Clergymen.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Archbishop Ireland</td><td class="left">Catholic.</td><td class="left"> Huntington, Fred'k D.</td><td class="left">Prot. Epis.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Bishop Bowman, Thomas</td><td class="left">Meth. Epis.</td><td class="left"> " Joyce, Isaac W.</td><td class="left">Meth. Epis.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Brooks, Phillips</td><td class="left">Prot. Epis.</td><td class="left"> " McQuaid of Rochester</td><td class="left">Catholic</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Hamilton, John Wm.</td><td class="left">Meth. Epis.</td><td class="left"> " Moore, David H.</td><td class="left">Meth. Epis.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Haven, Gilbert</td><td class="center">" </td><td class="left"> " Newman, John P.</td><td class="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Hurst, John F.</td><td class="center">"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1080" id="Page_1080">[Pg 1080]</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Bishop Potter, Henry C.</td><td class="left">Prot. Epis.</td><td class="left">Gregg, David</td><td class="left">Presb.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Sessums, Davis</td><td class="center">"</td><td class="left">Hall, Frank O.</td><td class="left">Univ.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Simpson, Matthew</td><td class="left">Meth. Epis.</td><td class="left">Hillis, Newell Dwight</td><td class="left">Cong'l.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Spalding of Peoria</td><td class="left">Catholic.</td><td class="left">Hinckley, Frederick A.</td><td class="left">Unit.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Turner, Henry McN.</td><td class="left">Meth. Epis.</td><td class="left">Jones, Jenkyn Lloyd</td><td class="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Walters, A.</td><td class="center">"</td><td class="left">Kent, Alexander</td><td class="left">Liberal.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Warren, Henry W.</td><td class="center">"</td><td class="left">King, Thomas Starr</td><td class="left">Unit.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Ames, Charles G.</td><td class="left">Unit.</td><td class="left">Longfellow, Samuel</td><td class="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Beecher, Henry Ward</td><td class="left">Cong'l.</td><td class="left">Lorimer, George C.</td><td class="left">Bapt.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Boardman, George W.</td><td class="left">Bapt.</td><td class="left">May, Samuel J.</td><td class="left">Unit.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Bristol, Frank M.</td><td class="left">Meth. Epis.</td><td class="left">McGlynn, Edward</td><td class="left">Cath.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Chadwick, John W.</td><td class="left">Unit.</td><td class="left">Mills, B. Fay</td><td class="left">Evang.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Channing, William Henry</td><td class="center">"</td><td class="left">Moody, Dwight L.</td><td class="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Cheever, George B.</td><td class="left">Cong'l.</td><td class="left">Newton, Heber</td><td class="left">Epis.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Clarke, James Freeman</td><td class="left">Unit.</td><td class="left">Parker, Theodore</td><td class="left">Unit.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Collyer, Robert</td><td class="left">Unit.</td><td class="left">Perin, George H.</td><td class="left">Univ.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Conway, Moncure D.</td><td class="center">"</td><td class="left">" Pierpont, John</td><td class="left">Unit.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Cook, Joseph</td><td class="left">Presb.</td><td class="left">Pullman, James M.</td><td class="left">Univ.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Dalton, W. J.</td><td class="left">Catholic</td><td class="left">Rainsford, M. S.</td><td class="left">Epis.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Duryea, Joseph T.</td><td class="left">Cong'l.</td><td class="left">Reed, Myron W.</td><td class="left">Liberal.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Eaton, Charles H.</td><td class="left">Univ.</td><td class="left">Savage, Minot J.</td><td class="left">Unit.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Eggleston, Edward (author)</td><td class="left">Meth. Epis.</td><td class="left">Scully, Thomas</td><td class="left">Cath.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Foss, Herbert</td><td class="center">"</td><td class="left">Shippen, Rush</td><td class="left">Unit.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Gannett, William C.</td><td class="left">Unit.</td><td class="left">Swing, David</td><td class="left">Liberal.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Gladden, Washington</td><td class="left">Cong'l.</td><td class="left">Thomas, Hiram W.</td><td class="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Gottheil, Rabbi Gustave.</td><td class="left"> </td><td class="left">Tyng, Stephen H.</td><td class="left">Epis.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class="center"> +<table class="smallprint" summary=""> +<tr><td class="center" colspan="4"><span class="smcap">Women Ministers.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Blackwell, Antoinette Brown</td><td class="center">Unit.</td><td class="left">Hultin, Ida C.</td><td class="center">Unit.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Booth, Maud Ballington</td><td align="center">Vols. of Am.</td><td class="left">Moore, Henrietta G.</td><td class="center">Univ.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Brown, Olympia</td><td class="center">Univ.</td><td class="left">Murdock, Marian</td><td class="center">Unit.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Buck, Florence</td><td class="center">Unit.</td><td class="left">Safford, Mary J.</td><td class="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Chapin, Augusta, D. D.</td><td class="center">Univ.</td><td class="left">Shaw, Anna Howard</td><td class="center">Prot. Meth.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Crane, Caroline Bartlett</td><td class="center">Unit.</td><td class="left">Spencer, Anna Garlin</td><td class="center">Liberal.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Crooker, Florence Kollock</td><td class="center">Univ.</td><td class="left">Tucker, Emma Booth</td><td class="center">Salv. Army.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Deyo, Amanda</td><td class="center">"</td><td class="left">Whitney, Mary Traffern</td><td class="center">Unit.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Eastman, Annis F.</td><td class="center">Cong'l.</td><td class="left">Wilkes, Eliza Tupper</td><td class="center">"</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Hanaford, Phebe A.</td><td class="center">Univ.</td><td class="left">Woolley, Celia P.</td><td class="center">"</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class="center"> +<table class="smallprint" summary=""> +<tr><td class="center" colspan="4"><span class="smcap">English Clergymen.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Archbishop of Canterbury</td><td align="center">1901.</td><td class="left">Archbishop Cardinal Vaughn</td><td align="center">Cath.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " " York</td><td align="center">"</td><td class="left">Archbishop Moran of Australia</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Archdeacon of Manchester.</td><td align="center"> </td><td class="left">Archbishop Nozaleda of the</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Bishop of Edinburgh</td><td align="center">1895.</td><td class="left indent">Philippines</td><td align="center">Cath.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " " Exeter</td><td align="center">"</td><td class="left">Hugh Price Hughes.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " " Hereford</td><td align="center">"</td><td class="left">James Martineau, D. D.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " " London</td><td align="center">"</td><td class="left" colspan="2">Most Rev. Gordon Cowie, Bishop of</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " " Southwell</td><td align="center">"</td><td class="left indent" colspan="2">Auckland and Primate of New Zealand.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left" colspan="2">Canon Charles Kingsley of Westmin'r.</td><td class="left">Newman Hall, LL. B., D. D.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> " Wilberforce</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1081" id="Page_1081">[Pg 1081]</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"> +<table class="smallprint" summary=""> +<tr><td class="center" colspan="2"><span class="sc">American Men.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Alcott, A. Bronson.</td><td class="left">Howe, Dr. Samuel G.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Atkinson, Edward.</td><td class="left">Howells, William Dean.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Bidwell, Gen. John.</td><td class="left">Hurd, Judge Harvey B.,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Bigelow, John,</td><td class="left indent">Dean Northwestern Univ. Law Col.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Minister to France.</td><td class="left">Husted, James W.,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Birney, James G.</td><td class="left indent">Speaker of New York Legislature.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Blackwell, Henry B.</td><td class="left">Hutchinson, John.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Booth, Judge Henry,</td><td class="left">Ingersoll, Robert G.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Dean Union Col. of Law, Chicago.</td><td class="left">Jackson, Francis.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Bowles, Samuel.</td><td class="left">Jackson, James C.,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Bradwell, Judge James B.</td><td class="left indent">Dansville Sanitorium.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Brooks, John Graham,</td><td class="left">Johnson, Thomas L.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Pres. National Consumers' League.</td><td class="left">Jones, Samuel M.,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Bryant, William Cullen.</td><td class="left indent">Mayor of Toledo, O.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Burdette, Robert J.</td><td class="left">Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Cable, George W.</td><td class="left">McCulloch, Hugh,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Childs, George W.</td><td class="left indent">Secretary of the Treasury.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Clark, Francis E.,</td><td class="left">Miles, Nelson A.,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Pres. National Christian Endeavor.</td><td class="left indent">Lieutenant-General U. S. A.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Clemens, Samuel R. (Mark Twain).</td><td class="left">Morton, J. Sterling,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Curtis, George William.</td><td class="left indent">Secretary of Agriculture.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Debs, Eugene V.</td><td class="left">Nye, Edgar Wilson (Bill).</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Dole, Sanford B.,</td><td class="left">Owen, Robert Dale.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Governor of Hawaii.</td><td class="left">Phillips, Wendell.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Donnelly, Ignatius.</td><td class="left">Pillsbury, Parker.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Douglass, Frederick.</td><td class="left">Powderly, Terence V.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Dow, Neal.</td><td class="left">Purvis, Robert.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Emerson, Ralph Waldo</td><td class="left">Quincy, Josiah.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Field, Eugene.</td><td class="left">Ridpath, John Clark.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Fields, James T.</td><td class="left">Rogers, Nathaniel P.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Fisk, Clinton B.</td><td class="left">Sage, Russell.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Ford, Paul Leicester.</td><td class="left">Sargent, Frank P.,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Forney, John W.</td><td class="left indent">Com'r of Immigration.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Foss, Sam Walter.</td><td class="left">Saxton, Gen. Rufus.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Foulke, William Dudley.</td><td class="left">Smith, Gerrit.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Garrison, William Lloyd, Sr. and Jr.</td><td class="left">Tilton, Theodore.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Gompers, Samuel.</td><td class="left">Tourgeé, Albion W.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Griggs, Edward Howard.</td><td class="left">Tyler, Moses Coit.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Hale, Gen. Irving.</td><td class="left">Ward, Lester F.,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Harris, William T.,</td><td class="left indent">Smithsonian Institute.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">U. S. Commissioner of Education.</td><td class="left">Washington, Booker T.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Hattan, Frank,</td><td class="left">Whittier, John G.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">U. S. Postmaster-General.</td><td class="left">Woolley, John G.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Higginson, Thomas Wentworth.</td><td class="left">Wright, Carroll D.,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Hooker, John.</td><td class="left indent">Pres. U. S. Labor Commission.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1082" id="Page_1082">[Pg 1082]</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"> +<table class="smallprint" summary=""> +<tr><td class="center" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">American Women.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Addams, Jane,</td><td class="left">Dickinson, Anna E.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Hull House, Chicago.</td><td class="left">Dickinson, Mary Lowe,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Alcott, Louisa M.</td><td class="left indent">Hon. Pres. Nat. Council of Women.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Alden, Cynthia Westover,</td><td class="left">Diggs, Annie L.,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Pres. Int'l Sunshine Society.</td><td class="left indent">State Librarian, Kansas.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Anthony, Susan B.</td><td class="left">Edson, Susan A.,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Avery, Rachel Foster,</td><td class="left indent">Physician to Garfield.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Sec'y Nat'l Suff. Ass'n, 21 years.</td><td class="left">Fairbanks, Cornelia C.,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Barrows, Isabel C.</td><td class="left indent">Pres. Gen. Daughters Am. Rev.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Barry (Lake), Leonora M.,</td><td class="left">Field, Kate.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Grand Organizer Knights of Labor.</td><td class="left">Field, Martha R. (Catherine Cole),</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Barton, Clara,</td><td class="left indent">Ex-Pres. Wom. Int'l Press Ass'n.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Pres. American Red Cross Ass'n.</td><td class="left">Fletcher, Alice,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Blackwell, Alice Stone,</td><td class="left indent">Special Indian Agent (Harv. Univ.)</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Editor of <i>The Woman's Journal</i>.</td><td class="left">Foster, J. Ellen,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Blackwell, Dr. Elizabeth,</td><td class="left indent">Pres. Nat'l Wom. Rep. Ass'n.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Blackwell, Dr. Emily,</td><td class="left">Gage, Matilda Joslyn.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Founders of Woman's Medical College</td><td class="left">Gardiner, Helen H.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">of New York Infirmary.</td><td class="left">Garrett, Mary E.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Blake, Lillie Devereux,</td><td class="left">Gibbons, Abby Hopper,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Pres. Nat'l Legislative League.</td><td class="left indent">Pres. Woman's Prison Ass'n.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Booth, Mary L.,</td><td class="left">Gougar, Helen M.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Editor of <i>Harper's Bazar</i>.</td><td class="left">Grannis, Elizabeth B.,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Bradwell, Myra,</td><td class="left indent">Pres. Nat'l Social Purity League.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Founder and editor of <i>Legal News</i>.</td><td class="left">Guiney, Louise Imogen.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Byrd, Mary E.,</td><td class="left">Hall, Florence Howe.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Director Smith Coll. Observatory.</td><td class="left">Harbert, Elizabeth Boynton.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Campbell, Helen.</td><td class="left">Haskell, Ella Knowles,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Carr, Mary L.,</td><td class="left indent">Ass't Att'y-Gen. of Montana.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Ex-President W. R. C.</td><td class="left">Helmuth, Mrs. William Tod,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Cary, Alice.</td><td class="left indent">Pres. Nat'l Council of Women.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Cary, Phoebe.</td><td class="left">Henrotin, Ellen M.,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Catt, Carrie Chapman,</td><td class="left indent">Ex-Pres. Gen. Fed. of Clubs.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Pres. Nat'l Wom. Suff. Ass'n.</td><td class="left">Holley, Marietta,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Child, Lydia Maria.</td><td class="left indent">(Josiah Allen's Wife).</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Clay, Laura,</td><td class="left">Hollister, Lillian M.,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Aud. Nat'l Wom. Suff. Ass'n.</td><td class="left indent">Sup. Com. Ladies of Maccabees.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Clemmer, Mary.</td><td class="left">Hooker, Isabella Beecher.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Colby, Clara B.,</td><td class="left">Hosmer, Harriet.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Editor of <i>The Woman's Tribune</i>.</td><td class="left">Howe, Julia Ward.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Cooper, Sarah B.,</td><td class="left">Jacobi, Dr. Mary Putnam.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Pres. Golden Gate Kinder. Ass'n.</td><td class="left">Kelley, Florence,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Crowe, Martha Foote,</td><td class="left indent">Ex-Chief State Factory Insp., Ills.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Dean Northwestern University.</td><td class="left">Krout, Mary H.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Decker, Sarah Platt.</td><td class="left">Leslie, Mrs. Frank.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Demorest, Mme. Louise,</td><td class="left">Lippincott, Sarah J.,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Editor <i>Demorest's Magazine</i>.</td><td class="left indent">(Grace Greenwood).</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Diaz, Abby Morton.</td><td class="left">Livermore, Mary A.</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1083" id="Page_1083">[Pg 1083]</a></span>Lockwood, Mary S.,</td><td class="left">Solomon, Hannah G.,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Editor <i>Am. Mag.</i> (D. A. R.).</td><td class="left indent">Pres. Nat'l Council of Jewish Wom.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Logan, Olive.</td><td class="left">Southworth, Mrs. E. D. E. N.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Lowell, Josephine Shaw,</td><td class="left">Spofford, Harriet Prescott.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Pres. Wom. Munic. L., New York.</td><td class="left">Stanford, Jane Lathrop (Leland).</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Lozier, Dr. Clemence,</td><td class="left">Stanton, Elizabeth Cady.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Founder Woman's Homeopathic</td><td class="left">Stetson, Charlotte Perkins.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">College, New York.</td><td class="left">Stevens, Lillian M. N.,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Marshall, Dr. Clara,</td><td class="left indent">Pres. National W. C. T. U.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Dean Wom. Med. Coll., Phila.</td><td class="left">Stevenson, Dr. Sarah Hackett.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">McCulloch, Catharine Waugh.</td><td class="left">Stockham, Dr. Alice B.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">McGee, Dr. Anita Newcomb,</td><td class="left">Stone, Lucinda Hinsdale.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Ass't Surgeon U. S. A. in</td><td class="left">Stone, Lucy.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Spanish-American War.</td><td class="left">Stowe, Harriet Beecher.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Miller, Flo Jamison,</td><td class="left">Taylor, Elmina Shepard,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Ex-Pres. Woman's Relief Corps.</td><td class="left indent">Pres. Young Woman's Nat'l</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Mitchell, Maria.</td><td class="left indent">Improvement Ass'n.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Mussey, Ellen Spencer,</td><td class="left">Terrill, Mary Church,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Dean Woman's Law College,</td><td class="left indent">Pres. Nat'l Ass'n of Col. Wom.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Washington, D. C.</td><td class="left">Upton, Harriet Taylor,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Nathan, Mrs. Frederick,</td><td class="left indent">Treas. Nat'l Wom. Suff. Ass'n.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Pres. N. Y. Consumers' League.</td><td class="left">Wallace, Mrs. Lew.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Palmer, Bertha Honoré,</td><td class="left">Wallace, Zerelda G.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Pres. Board Lady Managers,</td><td class="left">Ward, Elizabeth Stuart Phelps.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">World's Fair.</td><td class="left">Wells, Emmeline B.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Parton, Mrs. James (Fanny Fern).</td><td class="left">Wells, Ida B.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Patton, Abby Hutchinson.</td><td class="left">White, Sallie Joy,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Paul, A. Emmagene,</td><td class="left indent">Ex.-Pres. N. E. Wom. Press Ass'n.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Sup't of Street Cleaning Dep't,</td><td class="left">Whiting, Lilian.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">1st Ward, Chicago.</td><td class="left">Whitney, Anne, Sculptor.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Peabody, Elizabeth,</td><td class="left">Willard, Frances E.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Educator and philanthropist.</td><td class="left">Willing, Jennie Fowler.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Preston, Dr. Ann,</td><td class="left">Winslow, Dr. Caroline B.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Dean of Med. Coll. and founder of</td><td class="left">Winslow, Helen M.,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Wom. Hosp., Philadelphia.</td><td class="left indent">Editor of <i>Club Woman</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Sewall, May Wright,</td><td class="left">Young, Zina D. H.,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Pres. Int'l Council of Women.</td><td class="left indent">Pres. Nat'l Woman's Relief Ass'n.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Seymour, Mary F.,</td><td class="left">Zakrzewska, Dr. Marie E.,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Ed. of <i>Business Woman's Journal</i>.</td><td class="left indent">Founder New Eng. Hospital for</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Smith, Dr. Julia Holmes,</td><td class="left indent">Women and Children.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Dean Nat'l Med. Coll., Chicago.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class="center"> +<table class="smallprint" summary=""> +<tr><td class="center" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">Great Britain.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Aberdeen, Countess of,</td><td class="left">Balfour, A. J.,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Vice-President-at-Large</td><td class="left indent">Prime Minister.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">International Council of Women.</td><td class="left">Balfour, Lady Frances.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Aberdeen, Earl of,</td><td class="left">Battersea, Lady.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Gov.-Gen. of Canada.</td><td class="left">Becker, Lydia,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Anderson, Mrs. Garrett, M. D.</td><td class="left indent">Editor <i>Women's Suffrage Journal</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1084" id="Page_1084">[Pg 1084]</a></span>Begg, Faithfull, M. P.</td><td class="left">Harberton, Lady.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Benson (Archbishop of Canterbury),</td><td class="left">Haslem, Anna Maria. (Ireland.)</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Mrs.</td><td class="left">Huxley, Thomas H.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Besant, Annie.</td><td class="left">Lucas, Margaret Bright.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Besant, Walter.</td><td class="left">Martineau, Harriet.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Biggs, Caroline Ashurst,</td><td class="left">McLaren, Duncan, M. P.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Blackburn, Helen,</td><td class="left">McLaren, Mrs. Priscilla Bright.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Editors <i>Englishwoman's Review</i>.</td><td class="left">Mill, John Stuart, Mr. and Mrs.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Blake, Dr. Sophia Jex.</td><td class="left">Nightingale, Florence.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Blatch, Harriet Stanton.</td><td class="left">Proctor, Adelaide A.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Bright, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob.</td><td class="left">Ritchie, Anne Thackeray.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Browning, Elizabeth Barrett.</td><td class="left">Rollitt, Sir Albert, Earl of Selborne.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Butler, Josephine E.,</td><td class="left">Salisbury, Marquis of.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Pres. Social Purity League.</td><td class="left indent">Prime Minister.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Carlisle, Lady,</td><td class="left">Selborne, Earl of.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Pres. Woman's Liberal Federation.</td><td class="left">Sidgwick, Mrs. Henry,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Chant, Laura Ormiston.</td><td class="left indent">Princ. of Newnham.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Cobbe, Frances Power.</td><td class="left">Somerset, Lady Henry,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Cobden, Richard.</td><td class="left indent">Pres. World's W. C. T. U.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Coleridge, Lord Chief Justice.</td><td class="left">Somerville, Mary, Astronomer.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Courtney, Leonard H., M. P.</td><td class="left">Stead, Wm. T.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Crawford, Emily.</td><td class="left">Tallon, Daniel.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Davies, Emily, Mistress of Girton.</td><td class="left indent">Lord Mayor of Dublin.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">D'Israeli, Benjamin,</td><td class="left">Taylor, Peter A., M. P., and Mrs.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Prime Minister.</td><td class="left">Thomson (Archbish. of York), Mrs.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Edwards, Amelia B.</td><td class="left">Todd, Isabella M. S. (Ireland).</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Fawcett, Henry,</td><td class="left">Unwin, Jane Cobden.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">M. P. and Postmaster-General.</td><td class="left">Wigham, Eliza.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Fawcett, Mrs. Millicent Garrett,</td><td class="left">Wollstonecraft, Mary,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left indent">Pres. Wom. Suff. Ass'n Great Brit.</td><td class="left indent">Author of Rights of Woman (1792).</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Fry, Elizabeth.</td><td class="left">Woodall, William, M. P.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Glenesk, Lord.</td><td class="left">Wyndham, Hon. George.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Grey, Sir George, K. C. B.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class="center"> +<table class="smallprint" summary=""> +<tr><td class="center" colspan="2"><span class="sc">France.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Dumas, Alexandre (fils).</td><td class="left">Hugo, Victor.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class="center"> +<table class="smallprint" summary=""> +<tr><td class="center" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">Australia.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Barton, Edmund, Premier.</td><td class="left">Parkes, Sir Henry,</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Cockburn, Sir John, K. C. W. G.,</td><td class="left indent">Premier N. S. W.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Kingston, Hon. C. C., Premier S. Aus</td><td class="left">Reid, Sir G. H., Premier N. S. W.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Lyne, Sir William, Premier N. S. W.</td><td class="left">Turner, Sir George, Premier Victoria.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Onslow, Lady.</td><td class="left">Windeyer, Lady.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class="center"> +<table class="smallprint" summary=""> +<tr><td class="center" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">New Zealand.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Hall, Sir John.</td><td class="left">Stout, Sir Robert, Premier.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Seddon, H. J., Premier.</td><td class="left">Vogel, Sir Julius, Colonial Treas.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1085" id="Page_1085">[Pg 1085]</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"> +<table class="smallprint" summary=""> +<tr><td class="center" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">Canada.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left">Hall, Sir John, M. P.</td><td class="left">MacDonald, Sir John, Premier.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class="center"> +<table class="smallprint" summary=""> +<tr><td class="center"><span class="smcap">South Africa.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td class="center">Schreiner, Olive.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<h3><a name="APPENDIX-TESTIMONY" id="APPENDIX-TESTIMONY"></a>TESTIMONY FROM WOMAN SUFFRAGE STATES.<a name="FNanchor_501_501" id="FNanchor_501_501"></a><a href="#Footnote_501_501" class="fnanchor">[501]</a></h3> + +<p>No attempt is made to give here the mass of testimony which is easily +available from the States where women vote, but only enough is +presented to show its nature and the character of those who offer it. +In the four States where women have exercised the full franchise for +from six to thirty-three years, not half a dozen reputable persons +have said over their own names that any of the evils which were so +freely predicted have come to pass or that its effect upon men, women +or the community has been other than good. The small amount of +criticism which has been openly made has been anonymous or from those +whose word was entitled to no weight. There is not another public +question on which the testimony is so uniformly one-sided, and similar +evidence on any other would be accepted as sufficiently conclusive to +demand a unanimous verdict in its favor.</p> + +<p>In 1901 Amos R. Wells, editor of the <i>Christian Endeavor World</i>, wrote +to twenty-five ministers of several different denominations, choosing +their names at random among his subscribers in the equal suffrage +States, and asking them whether equal suffrage was working well, +fairly well or badly. One answered that it worked badly, three that it +worked fairly well, and the twenty-one others were all positive and +explicit in saying that it worked well. One point upon which they laid +stress was the increased intelligence and breadth of mind of the +women, and the good influence of this upon their children. Mr. Wells +said in summing up: "Woman suffrage makes elections more expensive, +but it is a grand school for the mothers of the republic."</p> + + +<h4><span class="smcap">Colorado.</span></h4> + +<p>In 1898, in answer to the continued misrepresentations of the Eastern +press, the friends of woman suffrage issued the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We, citizens of the State of Colorado, desire, as lovers of truth +and justice, to give our testimony to the value of equal +suffrage. We believe that the greatest good of the home, the +State and the nation is advanced through the operation of equal +suffrage. The evils predicted have not come to pass. The benefits +claimed for it have been secured, or are in progress of +development. A very large proportion of Colorado women have +conscientiously accepted their responsibility as citizens. In +1894 more than half the total vote for Governor was cast by +women. Between 85 and 90 per cent. of the women of the State +voted at that time. The exact vote of the last election has not +yet been estimated, but there is reason to believe that the +proportional vote of women was as large as in previous years. The +vote of good women, like that of good men, is involved in the +evils resulting from the abuse of our present political system; +but the vote of women is noticeably more conscientious than that +of men, and will be an important factor in bringing about a +better order.</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1086" id="Page_1086">[Pg 1086]</a></span></p> + +<p>This was signed by the governor, three ex-governors, both senators, +both members of Congress and ex-senators, the chief justice and two +associate justices of the supreme court, three judges of the court of +appeals, four judges of the district court, the secretary of State, +the State treasurer, State auditor, attorney-general, the mayor of +Denver, the president of the State University, the president of +Colorado College, the representative of the General Federation of +Women's Clubs, the vice-regent of the Mount Vernon Association, and +the presidents of thirteen women's clubs.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>I am confident that recognition of woman suffrage in the constitution +of proposed States will not in any way hinder, delay or endanger their +admission. That question is one belonging to the State and not to the +general government, and the opponents of woman suffrage will not, I am +sure, deny to the new States the right to settle that question for +themselves.</p> + +<p class="author"> +<span class="smcap">Henry M. Teller</span> (Rep.), <i>U. S. Senator</i>. (1889.) +</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>Instead of rough or vicious men, or even drunken men, treating women +with disrespect, the presence of a single good woman at the polls +seems to make the whole crowd of men as respectful and quiet as at the +theater or church. For the credit of American men be it said that the +presence of one woman or girl at the polls, the wife or daughter of +the humblest mechanic, has as good an effect on the crowd as the +presence of the grandest dame or the most fashionable belle. The +American woman is clearly as much of a queen at the polls, in her own +bearing and the deference paid her, as in the drawing-room or at the +opera. I feel more pride than ever in American manhood and American +womanhood since seeing these gatherings on Tuesday, where men and +women of all classes and conditions met in their own neighborhood to +perform with duty and dignity the selection of their own rulers, and +to give their approval to the principles to guide such officials when +chosen. No woman was less in dignity and sweetness of womanhood after +such participation in public duties, and I do not believe there is a +man of sensibility in Colorado to-day who does not love his wife, +daughter, sister or mother the more for the womanly and gracious +manner in which she helped so loyally and intelligently in this +election.</p> + +<p>Indeed, Colorado in this election has left very little of good +argument for its sincere opponents to urge against suffrage. So nearly +all of everything having any good sense in it has been disproved here, +that the opposition is left with very few weapons in its armory, and +all of them weak.</p> + +<p class="author"> +<span class="smcap">James S. Clarkson</span> (Rep.),<br /> +<i>U. S. Ass't P. M. General</i>. (1894.)</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>When the question was submitted in Colorado, I supported and voted for +the proposition as a matter of abstract right; as every fair man must +admit, when the question comes to him, that a woman has the same right +of suffrage as a man. In advocating suffrage you need no platform but +right and justice; those who will not accept it upon that ground would +not be persuaded though one rose from the dead. I will add, however, +that even the most virulent enemy of woman suffrage can not prove that +any harm has come from the experiment. The test in Colorado is still +too new to expect<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1087" id="Page_1087">[Pg 1087]</a></span> a unanimous verdict, yet all fair-minded observers +are justified in predicting a higher standard of morals and of +political life as a result of woman suffrage.</p> + +<p class="author"> +<span class="smcap">Alva Adams</span> (Dem.), <i>Governor</i>. (1898.) +</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>I supported the cause of woman suffrage, not because I thought it +would work the political regeneration of the country, but because I +believed it was a woman's due to vote, if she desired to do so. I have +also said, and I reiterate, that the enfranchisement of Colorado women +has in many ways benefited the State, that it was a decided advance, +and that I trusted that other States, in emulation of our example, +would soon give the right to women throughout the land.</p> + +<p class="author"> +<span class="smcap">Charles S. Thomas</span> (Dem.), <i>Governor</i>. (1899.) +</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>There is not a political party in the State that will ever dare to +insert in its platform an anti-suffrage plank; for it must not be +forgotten that upon this question the voting power of the women would +equal that of the men. It is no more likely that the women of Colorado +will ever be disfranchised than that the men will be.</p> + +<p class="author"> +<span class="smcap">Horace M. Hale</span>, <i>former President State University</i>. (1901.) +</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>Few are so unjust or bold as to argue seriously against the abstract +right of women to vote; and experience in Colorado and other Western +States has done much to dispel the various theoretical and sentimental +objections that have been raised against the extension of this +manifest right.</p> + +<p>The largest majorities for woman suffrage were given in the most +intelligent cities, and in the best precincts of each city, while the +heavy majorities against it were in the precincts controlled by the +debased and lawless classes, and the lowest grade of machine +politicians, who rely on herding the depraved vote—showing that these +elements dreaded the effect of woman suffrage, and realized the +falsity of the argument that it would increase the immoral and +controllable vote.</p> + +<p>So far as I have been able to judge by observation of elections and +analysis of returns, more women vote in the better districts than in +the slums, and the proportion of intelligent and refined voters to the +ignorant and depraved is larger among women than among men. The +average result, therefore, has been beneficial.</p> + +<p>No true, refined woman is any less womanly for studying questions of +public interest and expressing her opinions thereon by means of the +ballot.... The general effect has been decidedly beneficial. +Especially does it act as a governor on the political machines of all +parties to regulate the character of nominees and platforms.</p> + +<p>Woman suffrage is accepted as an established fact, and is very little +discussed. I certainly have no reason to think that the general +sentiment in its favor has decreased, or that the measure would fail +to pass with as large or a larger majority than before, if again +submitted to the vote of either the men or women of the State. I have +no hesitation whatever in stating as my own positive conviction that +woman suffrage is both right and beneficial, and that it should not +and never will be repealed in Colorado.</p> + +<p class="author"> +<span class="smcap">Irving Hale</span> (of Col.), <i>General in the Army of the Philippines</i>. +(1902.)</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1088" id="Page_1088">[Pg 1088]</a></span></p> + +<p>It is said that equal suffrage would make family discord. In Colorado +our divorce laws are rather easy, though stricter than in the +neighboring States, but since 1893, when suffrage was granted, I have +never heard of a case where political differences were alleged as a +cause for divorce or as the provoking cause of family discord. Equal +suffrage, in my judgment, broadens the minds of both men and women. It +has certainly given us in Colorado candidates of better character and +a higher class of officials. It is very true that husband and wife +frequently vote alike—as the magnet draws the needle they go to the +polls together. But women are not coerced. If a man were known to +coerce his wife's vote I believe he would be ridden out of town on a +rail with a coat of tar and feathers. Women's legal rights have been +improved in Colorado since they obtained the ballot, and there are now +no civil distinctions. Equal suffrage tends to make political affairs +better, purer and more desirable for all who take part in them.</p> + +<p class="author"> +<span class="smcap">Thomas M. Patterson</span> (Dem.), <i>U. S. Senator</i>. (1902.) +</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + + +<h4><span class="smcap">Idaho.</span></h4> + +<p>It gives me pleasure to say briefly that the extension of the +franchise to the women of Idaho has positively purified its politics. +It has compelled not only State conventions, but, more particularly, +county conventions, of both parties, to select the cleanest and best +material for public office. Many conventions have turned down their +strongest local politicians for the simple reason that their moral +habits were such that the women would unite against them, regardless +of politics. It has also taken politics out of the saloon to a great +extent, and has elevated local politics especially to a higher plane. +Every woman is interested in good government, in good officers, in the +utmost economy of administration, and a low rate of taxation.</p> + +<p class="author"> +<span class="smcap">Frank W. Hunt</span> (Dem.), <i>Governor</i>. (1900.) +</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>Woman suffrage has been in operation in Idaho for over four years and +there have been no alarming or disastrous results. I think most people +in the State, looking over the past objections to the extension of the +right of suffrage, are now somewhat surprised that any were ever made. +As to advantages—it is, as in all matters of this kind, difficult to +measure them exactly, because the benefit is largely indirect. I +think, however, that it has exercised a good and considerable +influence over conventions, resulting in the nomination of better men +for office, and that it has been of considerable weight in securing +the enactment of good laws.</p> + +<p class="author"> +<span class="smcap">S. H. Hays</span> (Fus.), <i>Ex-Attorney-General</i>. (1901.) +</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>The adoption of equal suffrage has resulted in much good in Idaho. The +system is working well, and the best result therefrom is the selection +for public positions, State, county and municipal. Our politics in the +past has been manipulated by political adventurers, more or less, +without regard to the best interests of the people, but principally in +the interests of a small coterie of politicians of the different +parties, who have depended upon the public treasury for subsistence. +The participation of our women in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1089" id="Page_1089">[Pg 1089]</a></span> the conventions of our various +political parties and in elections has a tendency to relegate the +professional politicians, at least the worst element, and bring forth +in their stead a better class of people. This tendency is of vast +importance to the State. It compels leaders of political parties to be +more careful in the selection of candidates for different offices of +trust and profit.</p> + +<p class="author"> +<span class="smcap">Ralph P. Quarles</span>, <i>Justice of the Supreme Court</i>. +(1902.)</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p>The Chief Justice and all the Judges of the Supreme Court have +published a statement saying in part: "Woman suffrage in this State is +a success; none of the evils predicted have come to pass, and it has +gained much in popularity since its adoption by our people."</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + + +<h4><span class="smcap">Utah.</span></h4> + +<p>The lawmakers seem to be afraid of enfranchising women because of the +deteriorating effect which politics might have on womankind. If this +be true let the experience of Utah speak. For six years women in this +State have had the right to vote and hold office. Have the wheels of +progress stopped? Instead we have bounded forward with seven-league +boots. Have the fears and predictions of the local opponents of woman +suffrage been verified? Have women degenerated into low politicians, +neglecting their homes and stifling the noblest emotions of womanhood? +On the contrary women are respected quite as much as they were before +Statehood; loved as rapturously as ever, and are led to the altar with +the same beatific strains of music and the same unspeakable joy that +invested ceremonials before their enfranchisement.</p> + +<p>The plain facts are that in this State the influence of woman in +politics has been distinctly elevating. In the primary, in the +convention and at the polls her very presence inspires respect for law +and order. Few men are so base that they will not be gentlemen in the +presence of ladies. Experience has shown that women have voted their +intelligent convictions. They understand the questions at issue and +they vote conscientiously and fearlessly. While we do not claim to +have the purest politics in the world in Utah, it will be readily +conceded that the woman-vote is a terror to evildoers, and our course +is, therefore, upward and onward.</p> + +<p>One of the bugaboos of the opposition was that women would be +compelled to sit on juries. Not a single instance of the kind has +happened in the State, for the reason that women are never summoned; +the law simply exempts them, but does not exclude them. Another +favorite idiocy of the anti-suffragists is that if the women vote they +ought to be compelled to fight. In the same manner the law exempts +them from military service.</p> + +<p>For one I am proud of Utah's record in dealing with her female +citizens. I take the same pride in it that a good husband would who +had treated his wife well, and I look forward with eager hope to the +day when woman suffrage shall become universal.</p> + +<p class="author"> +<span class="smcap">Heber M. Wells</span> (Rep.), <i>Governor</i>. (1902.)</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1090" id="Page_1090">[Pg 1090]</a></span></p> + +<p>There is literally no end to the favorable testimony from Utah, given +by Mormons and Gentiles alike.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + + +<h4><span class="smcap">Wyoming.</span></h4> + +<p>Gov. John A. Campbell was in office when the woman suffrage law was +passed. In 1871 he said in his message to the Territorial Legislature:</p> + +<blockquote><p>There is upon our statute book "an Act granting to the women of +Wyoming Territory the right of suffrage," which has now been in +force two years. It is simple justice to say that the women +entering, for the first time in the history of the country, upon +these new and untried duties, have conducted themselves in every +respect with as much tact, sound judgment, and good sense, as +men.</p></blockquote> + +<p>In 1873 he said: "Two years more of observation of the practical +working of the system have only served to deepen my conviction that +what we, in this Territory, have done, has been well done; and that +our system of impartial suffrage is an unqualified success."</p> + +<p>Governor Thayer, who succeeded Campbell, said in his message:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Woman suffrage has now been in practical operation in our +Territory for six years, and has, during the time, increased in +popularity and in the confidence of the people. In my judgment +the results have been beneficial, and its influence favorable to +the best interests of the community.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Governor Hoyt, who succeeded Thayer, said in 1882:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Under woman suffrage we have better laws, better officers, better +institutions, better morals, and a higher social condition in +general, than could otherwise exist. Not one of the predicted +evils, such as loss of native delicacy and disturbance of home +relations, has followed in its train.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Later he said in a public address: "The great body of our women, and +the best of them, have accepted the elective franchise as a precious +boon and exercise it as a patriotic duty—in a word, after many years +of happy experience, woman suffrage is so thoroughly rooted and +established in the minds and hearts of the people that, among them +all, no voice is ever uplifted in protest against or in question of +it."</p> + +<p>Governor Hale, who was next in this office, expressed himself +repeatedly to the same effect.</p> + +<p>Governor Warren, who succeeded Hale, said in a letter to Horace G. +Wadlin, Esq., of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, in 1885:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Our women consider much more carefully than our men the character +of candidates, and both political parties have found themselves +obliged to nominate their best men in order to obtain the support +of the women. As a business man, as a city, county, and +territorial officer, and now as Governor of Wyoming Territory, I +have seen much of the workings of woman suffrage, but I have yet +to hear of the first case of domestic discord growing out of it. +Our women nearly all vote, and since in Wyoming as elsewhere the +majority of women are good and not bad, the result is good and +not evil.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Territorial Governors are appointed, not elected. As U. S. Senator, +Mr. Warren has up to the present time (1902) repeatedly given similar +testimony. In various chapters of the present volume may be found the +strong approval of ex-U. S. Senator Joseph M. Carey.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1091" id="Page_1091">[Pg 1091]</a></span></p> + +<p>Most of these Governors were Republicans. Hon. N. L. Andrews +(Democrat), Speaker of the Wyoming House of Representatives, said in +1879:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I came to this Territory in the fall of 1871, with the strongest +prejudice possible against woman suffrage. The more I have seen +of it, the less my objections have been realized, and the more it +has commended itself to my judgment and good opinion. Under all +my observations it has worked well, and has been productive of +much good. The women use the ballot with more independence and +discrimination in regard to the qualifications of candidates than +men do. If the ballot in the hand of woman compels political +parties to place their best men in nomination, this, in and of +itself, is a sufficient reason for sustaining woman suffrage.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Ex-Chief Justice Fisher, of Cheyenne, said in 1883:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I wish I could show the people who are so wonderfully exercised +on the subject of female suffrage just how it works. The women +watch the nominating conventions, and if the Republicans put a +bad man on their ticket and the Democrats a good one, the +Republican women do not hesitate a moment in scratching off the +bad and substituting the good. It is just so with the Democratic +women. I have seen the effects of female suffrage, and instead of +being a means of encouragement to fraud and corruption, it tends +greatly to purify elections and give better government.</p></blockquote> + +<p>In 1884 Attorney-General M. C. Brown said in a public letter:</p> + +<blockquote><p>My prejudices were formerly all against woman suffrage, but they +have gradually given way since it became an established fact in +Wyoming. My observation, extending over a period of fifteen +years, satisfies me of its entire justice and propriety. +Impartial observation has also satisfied me that in the use of +the ballot women exercise fully as good judgment as men, and in +some particulars are more discriminating, as, for instance, on +questions of morals.</p></blockquote> + +<p>At another time he said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I have been asked if women make good jurors, and I answer by +saying, that so far as I have observed their conduct on juries, +as a lawyer, I find but little fault with them.... They do not +reason like men upon the evidence, but, being possessed of a +higher quality of intellectuality, i. e., keen perceptions, they +see the truth of the thing at a glance. Their minds once settled, +neither sophistry, logic, rhetoric, pleading nor tears will move +them from their purpose. A guilty person never escapes a just +punishment when tried by women juries.</p> + +<p>The effect of woman suffrage upon the people of Wyoming has been +good. It has been said by one man that open, flagrant acts of +bribery are commonly practiced at the polls in Wyoming, and this +statement is made to show that the effect of woman suffrage has +not been good. The statement is not true. In the last election +there were in Cheyenne large sums of money expended to influence +the result, and votes were bought on the streets in an open and +shameless manner. As U. S. Attorney for the Territory, it became +my duty to investigate this matter before a grand jury composed +of men. The revelations before the jury were astonishing and many +cases of bribery were clearly proven; but while a majority of +those composing the jury were men of the highest integrity, there +were so many members who had probably taken part in the same +unlawful transactions that no indictment could be obtained. The +circumstances attending this election were phenomenal. It would +be unjust to the women, however, if I should fail to add that, +while it was clearly proven that many men sold their votes, it +was strikingly apparent that few if any women, even of the vilest +class, were guilty of the same misconduct.</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1092" id="Page_1092">[Pg 1092]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Hon. John W. Kingman, for four years a Judge of the U. S. Supreme +Court of Wyoming says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Woman suffrage was inaugurated in 1869 without much discussion, +and without any general movement of men or women in its favor. At +that time few women voted. At each election since, they have +voted in larger numbers, and now nearly all go to the polls. Our +women do not attend the caucuses in any considerable numbers, but +they generally take an interest in the selection of candidates, +and it is very common, in considering the availability of an +aspirant for office, to ask, 'How does he stand with the ladies?' +Frequently the men set aside certain applicants for office, +because their characters would not stand the criticism of women. +The women manifest a great deal of independence in their +preference for candidates, and have frequently defeated bad +nominations. Our best and most cultivated women vote, and vote +understandingly and independently, and they can not be bought +with whiskey or blinded by party prejudice. They are making +themselves felt at the polls, as they do everywhere else in +society, by a quiet but effectual discountenancing of the bad, +and a helping hand for the good and the true. We have had no +trouble from the presence of bad women at the polls. It has been +said that the delicate and cultured women would shrink away, and +the bold and indelicate come to the front in public affairs. This +we feared; but nothing of the kind has happened. I do not believe +that suffrage causes women to neglect their domestic affairs. +Certainly, such has not been the case in Wyoming, and I never +heard a man complain that his wife was less interested in +domestic economy because she had the right to vote and took an +interest in making the community respectable. The opposition to +woman suffrage at first was pretty bitter. To-day I do not think +you could get a dozen respectable men in any locality to oppose +it.</p></blockquote> + +<p>In 1895 U. S. Senator Clarence D. Clark wrote as follows to the +Constitutional Convention of Utah which was considering a woman +suffrage plank:</p> + +<blockquote><p>So far as the operation of the law in this State is concerned, we +were so well satisfied, with twenty years' experience under the +Territorial government, that it went into our constitution with +but one dissenting vote, although many thought that such a +section might result in its rejection by Congress. If it does +nothing else it fulfils the theory of a true representative +government, and in this State, at least, has resulted in none of +the evils prophesied. It has not been the fruitful source of +family disagreements feared. It has not lowered womanhood. Women +do generally take advantage of the right to vote, and vote +intelligently. It has been years since we have had trouble at the +polls—quiet and order, in my opinion, being due to two causes, +the presence of women and our efficient election laws. One +important feature I might mention, and that is, in view of the +woman vote, no party dare nominate notoriously immoral men, for +fear of defeat by that vote. Regarding the adoption of the system +in other States I see no reason why its operation should not be +generally the same elsewhere as it is with us. It is surely true +that after many years' experience, Wyoming would not be content +to return to the old limits, as, in our opinion, the absence of +ill results is conclusive proof of the wisdom of the proposition.</p></blockquote> + +<p>In 1896 the Hon. H. V. S. Groesbeck, Chief Justice of the Supreme +Court, thus summed up the results of twenty-seven years' experience:</p> + +<blockquote><p>1. Woman suffrage has been weighed and not found wanting. Adopted +by a statute passed by the first legislative Assembly of the +Territory, in 1869, and approved by the Governor, it has +continued without interruption and with but one unsuccessful +demand for the repeal of the law. The constitutional convention +which assembled in 1889 adopted the equal suffrage<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1093" id="Page_1093">[Pg 1093]</a></span> provision and +refused to submit the question to a separate vote by a large +majority. The continuance of the measure for nearly a quarter of +a century, and the determination to incorporate it in the +fundamental law, even at the risk of failing to secure Statehood, +are the strongest arguments of its benefit and permanency.</p> + +<p>2. It has tended to secure good nominations for the public +offices. The women as a class will not knowingly vote for +incompetent, immoral or inefficient candidates.</p> + +<p>3. It has tended to make the women self-reliant and independent, +and to turn their attention to the study of the science of +government—an education that is needed by the mothers of the +race.</p> + +<p>4. It has made our elections quiet and orderly. No rudeness, +brawling or disorder appears or would be tolerated at the polling +booths. There is no more difficulty or indelicacy in depositing a +ballot in the urn than in dropping a letter in the post office.</p> + +<p>5. It has not marred domestic harmony. Husband and wife +frequently vote opposing tickets without disturbing the peace of +the home. Divorces are not as frequent here as in other +communities, even taking into consideration our small population. +Many applicants for divorces are from those who have a husband or +wife elsewhere, and the number of divorces granted for causes +arising in this State are comparatively few.</p> + +<p>6. It has not resulted in unsexing women. They have not been +office-seekers. Women are generally selected for county +superintendents of the schools—offices for which they seem +particularly adapted, but they have not been applicants for other +positions.</p> + +<p>7. Equal suffrage brings together at the ballot-box the +enlightened common sense of American manhood and the unselfish +moral sentiment of American womanhood. Both of these elements +govern a well-regulated household, and both should sway the +political destinies of the entire human family. Particularly do +we need in this new commonwealth the home influence at the +primaries and at the polls. We believe with Emerson that if all +the vices are represented in our politics, some of the virtues +should be.</p></blockquote> + +<p>In 1902 Justice Corn, of the State Supreme Court, made the following +public statement:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Women of all classes very generally vote. Bad women do not +obtrude their presence at the polls, and I do not now remember +ever to have seen a distinctively bad woman casting her vote.</p> + +<p>Woman suffrage has no injurious effect upon the home or the +family that I have ever heard of during the twelve years I have +resided in the State. It does not take so much of women's time as +to interfere with their domestic duties, or with their church or +charitable work. It does not impair their womanliness or make +them less satisfactory as wives and mothers. They do not have +less influence, or enjoy less respect and consideration socially. +My impression is that they read the daily papers and inform +themselves upon public questions much more generally than women +elsewhere.</p> + +<p>Woman suffrage has had the effect almost entirely to exclude +notoriously bad or immoral men from public office in the State. +Parties refuse to nominate such men upon the distinct ground that +they can not obtain the women's vote.</p> + +<p>The natural result of such conditions is to increase the respect +in which women are held, and not to diminish it. They are a more +important factor in affairs, and therefore more regarded. It is +generally conceded, I think, that women have a higher standard of +morality and right living than men. And, as they have a say in +public matters, it has a tendency to make men respect their +standard, and in some degree attempt to attain it themselves.</p> + +<p>I have never been an enthusiastic advocate of woman suffrage as a +cure<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1094" id="Page_1094">[Pg 1094]</a></span> for all the ills that afflict society, but I give you in +entire candor my impressions of it from my observations in this +State.</p></blockquote> + +<p>In 1889, after women in Wyoming had very generally exercised the full +suffrage since 1869, Mrs. Clara B. Colby, editor of the <i>Woman's +Tribune</i>, Washington, D. C., compiled a report from the census +statistics. Those relating to crime, insanity and divorce were as +follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The population of the United States has increased in the last +decade 24.6 per cent. That of Wyoming has increased 127.9 per +cent. But while the number of criminals in the whole United +States has increased 40.3—an alarming ratio far beyond the +increase of population—notwithstanding the immense increase of +population in Wyoming, the number of criminals has not increased +at all, but there has been a relative decrease, which shows a +law-abiding community and a constantly improving condition of the +public morals. In 1870 there were confined in the jails and +prisons of Wyoming 74 criminals, 72 men and 2 women. The census +of 1880 shows the same number of criminals, 74, as against an +average number of criminals in the other Western States of 645. +This remarkable fact is made more interesting because the 74 in +1890 are all men, and thus the scarecrow of the vicious women in +politics disappears. Wyoming being the only State in which the +per cent. of criminal women has decreased, it is evident that the +morals of the female part of the population improve with the +exercise of the right of suffrage.</p> + +<p>There were 189,503 insane in the United States, but there were +but three insane persons in Wyoming in 1880, all men. The +preponderance of insanity among married women is usually +attributed to the monotony of their lives, and since this is much +relieved by their participation in politics we should naturally +expect to find, as a physical effect, a decreased proportion of +insane women where woman suffrage prevails.</p> + +<p>From 1870 to 1880 the rate of divorce increased in the United +States 79.4 per cent., three times the ratio of the increase of +population, and in the group of Western States, omitting, +Wyoming, it increased 436.7 per cent., almost four times the +average increase of population, while in Wyoming the average +increase in divorce was less than 50 per cent. of that of the +population.</p> + +<p>Compare Wyoming with a typical Eastern State—Connecticut—the +latter has one insane person to every 363 of the population, +Wyoming has one to every 1,497. Nor is this wholly a difference +of East and West, for Idaho, its neighbor, shows one insane to +every 1,029. Especially would voting seem to increase the +intelligence of women, for in Connecticut there are over +seven-tenths as many female idiots as there are male idiots, +while in Wyoming there are only four-tenths as many.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Woman suffrage may have played no part in these statistics, but if +they had shown an <i>increase</i> of crime, insanity and divorce, it +certainly would have been held responsible by the world at large.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + + +<h4><a name="APPENDIX-NEW_YORK" id="APPENDIX-NEW_YORK"></a>NEW YORK.</h4> + +<p>The History is indebted to Attorney-General John C. Davies for most of +the information on School Suffrage contained in the New York chapter, +and also for the opinion which follows herewith on the right of women +in that State to hold office.</p> + +<blockquote><p>By the Consolidated School Law it is provided, as regarding +School Commissioners, that "No person shall be deemed ineligible +to such office by reason of sex, who has the other qualifications +as herewith provided;"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1095" id="Page_1095">[Pg 1095]</a></span> and regarding common school districts, it +is provided that "Every district officer must be a resident of +his district and qualified to vote at its meetings." As certain +women are qualified to vote in any common school district, such +women are thus eligible to any <i>district</i> office, including the +offices of trustee, clerk, collector, treasurer or librarian.</p> + +<p>A similar provision in reference to union free schools, that "No +person shall be eligible to hold any school district office in +any union free school district unless he or she is a qualified +voter in such district and is able to read and write," permits +women to hold office as members of the board of education and +other district offices.</p> + +<p>Aside from Chapter 214 of the Laws of 1892, which has been held +to be unconstitutional, I know of no provision of law extending +school suffrage to women in <i>cities</i>, except that charters of +certain third class cities have extended to women tax-payers the +right to vote upon a proposition involving the raising of a tax.</p> + +<p>By the Public Officers' Law, Chap. 681 of the Laws of 1892, +Section 3, it is provided that "No person shall be capable of +holding a civil office who shall not, at the time he shall be +chosen thereto, be of full age, a citizen of the United States, +and resident of the State, and, if it be a local office, a +resident of the political subdivision or municipal corporation of +the State for which he shall be chosen, or within which the +electors electing him reside, or within which his official +functions are required to be exercised."</p> + +<p>In the case of Findlay against Thorn, in the City Court of New +York, where the question arose as to the right of a woman to +exercise the office of notary public, Chief Justice McAdam +refused to pass upon the question, holding that the right could +be decided only in a direct proceeding brought for the purpose by +the Attorney-General, in which the notary might defend her title. +And the court adds:</p> + +<p>"Whether a female is capable of holding a public office has never +been decided by the courts of this State and it is a question +about which legal minds may well differ. The Constitution +regulates the right of suffrage and limits it to 'male' citizens. +Disabilities are not favored and are seldom extended by +implication, from which it may be argued that if it required the +insertion of the term 'male' to exclude female citizens of lawful +age from the right of suffrage, a similar limitation would be +required to disqualify them from holding office. Citizenship is a +condition or status and has no relation to age or sex. It may be +contended that it was left to the good sense of the Executive and +to the electors to determine whether or not they would elect +females to office and that the power being lodged in safe hands +was beyond danger of abuse.</p> + +<p>"If on the other hand it be seriously contended that the +Constitution by necessary implication, disqualifies females from +holding office, it must follow as a necessary consequence that +the Act of the Legislature permitting females to serve as school +officers (Chap. 9, Laws of 1880), and all other legislative +enactments of like import, removing such disqualifications, are +unconstitutional and void. In this same connection it may be +argued that if the use of the personal pronoun 'he' in the +Constitution does not exclude females from public office, its use +in the statute can have no greater effect. The statute, like the +Constitution, in prescribing qualifications for office omits the +word 'male,' leaving the question whether female citizens of +lawful age are included or excluded, one of construction.</p> + +<p>"I make these observations for the purpose of showing that the +question whether females are eligible to public office in this +State, is one not entirely free from doubt and should not +therefore be decided where it arises, as it does here, +incidentally and collaterally. When the law officers of the State +see fit to test the question in direct proceedings for the +purpose, it will be time enough to attempt to settle the +contention. In such a proceeding, the case of Robinson (131 Mass. +376, and that reported in 107 Mass. 604), where it was held that +a woman could not be admitted to practice as an attorney and +counselor at law in Massachusetts,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1096" id="Page_1096">[Pg 1096]</a></span> and those decided in other +States that they can hold office, may be examined and +considered."</p> + +<p>See also Am. and Eng. Ency. of Law, Vol. 19, p. 403-4. I might +add that in this State there are many women who hold the office +of notary public.</p></blockquote> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + + +<h4><a name="APPENDIX-WASHINGTON" id="APPENDIX-WASHINGTON"></a>WASHINGTON.</h4> + +<p>The following account of the unconstitutional disfranchising of the +women of Washington Territory in 1888 was carefully prepared by the +editors of the <i>Woman's Journal</i> (Boston). When the editors of the +present volume decided to incorporate it as a part of the History of +Woman Suffrage it was submitted to Judge Orange J. Jacobs of Seattle +for legal inspection. He returned it with the statement that it was +correct in every particular. It constitutes one of the many judicial +outrages which have been committed in the United States in the +determination to prevent the enfranchisement of women:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Women voted in Washington Territory for the first time in 1884, +and were disfranchised by its Supreme Court in 1887.</p> + +<p>Equal suffrage was granted by the Legislature in October, 1883. +The women at once began to distinguish themselves there, as in +Wyoming and elsewhere, by voting for the best man, irrespective +of party. The old files of the Washington newspapers bear ample +evidence to this fact. The first chance they had to vote was at +the municipal elections of July, 1884. The Seattle <i>Mirror</i> said:</p> + +<p>"The city election of last Monday was for more reasons than one +the most important ever held in Seattle. The presence of women at +the voting-places had the effect of preventing the disgraceful +proceedings usually seen. It was the first election in the city +where the women could vote, and the first where the gambling and +liquor fraternity, which had so long controlled the municipal +government to an enormous extent, suffered defeat."</p> + +<p>The <i>Post-Intelligencer</i> said:</p> + +<p>"After the experience of the late election it will not do for any +one here to say the women do not want to vote. They displayed as +much interest as the men, and, if anything, more.... The result +insures Seattle a first-class municipal administration. It is a +warning to that undesirable class of the community who subsist +upon the weaknesses and vices of society that disregard of law +and the decencies of civilization will not be tolerated."</p> + +<p>Quotations might be multiplied from the papers of other towns, +testifying to the independent voting of the women, the large size +of their vote, the courtesy with which they were treated, and the +greater quiet and order produced by their presence at the polls.</p> + +<p>Next came the general election of November, 1884. Again the +newspapers were practically unanimous as to the result. The +Olympia <i>Transcript</i>, which was opposed to equal suffrage, said: +"The result shows that all parties must put up good men if they +expect to elect them. They can not do as they have in the +past—nominate any candidates, and elect them by the force of the +party lash."</p> + +<p>The <i>Democratic State Journal</i> said: "No one could fail to see +that hereafter more attention must be given at the primaries to +select the purest of material, by both parties, if they would +gain the female vote."</p> + +<p>Charles J. Woodbury visited Washington about this time. In a +letter to the N. Y. <i>Evening Post</i>, he said: "Whatever may be the +vicissitudes of woman suffrage in Washington Territory in the +future, it should now be put on record that at the election, Nov. +4, 1884, nine-tenths of its adult female population availed +themselves of the right to vote with a hearty enthusiasm."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1097" id="Page_1097">[Pg 1097]</a></span></p> + +<p>He goes on to say that he arrived in Seattle on Sunday, and was +surprised at the quiet and order he found prevailing, and at the +general Sunday closing of the places of business: "Even the bars +of the hotels were closed; and this was the worst town in the +Territory when I first saw it. Now its uproarious theaters, +dance-houses, squaw-brothels and Sunday fights are things of the +past. Not a gambling house exists."</p> + +<p>Women served on juries, and meted out the full penalty of the law +to gamblers and keepers of disorderly houses. The Chief Justice +of the Territory was the Hon. Roger S. Greene, a cousin of U. S. +Senator Hoar, a man of high character and integrity, and a +magistrate celebrated throughout the Northwest for his resolute +and courageous resistance to lynch law. In his charge to the +grand jury at Port Townsend, August, 1884, he said:</p> + +<p>"The opponents of woman suffrage in this Territory are found +allied with a solid phalanx of gamblers, prostitutes, pimps, and +drunkard-makers—a phalanx composed of all in each of those +classes who know the interest of the class and vote according to +it."</p> + +<p>In his charge to another grand jury later, Chief Justice Greene +said:</p> + +<p>"Twelve terms of court, ladies and gentlemen, I have now held, in +which women have served as grand and petit jurors, and it is +certainly a fact beyond dispute that no other twelve terms so +salutary for restraint of crime have ever been held in this +Territory. For fifteen years I have been trying to do what a +judge ought, but have never till the last six months felt +underneath and around me, in the degree that every judge has a +right to feel it, the upbuoying might of the people in the line +of full and resolute enforcement of the law."</p> + +<p>Naturally, the vicious elements disliked "the full and resolute +enforcement of law." The baser sort of politicians also disliked +the independent voting of the women. The Republicans had a normal +majority in the Territory, but they nominated for a high office a +man who was a hard drinker. The Republican women would not vote +for him, and he was defeated. Next they nominated a man who had +for years been openly living with an Indian woman and had a +family of half-breed children. Again the Republican women refused +to vote for him, and he was defeated. This brought the enmity of +the Republican "machine" upon woman suffrage. The Democratic +women showed equal independence, and incurred the hostility of +the Democratic "machine."</p> + +<p>Between 1884 and 1888 a change of administration at Washington +led to a change in the Territorial Supreme Court. The newly +appointed Chief Justice and a majority of the new judges of the +Supreme Court [appointed by President Cleveland] were opposed to +equal suffrage, and were amenable, it is said, to the strong +pressure brought to bear upon them by all the vicious elements to +secure its repeal. A gambler who had been convicted by a jury +composed in part of women contested the sentence on the ground +that women were not legal voters, and the Supreme Court decided +that the woman suffrage bill was unconstitutional, because it had +been headed "An Act to Amend Section So and So, Chapter So and So +of the Code," instead of "An Act to Enfranchise Women.".... When +the Legislature met in 1888 it re-enacted the woman suffrage +bill, giving it a full heading, and strengthening it in every way +possible.</p> + +<p>Washington was about to be admitted as a State, and was preparing +to hold a Constitutional Convention to frame a State +constitution. There was no doubt that the majority of the women +wanted to vote. Chief Justice Greene estimated that four-fifths +of them had voted at the last election before they were deprived +of the right. Two successive Legislatures elected by men and +women jointly had re-enacted woman suffrage (for its continuance +had been made a test question in the choice of the first +Legislature for which the women voted, and that Legislature had +been careful to insert the words "he or she" in all bills +relating to the election laws). It was admitted on all hands that +if the women were allowed to vote for members of the +Constitutional Convention, it would be impossible to elect one +that would wipe out woman suffrage. It was therefore imperative +to deprive the women of their votes before the members of the +convention were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1098" id="Page_1098">[Pg 1098]</a></span> chosen. A scheme was arranged for the purpose. +On the ground that she was a woman, the election officers at a +local election refused the vote of Mrs. Nevada Bloomer, a +saloon-keeper's wife, who was opposed to suffrage. <i>They accepted +the votes of all the other women.</i> She made a test case by +bringing suit against them. In the ordinary course of things, the +case would not have come up till after the election of the +constitutional convention. But cases for the restoration of +personal rights may be advanced on the docket, and Mrs. Bloomer's +ostensible object was the restoration of her personal rights, +though her real object was to deprive all women of theirs. Her +case was put forward on the docket and hurried to a decision.</p> + +<p>The Supreme Court [George Turner and Wm. G. Langford] this time +pronounced the woman suffrage law unconstitutional on the ground +that <i>it was beyond the power of a Territorial Legislature to +enfranchise women</i>. The Organic Act of the Territory said that at +the first Territorial election persons with certain +qualifications should vote, and at subsequent elections <i>such +persons as the Territorial Legislature might enfranchise</i>. But +the court took the ground that in giving the Legislature the +right to regulate suffrage, Congress did not at the time have it +specifically in mind that they might enfranchise women, and that +therefore they could not do so.(!) The suffragists wanted to have +the case appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States, but +Mrs. Bloomer refused.</p> + +<p>The women themselves being prevented from voting, their friends +were not able to overcome the combined "machines" of both +political parties, and the intense opposition of all the vicious +and disorderly elements, at that time very large on the Pacific +Coast. A convention opposed to equal suffrage was elected, and +framed a constitution excluding women. A friend of the present +writer talked with many of the members while the convention was +in session. He says almost every lawyer in that body +acknowledged, in private conversation, that the decision by which +the women had been disfranchised was illegal. "But," they said, +"the women had set the community by the ears on the temperance +question, and we had to get rid of them." One politician said, +frankly, "Women are natural mugwumps, and I hate a mugwump."</p> + +<p>The convention, however, yielded to the pressure sufficiently to +submit to the men a separate amendment proposing to strike out +the word "male" from the suffrage clause of the new State +constitution, but no woman was allowed to vote on it. In +November, 1889, this amendment was lost, the same elements that +defeated it in the convention defeating it at the polls, with the +addition of a great influx of foreign immigrants.</p></blockquote> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<h4>NATIONAL-AMERICAN WOMAN SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION.</h4> + +<p>This is the most democratic of organizations. Its sole object is to +secure for women citizens protection in their right to vote. The +general officers are nominated by an informal secret ballot, no one +being put in nomination. The three persons receiving the highest +number of votes are considered the nominees and the election is +decided by secret ballot. Those entitled to vote are three +delegates-at-large for each auxiliary State society and one delegate +in addition for every one hundred members of each State auxiliary; the +State presidents and State members of the National Executive +Committee; the general officers of the association; the chairmen of +standing committees. The delegates present from each State cast the +full vote to which that State is entitled. The vote is taken in the +same way upon any other question whenever the delegates present from +five States request it. In other cases<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1099" id="Page_1099">[Pg 1099]</a></span> each delegate has one vote. +Any State whose dues are unpaid on January 1 loses its vote in the +convention for that year.</p> + +<p>The two honorary presidents, president, vice-president-at-large, two +secretaries, treasurer and two auditors constitute the Business +Committee, which transacts the entire business of the association +between the annual conventions.</p> + +<p>The Executive Committee is composed of the Business Committee, the +president of each State, and one member from each State, together with +the chairmen of standing committees; fifteen make a quorum for the +transaction of business. The decisions reached by the Executive +Committee, which meets during the convention week, are presented in +the form of recommendations at the business sessions of the +convention.</p> + +<p>The constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote at any annual +meeting, after one day's notice in the convention, notice of the +proposed amendment having been previously given to the Business +Committee, and by them published in the suffrage papers not less than +three months in advance.</p> + +<p>The association must hold an annual convention of regularly-elected +delegates for the election of officers and the transaction of +business. An annual meeting must be held in Washington, D. C., during +the first session of each Congress.</p> + +<p>The Committee on Resolutions must consist of one person from each +State, elected by its delegation.</p> + +<p>There are few changes in officers and the association is noted for the +harmony of its meetings, although the delegates generally are of +decided convictions and unusual force of character. Men are eligible +to membership and a number belong, but the affairs of the organization +are wholly in the hands of women.</p> + +<p>Auxiliary State and Territorial associations exist in all but Wyoming, +Idaho, Utah, Arkansas, Nevada and Texas. Suffrage associations are not +needed in the first three, as the women have the full franchise.</p> + + +<p class="center">OFFICERS FOR 1900.</p> + +<p>Honorary Presidents, <span class="smcap">Elizabeth Cady Stanton</span>, New York City; <span class="smcap">Susan B. +Anthony,</span> Rochester, N. Y.</p> + +<p>President, <span class="smcap">Carrie Chapman Catt</span>, New York City.</p> + +<p>Vice-President-at-Large, <span class="smcap">Rev. Anna Howard Shaw</span>, Philadelphia.</p> + +<p>Recording Secretary, <span class="smcap">Alice Stone Blackwell</span>, Boston.</p> + +<p>Corresponding Secretary, <span class="smcap">Rachel Foster Avery</span>, Philadelphia.</p> + +<p>Treasurer, <span class="smcap">Harriet Taylor Upton</span>, Warren, Ohio.</p> + +<p>Auditors, <span class="smcap">Laura Clay</span>, Lexington, Ky.; <span class="smcap">Catharine Waugh McCulloch</span>, +Chicago.</p> + +<p>Honorary Vice-Presidents—[Prominent names mentioned in various +States.]</p> + + +<p class="center">STANDING COMMITTEES.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Programme</span>—Carrie Chapman Catt, N. Y.; Rachel Foster Avery, Acting +Chairman, Penn.; May Dudley Greeley, Minn.; Lucy Hobart Day, Me.; Kate +M. Gordon, La.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Congressional Work</span>—Susan B. Anthony, N. Y.; Carrie Chapman Catt, +N.Y.; Harriet Taylor Upton, O.; Helen M. Warren, Wy.; Virginia +Morrison Shafroth, Col.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Press Work</span>—Elnora M. Babcock, N. Y.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1100" id="Page_1100">[Pg 1100]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Enrollment</span>—Priscilla Dudley Hackstaff, N. Y. and all State +Treasurers.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Federal Suffrage</span>—Sallie Clay Bennett, Ky.; Martha E. Root, Mich.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Presidential Suffrage</span>—Henry B. Blackwell, Mass, and State Presidents.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">National Committee on Local Arrangements</span>—Lucy E. Anthony, Penn.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Railroad Rates</span>—Mary G. Hay, N. Y.</p> + + +<p class="center">SPECIAL COMMITTEES.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Industrial Problems Affecting Women and Children</span>—Clara Bewick Colby, +D. C; Martha E. Root, Mich.; Annie L. Diggs, Kas.; Margaret O. Rhodes, +Okla.; Annie English Silliman, N. J.; Mary C. C. Bradford, Col.; Gail +Laughlin, N. Y.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Legislation for Civil Rights</span>—Laura M. Johns, Kas.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Convention Resolutions</span>—Susan B. Anthony, N. Y.; Carrie Chapman Catt, +N. Y.; Ida Husted Harper, D. C.; Anna Howard Shaw, Penn.; Rachel +Foster Avery, Penn.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Political Equality Series</span>—Alice Stone Blackwell, Mass.; Ida Husted +Harper, D. C.</p> + + +<p class="center">LIFE MEMBERS. (1901.)</p> + +<p><i>Alabama</i>—Adella Hunt Logan.</p> + +<p><i>California</i>—Mrs. A. R. Faulkner, Mary Wood Swift.</p> + +<p><i>Colorado</i>—Mary C. C. Bradford, Emily A. Brown, Amy K. Cornwall, +Louisa S. Janvier, Emily R. Meredith.</p> + +<p><i>Connecticut</i>—H. J. Lewis.</p> + +<p><i>District of Columbia</i>—Julia L. Langdon Barber, Lucia E. Blount, Mary +Foote Henderson, Margaret J. Henry, Hannah Cassall Mills, Mary A. +McPherson, Martha McWirther, Mary C. Nason, Julia T. Ripley, Sophronia +C. Snow, C. W. Spofford, Jane H. Spofford, Mary E. Terry, Helen Rand +Tindall, Eliza Titus Ward, Nettie L. White.</p> + +<p><i>Georgia</i>—Gertrude C. Thomas.</p> + +<p><i>Illinois</i>—Sarah O. Coonley, Climenia K. Dennett, Emily M. Gross, Ida +S. Noyes, Dr. Julia Holmes Smith, Elmina Springer, Lydia A. Coonley +Ward.</p> + +<p><i>Indiana</i>—Ida Husted Harper, Alice Wheeler Peirce, May Wright Sewall.</p> + +<p><i>Iowa</i>—Martha C. Callanan, Nancy Logan, Mettie Laub Romans.</p> + +<p><i>Kansas</i>—Mabel LaPorte Diggs, Sarah E. Morrow.</p> + +<p><i>Kentucky</i>—Susan Look Avery, Sallie Clay Bennett, Mary B. Trimble, +Laura R. White.</p> + +<p><i>Louisiana</i>—Caroline E. Merrick.</p> + +<p><i>Maryland</i>—Caroline Hallowell Miller.</p> + +<p><i>Massachusetts</i>—Carrie Anders, Martha M. Atkins, Alice Stone +Blackwell, Henry B. Blackwell, Ellen Wright Garrison, Ellen F. Powers, +Caroline Scott, Pauline Agassiz Shaw, Nellie S. Smith.</p> + +<p><i>Michigan</i>—Delos A. Blodgett, Daisy Peck Blodgett, Olivia B. Hall.</p> + +<p><i>Minnesota</i>—Alice Scott Cash, Elizabeth A. Russell, Sarah Vail +Thompson.</p> + +<p><i>Missouri</i>—Phoebe W. Cousins, Virginia L. Minor, Sarah E. Turner.</p> + +<p><i>Nebraska</i>—Clara Bewick Colby, Mary Smith Hayward, Mary H. Williams.</p> + +<p><i>New Hampshire</i>—Marilla M. Ricker.</p> + +<p><i>New Jersey</i>—Florence Howe Hall, Laura Lloyd Heulings, Cornelia C. +Hussey, Dr. Mary D. Hussey, Mrs. S. R. Krom, Susan W. Lippincott,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1101" id="Page_1101">[Pg 1101]</a></span> +Calista S. Mayhew, Dr. Sarah C. Spotteswoode, Ellen Hoxie Squier, +Elizabeth M. Vail.</p> + +<p><i>New Mexico</i>—Alice Paxson Hadley.</p> + +<p><i>New York</i>—Susan B. Anthony, Mary S. Anthony, Victoria Bradley, +Amelia Cameron, Cornelia H. Cary, George W. Catt, Carrie Chapman Catt, +Ella Hawley Crossett, Anna Dormitzer, Rebecca Friedlander, Fannie +Humphreys Gaffney, Matilda Joslyn Gage, Priscilla Dudley Hackstaff, +Sarah V. Hallock, Mary H. Hallowell, Mary G. Hay, Belle S. Holden, +Emily Howland, Hannah L. Howland, Dorcas Hull, Emma G. Ivins, Rhody J. +Kenyon, Mary Elizabeth Lapham, Semantha Vail Lapham, Mrs. Frank +Leslie, Mary Hillard Loines, Anne Fitzhugh Miller, Elizabeth Smith +Miller, Martha Fuller Prather, Euphemia C. Purton, Mary Thayer +Sanford, James F. Sargent, Angelina M. Sargent, Elizabeth Cady +Stanton, Fanny Garrison Villard, Julia Willetts Williams, Sarah L. +Willis.</p> + +<p><i>Ohio</i>—Caroline McCullough Everhard, Elizabeth J. Hauser, Sallie J. +McCall, Anna C. Mott, Alice E. Peters, Louisa Southworth, Susan M. +Sturges.</p> + +<p><i>Oklahoma</i>—Rachel Rees Griffiths.</p> + +<p><i>Pennsylvania</i>—Lucy E. Anthony, Mary Schofield Ash, Rachel Foster +Avery, Emma J. Bartol, Lucretia L. Blankenburg, Ellen K. Brazier, Emma +J. Brazier, Katherine J. Campbell, Kate W. Dewald, Julia T. Foster, +Alvin T. James, Helen Mosher James, Edith C. James, Dr. Agnes Kemp, +Caroline Lippincott, Mary W. Lippincott, Hannah Myers Longshore, Jacob +Reese, Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, Nicolas M. Shaw, M. J. Stecker, M. +Adeline Thomson.</p> + +<p><i>Rhode Island</i>—Sarah J. Eddy, Charlotte B. Wilbour, Sarah S. Wilbour.</p> + +<p><i>South Carolina</i>—A. Viola Neblett, Martha Schofield.</p> + +<p><i>Utah</i>—Emily S. Richards, Emmeline B. Wells.</p> + +<p><i>Wisconsin</i>—Rev. Olympia Brown.</p> + +<p><i>Persia</i>—Susan Van Valkenburg Hamilton (formerly of Indiana).</p> + + +<p class="center">DELEGATES TO NATIONAL CONVENTIONS, 1883-1900.</p> + +<p>At the national conventions those who occupy the platform and make the +addresses naturally have the most conspicuous place, but those who +come from the various localities, year after year, bringing the +reports from their States and taking their necessary part in the +proceedings, are equally valuable factors. Their names, at least, +should be preserved, and the following list, while by no means +complete, is as nearly so as it has been possible to make it. Those +which are included in the National chapters are not repeated. Many of +the women recorded below receive their deserved mention in the State +chapters.</p> + +<p><i>Alabama</i>: Amelia M. Dillard, Minnie Henderson. <i>Arizona</i>: Ex-Gov. and +Mrs. L. C. Hughes, Pauline M. O'Neill, Mrs. G. H. Oury. Arkansas: Mary +A. Davis, Lizzie D. Fyler, C. M. Patterson. <i>California</i>: Nellie +Holbrook Blinn, Amy G. Bowen, Emilie Gibbons Cohen, Warren C. Kimball, +Lucy Wilson Moore, Julia Schlesinger, Mary Simpson Sperry, Beda S. +Sperry, Mary Wood Swift. <i>Colorado</i>: Theodosia G. Ammons, Dr. Mary +Barker Bates, Margaret Bowen, Nettie E. Caspar, Hattie E. Fox, H. +Jennie James, B. R. Owens, Katharine A. G. Patterson, Eliza F. Routt, +Lucy E. Ransom Scott, Mary Jewett Telford, Harriet M. Teller. +<i>Connecticut</i>: Mrs. L. D. Allen, Rose I. Blakeslee, Sarah E. Browne, +Caroline<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1102" id="Page_1102">[Pg 1102]</a></span> B. Buell, Mrs. E. C. Champion, Alta Starr Cressy, Mrs. N. F. +Griswold, Addie S. Hale, Howard J. Hale, Ellen B. Kendrick, Emily O. +Kimball, Grace C. Kimball, Mary J. Rogers, Abby Barker Sheldon. +<i>Dakota Territory</i>: Marietta M. Bones, Linda B. Slaughter. <i>Delaware</i>: +Mary R. De Vou, Margaret W. Houston, Margaret E. Kent, Patience W. +Kent, Emma Lore, Mary Elizabeth Milligan, Adda G. Quigley, Mary H. +Thatcher, Elizabeth Bacon Walling. <i>District of Columbia</i>: Frances B. +Andrews, L. L. Bacon, Mary L. Bennett, Bessie Boone Cheshire, Anna +Gray De Long, Lucy S. Doolittle, Annie M. Edgar, Dr. Susan Edson, M. +J. Fowler, Emma M. Gillett, J. Minnie Holn, Martha V. Johnson, Carrie +E. Kent, Mrs. J. H. La Fetra, Mary S. Lockwood, Sarah J. Messer, +Henrietta C. Morrison, Helen Mitchell, Hattie E. Nash, Mary V. Noerr, +Ellen M. O'Connor, Mary A. Ripley, Mary L. Talbot, Cora De La Matyr +Thomas, Helen Rand Tindall, Eliza Titus Ward, Elizabeth Wilson, +Theresa Williams, Dr. Caroline B. Winslow. Mary H. Williams. +<i>Florida</i>: Ella C. Chamberlain. Georgia: D. M. Allen, Margaret +Chandler, Julia Iveson Patton, Gertrude C. Thomas, Adelaide Wilson.</p> + +<p><i>Idaho</i>: Mrs. Milton Kelley. <i>Illinois</i>: Julia K. Barnes, Mary I. +Barnes, Emma J. Bigelow, Corinne S. Brown, Hannah J. Coffee, C. H. +Crocker, Angelina Craver, Climenina K. Dennet, George H. Dennet, +Sylvia Doton, Emmy C. Evald, Matilda S. Garrigus, Mary T. Hager, Mrs. +Frank L. Hubbard, Mary Louise Haworth, Kate Hughes, Lizzie F. Long, +Lena Morrow, Angie B. Schweppe, Eva Munson Smith, Dr. Alice B. +Stockham, Adeline M. Swain, Nellie J. Tweed, Jessie Waite, Dr. Lucy +Waite, Margaret Will. Indiana: Lizzie M. Briant, Mary G. Hay, Dr. M. +A. Jessup, Etta Mattox, Alice Wheeler Peirce, Bertha G. Wade, Alice G. +Waugh, Iva G. Wooden. Iowa: Alice Ainsworth, Eunice T. Barnett, Lucy +Busenbark, Narcissa T. Bemis, James Callanan, Martha C. Callanan, +Margaret V. Campbell, Mary J. Coggeshall, Nettie Sanford Chapin, +Martha J. Cass, Elizabeth Coughell, Anna B. Crawford, Marietta Farr +Cannell, Ella G. Cline, Mary Mason Clark, Victoria Dewey, Jane Denby, +C. Holt Flint, Nellie C. Flint, Louise B. Field, Mrs. W. P. Hepburn, +Jane Hammond, Julia Clark Hallam, Harriet Jenks, Charles W. Jacobs, +Rosina Jacobs, Mrs. M. Lloyd Kennedy, A. M. E. Leffingwell, Polly A. +Maulsby, Florence M. Maskrey, Mary E. McPherson, Jane Amy McKinney, +Ella Moffatt, Bessie Murray, Emily Phillips, Mary D. Palmer, Emeline +B. Richardson, Mettie Laub Romans, Rowena Edson Stevens, Estelle +Smith, Elmina Springer, Frances Smith, Rev. John Ogilvie Stevenson, +Ina Light Taylor, Roma W. Woods, Frilla Belle Young. <i>Kansas</i>: Anna A. +Broderick, Fannie M. Broderick, Jennie Broderick, B. B. Baird, C. H. +Cushing, Mabel La Porte Diggs, Caroline Doster, Martha Powell Davis, +Bertha H. Ellsworth, Nannie Garrett, Dr. Eva Harding, Antoinette +Haskell, Hetta P. Mansfield, Mrs. J. McPatten, Constant P. McElroy, +Jennie Robb Maher, Bina A. Otis, Josephine L. Patton, Carrie L. +Prentiss, Althea B. Stryker, Sarah A. Thurston, Abbie A. Welch, Alonzo +Wardall, Elizabeth M. Wardall, Anna C. Wait. <i>Kentucky</i>: Laura S. +Bruce, Mary C. Cramer, S. M. Hubbard, Sarah G. Humphries, Mary K. +Jones, Dr. Sarah M. Siewers, Sarah H. Sawyer, Mrs. M. R. Stockwell, +Amanthus Shipp, Mary Wood, Sallie B. Wolcott, Laura White. Louisiana: +Florence Huberwald, Matilda P. Hero, Dr. Harriet C. Keating, Caroline +E. Merrick, Jr., Katharine M. Nobles, Frances Sladden.</p> + +<p><i>Maine</i>: Rev. Henry Blanchard, M. S. Carlisle, Lucy Hobart Day, Martha +O. Dyer, Dr. Abby M. Fulton, Martha W. Fairfield, Helen A. Harriman, +Mary C. Nason, Mary E. A. Osborne, Sarah J. L. O'Brien, Abby A. C. +Peaslee, Cordelia A. Quimby, Sophronia C. Snow, Lucy A. and Lavinia +Snow, Elizabeth P. Smith. <i>Maryland</i>: Amanda M. Best, Juliet L. +Baldwin, Emma Madox Funck, Emma Frinck, Annie W. Janney, Annie R. +Lamb, Mary E. Moore, Rebecca T. Miller, Martha S. Townsend, Mary J. +Williamson. <i>Massachusetts</i>: Annie T. Auerbach, Richard and Carrie +Anders, Martha Atkins, Mr. and Mrs. Oliver C. Ashton, Esther F. +Boland, Catherine W. Bascom, Samuel J. Barrows, Martha Sewall Curtis, +Adelaide A. Claflin, Emma Clapp, Sophia A. Forbes, Ellen Wright +Garrison, Cora Chapin Godfrey, Adeline Howland, Sarah Hudson, Mary E. +Hilton, Mrs. Arden Hall, Hannah Hall, Charlotte Lobdell, Eveleen L. +Mason,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1103" id="Page_1103">[Pg 1103]</a></span> Louisa A. Morrison, Martha A. P. Neall, Ellen F. Powers, Agnes +G. Parritt, Maud Wood Park, John Parker, Cora V. Smart, Silvanus +Smith, Judith W. Smith, Mary Clarke Smith, Nellie S. Smith, Mrs. W. H. +Semple, Jane A. Stewart, Dora Bascom Smith, Addie E. Tarbell, Sarah E. +Wall, Eliza Webber, Elizabeth H. Webster, Evelyn Williams, Dr. Marion +L. Woodward, Mr. and Mrs. John L. Whiting. <i>Michigan</i>: Charlotte +Goeway, Mrs. C. D. Hodges, De Lisle P. Holmes, Sarah L. Hazlett, +Margaret M. Huckins, Frances Kinney, Dr. Clara W. McNaughton, Ida J. +Marsh, Nettie McCloy, E. Matilda Moore, Carrie W. Miller, Frances +Wright Spearman, Sarah E. Smith, Elizabeth A. Willard. <i>Minnesota</i>: +Nina T. Cox, Lydia R. Eastwood, Mayme Jester, Delilah C. Reid, Judge +J. B. Stearns, Sarah Burger Stearns, Martha Adams Thompson, Sarah Vail +Thompson. <i>Mississippi</i>: Harriet B. Kells, Nellie M. Somerville, Lily +Wilkinson Thompson. <i>Missouri</i>: Alice Blackburn, Mary Waldo Calkins, +Ella Harrison, Virginia Hedges, Addie M. Johnson, Alice C. Mulky, J. +B. Merwin, Sarah E. Turner, Emaline A. Templeton, Mary U. Vandwert, +Mrs. E. E. Montague Winch, Victoria Conkling Whitney, Isabella +Wightman, Eliza T. Wilson, William Wilson, Sarah Wilson. <i>Montana</i>: +Dr. Maria M. Dean, Eva Hirschberg, George W. Jones, Delia A. Kellogg, +Marie L. Mason, Sarepta Sanders, Harriet P. Sanders, Dora D. Wright.</p> + +<p><i>Nebraska</i>: Maria C. Arter, Rachel Brill, Clara Cross, Nettie L. +Cronkhite, Abby Gay Dustin, Helen M. Goff, Ellen D. Harn, Ellen A. +Herdman, Irene Hernandez, Lena McCormick, Amanda J. Marble, Maud +Miller, Anna L. Spirk, Sarah K. Williams, Esther L. Warner. <i>Nevada</i>: +Hannah R. Clapp, Mary E. Rinkle, Annie Warren, Frances A. Williamson. +<i>New Hampshire</i>: Mary A. P. Filley, M. E. Powell, Marilla M. Ricker, +Rev. H. B. Smith. New Jersey: Emma L. Blackwell, Phoebe Baily, +Katherine H. Browning, Hannah Cairns, Jennie D. DeWitt, Dr. Florence +De Hart, Rev. Phoebe A. Hanaford, Mrs. A. J. Jackson, Jane Bryant +Kellogg, Susan W. Lippincott, Ellen Miles, Mary Philbrook, Amelia +Dickinson Pope, Aaron M. Powell, Louise Downs Quigley, Theresa M. +Seabrook, Minola Graham Sexton, Charlotte C. R. Smith, Laura H. Van +Cise, M. Louise Watts, Phoebe C. Wright. <i>New Mexico</i>: Fannie Baca, I. +M. Bond, H. D. Fergusson, Ida Morley Jarrett, Mayme E. Marble, Mrs. J. +D. Perkins, Anna Van Schick. <i>New York</i>: Mrs. E. Andreas, Mrs. Wilkes +Angel, Ruby Abby, Abigail A. Allen, Dr. Augusta Armstrong, Rev. +Caroline A. Bassett, Victoria Bradley, Sarah F. Blackall, Frances +Benedict, Mrs. R. G. Beatty, Helen M. Cook, Dr. Harriet B. Chapin, +Eveleen R. Clark, Cornelia H. Cary, Noah Chapman, Margaret Livingston +Chanler, Mrs. M. A. Clinton, Charlotte A. Cleveland, Ella Hawley +Crossett, Lucy Hawley Calkins, Nora E. Darling, Marie Frances +Driscoll, S. W. Ellis, Mrs. M. D. Fenner, Laura W. Flower, Dr. Fales, +Catherine G. Foote, Theodosia C. Goss, Eliza C. Gifford, Dr. Virginia +L. Glauner, Elizabeth P. Hall, Mary H. Hallowell, Frances V. Hallock, +Dorcas Hull, Etta E. Hooker, Emily Howland, Isabel Howland, Cornelia +K. Hood, Belle S. Holden, Mary N. Hubbard, Margherita Arlina Hamm, +Ella S. Hammond, Priscilla D. Hackstaff, Mary Bush Hitchcook, +Elizabeth Noyes Hopkins, Ada M. Hall, Marie R. Jenney, Julie R. +Jenney, Frances C. Lewis, Jeannette R. Leavitt, Carrie S. Lerch, Mary +Hillard Loines, Mrs. P. A. Moffett, Pamela S. McCown, Margaret Morton, +Mrs. Joshua G. Munro, Anne Fitzhugh Miller, Sarah A. McClees, Deborah +Otis, Martha F. Prather, Jessie Post, J. Mary Pearson, Lucy S. Pierce, +Abby Hutchinson Patton, Lucy Boardman Smith, Marian H. Skidmore, +Angeline M. Sargent, James Sargent, Jessie J. Cassidy Saunders, Mary +B. Sackett, Jane M. Slocum, Mary Thayer Sanford, Emma B. Sweet, Emma +M. Tucker, Kate S. Thompson, Sarah L. Willis, Kate Foster Warner, Anna +Willets, Cerelle Grandin Weller. <i>North Carolina</i>: Lilla Ripley +Barnwell, Floride Cunningham, Miriam Harris, Helen Morris Lewis, +Margaret Richardson. <i>North Dakota</i>: Helen de Lendrecie, Dr. Cora +Smith (Eaton), Henrietta Paulson Haagensen, Delia Lee Hyde, Mary S. +Lounsberry, Sara E. B. Smith, Mary Whedon.</p> + +<p><i>Ohio</i>: Ella M. Bell, Sarah S. Bissell, W. O. Brown, Frances M. +Casement, Katharine B. Claypole, Mary N. Cunningham, Elizabeth Coit, +Martha P. Dana, Martha H. Elwell, Ellen Sully Fray, Mary C. Francis, +Jannette Freer, Elizabeth Gilmer, Prof. Jennie Gifford, Mary L. Geffs, +Clara Giddings, Eliza P.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1104" id="Page_1104">[Pg 1104]</a></span> Houk, Emma C. Hayes, Margaret Hackadorne, +Emma P. Harley, Eason Holbrook, Minnie C. Hauser, Elizabeth J. Hauser, +Cecilia Halloway, Minnie Stull Harris, Prof. Mary Jewett, Josephine +King, Mary J. Lawrence, Mary Folger Lang, Sallie J. McCall, Rev. +Henrietta G. Moore, Mary J. McMillan, Anna C. Mott, Lydia A. D. +Northway, Miss L. J. Ormstead, Addie M. Porter, Alice E. H. Peters, O. +G. Peters, Sarah M. Perkins, Annie Laurie Quinby, Harriet B. Rossa, +Florence Richards, Edythe E. Root, Mrs. N. Coe Stewart, Abbie +Schumacher, Helen R. Smith, Katherine Dooris Sharpe, Hattie A. Sachs, +Harriet Brown Stanton, Dr. Viola Swift, Lottie M. Sackett, Cornelia +Shaw, C. Swezey, Rosa L. Segur. <i>Oklahoma</i>: Margaret Rees, Mrs. R. W. +Southard, Celia Z. Titus. <i>Oregon</i>: Frances E. Gottshall. +<i>Pennsylvania</i>: Olive Pond Amies, Agnes M. Biddle, Mrs. W. C. +Butterfield, Mary Patterson Beaver, A. Isabel Bowers, Emma J. Bartol, +Katherine J. Campbell, Anna M. Child, Alice M. Coates, Elizabeth D. +Green, Susanna M. Gaskill, Caroline Gibbons, Mrs. E. N. Garrett, +Bertha W. Howe, Hetty Y. Hallowell, Lidie C. W. Koethen, Mary F. +Kenderdine, Mary S. Kent, Agnes Kemp, Mary B. Luckie, Alberta +Moorehouse, Mrs. L. M. B. Mitchell, Dr. Jane V. Myers, Esther A. +Pownall, Anna C. Pennock, Elizabeth B. Passmore, Charlotte L. Peirce, +Harriet Purvis, Jacob Reese, Jean B. Stephenson, Nicolas M. Shaw, +Emily H. Saxton, Mary B. Satterthwaite, Margaret B. Stone, Mattie A. +N. Shaw, Mrs. G. W. Schofield, Robert Tilney, Annie L. Tilney.</p> + +<p><i>Rhode Island</i>: Mary O. Arnold, Emeline Burlingame Cheney, Elizabeth +Buffum Chace, Ardelia C. Dewing, Jeannette S. French, Charlotte B. +Wilbour. <i>South Carolina</i>: Mary P. Gridley, Jean B. Lockwood, Maude +Sindersine, Claudia Gordon Tharin, May Tharin. <i>South Dakota</i>: Irene +G. Adams, Ida R. Bailey, Mrs. F. C. Bidwell, Emma Cranmer, Mrs. W. V. +Lucas, Anna R. Simmons, Mrs. C. E. Thorpe. <i>Tennessee</i>: Jennie +Bailett, L. Graham Crozier, Mary McLeer. <i>Texas</i>: Rebecca Henry Hayes, +L. R. Perkins. <i>Utah</i>: Corinne M. Allen, Sarah A. Boyer, Phebe Young +Beatie, Charlotte Ives Cobb, Marilla M. Daniels, Mary E. Gilmer, Annie +Godbe, Sarah M. Kimball, Aurelia S. Rodgers. <i>Vermont</i>: Mary N. Chase, +Eliza S. Eaton, Mary Hutchinson, Alice Clinton Smith. Virginia: Elisan +Brown, Nina Cross, Henderson Dangerfield, Elizabeth B. Dodge, Etta +Grymes Farrar, Georgia Gibson, Emma R. Gilman, L. M. Green, Arabella +B. Howard, Anna M. Snowden, Elizabeth Van Lew, Mary B. Wickersham. +<i>Washington</i>: Mrs. Francis W. Cushman, Mrs. L. C. Kellogg, Martha E. +Pike. <i>West Virginia</i>: Jessie G. Manley, Columbia A. Morgan, Florence +M. Post, Clara Reinhammer. <i>Wisconsin</i>: Louisa M. Eastman, Almeda B. +Gray, Laura B. James, Lucinda Lake, Jessie Nelson Luther, Maybell +Park, Dora Putnam, Ellen A. Rose. <i>Wyoming</i>: Hon. M. C. Brown, Amalia +B. Post, Mrs. Francis E. Warren.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_499_499" id="Footnote_499_499"></a><a href="#FNanchor_499_499"><span class="label">[499]</span></a> +For Congressional action see <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#CHAPTER_XVII">History of Woman Suffrage, Vol. II, Chaps. XVII,</a> +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#CHAPTER_XXIV">XXIV,</a> +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#CHAPTER_XXV">XXV;</a> +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28556/28556-h/28556-h.htm#CHAPTER_XXX">Vol. III, Chap. XXX;</a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_III">present volume, Chaps. III,</a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_V">V,</a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VI">VI,</a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_LXXII">Chapter on Wyoming</a>, and references in footnote of +Chap. I.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_500_500" id="Footnote_500_500"></a><a href="#FNanchor_500_500"><span class="label">[500]</span></a> This list is most incomplete, as members change so +frequently and the House has not voted on the question since 1869. +Most of the names given above are of those who have in some way openly +advocated the measure. Practically all of the members from the States +where women have the full franchise are in favor, and there always has +been a large number from Kansas. In 1896, in response to letters of +inquiry, many announced themselves as ready to vote for a suffrage +amendment.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_501_501" id="Footnote_501_501"></a><a href="#FNanchor_501_501"><span class="label">[501]</span></a> This is supplementary to matter contained in the State +chapters.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1105" id="Page_1105">[Pg 1105]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="INDEX_OF_SUBJECTS" id="INDEX_OF_SUBJECTS"></a>INDEX OF SUBJECTS.</h2> + + +<p>The famous bibliographer, William Oldys, wrote early in the 18th +century: "The labour and patience, the judgment and penetration, which +are required to make a good index are only known to those who have +gone through this most painful but least-praised part of a +publication." Lord Campbell said, a century later, in his preface to +The Lives of Chief Justices: "I proposed to bring a Bill into +Parliament to deprive an author, who publishes a book without an +index, of the privilege of copyright."</p> + +<p>If an index were deemed so valuable in those periods of comparative +leisure, one as complete as possible is surely an absolute necessity +in these days when time is at the highest premium, but the maker is +under obligation to study conciseness in order that the index may not +be as long as the book. It has seemed practicable to reduce very +greatly the length of this one without impairing its efficiency by +asking the reader to bear in mind a few simple facts as to the +arrangement of the History.</p> + +<p>Chapters II-XXI are devoted exclusively to the conventions of the +National Suffrage Association and the consequent hearings, reports and +discussions in Congress; the story of each year is complete in its +chapter and the date is in the running title on the right hand page. +The work of the American Association before the two societies united +is complete in Chapter XXII. These chapters contain the <i>argument</i>.</p> + +<p>Chapters XXV-LXXII comprise the full history of the work in the States +and Territories, one chapter given to each and all alphabetically +arranged with name in running title on the right hand page. Each State +is subdivided and the heads denoted by capital letters, as follows: +Organization, Legislative Action, Laws, Suffrage, Office Holding, +Occupation, Education.</p> + +<p>The other chapters are clearly designated in the Table of Contents, +and practically all the information which the book contains on each +subject will be found in its respective chapter. The greatest problem +has been the indexing of the many <i>speeches</i> so as to convey an idea +of their subject-matter, as a number of them cover a variety of +topics, and it has been possible to indicate only the principal +points. The editors trust, however, that the systematic arrangement of +the volume and the full Table of Contents will enable the reader to +obtain the desired information without difficulty.</p> + + +<div class="index"> +<ul class="IX"> +<li><i>Age of Protection</i>, <a href="#Page_460">460</a>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>and in each State chapter under <i>Legislative Action and Laws</i>, beginning <a href="#Page_465">465</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Amendment" id="Amendment"></a>Amendment Campaigns for Woman Suffrage</span>, <a href="#Page_xxi">xxi</a>; <a href="#Page_40">40</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Calif., <a href="#Page_486">486</a>;</li> + <li>in Col., <a href="#Page_513">513</a>;</li> + <li>in S. D., <a href="#Page_553">553-7</a>;</li> + <li>in Ida., <a href="#Page_590">590</a>;</li> + <li>in Kas., <a href="#Page_643">643</a>;</li> + <li>in N. J., <a href="#Page_822">822</a>;</li> + <li>in N. Y., <a href="#Page_847">847</a>;</li> + <li>in Ore., <a href="#Page_895">895</a>;</li> + <li>in R. I., <a href="#Page_909">909</a>;</li> + <li>in Wash., <a href="#Page_973">973</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Amendment To National Constitution for Woman Suffrage</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>objection to amending, advantage in securing wom. suff., <a href="#Page_xx">xx</a>, <a href="#Page_xxi">xxi</a>;</li> + <li>14th amend, and attempts of women to vote under it, <a href="#Page_3">3</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>15th amend., effect on wom. suff., <a href="#Page_6">6</a>;</li> + <li>effort to amend for Federal Suff. for women, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>;</li> + <li>Nat'l. Ass'n. begins<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1106" id="Page_1106">[Pg 1106]</a></span> work for 16th amend., <a href="#Page_11">11</a>;</li> + <li>res. for in '84, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Anthony on, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>;</li> + <li>argument for, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>;</li> + <li>sp. of Sen. Palmer, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>;</li> + <li>contrary to State's rights, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>;</li> + <li>first discussion of 16th amend. in Senate, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>;</li> + <li>14th amend., Miss Anthony on, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>; <a href="#Page_158">158</a>;</li> + <li>Senate Com. recom. 16th in '92, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>;</li> + <li>14th grants wom. suff., <a href="#Page_204">204</a>;</li> + <li>women appeal 25 yrs. for 16th amend., <a href="#Page_223">223</a>;</li> + <li>efforts of Nat'l Ass'n. for, <a href="#Page_367">367</a>;</li> + <li>Mrs. Catt on why one is asked for, <a href="#Page_369">369</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Anthony's plea, <a href="#Page_373">373</a>;</li> + <li>American Ass'n. declares for, <a href="#Page_410">410</a>, <a href="#Page_417">417</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Amendments to State Constitutions for Woman Suffrage</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>laws in different States, <a href="#Page_xvi">xvi</a>;</li> + <li>difficulty in Minn and Neb., failure of Sch. Suff. in N.J., <a href="#Page_xvi">xvi</a>;</li> + <li>same in S.D., <a href="#Page_xvii">xvii</a>;</li> + <li>submitted by ten States and results, <a href="#Page_xxi">xxi</a>;</li> + <li>obstacles to securing, <a href="#Page_xxiii">xxiii</a>;</li> + <li>comparison of votes, <a href="#Page_xxix">xxix</a>;</li> + <li>votes on, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>;</li> + <li>adopted in Col., <a href="#Page_528">528</a>;</li> + <li>in Idaho, <a href="#Page_593">593</a>;</li> + <li>school and library in Minn., <a href="#Page_778">778</a>;</li> + <li>law similar to amendment in Wis., <a href="#Page_988">988</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">American Woman Suffrage Association</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work of after '84, Chap. XXII; <a href="#Page_13">13</a>;</li> + <li>founded, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>;</li> + <li>union with Nat'l Ass'n., <a href="#Page_164">164</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Anecdotes</span>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>public money for "shes," <a href="#Page_193">193</a>;</li> + <li>in Tenn., <a href="#Page_196">196</a>;</li> + <li>how men represent women, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>;</li> + <li>of Miss Willard, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>;</li> + <li>woman on throne, <a href="#Page_229">229</a>;</li> + <li>poll tax in Tenn., <a href="#Page_241">241</a>;</li> + <li>women's voices, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>;</li> + <li>woman's product, <a href="#Page_337">337</a>;</li> + <li>from Ala., <a href="#Page_341">341</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Anthony's right bower, <a href="#Page_351">351</a>;</li> + <li>early education, <a href="#Page_354">354-5</a>;</li> + <li>women who have all the rights they want, <a href="#Page_360">360</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Anthony on "antis," <a href="#Page_384">384</a>;</li> + <li>of Abigail Adams, <a href="#Page_422">422</a>;</li> + <li>influence of liquor dealers, <a href="#Page_486">486</a>;</li> + <li>Yon's vote in Col., <a href="#Page_519">519</a>;</li> + <li>a Mass. legislator, <a href="#Page_740">740</a>;</li> + <li>women's money builds State Houses, <a href="#Page_763">763</a>;</li> + <li>suff. bill in Wash., <a href="#Page_972">972</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Anti-suffrage Association</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>advantage of, <a href="#Page_xxix">xxix</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>;</li> + <li>they mean well, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>;</li> + <li>in Ills., <a href="#Page_603">603</a>;</li> + <li>in Mass., <a href="#Page_716">716</a> et al.;</li> + <li>against mother's guardianship, <a href="#Page_744">744</a>;</li> + <li>in N. Y., <a href="#Page_850">850</a> et al., <a href="#Page_971">971</a>;</li> + <li>in Aus., <a href="#Page_1032">1032</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Anti-suffragists</span>, see Remonstrants.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Australia</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>--South, Chapter on, <a href="#Page_1027">1027</a></li> + <li>--West, Chapter on, <a href="#Page_1029">1029</a></li> + <li>--New South Wales, Chapter on, <a href="#Page_1029">1029</a></li> + <li>--Victoria, Chapter on, <a href="#Page_1031">1031</a></li> + <li>--Queensland, Chapter on, <a href="#Page_1032">1032</a></li> + <li>--Tasmania, Chapter on, <a href="#Page_1033">1033</a></li> + <li>Enfranchises its women, <a href="#Page_xiv">xiv</a>;</li> + <li>first country to grant them Munic. Suff., <a href="#Page_224">224</a>;</li> + <li>eminent advocates of wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1084">1084</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li><span class="sc">Bazar</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Nat'l. Ass'n., in New York, <a href="#Page_365">365</a>;</li> + <li>Amer. Ass'n. in Boston, descrip. of, Mrs. Howe's and Mrs. Stone's addresses, <a href="#Page_426">426-8</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Bible" id="Bible"></a>Bible</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>wrong interpretation of, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>;</li> + <li>for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_71">71</a>;</li> + <li>not opp. to, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>; <a href="#Page_106">106</a>;</li> + <li>men's interpretation of, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>;</li> + <li>purpose of Creator, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>;</li> + <li>not alone respons. for subjection of woman, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>;</li> + <li>Woman's Bible, discussion of at Nat'l. conv., <a href="#Page_263">263</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Bill of Rights</span>, woman's, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Bills" id="Bills"></a>Bills</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>for wom. suff., how treated, <a href="#Page_xxviii">xxviii</a>;</li> + <li>of Nat'l. Ass'n., W. C. T. U., Fed. of Clubs, etc., <a href="#Page_451">451-3</a>,</li> + <li>and under head of <i>Legislative Action</i> in State chapters, beginning <a href="#Page_465">465</a>;</li> + <li>Nat'l. Ass'n. protests against Edmunds-Tucker Bill, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>; <a href="#Page_78">78</a>;</li> + <li>res. against, <a href="#Page_122">122-3</a>;</li> + <li>committees on, <a href="#Page_939">939</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Birthdays</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Miss Anthony's 70th, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>;</li> + <li>her 74th, <a href="#Page_223">223-4</a>;</li> + <li>her 78th, <a href="#Page_291">291</a>;</li> + <li>greetings on, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>;</li> + <li>her 80th, <a href="#Page_vi">vi</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_383">383</a>; <a href="#Page_385">385</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>gifts on, <a href="#Page_389">389</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>celebration of in Lafayette Opera House, Wash't'n., <a href="#Page_394">394-404</a>;</li> + <li>trib. of Wm. Lloyd Garrison, <a href="#Page_395">395</a>,</li> + <li>of Mrs. Coonley-Ward, <a href="#Page_401">401</a>,</li> + <li>of Miss Shaw, <a href="#Page_402">402</a>;</li> + <li>greeting from Mrs. Stanton, <a href="#Page_402">402</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Anthony's response, <a href="#Page_403">403</a>;</li> + <li>letters rec'd., <a href="#Page_403">403</a>;</li> + <li>recep. in Corcoran Art Gallery, <a href="#Page_404">404</a>;</li> + <li>her portrait presented, <a href="#Page_405">405</a>;</li> + <li>her happiness, <a href="#Page_405">405</a>.</li> + <li>--Mrs. Stanton's 80th, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>.</li> + <li>--Rev. Anna Howard Shaw's, <a href="#Page_391">391</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Boards</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>difficulty of getting women on, <a href="#Page_462">462</a>;</li> + <li>see each State chapter under <i>Office Holding</i>, beginning <a href="#Page_465">465</a>;</li> + <li>in Great Britain, <a href="#Page_368">368</a>, <a href="#Page_1023">1023</a>.</li> + <li>--Lady Managers World's Fair, indebted to Miss Anthony, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>;</li> + <li>Act of Congress creating, <a href="#Page_233">233</a>; <a href="#Page_609">609</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + </ul></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li><span class="sc">California</span>, <a href="#Page_xv">xv</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Legis. refuses suff. amd't, <a href="#Page_xx">xx</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Shaw's acc't. of visit of Miss Anthony and herself in '95, <a href="#Page_253">253</a>;</li> + <li>work for suff. amend., <a href="#Page_273">273</a>;</li> + <li>honor to Miss Anthony, <a href="#Page_274">274</a>;</li> + <li>gift to Miss Anthony, <a href="#Page_390">390</a>.</li> + <li>See <a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">State Chapter</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Calls</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>for nat'l. suff. conv. of '84, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>;</li> + <li>for first Int'l. Council, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>;</li> + <li>for conv. of '89, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>;</li> + <li>for conv. of '91, <a href="#Page_175">175</a>;</li> + <li>for conv. of '94, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>;</li> + <li>for first Wom. Rights Conv., <a href="#Page_288">288</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Campaigns</span>, for wom. suff. amdts. See Amendment Campaigns.</li> +<li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1107" id="Page_1107">[Pg 1107]</a></span><span class="sc">Canada</span>, Dominion of, chapter on, <a href="#Page_1034">1034</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Catholics</span>, in politics, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>attitude of clergy, <a href="#Page_366">366</a>;</li> + <li>wom. suff. in Summer Sch. at Detroit, <a href="#Page_447">447</a>;</li> + <li>coeducation, <a href="#Page_464">464</a>;</li> + <li>college for women, <a href="#Page_575">575</a>;</li> + <li>on Boston Sch. Bd., <a href="#Page_706">706</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Chivalry</span>, specimens of, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>absurdity of, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>;</li> + <li>men and women need each other, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Willard on, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>;</li> + <li>Chivalry of Reform, Mrs. Howe on, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>;</li> + <li>injustice of, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>;</li> + <li>in Kas., <a href="#Page_199">199</a>;</li> + <li>mistakes of, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>;</li> + <li>in South, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>;</li> + <li>fear of, <a href="#Page_382">382</a>; <a href="#Page_968">968</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Church" id="Church"></a>Church</span>, influence on wom. suff., <a href="#Page_xxiv">xxiv</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>wom. suff. foundation of Christianity, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>;</li> + <li>relation to it, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>;</li> + <li>prayer vs. votes, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>; <a href="#Page_41">41</a>;</li> + <li>res. on creeds and dogmas, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>;</li> + <li>discussion by Mrs. Stanton, Miss Anthony and others, <a href="#Page_59">59</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>influence of religion over woman, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>;</li> + <li>its connect. with wom. suff., <a href="#Page_75">75</a>;</li> + <li>woman's influence in church, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>;</li> + <li>for equality of rights, Bishop Newman, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>; <a href="#Page_121">121</a>;</li> + <li>value of wom. suff. to, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>;</li> + <li>Mrs. Stanton's demand for its recog. of woman's equality, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>;</li> + <li>upholds man's headship, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>;</li> + <li>opp. to equality of woman, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>;</li> + <li>voice of God has soprano and bass, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>;</li> + <li>M. E. refuses to ordain women, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>;</li> + <li>women might vote at ch. elections, <a href="#Page_212">212</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Shaw on mission of, <a href="#Page_229">229</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Anthony's plea for relig. liberty, <a href="#Page_264">264</a>;</li> + <li>sympathy with wom. suff., <a href="#Page_270">270</a>;</li> + <li>woman's services to, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>;</li> + <li>woman's position in <a href="#Page_292">292</a>; <a href="#Page_359">359</a>; <a href="#Page_464">464</a>; <a href="#Page_497">497</a>; <a href="#Page_708">708</a>; <a href="#Page_711">711</a>; <a href="#Page_718">718</a>; <a href="#Page_962">962-3</a>; <a href="#Page_974">974</a>;</li> + <li>missionary work of women, <a href="#Page_1057">1057</a> et seq.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Clubhouses, Women's</span>, Wimodaughsis, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Grand Rapids, <a href="#Page_322">322-3</a>;</li> + <li>in Calif., <a href="#Page_508">508</a>;</li> + <li>in Indpls., <a href="#Page_627">627</a>;</li> + <li>in Mich., <a href="#Page_771">771</a>;</li> + <li>in Phila., <a href="#Page_901">901</a>; <a href="#Page_1043">1043</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Clubs, Women's</span>, <i>see</i> last paragraph in various State chapters. + <ul class="IX"> + <li>In Col., <a href="#Page_302">302</a>; <a href="#Page_356">356</a>;</li> + <li>in Mich., welcome Nat'l suff. conv., <a href="#Page_324">324</a>;</li> + <li>political, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>;</li> + <li>in N. Y., <a href="#Page_872">872</a>;</li> + <li>first women's clubs on record, <a href="#Page_1042">1042-3</a>;</li> + <li>Gen'l Federation of, <a href="#Page_1050">1050</a>;</li> + <li>Musical, Nat'l. Fed. of, <a href="#Page_1056">1056</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Colleges.</span> <i>See</i> <a href="#Universities_and_Colleges">Universities</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Colorado</span>, <a href="#Page_xxi">xxi</a>; <a href="#Page_xxix">xxix</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>appear. of delegates, <a href="#Page_222">222</a>;</li> + <li>Gov. Waite on wom. suff. in, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>;</li> + <li>women in Legis., <a href="#Page_239">239</a>; <a href="#Page_252">252</a>;</li> + <li>visit of Miss Anthony and Miss Shaw in '95, <a href="#Page_253">253</a>;</li> + <li>effect of wom. suff., <a href="#Page_268">268</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>;</li> + <li>distinguished testimony for, <a href="#Page_302">302-3</a>, <a href="#Page_383">383</a>, <a href="#Page_390">390</a>;</li> + <li>legis. res. in favor of, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>;</li> + <li>Mrs. Welch at conv. of '99, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>;</li> + <li>wom. suff. in, <a href="#Page_356">356</a>;</li> + <li>gift and trib. to Miss Anthony on 80th birthday, <a href="#Page_400">400</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX"> State Chapter</a>; also <a href="#Statistics">Statistics</a> and <a href="#Testimony">Testimony</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Columbian Exposition</span>, Lady Managers, <i>see</i> Boards; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>invites Suff. Ass'n. to World's Fair, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>;</li> + <li>ass'n. arranges for booth, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>discusses res. to open gates on Sunday, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>,</li> + <li>to prohibit liquor selling, <a href="#Page_186">186</a>;</li> + </ul></li> + <li>effect of the Fair on women, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>; <a href="#Page_221">221</a>;</li> + <li>Congress of Women all for suff., <a href="#Page_232">232</a>;</li> + <li>report of Nat'l. Suff. Ass'n. Com., <a href="#Page_232">232</a>; <a href="#Page_609">609</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Commercial Schools</span>, Fed. of, adopts wom. suff. res. and petits., <a href="#Page_447">447</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Commissions</span>, of women demanded for Philippines, <a href="#Page_331">331-2</a>, <a href="#Page_343">343</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>U. S. Labor, Miss Laughlin on, <a href="#Page_361">361</a>;</li> + <li>for Paris expos., Mrs. Palmer on, <a href="#Page_367">367</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Committees</span>, of American Suffrage Association, on arrangements for convs., <i>see</i> Chapter <a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">XXII</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>executive of, <a href="#Page_409">409</a>;</li> + <li>on union with Nat'l. Ass'n., <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_431">431</a>.</li> + <li>--of National Suffrage Association on Int'l Council, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>on union with Am. Ass'n., <a href="#Page_164">164</a>;</li> + <li>on Columbian Expos., <a href="#Page_232">232</a>. <i>See</i> also <a href="#Page_1098">1098-9</a>.</li> + <li>On Miss Anthony's 80th birthday celebration, <a href="#Page_395">395</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + <li>--Congressional, on wom. suff., <a href="#Page_31">31</a>. + <ul class="IX"> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#Reports">Reports</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Congress" id="Congress"></a>Congress</span>, power to extend suff., <a href="#Page_7">7</a> et seq.; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work of Nat'l Suff. Ass'n. with, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>;</li> + <li>committee reports, discussions and speeches, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>;</li> + <li>House debate on Wom. Suff. Com. <a href="#Page_31">31</a>;</li> + <li>wom. suff. sp. of Sen. Palmer, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>;</li> + <li>first discussion of 16th amend. in Senate, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>;</li> + <li>other debates on wom. suff. in Senate, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>;</li> + <li>Blair's sp. in '87, <a href="#Page_86">86</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>should submit amend., <a href="#Page_93">93</a>;</li> + <li>sp. of Brown, <a href="#Page_93">93</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>Dolph favors wom. suff., <a href="#Page_100">100</a>;</li> + <li>discussion of women on juries, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>;</li> + <li>Vest opposes wom. suff., <a href="#Page_105">105</a>;</li> + <li>Hoar in favor, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>;</li> + <li>vote in Senate, <a href="#Page_110">110</a>; <a href="#Page_112">112</a>;</li> + <li>authority to enfranchise women, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>;</li> + <li>duty to submit suff. amend., <a href="#Page_163">163</a>;</li> + <li>favorable sentiment, <a href="#Page_181">181</a>;</li> + <li>way to manage a bill in, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>;</li> + <li>needs watching, <a href="#Page_365">365</a>;</li> + <li>work of Nat'l. Ass'n. for 16th amend., <a href="#Page_367">367</a>;</li> + <li>appeals to for 16th amend. to enfranch. women, <a href="#Page_445">445</a>;</li> + <li>for rights of women in new possessions, <a href="#Page_446">446</a>;</li> + <li>amusing debate on admis. of Wy., 998 et seq.</li> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#Amendment">Amendments</a> and <a href="#Debates">Debates</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1108" id="Page_1108">[Pg 1108]</a></span><span class="sc">Congresses of Women</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>World's Fair, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="#Page_609">609</a>;</li> + <li>in San Fr., <a href="#Page_253">253</a>, <a href="#Page_479">479</a>, <a href="#Page_481">481</a>;</li> + <li>Atlanta expos., <a href="#Page_263">263</a>;</li> + <li>London in '99, <a href="#Page_352">352-3</a>;</li> + <li>in Los Angeles, <a href="#Page_495">495</a>;</li> + <li>in Ore., <a href="#Page_892">892-3</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Constitution" id="Constitution"></a>Constitution, National</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>more rigid than in other countries, <a href="#Page_xv">xv</a>,</li> + <li>gives women right to vote, <a href="#CHAPTER_I">Chapter I</a>;</li> + <li>first appearance of "male," <a href="#Page_2">2</a>;</li> + <li>attempt of women to vote under 14th amend., <a href="#Page_3">3</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>amend. for Federal Suff. for women, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>;</li> + <li>authority over suff., <a href="#Page_8">8</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>provides for amending, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>;</li> + <li>vote on wom. suff. amend., <a href="#Page_110">110</a>;</li> + <li>rights of women under, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>;</li> + <li>Mrs. Stanton on its violation in case of women, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>;</li> + <li>fails to protect black men, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>;</li> + <li>Mrs. Blake's argument for wom. suff. under its provisions, <a href="#Page_374">374-5</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Constitutions, State</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>all framed by men; different peculiarities, <a href="#Page_xv">xv</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>all barred women from suff., <a href="#Page_2">2</a>;</li> + <li>Utah and Wy. included wom. suff. in first, <a href="#Page_949">949</a>, <a href="#Page_1003">1003</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> State chapters under <i>Suffrage</i>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Constitutional Conventions.</span> <i>See</i> <a href="#Conventions">Conventions</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Constitutional Law.</span> <i>See</i> <a href="#Law">Law</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Contracts.</span> <i>See Laws</i> in each State chapter.</li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Conventions" id="Conventions"></a>Conventions</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>American Suff. Assn., from '84 to '88, <a href="#Page_406">406-428</a>;</li> + <li>early convs. in Phila., <a href="#Page_423">423</a>.</li> + <li>--National Suffrage Ass'n., first one ever called, <a href="#Page_xiii">xiii</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>earliest ones, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>;</li> + <li>res. for Int'l. Suff. Conv., <a href="#Page_25">25</a>;</li> + <li>changed attitude of press toward, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>;</li> + <li>first suff. meeting held in Washt'n., <a href="#Page_70">70</a>;</li> + <li>conv. for '88, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>;</li> + <li>complimented by Washt'n. <i>Star</i>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a>;</li> + <li>convs. before the war, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>;</li> + <li>alternate ones taken out of Washt'n., Miss Anthony's protest, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>;</li> + <li>the other side, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>;</li> + <li>descript. of '94, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Anthony's method of presiding, <a href="#Page_238">238</a>;</li> + <li>descript. of '95, <a href="#Page_236">236</a>;</li> + <li>of '97, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + <li>See Chapters II-XXI.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Conventions</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work for wom. suff. in political and other conventions, <a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">Chap. XXIII</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> State chapters.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Conventions</span>, Nat'l. Political, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>first appeal of women for suff., <a href="#Page_435">435</a>;</li> + <li>appeals in 1900, <a href="#Page_440">440</a> et seq.</li> + <li>--Republican, record of, <a href="#Page_435">435-7</a>, <a href="#Page_440">440</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>for 1900, <a href="#Page_443">443-4</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + <li>--Democratic, record of, <a href="#Page_437">437</a>, <a href="#Page_440">440</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>for 1900, <a href="#Page_444">444</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + <li>--Populist, record of, <a href="#Page_437">437-8</a>, <a href="#Page_441">441</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>for 1900, <a href="#Page_444">444</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + <li>--Prohibition, record of, <a href="#Page_438">438</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>for 1900, <a href="#Page_444">444</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + <li>--Other Parties, record of, <a href="#Page_xviii">xviii</a>, <a href="#Page_438">438-9</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>for 1900, <a href="#Page_444">444</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + <li><i>See</i> also Democrats, Populists, Republicans, Parties and p. <a href="#Page_556">556</a>.</li> + <li>Women delegates to nat'l. convs., <a href="#Page_319">319</a>, <a href="#Page_438">438-9</a>;</li> + <li>work of Miss Anthony and others, <a href="#Page_439">439</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>no hope for disfranch. class, <a href="#Page_444">444</a>;</li> + <li>sentiment among delegates, <a href="#Page_444">444-5</a>.</li> + <li>For work in State political convs., <i>see</i> various State chapters.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Conventions</span>, State Constitutional, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>attempts to secure wom. suff. amdts., <a href="#Page_432">432-3</a>; <a href="#Page_453">453</a>;</li> + <li>in Ala., <a href="#Page_468">468</a>;</li> + <li>N. D., <a href="#Page_544">544</a>;</li> + <li>S. D., <a href="#Page_552">552</a>;</li> + <li>Del., <a href="#Page_563">563</a>;</li> + <li>Ky., <a href="#Page_669">669</a>;</li> + <li>La., <a href="#Page_680">680</a>;</li> + <li>Mass., <a href="#Page_720">720</a>;</li> + <li>Miss., <a href="#Page_786">786</a>;</li> + <li>Mont., <a href="#Page_797">797</a>;</li> + <li>N. H., <a href="#Page_815">815</a>;</li> + <li>N. J., <a href="#Page_830">830</a>;</li> + <li>N. M., <a href="#Page_835">835</a>;</li> + <li>N. Y., <a href="#Page_203">203</a>, <a href="#Page_847">847</a>;</li> + <li>Utah, <a href="#Page_944">944</a>;</li> + <li>Vt., <a href="#Page_958">958</a>;</li> + <li>Wash., <a href="#Page_969">969</a>;</li> + <li>Wy., <a href="#Page_995">995</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Councils of Women</span>, National and International, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>first Int'l., <a href="#Page_124">124</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>permanent Councils formed, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>;</li> + <li>Nat'l. in '91, <a href="#Page_175">175</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Shaw's report of London Int'l., <a href="#Page_352">352</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Anthony's report of same, suff. pervaded all, Amer. wom. showed effects of liberty, <a href="#Page_353">353</a>;</li> + <li>Nat'l. Council, trib. to Miss Anthony on 80th birthday, <a href="#Page_396">396</a>;</li> + <li>Int'l., same, <a href="#Page_397">397</a>;</li> + <li>Nat'l. Council, founding and work, <a href="#Page_1044">1044-5</a>;</li> + <li>Int'l., same, <a href="#Page_1044">1044-5</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Creeds.</span> <i>See</i> <a href="#Church">Church</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Criminals</span>, at ballot box, <a href="#Page_xxvi">xxvi</a>, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Cuba</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Nat'l. Ass'n. demands rights for its women, <a href="#Page_325">325</a>, <a href="#Page_330">330</a>;</li> + <li>appeals to Congress for same, <a href="#Page_446">446</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Curtesy.</span> <i>See Laws</i> in each State chapter.</li> +</ul> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Debates" id="Debates"></a>Debates</span>, in Congress, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>on Wom. Suff. Com., <a href="#Page_31">31</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>those of former years, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>;</li> + <li>first and only debate on 16th Amend, to enfranchise women, <a href="#Page_87">87</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>on admission of Wy., <a href="#Page_998">998</a> et seq.</li> + <li>--in National Suffrage Conventions, on dogmas and creeds, <a href="#Page_59">59</a> et seq.; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>on taking wom. suff. into church, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>;</li> + <li>on migratory convs., <a href="#Page_218">218</a>;</li> + <li>on Woman's Bible, <a href="#Page_263">263</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Decisions.</span> <i>See</i> <a href="#Supreme_Court_Decisions">Supreme Court</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Declaration of Independence</span>, applied to women, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Delegates</span>, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>nat'l. conv. made delegate body, <a href="#Page_77">77</a>;</li> + <li>foreign to Int'l. Council, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>;</li> + <li>dels. to 40th anniv., <a href="#Page_288">288</a>;</li> + <li>to conv. of 1900, <a href="#Page_350">350</a>;</li> + <li>to Paris Expos., <a href="#Page_367">367</a>;</li> + <li>to polit. convs., <a href="#Page_319">319</a>, <a href="#Page_438">438-9</a>;</li> + <li>in Col., <a href="#Page_521">521</a>;</li> + <li>in Kas., <a href="#Page_646">646</a>;</li> + <li>in Mont., <a href="#Page_801">801</a>;</li> + <li><i>see</i> also <a href="#CHAPTER_LXVI">Utah Chap</a>.;</li> + <li>to nat'l. suff. convs. from '84 to 1900, <a href="#Page_1101">1101</a>.</li> + <li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1109" id="Page_1109">[Pg 1109]</a></span>--Fraternal, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>to conv. of '96, <a href="#Page_256">256</a>;</li> + <li>to Wom. Press Ass'n., <a href="#Page_291">291</a>;</li> + <li>to Int'l. Council of '99, <a href="#Page_342">342</a>;</li> + <li>to suff. conv. of '99, <a href="#Page_323">323</a>;</li> + <li>to suff. conv. of 1900, <a href="#Page_366">366</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Democracy" id="Democracy"></a>Democracy</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>disbelief in, <a href="#Page_xxvi">xxvi</a>, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>;</li> + <li>wom. suff. asked in name of, <a href="#Page_372">372</a>;</li> + <li>U. S. not a, <a href="#Page_374">374</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Democrats</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>enfranch. workingmen, <a href="#Page_xvii">xvii</a>; <a href="#Page_143">143</a>;</li> + <li>in Calif., <a href="#Page_488">488-9</a>;</li> + <li>in Col., <a href="#Page_516">516</a>;</li> + <li>in S. Dak., <a href="#Page_555">555</a>;</li> + <li>in Ida., <a href="#Page_590">590-2</a>;</li> + <li>in Ills., <a href="#Page_605">605-6</a>;</li> + <li>in Ind., <a href="#Page_617">617</a>;</li> + <li>in Kas., <a href="#Page_647">647</a>, <a href="#Page_650">650-3</a>;</li> + <li>in Mass., <a href="#Page_724">724</a>;</li> + <li>in Mich., <a href="#Page_755">755</a>;</li> + <li>in N. Y., <a href="#Page_847">847-9</a>, <a href="#Page_872">872</a>;</li> + <li>in Utah, <a href="#Page_953">953</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>in Wash., <a href="#Page_971">971</a>;</li> + <li>in Congress on Wy., <a href="#Page_978">978</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#Conventions">Conventions</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Dentistry</span>, women in, <a href="#Page_464">464</a>; <a href="#Page_700">700</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Disfranchisement</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>degradation of, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Miss Anthony on, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>; <a href="#Page_44">44</a>; <a href="#Page_73">73</a>; <a href="#Page_83">83</a>; <a href="#Page_107">107</a>;</li> + <li>Mrs. Stanton on, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>; <a href="#Page_151">151</a>; <a href="#Page_172">172</a>;</li> + <li>great sp. of Mrs. Stanton on, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>; <a href="#Page_195">195</a>; <a href="#Page_196">196</a>;</li> + <li>Mrs. Merrick on, <a href="#Page_243">243</a>; <a href="#Page_255">255</a>;</li> + <li>men wd. not endure, <a href="#Page_373">373</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_375">375</a>.</li> + <li>--disadvantages of, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>; <a href="#Page_42">42</a>; <a href="#Page_45">45</a>; <a href="#Page_46">46</a>; <a href="#Page_73">73</a>; <a href="#Page_79">79</a>; <a href="#Page_138">138-9</a>; <a href="#Page_190">190</a>; <a href="#Page_195">195</a>; <a href="#Page_196">196</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>to women wage-earners, <a href="#Page_312">312</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_377">377</a>; <a href="#Page_359">359</a>; <a href="#Page_365">365</a>; <a href="#Page_373">373</a>; <a href="#Page_379">379</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + </ul></li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">District of Columbia</span>, gift and trib. to Miss Anthony on 80th birthday, <a href="#Page_399">399</a>. + <ul class="IX"> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIII">chapter on D. C.</a></li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Divorce</span>, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>; <a href="#Page_100">100</a>; <a href="#Page_103">103</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>national law, women should have voice in, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>;</li> + <li>evolution of, <a href="#Page_297">297</a>;</li> + <li>in Wyoming, <a href="#Page_362">362</a>;</li> + <li>in Wy., S. D. and Ok., <a href="#Page_460">460</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Domestic2" id="Domestic2"></a>Domestic</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>household demands on women, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>;</li> + <li>too much housekeeping, <a href="#Page_210">210</a>;</li> + <li>future domestic service, <a href="#Page_210">210</a>;</li> + <li>effect of domestic life on women, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>;</li> + <li>home life of woman suffragists, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>;</li> + <li>what home means, <a href="#Page_285">285</a>;</li> + <li>woman's position in the home, <a href="#Page_292">292</a>;</li> + <li>husbands do not support wives, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>;</li> + <li>home vs. factory work, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>;</li> + <li>college women and home, <a href="#Page_358">358</a>;</li> + <li>need of trained work, <a href="#Page_358">358</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> also <a href="#Domestic"><i>Domestic</i></a> under Suffrage.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Donors" id="Donors"></a>Donors</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>to Hist. of Wom. Suff., <a href="#Page_v">v</a>, <a href="#Page_vii">vii</a>;</li> + <li>to Int'l. Council of Wom., <a href="#Page_126">126</a>;</li> + <li>Mrs. Southworth, <a href="#Page_257">257</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Anthony, <a href="#Page_287">287</a>;</li> + <li>in Conn., <a href="#Page_536">536</a>;</li> + <li>in Ga., <a href="#Page_582">582</a>;</li> + <li>Mrs. Avery, <a href="#Page_642">642</a>;</li> + <li>in N. Y., <a href="#Page_849">849</a>.</li> + <li>--women, for education, <a href="#Page_356">356</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Calif., <a href="#Page_507">507</a>;</li> + <li>in La., <a href="#Page_688">688</a>;</li> + <li>in Md., <a href="#Page_700">700</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Dower.</span> <i>See Laws</i> in each State chapter.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Dress</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>descrip. of delegates', <a href="#Page_56">56</a>;</li> + <li>of Miss Anthony at conv. of '90, <a href="#Page_173">173</a>;</li> + <li>on 80th birthday, <a href="#Page_403">403-4</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Education" id="Education"></a>Education</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>higher education of women, résumé of, <a href="#Page_463">463</a>,</li> + <li>and in each State chapter under head of <i>Education</i>, beginning <a href="#Page_465">465</a>.</li> + <li>--majority would never consent to, <a href="#Page_xxii">xxii</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>statistics of, <a href="#Page_xxx">xxx</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>;</li> + <li>5,000 teachers in Ind. ask for ballot, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>;</li> + <li>educated women will not stand subjection, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>;</li> + <li>educated women deprived of ballot, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>;</li> + <li>intellectual capacity of women, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>; <a href="#Page_101">101</a>;</li> + <li>more than some Senators, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>;</li> + <li>woman senior wrangler at Cambridge, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>;</li> + <li>a century ago, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>;</li> + <li>training of girl of future, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>;</li> + <li>easily obtained, <a href="#Page_292">292</a>, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>;</li> + <li>Mrs. Sewall on Govt. no right to educate women and refuse them representation, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>;</li> + <li>its effects shown in Amer. women at Int'l. Council in London, <a href="#Page_353">353</a>;</li> + <li>woman's from beginning of century, obstacles, direful predictions, <a href="#Page_354">354-6</a>;</li> + <li>health of women graduates, <a href="#Page_355">355</a>;</li> + <li>women on Faculties, <a href="#Page_355">355</a>;</li> + <li>donations of women to, <a href="#Page_356">356</a>, <a href="#Page_507">507</a>;</li> + <li>must lead to suff., <a href="#Page_356">356</a>;</li> + <li>effect on domestic life, <a href="#Page_357">357</a>;</li> + <li>Catholic, <a href="#Page_464">464</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_575">575</a>;</li> + <li>in Gr. Brit., <a href="#Page_1024">1024</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + <li><i>See</i> also <a href="#Donors">Donors</a>, <a href="#Illiteracy">Illiteracy</a>, <a href="#Public_Schools">Public Schools</a>, <a href="#Universities_and_Colleges">Universities</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Electorate" id="Electorate"></a>Electorate</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>character of, <a href="#Page_xxiii">xxiii</a>;</li> + <li>elements needed, <a href="#Page_xxvi">xxvi</a>;</li> + <li>what composed of, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>, <a href="#Page_324">324</a>, <a href="#Page_371">371</a>, <a href="#Page_415">415</a>;</li> + <li>in Col., <a href="#Page_514">514</a>;</li> + <li>in S. D., <a href="#Page_556">556</a>;</li> + <li>in Wash., <a href="#Page_1098">1098</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Enrollment</span>, Nat'l., for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_137">137</a>; <a href="#Page_878">878</a>. + <ul class="IX"> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#Petitions">Petitions</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Equal Rights</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Association for, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>;</li> + <li>demand for by Int'l. Council, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>;</li> + <li>they belong to women, no thanks to men, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>;</li> + <li>crime of denying to women, Mr. Foulke on, <a href="#Page_167">167</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#Progress_of_Equal_Rights">Progress of</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Europe</span>, wom. suff. in countries of. <i>See</i> chapter on, <a href="#Page_1038">1038</a>.</li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Federal_Suffrage" id="Federal_Suffrage"></a>Federal Suffrage</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>argument for, <a href="#Page_6">6</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>Miss Anthony on, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>; <a href="#Page_78">78</a>;</li> + <li>Sen. Blair on, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>; <a href="#Page_201">201</a>; <a href="#Page_218">218</a>; <a href="#Page_234">234</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Federation of Women's Clubs</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>legis. work, <a href="#Page_452">452</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> closing paragraph in various State chapters, beginning <a href="#Page_465">465</a>, and also page <a href="#Page_1050">1050</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Flags</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>at conv. of '94, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>;</li> + <li>Col. presents one to Miss Anthony, <a href="#Page_222">222-3</a>;</li> + <li>at conv. of '95, <a href="#Page_236">236</a>;</li> + <li>flag not desecrated by four stars, <a href="#Page_278">278</a>;</li> + <li>golden flag presented to Miss A., <a href="#Page_400">400</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Foreigners.</span> <i>See</i> <a href="#Immigrants">Immigrants</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Foreign Countries</span>, wom. suff. in. <i>See</i> <a href="#CHAPTER_LXXIV">Chap. LXXIV</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">France</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>wom. suff. in, <a href="#Page_343">343</a>, <a href="#Page_1040">1040</a>;</li> + <li>eminent advocates, <a href="#Page_1084">1084</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li><span class="sc">Georgia</span>, curiosities in, <a href="#Page_228">228</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>nat'l.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1110" id="Page_1110">[Pg 1110]</a></span> suff. conv. in Atlanta, <a href="#Page_236">236</a>;</li> + <li>illiterate vote, <a href="#Page_246">246</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#CHAPTER_XXXV">State chapter</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Goddess of Liberty</span>, in N. Y. harbor, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Anthony's features, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>;</li> + <li>Wy. represents, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>;</li> + <li>on nat'l. Capitol, a mockery, <a href="#Page_375">375</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Governors of States</span>, position on wom. suff., <a href="#Page_212">212</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>list favoring wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1078">1078</a>;</li> + <li>of Wy. testify for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1087">1087</a> et seq.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Grand Army of the Republic</span>, favors wom. suff., <a href="#Page_184">184</a>; <a href="#Page_644">644</a>; <a href="#Page_893">893</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Granges</span>, favor wom. suff., <a href="#Page_184">184</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>always recognized equality of woman, <a href="#Page_228">228</a>;</li> + <li>position of woman in, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>;</li> + <li>nat'l. adopts wom. suff. res. in 1900, <a href="#Page_447">447-8</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> various State chapters.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Great Britain</span>, <a href="#CHAPTER_LXXIII">Chap. LXXIII</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>efforts for Parliamentary Franchise, <a href="#Page_1012">1012</a>, <a href="#Page_1020">1020</a>;</li> + <li>Primrose League and Liberal Federation, <a href="#Page_1013">1013</a>;</li> + <li>better laws, <a href="#Page_1021">1021</a>;</li> + <li>local gov't., <a href="#Page_1022">1022</a>;</li> + <li>office holding, <a href="#Page_1023">1023</a>;</li> + <li>education, <a href="#Page_1024">1024</a>;</li> + <li>colonial progress, <a href="#Page_1025">1025</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>petits. for suff., <a href="#Page_1015">1015</a>, <a href="#Page_1017">1017</a>, <a href="#Page_1020">1020</a>.</li> + <li>--gives local franchise to women, <a href="#Page_xiv">xiv</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>more liberal than U. S. on socialistic questions, <a href="#Page_167">167</a>;</li> + <li>enfranch. workingmen, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>;</li> + <li>progress of wom. suff., <a href="#Page_353">353</a>;</li> + <li>Mrs. Blatch on women on boards and wom. suff. in, <a href="#Page_368">368</a>;</li> + <li>remonstrants in, <a href="#Page_369">369</a>;</li> + <li>eminent advocates of wom. suff. in, <a href="#Page_1083">1083</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Guardianship</span>, equal of children. <i>See</i> <a href="#Law">Laws</a>.</li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li><span class="sc">Hawaii</span>, Nat'l. Suff. Ass'n. demands rights for its women, <a href="#Page_325">325</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>injustice to them, <a href="#Page_330">330</a>;</li> + <li>resolution against "male" in its constitn., <a href="#Page_343">343</a>;</li> + <li>petitions Congress in behalf of its women, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>;</li> + <li>outrageous constitn. adopted by Congress, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>;</li> + <li>Hawaiian members object, <a href="#Page_347">347</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Anthony's work for its women, <a href="#Page_365">365</a>;</li> + <li>appeals to Congress for rights of its women, <a href="#Page_446">446</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Head of Family.</span> <i>See</i> Laws and pp. <a href="#Page_458">458</a>; <a href="#Page_945">945</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Va., <a href="#Page_966">966</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Hearings</span> before Congressional Committees in '84, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in '86, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>;</li> + <li>in '88, before Senate com., <a href="#Page_137">137</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>in '89, same, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>;</li> + <li>before House, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>;</li> + <li>in '90, before Senate, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>;</li> + <li>before House, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>;</li> + <li>in '92, before Senate, Mrs. Stanton on Solitude of Self, <a href="#Page_189">189</a>;</li> + <li>before House, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>;</li> + <li>in '94, before Senate and House, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>;</li> + <li>in '96, before Senate and House, <a href="#Page_267">267</a>;</li> + <li>in '98, before Senate, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>;</li> + <li>before House, <a href="#Page_318">318</a>;</li> + <li>in 1900, before Senate, <a href="#Page_367">367</a>,</li> + <li>Miss Anthony's plea at <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_373">373</a>;</li> + <li>before House, <a href="#Page_373">373</a>;</li> + <li>first appearance of "antis," <a href="#Page_381">381-4</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">History of Woman Suffrage</span>, how it was written and published. <i>See</i> <a href="#PREFACE">Preface</a>.</li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li><span class="sc">Idaho</span>, adopts wom. suff. amend., <a href="#Page_xxi">xxi</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>welcomed by nat'l. conv., <a href="#Page_272">272</a>;</li> + <li>story of amend, camp'n., <a href="#Page_283">283-4</a>;</li> + <li>gift to Miss Anthony, <a href="#Page_390">390</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVI">State chapter</a>, also <a href="#Statistics">Statistics</a> and <a href="#Testimony">Testimony</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Illinois</span>, great petits. for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_39">39</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>laws for women, <a href="#Page_276">276</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVII">State chapter</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Illiteracy" id="Illiteracy"></a>Illiteracy</span>, percentage of, smaller among women than men, <a href="#Page_xxii">xxii</a>, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Ga., <a href="#Page_246">246</a>;</li> + <li>shut it out from electorate, <a href="#Page_316">316-17</a>;</li> + <li>not the ignorant alone opp. wom. suff., <a href="#Page_338">338</a>, <a href="#Page_493">493</a>;</li> + <li>decides fate of women, <a href="#Page_371">371</a>;</li> + <li>in S. D., <a href="#Page_556">556</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Immigrants" id="Immigrants"></a>Immigrants</span>, English view of, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>their enfranchisement, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>;</li> + <li>polit. danger of, <a href="#Page_68">68-9</a>;</li> + <li>German view, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>;</li> + <li>in Neb., <a href="#Page_81">81</a>; <a href="#Page_82">82</a>;</li> + <li>welcome to, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>;</li> + <li>enfranchised, Mrs. Stanton on, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>;</li> + <li>political rule of, American women in majority, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>;</li> + <li>placed over women, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>;</li> + <li>preferred to Amer. women, Mrs. Stanton's picture of, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>;</li> + <li>should be welcomed but not enfranch., <a href="#Page_316">316</a>, <a href="#Page_317">317</a>;</li> + <li>in Mich., <a href="#Page_324">324</a>;</li> + <li>compared to Amer. women, <a href="#Page_415">415</a>; <a href="#Page_418">418</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">India</span>, effect on its women of English laws, <a href="#Page_330">330</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Indians</span>, preferred to women voters in S. D., <a href="#Page_182">182</a>, <a href="#Page_557">557</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Gov't. favors over women, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>;</li> + <li>vs. American women, <a href="#Page_313">313</a>;</li> + <li>effect on women of "land in severalty," <a href="#Page_330">330</a>;</li> + <li>Gov't. grants privileges denied to white women, <a href="#Page_374">374</a>;</li> + <li>authority of their women, <a href="#Page_1041">1041</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Indifference_of_Women" id="Indifference_of_Women"></a>Indifference of Women</span>, <a href="#Page_xxii">xxii</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_xxiv">xxiv</a>;</li> + <li>reasons for, <a href="#Page_xxv">xxv</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_xxix">xxix</a>;</li> + <li>causes of, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>;</li> + <li>men will decide the question, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>;</li> + <li>no means of knowing, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>;</li> + <li>all women should not be punished for, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>;</li> + <li>fear to speak, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>;</li> + <li>pity for, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>;</li> + <li>women put everything before suff., <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>;</li> + <li>is result of disfranchis., <a href="#Page_160">160</a>;</li> + <li>does not affect the right of suff., <a href="#Page_168">168</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Blackwell on, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>;</li> + <li>women too much flattered, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>;</li> + <li>dangers of, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>;</li> + <li>always existed, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>;</li> + <li>women do not think, <a href="#Page_285">285</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Blackwell gives examples, <a href="#Page_320">320</a>;</li> + <li>parable of good Samaritan, <a href="#Page_360">360</a>;</li> + <li>natural conservatism, <a href="#Page_372">372</a>;</li> + <li>timidity and ignorance, <a href="#Page_415">415</a>;</li> + <li>selfishness, <a href="#Page_420">420</a>;</li> + <li>those who have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1111" id="Page_1111">[Pg 1111]</a></span> all the rights they want, <a href="#Page_461">461</a>;</li> + <li>same in Col., <a href="#Page_517">517</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Indirect Influence</span>, needs responsibility, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>; <a href="#Page_96">96-7</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>suff. would destroy, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>; <a href="#Page_168">168</a>; <a href="#Page_517">517</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Individuality</span> of woman, suff. a guarantee of, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>should not be allowed to wives, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>;</li> + <li>Mrs. Stanton on right to, <a href="#Page_189">189</a>;</li> + <li>Rev. Anna Howard Shaw on, <a href="#Page_230">230</a>, <a href="#Page_361">361</a>;</li> + <li>Mrs. Spencer on, <a href="#Page_328">328</a>;</li> + <li>new civilization will recognize, <a href="#Page_336">336</a>; <a href="#Page_418">418</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Iowa</span>, reasons for refusing suff. amd't., <a href="#Page_xxi">xxi</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>nat'l. conv. in Des Moines, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>;</li> + <li>noted speakers before Legis., <a href="#Page_279">279</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIX">State chapter</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Ireland</span>, wom. suff. in, <a href="#Page_343">343</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>wom. on school and poor law bds., <a href="#Page_368">368</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#CHAPTER_LXXIII">chapter on Great Britain</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Isle of Man</span>, wom. suff. in, <a href="#Page_1025">1025</a>.</li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li><span class="sc">Journalism</span>, <a href="#Page_xxv">xxv</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>wom. in, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>;</li> + <li>early women writers, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>;</li> + <li>women in at Paris expos., <a href="#Page_343">343</a>;</li> + <li>first, <a href="#Page_695">695</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Juries</span>, women should serve on, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>; <a href="#Page_45">45</a>; <a href="#Page_51">51</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Wy., <a href="#Page_68">68</a>;</li> + <li>men's obligations, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>;</li> + <li>Senators discuss, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>;</li> + <li>need of women on, <a href="#Page_182">182</a>;</li> + <li>women and jury duty in Ida., <a href="#Page_596">596</a>;</li> + <li>in Utah, <a href="#Page_955">955</a>, <a href="#Page_1089">1089</a>;</li> + <li>in Wash., <a href="#Page_422">422</a>, <a href="#Page_968">968</a>, <a href="#Page_1008">1008</a>, <a href="#Page_1091">1091</a>;</li> + <li>in Wy., <a href="#Page_1008">1008</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li><span class="sc">Kansas</span>, grants Municipal Suff. to women, <a href="#Page_xv">xv</a>; <a href="#Page_xxi">xxi</a>; <a href="#Page_xxix">xxix</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>treatment of women, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>;</li> + <li>suff. work of Nat'l. Ass'n. in, <a href="#Page_220">220</a>;</li> + <li>descript. of nat'l. delegates, <a href="#Page_221">221-2</a>;</li> + <li>first constit'n. recognizes rights of women, <a href="#Page_407">407</a>;</li> + <li>Amer. Ass'n. meets in Topeka, <a href="#Page_417">417</a>;</li> + <li>early work in, <a href="#Page_418">418</a>, <a href="#Page_419">419</a>;</li> + <li>Mrs. Howe's plea for suff. in, <a href="#Page_419">419</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#CHAPTER_XL">State chapter</a> and <a href="#Statistics">Statistics</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Labor" id="Labor"></a>Labor</span>, disabilities of women, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>relation of wom. suff. to, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>;</li> + <li>suff. has no influence on price of, <a href="#Page_98">98</a>;</li> + <li>wage-earning women should marry, <a href="#Page_98">98</a>;</li> + <li>need of ballot for working women, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>;</li> + <li>Knights of Labor indorse wom. suff., <a href="#Page_123">123</a>;</li> + <li>dignifies woman, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>;</li> + <li>immoral women come from domestic life, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>;</li> + <li>husband does not "support" wife, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>;</li> + <li>man's material achievements, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>;</li> + <li>not woman's curse, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>;</li> + <li>degradation of woman's labor, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>;</li> + <li>organizations favor wom. suff., <a href="#Page_184">184</a>;</li> + <li>indust. emancip. of women, by Carroll D. Wright, have not taken men's work, new economic factor, leads to suff., <a href="#Page_213">213</a>;</li> + <li>suff. demanded for working women, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>;</li> + <li>women stenographers, <a href="#Page_228">228</a>;</li> + <li>women wage-earners in Fla., <a href="#Page_240">240</a>;</li> + <li>Florence Kelley on labor unions and working woman's need of ballot, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>;</li> + <li>disfranch. women an injury to labor unions, <a href="#Page_312">312</a>;</li> + <li>Fed. of Labor greets Nat'l. Suff. Ass'n., let. from Pres. Gompers, equal pay for wom., <a href="#Page_334">334</a>;</li> + <li>ass'n. returns thanks, <a href="#Page_344">344</a>;</li> + <li>entrance of women into unions and effect on suff., <a href="#Page_349">349</a>;</li> + <li>appeal of Nat'l. Fed. for wom. suff. in '99, <a href="#Page_359">359</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Laughlin on statistics of wage-earning women, need of ballot, <a href="#Page_360">360</a>;</li> + <li>ancient opp. to, <a href="#Page_361">361</a>;</li> + <li>working woman's great disadvantage, <a href="#Page_377">377</a>;</li> + <li>wages of men and wom., <a href="#Page_379">379</a>; <a href="#Page_425">425</a>;</li> + <li>Nat'l. Fed. petit. for wom. suff. in 1900 after appeal from Miss Anthony. Nat'l. Bldg. and Trades Council, same, Int'l. Bricklayers' and Masons', same, <a href="#Page_446">446</a>;</li> + <li>organizations for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_448">448</a>;</li> + <li>K. of L. declare for, <a href="#Page_568">568</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#Statistics">Statistics</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Labor Organizations</span>, for wom. suff. + <ul class="IX"> + <li><i>See</i> above, also in Col., <a href="#Page_514">514-16</a>;</li> + <li>in S. D., <a href="#Page_556">556</a>;</li> + <li>in Ills., <a href="#Page_602">602-4</a>; <a href="#Page_652">652</a>;</li> + <li>in Mass., <a href="#Page_711">711-14</a>-33;</li> + <li>in Minn., <a href="#Page_782">782</a>;</li> + <li>in N. J., <a href="#Page_821">821</a>;</li> + <li>in N. Y., <a href="#Page_850">850</a>;</li> + <li>in Ore., <a href="#Page_893">893</a>;</li> + <li>in R. I., <a href="#Page_917">917</a>;</li> + <li>in Wash., <a href="#Page_974">974</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Law" id="Law"></a>Law</span>, first woman admitted to practice before U. S. Sup. Ct., <a href="#Page_33">33</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>second, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>;</li> + <li>contest of Mrs. Bradwell in Ills. and U. S. Sup. Ct., <a href="#Page_152">152</a>;</li> + <li>contest in Cal., <a href="#Page_507">507</a>;</li> + <li>in Ind., <a href="#Page_626">626</a>;</li> + <li>in Md., <a href="#Page_700">700</a>;</li> + <li>in Mich. to be pros. atty., <a href="#Page_770">770</a>;</li> + <li>in N. J., <a href="#Page_833">833</a>;</li> + <li>in Penn., <a href="#Page_904">904</a>;</li> + <li>Woman's Coll. of, <a href="#Page_574">574</a>;</li> + <li>first woman to apply to practice, <a href="#Page_609">609</a>;</li> + <li>first coll. to graduate a woman, <a href="#Page_610">610</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> also State chapters under <i>Occupations</i>.</li> + <li>--women in, send trib. to Miss Anthony on 80th birthday, <a href="#Page_398">398</a>.</li> + <li>--Common, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>; <a href="#Page_49">49</a>; <a href="#Page_159">159</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>résumé of and changes made, <a href="#Page_454">454-8</a>; <a href="#Page_464">464</a>;</li> + <li>in N. Y., <a href="#Page_865">865</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + <li>--Constitutional, bar to wom. suff., <a href="#Page_xiv">xiv</a>, <a href="#Page_xv">xv</a>; <a href="#Page_371">371</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Laws for Women</span>, résumé of, <a href="#Page_453">453-8</a>. + <ul class="IX"> + <li>--Property, for women, secured by a few, <a href="#Page_xxiii">xxiii</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Ky., <a href="#Page_15">15</a>;</li> + <li>wife is moneyless, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>;</li> + <li>inevitably one-sided, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>;</li> + <li>nine-tenths relate to property, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>;</li> + <li>uncertain for women, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>;</li> + <li>in Ills., <a href="#Page_276">276</a>;</li> + <li>women could secure good laws with suffrage, <a href="#Page_424">424</a>;</li> + <li>present status, far from just to women, <a href="#Page_456">456-8</a>;</li> + <li>Dower and Curtesy, <a href="#Page_457">457</a>;</li> + <li>Guardianship of Children, and liability of "head of family" for support, <a href="#Page_458">458</a>;</li> + <li>Divorce, and the various causes for, <a href="#Page_459">459</a>;</li> + <li>Age of Protection, <a href="#Page_460">460</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + <li><i>See</i> each State chapter under head of <i>Legislative Action and Laws</i>.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1112" id="Page_1112">[Pg 1112]</a></span> For Great Britain, <a href="#Page_1021">1021</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Legacies</span>, Mrs. Eddy's to Miss Anthony, <a href="#Page_v">v</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>to Nat'l. Ass'n., <a href="#Page_207">207</a>; <a href="#Page_259">259</a>; <a href="#Page_275">275</a>; <a href="#Page_286">286</a>; <a href="#Page_289">289</a>; <a href="#Page_366">366</a>; <a href="#Page_900">900</a>; <a href="#Page_909">909</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Legislatures" id="Legislatures"></a>Legislatures</span>, action on bills and resolutions for full and limited suffrage and other measures, under head of <i>Legislative Action</i>, in each State chapter, beginning <a href="#Page_465">465</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>power to grant limited suff., <a href="#Page_xv">xv</a>;</li> + <li>have granted much to women, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>;</li> + <li>Congress should submit wom. suff. amdt. to, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>;</li> + <li>work of women members in Col., <a href="#Page_525">525-6</a>;</li> + <li>work of women members in Utah, <a href="#Page_953">953</a> et seq.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Letters</span>, telegrams, greetings, etc., to American suff. convs., <i>see</i> <a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">Chap. XXII</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>to natn'l. suff. conv. of '84, <a href="#Page_15">15</a> et seq.,</li> + <li>from noted English, <a href="#Page_21">21-2</a>,</li> + <li>Bishop Simpson, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>;</li> + <li>of '85, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>;</li> + <li>of '86, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>;</li> + <li>of '87, from Mrs. Stanton, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>,</li> + <li>U. S. Treas. Spinner et al., <a href="#Page_123">123</a>;</li> + <li>of '89, from Mrs. Stanton, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>;</li> + <li>of '91, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>;</li> + <li>of '93, last from Lucy Stone, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>, from Bishop Hurst, <a href="#Page_220">220</a>;</li> + <li>of '94, from Gov. Waite, Mrs. Sewall, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>;</li> + <li>of '96, <a href="#Page_254">254</a>;</li> + <li>of '97, from Miss Reed, <a href="#Page_285">285</a>;</li> + <li>of '98, from Abigail Bush, Lucinda H. Stone and others, <a href="#Page_300">300-1</a>;</li> + <li>of '99, from Samuel Gompers, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>, Mrs. Stanton, <a href="#Page_337">337</a>, <a href="#Page_342">342-3</a>;</li> + <li>of 1900, <a href="#Page_359">359</a>, <a href="#Page_366">366</a>.</li> + <li>--to Int'l. Council of '88, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>.</li> + <li>--to Miss Anthony on 70th birthday, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>on 80th, <a href="#Page_403">403</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + <li>--to various Conventions, <a href="#Page_447">447</a>.</li> + <li>--to Governors of States and Territories, <a href="#Page_212">212</a>.</li> + <li>--to members of Congress, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>, <a href="#Page_287">287</a>, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>.</li> + <li>--to political delegates and conventions, <a href="#Page_440">440</a> et seq.</li> + <li>--to State constitutional conventions, <a href="#Page_433">433</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Life and Work of Susan B. Anthony</span>, <a href="#Page_vi">iv</a>; <a href="#Page_2">2</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Liquor_Dealers" id="Liquor_Dealers"></a>Liquor Dealers</span>, control in politics, <a href="#Page_xix">xix</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>attitude toward wom. suff., <a href="#Page_xix">xix</a>;</li> + <li>influence in Iowa, <a href="#Page_xxi">xxi</a>;</li> + <li>in Neb., <a href="#Page_80">80</a>;</li> + <li>allied with women remonstrants, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>;</li> + <li>opposed to wom. suff., <a href="#Page_373">373</a>;</li> + <li>at Nat'l. Brewers' Convention, <a href="#Page_447">447</a>;</li> + <li>in Calif., <a href="#Page_273">273</a>, <a href="#Page_486">486</a>, <a href="#Page_491">491-3</a>, <a href="#Page_499">499</a>, <a href="#Page_500">500</a>;</li> + <li>in Idaho, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>;</li> + <li>in Ariz., <a href="#Page_472">472</a>;</li> + <li>in Col., <a href="#Page_512">512</a>, <a href="#Page_517">517</a>;</li> + <li>in S. D., <a href="#Page_556">556</a>;</li> + <li>in Kas., <a href="#Page_650">650</a>, <a href="#Page_660">660</a>;</li> + <li>in Ok., <a href="#Page_888">888</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Longevity</span> and vitality of women, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Louisiana</span>, Miss Anthony on women taxpayers' suff., <a href="#Page_360">360</a>. + <ul class="IX"> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#CHAPTER_XLII">State chapter</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li><span class="sc">Magazines.</span> <i>See</i> <a href="#Newspapers_and_Magazines">Newspapers</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Majority" id="Majority"></a>Majority</span>, opposed to any reform, <a href="#Page_xxii">xxii</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_xxiii">xxiii</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_xxvi">xxvi</a>;</li> + <li>must ask for wom. suff. no argument, <a href="#Page_xxxi">xxxi</a>; <a href="#Page_xxxii">xxxii</a>;</li> + <li>never asked for anything, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Anthony on, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>;</li> + <li>wom. suff. should not wait for, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>;</li> + <li>must demand wom. suff., <a href="#Page_92">92</a>;</li> + <li>never granted anything, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>;</li> + <li>oppose every advance, Mrs. Catt on, <a href="#Page_369">369-71</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Marriage</span>, suff. has no relation to, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Sen. Brown's idea of, <a href="#Page_94">94</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>in wom. suff. States, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>;</li> + <li>Sen. Vest on, <a href="#Page_106">106</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>position of woman in, regulations made by men, obstacles to happiness, Mrs. Colby on, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>;</li> + <li>meaning of, narrowness of wives a detriment to men, Mrs. Stanton on, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>;</li> + <li>interdependence of husband and wife, Mrs. Wallace on, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>;</li> + <li>Mr. Hinckley on, <a href="#Page_180">180</a>;</li> + <li>each supports the other, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>;</li> + <li>of Mr. Blackwell and Lucy Stone, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>;</li> + <li>wife need not give up name, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>;</li> + <li>individuality of wife, Miss Shaw on, <a href="#Page_230">230</a>;</li> + <li>what wives want, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#Domestic2">Domestic</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Massachusetts</span>, sentiment for wom. suff. in, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Lucy Stone on treatment of women by its Legis., <a href="#Page_192">192</a>;</li> + <li>early education of women, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>;</li> + <li>women taxpayers, <a href="#Page_240">240</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#CHAPTER_XLV">State chapter</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Matriarchate</span>, Mrs. Spencer on evolution of family life, <a href="#Page_328">328</a> et seq.; <a href="#Page_1041">1041</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Medicine</span>, early struggles of women to study, <a href="#Page_296">296</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>letter from Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>;</li> + <li>efforts of wom. in, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>, <a href="#Page_355">355</a>;</li> + <li>statistics of women physicians, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>, <a href="#Page_355">355</a>, <a href="#Page_370">370</a>;</li> + <li>first woman to graduate, <a href="#Page_355">355</a>; <a href="#Page_463">463</a>; <a href="#Page_574">574</a>;</li> + <li>first to practice, <a href="#Page_748">748</a>;</li> + <li>only woman dean of mixed college, <a href="#Page_610">610</a>;</li> + <li>Johns Hopkins Medical, <a href="#Page_700">700</a>;</li> + <li>medical societies in N. J., <a href="#Page_833">833</a>;</li> + <li>first woman's med. coll., <a href="#Page_904">904</a>;</li> + <li>tribute of women in, on Miss Anthony's 80th birthday, <a href="#Page_394">394</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> also State chapters under <i>Occupations</i>, and for physicians in institutions under <i>Office Holding</i>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Michigan</span>, Munic. Suff. Bill vetoed, <a href="#Page_xv">xv</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>vote on suff. amend., <a href="#Page_35">35</a>;</li> + <li>Nat'l. Ass'n. meets, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>.</li> + <li>See <a href="#CHAPTER_XLVI">State chapter</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Military" id="Military"></a>Military</span>, argument against wom. suff., nearly obsolete, <a href="#Page_xxxi">xxxi</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Sen. Palmer on, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>;</li> + <li>military questions must give way to economic, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>;</li> + <li>ability to bear arms not a voting test, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>;</li> + <li>Sen. Blair on military service no connection with suff., <a href="#Page_87">87</a>;</li> + <li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1113" id="Page_1113">[Pg 1113]</a></span>same on women can fight, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>;</li> + <li>Sen. Brown on women and military service, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>;</li> + <li>woman's record, <a href="#Page_101">101</a>, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>;</li> + <li>nation's debt to her, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>;</li> + <li>brute force passing away, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>;</li> + <li>woman's part in war, <a href="#Page_161">161-2</a>, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>;</li> + <li>fighting qualities necessary in women, <a href="#Page_183">183</a>;</li> + <li>women first to see advantage of peace, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Clay on the military argument before Senate Com., <a href="#Page_309">309</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Shaw on, <a href="#Page_337">337</a>;</li> + <li>how women would have managed Span. Am. War, <a href="#Page_339">339</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Ministers" id="Ministers"></a>Ministers</span>, early women, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="#Page_260">260</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Rev. Anna Howard Shaw on women ministers, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>;</li> + <li>tribute from, on Miss Anthony's 80th birthday, <a href="#Page_397">397</a>; <a href="#Page_464">464</a>;</li> + <li>ministers in favor of wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1079">1079</a>. <i>See</i> Sermons.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Minnesota</span>, difficulty of carrying wom. suff. amend., <a href="#Page_xvi">xvi</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Amer. Suff. Ass'n. meets in Minneapolis, <a href="#Page_411">411</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#CHAPTER_XLVII">State chapter</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Motherhood" id="Motherhood"></a>Motherhood</span>, <a href="#Page_xxxi">xxxi</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>needed in politics, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>;</li> + <li>not a limitation, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>;</li> + <li>Mrs. Stanton on ancient idea of, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>;</li> + <li>Sen. Blair on maternity and suff., <a href="#Page_91">91</a>;</li> + <li>Sen. Brown on, <a href="#Page_94">94</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>Sen. Dolph on, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>;</li> + <li>Sen. Eustis on, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>;</li> + <li>Sen. Vest on, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Willard asks suff. for mothers, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>;</li> + <li>mothers should be honored equally with fathers, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>;</li> + <li>mothers should be exempt from wage-earning, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>;</li> + <li>child dearer than all else, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>;</li> + <li>Mrs. Stetson on, <a href="#Page_266">266</a>;</li> + <li>not broad enough, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>;</li> + <li>Mrs. Spencer on motherhood among primitive peoples, <a href="#Page_328">328-333</a>;</li> + <li>suff. and, <a href="#Page_283">283</a>, <a href="#Page_303">303-4</a>, <a href="#Page_357">357</a>;</li> + <li>fits women for suff., <a href="#Page_309">309</a>;</li> + <li>all wom. not fitted for, <a href="#Page_362">362</a>;</li> + <li>Congress of Mothers, <a href="#Page_1051">1051</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> also <a href="#APPENDIX-TESTIMONY">Testimony from Wom. Suff. States</a>, beginning <a href="#Page_1085">1085</a>, and State chapters for <a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">Colorado</a>, <a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVI">Idaho</a>, <a href="#CHAPTER_LXVI">Utah</a> and <a href="#CHAPTER_LXXII">Wyoming</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Municipal_Suffrage" id="Municipal_Suffrage"></a>Municipal Suffrage</span>, in Kas., <a href="#Page_xv">xv</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>bill vetoed in Mich., <a href="#Page_xv">xv</a>; <a href="#Page_123">123</a>;</li> + <li>effect in Kas., <a href="#Page_199">199</a>;</li> + <li>Australia first country to grant, <a href="#Page_224">224</a>;</li> + <li>cities need woman's vote, <a href="#Page_278">278</a>, <a href="#Page_420">420</a>, <a href="#Page_422">422</a>;</li> + <li>in Ireland, <a href="#Page_343">343</a>;</li> + <li>how gained in Kas., <a href="#Page_649">649</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>in Kas., <a href="#Page_652">652</a>, <a href="#Page_664">664</a>;</li> + <li>in Great Brit., <a href="#Page_1012">1012</a>, <a href="#Page_1022">1022</a>;</li> + <li>in New Zealand, <a href="#Page_1025">1025</a>;</li> + <li>in Australia, <a href="#Page_1027">1027</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>in Canada, <a href="#Page_1035">1035</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>in other countries, <a href="#Page_1038">1038</a> et seq.</li> + </ul></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li><span class="sc">National Suffrage Association</span>, membership and finance, <a href="#Page_xxx">xxx</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>contests for right to vote under 14th amend., <a href="#Page_4">4</a>;</li> + <li>abandons attempt, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>;</li> + <li>same for Federal suff., <a href="#Page_10">10</a>;</li> + <li>begins efforts for 16th amend., <a href="#Page_11">11</a>;</li> + <li>work in the States, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>;</li> + <li>work before Congress, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>;</li> + <li>effect on the franchise, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>;</li> + <li>founded in '69, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>;</li> + <li>conventions held, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>;</li> + <li>work in Washington, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>;</li> + <li>finances in '84, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>;</li> + <li>conv. of '88, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>;</li> + <li>finances in '89, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>;</li> + <li>union with American Ass'n., <a href="#Page_164">164</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Anthony declares for free platform, <a href="#Page_169">169</a>;</li> + <li>finances in '92, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>;</li> + <li>last app. of Mrs. Stanton and Lucy Stone, <a href="#Page_186">186</a>;</li> + <li>at Columb. Expos., <a href="#Page_217">217</a>;</li> + <li>freedom of platform, <a href="#Page_224">224</a>;</li> + <li>mem. serv. for Lucy Stone, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>;</li> + <li>finances in '95, org. com. established, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>;</li> + <li>finances in '96, <a href="#Page_256">256</a>;</li> + <li>headqrs. established, <a href="#Page_257">257</a>;</li> + <li>welcomes Utah, <a href="#Page_260">260</a>;</li> + <li>breadth of platf., <a href="#Page_264">264</a>;</li> + <li>finances of '97, Miss Anthony's contrib., <a href="#Page_287">287</a>;</li> + <li>reports on course of study and finance, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>;</li> + <li>demands equal rights for women in every depart., <a href="#Page_291">291</a>;</li> + <li>finances in '99, <a href="#Page_342">342</a>;</li> + <li>Washt'n <i>Post</i> compliments, <a href="#Page_349">349</a>;</li> + <li>advantage of meeting in capital, <a href="#Page_351">351</a>;</li> + <li>finances in 1900, <a href="#Page_364">364</a>;</li> + <li>holds Bazar, <a href="#Page_365">365</a>;</li> + <li>rec'd by Pres. McKinley in 1900, Mrs. McKinley sends flowers, <a href="#Page_384">384</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Anthony resigns presidency, action of conv., her speeches, etc., <a href="#Page_385">385</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>her farewell, <a href="#Page_393">393</a>;</li> + <li>Mrs. Chapman Catt elected pres., <a href="#Page_387">387</a>;</li> + <li>introd. by Miss Anthony, sp. of accept., <a href="#Page_388">388</a>;</li> + <li>notices of new pres., <a href="#Page_389">389</a>;</li> + <li>love for Miss Shaw, <a href="#Page_389">389</a>;</li> + <li>celebrates Miss Anthony's 80th birthday, <a href="#Page_349">349</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>appeals to political convs. and delegates in 1900, <a href="#Page_440">440-3</a>;</li> + <li>nat'l and State work, <a href="#Page_450">450</a>;</li> + <li>work for rights of women in our new possessions, <a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">Chap. XIX</a>;</li> + <li>synopsis of constitn., officers, committees, life members and delegates, <a href="#Page_1098">1098</a> et seq.</li> + <li>For general work, <i>see</i> Chaps. II-XXII.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Nebraska</span>, difficulty of carrying amend., <a href="#Page_xvi">xvi</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>suff. amend, campn., <a href="#Page_80">80</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#CHAPTER_LI">State chapter</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Need</span>, of man and woman in law and politics, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in the home, everywhere, <a href="#Page_180">180</a>;</li> + <li>of each for other, <a href="#Page_266">266</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>;</li> + <li>of both in Gov't, <a href="#Page_310">310</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Negroes" id="Negroes"></a>Negroes</span>, how enfranch., <a href="#Page_xvii">xvii</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>why disfranch., <a href="#Page_xviii">xviii</a>;</li> + <li>placed above women, <a href="#Page_2">2</a>;</li> + <li>right to suff., <a href="#Page_6">6</a>;</li> + <li>nat'l. amend. necessary, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>;</li> + <li>women should not have suff., <a href="#Page_105">105-6</a>; <a href="#Page_311">311</a>;</li> + <li>deprived of suff. in South, compared to white women, <a href="#Page_325">325</a>;</li> + <li>women in smoking cars, <a href="#Page_343">343</a>;</li> + <li>if denied suff. should not be counted in basis of represent., <a href="#Page_376">376</a>;</li> + <li>trib. of wom. to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1114" id="Page_1114">[Pg 1114]</a></span> Miss Anthony on 80th birthday, <a href="#Page_398">398</a>;</li> + <li>her sympathy for, <a href="#Page_403">403</a>;</li> + <li>Nat'l. Ass'n. of Colored Women, <a href="#Page_1051">1051</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">New Jersey</span>, failure of Sch. Suff. amend., <a href="#Page_xvi">xvi</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>first State to grant wom. suff., <a href="#Page_19">19</a>;</li> + <li>account of same, <a href="#Page_830">830</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#CHAPTER_LIV">State chapter</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">New South Wales</span>, chapter on, <a href="#Page_1029">1029</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Newspapers_and_Magazines" id="Newspapers_and_Magazines"></a>Newspapers and Magazines.</span><a name="FNanchor_502_502" id="FNanchor_502_502"></a><a href="#Footnote_502_502" class="fnanchor">[502]</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li><i>Advertiser</i> (New Decatur, Ala.), <a href="#Page_465">465</a>.</li> + <li><i>Arena, The</i>, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>, <a href="#Page_927">927-8</a>.</li> + <li><i>Argonaut</i> (San Francisco), <a href="#Page_491">491</a>.</li> + <li><i>Australian Register</i>, <a href="#Page_1028">1028</a>.</li> + <li><i>Australian Woman's Sphere</i> (Melbourne), <a href="#Page_1031">1031</a>.</li> + <li><i>Boomerang</i> (Laramie, Wyo.), <a href="#Page_1006">1006</a>.</li> + <li><i>Bricklayer and Mason</i>, <a href="#Page_446">446</a>.</li> + <li><i>Bulletin</i> (San Francisco), <a href="#Page_491">491</a>.</li> + <li><i>Call</i> (San Francisco), <a href="#Page_482">482</a>, <a href="#Page_487">487</a>, <a href="#Page_491">491</a>, <a href="#Page_505">505</a>.</li> + <li><i>Chicago Law Times</i>, <a href="#Page_609">609</a>.</li> + <li><i>Christian Advocate</i>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>.</li> + <li><i>Colorado Springs Gazette</i>, <a href="#Page_525">525</a>.</li> + <li><i>Commercial Gazette</i> (Cin'ti), <a href="#Page_428">428</a>.</li> + <li><i>Congressional Record</i>, <a href="#Page_110">110</a>.</li> + <li><i>Constitution</i> (Atlanta), <a href="#Page_244">244</a>, <a href="#Page_246">246</a>.</li> + <li><i>Daily Statesman</i> (Boise, Ida.), <a href="#Page_319">319</a>, <a href="#Page_591">591</a>.</li> + <li><i>Daily Times</i> (Seattle), <a href="#Page_974">974</a>.</li> + <li><i>Democrat</i> (Grand Rapids), <a href="#Page_339">339</a>.</li> + <li><i>Democratic State Journal</i> (Wash.), <a href="#Page_1096">1096</a>.</li> + <li><i>Englishwoman's Review</i>, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>, <a href="#Page_1012">1012</a>.</li> + <li><i>Enquirer</i> (Cin'ti), <a href="#Page_428">428</a>.</li> + <li><i>Evening News</i> (Washtn.), <a href="#Page_202">202</a>.</li> + <li><i>Evening Post</i> (New York), <a href="#Page_1096">1096</a>.</li> + <li><i>Examiner</i> (San Francisco), <a href="#Page_491">491</a>.</li> + <li><i>Express</i> (Los Angeles), <a href="#Page_495">495</a>.</li> + <li><i>Fortnightly Review</i>, <a href="#Page_1014">1014-5</a>.</li> + <li><i>Freemen's Labor Journal</i> (Spokane), <a href="#Page_974">974</a>.</li> + <li><i>Harper's Bazar</i>, <a href="#Page_716">716</a>.</li> + <li><i>Harper's Magazine</i>, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>.</li> + <li><i>Herald</i> (Boston), <a href="#Page_732">732</a>.</li> + <li><i>Leader</i> (Des Moines), <a href="#Page_271">271</a>, <a href="#Page_273">273</a>.</li> + <li><i>Legal News, The</i> (Chicago), <a href="#Page_212">212</a>, <a href="#Page_609">609</a>.</li> + <li><i>Lily</i> (Amelia Bloomer, ed.), <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>.</li> + <li><i>Liquor Dealer</i> (Los Angeles), <a href="#Page_499">499</a>.</li> + <li>Massachusetts papers, <a href="#Page_711">711</a>.</li> + <li><i>Mirror</i> (Seattle), <a href="#Page_1096">1096</a>.</li> + <li><i>Nevada Citizen</i>, <a href="#Page_811">811</a>.</li> + <li><i>New Northwest</i>, <a href="#Page_975">975</a>.</li> + <li><i>Nineteenth Century</i> (Eng.), <a href="#Page_1014">1014</a>.</li> + <li><i>Oregonian</i> (Portland), <a href="#Page_896">896</a>.</li> + <li><i>Picayune</i> (New Orleans), <a href="#Page_680">680</a>, <a href="#Page_683">683</a>.</li> + <li><i>Post</i> (San Francisco), <a href="#Page_491">491</a>.</li> + <li><i>Post</i> (Washtn.), <a href="#Page_188">188</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>, <a href="#Page_236">236</a>, <a href="#Page_349">349</a>, <a href="#Page_361">361</a>, <a href="#Page_385">385</a>, <a href="#Page_387">387</a>, <a href="#Page_390">390-1</a>, <a href="#Page_393">393</a>, <a href="#Page_395">395</a>, <a href="#Page_400">400</a>.</li> + <li><i>Post-Intelligencer</i> (Seattle), <a href="#Page_1096">1096</a>.</li> + <li><i>Public Ledger</i> (Phila.), <a href="#Page_227">227</a>.</li> + <li><i>Record</i> (San Francisco), <a href="#Page_491">491</a>.</li> + <li><i>Record-Union</i> (Sacramento), <a href="#Page_491">491</a>.</li> + <li><i>Remonstrance</i> (Boston), <a href="#Page_512">512</a>.</li> + <li><i>Report</i> (San Francisco), <a href="#Page_491">491</a>.</li> + <li>Rhode Island papers, <a href="#Page_910">910-11</a>.</li> + <li><i>Saturday Review</i> (Atlanta), <a href="#Page_582">582</a>.</li> + <li><i>Star</i> (Richmond, Va.), <a href="#Page_964">964</a>.</li> + <li><i>Star</i> (San Francisco), <a href="#Page_491">491</a>.</li> + <li><i>Star</i> (Washtn.), <a href="#Page_173">173</a>, <a href="#Page_189">189</a>, <a href="#Page_318">318</a>, <a href="#Page_388">388</a>.</li> + <li><i>Suffrage Reveille</i> (Kas.), <a href="#Page_647">647</a>.</li> + <li><i>Suffragist</i> (Ills.), <a href="#Page_612">612</a>.</li> + <li><i>Sun</i> (Baltimore), <a href="#Page_698">698</a>.</li> + <li><i>Sun</i> (New York), <a href="#Page_326">326</a>, <a href="#Page_459">459</a>.</li> + <li><i>Sunday World</i> (Los Angeles), <a href="#Page_499">499</a>.</li> + <li><i>Sunny South</i> (Atlanta), <a href="#Page_238">238</a>.</li> + <li><i>Times</i> (Leavenworth, Kas.), <a href="#Page_645">645</a>.</li> + <li><i>Times</i> (London, Eng.), <a href="#Page_1019">1019</a>.</li> + <li><i>Times</i> (Los Angeles), <a href="#Page_491">491</a>, <a href="#Page_499">499</a>.</li> + <li><i>Times</i> (New York), <a href="#Page_364">364</a>.</li> + <li><i>Town Talk</i> (Los Angeles), <a href="#Page_499">499</a>.</li> + <li><i>Transcript</i> (Olympia), <a href="#Page_1096">1096</a>.</li> + <li><i>Tribune</i> (Chicago), <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_1009">1009</a>.</li> + <li><i>Una</i> (Paulina Wright Davis, ed.), <a href="#Page_294">294</a>.</li> + <li><i>Wisconsin Citizen</i>, <a href="#Page_342">342</a>, <a href="#Page_987">987</a>.</li> + <li><i>Woman's Chronicle</i> (Ark), <a href="#Page_475">475-6</a>.</li> + <li><i>Woman's Column</i> (Boston), <a href="#Page_431">431</a>, <a href="#Page_465">465</a>, <a href="#Page_708">708</a>.</li> + <li><i>Woman's Exponent</i> (Utah), <a href="#Page_936">936</a> et al.</li> + <li><i>Woman's Forum</i> (Ills.), <a href="#Page_613">613</a>.</li> + <li><i>Woman's Journal</i> (Boston), <a href="#Page_221">221</a>, <a href="#Page_236">236</a>, <a href="#Page_256">256</a>, <a href="#Page_342">342</a>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a>, <a href="#Page_381">381-2</a>, <a href="#Page_392">392</a>, <a href="#Page_406">406</a>, <a href="#Page_417">417</a>, <a href="#Page_423">423</a>, <a href="#Page_426">426</a>, <a href="#Page_430">430</a>, <a href="#Page_701">701</a>, <a href="#Page_726">726</a>, <a href="#Page_734">734</a>, <a href="#Page_736">736</a>, <a href="#Page_1096">1096</a>.</li> + <li><i>Woman's Standard</i> (Ia.), <a href="#Page_342">342</a>, <a href="#Page_629">629</a>.</li> + <li><i>Woman's Tribune</i> (Washtn.), <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_126">126</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_296">296</a>, <a href="#Page_342">342</a>, <a href="#Page_306">306</a>, <a href="#Page_575">575</a>, <a href="#Page_970">970</a>.</li> + <li><i>Women's Suffrage Journal</i> (Eng.), <a href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a href="#Page_1015">1015</a>.</li> + <li><i>Young Woman's Journal</i>, <a href="#Page_956">956</a>. <i>See</i> Press.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">New York</span>, attempt to confer Sch. Suff. on women, <a href="#Page_xv">xv</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>women demand represent. at Centennial, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>;</li> + <li>women taxpayers, <a href="#Page_240">240</a>, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>, <a href="#Page_313">313</a>, <a href="#Page_314">314</a>;</li> + <li>report of Const'l. Conv. of '94, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>;</li> + <li>opinion of Atty. Gen. and other lawyers on Sch. Suff. and Office-Holding for women, <a href="#Page_1094">1094</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#CHAPTER_LVI">State chapter</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">New Zealand</span>, chapter on, <a href="#Page_1029">1029</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>eminent advocates of wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1084">1084</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li><span class="sc">Occupations</span>, résumé of women in, <a href="#Page_463">463</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1115" id="Page_1115">[Pg 1115]</a></span>entrance of women, <a href="#Page_xxii">xxii</a>, <a href="#Page_xxiii">xxiii</a>, <a href="#Page_xxv">xxv</a>;</li> + <li>statistics, <a href="#Page_xxx">xxx</a>;</li> + <li>advantage of ballot, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>;</li> + <li>progress of women in, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>;</li> + <li>women first in, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>;</li> + <li>Mr. Bok on women in business, <a href="#Page_229">229</a>;</li> + <li>danger of disfranch. women in, <a href="#Page_312">312</a>;</li> + <li>statistics of wages, <a href="#Page_379">379</a>;</li> + <li>business women send trib. to Miss Anthony on 80th birthday, <a href="#Page_398">398</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> State chapters under head of <i>Occupations</i>, beginning p. <a href="#Page_465">465</a>;</li> + <li>also Labor and various professions, Law, etc.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Office-Holding</span> by women, résumé of, <a href="#Page_462">462</a>, and in each State chapter under head of <i>Office-Holding</i>, beginning <a href="#Page_465">465</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Sen. Vest on, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>;</li> + <li>Sen. Hoar on, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>;</li> + <li>in Wy., <a href="#Page_117">117</a>;</li> + <li>women first employed in Gov't dept., <a href="#Page_123">123</a>;</li> + <li>in Nat'l. Gov't. depts. at present, <a href="#Page_572">572</a>;</li> + <li>in Gr. Brit, <a href="#Page_1023">1023</a>;</li> + <li>in Canada, <i>see</i> chapter on, <a href="#Page_1034">1034</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Officers</span>, of Amer. Suff. Ass'n. in '84, <a href="#Page_408">408</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>from '84 to 1900, <a href="#Page_428">428</a>;</li> + <li>of Nat'l. Suff. Ass'n. in '84, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>;</li> + <li>from 1869 to 1900, <a href="#Page_387">387</a>;</li> + <li>of Nat'l.-Amer. Ass'n. in '90, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>;</li> + <li>in '92, <a href="#Page_186">186</a>; in '94, <a href="#Page_233">233</a>;</li> + <li>in 1900, <a href="#Page_1099">1099</a>.</li> + <li>--of first Nat'l. Council of Women, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>.</li> + <li>--of State Suff. Assns., listed in each State chapter, beginning p. <a href="#Page_465">465</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Opponents</span> of wom. suff., <i>see</i> <a href="#Church">Church</a>, <a href="#Congress">Congress</a>, <a href="#Debates">Debates</a>, <a href="#Electorate">Electorate</a>, <a href="#Indifference_of_Women">Indifference of Women</a>, <a href="#Liquor_Dealers">Liquor Dealers</a>, <a href="#Remonstrants">Remonstrants</a>, <a href="#Reports">Reports</a>, etc. + <ul class="IX"> + <li><i>See</i> also for arguments of, p. <a href="#Page_93">93</a> et seq. and p. <a href="#Page_999">999</a> et seq.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Oregon</span>, <a href="#Page_xxi">xxi</a>; <a href="#Page_xxix">xxix</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>three classes of opponents, <a href="#Page_249">249</a>;</li> + <li>Amer. Suff. Ass'n. aids, <a href="#Page_408">408</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#CHAPTER_LX">State chapter</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Organization" id="Organization"></a>Organization</span> for wom. suff., + <ul class="IX"> + <li>plan of, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>;</li> + <li>inadequacy of, <a href="#Page_248">248</a>;</li> + <li>nat'l. com. established, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>;</li> + <li>Mrs. Catt's work, <a href="#Page_254">254</a>;</li> + <li>her report, <a href="#Page_256">256</a>;</li> + <li>work of Utah women, <a href="#Page_262">262</a>;</li> + <li>necessity of, <a href="#Page_273">273</a>;</li> + <li>report of '97, obstacles to, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>; report of '99, <a href="#Page_365">365</a>;</li> + <li>in various States, <a href="#Page_451">451</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> also State chapters, beginning p. <a href="#Page_465">465</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Organizations of Women, National</span>,<a href="#CHAPTER_LXXV"> Chap. LXXV</a>. + <ul class="IX"> + <li>--Ass'n for Adv'mt of Wom., <a href="#Page_1050">1050</a>.</li> + <li>--Coll. Alum., Ass'n of, <a href="#Page_1048">1048</a>.</li> + <li>--Colonial Dames of Amer., <a href="#Page_1066">1066</a>.</li> + <li>--Col'd Wom., Nat'l Ass'n of, <a href="#Page_1051">1051</a>.</li> + <li>--Council of Women, Int'l, <a href="#Page_1044">1044</a>.</li> + <li>--Council of Women, Nat'l, <a href="#Page_1044">1044-5</a>.</li> + <li>--Daughters of Amer. Rev., <a href="#Page_1065">1065</a>.</li> + <li>--Daughters of the Rev., <a href="#Page_1066">1066</a>.</li> + <li>--Daught. of Vets., Nat'l All., <a href="#Page_1064">1064</a>.</li> + <li>--Daught. of Confed., United, <a href="#Page_1067">1067</a>.</li> + <li>--Daught. of 1812, Nat. Soc, <a href="#Page_1067">1067</a>.</li> + <li>--Daughters of Rebekah, <a href="#Page_1069">1069</a>.</li> + <li>--Eastern Star, Order of, <a href="#Page_1068">1068</a>.</li> + <li>--Fed. of Clubs, General, <a href="#Page_1050">1050</a>.</li> + <li>--G. A. R., Ladies of, <a href="#Page_1064">1064</a>.</li> + <li>--Household Econ., Nat'l As., <a href="#Page_1056">1056</a>.</li> + <li>--Indian Ass'n. Wom. Nat'l., <a href="#Page_1053">1053</a>.</li> + <li>--Jewish Wom., Nat. Coun. of, <a href="#Page_1053">1053</a>.</li> + <li>--Keeley Rescue League, <a href="#Page_1056">1056</a>.</li> + <li>--Kindergarten Union, Nat'l., <a href="#Page_1055">1055</a>.</li> + <li>--Loc. Eng'rs, Ladies' Aux., <a href="#Page_1069">1069</a>.</li> + <li>--Maccabees of World, Sup. Hive, Ladies of, <a href="#Page_1067">1067</a>.</li> + <li>--Missionary Societies, <a href="#Page_1057">1057-1062</a>.</li> + <li>--Mothers, Nat'l. Cong. of, <a href="#Page_1051">1051</a>.</li> + <li>--Mt. Vernon Ladies' Ass'n., <a href="#Page_1065">1065</a>.</li> + <li>--Music. Clubs, Nat'l. Fed. of, <a href="#Page_1056">1056</a>.</li> + <li>--Needlework Guild of Am., <a href="#Page_1057">1057</a>.</li> + <li>--Prison Ass'n., Woman's, <a href="#Page_1055">1055</a>.</li> + <li>--Railroad Cond., Ladies' Aux., <a href="#Page_1069">1069</a>.</li> + <li>--Rathbone Sisters of World, Sup. Temple, <a href="#Page_1068">1068</a>.</li> + <li>--Red Cross Soc., Am. Nat'l., <a href="#Page_1048">1048</a>.</li> + <li>--Relief Corps, Woman's, <a href="#Page_1064">1064</a>.</li> + <li>--Relief Soc., Nat'l. Wom., <a href="#Page_1052">1052</a>.</li> + <li>--Sabbath Alliance, Wom., <a href="#Page_1063">1063</a>.</li> + <li>--Social Purity, Christian League for, <a href="#Page_1054">1054</a>.</li> + <li>--Sunshine Soc., Internat'l., <a href="#Page_1052">1052</a>.</li> + <li>--Wom. Chr. Temp. Union, <a href="#Page_1045">1045</a>.</li> + <li>--Women Workers, Nat'l., <a href="#Page_1054">1054</a>.</li> + <li>--Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Ass'n., <a href="#Page_1055">1055</a>.</li> + <li>--Y'ng Wom. Chr. Ass'n., <a href="#Page_1063">1063</a>.</li> + <li>--Miscellaneous, <a href="#Page_1069">1069</a>.</li> + <li>--of Men and Women, <a href="#Page_1070">1070</a>.</li> + <li>--in Great Britain, Liberal Federation, Primrose League and Nat'l. Suff. Society, <a href="#Page_1013">1013-14</a>.</li> + <li>--general comment on, majority would not have consented to, <a href="#Page_xxii">xxii</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>great power of, <a href="#Page_xxv">xxv</a>;</li> + <li>value of anti-suff., <a href="#Page_xxix">xxix</a>;</li> + <li>working toward suff., <a href="#Page_xxx">xxx</a>;</li> + <li>suff. organizations, rank first, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>;</li> + <li>vast increase, <a href="#Page_396">396</a>;</li> + <li>first on record and evolution of, <a href="#Page_1042">1042-3</a>;</li> + <li>first temperance organ'zs., <a href="#Page_1042">1042</a>;</li> + <li>during Civil War, <a href="#Page_1043">1043</a>;</li> + <li>dignity of convs., <a href="#Page_1044">1044</a>;</li> + <li>great scope of objects but few for suff., <a href="#Page_1070">1070-1</a>;</li> + <li>all leading to it, <a href="#Page_1071">1071</a>;</li> + <li>value in develop, of women, <a href="#Page_1072">1072</a>;</li> + <li>number enrolled, <a href="#Page_1072">1072</a>;</li> + <li>future power, <a href="#Page_1073">1073</a>;</li> + <li>Gov't. must have their help, <a href="#Page_1073">1073</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + </ul></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Parties" id="Parties"></a>Parties</span>, <i>see</i> alphabetical list and also Conventions. + <ul class="IX"> + <li>So-called Third, <a href="#Page_xviii">xviii</a>;</li> + <li>their general attitude, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>; <a href="#Page_425">425</a>; <a href="#Page_438">438-9</a>; <a href="#Page_441">441</a>; <a href="#Page_479">479</a>; <a href="#Page_492">492</a>; <a href="#Page_522">522-3</a>-4; <a href="#Page_554">554-6</a>; <a href="#Page_591">591</a>; <a href="#Page_600">600</a>; <a href="#Page_617">617</a>; <a href="#Page_647">647</a>; <a href="#Page_755">755-6</a>; <a href="#Page_760">760</a>; <a href="#Page_809">809</a>; <a href="#Page_963">963</a>; <a href="#Page_971">971-2</a>; <a href="#Page_974">974</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1116" id="Page_1116">[Pg 1116]</a></span><span class="sc">Peace</span>, Conf. at Hague, Nat'l. Suff. Ass'n. expresses sympathy, <a href="#Page_336">336</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>res. for Peace services, <a href="#Page_337">337</a>; <a href="#Page_344">344</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#War">War</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Persecution</span>, of early workers, <a href="#Page_xxviii">xxviii</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>not ended, <a href="#Page_xxxii">xxxii</a>;</li> + <li>of sex causes moral chaos, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>;</li> + <li>fate of reformers, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Petition</span>, woman's right to, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>have exercised it many years, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>;</li> + <li>Congress must not deny, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Petitions" id="Petitions"></a>Petitions</span>, for wom. suff., great number, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>for many years, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>;</li> + <li>in Ills., <a href="#Page_39">39</a>;</li> + <li>in O., <a href="#Page_46">46</a>; <a href="#Page_110">110</a>;</li> + <li>national enrollment, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>;</li> + <li>million signatures, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>;</li> + <li>size of, <a href="#Page_268">268</a>;</li> + <li>Fed. of Labor for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_334">334</a>;</li> + <li>in Wy., <a href="#Page_448">448</a>;</li> + <li>in N. Y., <a href="#Page_850">850</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">Chap. XXIII</a> and State chapters under <i>Legislative Action</i>.</li> + <li>In Great Brit., <a href="#Page_1015">1015</a>, <a href="#Page_1017">1017</a>, <a href="#Page_1020">1020</a>;</li> + <li>in N. Z., <a href="#Page_1026">1026</a>;</li> + <li>in Victoria, <a href="#Page_1032">1032</a>.</li> + <li>--against wom. suff., <a href="#Page_107">107</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Ills., <a href="#Page_602">602</a>;</li> + <li>in Mass., <a href="#Page_723">723</a>, <a href="#Page_736">736</a> et al.;</li> + <li>in N. Y., <a href="#Page_850">850</a>;</li> + <li>in R. I., <a href="#Page_911">911</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Philippines</span>, Nat'l. Suff. Ass'n. demands rights for their women, <a href="#Page_325">325</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Mrs. Spencer on our duty to the women of our new possessions, <a href="#Page_328">328</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>discussion, <a href="#Page_331">331</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>no hope for their women, <a href="#Page_347">347</a>;</li> + <li>testimony in favor before Senate Com., <a href="#Page_348">348</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">Chap. XIX</a> for full statement.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Pharmacy</span>, in Ky., <a href="#Page_676">676</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Physical Ability</span>, woman lacks, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>. + <ul class="IX"> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#Military">Military</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Pioneers" id="Pioneers"></a>Pioneers</span>, first work for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_xiii">xiii</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>early conditions of women, <a href="#Page_1">1</a>;</li> + <li>at Int'l. Council, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>;</li> + <li>in the West, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>;</li> + <li>struggles of, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>;</li> + <li>work of, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>;</li> + <li>appeal for their children, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>;</li> + <li>tributes to by Miss Anthony and Fred. Douglass, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>;</li> + <li>trib. of Douglass to, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>;</li> + <li>in Utah, <a href="#Page_261">261</a>;</li> + <li>gratitude to, <a href="#Page_290">290</a>;</li> + <li>young women should continue their work, <a href="#Page_292">292</a>;</li> + <li>mem. services for, <a href="#Page_293">293</a>;</li> + <li>at conv. of '98, <a href="#Page_298">298-9</a>;</li> + <li>of '99, <a href="#Page_336">336</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Plan of Work</span>, adopted by nat'l. suff. conv. of '84, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>by conv. of '87, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>;</li> + <li>suggestions for suff. clubs, <a href="#Page_248">248</a>;</li> + <li>of Amer. Suff. Ass'n. in '84, <a href="#Page_410">410</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Police Matrons</span>, <i>see</i> <i>Office-Holding</i> in State chapters, beginning p. <a href="#Page_465">465</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Politics</span>, effect of women in, <a href="#Page_xix">xix</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>crowding in, <a href="#Page_xxx">xxx</a>;</li> + <li>too hard for women, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>;</li> + <li>in '88, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>;</li> + <li>wom. suff. in polit. meetings, <a href="#Page_257">257</a>;</li> + <li>should advocates suff. take part in? <a href="#Page_280">280</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>in Utah, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>;</li> + <li>in N. Y., <a href="#Page_872">872</a>;</li> + <li>anti-suffragists in, <i>see</i> <a href="#Remonstrants">Remonstrants</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Politicians</span>, object to wom. suff., <a href="#Page_xix">xix</a>; <a href="#Page_xx">xx</a>; <a href="#Page_xxi">xxi</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>women as, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>.</li> + <li>For Politics and Politicians, <i>see</i> chapters for States where women vote and in which wom. suff. campaigns have been held;</li> + <li>also <a href="#Parties">Parties</a>, <a href="#Conventions">Conventions</a>, <a href="#Republicans">Republicans</a>, etc.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Populists</span>, <a href="#Page_444">444</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Calif., <a href="#Page_488">488</a>, <a href="#Page_491">491-3</a>;</li> + <li>in Col., <a href="#Page_xviii">xviii</a>, <a href="#Page_511">511</a>, '13, '16, '18, '20, '23;</li> + <li>in Ida., <a href="#Page_590">590</a>, '92, '94;</li> + <li>in Kas., <a href="#Page_642">642-7</a>, <a href="#Page_652">652-5</a>, <a href="#Page_657">657</a>;</li> + <li>in Mont., <a href="#Page_800">800</a>;</li> + <li>in Wash., <a href="#Page_971">971-2</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#Conventions">Conventions</a> and <a href="#Parties">Partie</a>s.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Porto Rico</span>, Nat'l. Ass'n. demands rights for women in, <a href="#Page_325">325</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>appeals to Cong. for same, in 1900, <a href="#Page_446">446</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Postmasters</span>, women, <a href="#Page_462">462</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Prayers</span>, Mrs. McLaren on, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Mrs. Gougar on, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>;</li> + <li>Mrs. Crooker on, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Shaw on, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#Church">Church</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Presidents</span>, of Nat'l. Suff. Ass'n., Mrs. Stanton, in '84, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>of united assn's. in '90, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>;</li> + <li>resigns and made hon. pres., <a href="#Page_186">186</a>;</li> + <li>Lucy Stone made hon. pres., <a href="#Page_186">186</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Anthony elected pres. in '92, <a href="#Page_186">186</a>;</li> + <li>resigns in 1900, <a href="#Page_385">385</a>;</li> + <li>Mrs. Chapman Catt elected, <a href="#Page_387">387</a>;</li> + <li>Miss A. made hon. pres., <a href="#Page_389">389</a>.</li> + <li>--and Vice-Presidents of U. S. favoring wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1075">1075</a>.</li> + <li>--of Universities and Colleges, same, <a href="#Page_1079">1079</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Presidential_Suffrage" id="Presidential_Suffrage"></a>Presidential Suffrage</span>, form of petition, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>bill in Kas., <a href="#Page_655">655</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Press</span>, present attitude, <a href="#Page_xxviii">xxviii</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>on dress of delegates, <a href="#Page_56">56</a>;</li> + <li>change in tone, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Anthony against starting paper, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>;</li> + <li>report of nat'l. press work for '96, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>;</li> + <li>for '97, <a href="#Page_288">288</a>;</li> + <li>for '99, <a href="#Page_365">365</a>;</li> + <li>early comment on wom. suff., <a href="#Page_293">293</a>;</li> + <li>wom. suff. dept. in N. Y. <i>Sun</i>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>;</li> + <li>need of women on press, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>;</li> + <li>report to Amer. conv. of '87, <a href="#Page_425">425</a>;</li> + <li>of '88, <a href="#Page_431">431</a>;</li> + <li>press in Calif, campn., <a href="#Page_490">490</a>, <a href="#Page_499">499</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#Newspapers_and_Magazines">Newspapers</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Prince of India</span>, everlasting record, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Progress_of_Equal_Rights" id="Progress_of_Equal_Rights"></a>Progress of Equal Rights</span>, reasons for, <a href="#Page_xiii">xiii</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>present status, <a href="#Page_xxv">xxv</a>;</li> + <li>hope for future, <a href="#Page_xxvi">xxvi</a>;</li> + <li>more rapid in future, <a href="#Page_xxxiii">xxxiii</a>;</li> + <li>effect of Civil War on, <a href="#Page_2">2</a>;</li> + <li>Congress'l. Com. report, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>;</li> + <li>Sen. Palmer on, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>; <a href="#Page_133">133</a>; <a href="#Page_134">134</a>; <a href="#Page_191">191</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Anthony on, <a href="#Page_325">325</a>; <a href="#Page_207">207</a>; <a href="#Page_242">242</a>; <a href="#Page_306">306</a>;</li> + <li>in public sentiment, <a href="#Page_349">349</a>;</li> + <li>in the South, <a href="#Page_362">362</a>; <a href="#Page_369">369</a>;</li> + <li>social, educat'l, etc., Mrs. Catt on, <a href="#Page_392">392</a>;</li> + <li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1117" id="Page_1117">[Pg 1117]</a></span>as shown in treatment of Miss Anthony, <a href="#Page_394">394</a>, <a href="#Page_398">398</a>;</li> + <li>in position of advocates, <a href="#Page_405">405</a>; <a href="#Page_412">412</a>;</li> + <li>in the laws, <a href="#Page_455">455-8</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Progress of Woman Suffrage</span>, <a href="#Page_169">169</a>; <a href="#Page_198">198</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>ears will be unstopped, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>; <a href="#Page_290">290</a>;</li> + <li>appearances of advocates, <a href="#Page_318">318</a>; <a href="#Page_326">326</a>;</li> + <li>13 members electoral coll., <a href="#Page_350">350</a>; <a href="#Page_405">405</a>; <a href="#Page_409">409</a>; <a href="#Page_425">425</a>; <a href="#Page_442">442</a>;</li> + <li>in England, <a href="#Page_353">353</a>, <a href="#Page_1012">1012</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Professions</span>, women in, <i>see</i> Law, Medicine, etc., also Occupations.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Property</span>, Lucy Stone on laws in Mass., <a href="#Page_192">192</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>owners are one-fourth women, nine-tenths of laws made for property, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>.</li> + <li>Résumé of laws, <a href="#Page_453">453</a> et seq.</li> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#Law">Laws</a>, also each State chapter under <i>Legislative Action and Laws</i>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Public_Schools" id="Public_Schools"></a>Public Schools</span>, statistics of pupils, <a href="#Page_xxx">xxx</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>girls formerly not admitted in Mass., <a href="#Page_193">193</a>; <a href="#Page_464">464</a>;</li> + <li>High Schools, in Del., <a href="#Page_566">566</a>;</li> + <li>in Phila., <a href="#Page_906">906</a>;</li> + <li>in Providence, <a href="#Page_920">920</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> each State chapter under head of <i>Education</i>, beginning, p. <a href="#Page_465">465</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li><span class="sc">Queensland</span>, <i>see</i> chapter on, <a href="#Page_1032">1032</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li><span class="sc">Radicals</span>, of each new age, <a href="#Page_xxxiii">xxxiii</a>; <a href="#Page_117">117</a>, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Receptions</span>, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>; <a href="#Page_18">18</a>; <a href="#Page_56">56</a>; <a href="#Page_127">127</a>; <a href="#Page_175">175</a>; <a href="#Page_183">183</a>; <a href="#Page_188">188</a>; <a href="#Page_251">251</a>; <a href="#Page_262">262</a>; <a href="#Page_265">265</a>; <a href="#Page_270">270</a>; <a href="#Page_354">354</a>; <a href="#Page_384">384</a>. + <ul class="IX"> + <li><i>See</i> various State chapters beginning <a href="#Page_465">465</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Reformers</span>, Rev. Anna Howard Shaw on, <a href="#Page_131">131</a> et seq.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Religion</span>, <i>see</i> <a href="#Church">Church</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Reminiscences of Elizabeth Cady Stanton</span>, <a href="#Page_vi">iv</a>; <a href="#Page_250">250</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Remonstrants" id="Remonstrants"></a>Remonstrants</span>, women against suff., <a href="#Page_xxix">xxix</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in politics, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>;</li> + <li>called to account, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>;</li> + <li>Mr. Foulke on, <a href="#Page_168">168</a>;</li> + <li>Mrs. Howe on, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>; <a href="#Page_171">171</a>;</li> + <li>three classes of, <a href="#Page_249">249</a>; <a href="#Page_258">258</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Blackwell on, <a href="#Page_320">320</a>;</li> + <li>allied with liquor dealers, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>;</li> + <li>satire on, <a href="#Page_361">361</a>;</li> + <li>Grace Greenwood on, <a href="#Page_364">364</a>;</li> + <li>in England, take advantage of every gain, <a href="#Page_369">369</a>;</li> + <li>Mrs. Catt on, <a href="#Page_370">370</a>;</li> + <li>against education, property laws, etc., <a href="#Page_380">380</a>;</li> + <li>before Sen. com. in 1900, <a href="#Page_381">381</a>;</li> + <li>before House com., amusing occurrences, <a href="#Page_382">382</a>;</li> + <li>in different stages of evolution, <a href="#Page_392">392</a>;</li> + <li>in Col., <a href="#Page_512">512</a>;</li> + <li>in S. D., <a href="#Page_557">557</a>;</li> + <li>in Kansas, <a href="#Page_650">650</a>;</li> + <li>in Mass., <a href="#Page_704">704</a>, <a href="#Page_732">732-3</a>, <a href="#Page_736">736</a> et al.;</li> + <li>in N. Y., <a href="#Page_850">850</a>, <a href="#Page_858">858-9</a>, <a href="#Page_861">861</a>;</li> + <li>in Ok., <a href="#Page_888">888</a>;</li> + <li>in Ore., <a href="#Page_895">895</a>;</li> + <li>in Wash., <a href="#Page_971">971</a>;</li> + <li>in Austr., <a href="#Page_1031">1031</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Reports" id="Reports"></a>Reports</span>, of Congress'l coms. on wom. suff., <a href="#Page_12">12</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>House Judic., of '84, <a href="#Page_47">47</a> et seq., <a href="#Page_52">52</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>of '86, <a href="#Page_82">82</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>of '90, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>;</li> + <li>of '94, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>;</li> + <li>Senate, of '84, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>;</li> + <li><i>see</i> also <a href="#Page_93">93</a> et seq;</li> + <li>of '92, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>;</li> + <li>of '96, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>;</li> + <li>work of Miss Anthony and Mrs. Upton in securing, <a href="#Page_366">366</a>.</li> + <li>--of nat'l. suff. conv. of '84, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>of Intl. Council of '88, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>;</li> + <li>on nat'l. enrollment, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_879">879</a>;</li> + <li>of Nat'l. Council of '91, <a href="#Page_175">175</a>;</li> + <li>of Columbian Expos. Com., <a href="#Page_232">232</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + <li>--State, to nat'l. suff. convs., <a href="#Page_15">15</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>to American suff. convs., <a href="#Page_432">432</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + <li>--Miss Anthony's on work in conventions of 1900, <a href="#Page_439">439</a> et seq.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Representation</span>, basis of, Federal Constitution on, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>women should not be counted till enfranch., <a href="#Page_374">374</a>, <a href="#Page_376">376</a>.</li> + <li>--Indirect, of women by men, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>; <a href="#Page_46">46</a>; <a href="#Page_51">51</a>; <a href="#Page_64">64</a>; <a href="#Page_66">66</a>; <a href="#Page_86">86</a>; <a href="#Page_93">93</a>; <a href="#Page_168">168</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Miss Blackwell on, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Representatives, U. S.</span>, favoring wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1077">1077</a>. + <ul class="IX"> + <li><i>See</i> State chapters under <i>Legislative Action</i>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Republicans" id="Republicans"></a>Republicans</span>, enfranch. negro men, <a href="#Page_xvii">xvii</a>; <a href="#Page_143">143</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Calif., <a href="#Page_485">485</a>, <a href="#Page_487">487</a>, <a href="#Page_491">491</a>;</li> + <li>in Col., <a href="#Page_516">516</a>, <a href="#Page_518">518</a>, <a href="#Page_520">520-5</a>;</li> + <li>in S. D., <a href="#Page_555">555</a>;</li> + <li>in Ida., <a href="#Page_590">590-2</a>;</li> + <li>in Ills., <a href="#Page_605">605-6</a>;</li> + <li>in Ind., <a href="#Page_617">617</a>;</li> + <li>in Kas., <a href="#Page_643">643-7</a>, <a href="#Page_649">649-55</a>, <a href="#Page_661">661</a>;</li> + <li>in Mass., <a href="#Page_712">712</a>, <a href="#Page_724">724</a>, <a href="#Page_727">727</a>;</li> + <li>in Mich., <a href="#Page_755">755</a>;</li> + <li>in N. Y., <a href="#Page_848">848</a> et seq., <a href="#Page_872">872</a>;</li> + <li>in Utah, <a href="#Page_949">949</a>, <a href="#Page_953">953</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>in Wash., <a href="#Page_971">971</a>;</li> + <li>in Congress on Wy., <a href="#Page_1004">1004</a>;</li> + <li>Nat'l. League of Clubs, <a href="#Page_713">713-14</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#Conventions">Conventions</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Resolutions</span>, at nat'l suff. conv. of '69, right of women to vote under 14th amend., <a href="#Page_3">3</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>at conv. of '84, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>;</li> + <li>on death of Wendell Phillips, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>;</li> + <li>for Intl. Council, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>;</li> + <li>on Anna Ella Carroll, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>;</li> + <li>on creeds and dogmas., <a href="#Page_58">58</a>;</li> + <li>memorial of '85, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>;</li> + <li>on carrying wom. suff. into church, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>;</li> + <li>for 16th amend. to Nat'l const'n., <a href="#Page_85">85</a>;</li> + <li>at conv. of '87, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>;</li> + <li>of thanks to men, ridiculed by Mrs. Stanton, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>;</li> + <li>at conv. of '89, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>;</li> + <li>on trial of Susan B. Anthony, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>;</li> + <li>on disfranch. of women in Wash. Ty., <a href="#Page_155">155</a>;</li> + <li>on represent. of wom. at N. Y. Centennial, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>;</li> + <li>by Mrs. Stanton on the church and divorce, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>;</li> + <li>memorial of '90, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>;</li> + <li>at conv. of '91, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>;</li> + <li>for Sunday opening of World's Fair, <a href="#Page_186">186</a>;</li> + <li>to prohibit sale of liquor at same, <a href="#Page_186">186</a>;</li> + <li>mem. of '93, to Geo. W. Curtis and others, <a href="#Page_203">203</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>at conv. of '93, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>;</li> + <li>mem. of '94, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>;</li> + <li>of '95, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>;</li> + <li>of '96, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>;</li> + <li>against Woman's Bible, <a href="#Page_263">263</a>;</li> + <li>mem. of '97, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>;</li> + <li>at conv. of '98, <a href="#Page_290">290</a>;</li> + <li>mem. of '98, <a href="#Page_293">293</a>;</li> + <li>of Fed. of Labor for wom. suff. in '98, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>;</li> + <li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1118" id="Page_1118">[Pg 1118]</a></span>res. for Peace services, <a href="#Page_337">337</a>;</li> + <li>at conv. of '99, <a href="#Page_343">343</a>;</li> + <li>mem. of '99, <a href="#Page_344">344</a>;</li> + <li>of Fed. of Labor in '99, <a href="#Page_359">359</a>;</li> + <li>mem. of 1900, <a href="#Page_366">366</a>;</li> + <li>res. on wom. suff. in Col., <a href="#Page_383">383</a>;</li> + <li>on Miss Anthony's resignation, <a href="#Page_386">386</a>;</li> + <li>of Amer. suff. conv. in '84, <a href="#Page_409">409</a>;</li> + <li>mem. of Frances D. Gage and others, <a href="#Page_409">409</a>;</li> + <li>at Amer. conv. of '85, <a href="#Page_416">416</a>;</li> + <li>of '87, <a href="#Page_425">425</a>;</li> + <li>for union of two suff. societies, <a href="#Page_426">426</a>;</li> + <li>of Col. Legis., <a href="#Page_531">531</a>;</li> + <li>of Wy. Legis., <a href="#Page_1007">1007</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> also various State chapters beginning <a href="#Page_465">465</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Revolution</span>, will it be necessary for wom. suff.? <a href="#Page_119">119</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>women will cause, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Right" id="Right"></a>Right, Suffrage a</span>, proved by Nat'l. Constit'n, <a href="#Page_xxxii">xxxii</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>guaranteed by it, <a href="#Page_1">1</a>, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>; <a href="#Page_38">38</a>; <a href="#Page_45">45-6</a>;</li> + <li>Rep. Maybury denies, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>;</li> + <li>Rep. Poland, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>; <a href="#Page_52">52</a>;</li> + <li>Cong. Com. report, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Eastman on, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>;</li> + <li>Cong. Com. report, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>;</li> + <li>Sen. Blair on, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>;</li> + <li>Sen. Dolph on, <a href="#Page_101">101-2</a>-5;</li> + <li>Sen. Vest denies, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>;</li> + <li>Mrs. Gage on, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>;</li> + <li>Sen. Blair on, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>;</li> + <li>Mr. Foulke on, <a href="#Page_167">167-8</a>;</li> + <li>Mrs. Howe on, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>;</li> + <li>Mrs. Wallace on, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>;</li> + <li>Mrs. Stanton on, <a href="#Page_189">189</a>;</li> + <li>Lucy Stone on, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>;</li> + <li>Mrs. Catt on, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Blackwell on, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Reed on, <a href="#Page_285">285</a>;</li> + <li>Mr. Garrison on, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Anthony on, <a href="#Page_325">325</a>;</li> + <li>Mrs. Blake on, <a href="#Page_374">374-5</a>;</li> + <li>Chancellor Eliot on, <a href="#Page_413">413</a>; <a href="#Page_441">441-2</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="School_Suffrage" id="School_Suffrage"></a>School Suffrage</span>, bills vetoed in Calif., <a href="#Page_xv">xv</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>experience in N. Y., <a href="#Page_xv">xv</a>;</li> + <li>in Wis., <a href="#Page_xv">xv</a>;</li> + <li>in N. J., <a href="#Page_xvi">xvi</a>;</li> + <li>in S. D., <a href="#Page_xvi">xvi</a>;</li> + <li>men do not exercise, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>, <a href="#Page_541">541</a>; <a href="#Page_212">212</a>;</li> + <li>in Boston, <a href="#Page_746">746</a>;</li> + <li>legality in N. Y., <a href="#Page_1093">1093</a>;</li> + <li>in Great Brit., <a href="#Page_1022">1022</a>;</li> + <li>in New Zeal., <a href="#Page_1025">1025</a>;</li> + <li>in Canada, <a href="#Page_1034">1034</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>where possessed in U. S., <a href="#Page_461">461</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> chapters for these States under <i>Suffrage</i>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Science</span> and wom. suff., Mrs. Gage on, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>botanical objection, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Self-government</span> best means of self-development, Mrs. Stanton on, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Senators</span>, U. S., favoring wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1076">1076</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Sermons" id="Sermons"></a>Sermons</span>, Miss Shaw on Heavenly Vision and progress of race, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>; <a href="#Page_136">136</a>; <a href="#Page_175">175</a>; <a href="#Page_184">184</a>; <a href="#Page_185">185</a>; <a href="#Page_202">202</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Miss Shaw on Let no man take thy crown, <a href="#Page_229">229</a>;</li> + <li>minister in Atlanta opp. wom. suff., <a href="#Page_237">237</a>;</li> + <li>at Atlanta conv., <a href="#Page_246">246-7</a>; <a href="#Page_258">258</a>;</li> + <li>dean of Chichester against wom. suff., <a href="#Page_320">320</a>;</li> + <li>at conv. of '99. <a href="#Page_337">337</a>;</li> + <li>at conv. of 1900, Miss Shaw on Rights of Women, <a href="#Page_361">361</a>;</li> + <li>Cardinal Gibbons against wom. suff., <a href="#Page_366">366</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Soldiers</span>, women as, <a href="#Page_309">309-10</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>wom. produce, <a href="#Page_310">310</a>;</li> + <li>efforts to enable to vote, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>;</li> + <li>women bear the arm-bearers, <a href="#Page_337">337</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#Military">Military</a> and <a href="#War">War</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Solitude of Self</span>, address by Mrs. Stanton, <a href="#Page_189">189</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="South" id="South"></a>South</span>, position of women, <a href="#Page_212">212</a>; <a href="#Page_216">216</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>speakers, <a href="#Page_222">222</a>;</li> + <li>women orators of, <a href="#Page_236">236</a>; <a href="#Page_238">238</a>;</li> + <li>its women want suff., <a href="#Page_245">245</a>;</li> + <li>illiterate vote in Ga., <a href="#Page_246">246</a>;</li> + <li>tour of by nat'l. spkrs., <a href="#Page_251">251</a>; <a href="#Page_293">293</a>; <a href="#Page_360">360</a>;</li> + <li>Mrs. Young on progress in, <a href="#Page_362">362</a>;</li> + <li>Ala. and Miss. grant property rights to women, <a href="#Page_407">407</a>; <a href="#Page_928">928</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">South Dakota</span>, failure of Sch. Suff. amend., <a href="#Page_xvii">xvii</a>; <a href="#Page_xxi">xxi</a>; <a href="#Page_xxix">xxix</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Nat'l. Ass'n. raises funds for campn., <a href="#Page_174">174</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Shaw describes, <a href="#Page_182">182</a>; <a href="#Page_183">183</a>;</li> + <li>suff. bill vetoed, <a href="#Page_414">414</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI">State chapter</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Speakers</span>, at Int'l. Council of '88, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>at Miss Anthony's 70th birthday recep., <a href="#Page_163">163</a>;</li> + <li>at 80th birthday recep., <a href="#Page_394">394-5</a>;</li> + <li>at nat'l. suff. convs., <i>see</i> respective chapters, beginning p. <a href="#Page_14">14</a>;</li> + <li>before Congress'l. Coms., <i>see</i> chapters for even years;</li> + <li>at Amer. suff. convs., <i>see</i> <a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">Chap. XXIV</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> State chapters for State speakers.</li> + <li>--of House of Representatives favoring wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1077">1077</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">State Chapters</span>, beginning <a href="#Page_465">465</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="States_Rights" id="States_Rights"></a>State's Rights</span>, to grant suff., <a href="#Page_50">50</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>; <a href="#Page_118">118</a>; <a href="#Page_144">144</a>; <a href="#Page_234">234</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Statistics" id="Statistics"></a>Statistics</span>, of women wage-earners, <a href="#Page_xxiii">xxiii</a>, <a href="#Page_xxx">xxx</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>of public schools, <a href="#Page_xxx">xxx</a>;</li> + <li>of foreign vote in Wis., <a href="#Page_148">148</a>;</li> + <li>of women physicians, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>, <a href="#Page_355">355</a>;</li> + <li>health of women graduates, <a href="#Page_355">355</a>;</li> + <li>wages of women, <a href="#Page_360">360</a>, <a href="#Page_379">379</a>;</li> + <li>of woman vote in Col., <a href="#Page_525">525</a>;</li> + <li>in Ida., <a href="#Page_595">595</a>;</li> + <li>in Kas., <a href="#Page_660">660</a>;</li> + <li>in Mass., <a href="#Page_746">746</a>;</li> + <li>in Ohio, <a href="#Page_883">883</a>;</li> + <li>in Utah, <a href="#Page_952">952</a>;</li> + <li>in Wash., <a href="#Page_412">412</a>, <a href="#Page_967">967</a>;</li> + <li>in Wyo., <a href="#Page_1010">1010</a>;</li> + <li>in New Zeal., <a href="#Page_1026">1026</a>;</li> + <li>in S. Australia, <a href="#Page_1028">1028</a>;</li> + <li>vote on wom. suff. in Kas., <a href="#Page_647">647</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Suffrage" id="Suffrage"></a>Suffrage, Woman</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>--Advantages of, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_83">83</a>, <a href="#Page_159">159</a>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>, <a href="#Page_178">178</a>, <a href="#Page_181">181</a>.</li> + <li>--Advocates, character of, <a href="#Page_xxxii">xxxii</a>, <a href="#Page_412">412</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>debt owed to, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>;</li> + <li>are not dreamers, <a href="#Page_421">421</a>;</li> + <li>list of, <a href="#Page_1075">1075</a>;</li> + <li><i>see</i> debates in Congress, <a href="#Page_32">32</a> et seq., <a href="#Page_85">85</a> et seq., <a href="#Page_181">181</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>also various chapters and p. <a href="#Page_1075">1075</a> et seq.</li> + </ul></li> + <li>--Bible, for and against. <i>See</i> <a href="#Bible">Bible</a>.</li> + <li>--Bills for. <i>See</i> <a href="#Bills">Bills</a>.</li> + <li>--Campaigns for. <i>See</i> <a href="#Amendment">Amendment Campaigns</a>.</li> + <li>--Church, attitude of. <i>See</i> <a href="#Church">Church</a>.</li> + <li>--Congressional Action. <i>See</i> <a href="#Congress">Congress</a>.</li> + <li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1119" id="Page_1119">[Pg 1119]</a></span>--Constitutional Phases of. <i>See</i> <a href="#Constitution">Constitutions</a>.</li> + <li>--Conventions for. <i>See</i> <a href="#Conventions">Conventions</a>.</li> + <li>--Debates on. <i>See</i> <a href="#Congress">Congress</a>.</li> + <li>--Decisions. <i>See</i> <a href="#Supreme_Court_Decisions">Supreme Court Decisions</a>.</li> + <li>--Democracy of. <i>See</i> <a href="#Democracy">Democracy</a>.</li> + <li>--<a name="Domestic" id="Domestic"></a>Domestic, argument against wom. suff. losing force, <a href="#Page_xxxi">xxxi</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Reagan, of Texas, on this point, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>;</li> + <li>John Quincy Adams on, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>;</li> + <li>woman's sphere, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>;</li> + <li>would break up home <a href="#Page_49">49</a>;</li> + <li>proper sphere, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>;</li> + <li>position of woman in all countries, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_83">83</a>;</li> + <li>fear of quarrels, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>;</li> + <li>sphere of two sexes, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>;</li> + <li>woman is queen, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>;</li> + <li>would disrupt family, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>;</li> + <li>harmony not disturbed, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>;</li> + <li>embrace of female politician, <a href="#Page_106">106-7</a>-8, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>;</li> + <li>woman's sphere narrowed, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>;</li> + <li>vote of husband and wife, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>;</li> + <li>wives of great men, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>;</li> + <li>wom. suff. and home, effect where women vote, <a href="#Page_315">315</a>;</li> + <li>evolution of family life, <a href="#Page_328">328</a>;</li> + <li>college wom. and home, <a href="#Page_357">357-8</a>;</li> + <li>no relation between suff. and housekeeping, <a href="#Page_362">362</a>;</li> + <li>modern home happiest, <a href="#Page_371">371</a>;</li> + <li>domestic instincts eternal, <a href="#Page_380">380</a>;</li> + <li>effect of wom. suff. on domestic life in Colorado, <a href="#Page_283">283</a>, <a href="#Page_356">356</a>, <a href="#Page_1087">1087</a>;</li> + <li>in Idaho, <a href="#Page_595">595</a>;</li> + <li>in Utah, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>, <a href="#Page_1088">1088</a>;</li> + <li>in Wyoming, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>, <a href="#Page_181">181</a>, <a href="#Page_302">302</a>, <a href="#Page_1089">1089</a>, <a href="#Page_1091">1091-2</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + <li>--Economics of, <a href="#Page_308">308</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>woman as economic factor, <a href="#Page_310">310</a>;</li> + <li>household economics, <a href="#Page_357">357</a>;</li> + <li>basis of wom. suff., <a href="#Page_377">377</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + <li>--Educated, constitutional to require it, <a href="#Page_246">246</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>argument against, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>;</li> + <li>argument for, <a href="#Page_292">292</a>, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>;</li> + <li>Gov't. no right to educate women and refuse representation, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>;</li> + <li>Mrs. Stanton on, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>;</li> + <li>education must lead to suffrage, <a href="#Page_356">356</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#Education">Education</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + <li>--Ethics of, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>influence of woman, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>; <a href="#Page_119">119</a>;</li> + <li>Mrs. Stanton on, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>;</li> + <li>Mrs. Wallace on, <a href="#Page_170">170-1</a>; <a href="#Page_254">254-5</a>;</li> + <li>evolution of wom. suff., Mrs. Spencer on, <a href="#Page_308">308</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + <li>--Expediency of, <a href="#Page_xxiv">xxiv</a>; <a href="#Page_52">52</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Sen. Vest on, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>; <a href="#Page_167">167</a>; <a href="#Page_172">172</a>;</li> + <li>Phillips on, <a href="#Page_381">381</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + <li>--Federal. <i>See</i> <a href="#Federal_Suffrage">Federal Suffrage</a>.</li> + <li>--Illiterate. <i>See</i> <a href="#Illiteracy">Illiteracy</a>.</li> + <li>--Indifference of Women. <i>See</i> <a href="#Indifference_of_Women">Indifference</a>.</li> + <li>--Justice of, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>, <a href="#Page_167">167-8</a>, <a href="#Page_183">183</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Lucy Stone on, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>; <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_297">297</a>, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>, <a href="#Page_358">358</a>, <a href="#Page_378">378</a>, <a href="#Page_381">381</a>, <a href="#Page_413">413</a>, <a href="#Page_415">415</a>;</li> + <li>Curtis and Hoar on, <a href="#Page_428">428</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + <li>--Labor and. <i>See</i> <a href="#Labor">Labor</a>.</li> + <li>--Legislative Action on. <i>See</i> <a href="#Legislatures">Legislatures</a>.</li> + <li>--Liquor Dealers and. <i>See</i> <a href="#Liquor_Dealers">Liquor Dealers</a>.</li> + <li>--Majority of women opposed. <i>See</i> <a href="#Majority">Majority</a>.</li> + <li>--Military argument against. <i>See</i> <a href="#Military">Military</a>.</li> + <li>--Motherhood and. <i>See</i> <a href="#Motherhood">Motherhood</a>.</li> + <li>--Ministers for and against. <i>See</i> <a href="#Ministers">Ministers</a>, <a href="#Church">Church</a> and <a href="#Sermons">Sermons</a>.</li> + <li>--Morality through, <a href="#Page_xxvi">xxvi</a>; <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_308">308</a>.</li> + <li>--Municipal. <i>See</i> <a href="#Municipal_Suffrage">Municipal Suffrage</a>.</li> + <li>--Nature and, limitations of, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Mrs. Stanton on balance of forces, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>;</li> + <li>nature opposes, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>;</li> + <li>can not reverse laws of, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>;</li> + <li>can be trusted, <a href="#Page_168">168</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>;</li> + <li>severe lessons of, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + <li>--Need of, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, <a href="#Page_88">88</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Mrs. Wallace on, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>; <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>;</li> + <li>to offset foreign vote, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>; <a href="#Page_153">153</a>;</li> + <li>Senate Com. report, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>;</li> + <li>by wives and mothers, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>; <a href="#Page_168">168</a>; <a href="#Page_193">193</a>; <a href="#Page_244">244</a>;</li> + <li>by city and State, <a href="#Page_306">306</a>;</li> + <li>by home, school and municipality, <a href="#Page_379">379</a>;</li> + <li>by the Government, <a href="#Page_429">429</a>; <a href="#Page_433">433</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + <li>--Negroes and. <i>See</i> <a href="#Negroes">Negroes</a>.</li> + <li>--Non-partisanship of demand, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>debate at nat'l. conv. of '97, <a href="#Page_280">280</a>; <a href="#Page_344">344</a>; <a href="#Page_409">409</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + <li>--Opposition to. <i>See</i> <a href="#INTRODUCTION">Introduction</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>of church, State, home and society, Mrs. Stanton on, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>;</li> + <li>ignorance of, <a href="#Page_276">276</a>;</li> + <li>great obstacles, <a href="#Page_371">371</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> also <a href="#Liquor_Dealers">Liquor Dealers</a>, <a href="#Remonstrants">Remonstrants</a>, Congressional Debates and Reports.</li> + </ul></li> + <li>--Organization for. <i>See</i> <a href="#Organization">Organization</a>.</li> + <li>--Petitions for. <i>See</i> <a href="#Petitions">Petitions</a>.</li> + <li>--Philosophy of, Mrs. Colby on, <a href="#Page_254">254</a>. + <ul class="IX"> + <li><i>See</i> also Ethics.</li> + </ul></li> + <li>--Pioneers of. <i>See</i> <a href="#Pioneers">Pioneers</a>.</li> + <li>--Progress of. <i>See</i> <a href="#Progress_of_Equal_Rights">Progress of Wom. Suff. and Equal Rights.</a></li> + <li>--Protection of, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Mrs. Stanton on, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>; <a href="#Page_44">44-6</a>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>, <a href="#Page_168">168</a>, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>, <a href="#Page_378">378</a>, <a href="#Page_413">413</a>;</li> + <li>Higginson on, <a href="#Page_424">424</a>; <a href="#Page_426">426</a>; <a href="#Page_428">428</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + <li>--Qualifications for, Sen. Blair on, <a href="#Page_87">87-91</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>physical, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>; <a href="#Page_94">94</a> et seq.</li> + <li><i>See</i> also <a href="#Military">Military</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + <li>--Right of. <i>See</i> <a href="#Right">Right, Suffrage a</a>.</li> + <li>--School. <i>See</i> <a href="#School_Suffrage">School Suffrage</a>.</li> + <li>--Science of, scientific aspect, by Mrs. Gage, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>.</li> + <li>--Sermons on. <i>See</i> <a href="#Sermons">Sermons</a>.</li> + <li>--South and. <i>See</i> <a href="#South">South</a>.</li> + <li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1120" id="Page_1120">[Pg 1120]</a></span>--State's Rights and. <i>See</i> <a href="#States_Rights">State's Rights</a>.</li> + <li>--Taxation and. <i>See</i> <a href="#Taxation">Taxation and Taxpayers' Suffrage</a>.</li> + <li>--Temperance through, <a href="#Page_xxvi">xxvi</a>; <a href="#Page_18">18</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Bishop Simpson on, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>; <a href="#Page_43">43</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Willard's plea, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>;</li> + <li>res. against liquor selling at World's Fair, <a href="#Page_186">186</a>; <a href="#Page_196">196</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + <li>--in Territories. <i>See</i> chapters on Territories.</li> + <li>--Testimony for. <i>See</i> <a href="#Testimony">Testimony</a>.</li> + <li>--Universal, approved, <a href="#Page_xxvii">xxvii</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Cong. Com. rep., <a href="#Page_54">54</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>;</li> + <li>Mrs. Hooker on, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>; <a href="#Page_257">257</a>; <a href="#Page_258">258</a>; <a href="#Page_285">285</a>; <a href="#Page_369">369</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + <li>--War and. <i>See</i> <a href="#War">War</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Suffrage, Woman</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>miscellaneous, full résumé of, <i>see</i> <a href="#INTRODUCTION">Introduction</a>.</li> + <li>Amount now possessed and how obtained, <a href="#Page_xxvii">xxvii</a>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_461">461</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> also chapters of States and Territories under head of <i>Suffrage</i>.</li> + <li>Why denied to woman, <a href="#Page_xiv">xiv</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>effect on politics, <a href="#Page_xix">xix</a>;</li> + <li>obstacles to, <a href="#Page_xx">xx</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>future prospects, <a href="#Page_xxvi">xxvi</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>where taken away, <a href="#Page_xxvii">xxvii</a>, <a href="#Page_674">674</a>, <a href="#Page_968">968</a>;</li> + <li>attempt of women to vote under 14th Amend., <a href="#Page_3">3</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>capacity for, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>;</li> + <li>evolution of, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>;</li> + <li>Mrs. Spencer on, <a href="#Page_308">308</a>;</li> + <li>scientific view of, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>;</li> + <li>practical experience, <i>see</i> <a href="#Testimony">Testimony</a>, chapters on States where women vote, also Sen. Palmer on, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>, Sen. Dolph on, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>;</li> + <li>dangers of, Sen. Brown on, <a href="#Page_96">96</a> et seq., Sen. Vest on, <a href="#Page_105">105</a> et seq., <a href="#Page_999">999</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>danger of withholding, Mrs. Stanton on, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, Mrs. Wallace on, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>;</li> + <li>unequal struggle for, Mrs. Stanton on, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a>;</li> + <li>men's indifference to, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>;</li> + <li>peaceful effort for, <a href="#Page_231">231</a>, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>;</li> + <li>industrial emancip. leads to, Carroll D. Wright on, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>;</li> + <li>man improved by, <a href="#Page_391">391</a>;</li> + <li>immense work of a few for, <a href="#Page_449">449</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#Vote">Vote</a>, and <a href="#Presidential_Suffrage">Presidential, Suffrage</a>; also <a href="#CHAPTER_LXXIII">chapter on Great Britain and her Colonies</a> and <a href="#CHAPTER_LXXIV">Chap. LXXIV</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Sunday Observance</span>, Mrs. Stanton on, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>; <a href="#Page_186">186</a>; <a href="#Page_217">217</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Supreme_Court_Decisions" id="Supreme_Court_Decisions"></a>Supreme Court Decisions, U. S.,</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Dred Scott case defining citizens, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>;</li> + <li>on Virginia L. Minor's attempt to vote, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>;</li> + <li>Slaughter House Cases, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>;</li> + <li>Yarbrough on Federal Suff., <a href="#Page_8">8</a>;</li> + <li>on 14th amend., <a href="#Page_79">79</a>; <a href="#Page_144">144</a>; <a href="#Page_165">165</a>;</li> + <li>against right of women to practice law, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>;</li> + <li>on woman's right to vote, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>;</li> + <li>recognizing slavery, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>;</li> + <li>Justices of, favoring wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1076">1076</a>.</li> + <li>--State, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>on attempt of Miss Anthony, Mrs. Virginia L. Minor and other wom. to vote, <a href="#Page_4">4</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>on Federal Suffrage in Kellar case (Ills), <a href="#Page_10">10</a>;</li> + <li>on property rights of women in Calif., <a href="#Page_502">502</a>;</li> + <li>on wom. suff. in Calif., <a href="#Page_504">504</a>;</li> + <li>on wom. suff. amend. in Ida., <a href="#Page_272">272</a>, <a href="#Page_593">593</a>;</li> + <li>on woman's right to vote, to practice law and to sell liquor in Ind., <a href="#Page_621">621-2</a>, <a href="#Page_626">626</a>;</li> + <li>on Munic. Suff. in Mich., <a href="#Page_765">765</a>;</li> + <li>on Sch. Suff. in N. J., <a href="#Page_830">830</a>;</li> + <li>on Sch. Suff. in N. Y., <a href="#Page_867">867</a>;</li> + <li>same in O., <a href="#Page_883">883</a>;</li> + <li>women's voting on constitn. in Utah, <a href="#Page_948">948</a>;</li> + <li>on wom. suff. in Wash., <a href="#Page_968">968-9</a>, <a href="#Page_1096">1096</a>;</li> + <li>in Wis., <a href="#Page_990">990</a>;</li> + <li>Justices of, favoring wom. suff., + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Del., <a href="#Page_565">565</a>;</li> + <li>Ida., <a href="#Page_593">593</a>, <a href="#Page_1089">1089</a>;</li> + <li>Kas., <a href="#Page_433">433</a>, <a href="#Page_646">646</a>;</li> + <li>Wy., <a href="#Page_1090">1090-1</a>-2.</li> + </ul></li> + </ul></li> + </ul></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li><span class="sc">Tasmania</span>, chapter on, <a href="#Page_1033">1033</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Taxation" id="Taxation"></a>Taxation</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>without representation, <a href="#Page_xxxi">xxxi</a>;</li> + <li>in Mass., <a href="#Page_34">34</a>; <a href="#Page_38">38</a>; <a href="#Page_65">65</a>; <a href="#Page_66">66</a>; <a href="#Page_97">97</a>; <a href="#Page_148">148</a>;</li> + <li>of women in N. Y., Mass. and Tenn., <a href="#Page_240">240</a>;</li> + <li>in Ga., <a href="#Page_242">242</a>;</li> + <li>in N. Y., <a href="#Page_247">247</a>, <a href="#Page_313">313</a>, <a href="#Page_851">851</a>;</li> + <li>of women helps pay Legislators, <a href="#Page_374">374</a>;</li> + <li>women should be relieved of until enfranch., <a href="#Page_376">376</a>;</li> + <li>Chicago Teachers' Fed. compels taxation of corporations, <a href="#Page_611">611</a>; <a href="#Page_763">763</a>;</li> + <li>in Phila., <a href="#Page_900">900</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Taxpayers' Suffrage</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>States where possessed by women, <a href="#Page_461">461</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> chapters for those States under <i>Suffrage</i>.</li> + <li>--in La., <a href="#Page_681">681</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Miss., <a href="#Page_787">787</a>;</li> + <li>in Mont., <a href="#Page_799">799</a>;</li> + <li>in N. Y., <a href="#Page_869">869</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> also Iowa, <a href="#Page_635">635</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Teachers</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li><i>see</i> <a href="#Education">Education</a>, <a href="#Public_Schools">Public Schools</a> and <a href="#Universities_and_Colleges">Universities</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Territories</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>demand for wom. suff. in, <a href="#Page_417">417</a>;</li> + <li>appeals to Constit'l. Convs. of Dak., Wash., Mont. and Idaho, <a href="#Page_439">439</a>;</li> + <li>Mr. Blackwell visits them in interest of wom. suff., <a href="#Page_433">433</a>;</li> + <li>have a right to control suff., <a href="#Page_1003">1003</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> Territorial chapters.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Testimony" id="Testimony"></a>Testimony</span>, in favor of wom. suff., + <ul class="IX"> + <li>from Colorado, <a href="#Page_239">239</a>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a>, <a href="#Page_283">283</a>, <a href="#Page_302">302-3</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a>, <a href="#Page_356">356</a>, <a href="#Page_383">383</a>;</li> + <li>Kansas, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>;</li> + <li>Utah, <a href="#Page_261">261</a>, <a href="#Page_283">283</a>;</li> + <li>U. S. Sen. Cannon on, <a href="#Page_304">304</a>;</li> + <li>St. Sen. Martha Hughes Cannon on, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>;</li> + <li>Washington, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>U. S. Sen. Palmer on, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>;</li> + <li>U. S. Sen. Dolph on, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_421">421</a>, <a href="#Page_1096">1096-8</a>;</li> + </ul></li> + <li>in Wyoming, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>U. S. Sen. Palmer on, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>,</li> + <li>U. S. Sen. Carey on, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>, <a href="#Page_181">181</a>, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>,</li> + <li>debate on admission to Statehood, <a href="#Page_998">998</a> et seq.</li> + </ul></li> + <li><i>See</i> Statistics, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>also <i>Testimony from Wom. Suff. States</i>, beginning p. <a href="#Page_1085">1085</a>,</li> + <li>State chapters for <a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">Colorado</a>, <a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVI">Idaho</a>,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1121" id="Page_1121">[Pg 1121]</a></span> <a href="#CHAPTER_XL">Kansas</a>, <a href="#CHAPTER_LXVI">Utah</a> and <a href="#CHAPTER_LXXII">Wyoming</a> and pp. <a href="#Page_1027">1027-1028</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + </ul></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Universities_and_Colleges" id="Universities_and_Colleges"></a>Universities and Colleges</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>large number of women in, <a href="#Page_xxii">xxii</a>;</li> + <li>women on faculties, <a href="#Page_355">355</a>;</li> + <li>Emma Willard's school, geometry in, <a href="#Page_355">355</a>;</li> + <li>Mt. Holyoke, Latin in, <a href="#Page_355">355</a>;</li> + <li>first Boston High School, <a href="#Page_355">355</a>;</li> + <li>President Eliot on girls in Boston Latin School and Radcliffe, <a href="#Page_355">355</a>;</li> + <li>Johns Hopkins Medical, <a href="#Page_700">700</a>;</li> + <li>Wellesley students for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_714">714</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>teachers for, <a href="#Page_716">716</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_726">726</a>;</li> + </ul></li> + <li>Smith, same, <a href="#Page_716">716</a>;</li> + <li>Girton and Newnham (Eng.), same, <a href="#Page_1015">1015</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>woman suffrage in, <a href="#Page_709">709</a>;</li> + </ul></li> + <li>Radcliffe, <a href="#Page_355">355</a>, <a href="#Page_749">749</a>;</li> + <li>Columbia, <a href="#Page_871">871</a>;</li> + <li>Rochester, <a href="#Page_871">871</a>;</li> + <li>Brown, <a href="#Page_918">918-20</a>;</li> + <li>Oberlin, <a href="#Page_884">884</a>;</li> + <li>Antioch, <a href="#Page_885">885</a>;</li> + <li>State, closed to wom., <a href="#Page_966">966</a>;</li> + <li>open to women in Gr. Brit., <a href="#Page_1024">1024</a>;</li> + <li>in other countries, <a href="#Page_1038">1038</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>presidents of, favoring wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1079">1079</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> also <a href="#Education">Education</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Utah</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>adopts wom. suff., <a href="#Page_xxi">xxi</a>; <a href="#Page_252">252</a>;</li> + <li>visit of Miss Anthony and Miss Shaw in '95, <a href="#Page_253">253</a>;</li> + <li>welcomed by Nat'l. Ass'n., <a href="#Page_260">260</a>;</li> + <li>organiz'n for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_262">262</a>;</li> + <li>gift to Miss Anthony, <a href="#Page_390">390</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#CHAPTER_LXVI">State chapter</a>, also <a href="#Statistics">Statistics</a> and <a href="#Testimony">Testimony</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li><span class="sc">Victoria</span>, chapter on, <a href="#Page_1031">1031</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Voices</span>, of women, <a href="#Page_240">240</a>; <a href="#Page_334">334-5</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="Vote" id="Vote"></a>Vote</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>woman's, political complexion of, <a href="#Page_xviii">xviii</a>,</li> + <li>not wanted by politicians and others, <a href="#Page_xix">xix</a>;</li> + <li>best women would not vote, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>;</li> + <li>they would, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>;</li> + <li>they would not, <a href="#Page_98">98</a>;</li> + <li>women do vote, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>, <a href="#Page_181">181</a>;</li> + <li>first voted in N. J., <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_830">830</a>;</li> + <li>future woman will be urged to vote, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#Statistics">Statistics</a>, <a href="#Suffrage">Suffrage</a>, <a href="#Testimony">Testimony</a>, and chapters for <a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">Colorado</a>, <a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVI">Idaho</a>, <a href="#CHAPTER_XL">Kansas</a>, <a href="#CHAPTER_LXVI">Utah</a>, <a href="#CHAPTER_LXIX">Washington</a>, <a href="#CHAPTER_LXXII">Wyoming</a>, <a href="#CHAPTER_LXXIII">Australia</a> and<a href="#CHAPTER_LXXIII"> New Zealand</a>.</li> + <li>--of nat'l. conv. on carrying wom. suff. into church, <a href="#Page_77">77</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>on Woman's Bible, <a href="#Page_263">263</a>;</li> + <li>in U. S. Senate on amend. for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_112">112</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + </ul></li> +</ul> + + +<ul class="IX"> +<li><span class="sc">Wages</span>, <i>see</i> <a href="#Labor">Labor</a> and <a href="#Statistics">Statistics</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Wills</span>, <i>see</i> p. <a href="#Page_455">455</a> and <a href="#Law">Laws</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc"><a name="War" id="War"></a>War</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>hated by women, <a href="#Page_xix">xix</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>;</li> + <li>man's part compared to woman's, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>;</li> + <li>woman's part in war, <a href="#Page_161">161-2</a>;</li> + <li>first to see advantages of peace, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>;</li> + <li>pathetic war for suff., <a href="#Page_231">231</a>, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>;</li> + <li>war should have consent of women, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>;</li> + <li>women left to fight alone, <a href="#Page_338">338</a>;</li> + <li>badly needed in Span. Am., <a href="#Page_339">339</a>;</li> + <li>women and the South African, <a href="#Page_391">391</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> Military and Soldiers.</li> + <li>--Civil, developed woman, <a href="#Page_2">2</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>results frittered away, <a href="#Page_159">159</a>;</li> + <li>woman's part in, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Washington City</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>plan to beautify, <a href="#Page_xxxii">xxxii</a>;</li> + <li>entertains nat'l. suff. convs. from '69, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Anthony's preference as a place for holding convs., <a href="#Page_218">218</a>, <a href="#Page_351">351</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> accounts of nat'l. convs., Chaps. II-XXII, also <a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIII">chapter on District of Columbia</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Washington Territory</span>, <a href="#Page_xxi">xxi</a>; <a href="#Page_xxix">xxix</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Sen. Dolph on enfranch. of its women, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>;</li> + <li>their disfranch. denounced, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>;</li> + <li>full account of this, <a href="#Page_1096">1096-8</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#CHAPTER_LXIX">State chapter</a>, also <a href="#Statistics">Statistics</a> and <a href="#Testimony">Testimony</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Wisconsin</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Sch. Suff. in, <a href="#Page_xv">xv</a>;</li> + <li>rule of foreigners, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#CHAPTER_LXXI">State chapter</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Womanliness</span>, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>; <a href="#Page_88">88</a>; <a href="#Page_95">95</a>; <a href="#Page_106">106</a>; <a href="#Page_160">160</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Mrs. Stanton on, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>; <a href="#Page_225">225</a>; <a href="#Page_285">285</a>; <a href="#Page_319">319</a>; <a href="#Page_1086">1086</a> et seq.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Woman's Christian Temperance Union</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>petition for suff., <a href="#Page_110">110</a>; <a href="#Page_123">123</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Willard represents before Sen. Com. of '88, <a href="#Page_141">141-2</a>;</li> + <li>wom. suff. in '81, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>;</li> + <li>at nat'l. conv. of '97, <a href="#Page_278">278</a>.</li> + <li>For bills in Legislatures <i>see</i> pp. <a href="#Page_451">451-2</a>, and various State chapters under head of <i>Legislative Action</i>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>also Canada, New Zealand and Tasmania;</li> + </ul></li> + <li>for founding and work, <a href="#Page_1045">1045</a> et seq.;</li> + <li>attitude towards wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1070">1070</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Woman's Rights Conventions</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>demands of first one nearly all granted, <a href="#Page_xiii">xiii</a>;</li> + <li>earliest ones held, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>;</li> + <li>40th annivers., <a href="#Page_125">125</a>; <a href="#Page_204">204</a>;</li> + <li>50th anniv., <a href="#Page_288">288</a>;</li> + <li>descrip. of, <a href="#Page_298">298-9</a>;</li> + <li>compared to Bunker Hill, etc., <a href="#Page_397">397</a>; <a href="#Page_1043">1043</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Workingmen</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>how enfranchised, <a href="#Page_xvii">xvii</a>, same, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>;</li> + <li>in Great Brit., <a href="#Page_311">311</a>;</li> + <li>injured by disfranch. women, <a href="#Page_312">312</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#Labor">Labor</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Workingwomen</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>relation of wom. suff. to, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>;</li> + <li>Nat'l. Ass'n. demands suff. for, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>.</li> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#Labor">Labor</a> and <a href="#Statistics">Statistics</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Wyoming</span>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>adopts wom. suff., <a href="#Page_xxi">xxi</a>;</li> + <li>Nat'l. Ass'n. congratulates on admission, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>;</li> + <li>gavel from, <a href="#Page_238">238</a>; <a href="#Page_252">252</a>;</li> + <li>visit of Miss Anthony and Miss Shaw, <a href="#Page_253">253</a>;</li> + <li>compared to Switzerland, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>;</li> + <li>gift and trib. to Miss Anthony on 80th birthday, <a href="#Page_400">400</a>;</li> + <li>petits. Cong. for 16th amend., <a href="#Page_448">448</a>;</li> + <li>debate in Cong. on admission, <a href="#Page_998">998</a> et seq.</li> + <li><i>See</i> <a href="#CHAPTER_LXXII">State chapter</a>, also <a href="#Statistics">Statistics</a> and <a href="#Testimony">Testimony</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +</ul> +</div> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_502_502" id="Footnote_502_502"></a><a href="#FNanchor_502_502"><span class="label">[502]</span></a> It has been impossible to index every paper named in +the History, and only those are given of which special mention is +made.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1122" id="Page_1122">[Pg 1122]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="INDEX_OF_PROPER_NAMES" id="INDEX_OF_PROPER_NAMES"></a>INDEX OF PROPER NAMES.</h2> + + +<p>In order that the following Index may not be overburdened with names, +it has seemed best not to include those of officers and workers in the +various States unless they are listed in some capacity elsewhere. +While this decision causes injustice in some cases, it will be +approved when it is considered that in the Massachusetts chapter, for +instance, about 600 different individuals are mentioned, some of them +a score of times; in those of New York and California, over 300 each, +and in that of Vermont, including only seven pages, nearly 150. With +half-a-dozen exceptions the State chapters are very short and it will +require only a few minutes for the reader to find any name desired. +Most of the prominent State workers are mentioned elsewhere and +therefore are listed. Even with this arrangement the Index contains +almost 1200 names.</p> + + +<div class="center"> +<table style="width:75%;" border="1" summary=""> + <tr> + <td> <a href="#IX_A">A</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_B">B</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_C">C</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_D">D</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_E">E</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_F">F</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_G">G</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_H">H</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_I">I</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_J">J</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_K">K</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_L">L</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_M">M</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> <a href="#IX_N">N</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_O">O</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_P">P</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_Q">Q</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_R">R</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_S">S</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_T">T</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_U">U</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_V">V</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_W">W</a></td> + <td> X</td> + <td> <a href="#IX_Y">Y</a></td> + <td> <a href="#IX_Z">Z</a></td> + </tr> +</table> +</div> + +<div class="index"> +<p class="index"><a id="IX_A" name="IX_A"></a>A</p> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Abbott, Dr. Lyman, <a href="#Page_742">742</a>.</li> +<li>Abbott, Mrs. Lyman, organizes anti-suff. soc., <a href="#Page_850">850</a>.</li> +<li>Abbott, Merrie Hoover, contest for office of pros. att'y., <a href="#Page_770">770</a>.</li> +<li>Aberdeen, Ishbel, Countess of, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>compliments Amer. wom., <a href="#Page_353">353</a>; <a href="#Page_354">354</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Adams, Abigail, on female education, <a href="#Page_354">354</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>courtship, <a href="#Page_422">422</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Adams, Gov. Alva, <a href="#Page_302">302</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>talks suff. to Fed. of Clubs, <a href="#Page_530">530</a>; <a href="#Page_533">533</a>;</li> + <li>on wom. suff. in Col., <a href="#Page_1087">1087</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Adams, Judge Francis G., <a href="#Page_641">641</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>statistics of wom. suff. in Kas., <a href="#Page_660">660</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Adams, Pearl, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>.</li> +<li>Adams, Samuel, on representation, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>.</li> +<li>Addams, Jane, <a href="#Page_608">608</a>; <a href="#Page_718">718</a>.</li> +<li>Adkinson, Florence M., <a href="#Page_432">432</a>; <a href="#Page_617">617</a>; <a href="#Page_707">707</a>.</li> +<li>Adsit, Mrs. Allen C., <a href="#Page_322">322</a>.</li> +<li>Alabama, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">Chap. XXV</a>.</li> +<li>Alcott, Louisa M., in favor of wom. suff., <a href="#Page_411">411</a>; <a href="#Page_431">431</a>; <a href="#Page_702">702</a>.</li> +<li>Alden, Cynthia Westover, <a href="#Page_1052">1052</a>.</li> +<li>Alderson, Mary Long, writes Mont. chap., <a href="#Page_796">796</a>.</li> +<li>Aldridge, George W., <a href="#Page_845">845</a>.</li> +<li>Alford, William H., <a href="#Page_488">488</a>.</li> +<li>Allen, C. E., M. C., <a href="#Page_260">260</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>on wom. suff. platform, <a href="#Page_261">261</a>; <a href="#Page_949">949</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Allen, Mrs. C. E., <a href="#Page_260">260</a>.</li> +<li>Allen, U. S. Sen. John B., <a href="#Page_158">158</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>favors wom. suff., <a href="#Page_162">162</a>;</li> + <li>reports in favor, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Altgeld, Gov. John P. (Ills.), <a href="#Page_606">606</a>.</li> +<li>Ambrose, James Clement, <a href="#Page_802">802</a>.</li> +<li>Ames, Rev. Charles G., <a href="#Page_425">425</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Mass., <a href="#Page_707">707</a> et al., <a href="#Page_712">712</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Ames, Fanny B., <a href="#Page_717">717</a>.</li> +<li>Ames, Gov. Oliver (Mass.), <a href="#Page_259">259</a>; <a href="#Page_433">433</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>recom. wom. suff. in message, <a href="#Page_706">706</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_723">723</a>; <a href="#Page_718">718</a>; <a href="#Page_727">727</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Amies, Olive Pond, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>.</li> +<li>Anderson, Mrs. Garrett, M. D., (Eng.), <a href="#Page_1015">1015</a>.</li> +<li>Anderson, Martha Scott, <a href="#Page_331">331</a>; <a href="#Page_774">774</a>.</li> +<li>Anderson, Naomi, <a href="#Page_490">490</a>; <a href="#Page_646">646</a>.</li> +<li>Anderson, St. Rep. Sarah A. (Utah), <a href="#Page_953">953</a>.</li> +<li>Andrews, Bishop E. G., <a href="#Page_206">206</a>.</li> +<li>Andrews, Elisha Benjamin, Pres. Brown Univ., + <ul class="IX"> + <li>works for admis. of wom., <a href="#Page_919">919</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Andrews, St. Speaker N. L., wom. suff. in Wy., <a href="#Page_1091">1091</a>.</li> +<li>Anneke, Mathilde F., <a href="#Page_61">61</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work in Wis., <a href="#Page_987">987</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Anthony, Col. Daniel Reed, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>; <a href="#Page_645">645</a>.</li> +<li>Anthony, Gov. George T. (Kas.), opp. wom. suff., <a href="#Page_649">649</a>.</li> +<li>Anthony, U. S. Sen. Henry B., <a href="#Page_24">24</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>rep. in favor of wom. suff., <a href="#Page_47">47</a>; <a href="#Page_61">61</a>; <a href="#Page_89">89</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Anthony Lucy E., <a href="#Page_239">239</a>; <a href="#Page_392">392</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Calif, camp'n., <a href="#Page_48">48</a>;, <a href="#Page_707">707</a>; <a href="#Page_900">900</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Anthony, Mary S., <a href="#Page_298">298</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work in N. Y., <a href="#Page_849">849</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Anthony, Susan B., prepares Hist. of Wom. Suff., III; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>rec. legacy for, <a href="#Page_v">V</a>;</li> + <li>purchases rights of Mrs. Stanton and Mrs. Gage and puts book in libraries, resigns presidency of Nat'l. Assn., <a href="#Page_vi">VI</a>;</li> + <li>secures money for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1123" id="Page_1123">[Pg 1123]</a></span> Vol. IV and invites Mrs. Harper to write it, <a href="#Page_vii">VII</a>;</li> + <li>demands on her for inform., <a href="#Page_ix">IX</a>;</li> + <li>tries to prevent "male" in Nat'l. Constit., <a href="#Page_2">2</a>;</li> + <li>trial for voting, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>;</li> + <li>no faith in attempt for Fed. Suff., <a href="#Page_11">11</a>;</li> + <li>winter res. in Washt'n., <a href="#Page_12">12</a>;</li> + <li>forms Nat'l. Ass'n., <a href="#Page_14">14</a>;</li> + <li>issues call for conv. of '84, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>; <a href="#Page_17">17</a>;</li> + <li>arouses interest of Eng. wom., <a href="#Page_21">21</a>;</li> + <li>disgrace of disfranchisement, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>;</li> + <li>never wrote addresses, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>;</li> + <li>writes to 112 M. C.'s, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>; <a href="#Page_36">36</a>;</li> + <li>pleads for 16th Amend, before U. S. Senate Com., <a href="#Page_40">40</a>;</li> + <li>before House Com., <a href="#Page_42">42</a>; <a href="#Page_56">56</a>;</li> + <li>opp. relig. debate in wom. suff. conv., <a href="#Page_59">59</a>; <a href="#Page_62">62</a>;</li> + <li>describes first suff. meet. in Washt'n., <a href="#Page_70">70</a>; <a href="#Page_71">71</a>; <a href="#Page_77">77</a>;</li> + <li>on Sup. Ct. decisions, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>;</li> + <li>arrested under Fed. Law for voting, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>; <a href="#Page_81">81</a>;</li> + <li>on congress'l action on wom. suff., <a href="#Page_112">112</a>; <a href="#Page_114">114</a>;</li> + <li>world needed her, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>;</li> + <li>originates Int'l Council, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>;</li> + <li>issues call, <a href="#Page_126">126</a>;</li> + <li>edits report, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>;</li> + <li>opens Council, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>; <a href="#Page_135">135</a>; <a href="#Page_136">136</a>;</li> + <li>elected vice-pres., <a href="#Page_137">137</a>;</li> + <li>before Senate com. in '88, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>;</li> + <li>opens conv. of '89, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>; <a href="#Page_150">150</a>;</li> + <li>describes efforts to vote under 14th Amend., <a href="#Page_152">152</a>;</li> + <li>conv. res. on outrage of her trial, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>;</li> + <li>at Com. hearings, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>;</li> + <li>wom. in war, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>;</li> + <li>70th birthday, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>;</li> + <li>demands free platform, <a href="#Page_169">169</a>;</li> + <li>as presiding officer, <a href="#Page_173">173</a>;</li> + <li>elected vice-pres. of united ass'ns., <a href="#Page_174">174</a>;</li> + <li>puts Int'l Council Report in libraries, <a href="#Page_175">175</a>;</li> + <li>opens conv. of '91, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>; <a href="#Page_180">180</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Shaw tells treatment of in S. D. Rep. Conv., <a href="#Page_182">182</a>; <a href="#Page_184">184</a>; <a href="#Page_185">185</a>;</li> + <li>elected pres. Nat'l. Am. Ass'n., <a href="#Page_186">186</a>;</li> + <li>winter home at Riggs House, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>;</li> + <li>before House Com., <a href="#Page_189">189</a>;</li> + <li>compliments Sen. Hoar, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>; <a href="#Page_202">202</a>;</li> + <li>opens memorial service of '93, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>;</li> + <li>young wom. should apprec. pioneers, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>;</li> + <li>gains of forty years, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>;</li> + <li>World's Fair Bd. Lady M'g'rs., <a href="#Page_211">211</a>;</li> + <li>on Bd. M'g'rs. N. Y. St. Indust. Sch., <a href="#Page_213">213</a>;</li> + <li>refused seat on W. C. T. U. platform in '81, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>;</li> + <li>on publishing paper, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>;</li> + <li>opp. to convs. outside of Washt'n., <a href="#Page_218">218</a>;</li> + <li>flag present, by Col. women, <a href="#Page_222">222</a>;</li> + <li>every inch of ground contested, <a href="#Page_223">223</a>;</li> + <li>Suff. Ass'n. knows no section, creed or party, <a href="#Page_224">224</a>;</li> + <li>spicy introductions, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>; <a href="#Page_227">227</a>;</li> + <li>part in securing World's Fair Bd. Lady M'g'rs., <a href="#Page_233">233</a>;</li> + <li>wom. never can vote under present Constit'n., <a href="#Page_234">234</a>;</li> + <li>introd. Kate Field, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>; <a href="#Page_236">236</a>;</li> + <li>rare qualities as presid. officer, <a href="#Page_238">238</a>;</li> + <li>examples of repartee, <a href="#Page_239">239</a>, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>;</li> + <li>trib. in Atlanta conv., <a href="#Page_241">241</a>;</li> + <li>young wom. know it all, <a href="#Page_249">249</a>;</li> + <li>announces nat'l. hdqrs., <a href="#Page_250">250</a>;</li> + <li>spks. in Southern cities, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>;</li> + <li>forgets prayer at conv., <a href="#Page_252">252</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Shaw tells of their visit to Western cities, <a href="#Page_253">253</a>;</li> + <li>Miss A. jokes younger wom. on holding her bonnet, on getting crosswise with newspapers, <a href="#Page_254">254</a>; <a href="#Page_257">257</a>;</li> + <li>spks. at mem. serv. of '96, <a href="#Page_260">260</a>;</li> + <li>birthday luncheon, <a href="#Page_262">262</a>;</li> + <li>sp. on Woman's Bible, <a href="#Page_263">263</a>; <a href="#Page_265">265</a>;</li> + <li>before House Com. of '96, <a href="#Page_267">267</a>; <a href="#Page_268">268</a>;</li> + <li>at Des Moines conv. in '97, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>;</li> + <li>sp. at same, <a href="#Page_272">272</a>;</li> + <li>trib. of <i>Leader</i>, <a href="#Page_273">273</a>;</li> + <li>on desecrating the flag, <a href="#Page_278">278</a>; <a href="#Page_279">279</a>;</li> + <li>on partisanship, <a href="#Page_281">281</a>; <a href="#Page_286">286</a>; <a href="#Page_287">287</a>;</li> + <li>opens conv. of '98, <a href="#Page_288">288</a>;</li> + <li>birthday luncheon in '98, <a href="#Page_291">291</a>; <a href="#Page_293">293</a>;</li> + <li>with Mrs. Hooker at conv. of '98, <a href="#Page_296">296</a>; <a href="#Page_298">298</a>;</li> + <li>congrat. on 78th birthday, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>; <a href="#Page_301">301</a>; <a href="#Page_304">304</a>; <a href="#Page_318">318</a>;</li> + <li>before House com. of '98, <a href="#Page_321">321</a>;</li> + <li>sp. at conv. of '99, on wom. in our new possessions, <a href="#Page_325">325</a>; <a href="#Page_327">327</a>; <a href="#Page_328">328</a>; <a href="#Page_331">331</a>;</li> + <li>on wom. in Hawaii, <a href="#Page_333">333</a>;</li> + <li>on women's voices, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>; <a href="#Page_335">335</a>; <a href="#Page_337">337</a>;</li> + <li>a criminal, <a href="#Page_339">339</a>;</li> + <li>all wom. can help, <a href="#Page_341">341</a>; <a href="#Page_342">342</a>;</li> + <li>decides to resign presidency of Nat'l. Ass'n., <a href="#Page_349">349</a>;</li> + <li>vigor at, conv. of 1900, <a href="#Page_350">350</a>;</li> + <li>appearance and opening remarks, Miss Shaw tells of her recep. in London, and relates funny story, <a href="#Page_351">351</a>;</li> + <li>rep. as delegate to Int'l. Council of '99, <a href="#Page_352">352</a>;</li> + <li>describes recep. by Queen, value of representing something, <a href="#Page_354">354</a>;</li> + <li>introd. Mr. Blackwell, <a href="#Page_357">357</a>; <a href="#Page_359">359</a>; <a href="#Page_360">360</a>; <a href="#Page_364">364</a>;</li> + <li>clears ass'n. of debt, need to watch Congress, <a href="#Page_365">365</a>; <a href="#Page_367">367</a>;</li> + <li>sp. before Senate com. of '99, <a href="#Page_373">373</a>;</li> + <li>asks hearing for "antis," <a href="#Page_381">381</a>;</li> + <li>kindness repudiated, <a href="#Page_382">382-3</a>;</li> + <li>courtesy of Pres. and Mrs. McKinley, <a href="#Page_384">384</a>;</li> + <li>urged not to resign presidency, <a href="#Page_385">385</a>;</li> + <li>insists upon doing so, res. passed by ass'n., her response, <a href="#Page_386">386</a>;</li> + <li>always in office, <a href="#Page_387">387</a>;</li> + <li>introd. her successor, <a href="#Page_388">388</a>;</li> + <li>elected hon. pres., and presented with birthday gifts, <a href="#Page_389">389</a>;</li> + <li><i>Post</i> describes occasion, <a href="#Page_390">390</a>; <a href="#Page_391">391</a>; <a href="#Page_392">392</a>;</li> + <li>introd. her old board and makes farewell sp., description by <i>Post</i>, <a href="#Page_393">393</a>;</li> + <li>80th birthday celebration in Lafayette opera house, gifts and tributes, her acknowledgment, <a href="#Page_394">394-404</a>;</li> + <li>evening recep. in Corcoran Art Gallery, description of Miss Anthony, hour of triumph, <a href="#Page_404">404-5</a>; <a href="#Page_426">426</a>;</li> + <li>first app. at nat'l. polit. conv., <a href="#Page_435">435</a>;</li> + <li>at Nat'l. Repub. conv. in '92, <a href="#Page_436">436</a>;</li> + <li>at Nat'l. Popu. conv. in '92, <a href="#Page_437">437</a>;</li> + <li>vast numb. of convs. attended, <a href="#Page_439">439</a>;</li> + <li>political work in 1900, <a href="#Page_440">440</a>; <a href="#Page_443">443</a>;</li> + <li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1124" id="Page_1124">[Pg 1124]</a></span>letters to convs., <a href="#Page_445">445</a>;</li> + <li>ad. labor convs., <a href="#Page_446">446</a>;</li> + <li>trib. of Brewers' nat'l. conv., <a href="#Page_447">447</a>;</li> + <li>in Ala., <a href="#Page_465">465</a>;</li> + <li>spks. in Ark., <a href="#Page_475">475</a>;</li> + <li>at Calif. Wom. Cong., <a href="#Page_480">480</a>; <a href="#Page_482">482</a>; <a href="#Page_486">486</a>;</li> + <li>in Calif. camp'n., <a href="#Page_487">487</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_489">489</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_490">490</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_500">500</a>;</li> + <li>on Mexicans in Col., <a href="#Page_514">514</a>; <a href="#Page_517">517</a>;</li> + <li>visits Denver, <a href="#Page_530">530</a>;</li> + <li>in Conn., <a href="#Page_535">535</a>; <a href="#Page_546">546</a>;</li> + <li>plan of work to secure suff. amdt., <a href="#Page_547">547</a>;</li> + <li>lect. tour of S. D., <a href="#Page_553">553</a>; <a href="#Page_554">554</a>;</li> + <li>in S. D. camp'n., <a href="#Page_555">555</a>;</li> + <li>Russian voters oppose, goes before K. of L. and Farmers' Alliance, <a href="#Page_556">556</a>;</li> + <li>in Ga., <a href="#Page_583">583</a>;</li> + <li>in Ills., <a href="#Page_598">598</a>;</li> + <li>telegram to Idaho, <a href="#Page_590">590</a>;</li> + <li>in Ind., <a href="#Page_615">615</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_616">616</a>;</li> + <li>before Ind. Legis., <a href="#Page_618">618</a>;</li> + <li>in Iowa, <a href="#Page_629">629</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_630">630</a>;</li> + <li>work in Kas., <a href="#Page_640">640</a>;</li> + <li>tour of Kas., <a href="#Page_641">641</a>;</li> + <li>in Kas. camp'n., <a href="#Page_643">643</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_644">644</a>; <a href="#Page_645">645</a>; <a href="#Page_646">646</a>; <a href="#Page_648">648</a>; <a href="#Page_649">649</a>;</li> + <li>hears of munic. wom. suff. in Kas., <a href="#Page_651">651</a>;</li> + <li>in New Orleans, <a href="#Page_678">678</a>;</li> + <li>second visit, <a href="#Page_679">679</a>;</li> + <li>in Maine, <a href="#Page_690">690</a>;</li> + <li>in Baltimore, <a href="#Page_695">695</a>;</li> + <li>in Boston, <a href="#Page_706">706</a>; <a href="#Page_708">708</a>;</li> + <li>at Adams, <a href="#Page_718">718</a>; <a href="#Page_755">755</a>;</li> + <li>in Mich., <a href="#Page_756">756</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_757">757</a>;</li> + <li>in Ann Arbor, <a href="#Page_758">758</a>;</li> + <li>before Fed. of Labor in Detroit, <a href="#Page_759">759</a>;</li> + <li>before Mich. Legis., <a href="#Page_764">764</a>;</li> + <li>in Minn., <a href="#Page_772">772-3</a>;</li> + <li>in Mo., <a href="#Page_790">790</a>;</li> + <li>welcome from children in St. Louis and banq., <a href="#Page_791">791-2</a>;</li> + <li>in Neb., <a href="#Page_802">802-3</a>;</li> + <li>in Nev., <a href="#Page_810">810-11</a>;</li> + <li>pioneer work in N. Y., <a href="#Page_839">839</a>;</li> + <li>welcome home from S. D., <a href="#Page_841">841</a>;</li> + <li>defends pioneers, <a href="#Page_843">843</a>;</li> + <li>welcome home from Calif., <a href="#Page_844">844</a>;</li> + <li>face carved in N. Y. capitol, <a href="#Page_845">845</a>; <a href="#Page_846">846</a>;</li> + <li>refused by N. Y. Repubs. as delegate, <a href="#Page_848">848</a>;</li> + <li>work in N. Y. const'l. conv., <a href="#Page_849">849</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_851">851</a>;</li> + <li>early legis. work in N. Y., <a href="#Page_852">852</a>;</li> + <li>work for equal guardianship, <a href="#Page_857">857</a>;</li> + <li>last ap. before N. Y. legis. com., <a href="#Page_859">859</a>;</li> + <li>secures admis. of girls to Roch. Univ., <a href="#Page_871">871</a>;</li> + <li>in Ore., <a href="#Page_892">892</a>;</li> + <li>in Penn., <a href="#Page_899">899</a>;</li> + <li>in R. I., <a href="#Page_907">907</a>; <a href="#Page_910">910</a>;</li> + <li>at Pembroke Hall, Prov., <a href="#Page_920">920</a>;</li> + <li>in S. C., <a href="#Page_922">922</a>;</li> + <li>in Tenn., <a href="#Page_926">926</a>;</li> + <li>in Utah, <a href="#Page_936">936</a>;</li> + <li>welcomes Utah wom., <a href="#Page_937">937</a>;</li> + <li>in Omaha, <a href="#Page_939">939</a>;</li> + <li>teleg. to Utah, <a href="#Page_942">942</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_944">944</a>;</li> + <li>in Utah, <a href="#Page_947">947</a>;</li> + <li>Utah ass'n. presents silk dress, <a href="#Page_950">950</a>;</li> + <li>in Va., <a href="#Page_964">964</a>;</li> + <li>in Wis., <a href="#Page_985">985-6</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_989">989</a>; <a href="#Page_995">995</a>;</li> + <li>hears deb. on Wy., <a href="#Page_1000">1000</a>;</li> + <li>hears of its admis., <a href="#Page_1003">1003</a>;</li> + <li>requests celebration, <a href="#Page_1004">1004</a>;</li> + <li>visits Wy., <a href="#Page_1005">1005</a>; <a href="#Page_1007">1007</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Arizona, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">Chap. XXVI</a>.</li> +<li>Arkansas, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">Chap. XXVII</a>.</li> +<li>Armstrong, St. Sen. W. W., for wom. suff. in N. Y. Legis., <a href="#Page_859">859-61-62</a>.</li> +<li>Arthur, President Chester A., receives delegates, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>; <a href="#Page_74">74</a>.</li> +<li>Ashman, Judge William N., in Del., <a href="#Page_564">564</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work in Penn., <a href="#Page_899">899</a>; <a href="#Page_904">904</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Atchison, Prof. Rena Michaels, <a href="#Page_606">606</a>.</li> +<li>Athey, Eunice Pond, <a href="#Page_287">287</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>writes Idaho chap., <a href="#Page_589">589</a>;</li> + <li>in Ore., <a href="#Page_892">892</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Atkinson, Gov. W. Y. (Ga.), <a href="#Page_583">583</a>; <a href="#Page_587">587</a>.</li> +<li>Atkinson, Mrs. W. Y., <a href="#Page_251">251</a>.</li> +<li>Auckland, Bishop of (N. Z.), for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1027">1027</a>.</li> +<li>Auclert, Hubertine (France), <a href="#Page_23">23</a>; <a href="#Page_27">27</a>.</li> +<li>Austin, Dr. Harriet N., <a href="#Page_205">205</a>.</li> +<li>Australia, <a href="#Page_1027">1027</a> et seq.</li> +<li><a name="Avery" id="Avery"></a>Avery, Rachel Foster, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>; <a href="#Page_27">27</a>; <a href="#Page_61">61</a>; <a href="#Page_124">124</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>arranges for Int'l. Council of Wom., <a href="#Page_125">125</a>;</li> + <li>issues call, <a href="#Page_126">126</a>; <a href="#Page_128">128</a>;</li> + <li>arranges Miss Anthony's birthday celebr., <a href="#Page_163">163</a>;</li> + <li>elected secy. united ass'ns., <a href="#Page_174">174</a>;</li> + <li>rep. of Council, <a href="#Page_175">175</a>; <a href="#Page_218">218</a>;</li> + <li>advoc. movable convs., <a href="#Page_219">219</a>;</li> + <li>rep. on Miss Anthony's efforts for Bd. of Lady Mgrs., <a href="#Page_232">232</a>;</li> + <li>opens headqrs., <a href="#Page_257">257</a>;</li> + <li>eulogy of Mr. Sewall, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>;</li> + <li>rep. of Atlanta Expos., <a href="#Page_262">262</a>;</li> + <li>ass'n. makes gift for 21 yrs. as sec'y., <a href="#Page_387">387</a>; <a href="#Page_389">389</a>; <a href="#Page_443">443</a>; <a href="#Page_554">554</a>;</li> + <li>in Del., <a href="#Page_563">563</a>;</li> + <li>at Ga. Expos., <a href="#Page_582">582</a>;</li> + <li>work for World's Fair Wom. Cong., <a href="#Page_610">610</a>;</li> + <li>in Kas., <a href="#Page_640">640-1</a>;</li> + <li>contrib. to Kas. camp'n, <a href="#Page_642">642</a>;</li> + <li>in N. J., <a href="#Page_826">826</a>; <a href="#Page_900">900</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Avery, Susan Look, <a href="#Page_612">612</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<p class="index"><a id="IX_B" name="IX_B"></a>B</p> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Babcock, Elnora Monroe, press work, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>; <a href="#Page_342">342</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>press rep., 1900, <a href="#Page_365">365</a>;</li> + <li>press work in N. Y., <a href="#Page_844">844</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Bacon, Elizabeth D., writes Conn. chap., <a href="#Page_535">535</a>; <a href="#Page_536">536</a>.</li> +<li>Bagby, Fannie M., <a href="#Page_18">18</a>.</li> +<li>Bagley, Frances, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>.</li> +<li>Bailey, Hannah J., <a href="#Page_201">201</a>.</li> +<li>Baker, B. P., <a href="#Page_417">417</a>.</li> +<li>Baker, Charles S., M. C., <a href="#Page_998">998</a>.</li> +<li>Balderston, William, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>writes Idaho chapter, <a href="#Page_589">589</a>;</li> + <li>trib. to, <a href="#Page_590">590</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Balfour, Hon. A. J., Premier of England, <a href="#Page_1016">1016</a>; <a href="#Page_1020">1020</a>.</li> +<li>Balfour, Lady Frances (Eng.), pres. suff. soc., <a href="#Page_1020">1020</a>.</li> +<li>Balgarnie, Florence (Eng.), <a href="#Page_179">179</a>; <a href="#Page_642">642</a>; <a href="#Page_708">708</a>; <a href="#Page_790">790</a>.</li> +<li>Ballard, Adelaide, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>; <a href="#Page_279">279</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work in Iowa, <a href="#Page_631">631</a>; <a href="#Page_803">803</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Banker, George W. and Henrietta M., <a href="#Page_366">366</a>.</li> +<li>Banks, Rev. Louis A., sp. at Amer. conv. of '86, <a href="#Page_421">421</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in R. I., <a href="#Page_910">910</a>;</li> + <li>in Vt., <a href="#Page_957">957</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Barber, Gov. Amos W., on wom. suff. in Wy., <a href="#Page_1007">1007</a>.</li> +<li>Barrett, Mrs. L. B., <a href="#Page_410">410</a>.</li> +<li>Barrows, Anna, household professions for wom., <a href="#Page_357">357</a>.</li> +<li>Barrows, Isabel C., Miss Anthony as philanthropist, <a href="#Page_354">354</a>; <a href="#Page_739">739</a>.</li> +<li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1125" id="Page_1125">[Pg 1125]</a></span>Barrows, Samuel J., M.C., <a href="#Page_297">297</a>; <a href="#Page_703">703</a>; <a href="#Page_712">712</a>.</li> +<li>Barry, James K., <a href="#Page_479">479</a>.</li> +<li>Barry, Leonora M. (<i>See</i> <a href="#Lake">Lake</a>).</li> +<li>Barry, St. Rep. Dr. Mary F. (Col.), <a href="#Page_523">523</a>.</li> +<li>Bartlett, Rev. Caroline J. (<i>See</i> <a href="#Crane">Crane</a>).</li> +<li>Bartol, Emma J., donat. to Vol. IV Hist, of Wom. Suff., VII; <a href="#Page_900">900</a>.</li> +<li>Barton, Clara, at Int'l Council of Wom., <a href="#Page_136">136</a>; <a href="#Page_150">150</a>; <a href="#Page_205">205</a>; <a href="#Page_393">393</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>trib. to Mrs. Gage, <a href="#Page_429">429</a>;</li> + <li>for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_569">569</a>; <a href="#Page_576">576</a>;</li> + <li>in Boston, <a href="#Page_705">705</a>; <a href="#Page_895">895</a>; <a href="#Page_911">911</a>;</li> + <li>pres. Red Cross Ass'n., <a href="#Page_1048">1048</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Bascom, Emma C., <a href="#Page_61">61</a>; <a href="#Page_75">75</a>.</li> +<li>Bates, St. Supt. Pub. Instruct., Emma (N. D.), <a href="#Page_551">551</a>.</li> +<li>Bates, Lieut. Gov. John L. (Mass.), for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_718">718</a>.</li> +<li>Bates, Dr. Mary H. Barker, <a href="#Page_341">341</a>.</li> +<li>Bates, Octavia W., on wom. in our new possessions, <a href="#Page_331">331</a>.</li> +<li>Battersea, Lady (Eng.), <a href="#Page_354">354</a>.</li> +<li>Beasley, Marie Wilson, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>.</li> +<li>Bebel, August (Germany), <a href="#Page_329">329</a>.</li> +<li>Beck, U. S. Senator James B., opp. wom, suff., <a href="#Page_157">157</a>.</li> +<li>Becker, Lydia (Eng.), <a href="#Page_22">22</a>; <a href="#Page_1015">1015</a>; <a href="#Page_1023">1023</a>.</li> +<li>Begg, Faithfull, M. P. (Eng.), work for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1017">1017</a>; <a href="#Page_1018">1018</a>.</li> +<li>Begole, Gov. Josiah W. (Mich.), <a href="#Page_755">755</a>.</li> +<li>Belden, Evelyn H., wom. and war, <a href="#Page_339">339</a>; <a href="#Page_632">632</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>legis. work in Iowa, <a href="#Page_634">634</a>; <a href="#Page_774">774</a>; <a href="#Page_804">804</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Belford, James B., M. C., spks. for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_32">32</a>.</li> +<li>Bell, John C., M. C., on wom. suff. in Col., <a href="#Page_390">390</a>; <a href="#Page_524">524</a>.</li> +<li>Benjamin, Mrs. A. S., <a href="#Page_324">324</a>.</li> +<li>Bennett, Sallie Clay, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>; <a href="#Page_16">16</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>on Bible for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_71">71</a>;</li> + <li>before U. S. Sen. Com., <a href="#Page_138">138</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>; <a href="#Page_174">174</a>;</li> + <li>wom. suff. under Const'n, <a href="#Page_234">234</a>; <a href="#Page_235">235</a>; <a href="#Page_290">290</a>;</li> + <li>work in Ky., <a href="#Page_665">665</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Benson (Archbishop of Canterbury) Mrs., petit. for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1015">1015</a>.</li> +<li>Besant, Annie (Eng.), <a href="#Page_220">220</a>; <a href="#Page_709">709</a>.</li> +<li>Beveridge, U. S. Sen. Albert J., for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_616">616</a>.</li> +<li>Bieber-Bohm, Hanna (Germany), <a href="#Page_301">301</a>.</li> +<li>Biggs, Caroline Ashurst (Eng.), <a href="#Page_22">22</a>; <a href="#Page_27">27</a>; <a href="#Page_176">176</a>; <a href="#Page_1012">1012</a>; <a href="#Page_1015">1015</a>.</li> +<li>Bingham, Chief Justice Edward F., (D. C.), <a href="#Page_574">574</a>.</li> +<li>Birney, Mrs. Theodore W., <a href="#Page_1052">1052</a>.</li> +<li>Bissell, Emily P., fears chivalry of men, <a href="#Page_382">382</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Ore., <a href="#Page_895">895</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Bissell, Mrs. M. R., <a href="#Page_323">323</a>.</li> +<li>Bittenbender, Ada M., <a href="#Page_802">802</a>; <a href="#Page_808">808</a>.</li> +<li>Blackburn, Helen, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>; <a href="#Page_369">369</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>writes chap. for Great Britain, <a href="#Page_1012">1012</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Blackstone, commentaries, <a href="#Page_456">456</a>.</li> +<li>Blackwell, Alice Stone, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>; <a href="#Page_173">173-4</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>sp. before U. S. Sen. Com., <a href="#Page_197">197</a>; <a href="#Page_218">218</a>;</li> + <li>rep. of conv. of '94, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>; <a href="#Page_235">235</a>;</li> + <li>rep. of conv. of '95, <a href="#Page_236">236</a>; <a href="#Page_243">243</a>; <a href="#Page_263">263</a>; <a href="#Page_276">276</a>;</li> + <li>at conv. of '97, <a href="#Page_281">281</a>; <a href="#Page_291">291</a>;</li> + <li>before House com. of '98, <a href="#Page_320">320</a>; <a href="#Page_357">357</a>;</li> + <li>answers "remonstrants" at com. hearings, <a href="#Page_383">383</a>;</li> + <li>chap. on Amer. Suff. Ass'n., <a href="#Page_406">406</a>; <a href="#Page_443">443</a>;</li> + <li>furnishes material for Mass. chap., <a href="#Page_701">701</a>; <a href="#Page_712">712</a> et al.;</li> + <li>in N. H., <a href="#Page_816">816</a>;</li> + <li>in N. Y., <a href="#Page_844">844</a>;</li> + <li>before N. Y. legis. com., <a href="#Page_863">863</a>; <a href="#Page_920">920</a>;</li> + <li>in Vt., <a href="#Page_957">957</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Blackwell, Rev. Antoinette Brown, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>on first Wom. Rights conv., <a href="#Page_292">292</a>; <a href="#Page_298">298</a>; <a href="#Page_337">337</a>;</li> + <li>mem. res. at conv. of '99, <a href="#Page_344">344</a>; <a href="#Page_425">425</a>; <a href="#Page_426">426</a>;</li> + <li>in Boston, <a href="#Page_708">708</a>;</li> + <li>work in N. J., <a href="#Page_820">820</a> et al.;</li> + <li>in N. Y., <a href="#Page_844">844</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Blackwell, Dr. Elizabeth, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>; <a href="#Page_320">320</a>; <a href="#Page_355">355</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Eng., <a href="#Page_1015">1015</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Blackwell, Dr. Emily, <a href="#Page_707">707</a>.</li> +<li>Blackwell, Henry B., at conv. of '90, <a href="#Page_169">169</a>; <a href="#Page_173">173</a>; <a href="#Page_183">183</a>; <a href="#Page_189">189</a>; <a href="#Page_205">205</a>; <a href="#Page_207">207</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>reads last let. of Lucy Stone to conv. of '93, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>; <a href="#Page_219">219</a>; <a href="#Page_226">226</a>;</li> + <li>reminis. of Lucy Stone, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>;</li> + <li>opp. Fed. Suff., <a href="#Page_234">234</a>; <a href="#Page_235">235</a>;</li> + <li>wom. suff. and negro problem, <a href="#Page_246">246</a>; <a href="#Page_259">259</a>; <a href="#Page_263">263</a>; <a href="#Page_265">265</a>;</li> + <li>at conv. of '97, <a href="#Page_280">280</a>;</li> + <li>on Presidential Suff., <a href="#Page_286">286</a>; <a href="#Page_294">294</a>; <a href="#Page_298">298</a>;</li> + <li>Wom. Suff. and Home, <a href="#Page_315">315</a>;</li> + <li>on wom. in uncivilized nations, <a href="#Page_332">332</a>;</li> + <li>attraction of early convs., <a href="#Page_357">357</a>;</li> + <li>res. on Miss Anthony's resignation, <a href="#Page_386">386</a>; <a href="#Page_408">408</a>;</li> + <li>reports res., <a href="#Page_409">409</a>; <a href="#Page_415">415</a>; <a href="#Page_417">417</a>; <a href="#Page_418">418</a>; <a href="#Page_425">425</a>;</li> + <li>value of woman's vote, <a href="#Page_429">429</a>;</li> + <li>at Nat'l. Repub. conv. of '96, <a href="#Page_439">439</a>;</li> + <li>work for Ariz., <a href="#Page_470">470</a>;</li> + <li>in N. D., <a href="#Page_545">545</a>; <a href="#Page_553">553</a>;</li> + <li>in S. D. camp'n., <a href="#Page_555">555</a>;</li> + <li>in Ind., <a href="#Page_614">614</a>;</li> + <li>in Iowa, <a href="#Page_628">628-9</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_630">630</a>;</li> + <li>in Kas., <a href="#Page_638">638</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_640">640</a>;</li> + <li>in Maine, <a href="#Page_689">689</a>;</li> + <li>sec'y. N. E. and Mass. Ass'ns., <a href="#Page_701">701</a>;</li> + <li>work in Mass., <a href="#Page_704">704</a> et al.;</li> + <li>anniv. Boston Tea Party, <a href="#Page_913">913</a>;</li> + <li>at Nat'l. Conv. Rep. Clubs in '93, <a href="#Page_713">713</a>;</li> + <li>same in '94, <a href="#Page_714">714</a>;</li> + <li>70th birthday, <a href="#Page_715">715</a>; <a href="#Page_720">720</a>;</li> + <li>legis. work in Mass., <a href="#Page_721">721</a>;</li> + <li>in Mich., <a href="#Page_755">755</a>; <a href="#Page_759">759</a>;</li> + <li>in Minn., <a href="#Page_772">772</a>;</li> + <li>in St. Louis, <a href="#Page_791">791</a>;</li> + <li>in Mont., <a href="#Page_797">797</a>;</li> + <li>in N. H., <a href="#Page_816">816</a>;</li> + <li>in N. J., <a href="#Page_827">827</a>;</li> + <li>in N. Y., <a href="#Page_842">842</a>;</li> + <li>in Penn., <a href="#Page_899">899</a>;</li> + <li>in R. I., <a href="#Page_907">907</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_910">910</a>;</li> + <li>in Vt., <a href="#Page_957">957-8</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_960">960</a>;</li> + <li>in Wash., <a href="#Page_969">969</a>; <a href="#Page_973">973</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Blaine, U. S. Sen. James G., <a href="#Page_325">325</a>.</li> +<li>Blair, U. S. Sen. Henry W., <a href="#Page_10">10</a>; <a href="#Page_24">24</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>signs fav. rep. on wom. suff., <a href="#Page_47">47</a>;</li> + <li>great sp. in U. S. Senate in favor of enfranch. wom., <a href="#Page_86">86</a>; <a href="#Page_93">93</a>;</li> + <li>in Senate debate, <a href="#Page_110">110</a>;</li> + <li>sp. on Fed. Suff. for Wom., <a href="#Page_144">144</a>;</li> + <li>debt of wom. to, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>;</li> + <li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1126" id="Page_1126">[Pg 1126]</a></span>right of wom. to suff., <a href="#Page_162">162</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>,</li> + <li>in N. H., <a href="#Page_815">815</a>, <a href="#Page_816">816</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Blake, Lillie Devereux, at conv. of '84, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>before U. S. Sen. Com., <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>,</li> + <li>plan of work, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>,</li> + <li>Rights of Men, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a>, <a href="#Page_182">182</a>, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>,</li> + <li>trib. to Lucy Stone, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>, <a href="#Page_242">242</a>, <a href="#Page_243">243</a>,</li> + <li>legislative rep., <a href="#Page_248">248</a>, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_263">263</a>, <a href="#Page_265">265</a>, <a href="#Page_290">290</a>, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>,</li> + <li>voting of soldiers, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>,</li> + <li>legis. rep. at conv. of '99, <a href="#Page_342">342</a>,</li> + <li>const'l argument before House com., 1900, <a href="#Page_374">374</a>,</li> + <li>withdraws as candidate for pres., <a href="#Page_387">387</a>,</li> + <li>at Nat'l Repub. conv. of '96, <a href="#Page_439">439</a>,</li> + <li>in Calif., <a href="#Page_478">478</a>, <a href="#Page_513">513</a>,</li> + <li>in N. D., <a href="#Page_546">546</a>, <a href="#Page_553">553</a>,</li> + <li>in N. J., <a href="#Page_822">822</a>,</li> + <li>assists on N. Y. chap, work in N. Y., <a href="#Page_839">839</a> et al.,</li> + <li>legis work in N. Y., <a href="#Page_853">853</a> et al.,</li> + <li>Pilgrim Moth Dinner, <a href="#Page_873">873</a>,</li> + <li>in N. C., <a href="#Page_874">874</a>, <a href="#Page_920">920</a>,</li> + <li>in S. C., <a href="#Page_922">922</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Blanchard, Henry D. D., <a href="#Page_689">689</a>, <a href="#Page_705">705</a>.</li> +<li>Blankenburg, Lucretia Longshore, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>, <a href="#Page_231">231</a>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in N. J., <a href="#Page_826">826</a>,</li> + <li>writes Penn. chap., work in Penn., <a href="#Page_898">898</a> et al.,</li> + <li>work for guardianship law, <a href="#Page_902">902</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Blatch, Harriot Stanton (Eng.), <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>at conv. of '90, <a href="#Page_167">167</a>,</li> + <li>before U. S. Senate com. of '98, wom. and economics, <a href="#Page_310">310</a>,</li> + <li>wom. suff. in England, <a href="#Page_368">368</a>,</li> + <li>wom. and war, <a href="#Page_391">391</a>,</li> + <li>brings her mother's greeting on Miss Anthony's birthday, <a href="#Page_402">402</a>,</li> + <li>in N. Y., <a href="#Page_845">845</a>,</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_861">861</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Bleckley, Chief Justice Logan E. (Ga.), <a href="#Page_585">585</a>.</li> +<li>Blinn, Nellie Holbrook, <a href="#Page_480">480</a>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>legislative work, <a href="#Page_484">484</a>, <a href="#Page_617">617</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Bliss Gov. Aaron T. (Mich.), <a href="#Page_770">770</a>.</li> +<li>Blodgett, Mrs. Delos A., <a href="#Page_322">322</a>.</li> +<li>Bloomer, Amelia, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>; <a href="#Page_295">295</a>.</li> +<li>Bloomer, Nevada, case for wom. suff. in Wash. <a href="#Page_968">968</a>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_1098">1098</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Blount, Lucia E., <a href="#Page_183">183</a>.</li> +<li>Blue, Richard W., M. C., <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>for wom. suff. in Kas., <a href="#Page_422">422</a>, <a href="#Page_649">649</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Bogelot, Isabelle (France), <a href="#Page_135">135</a>.</li> +<li>Bok, Edward W., <a href="#Page_229">229</a>.</li> +<li>Bolles, Ellen M., <a href="#Page_200">200</a>, <a href="#Page_711">711</a>; <a href="#Page_720">720</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work in R. I., <a href="#Page_908">908</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Bowditch, Hon. William I, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a href="#Page_702">702</a>, <a href="#Page_713">713</a>.</li> +<li>Bowles, Rev. Ada C., <a href="#Page_61">61</a>; <a href="#Page_128">128</a>; <a href="#Page_425">425</a>, <a href="#Page_723">723</a>, <a href="#Page_772">772</a>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in R. I., <a href="#Page_910">910</a>;</li> + <li>in Vt., <a href="#Page_957">957</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Boyd, Annie Caldwell, writes W. Va. chap., work in W. Va., <a href="#Page_980">980</a> et al.</li> +<li>Boyd, Gov. James E. (Neb), opp. wom. suff., <a href="#Page_212">212</a>.</li> +<li>Boyden, Sarah J., <a href="#Page_746">746</a>.</li> +<li>Boyer, Ida Porter, <a href="#Page_291">291</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>press work in Penn., <a href="#Page_898">898</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Boyer, Sarah A., <a href="#Page_262">262</a>.</li> +<li>Brackett, Gov J. Q. A. (Mass.), <a href="#Page_718">718</a>.</li> +<li>Bradford, Mary C. C., <a href="#Page_279">279</a>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>at conv. of '97, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>,</li> + <li>effects of wom. suff. in Col., <a href="#Page_356">356</a>, <a href="#Page_368">368</a>,</li> + <li>in Col., <a href="#Page_514">514</a>,</li> + <li>in Del., <a href="#Page_564">564</a>,</li> + <li>in Ida., <a href="#Page_592">592</a>,</li> + <li>in La., <a href="#Page_680">680</a>,</li> + <li>in Md., <a href="#Page_696">696</a>,</li> + <li>in Miss., <a href="#Page_783">783</a>,</li> + <li>in St. Louis, <a href="#Page_791">791</a>,</li> + <li>in N. J., <a href="#Page_825">825</a>, <a href="#Page_826">826</a>,</li> + <li>in Penn., <a href="#Page_899">899</a>,</li> + <li>in Utah, <a href="#Page_947">947</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Bradford, Atty. Gen. S. B., <a href="#Page_660">660</a>, <a href="#Page_762">762</a>.</li> +<li>Bradley Gov. William O. (Ky.), <a href="#Page_673">673</a>.</li> +<li>Bradwell, Myra B., contest for right of wom. to practice law, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>.</li> +<li>Bray, Olive P., <a href="#Page_417">417</a>, <a href="#Page_639">639</a>.</li> +<li>Breeden, Rev. H. O., welcomes nat'l. conv. to Des Moines, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>.</li> +<li>Brehm, Mane, <a href="#Page_619">619</a>.</li> +<li>Brent, Margaret, <a href="#Page_363">363</a>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>first wom. to ask suff., <a href="#Page_695">695</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Bright, Jacob, M. P., <a href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a href="#Page_353">353</a>, <a href="#Page_1020">1020</a>.</li> +<li>Bright, Mrs. Jacob, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>.</li> +<li>Bristol Augusta Cooper, <a href="#Page_617">617</a>.</li> +<li>Bristol, Rev. Frank M., <a href="#Page_366">366</a>.</li> +<li>Broderick, Case, M. C., <a href="#Page_231">231</a>.</li> +<li>Broderick, Jennie, <a href="#Page_220">220</a>.</li> +<li>Brooks, Mrs. (Neb.), <a href="#Page_77">77</a>.</li> +<li>Brooks, Bishop Phillips, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_704">704</a>, <a href="#Page_911">911</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Brotherton, Alice Williams, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>.</li> +<li>Brougham, Lord, <a href="#Page_292">292</a>.</li> +<li>Brown, Corinne S., <a href="#Page_184">184</a>.</li> +<li>Brown, Mrs. F. A., <a href="#Page_1058">1058</a>.</li> +<li>Brown, Gov. John Young (Ky.), <a href="#Page_670">670</a>.</li> +<li>Brown, U. S. Senator Joseph E., rep. against wom. suff., <a href="#Page_47">47</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>sp. in U. S. Senate against wom. suff., <a href="#Page_93">93</a>,</li> + <li>Mrs. Stanton's comment, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Brown, Martha McClellan, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a>, <a href="#Page_428">428</a>.</li> +<li>Brown, U. S. Dist. Atty. Melville C., wom. suff. in Wy., <a href="#Page_994">994</a>, <a href="#Page_997">997</a>, <a href="#Page_1091">1091</a>.</li> +<li>Brown, Rev. Olympia, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>sp. on Rule of Foreigners, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>; <a href="#Page_157">157</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a>,</li> + <li>in S. D. camp'n, <a href="#Page_555">555</a>, <a href="#Page_630">630</a>,</li> + <li>in Minn., <a href="#Page_772">772</a>,</li> + <li>writes Wis. chap., work in Wis., <a href="#Page_985">985</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Brown, Mrs. William Thayer, <a href="#Page_610">610</a>.</li> +<li>Browne, Thomas M., M. C., rep. in favor of wom. suff., <a href="#Page_52">52</a>.</li> +<li>Brownell, Dean Louise, <a href="#Page_353">353</a>.</li> +<li>Bruce, U. S. Sen. Blanche K., for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_231">231</a>.</li> +<li>Bryan, William J., <a href="#Page_439">439</a>.</li> +<li>Buck, Rev. Florence, <a href="#Page_297">297</a>.</li> +<li>Buckley, James M., D. D., opp. to wom. in ministry, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>opp. wom. suff. at Chautauqua, <a href="#Page_842">842</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Buckley, Dean Julia, sch. work in N. J., <a href="#Page_834">834</a>.</li> +<li>Budd, Gov James H. (Cal.), <a href="#Page_480">480</a>; <a href="#Page_486">486</a>, <a href="#Page_504">504</a>.</li> +<li>Buell, Caroline B., <a href="#Page_256">256</a>.</li> +<li>Burns, Frances E., <a href="#Page_324">324</a>.</li> +<li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1127" id="Page_1127">[Pg 1127]</a></span>Burr, Frances Ellen, rep. nat'l conv. of '85, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>; <a href="#Page_174">174</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Conn., <a href="#Page_536">536</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Burrows, Frances P. (Mrs. Julius C.), <a href="#Page_322">322</a>; <a href="#Page_395">395</a>; <a href="#Page_568">568</a>; <a href="#Page_575">575</a></li> +<li>Burt, Mary T., work in N. Y. camp'n., <a href="#Page_850">850</a> et al.; <a href="#Page_856">856</a>.</li> +<li>Bush, Abigail, let. to conv. of '98, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>; <a href="#Page_345">345</a>.</li> +<li>Butler, Gov. Benjamin F. (Mass.), on right of wom. to vote, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>; <a href="#Page_718">718</a>.</li> +<li>Butt, Hala Hammond, before House com. of 1900, <a href="#Page_378">378</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>writes Miss. chap., work in Miss., <a href="#Page_703">703</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Butters, Lieut.-Gov. Archibald (Mich.), favors wom. suff., <a href="#Page_765">765</a>.</li> +<li>Butterworth, Hezekiah, <a href="#Page_717">717</a>.</li> +<li>Buxton, Ida M., in Mass., <a href="#Page_703">703</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Vt., <a href="#Page_957">957</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +</ul> + +<p class="index"><a id="IX_C" name="IX_C"></a>C</p> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Cabot, Mrs. J. Elliott, pres. anti-suff. ass'n., <a href="#Page_741">741</a> et al.</li> +<li>Caine, John T., M. C., <a href="#Page_941">941</a>.</li> +<li>Caine, Margaret N., <a href="#Page_941">941</a>.</li> +<li>California, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">Chap. XXVII</a>.</li> +<li>Callanan, James C., <a href="#Page_270">270</a>.</li> +<li>Callanan, Martha C., entertains Nat'l Suff. Com., <a href="#Page_270">270</a>; <a href="#Page_629">629</a>; <a href="#Page_630">630</a>.</li> +<li>Campbell, Helen, <a href="#Page_727">727</a>.</li> +<li>Campbell, Jane, in N. J., <a href="#Page_822">822</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_826">826</a>;</li> + <li>work in Penn., <a href="#Page_899">899</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Campbell, Gov. John A., <a href="#Page_994">994</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>wom. suff. in Wy., <a href="#Page_1090">1090</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Campbell, Margaret W., <a href="#Page_411">411</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>don't class wom. with slaves, <a href="#Page_415">415</a>; <a href="#Page_425">425</a>;</li> + <li>in Iowa, <a href="#Page_628">628</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Campbell, St. Sen. R. B., <a href="#Page_784">784</a>.</li> +<li>Canada, names for, <a href="#Page_1034">1034</a>.</li> +<li>Candler, Gov. Allan C. (Ga.), <a href="#Page_585">585</a>.</li> +<li>Cannon, U. S. Sen. Frank J., <a href="#Page_260">260</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>spks. for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_261">261</a>; <a href="#Page_304">304</a>; <a href="#Page_949">949</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Cannon, Mrs. Frank J., <a href="#Page_260">260</a>.</li> +<li>Cannon, Cong. Del. George Q., <a href="#Page_937">937</a>; <a href="#Page_941">941</a>; <a href="#Page_943">943</a>.</li> +<li>Cannon, St. Sen. Martha Hughes, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>before House com. of '98, wom. suff. in Utah, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>;</li> + <li>work in Utah Senate, <a href="#Page_953">953</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Capen, Elmer Hewett, pres. Tufts Coll., for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_727">727</a>.</li> +<li>Carey, U. S. Sen. Joseph M., on wom. suff. in Wyo., <a href="#Page_117">117</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>admission as State with wom. suff., <a href="#Page_180">180</a>; <a href="#Page_189">189</a>; <a href="#Page_207">207</a>; <a href="#Page_224">224</a>; <a href="#Page_318">318</a>; <a href="#Page_433">433</a>; <a href="#Page_710">710</a>;</li> + <li>before N.Y. Constit'l. Conv., <a href="#Page_851">851</a>;</li> + <li>fight for admis. of Wy., <a href="#Page_998">998-9</a>; <a href="#Page_1005">1005</a>;</li> + <li>testimony for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1006">1006</a>; <a href="#Page_1090">1090</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Carey, Mrs. Joseph M., <a href="#Page_117">117</a>; <a href="#Page_184">184</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>sends petit. from Wy., <a href="#Page_449">449</a>;</li> + <li>entertains Miss Anthony, <a href="#Page_1005">1005</a>; <a href="#Page_1007">1007</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Carpenter, Frank G., <a href="#Page_164">164</a>.</li> +<li>Carpenter, Mrs. Rathbone, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>.</li> +<li>Carroll, Anna Ella, services in Civil War, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>efforts for, by Nat'l Ass'n., <a href="#Page_183">183</a>; <a href="#Page_234">234</a>; <a href="#Page_416">416</a>; <a href="#Page_568">568</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Carruth, Prof. W. H., sp. at Amer. conv. of '86, <a href="#Page_420">420</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Kas., <a href="#Page_638">638</a>;</li> + <li>statistics of wom. suff. in Kas., <a href="#Page_660">660</a>; <a href="#Page_706">706</a>;</li> + <li>in Boston, <a href="#Page_715">715</a>; <a href="#Page_725">725</a>;</li> + <li>in Vt., <a href="#Page_958">958</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Carruth, Mrs. W. H., <a href="#Page_715">715</a>.</li> +<li>Cary, Alice, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>.</li> +<li>Cary, Phoebe, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>; <a href="#Page_400">400</a>.</li> +<li>Cassidy, Jessie J. (<i>See</i> <a href="#Saunders">Saunders</a>).</li> +<li>Castle, St. Sen. Miles B., <a href="#Page_426">426</a>; <a href="#Page_612">612</a>; <a href="#Page_630">630</a>.</li> +<li>Caswell, Lucien B., M. C., rep. in favor of wom. suff., <a href="#Page_84">84</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Catt, Carrie Chapman, first appearance on nat'l platform, <a href="#Page_169">169</a>; <a href="#Page_187">187</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>before U. S. Sen. Com., <a href="#Page_194">194</a>; <a href="#Page_213">213</a>;</li> + <li>presents flag to Miss Anthony, <a href="#Page_223">223</a>; <a href="#Page_229">229</a>; <a href="#Page_245">245</a>;</li> + <li>rep. to conv. of '95, <a href="#Page_248">248</a>; <a href="#Page_250">250</a>; <a href="#Page_254">254</a>;</li> + <li>to conv. of '96, <a href="#Page_256">256</a>; <a href="#Page_263">263</a>;</li> + <li>sp. at conv. of '97, <a href="#Page_274">274</a>; <a href="#Page_279">279</a>; <a href="#Page_284">284</a>;</li> + <li>organiz'n. rep. to conv. of '98, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>;</li> + <li>to conv. of '99, <a href="#Page_342">342</a>; <a href="#Page_346">346</a>;</li> + <li>to conv. of 1900, <a href="#Page_365">365</a>;</li> + <li>before Senate com. of 1900, <a href="#Page_369">369</a>;</li> + <li>elected nat'l pres., <a href="#Page_387">387</a>;</li> + <li>introd. by Miss Anthony, sp. of acceptance, trib. to Miss A., <a href="#Page_388">388</a>;</li> + <li>press notices, <a href="#Page_389">389</a>;</li> + <li>presents Miss A. with birthday gifts, <a href="#Page_389">389</a>;</li> + <li>sp. on three I's, <a href="#Page_392">392</a>;</li> + <li>presides at birthday celebr., <a href="#Page_396">396</a>; <a href="#Page_400">400</a>; <a href="#Page_443">443</a>;</li> + <li>at Dem. Nat'l conv. of 1900, <a href="#Page_444">444</a>; <a href="#Page_449">449</a>;</li> + <li>in Ala., <a href="#Page_465">465</a>;</li> + <li>work in Ariz., <a href="#Page_471">471</a>:</li> + <li>rep. of work in Ariz., <a href="#Page_472">472</a>; <a href="#Page_482">482</a>; <a href="#Page_483">483</a>; <a href="#Page_490">490</a>;</li> + <li>in Colo. camp'n., <a href="#Page_514">514</a>;</li> + <li>visits Denver, <a href="#Page_530">530</a>; <a href="#Page_535">535</a>; <a href="#Page_546">546</a>; <a href="#Page_547">547</a>;</li> + <li>in S. D. camp'n., <a href="#Page_555">555</a>; <a href="#Page_558">558</a>; <a href="#Page_563">563</a>;</li> + <li>before Del. constit'l. conv., <a href="#Page_564">564</a>;</li> + <li>in Ga., <a href="#Page_583">583</a>;</li> + <li>in Idaho camp'n., <a href="#Page_591">591</a>; <a href="#Page_592">592</a>;</li> + <li>in Ills., <a href="#Page_599">599</a>; <a href="#Page_616">616</a>;</li> + <li>in Iowa, <a href="#Page_629">629</a> et al.;</li> + <li>in Kas., <a href="#Page_642">642</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_644">644</a>; <a href="#Page_645">645</a>; <a href="#Page_646">646</a>; <a href="#Page_648">648</a>;</li> + <li>in Ky., <a href="#Page_667">667</a>;</li> + <li>before La. constit'l. conv., <a href="#Page_680">680</a>;</li> + <li>in Maine, <a href="#Page_690">690</a>;</li> + <li>in Md., <a href="#Page_696">696</a>; <a href="#Page_710">710</a>; <a href="#Page_713">713</a>;</li> + <li>in Mich., <a href="#Page_757">757</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_758">758</a>; <a href="#Page_759">759</a>;</li> + <li>in Minn., <a href="#Page_773">773</a>; <a href="#Page_774">774</a>;</li> + <li>in Miss., <a href="#Page_783">783</a>; <a href="#Page_784">784</a>;</li> + <li>in St. Louis, <a href="#Page_791">791</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_792">792</a>;</li> + <li>in Mont., <a href="#Page_796">796</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_797">797</a>;</li> + <li>in Neb., <a href="#Page_804">804</a>;</li> + <li>in Nev., <a href="#Page_811">811</a>;</li> + <li>in N. H., <a href="#Page_816">816</a>; <a href="#Page_817">817</a>;</li> + <li>in N. J., <a href="#Page_822">822</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_825">825</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_826">826</a>;</li> + <li>in N. M., <a href="#Page_836">836</a>;</li> + <li>in N. Y., <a href="#Page_843">843</a>;</li> + <li>in N. Y. camp'n., <a href="#Page_849">849</a>;</li> + <li>in N. Y., <a href="#Page_860">860</a>;</li> + <li>in O., <a href="#Page_879">879</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_880">880</a>;</li> + <li>in Ok., <a href="#Page_886">886</a>;</li> + <li>rep. of legis. work in Ok., <a href="#Page_887">887</a>;</li> + <li>in Penn., <a href="#Page_899">899</a>;</li> + <li>in Tenn., <a href="#Page_926">926</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_927">927</a>;</li> + <li>in Utah, <a href="#Page_949">949</a>;</li> + <li>in Vt., <a href="#Page_957">957</a>; <a href="#Page_973">973</a>;</li> + <li>in Wash., <a href="#Page_976">976</a>;</li> + <li>in W. Va., <a href="#Page_980">980</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_981">981</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Catt, George W., <a href="#Page_262">262</a>.</li> +<li>Caulfield, Anna, <a href="#Page_336">336</a>.</li> +<li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1128" id="Page_1128">[Pg 1128]</a></span>Chace, Elizabeth Buffum, work in R.I., <a href="#Page_907">907</a> et al.</li> +<li>Chace, U. S. Sen. Jonathan, III; rep. in favor of wom. suff., <a href="#Page_156">156</a>.</li> +<li>Chamberlain, Ella C, <a href="#Page_240">240</a>; <a href="#Page_577">577</a>.</li> +<li>Chanler, Margaret Livingston, work in N. Y., <a href="#Page_843">843</a> et al.</li> +<li>Channing, Dr. William Ellery, <a href="#Page_427">427</a>.</li> +<li>Chant, Laura Ormiston (Eng.), <a href="#Page_135">135</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>before U. S. Sen. com., <a href="#Page_139">139</a>; <a href="#Page_163">163</a>; <a href="#Page_169">169</a>;</li> + <li>in Col., <a href="#Page_516">516</a>;</li> + <li>in Boston, <a href="#Page_705">705</a>, <a href="#Page_711">711</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Chapin, Augusta, D. D., <a href="#Page_718">718</a>.</li> +<li>Chapman, Maria Weston, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>.</li> +<li>Chapman, Mariana W., <a href="#Page_240">240</a>; <a href="#Page_290">290</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>before U. S. Senate com. of '98, wom. as taxpayers, <a href="#Page_313">313</a>;</li> + <li>in N. J., <a href="#Page_825">825</a>;</li> + <li>assists on N. Y. chap., <a href="#Page_840">840</a>;</li> + <li>work in N. Y., <a href="#Page_844">844</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Chase, Chief Justice Salmon P., for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1076">1076</a>.</li> +<li>Chase, Florence Adele, writes chapter for D. C, <a href="#Page_567">567</a>.</li> +<li>Chase, Mary N., in N. H., <a href="#Page_816">816</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Vt., <a href="#Page_957">957</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Cheney, Ednah D., in Ky., <a href="#Page_665">665</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work in Mass., <a href="#Page_702">702</a>; <a href="#Page_704">704</a>; <a href="#Page_712">712</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Chichester, Dean of (Eng.), <a href="#Page_320">320</a>.</li> +<li>Child, Lydia Maria, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>; <a href="#Page_295">295</a>.</li> +<li>Childs, George W., <a href="#Page_75">75</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>trib. to, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Choate, Hon. Joseph H., defeats wom. suff. in N. Y. Constit'l. Conv., <a href="#Page_852">852</a>.</li> +<li>Christiansen, Gen. C. T., <a href="#Page_843">843</a>.</li> +<li>Claflin, Adelaide A., <a href="#Page_425">425</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work in Mass., <a href="#Page_703">703</a> et al.;</li> + <li>in R. I., <a href="#Page_910">910</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Chaflin, Gov. William (Mass.), for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_715">715</a>; <a href="#Page_718">718</a>; <a href="#Page_727">727</a>.</li> +<li>Clapp, Eliza J., <a href="#Page_286">286</a>.</li> +<li>Clapp, Atty.-Gen. Moses E. (Minn.), ad. suff. conv., <a href="#Page_772">772</a>.</li> +<li>Clark, U. S. Sen. Clarence D., presents wom. suff. bill, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>wom. suff. in Wy., <a href="#Page_1092">1092</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Clark, George W., sings at conv., <a href="#Page_19">19</a>.</li> +<li>Clark, James G., <a href="#Page_295">295</a>; <a href="#Page_415">415</a>; <a href="#Page_422">422</a>; <a href="#Page_802">802</a>.</li> +<li>Clark, U. S. Sen. William A., <a href="#Page_797">797</a>.</li> +<li>Clarke, Alice Judah, assists on Ind., chap., <a href="#Page_614">614</a>.</li> +<li>Clarke, Prof. Benjamin Franklin, of Brown Univ., <a href="#Page_919">919</a>.</li> +<li>Clarke, Dr. E. H., on education, <a href="#Page_355">355</a>.</li> +<li>Clarke, James Freeman, D. D., <a href="#Page_146">146</a>; <a href="#Page_412">412</a>; <a href="#Page_431">431</a>; <a href="#Page_702">702</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>petit. for wom. suff. in '57, <a href="#Page_721">721</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Clarkson, U. S. Ass't. P. M. Gen. James S., wom. suff. in Col., <a href="#Page_1086">1086</a>.</li> +<li>Clay, Laura, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>; <a href="#Page_216">216</a>; <a href="#Page_219">219</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>trib. to Lucy Stone, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>;</li> + <li>non-partisans, <a href="#Page_280">280</a>; <a href="#Page_290">290</a>;</li> + <li>before U. S. Senate com. of '98, wom. suff. and physical develop., <a href="#Page_309">309</a>; <a href="#Page_430">430</a>; <a href="#Page_616">616</a>; <a href="#Page_630">630</a>;</li> + <li>writes Ky. chap., <a href="#Page_665">665</a>;</li> + <li>work in Ky., <a href="#Page_665">665</a> et al.;</li> + <li>in New Orleans, <a href="#Page_680">680</a>;</li> + <li>in N. C., <a href="#Page_874">874</a>;</li> + <li>in S. C., <a href="#Page_922">922</a>;</li> + <li>in Tenn., <a href="#Page_927">927</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Clay, Mary B., <a href="#Page_15">15</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>before House com., <a href="#Page_44">44</a>; <a href="#Page_150">150</a>; <a href="#Page_341">341</a>;</li> + <li>at Amer. conv., '84, <a href="#Page_407">407</a>; <a href="#Page_426">426</a>;</li> + <li>work in Ky., <a href="#Page_665">665</a>; <a href="#Page_761">761</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Clemmer, Mary, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>.</li> +<li>Cleveland, President Grover, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>receives Intl. Council of Wom., <a href="#Page_127">127</a>; <a href="#Page_840">840</a>; <a href="#Page_1097">1097</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Cleveland, Mrs. Grover, rec. Intl. Council of Wom., <a href="#Page_127">127</a>; <a href="#Page_265">265</a>.</li> +<li>Clopton, Virginia Clay, <a href="#Page_466">466</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Tenn., <a href="#Page_927">927</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Clough, Gov. D. M. (Minn.), ad. suff. conv., <a href="#Page_773">773</a>.</li> +<li>Cobbe, Frances Power (Eng.), <a href="#Page_21">21</a>; <a href="#Page_26">26</a>.</li> +<li>Cobden, Jane (<i>See</i> <a href="#Unwin">Unwin</a>).</li> +<li>Cobden, Richard, for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_21">21</a>.</li> +<li>Cockburn, Sir John, Premier S. Austr., for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1028">1028</a>.</li> +<li>Cockrell, U. S. Sen. Francis Marion, rep. against worn, suff., <a href="#Page_47">47</a>; <a href="#Page_90">90</a>; <a href="#Page_93">93</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>ridiculed by Mrs. Stanton, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Codman, Mrs. James M., anti-suff., <a href="#Page_716">716</a>.</li> +<li>Coffeen, Henry A., M. C., <a href="#Page_231">231</a>.</li> +<li>Coffin, Charles Carleton, <a href="#Page_724">724</a>.</li> +<li>Coggeshall, Mary J., <a href="#Page_629">629</a>; <a href="#Page_633">633</a>.</li> +<li>Cohen, Elizabeth, polit. deleg., <a href="#Page_439">439</a>.</li> +<li>Coke, Lord, <a href="#Page_376">376</a>.</li> +<li>Colby, Clara Bewick, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>res. against creeds and dogmas, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>;</li> + <li>sp. on same, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>;</li> + <li>plan of work, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>;</li> + <li>wom. suff. and labor question, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>;</li> + <li>on the church, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>;</li> + <li>describes campn. in Neb., <a href="#Page_80">80</a>; <a href="#Page_117">117</a>; <a href="#Page_122">122</a>;</li> + <li>Wom. Trib. during Intl. Council, <a href="#Page_126">126</a>;</li> + <li>wom. in marriage, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>; <a href="#Page_157">157</a>; <a href="#Page_162">162</a>; <a href="#Page_183">183</a>; <a href="#Page_184">184</a>; <a href="#Page_187">187</a>;</li> + <li>on Wyoming, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>;</li> + <li>on Fed. Suff., <a href="#Page_218">218</a>; <a href="#Page_219">219</a>; <a href="#Page_234">234</a>; <a href="#Page_235">235</a>; <a href="#Page_239">239</a>; <a href="#Page_240">240</a>; <a href="#Page_247">247</a>;</li> + <li>mem. res. at conv. of '95, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>;</li> + <li>philos. of wom., suff., <a href="#Page_254">254</a>; <a href="#Page_263">263</a>;</li> + <li>mem. res. at conv. of '97, <a href="#Page_275">275-6</a>; <a href="#Page_279">279</a>;</li> + <li>on Wyoming, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>; <a href="#Page_292">292</a>;</li> + <li>mem. res. at conv. of '98, <a href="#Page_293">293</a>; <a href="#Page_331">331</a>; <a href="#Page_337">337</a>;</li> + <li>mem. serv. at conv. of '99, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>; <a href="#Page_360">360</a>;</li> + <li>work with Congress, <a href="#Page_367">367</a>;</li> + <li>descript. of Miss Anthony's 80th birthday, <a href="#Page_306">306</a>;</li> + <li>in S. D. campn., <a href="#Page_555">555</a>; <a href="#Page_592">592</a>;</li> + <li>in Kas., <a href="#Page_639">639</a>; <a href="#Page_640">640</a>; <a href="#Page_642">642</a>;</li> + <li>in Ky, <a href="#Page_666">666</a>;</li> + <li>in New Orleans, <a href="#Page_679">679</a>; <a href="#Page_719">719</a>;</li> + <li>in Mich., <a href="#Page_757">757</a>; <a href="#Page_759">759</a>; <a href="#Page_761">761</a>;</li> + <li>work in Neb., <a href="#Page_802">802</a> et al.;</li> + <li>in Utah, <a href="#Page_940">940</a>;</li> + <li>in Wash., <a href="#Page_970">970</a>;</li> + <li>in Wis., <a href="#Page_986">986</a>;</li> + <li>statistics from Wy., <a href="#Page_1094">1094</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Colcord, Gov. Roswell K. (Nev.), recom. wom. suff. amdt, <a href="#Page_813">813</a>.</li> +<li>Colfax, Vice President Schuyler, founds Daught. of Rebekah, <a href="#Page_1069">1069</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>for wom., suff., <a href="#Page_1075">1075</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Collins, Emily P., in R. I., <a href="#Page_536">536</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Mass., <a href="#Page_706">706</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1129" id="Page_1129">[Pg 1129]</a></span>Collyer, Rev. Robert, for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_703">703</a>.</li><li>Colorado, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">Chap. XXIX</a>.</li> +<li>Conger, Mrs. Omar D., <a href="#Page_233">233</a>.</li> +<li>Conine, St. Rep. Martha A. B. (Col.), <a href="#Page_301">301</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>before House Com. of '98, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>;</li> + <li>elected, <a href="#Page_522">522</a>;</li> + <li>in Ills., <a href="#Page_599">599</a>;</li> + <li>in Iowa, <a href="#Page_632">632</a>;</li> + <li>in N. Y., <a href="#Page_860">860</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Connecticut, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">Chap. XXX</a>.</li> +<li>Connor, Eliza Archard, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>.</li> +<li>Conway, Mrs. Moncure D., <a href="#Page_23">23</a>.</li> +<li>Conyers, Bennett J., <a href="#Page_241">241</a>.</li> +<li>Cook, Coralie Franklin, brings greetings of colored women on Miss Anthony's birthday, <a href="#Page_398">398</a>; <a href="#Page_404">404</a>.</li> +<li>Cook, Rev. Joseph, ad. suff. conv., <a href="#Page_710">710</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>before Mass. Legis., <a href="#Page_727">727</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Coolbrith, Ina D., <a href="#Page_479">479</a>.</li> +<li>Cooley, Mrs. George Eliot. (<i>See</i> <a href="#Harper">Harper</a>.)</li> +<li>Coonley, Lydia A. (<i>See</i> <a href="#Ward">Ward</a>.)</li> +<li>Cooper, Sarah B., <a href="#Page_253">253</a>; <a href="#Page_275">275</a>; <a href="#Page_479">479</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>pres. Wom. Cong., <a href="#Page_481">481</a>;</li> + <li>work in Calif., <a href="#Page_488">488</a> et al.;</li> + <li>in Ore., <a href="#Page_893">893</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Corbin, Caroline F., <a href="#Page_157">157</a>.</li> +<li>Corey, Rev. Dr., <a href="#Page_189">189</a>.</li> +<li>Corn, Assoc. Justice, wom. suff. in Wy., <a href="#Page_1093">1093</a>.</li> +<li>Cornwall, Amy K., <a href="#Page_364">364</a>; <a href="#Page_509">509</a>.</li> +<li>Corson, Dr. Hiram, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>.</li> +<li>Coudert, Frederick, signs suff. petit., <a href="#Page_850">850</a>.</li> +<li>Courtney, Leonard, M. P. (Eng.), work for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1020">1020</a>.</li> +<li>Couzins, Phoebe W., <a href="#Page_18">18</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>res. on Phillips and Miss Carroll, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>; <a href="#Page_27">27</a>;</li> + <li>on Goddess of Liberty, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>; <a href="#Page_117">117</a>; <a href="#Page_163">163</a>; <a href="#Page_169">169</a>; <a href="#Page_475">475</a>; <a href="#Page_520">520</a>; <a href="#Page_695">695</a>; <a href="#Page_772">772</a>; <a href="#Page_795">795</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Craigie, Mrs. C. O. H., <a href="#Page_564">564</a>.</li> +<li><a name="Crane" id="Crane"></a>Crane, Rev. Caroline Bartlett, sermon at conv. of '91, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>; <a href="#Page_764">764</a>.</li> +<li>Crane, Gov. W. Murray (Mass.), <a href="#Page_744">744</a>.</li> +<li>Cranston, Martha S., writes Del. chap., <a href="#Page_563">563</a>; <a href="#Page_564">564</a> et al.</li> +<li>Crawford, Emily (Eng.), petit, for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1015">1015</a>.</li> +<li>Cressingham, St. Rep. Clara (Col.), <a href="#Page_521">521</a>.</li> +<li><a name="Crooker" id="Crooker"></a>Crooker, Rev. Florence Kollock, ethics of wom. suff., <a href="#Page_20">20</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>before House com., <a href="#Page_43">43</a>; <a href="#Page_337">337</a>; <a href="#Page_407">407</a>; <a href="#Page_739">739</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Cullom, U. S. Sen. Shelby M., <a href="#Page_347">347</a>.</li> +<li>Cunningham, Catherine Campbell, assists on Ark. chapter, work in Ark., <a href="#Page_475">475</a>.</li> +<li>Curtis, Elizabeth Burrill, <a href="#Page_257">257</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>before U. S. Senate com. of '98, are wom. represented, <a href="#Page_314">314</a>;</li> + <li>in Mass., <a href="#Page_715">715</a>;</li> + <li>work in N. Y. <a href="#Page_843">843</a>, et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Curtis, George William, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>; <a href="#Page_164">164</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>mem. serv., <a href="#Page_203">203</a>; <a href="#Page_372">372</a>;</li> + <li>on wom. suff., <a href="#Page_428">428</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Cutcheon, Byron M., M. C, spks. for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_35">35</a>.</li> +<li>Cutler, Hannah M. Tracy, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>; <a href="#Page_406">406</a>; <a href="#Page_407">407</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>mem. to Mrs. Gage, <a href="#Page_410">410</a>; <a href="#Page_426">426</a>; <a href="#Page_703">703</a>;</li> + <li>in Vt., <a href="#Page_957">957</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +</ul> + +<p class="index"><a id="IX_D" name="IX_D"></a>D</p> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Dakota (North and South), names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI">Chap. XXXI</a>.</li> +<li>Dall, Caroline H., <a href="#Page_294">294</a>.</li> +<li>Dalton, Father W. J., <a href="#Page_447">447</a>; <a href="#Page_760">760</a>.</li> +<li>Dangerfield, Henderson, <a href="#Page_212">212</a>; <a href="#Page_964">964</a>.</li> +<li>Davies, Emily, Mistress of Girton (Eng.), petit, for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1015">1015</a>.</li> +<li>Davies, Atty.-Gen. John C., right of wom. to office in N. Y., <a href="#Page_1094">1094</a>.</li> +<li>Davis, U. S. Sen. Cushman K., for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_433">433</a>.</li> +<li>Davis, Edward M., <a href="#Page_18">18</a>; <a href="#Page_60">60</a>; <a href="#Page_76">76</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work in Penn., <a href="#Page_899">899</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Davis, John C., M. C., <a href="#Page_231">231</a>; <a href="#Page_235">235</a>.</li> +<li>Davis, Paulina Wright, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>; <a href="#Page_294">294</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work in R. I., <a href="#Page_907">907</a>;</li> + <li>in Va., <a href="#Page_964">964</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Davis, Thomas, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>.</li> +<li>Dawes, U. S. Sen. Henry L., <a href="#Page_111">111</a>; <a href="#Page_164">164</a>.</li> +<li>Decker, Sarah Platt, <a href="#Page_529">529</a> et al.</li> +<li>De Garmo, Rhoda, <a href="#Page_299">299</a>.</li> +<li>Delaware, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_XXXII">Chap. XXXII</a>.</li> +<li>Demorest, (Mme.) Louise, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>.</li> +<li>Dennison, Ruth C., <a href="#Page_27">27</a>.</li> +<li>Depew, Chauncey M., signs suff. petit., <a href="#Page_850">850</a>.</li> +<li>Desha, Mary, <a href="#Page_173">173</a>.</li> +<li>DeVoe, Emma Smith, at conv. of '96, <a href="#Page_265">265</a>; <a href="#Page_284">284</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in S. D., <a href="#Page_549">549</a>; <a href="#Page_555">555</a>; <a href="#Page_590">590</a>; <a href="#Page_599">599</a>;</li> + <li>in Iowa, <a href="#Page_630">630</a>; <a href="#Page_631">631</a>;</li> + <li>in Kas., <a href="#Page_644">644</a>;</li> + <li>in Ky., <a href="#Page_667">667</a>;</li> + <li>in Minn., <a href="#Page_773">773</a>;</li> + <li>in Mont., <a href="#Page_796">796</a>;</li> + <li>in Nev., <a href="#Page_810">810</a>;</li> + <li>in Wis., <a href="#Page_987">987</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Dexter, Rev. Morton, ed. <i>Congregationalist</i>, opp. wom. suff.; <a href="#Page_725">725</a>.</li> +<li>Deyo, Rev. Amanda, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>; <a href="#Page_496">496</a>.</li> +<li>Dickinson, Dr. Frances, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>; <a href="#Page_174">174</a>; <a href="#Page_184">184</a>; <a href="#Page_201">201</a>.</li> +<li>Dickinson, Mary Lowe, <a href="#Page_228">228</a>; <a href="#Page_300">300</a>.</li> +<li>Dietrick, Ellen Battelle, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>at conv. of '91, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>;</li> + <li>sp. at conv. of '92, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>;</li> + <li>res. on religious liberty, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>; <a href="#Page_219">219</a>; <a href="#Page_229">229</a>; <a href="#Page_234">234</a>; <a href="#Page_248">248</a>;</li> + <li>memorial service, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>; <a href="#Page_430">430</a>;</li> + <li>in Ky., <a href="#Page_666">666</a>; <a href="#Page_706">706</a>;</li> + <li>work in Mass., <a href="#Page_709">709</a> et al.; <a href="#Page_726">726</a>; <a href="#Page_751">751</a>;</li> + <li>in S. C., <a href="#Page_922">922</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Diggs, Annie L., <a href="#Page_61">61</a>; wom. suff. in Kas., <a href="#Page_199">199</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>at conv. of '94, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>; <a href="#Page_234">234</a>; <a href="#Page_235">235</a>; <a href="#Page_248">248</a>; <a href="#Page_263">263</a>; <a href="#Page_268">268</a>;</li> + <li>at conv. of 1900, <a href="#Page_363">363</a>;</li> + <li>in Ind., <a href="#Page_617">617</a>;</li> + <li>writes Kas. chap., <a href="#Page_638">638</a>; <a href="#Page_643">643</a>;</li> + <li>work in Kas. Legis., <a href="#Page_652">652</a>;</li> + <li>app. St. Librarian, <a href="#Page_657">657</a>;</li> + <li>in Md., <a href="#Page_696">696</a>;</li> + <li>in N. J., <a href="#Page_822">822</a>;</li> + <li>in W. Va., <a href="#Page_980">980</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Dilke, Mrs. Ashton, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>; <a href="#Page_841">841</a>.</li> +<li>Dingley, Nelson W., M.C., <a href="#Page_345">345</a>.</li> +<li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1130" id="Page_1130">[Pg 1130]</a></span>District of Columbia, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIII">Chap. XXXIII</a>.</li> +<li>Doane, Bishop William Croswell, opp. wom. suff., <a href="#Page_850">850</a>; <a href="#Page_858">858</a>.</li> +<li>Dodge, Mrs. Arthur M., + <ul class="IX"> + <li>opposes wom. suff. before U. S. Senate com. of 1900, repudiates courtesy of Miss Anthony, <a href="#Page_382">382</a>;</li> + <li>begs com. not to be moved by consideration for her, <a href="#Page_383">383</a>;</li> + <li>before N. Y. legis. com., <a href="#Page_861">861</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_863">863</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Doe, Chief Justice Charles (N. H.), wom. may practice law, <a href="#Page_819">819</a>.</li> +<li>Doe, Mary L., at conv. of '99, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>writes Mich, chap., <a href="#Page_755">755</a>;</li> + <li>work in Mich., <a href="#Page_756">756</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Doggett, Kate Newell, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>; <a href="#Page_410">410</a>.</li> +<li>Dole, Sanford B. (Hawaii), <a href="#Page_347">347</a>.</li> +<li>Dolph, U. S. Sen. Joseph N., <a href="#Page_93">93</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>sp. for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_100">100</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>; <a href="#Page_218">218</a>; <a href="#Page_295">295</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Donnelly, St. Sen. Ignatius, for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_776">776-7</a>.</li> +<li>Dorsett, Martha Angle, <a href="#Page_417">417</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work in Minn., <a href="#Page_774">774</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Dorsheimer, William, M. C., <a href="#Page_51">51</a>.</li> +<li>Doster, Chief Justice Frank (Kas.), for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_607">607</a>; <a href="#Page_646">646</a>.</li> +<li>Douglass, Frederick, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>at conv. of '89, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>;</li> + <li>reminiscences, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>;</li> + <li>early suffragists, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>;</li> + <li>mem. serv., <a href="#Page_259">259</a>; <a href="#Page_298">298</a>; <a href="#Page_403">403</a>; <a href="#Page_430">430</a>;</li> + <li>in Boston, <a href="#Page_704">704</a>, <a href="#Page_713">713</a>;</li> + <li>in R. I., <a href="#Page_907">907</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Douglass, Joseph, <a href="#Page_265">265</a>; <a href="#Page_400">400</a>; <a href="#Page_404">404</a>.</li> +<li>Dow, Neal, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>.</li> +<li>Downs, H. Margaret, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>.</li> +<li>Doyon, Amelia E. H., <a href="#Page_259">259</a>.</li> +<li>Drake, Gov. Francis M. (Iowa), <a href="#Page_270">270</a>.</li> +<li>Du Bose, Miriam Howard, <a href="#Page_228">228</a>; <a href="#Page_235">235</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work in Ga., <a href="#Page_237">237</a>; <a href="#Page_582">582</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Dunbar, Mrs. (Md.), <a href="#Page_77">77</a>.</li> +<li>Duniway, Abigail Scott, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>at conv. of '84, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>; <a href="#Page_27">27</a>; <a href="#Page_151">151</a>; <a href="#Page_156">156</a>; <a href="#Page_157">157</a>; <a href="#Page_236">236</a>; <a href="#Page_239">239</a>;</li> + <li>at conv. of '95, <a href="#Page_249">249</a>;</li> + <li>of '99, <a href="#Page_339">339</a>;</li> + <li>of 1900, <a href="#Page_363">363</a>;</li> + <li>in Idaho, <a href="#Page_589">589</a>; <a href="#Page_590">590</a>;</li> + <li>in Minn., <a href="#Page_772">772</a>;</li> + <li>in N. Y., <a href="#Page_839">839</a>;</li> + <li>writes Ore. chap., work in Ore., <a href="#Page_891">891</a> et al.;</li> + <li>in Wash., <a href="#Page_975">975</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Duniway, Clyde, <a href="#Page_739">739</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<p class="index"><a id="IX_E" name="IX_E"></a>E</p> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Eagle, Gov. James B. (Ark.), <a href="#Page_475">475</a>.</li> +<li>Earnhart, Ida M., test case for sch. suff. in Ohio, <a href="#Page_882">882</a>.</li> +<li>Eastman, Rev. Annis Ford, <a href="#Page_202">202</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work in N. Y., <a href="#Page_844">844</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Eastman, Mary F., woman's right to suff., <a href="#Page_72">72</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>justice of it, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>; <a href="#Page_118">118</a>; <a href="#Page_175">175</a>;</li> + <li>work in Mass., <a href="#Page_704">704</a> et al.;</li> + <li>legis. work, <a href="#Page_721">721</a>;</li> + <li>in N. Y., <a href="#Page_841">841</a>;</li> + <li>in R. I., <a href="#Page_907">907</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_910">910</a>; <a href="#Page_920">920</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Eaton, Charles H., D. D., for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_840">840</a>.</li> +<li>Eaton, Dr. Cora Smith, in N. D., <a href="#Page_545">545</a>; <a href="#Page_551">551</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>assists on Minn, chap., <a href="#Page_772">772</a>;</li> + <li>work in Minn., <a href="#Page_773">773</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Eddy, Eliza Jackson, legacy to Miss Anthony, V.</li> +<li>Edmunds, U. S. Sen. George F., <a href="#Page_375">375</a>; <a href="#Page_939">939</a>.</li> +<li>Edson, Dr. Susan A., <a href="#Page_295">295</a>; <a href="#Page_574">574</a>.</li> +<li>Edwards, Amelia B., petit. for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1015">1015</a>.</li> +<li>Eisenhuth, St. Supt. Pub. Instruct. Laura J. (N. D.), <a href="#Page_551">551</a>.</li> +<li>Eliot, Charles W., pres. Harvard Univ., <a href="#Page_266">266</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>on education of wom., <a href="#Page_355">355</a>;</li> + <li>protest against wom. suff., <a href="#Page_704">704</a>;</li> + <li>inherits prejudice, <a href="#Page_736">736</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Eliot, Chancellor Wm. G. (St. Louis), suff. a right, <a href="#Page_413">413</a>; <a href="#Page_703">703</a>.</li> +<li>Elkins, U. S. Sen. Stephen B., opp. wom. suff. in W. Va., <a href="#Page_982">982</a>.</li> +<li>Elliott, Albert H., work in Cal., <a href="#Page_482">482</a> et al.</li> +<li>Emerson, Ralph Waldo, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>; <a href="#Page_1092">1092</a>.</li> +<li>Emerson, Mrs. Ralph Waldo, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>.</li> +<li>Ernst, Hon. George A. O., work in Mass., <a href="#Page_710">710</a> et al.</li> +<li>Eskridge, Gov. C. V. (Kas.), opp. wom. suff., <a href="#Page_645">645</a>.</li> +<li>Estee, Hon. Morris M., <a href="#Page_436">436</a>.</li> +<li>Eustis, U. S. Sen. James B., opp. wom. suff., <a href="#Page_104">104</a>.</li> +<li>Evald, Mrs. Emmy C., <a href="#Page_298">298</a>.</li> +<li>Everett, Edward, <a href="#Page_433">433</a>.</li> +<li>Everhard, Caroline McCullough, at conv. of '92, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>; <a href="#Page_201">201</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work in O., <a href="#Page_880">880</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +</ul> + +<p class="index"><a id="IX_F" name="IX_F"></a>F</p> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Fair, U. S. Sen. James G., opp. wom. suff., <a href="#Page_36">36</a>; <a href="#Page_47">47</a>.</li> +<li>Fairbanks, Mayor (Quincy, Mass.), <a href="#Page_712">712</a>.</li> +<li>Fairman, Col. Henry Clay, <a href="#Page_238">238</a>; <a href="#Page_582">582</a>.</li> +<li>Fall, Anna Christy (Mrs. George H.), <a href="#Page_741">741</a>; <a href="#Page_745">745</a></li> +<li>Fall, St. Rep. George H., work in Mass., <a href="#Page_744">744</a> et al.</li> +<li>Farwell, U. S. Sen. Charles B., rep. for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_156">156</a>; <a href="#Page_158">158</a>; <a href="#Page_162">162</a>.</li> +<li>Fawcett, Postmaster Gen. Henry, M. P. (Eng.), for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_17">17</a>; <a href="#Page_61">61</a>.</li> +<li>Fawcett, Millicent Garrett, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>; <a href="#Page_301">301</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>wom. in India, <a href="#Page_330">330</a>;</li> + <li>suff. meet. in London, <a href="#Page_353">353</a>; <a href="#Page_718">718</a>;</li> + <li>work in Gr. Britain, <a href="#Page_1014">1014</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_1020">1020</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Fawcett, Philippa, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>.</li> +<li>Faxon, Henry H., <a href="#Page_702">702</a> et al.</li> +<li>Fergusson, Cong. Del. H. B., <a href="#Page_835">835</a>.</li> +<li>Fessenden, Susan S., in Col., <a href="#Page_516">516</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1131" id="Page_1131">[Pg 1131]</a></span>in N. D., <a href="#Page_548">548</a>; work in Mass., <a href="#Page_726">726</a></li> + <li>et al.; in N. H., <a href="#Page_816">816</a>; in Penn., <a href="#Page_900">900</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Field, Kate, for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_235">235</a>; <a href="#Page_275">275</a>.</li> +<li>Fish, Sarah, <a href="#Page_299">299</a>.</li> +<li>Fisher, Chief Justice, wom. suff. in Wy., <a href="#Page_1091">1091</a>.</li> +<li>Fisk, Mrs. Clinton D., <a href="#Page_1057">1057</a>.</li> +<li>Fleming, Gov. Francis P. (Fla.), opp. to wom. suff., <a href="#Page_212">212</a>.</li> +<li>Flemming, William H., M. C., <a href="#Page_586">586</a>.</li> +<li>Fletcher, Alice C., <a href="#Page_183">183</a>; <a href="#Page_331">331</a>.</li> +<li>Flood, Cora Jane, endowment to univers., <a href="#Page_507">507</a>.</li> +<li>Florida, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIV">Chap. XXXIV</a>.</li> +<li>Flower, Gov. Roswell P. (N. Y.), <a href="#Page_213">213</a>; <a href="#Page_843">843</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>recom. wom. delegates, <a href="#Page_848">848</a>; <a href="#Page_856">856</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Folger, Gov. Charles J. (N. Y.), <a href="#Page_61">61</a>.</li> +<li>Folsom, Mariana T., in Texas, <a href="#Page_416">416</a>; <a href="#Page_628">628</a>; <a href="#Page_931">931</a>.</li> +<li>Foltz, Clara S., in Calif., <a href="#Page_478">478</a> et al.</li> +<li>Foss, Mrs. Cyrus D., <a href="#Page_1071">1071</a>.</li> +<li><a name="Foster" id="Foster"></a>Foster, Abby Kelly, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>.</li> +<li>Foster, Judith Ellen, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>at Nat'l Repub. conv. of '96, <a href="#Page_439">439</a>;</li> + <li>same, 1900, <a href="#Page_444">444</a>;</li> + <li>in Col., <a href="#Page_520">520</a>; <a href="#Page_569">569</a>; <a href="#Page_576">576</a>;</li> + <li>in Ida., <a href="#Page_590">590</a>;</li> + <li>in Kas., <a href="#Page_645">645</a>;</li> + <li>in Mass., <a href="#Page_705">705</a>;</li> + <li>in R. I., <a href="#Page_910">910</a>;</li> + <li>in Utah, <a href="#Page_955">955</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Foster, Julia (Mrs. J. Heron), <a href="#Page_19">19</a>; <a href="#Page_61">61</a>.</li> +<li>Foster, Julia T., <a href="#Page_19">19</a>; <a href="#Page_27">27</a>; <a href="#Page_61">61</a>; <a href="#Page_126">126</a>.</li> +<li>Foster, Rachel G. (See <a href="#Avery">Avery</a>).</li> +<li>Foulke, Hon. William Dudley, sp. at suff. conv. of '90, <a href="#Page_167">167</a>; <a href="#Page_173">173</a>; <a href="#Page_202">202</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>trib. to Lucy Stone, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>; <a href="#Page_408">408</a>; <a href="#Page_411">411</a>; <a href="#Page_414">414</a>;</li> + <li>at Amer. conv. of '86, <a href="#Page_418">418</a>;</li> + <li>value of dreamers, <a href="#Page_421">421</a>;</li> + <li>independ. of politician, <a href="#Page_422">422</a>; <a href="#Page_423">423</a>;</li> + <li>at Amer. conv. of '88, <a href="#Page_428">428</a>; <a href="#Page_546">546</a>;</li> + <li>in Ind., <a href="#Page_614">614</a>;</li> + <li>in Kas., <a href="#Page_640">640</a>;</li> + <li>in Boston, <a href="#Page_706">706</a>;</li> + <li>in Minn., <a href="#Page_772">772</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Fox, Hattie E., <a href="#Page_222">222</a>.</li> +<li>Francis, Mary C., <a href="#Page_245">245</a>.</li> +<li>Franklin, Benjamin, on suff., <a href="#Page_66">66</a>.</li> +<li>Fray, Ellen Sully, <a href="#Page_173">173</a>.</li> +<li>Frear, Associate Justice W. F. (Hawaii), <a href="#Page_347">347</a>.</li> +<li>Fredericksen, Kirstine (Denm'k), <a href="#Page_711">711</a>.</li> +<li>French, St. Supt. Pub. Instruct. Permeal (Ida.), <a href="#Page_594">594</a>.</li> +<li>Friedland, Sofja Levovna (Russia), <a href="#Page_364">364</a>.</li> +<li>Fuller, Gov. Levi K. (Vt), <a href="#Page_959">959</a>.</li> +<li>Fyler, Lizzie Dorman, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>; <a href="#Page_475">475</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<p class="index"><a id="IX_G" name="IX_G"></a>G</p> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Gaffney, Fannie Humphreys, <a href="#Page_396">396</a>.</li> +<li>Gage, Frances Dana, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>; <a href="#Page_294">294</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>mem. serv., <a href="#Page_409">409-10</a>;</li> + <li>trib. of Clara Barton, <a href="#Page_429">429</a>; <a href="#Page_614">614</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Gage, Gov. Henry T. (Cal.), <a href="#Page_486">486</a>; <a href="#Page_506">506</a>.</li> +<li>Gage, Matilda Joslyn, work on Hist, of Wom. Suff., III; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>sells rights in, VI; VII; <a href="#Page_27">27</a>;</li> + <li>feminine in science, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>; <a href="#Page_57">57</a>;</li> + <li>wom. suff. under U. S. constn., <a href="#Page_118">118</a>; <a href="#Page_126">126</a>; <a href="#Page_136">136</a>; <a href="#Page_152">152</a>; <a href="#Page_163">163</a>;</li> + <li>mem. res., <a href="#Page_345">345</a>;</li> + <li>in Dak., <a href="#Page_552">552</a>;</li> + <li>work in N. Y., <a href="#Page_839">839</a> et al.;</li> + <li>test case for sch. suff., <a href="#Page_867">867</a>;</li> + <li>in Va., <a href="#Page_964">964</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Gallé, Margarethe, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>.</li> +<li>Gallinger, U. S. Sen. Jacob H., wom. suff. in N.H., <a href="#Page_815">815</a>.</li> +<li>Gamble, U. S. Sen. Robert J., for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_559">559</a>.</li> +<li>Gardiner, Helen H., <a href="#Page_146">146</a>; <a href="#Page_263">263</a>; <a href="#Page_715">715</a>.</li> +<li>Garfield, President James A., <a href="#Page_295">295</a>; on wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1075">1075</a>.</li> +<li>Garrett, Mary E., endows Johns Hopkins Med. Coll., <a href="#Page_700">700</a>.</li> +<li>Garrison, Ellen Wright (Mrs. Wm. Lloyd, Jr.), <a href="#Page_298">298</a>.</li> +<li>Garrison, Wm. Lloyd, Sr., <a href="#Page_23">23</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>first wom. rights petit., <a href="#Page_720">720</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Garrison, Wm. Lloyd, Jr., <a href="#Page_61">61</a>; <a href="#Page_164">164</a>; <a href="#Page_174">174</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>at conv. of '91, <a href="#Page_183">183</a>;</li> + <li>before U. S. Senate com. in '98, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>;</li> + <li>poem to Miss Anthony, <a href="#Page_395">395</a>; <a href="#Page_433">433</a>;</li> + <li>work in Mass., <a href="#Page_705">705</a> et al.; <a href="#Page_712">712</a>;</li> + <li>in R. I., <a href="#Page_907">907-8</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Gates, George A., pres. Iowa Coll., <a href="#Page_276">276</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_629">629</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Gates, Merrill E., pres. Amherst Coll., <a href="#Page_709">709</a>.</li> +<li>Gates, Susa Young, <a href="#Page_956">956</a>.</li> +<li>George, Mrs. A. J., opposes wom. suff., <a href="#Page_382">382</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_741">741</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>George, U. S. Sen. J.Z., <a href="#Page_194">194</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>rep. against wom. suff., <a href="#Page_201">201</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Georgia, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_XXXV">Chap. XXXV</a>.</li> +<li>Gibbons, Abby Hopper, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>; <a href="#Page_435">435</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work for police matrons, <a href="#Page_856">856</a>; <a href="#Page_1055">1055</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Gibbons, Cardinal, opp. wom. suff., <a href="#Page_367">367</a>.</li> +<li>Giddings, Joshua R., <a href="#Page_614">614</a>.</li> +<li>Giddings, Mrs. W. D., <a href="#Page_322">322</a>.</li> +<li>Gifford, Prof. Jennie, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>.</li> +<li>Gillett, Emma M., <a href="#Page_571">571</a>; <a href="#Page_574">574</a>.</li> +<li>Gladstone, Wm. Ewart, <a href="#Page_1016">1016</a>.</li> +<li>Gleed, J. W., <a href="#Page_318">318</a>.</li> +<li>Glenesk, Lord (Eng.), for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1016">1016</a>.</li> +<li>Goddard, Mary Catharine, early woman editor, <a href="#Page_695">695</a>.</li> +<li>Goggin, Catharine, <a href="#Page_611">611</a>.</li> +<li>Goldstein, Vida (Australia), <a href="#Page_1031">1031</a>.</li> +<li>Gompers, Samuel, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>letter approv. wom. suff., <a href="#Page_334">334</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Goodnight, Isaac H., M. C., <a href="#Page_235">235</a>.</li> +<li>Goodrich, Sarah Knox, work in Cal., <a href="#Page_478">478</a> et al.</li> +<li>Gordon, Anna, <a href="#Page_304">304</a>.</li> +<li>Gordon, Kate M., <a href="#Page_360">360</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>writes La. chap., <a href="#Page_678">678</a>;</li> + <li>work in Sewerage and Drainage League, <a href="#Page_682">682</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1132" id="Page_1132">[Pg 1132]</a></span>Gordon, Laura de Force, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>; <a href="#Page_60">60</a>; <a href="#Page_150">150</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work in Calif., <a href="#Page_478">478</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Goss, Josephine Ahnafeldt, <a href="#Page_324">324</a>.</li> +<li>Gottheil, Rabbi Gustave, <a href="#Page_840">840</a>; <a href="#Page_850">850</a>.</li> +<li>Gougar, Helen M., wom. before the law, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>plan of work, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>;</li> + <li>before U. S. Senate Com., <a href="#Page_37">37</a>;</li> + <li>wom. suff. and Bible, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>; <a href="#Page_77">77</a>;</li> + <li>before House Com., <a href="#Page_80">80</a>; <a href="#Page_150">150</a>;</li> + <li>in Col., <a href="#Page_520">520</a>;</li> + <li>in Ills., <a href="#Page_599">599</a>;</li> + <li>work in Ind., <a href="#Page_615">615</a> et al.;</li> + <li>test case for suff., <a href="#Page_621">621</a>;</li> + <li>in Iowa, <a href="#Page_628">628</a>;</li> + <li>in Kas., <a href="#Page_638">638</a> et al.;</li> + <li>in Mass., <a href="#Page_705">705</a>;</li> + <li>in Mich., <a href="#Page_756">756</a>;</li> + <li>in N. Y., <a href="#Page_839">839</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Gould, Helen, <a href="#Page_340">340</a>.</li> +<li>Grannis, Elizabeth B., <a href="#Page_1055">1055</a>.</li> +<li>Grant, President Ulysses S., first to appoint wom. postmasters, <a href="#Page_462">462</a>.</li> +<li>Grant, Mrs. Ulysses S., <a href="#Page_262">262</a>; <a href="#Page_291">291</a>.</li> +<li>Gray, Almeda B., <a href="#Page_75">75</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Cal., <a href="#Page_500">500</a>;</li> + <li>work in Wis., <a href="#Page_990">990</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Gray, St. Rep. Robert S., <a href="#Page_714">714</a>.</li> +<li>Great Britain and Colonies, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_LXXIII">Chap. LXXIII</a>.</li> +<li>Greene, Dr. Cordelia, donation to Hist. of Wom. Suff., VII.</li> +<li>Greene, Chief Justice Roger S., <a href="#Page_407">407</a>; <a href="#Page_412">412</a>; <a href="#Page_422">422</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work in Wash., <a href="#Page_967">967</a>;</li> + <li>wom. on juries, <a href="#Page_1097">1097</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Greenhalge, Gov. Frederick T. (Mass.), <a href="#Page_275">275</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>on wom. suff. plat., <a href="#Page_713">713</a>;</li> + <li>recom. wom. suff. in message, <a href="#Page_715">715</a>; <a href="#Page_718">718</a>;</li> + <li>again recom., <a href="#Page_729">729</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Greenleaf, Jean Brooks, before U. S. Sen. Com., <a href="#Page_196">196</a>; <a href="#Page_220">220</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>at conv. of '94, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>; <a href="#Page_224">224</a>;</li> + <li>rep. at conv. of '95, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>;</li> + <li>assists on N. Y. chap., <a href="#Page_839">839</a>;</li> + <li>work in N. Y., <a href="#Page_844">844</a> et al.; <a href="#Page_849">849</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><a name="Greenwood" id="Greenwood"></a>Greenwood, Grace (Sara J. Lippincott), <a href="#Page_231">231</a>; <a href="#Page_257">257</a>; <a href="#Page_364">364</a>.</li> +<li>Gregg, Laura A., <a href="#Page_337">337</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in S. D., <a href="#Page_557">557</a>;</li> + <li>in Del., <a href="#Page_564">564</a>;</li> + <li>in Iowa, <a href="#Page_632">632</a>;</li> + <li>in Kas., <a href="#Page_648">648</a>;</li> + <li>in Md., <a href="#Page_697">697</a>;</li> + <li>in Minn., <a href="#Page_774">774</a>;</li> + <li>in Neb., <a href="#Page_804">804</a>;</li> + <li>in O., <a href="#Page_879">879</a>;</li> + <li>in Ok., <a href="#Page_886">886-7</a>;</li> + <li>in Penn., <a href="#Page_899">899</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Grenfell, St. Supt. Pub. Instruct. Helen M. (Col.), <a href="#Page_523">523</a>; <a href="#Page_524">524</a>.</li> +<li>Grew, Mary, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>; <a href="#Page_295">295</a>; <a href="#Page_423">423</a>; <a href="#Page_426">426</a>; <a href="#Page_712">712</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work in Penn., <a href="#Page_898">898</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Griffin, Frances A., evolut. of South. wom., <a href="#Page_335">335</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>at conv. of '99, <a href="#Page_341">341</a>;</li> + <li>in Ala., <a href="#Page_465">465-6</a>;</li> + <li>in Ark., <a href="#Page_475">475</a>;</li> + <li>in Ga., <a href="#Page_583">583</a>;</li> + <li>in La., <a href="#Page_681">681</a>;</li> + <li>in Tenn., <a href="#Page_926">926-7</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Griffing, Josephine S., <a href="#Page_295">295</a>.</li> +<li>Grimké, Angelina (<i>See</i> Weld).</li> +<li>Gripenberg, Baroness Alexandra (Finland), at Int'l Council, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>; <a href="#Page_301">301</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Mass., <a href="#Page_705">705</a>;</li> + <li>in N. Y., <a href="#Page_841">841</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Groesbeck, Chief Justice H. V. S., <a href="#Page_719">719</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>wom. suff. in Wy., <a href="#Page_1092">1092</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Gross, Emily M., <a href="#Page_395">395</a>; <a href="#Page_612">612</a>.</li> +<li>Groth, Sophia Magelsson (Norway), <a href="#Page_136">136</a>.</li> +<li>Guild, Mrs. Charles E., anti-suff., <a href="#Page_716">716</a>.</li> +<li>Gullen. Dr. Augusta Stowe (Canada), <a href="#Page_301">301</a>.</li> +<li>Gustafson, Zadel Barnes (Eng.), <a href="#Page_135">135</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in N. Y., <a href="#Page_841">841</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +</ul> + +<p class="index"><a id="IX_H" name="IX_H"></a>H</p> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Hackney, Chief Justice Leonard J. (Ind.), decis. on wom. suff. and wom. lawyers, <a href="#Page_623">623</a>.</li> +<li>Haggart, Mary E., at conv. of '84, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>before House com., <a href="#Page_45">45</a>; <a href="#Page_75">75</a>; <a href="#Page_411">411</a>; <a href="#Page_425">425</a>;</li> + <li>work in Ind., <a href="#Page_614">614</a>;</li> + <li>in Kas., <a href="#Page_640">640</a>;</li> + <li>in Wis., <a href="#Page_986">986</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Hale, Horace M., pres. State Univ., wom. suff. in Col., <a href="#Page_1087">1087</a>.</li> +<li>Hale, Gen. Irving, wom. suff. in Col., <a href="#Page_1087">1087</a>.</li> +<li>Hale, Gov. William, wom. suff. in Wy., <a href="#Page_1090">1090</a>.</li> +<li>Haley, Margaret A., <a href="#Page_611">611</a>.</li> +<li>Hall, Florence Howe, farce on wom, suff., <a href="#Page_362">362</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Mass., <a href="#Page_718">718</a>;</li> + <li>writes N. J. chap., <a href="#Page_820">820</a>;</li> + <li>work in N. J., <a href="#Page_822">822</a> et al.;</li> + <li>in R. I., <a href="#Page_920">920</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Hall, Sir John, M. P., bill for wom. suff. in N. Z., <a href="#Page_1026">1026</a>; <a href="#Page_1034">1034</a>.</li> +<li>Hall, Olivia B., <a href="#Page_219">219</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Mich., <a href="#Page_758">758</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Hamilton, Alexander, <a href="#Page_407">407</a>.</li> +<li>Hamilton, Emerine J., <a href="#Page_174">174</a>.</li> +<li>Hamilton, Bishop J. W., <a href="#Page_260">260</a>; <a href="#Page_725">725-6</a>.</li> +<li>Hamlin, Vice-President Hannibal, for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1075">1075</a>.</li> +<li>Hammond, Hon. Henry C., <a href="#Page_244">244</a>.</li> +<li>Hanaford, Rev. Phebe A., at conv. of '84, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>; <a href="#Page_61">61</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>at Int'l Council, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>;</li> + <li>in N. J., <a href="#Page_827">827</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Haney, Mrs. C. S. Burnett, writes Fla. chap., <a href="#Page_577">577-8</a>.</li> +<li>Hansbrough, U. S. Sen. Henry C, for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_546">546</a>.</li> +<li>Harbert, Elizabeth Boynton, at conv. of '84, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>; <a href="#Page_24">24</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>before U. S. Sen. Com., <a href="#Page_39">39</a>; <a href="#Page_115">115</a>; <a href="#Page_164">164</a>; <a href="#Page_176">176</a>; <a href="#Page_407">407</a>;</li> + <li>work in Ills., <a href="#Page_598">598</a>;</li> + <li>for World's Fair, <a href="#Page_610">610</a>;</li> + <li>in N. Y., <a href="#Page_839">839</a>;</li> + <li>in Wis., <a href="#Page_989">989</a>; <a href="#Page_991">991</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Harlan, St. Sen. A. D., <a href="#Page_423">423</a>.</li> +<li>Harlan, Associate Justice John Marshall, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>.</li> +<li><a name="Harper" id="Harper"></a>Harper, Frances E. W., <a href="#Page_425">425</a>.</li> +<li>Harper, Ida Husted, Miss Anthony asks to write Vol. IV, Hist, of Wom. Suff., VII; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>preface, IX;</li> + <li>Author of Life and Work of Susan B. Anthony, <a href="#Page_2">2</a>;</li> + <li>resolutions at conv. of '98, <a href="#Page_290">290</a>; <a href="#Page_291">291</a>;</li> + <li>dept. in N. Y. <i>Sun</i>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>;</li> + <li>at conv. of 1900, <a href="#Page_357">357</a>;</li> + <li>prepares Congress'l. rep., <a href="#Page_366">366</a>; <a href="#Page_482">482</a>; <a href="#Page_487">487</a>; <a href="#Page_488">488</a>;</li> + <li>work in Calif, campn.,490;</li> + <li>work in Ind., <a href="#Page_615">615</a> et al.;</li> + <li>monograph on work of Ind. wom., <a href="#Page_624">624</a>;</li> + <li>at Adams, <a href="#Page_719">719</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1133" id="Page_1133">[Pg 1133]</a></span>Harper, Winnifred (Cooley), <a href="#Page_490">490</a>.</li> +<li>Harrah, Rev. C. C., <a href="#Page_612">612</a>.</li> +<li>Harrison, President Benjamin, <a href="#Page_436">436</a>.</li> +<li>Harrison, Mrs. Benjamin, receives Nat'l Council of Wom., <a href="#Page_183">183</a>.</li> +<li>Harrison, Mayor Carter, <a href="#Page_608">608</a>.</li> +<li>Harrison, Ella, <a href="#Page_632">632</a>; <a href="#Page_783">783</a>; <a href="#Page_791">791</a>.</li> +<li>Haskell, Asst. Atty.-Gen. Ella Knowles, at conv. of '96, <a href="#Page_262">262</a>; <a href="#Page_297">297</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in N. D., <a href="#Page_547">547</a>;</li> + <li>work in Mont., <a href="#Page_797">797</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Hatch, Lavina Allen, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>; <a href="#Page_235">235</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>at conv. of '95, <a href="#Page_240">240</a>; <a href="#Page_263">263</a>;</li> + <li>writes chap., for Hist., <a href="#Page_750">750</a>;</li> + <li>work in Mass., <a href="#Page_752">752</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Havens, Ruth C. D., girl of the future, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Md., <a href="#Page_697">697</a>;</li> + <li>in Va., <a href="#Page_964">964</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Haviland, Laura P., <a href="#Page_344">344</a>.</li> +<li>Hawthorne, Rev. Dr., <a href="#Page_237">237</a>.</li> +<li>Hay, Mary G., <a href="#Page_365">365</a>; <a href="#Page_444">444</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Ariz., <a href="#Page_472">472</a>;</li> + <li>in Cal., <a href="#Page_482">482</a> et al.;</li> + <li>in Col., <a href="#Page_530">530</a>;</li> + <li>in S. D., <a href="#Page_559">559</a>;</li> + <li>in Del., <a href="#Page_563">563</a>;</li> + <li>in Ills., <a href="#Page_599">599</a>;</li> + <li>in Iowa, <a href="#Page_632">632-4</a>;</li> + <li>in Ky., <a href="#Page_667">667</a>;</li> + <li>in La., <a href="#Page_680">680</a>;</li> + <li>in Miss., <a href="#Page_784">784</a>;</li> + <li>in Neb., <a href="#Page_804">804</a>;</li> + <li>in N. M., <a href="#Page_836">836</a>;</li> + <li>in N. Y., <a href="#Page_849">849</a>;</li> + <li>in O., <a href="#Page_880">880</a>;</li> + <li>in Ok., <a href="#Page_887">887</a>;</li> + <li>in Penn., <a href="#Page_900">900</a>;</li> + <li>in Tenn., <a href="#Page_927">927</a>;</li> + <li>in Utah, <a href="#Page_949">949</a>;</li> + <li>in Wash., <a href="#Page_976">976</a>;</li> + <li>in W. Va., <a href="#Page_980">980</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Hayes, Prof. Ellen, <a href="#Page_717">717</a>.</li> +<li>Hayes, President Rutherford B., favors wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1075">1075</a>.</li> +<li>Hayes, Mrs. Rutherford B., rec. Utah delegates, <a href="#Page_937">937</a>.</li> +<li>Hays, Atty.-Gen. S. H., wom. suff. in Idaho, <a href="#Page_1088">1088</a>.</li> +<li>Hayward, Mary Smith, writes Neb. chap., <a href="#Page_802">802</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work in Neb., <a href="#Page_803">803</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Hazlett, Ida Crouch, in Cal., <a href="#Page_487">487</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Neb., <a href="#Page_803">803</a>;</li> + <li>in Ore., <a href="#Page_895">895</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Hearst, Phoebe A., <a href="#Page_506">506</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>endowment to Cal. Univers., <a href="#Page_508">508</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Heartz, St. Rep. Evangeline (Col.), <a href="#Page_522">522</a>; <a href="#Page_524">524</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work in Legis., <a href="#Page_526">526</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Hedenberg, J. W., <a href="#Page_184">184</a>.</li> +<li>Helmer, Bessie Bradwell, <a href="#Page_609">609</a>.</li> +<li>Hemiup, Judge Norton H., <a href="#Page_414">414</a>.</li> +<li>Hemphill, St. Sen. Robert R., at conv. of '95, <a href="#Page_242">242</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in S. C. Legis., <a href="#Page_923">923</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Hemphill, Mrs. W. A., <a href="#Page_251">251</a>.</li> +<li>Henderson, Mary Foote (Mrs. John B.), <a href="#Page_366">366</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>presents portrait of Miss Anthony to Corcoran Gallery, <a href="#Page_405">405</a>; <a href="#Page_569">569</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Henderson, Prof. L. F., on wom. suff. in Idaho, <a href="#Page_595">595</a>.</li> +<li>Henrotin, Ellen M., <a href="#Page_183">183</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work at World's Fair, <a href="#Page_609">609</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Henry, Josephine K., at conv. of '91, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>; <a href="#Page_224">224</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>trib. to Lucy Stone, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>; <a href="#Page_240">240</a>;</li> + <li>southern wom., wants ballot, <a href="#Page_244">244</a>;</li> + <li>legis. rep. <a href="#Page_248">248</a>;</li> + <li>on wom., and electricity, <a href="#Page_249">249</a>;</li> + <li>epigrams, <a href="#Page_340">340</a>;</li> + <li>work in Ky., <a href="#Page_668">668</a> et al.;</li> + <li>in Tenn., <a href="#Page_927">927</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Hepburn, W. P., M. C., <a href="#Page_84">84</a>.</li> +<li>Hereford, Rev. Brooke, <a href="#Page_413">413</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>opp. wom. suff., <a href="#Page_722">722</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Herring, Atty.-Gen. William (Ariz.), <a href="#Page_470">470</a>.</li> +<li>Hewitt, Hon. Abram S., opp. wom. suff., <a href="#Page_857">857</a>.</li> +<li>Higginson, Col. Thomas Wentworth, sp. at Amer. conv. of '87, <a href="#Page_423">423</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Mass., <a href="#Page_706">706</a> et al.; <a href="#Page_712">712</a>;</li> + <li>on anti-suffragists, <a href="#Page_716">716</a>;</li> + <li>petit. for wom. suff. in '53, <a href="#Page_720">720</a>;</li> + <li>in R. I., <a href="#Page_908">908</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Hildreth, Ellen Stephens, writes Ala. chap., work in Ala., <a href="#Page_465">465</a> et al.</li> +<li>Hill, U. S. Sen. David B., <a href="#Page_235">235</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>recom. wom. delegates, <a href="#Page_847">847</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Hill, Eliza Trask, <a href="#Page_746">746</a> et al.</li> +<li>Hinckley, Rev. Frederick A., <a href="#Page_163">163</a>; <a href="#Page_174">174</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>husband and wife one, <a href="#Page_180">180</a>;</li> + <li>on divorce, <a href="#Page_297">297</a>;</li> + <li>in Mass., <a href="#Page_705">705</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_726">726</a>;</li> + <li>work in R. I., <a href="#Page_908">908</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Hindman, Matilda, <a href="#Page_61">61-2</a>; <a href="#Page_426">426</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Col., <a href="#Page_509">509</a>;</li> + <li>in S. D., <a href="#Page_555">555</a>;</li> + <li>in Penn., <a href="#Page_899">899</a>;</li> + <li>in Wash., <a href="#Page_970">970</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Hirschler, Diana, at conv. of 1900, <a href="#Page_362">362</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>on Miss Anthony's birthday, <a href="#Page_398">398</a>;</li> + <li>in Del., <a href="#Page_564">564</a>;</li> + <li>in Me., <a href="#Page_690">690</a>;</li> + <li>in Vt., <a href="#Page_957">957</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Hitt, Robert R., M.C., <a href="#Page_347">347</a>.</li> +<li>Hoar, U. S. Sen. George R., <a href="#Page_12">12</a>; <a href="#Page_108">108</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>spks. in Sen. for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_109">109</a>; <a href="#Page_164">164</a>;</li> + <li>report in favor, greeted by women, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>; <a href="#Page_235">235</a>; <a href="#Page_267">267</a>;</li> + <li>letter to conv. of '88, <a href="#Page_428">428</a>; <a href="#Page_433">433</a>;</li> + <li>assists wom. suff. in Mass., <a href="#Page_704">704</a> et al.; <a href="#Page_1003">1003</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Hodges, Rev. Dean, <a href="#Page_717">717</a>.</li> +<li>Hoffman, Clara C., in S. D., <a href="#Page_558">558</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Kas., <a href="#Page_642">642</a>;</li> + <li>in La., <a href="#Page_679">679</a>;</li> + <li>work in Mo., <a href="#Page_790">790</a> et al.;</li> + <li>in N. J., <a href="#Page_820">820</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Hooker, Isabella Beecher, const'l rights of wom., <a href="#Page_115">115</a>; <a href="#Page_117">117</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>on N. Y. Centen., <a href="#Page_144">144</a>; <a href="#Page_156">156</a>; <a href="#Page_157">157</a>; <a href="#Page_163">163</a>;</li> + <li>at conv. of '90, <a href="#Page_169">169</a>; of '91, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>;</li> + <li>before U. S. Sen. com. of '92, <a href="#Page_189">189</a>;</li> + <li>respect of children, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>;</li> + <li>at conv. of '98, <a href="#Page_296">296</a>; <a href="#Page_298">298</a>;</li> + <li>in 1900, <a href="#Page_358">358</a>;</li> + <li>work in Conn., <a href="#Page_535">535</a> et al.;</li> + <li>in Boston, <a href="#Page_705">705</a>; <a href="#Page_937">937</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Holley, St. Rep. Carrie C., in Col. Legis., <a href="#Page_239">239</a>; <a href="#Page_240">240</a>; <a href="#Page_521">521</a>.</li> +<li>Hollister, Lillian M., <a href="#Page_256">256</a>; trib. to Miss Anthony, <a href="#Page_398">398</a>.</li> +<li>Holly, Myron, <a href="#Page_204">204-5</a>.</li> +<li>Holly, Sally, <a href="#Page_204">204-5</a>; <a href="#Page_227">227</a>.</li> +<li>Holmes, Mary E., writes Ills., chap., work in Ills., <a href="#Page_598">598</a> et al.</li> +<li>Holt, Gov. Thomas M. (N. C.), opp. wom. suff., <a href="#Page_212">212</a>.</li> +<li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1134" id="Page_1134">[Pg 1134]</a></span>Holt, Judge William H., trib. to worn, in business, <a href="#Page_676">676</a>.</li> +<li>Holt, Gov. Thomas M., opp. wom. suff., <a href="#Page_212">212</a>.</li> +<li>Hopper, Isaac T., <a href="#Page_207">207</a>; <a href="#Page_1055">1055</a>.</li> +<li>Home, St. Rep. Alice Merrill, work in Utah Legis., <a href="#Page_954">954</a>.</li> +<li>Horton, Chief Justice Albert H. (Kas.), <a href="#Page_433">433</a>.</li> +<li>Hosmer, Harriet, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>; <a href="#Page_795">795</a>.</li> +<li>Howard, H. Augusta, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>; <a href="#Page_235">235</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>entertains nat'l conv., <a href="#Page_237">237</a>; <a href="#Page_242">242</a>;</li> + <li>work in Ga., <a href="#Page_581">581</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Howe, Chief Justice J. H. (Wy.), wom. on juries, <a href="#Page_1008">1008</a>.</li> +<li>Howe, Julia Ward, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>sp. at Int'l. Council, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>;</li> + <li>chivalry of reform, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a>; <a href="#Page_179">179</a>;</li> + <li>trib. to Lucy Stone, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>;</li> + <li>conv. of '94, <a href="#Page_229">229</a>; <a href="#Page_362">362</a>;</li> + <li>at Amer. conv. of '85, <a href="#Page_411">411</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_414">414</a>;</li> + <li>at conv. of '86, <a href="#Page_419">419</a>; <a href="#Page_423">423</a>;</li> + <li>of '87, <a href="#Page_426">426</a>;</li> + <li>bazar in Boston, <a href="#Page_427">427</a>;</li> + <li>conv. of '88, <a href="#Page_428">428</a>;</li> + <li>appeal to Constit'l. Convs., <a href="#Page_432">432</a>; <a href="#Page_546">546</a>;</li> + <li>in Kas., <a href="#Page_640">640</a>; <a href="#Page_678">678</a>;</li> + <li>in Maine, <a href="#Page_689">689</a>;</li> + <li>in Baltimore, <a href="#Page_695">695</a>;</li> + <li>pres. N. E. and Mass. Ass'ns, <a href="#Page_701">701</a>;</li> + <li>work in Mass., <a href="#Page_702">702</a> et al.; <a href="#Page_712">712</a>; <a href="#Page_720">720</a>;</li> + <li>in Minn., <a href="#Page_772">772</a>;</li> + <li>in N. J., <a href="#Page_821">821</a>;</li> + <li>in N. Y., <a href="#Page_842">842</a>;</li> + <li>in R. I., <a href="#Page_908">908</a> et al.;</li> + <li>in Vt., <a href="#Page_957">957</a>;</li> + <li>in Wis., <a href="#Page_986">986</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Howell, Mary Seymour, at conv. of '84, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>before U. S. Sen. Com., <a href="#Page_39">39</a>;</li> + <li>wom. present and past, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>; <a href="#Page_149">149</a>; <a href="#Page_169">169</a>;</li> + <li>the woman's war, <a href="#Page_231">231</a>;</li> + <li>at conv. of '98, <a href="#Page_293">293</a>; <a href="#Page_358">358</a>; <a href="#Page_536">536</a>;</li> + <li>in S. D. campn., <a href="#Page_555">555</a>;</li> + <li>in Kas., <a href="#Page_642">642</a>;</li> + <li>in Boston, <a href="#Page_706">706</a>;</li> + <li>in Mo., <a href="#Page_790">790</a>;</li> + <li>work in N. Y., <a href="#Page_839">839</a> et al.;</li> + <li>legis. work, <a href="#Page_853">853</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Howells, William Dean, signs suff. petit., <a href="#Page_850">850</a>.</li> +<li>Howland, Emily, <a href="#Page_848">848</a>.</li> +<li>Howland, Isabel, <a href="#Page_851">851</a>.</li> +<li>Hoyt, Gov. John W, <a href="#Page_569">569</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in N. Y., <a href="#Page_840">840</a>;</li> + <li>wom. suff. in Wy., <a href="#Page_1090">1090</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Hoyt, Mrs. John W., <a href="#Page_569">569</a>.</li> +<li>Hubbell, Mr. and Mrs. F. M., <a href="#Page_270">270</a>.</li> +<li>Hubner, Major Charles H., <a href="#Page_242">242</a>.</li> +<li>Hudson, Major J. K., <a href="#Page_417">417</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>at Amer. conv. of '86, <a href="#Page_418">418</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Hughes, Hon. James L., at conv. of '94, <a href="#Page_231">231</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Mass., <a href="#Page_715">715</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Hughes, Gov. L. C., work in Ariz., <a href="#Page_470">470</a> et al.</li> +<li>Hughes, Mrs. L. C., assists on Ariz, chap., work in Ty., <a href="#Page_470">470</a> et al.</li> +<li>Hughes, Thomas (Eng.), <a href="#Page_321">321</a>.</li> +<li>Hultin, Rev. Ida C., at conv. of '91, <a href="#Page_175">175</a>; <a href="#Page_179">179</a>; <a href="#Page_184">184</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>of '94, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>; <a href="#Page_235">235</a>;</li> + <li>sp. at conv. of '97, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>;</li> + <li>of 1900, <a href="#Page_359">359</a>; <a href="#Page_361">361</a>;</li> + <li>on Miss Anthony's birthday, <a href="#Page_397">397</a>;</li> + <li>in Ills., <a href="#Page_599">599</a>;</li> + <li>in Mich., <a href="#Page_758">758</a>;</li> + <li>in Minn., <a href="#Page_774">774</a>;</li> + <li>in Neb., <a href="#Page_804">804</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Humphrey, St. Sen. Lester H., for wom. suff. in N. Y. Legis., <a href="#Page_862">862-3</a>.</li> +<li>Humphrey, Gov. Lyman U. (Kas.), <a href="#Page_433">433</a>; <a href="#Page_652">652</a>; <a href="#Page_762">762</a>.</li> +<li>Hunt, Gov. Frank W., wom. on juries, <a href="#Page_596">596</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>wom. suff. in Idaho, <a href="#Page_1088">1088</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Hunt, Dr. Harriot K., <a href="#Page_295">295</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in '58, <a href="#Page_721">721</a>;</li> + <li>first wom. phys., <a href="#Page_748">748</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Hunt, Jane, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>.</li> +<li>Hunt, Mary H., in Ga., <a href="#Page_585">585</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in N. Y., <a href="#Page_859">859</a>;</li> + <li>on "age of consent," <a href="#Page_866">866</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Hunt, Assoc. Justice Ward, sentences Miss Anthony for voting, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>.</li> +<li>Hunting, Rev. S. S., <a href="#Page_411">411</a>; <a href="#Page_425">425</a>.</li> +<li>Huntington, Arria S., <a href="#Page_843">843</a>.</li> +<li>Hurd, Dr. Ethel E., <a href="#Page_367">367</a>; <a href="#Page_772">772</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work in Minn., <a href="#Page_774">774</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Husted, St. Sp'k'r. James W. (N. Y.), favors wom. suff., <a href="#Page_853">853</a> et al.</li> +<li>Huston, Sup. Judge Joseph W. (Idaho), decis. on wom. suff. amdt., <a href="#Page_593">593</a>.</li> +<li>Hussey, Cornelia Collins, <a href="#Page_417">417</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_820">820</a>;</li> + <li>contributions, <a href="#Page_827">827</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Hussey, Dr. Mary D., writes N. J. chap., <a href="#Page_820">820</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work in N. J., <a href="#Page_824">824</a> et al.;</li> + <li>forms wom. lawyers' club, <a href="#Page_833">833</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Hutchinson, Abby (See Patton).</li> +<li>Hutchinson, John W., <a href="#Page_75">75</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>conv. of '98, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>;</li> + <li>sings at Miss Anthony's birthday, <a href="#Page_396">396</a>;</li> + <li>in Mass., <a href="#Page_705">705</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +</ul> + +<p class="index"><a id="IX_I" name="IX_I"></a>I</p> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Idaho, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVI">Chap. XXXVI</a>.</li> +<li>Ide, U. S. Com. Henry C, <a href="#Page_960">960</a>.</li> +<li>Illinois, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVII">Chap. XXXVII</a>.</li> +<li>Indiana, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVIII">Chap. XXXVIII</a>.</li> +<li>Ingalls, U. S. Sen. John J., opp. wom. suff., <a href="#Page_641">641</a>.</li> +<li>Ingersoll, Robert J., signs suff. petit., <a href="#Page_850">850</a>.</li> +<li>Iowa, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIX">Chap. XXXIX</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<p class="index"><a id="IX_J" name="IX_J"></a>J</p> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Jackson, Francis, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>.</li> +<li>Jackson, Dr. James C., <a href="#Page_205">205</a>; <a href="#Page_259">259</a>.</li> +<li>Jackson, Lottie Wilson, <a href="#Page_343">343</a>.</li> +<li>Jackson, Dr. Mary B., <a href="#Page_295">295</a>.</li> +<li>Jacobi, Dr. Mary Putnam, in Boston, <a href="#Page_715">715</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in N. Y. camp'n., <a href="#Page_850">850</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Jacobs, Judge Orange J., in Wash., <a href="#Page_969">969</a>; <a href="#Page_976">976</a>; <a href="#Page_1096">1096</a>.</li> +<li>James, Helen Mosher, <a href="#Page_391">391</a>; <a href="#Page_900">900</a>.</li> +<li>Jenkins, Helen Philleo, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>on wom. in Philippines, <a href="#Page_331">331</a>;</li> + <li>work in Mich., <a href="#Page_756">756</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Jenkins, Theresa A., <a href="#Page_253">253</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Col., <a href="#Page_516">516</a>;</li> + <li>part in Wy. celebration, <a href="#Page_1004">1004-5</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Jenney, Julie R., <a href="#Page_255">255</a>.</li> +<li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1135" id="Page_1135">[Pg 1135]</a></span>Jennings, Gov. William S. (Fla.), <a href="#Page_579">579</a>.</li> +<li>Johns, Laura M., <a href="#Page_149">149</a>; <a href="#Page_156">156</a>; <a href="#Page_164">164</a>; <a href="#Page_174">174</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>on work in Kas., <a href="#Page_220">220</a>;</li> + <li>at conv. of '94, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>; <a href="#Page_224">224</a>; <a href="#Page_248">248</a>; <a href="#Page_263">263</a>;</li> + <li>in Idaho, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>;</li> + <li>conv. of 1900, <a href="#Page_367">367</a>;</li> + <li>work in Ariz., <a href="#Page_470">470-1</a>; <a href="#Page_513">513</a>;</li> + <li>in N. D., <a href="#Page_546">546</a>;</li> + <li>in S. D. camp'n., <a href="#Page_555">555</a>;</li> + <li>in Idaho camp'n., <a href="#Page_591">591</a>;</li> + <li>in Iowa, <a href="#Page_631">631</a>;</li> + <li>assists on Kas. chap., <a href="#Page_638">638</a>;</li> + <li>work in Kas., <a href="#Page_639">639</a> et al.;</li> + <li>suggests yellow ribbon suff. badge, <a href="#Page_640">640</a>;</li> + <li>describes Mrs. Diggs' sp., <a href="#Page_646">646</a>;</li> + <li>legis. work, <a href="#Page_650">650</a>;</li> + <li>in Boston, <a href="#Page_706">706</a>; <a href="#Page_762">762</a>;</li> + <li>in Minn., <a href="#Page_773">773</a>;</li> + <li>in Mo., <a href="#Page_790">790-1</a>;</li> + <li>in N. M., <a href="#Page_835">835</a>;</li> + <li>in Ok., <a href="#Page_887">887</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Johnson, Addie M., <a href="#Page_632">632</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>writes Mo. chap., <a href="#Page_790">790</a>;</li> + <li>work in Mo., <a href="#Page_791">791</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Johnson, Adelaide, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>.</li> +<li>Johnson, Martin N., M. C., <a href="#Page_189">189</a>; <a href="#Page_546">546</a>.</li> +<li>Johnson, Mrs. Rossiter, opposes wom. suff., <a href="#Page_382">382</a>; <a href="#Page_863">863</a>.</li> +<li>Jones, J. Elizabeth, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>.</li> +<li>Jones, U. S. Sen. James K., III; opp. wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1002">1002</a>.</li> +<li>Jones, Jenkyn Lloyd, <a href="#Page_705">705</a>.</li> +<li>Jones, Gov. John P. (Nev.), recom. wom. suff. amd't, <a href="#Page_813">813</a>.</li> +<li>Jones, Mrs. W. H., polit. del., <a href="#Page_439">439</a>.</li> +<li>Jordan, David Starr, pres. Stanford Univ., <a href="#Page_480">480</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_483">483</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Julian, George W., M. C., <a href="#Page_23">23</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_614">614</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Julian, Laura Giddings, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>; <a href="#Page_410">410</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<p class="index"><a id="IX_K" name="IX_K"></a>K</p> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Kansas, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_XL">Chap. XL</a>.</li> +<li>Kearney, Belle, at conv. of '98, <a href="#Page_293">293</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Miss., <a href="#Page_789">789</a>;</li> + <li>in N. C., <a href="#Page_874">874</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Keating, Martha A., <a href="#Page_324">324</a>.</li> +<li>Keefer, Bessie Starr (Canada), <a href="#Page_136">136</a>; <a href="#Page_140">140</a>.</li> +<li>Keifer, J. Warren, M. C., <a href="#Page_31">31</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>sp. for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_32">32</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Keith, Mrs. William A., <a href="#Page_479">479</a> et al.</li> +<li>Kelley, Florence, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>working wom. need ballot, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>;</li> + <li>secures factory inspec. law, <a href="#Page_604">604</a>; <a href="#Page_608">608</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Kelley, William D., M. C., spks. at suff. conv., <a href="#Page_147">147</a>; <a href="#Page_174">174</a>.</li> +<li>Kellogg, Atty.-Gen. L. B. (Kas.), <a href="#Page_433">433</a>; <a href="#Page_656">656</a>; <a href="#Page_762">762</a>.</li> +<li>Kelly, Abby (<i>See</i> <a href="#Foster">Foster</a>).</li> +<li>Kelsey, Mary Atwater, <a href="#Page_323">323</a>.</li> +<li>Kelsey, St. Rep. Otto, for wom. suff. in N. Y. Legis., <a href="#Page_860">860</a> et seq.</li> +<li>Kent, Rev. Alexander, wom. and Hebrew scriptures, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>.</li> +<li>Kentucky, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_XLI">Chap. XLI</a>.</li> +<li>Kepley, Ada H., first wom. law grad., <a href="#Page_610">610</a>.</li> +<li>Ketcham, Emily B., <a href="#Page_235">235</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>conv. of '99, <a href="#Page_322">322-3</a>;</li> + <li>work in Mich., <a href="#Page_755">755</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Keyser, Harriette A., <a href="#Page_256">256</a>; <a href="#Page_263">263</a>.</li> +<li>Kilgore, Carrie Burnham, contest for right to prac. law in Penn., <a href="#Page_904">904</a>.</li> +<li>Kimball, Flora M., <a href="#Page_345">345</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work in Cal., <a href="#Page_496">496</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Kimball, Sarah M., <a href="#Page_345">345</a>.</li> +<li>Kimber, Helen L., <a href="#Page_644">644</a> et al.; <a href="#Page_774">774</a>.</li> +<li>King, Henrietta, largest cattle owner, <a href="#Page_934">934</a>.</li> +<li>King, William H., M. C., <a href="#Page_941">941</a>.</li> +<li>Kingman, Judge John W., wom. suff. in Wy., <a href="#Page_1092">1092</a>.</li> +<li>Kingsbury, Elizabeth A., <a href="#Page_494">494</a>.</li> +<li>Klock, St. Rep. Frances S. (Col.), <a href="#Page_521">521</a></li> +<li>Knox, Dr. Janette Hill, writes chap. for N. D., <a href="#Page_544">544</a>; <a href="#Page_551">551</a>.</li> +<li>Knaggs, May Stocking, at conv. of '96, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>of '99, <a href="#Page_324">324</a>;</li> + <li>writes Mich. chap., <a href="#Page_755">755</a>;</li> + <li>work in Mich., <a href="#Page_756">756</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Kollock, Rev. Florence (<i>See</i> <a href="#Crooker">Crooker</a>).</li> +<li>Korany, Hanna (Syria), <a href="#Page_221">221</a>; <a href="#Page_228">228</a>.</li> +<li>Krog, Gina (Norway), <a href="#Page_1041">1041</a>.</li> +<li>Krout, Mary H., <a href="#Page_613">613</a>.</li> +<li>Kyle, U. S. Sen. James H., for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_559">559</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<p class="index"><a id="IX_L" name="IX_L"></a>L</p> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li><a name="Lake" id="Lake">Lake</a>, Leonora M. Barry, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>; <a href="#Page_509">509</a>; <a href="#Page_516">516</a>.</li> +<li>Lamar, Gov. W. B. (Fla.), <a href="#Page_578">578</a>.</li> +<li>Langford, Sup. Judge Wm. G. (Wash.), <a href="#Page_1098">1098</a>.</li> +<li>Langhorne, Orra, old-time South. wom., <a href="#Page_212">212</a>; <a href="#Page_228">228</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work in Va., <a href="#Page_964">964</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Lapham, U. S. Sen. Elbridge G., <a href="#Page_12">12</a>; <a href="#Page_36">36</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>rep. in favor of wom. suff., <a href="#Page_47">47</a>; <a href="#Page_89">89</a>; <a href="#Page_174">174</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Laughlin, Gail, wage-earning wom., <a href="#Page_360">360</a>; <a href="#Page_361">361</a>; <a href="#Page_739">739</a>.</li> +<li>Lauterbach, Hon. Edward, sp. for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_852">852</a>.</li> +<li>Lawrence, Margaret Stanton, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>.</li> +<li>Leach, Antoinette D., suit to practice law in Ind., <a href="#Page_626">626</a>.</li> +<li>Lease, Mary E., <a href="#Page_617">617</a>; <a href="#Page_657">657</a>.</li> +<li>Le Barthe, St. Rep. Eurithe (Utah), <a href="#Page_953">953</a>.</li> +<li>Lee, St. Rep. Frances S. (Col.), <a href="#Page_523">523</a>.</li> +<li>Leedy, Gov. John W. (Kas.), <a href="#Page_657">657</a>.</li> +<li>Leggett, Lucy A., <a href="#Page_323">323</a>.</li> +<li>Leonard, Clara T., <a href="#Page_107">107</a>; <a href="#Page_721">721</a>.</li> +<li>Leonard, Emily J., <a href="#Page_410">410</a>.</li> +<li>Levanway, Dr. Charlotte, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>.</li> +<li>Lewelling, Gov. L. D. (Kas.), opp. wom. suff., <a href="#Page_645">645</a>; <a href="#Page_657">657</a>.</li> +<li>Lewis, Helen Morris, <a href="#Page_263">263</a>; <a href="#Page_696">696</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in S. C., <a href="#Page_922">922</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Lewis, Hon. Isaac C., <a href="#Page_536">536</a>.</li> +<li>Lincoln, President Abraham, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>favors wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1075">1075</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1136" id="Page_1136">[Pg 1136]</a></span>Lincoln, Judge Charles Z., <a href="#Page_858">858</a>; <a href="#Page_864">864</a>.</li> +<li>Lind, Gov. John (Minn.), <a href="#Page_780">780</a>.</li> +<li>Lindhagen, Carl, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>.</li> +<li>Lindsay, U. S. Sen. William, woman's property bill in Ky., <a href="#Page_668">668</a>.</li> +<li>Lippincott, Chancellor J. A., <a href="#Page_423">423</a>.</li> +<li>Lippincott, Sara J. (<i>See</i> <a href="#Greenwood">Greenwood</a>).</li> +<li>Livermore, Rev. Danled P., <a href="#Page_701">701</a> et al.</li> +<li>Livermore, Mary A., <a href="#Page_407">407</a>; <a href="#Page_408">408</a>; <a href="#Page_410">410</a>; <a href="#Page_411">411</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>let. to Amer. conv. of '85, <a href="#Page_412">412</a>; <a href="#Page_426">426</a>; <a href="#Page_427">427</a>;</li> + <li>appeal to Constitl. Convs., <a href="#Page_432">432</a>; <a href="#Page_517">517</a>;</li> + <li>in Maine, <a href="#Page_689">689</a>;</li> + <li>work in Mass., <a href="#Page_704">704</a> et al.; <a href="#Page_712">712</a>;</li> + <li>golden wed., <a href="#Page_715">715</a>;</li> + <li>made LL. D., <a href="#Page_717">717</a>;</li> + <li>Sanit. Com., <a href="#Page_719">719</a>;</li> + <li>80th birthday, <a href="#Page_720">720</a>; <a href="#Page_732">732</a>;</li> + <li>on mock referendum, <a href="#Page_734">734</a>;</li> + <li>in N. J., <a href="#Page_821">821</a>;</li> + <li>in R. I., <a href="#Page_910">910</a>; <a href="#Page_920">920</a>;</li> + <li>in Vt., <a href="#Page_957">957</a>;</li> + <li>in Wis., <a href="#Page_985">985</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_986">986</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_989">989</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + </ul></li> +<li>Locke, Josephine E., <a href="#Page_927">927</a>.</li> +<li>Lockwood, Belva A., <a href="#Page_18">18</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>admit, to Sup. Ct., <a href="#Page_33">33</a>; <a href="#Page_75">75</a>;</li> + <li>wom. journalists, <a href="#Page_343">343</a>; <a href="#Page_569">569</a>; <a href="#Page_571">571</a>; <a href="#Page_575">575</a>; <a href="#Page_640">640</a>;</li> + <li>spks. for Utah wom., <a href="#Page_939">939</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Lockwood, Mary S., wom. at Columb. Expos., <a href="#Page_211">211</a>; <a href="#Page_254">254</a>; <a href="#Page_569">569</a>; <a href="#Page_575">575</a>.</li> +<li>Logan, Mrs. John A., <a href="#Page_164">164</a>.</li> +<li>Logan, Millie Burtis, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>.</li> +<li>Long, Secy, of the Navy John D., <a href="#Page_346">346</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>assists suff. work in Mass., <a href="#Page_707">707</a> et al.; <a href="#Page_727">727</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Longfellow, Rev. Samuel G., <a href="#Page_703">703</a>.</li> +<li>Longley, Margaret V., <a href="#Page_494">494</a>.</li> +<li>Longshore, Dr. Hannah Myers, <a href="#Page_905">905</a>.</li> +<li>Longshore, Dr. Joseph S., work for Wom. Med. Coll. in Phila., <a href="#Page_905">905</a>.</li> +<li>Lord, Gov. and Mrs. William P. (Ore.), on suff. platform, <a href="#Page_891">891</a>.</li> +<li>Lore, Chief Justice Charles B. (Del.), <a href="#Page_565">565</a>.</li> +<li>Lorimer, George G., D. D., <a href="#Page_718">718</a>.</li> +<li>Louisiana, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_XLII">Chap. XLII</a>.</li> +<li>Love, Alfred H., <a href="#Page_300">300</a>.</li> +<li>Low, Mayor Seth, <a href="#Page_872">872</a>.</li> +<li>Lowell, Francis C., pres. anti-suff. ass'n., <a href="#Page_735">735</a>.</li> +<li>Lowell, Josephine Shaw, <a href="#Page_850">850</a>; <a href="#Page_856">856</a>.</li> +<li>Lozier, Dr. Abram W., <a href="#Page_259">259</a>.</li> +<li>Lozier, Dr. Clemence S., <a href="#Page_16">16</a>; <a href="#Page_146">146</a>; <a href="#Page_295">295</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work in N. Y., <a href="#Page_840">840</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Lucas, Margaret Bright (Eng.), <a href="#Page_22">22</a>; <a href="#Page_124">124</a>; <a href="#Page_174">174</a>; <a href="#Page_423">423</a>.</li> +<li>Lucas, W. B., M. C., <a href="#Page_559">559</a>.</li> +<li>Luce, Gov. Cyrus G. (Mich.), <a href="#Page_756">756</a>.</li> +<li>Lusk, Hon. Hugh H. (N. Z.), <a href="#Page_719">719</a>.</li> +<li>Lux, Miranda, donat. to educat., <a href="#Page_507">507</a>.</li> +<li>Lyne, Sir William, Premier N. S. W., for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1030">1030</a>.</li> +<li>Lynes, J. Colton, <a href="#Page_244">244</a>.</li> +<li>Lyon, Mary, <a href="#Page_320">320</a>; <a href="#Page_355">355</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<p class="index"><a id="IX_M" name="IX_M"></a>M</p> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>MacDonald, Sir John, Premier of Canada, bill for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1034">1034</a>.</li> +<li>Machen, August W., <a href="#Page_297">297</a>.</li> +<li>Macomber, Mattie Locke, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>.</li> +<li>Maddox, Etta, obtains right for wom. to prac. law in Md., <a href="#Page_700">700</a>.</li> +<li>Madison, Pres. James, on Fed. Suff., <a href="#Page_7">7</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>;</li> + <li>a vote necessary, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Maguire, James G., M. C., <a href="#Page_480">480</a>; <a href="#Page_489">489</a>.</li> +<li>Maine, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_XLIII">Chap. XLIII</a>.</li> +<li>Marble, Ella M. S., <a href="#Page_157">157</a>; <a href="#Page_176">176</a>; <a href="#Page_201">201</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Dak., <a href="#Page_546">546</a>; in N. M., <a href="#Page_835">835</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Marsh, Annie McLean, <a href="#Page_430">430</a>.</li> +<li>Marshall, Dean Clara, M. D., <a href="#Page_296">296</a>; <a href="#Page_904">904</a>.</li> +<li>Marshall, Marie (Paris), <a href="#Page_711">711</a>.</li> +<li>Martin, E. W., M. C., <a href="#Page_559">559</a>.</li> +<li>Martin, Ellen A., <a href="#Page_600">600</a>; <a href="#Page_604">604</a>; <a href="#Page_609">609</a>.</li> +<li>Martin, Gov. John A. (Kas.), signs + <ul class="IX"> + <li>munic. wom. suff. bill, <a href="#Page_651">651</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Martin, Juliet N., <a href="#Page_417">417</a>.</li> +<li>Maryland, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_XLIV">Chap. XLIV</a>.</li> +<li>Mason, Evaleen L., <a href="#Page_201">201</a>.</li> +<li>Mason, Prof. Otis T., <a href="#Page_328">328</a>; <a href="#Page_331">331</a>.</li> +<li>Massachusetts, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_XLV">Chap. XLV</a>.</li> +<li>Massachusetts Nat'l., names for, <a href="#Page_750">750</a>.</li> +<li>Maxwell, Claudia Howard, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>entertains nat'l. conv., <a href="#Page_237">237</a>; <a href="#Page_581">581</a>; <a href="#Page_582">582</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>May, Abby W., <a href="#Page_146">146</a>.</li> +<li>May, Rev. Samuel J., <a href="#Page_227">227</a>; <a href="#Page_702">702</a>.</li> +<li>Maybury, William C., M. C., rep. against wom. suff., <a href="#Page_47">47</a>.</li> +<li>Maynard, Rev. Mila Tupper (<i>See</i> Tupper).</li> +<li>McAdam, Chief Justice, right of wom. to hold office in N. Y., <a href="#Page_1095">1095</a>.</li> +<li>McAdow, Clara L., <a href="#Page_554">554</a>; work in Mont., <a href="#Page_797">797</a>.</li> +<li>McCall, Samuel Walker, M. C., <a href="#Page_712">712</a>.</li> +<li>McClintock, Mary Ann, <a href="#Page_288">288</a>.</li> +<li>McCoid, Moses A., M. C., rep. in favor of wom. suff., <a href="#Page_52">52</a>.</li> +<li>McComas, Alice Moore, <a href="#Page_480">480</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Ore., <a href="#Page_893">893</a>;</li> + <li>writes S. Calif, chap., <a href="#Page_494">494</a>; <a href="#Page_495">495</a>; <a href="#Page_497">497</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>McConnell, Amanda, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>.</li> +<li>McConnelly, Mary A., <a href="#Page_323">323</a>.</li> +<li>McCulloch, Catharine Waugh, <a href="#Page_276">276</a>; <a href="#Page_297">297</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>before House com. of 1900, <a href="#Page_378">378</a>; <a href="#Page_393">393</a>; <a href="#Page_443">443</a>; <a href="#Page_598">598</a>;</li> + <li>work in Ills. Legis., <a href="#Page_602">602</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_603">603</a>;</li> + </ul></li> + <li>for trustees St. Univ., <a href="#Page_606">606</a>, <a href="#Page_607">607</a>; <a href="#Page_616">616</a>; <a href="#Page_630">630</a>; <a href="#Page_696">696</a>;</li> + <li>in Wis., <a href="#Page_989">989</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>McCulloch, Sec. of the Treasury Hugh, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>.</li> +<li>McDiarmid, Clara A., <a href="#Page_475">475</a>.</li> +<li>McDonald, Eva (Mrs. Valesh), <a href="#Page_782">782</a>.</li> +<li>McGlynn, Dr. Edward, spks. for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_843">843</a>.</li> +<li>McKinley, President William, appoints wom. com'r. to Paris Expos., <a href="#Page_367">367</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>courtesy to suff. ass'n and Miss Anthony, <a href="#Page_384">384</a>; <a href="#Page_570">570</a>; <a href="#Page_1010">1010</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>McKinley, Mrs. William, <a href="#Page_384">384</a>.</li> +<li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1137" id="Page_1137">[Pg 1137]</a></span>McLaren, Priscilla Bright, wom. suff. in Eng. and America, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>for Int'l. Council, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>; <a href="#Page_135">135</a>; <a href="#Page_301">301</a>; <a href="#Page_366">366</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>McLean, Mrs. John R., <a href="#Page_262">262</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>luncheon for Miss Anthony, <a href="#Page_291">291</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>McLendon, Mary L., welcomes nat'l. conv., <a href="#Page_242">242</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>writes Ga. chap., <a href="#Page_581">581</a>; <a href="#Page_583">583</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>McMillan, U. S. Sen. James, <a href="#Page_571">571</a>; <a href="#Page_572">572</a>.</li> +<li>McPherson, Mary E., <a href="#Page_59">59</a>.</li> +<li>McQuaid, Bishop, for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_366">366</a>.</li> +<li>McSherry, Justice C. J. (Md.), denies right of wom. to prac. law, <a href="#Page_700">700</a>.</li> +<li>McVicar, Mayor John, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>.</li> +<li>Mead, Elizabeth Storrs, pres. Mt. Holyoke Coll., <a href="#Page_709">709</a>.</li> +<li>Mellette, Gov. Arthur C. (S. D.), <a href="#Page_559">559</a>.</li> +<li>Mendenhall, Dinah, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>.</li> +<li>Meredith, Ellis, <a href="#Page_222">222</a>; <a href="#Page_235">235</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>writes Colo. chap., <a href="#Page_509">509</a>; <a href="#Page_513">513</a> et al.;</li> + <li>in N. J., <a href="#Page_825">825</a>;</li> + <li>in Utah, <a href="#Page_947">947</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Meredith, Emily R., writes Colo. chap., <a href="#Page_509">509</a>.</li> +<li>Meriwether, Elizabeth Avery, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>; <a href="#Page_76">76</a>; <a href="#Page_79">79</a>.</li> +<li>Meriwether, Lee, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>.</li> +<li>Meriwether, Lida A., <a href="#Page_182">182</a>; <a href="#Page_187">187</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>sp. before U. S. Senate com., <a href="#Page_195">195</a>; <a href="#Page_242">242</a>; <a href="#Page_247">247</a>; <a href="#Page_475">475</a>;</li> + <li>in Mich., <a href="#Page_757">757</a>;</li> + <li>writes Tenn. chap., work in Tenn., <a href="#Page_926">926</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Merrick, Caroline E., <a href="#Page_61">61</a>; <a href="#Page_81">81</a>; <a href="#Page_140">140</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>sp. at conv. of '95, <a href="#Page_243">243</a>;</li> + <li>work in La., <a href="#Page_678">678</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Merrick, Chief Justice Edwin T. (La.), <a href="#Page_275">275</a>; <a href="#Page_678">678</a>.</li> +<li>Merrill, Estelle M. H., <a href="#Page_710">710</a>.</li> +<li>Merritt, Dr. Salome, <a href="#Page_730">730</a>; <a href="#Page_750">750</a>.</li> +<li>Michigan, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_XLVI">Chap. XLVI</a>.</li> +<li>Mill, John Stuart, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>; <a href="#Page_1019">1019</a>.</li> +<li>Miller, Annie Jenness, <a href="#Page_615">615</a>; <a href="#Page_854">854</a>.</li> +<li>Miller, Caroline Hallowell, sp. at conv. of '84, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>; <a href="#Page_72">72</a>; <a href="#Page_114">114</a>; <a href="#Page_147">147</a>; <a href="#Page_187">187</a>; <a href="#Page_263">263</a>; <a href="#Page_296">296</a>; <a href="#Page_391">391</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work in Md., <a href="#Page_695">695</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Miller, Elizabeth Smith, <a href="#Page_435">435</a>; <a href="#Page_844">844</a>; <a href="#Page_861">861</a>.</li> +<li>Mills, C. D. B., <a href="#Page_847">847</a>.</li> +<li>Mills, Harriet May, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>; <a href="#Page_265">265</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>sp. on educat'l freedom, <a href="#Page_354">354</a>;</li> + <li>in Cal., <a href="#Page_487">487</a>;</li> + <li>in Mich., <a href="#Page_750">750</a>;</li> + <li>work in N. Y., <a href="#Page_847">847</a> et al.;</li> + <li>in O., <a href="#Page_880">880</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Minnesota, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_XLVII">Chap. XLVI</a>I.</li> +<li>Minor, Francis, wom. suff. under 14th amend., <a href="#Page_3">3</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>before U. S. Sup. Ct., <a href="#Page_5">5</a>;</li> + <li>on Fed. Suff., <a href="#Page_6">6</a>; <a href="#Page_204">204</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Minor, Virginia L., vote, trial and decision, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Sup. Ct. reference to same, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>; <a href="#Page_17">17</a>;</li> + <li>right of women to vote under Const'n., <a href="#Page_78">78</a>; <a href="#Page_152">152</a>; <a href="#Page_153">153</a>; <a href="#Page_156">156</a>; <a href="#Page_157">157</a>; <a href="#Page_162">162</a>; <a href="#Page_250">250</a>; <a href="#Page_295">295</a>;</li> + <li>work in Mo., <a href="#Page_790">790</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Mississippi, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_XLVIII">Chap. XLVIII</a>.</li> +<li>Missouri, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_XLIX">Chap. XLIX</a>.</li> +<li>Mitchell, U. S. Sen. John A., rep. for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_12">12</a>.</li> +<li>Mitchell, Lucretia, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>.</li> +<li>Mitchell, Maria, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>.</li> +<li>Montana, names for, Chap. L.</li> +<li>Moore, Rev. Henrietta G., <a href="#Page_558">558</a>; <a href="#Page_563">563</a>; <a href="#Page_632">632</a>; <a href="#Page_696">696</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in O., <a href="#Page_879">879</a>;</li> + <li>in W. Va., <a href="#Page_980">980</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Moore, Laura, writes Vt. chap., work in Vt., <a href="#Page_957">957</a> et al.</li> +<li>Moore, Margaret (Ireland), <a href="#Page_135">135</a>; <a href="#Page_703">703</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in N. Y., <a href="#Page_840">840</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Moore, Rebecca (Eng.), <a href="#Page_705">705</a>.</li> +<li>Morgan, U. S. Sen. John T., <a href="#Page_347">347</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>advises wom. taxpayers' suff., <a href="#Page_468">468</a>;</li> + <li>opp. wom. suff. in Wy., <a href="#Page_1001">1001</a>, <a href="#Page_1002">1002</a>;</li> + <li>favors taxpayers' suff. in Ala., <a href="#Page_1002">1002</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Morgan, Sup. Judge John T. (Idaho), decis. on wom. suff. amdt., <a href="#Page_593">593</a>.</li> +<li>Morris, Judge Esther, first wom. justice of peace, <a href="#Page_994">994</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>presents flag to Wy., <a href="#Page_1004">1004</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Morris, Gov. Luzon B. (N. J.), <a href="#Page_537">537</a>.</li> +<li>Morris, Hon. Robert C., assists on Wy. chap., <a href="#Page_994">994</a>.</li> +<li>Morrison, Frank, <a href="#Page_359">359</a>.</li> +<li>Morrison, Mrs. (L. A.), <a href="#Page_19">19</a>.</li> +<li>Morrow, Lena, <a href="#Page_337">337</a>; <a href="#Page_792">792</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in Ore., <a href="#Page_895">895</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Morse, Elijah, M. C., <a href="#Page_718">718</a>.</li> +<li>Mosher, Prof. Frances Stewart, <a href="#Page_293">293</a>.</li> +<li>Mott, James, <a href="#Page_299">299</a>.</li> +<li>Mott, Lucretia, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>; <a href="#Page_205">205</a>; <a href="#Page_227">227</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>truth for authority, <a href="#Page_260">260</a>; <a href="#Page_264">264</a>; <a href="#Page_288">288</a>; <a href="#Page_294">294</a>; <a href="#Page_295">295</a>; <a href="#Page_299">299</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Murdock, Mrs. W. A., <a href="#Page_1069">1069</a>.</li> +<li>Murphy, Claudia Quigley, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>.</li> +<li>Murphy, Eliza, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>.</li> +<li>Murphy, Gov. N. O. (Ariz.), recommends wom. suff., <a href="#Page_472">472</a>.</li> +<li>Mussey, Dean Ellen Spencer, <a href="#Page_569">569</a>; <a href="#Page_574">574</a>; <a href="#Page_575">575</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<p class="index"><a id="IX_N" name="IX_N"></a>N</p> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Names of eminent persons in favor of wom. suff., beginning <a href="#Page_1075">1075</a>.</li> +<li>Nebraska, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_LI">Chap. LI</a>.</li> +<li>Neblett, A. Viola, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>; <a href="#Page_922">922</a>.</li> +<li>Nelson, Julia Ballard, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>; <a href="#Page_77">77</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>financial side of wom. suff., <a href="#Page_79">79</a>; <a href="#Page_547">547</a>;</li> + <li>in S. D. campn., <a href="#Page_555">555</a>;</li> + <li>writes Minn. chap., work in St., <a href="#Page_772">772</a> et al.;</li> + <li>legis. work, <a href="#Page_775">775</a>;</li> + <li>in Neb., <a href="#Page_803">803</a>;</li> + <li>in N. M., <a href="#Page_835">835</a>;</li> + <li>in Ok., <a href="#Page_886">886</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Nevada, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_LII">Chap. LII</a>.</li> +<li>New Hampshire, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_LIII">Chap. LIII</a>.</li> +<li>New Jersey, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_LIV">Chap. LIV</a>.</li> +<li>New Mexico, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_LV">Chap. LV</a>.</li> +<li>New York, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_LVI">Chap. LVI</a>.</li> +<li>New South Wales, names for, <a href="#Page_1029">1029</a>.</li> +<li>New Zealand, names for, <a href="#Page_1025">1025</a>.</li> +<li>Newcomb, Josephine Louise, endows college in La., <a href="#Page_688">688</a>.</li> +<li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1138" id="Page_1138">[Pg 1138]</a></span>Newell, Gov. William A. (Wash.), <a href="#Page_967">967</a>.</li> +<li>Newman, Bishop John P., in fav. of wom. suff., opens conv., <a href="#Page_112">112</a>.</li> +<li>Newton, Rev. Heber, signs suff. petit., <a href="#Page_850">850</a>.</li> +<li>Neymann, Clara, German and Amer. independence, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>; <a href="#Page_77">77</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>before House Com., <a href="#Page_81">81</a>; <a href="#Page_117">117</a>; <a href="#Page_187">187</a>; <a href="#Page_298">298</a>;</li> + <li>in Md., <a href="#Page_695">695</a>;</li> + <li>in N. Y., <a href="#Page_840">840</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Nichol, Elizabeth Pease (Scot.), <a href="#Page_22">22</a>.</li> +<li>Nichols, Clarina I. Howard, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>; <a href="#Page_294">294</a>.</li> +<li>Nixon, St. Spkr. F. S., N. Y., <a href="#Page_846">846</a>; <a href="#Page_858">858</a>; <a href="#Page_863">863</a>.</li> +<li>Nordhoff, Charles, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>.</li> +<li>North Carolina, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_LVII">Chap. LVII</a>.</li> +<li>Nozaleda, Archbishop, <a href="#Page_348">348</a>.</li> +<li>Nye, Edgar Wilson (Bill Nye), in favor of wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1006">1006</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<p class="index"><a id="IX_O" name="IX_O"></a>O</p> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Oates, William C., M. C., opp. wom. suff., <a href="#Page_999">999</a>.</li> +<li>Obenchain, Lida Calvert, <a href="#Page_927">927</a>.</li> +<li>Obermann, Mr., pres. Brewers' Ass'n., <a href="#Page_448">448</a>.</li> +<li>Odell, Gov. Benjamin F. (N. Y.), for wom. taxpayers' suff., <a href="#Page_862">862</a>; <a href="#Page_864">864</a>.</li> +<li>Ohio, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_LVIII">Chap. LVIII</a>.</li> +<li>Oklahoma, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_LIX">Chap. LIX</a>.</li> +<li>Oliver, Rev. Anna, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>trib. of Miss Shaw, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>; <a href="#Page_207">207</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Oregon, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_LX">Chap. LX</a>.</li> +<li>Osborne, Eliza Wright, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>; <a href="#Page_342">342</a>; <a href="#Page_842">842</a>.</li> +<li>Otis, James, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, on virtual represent.</li> +<li>Otis, Mrs. John G., <a href="#Page_220">220</a>.</li> +<li>Owen, Robert Dale, <a href="#Page_619">619</a>.</li> +<li>Owen, Rosamond Dale, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<p class="index"><a id="IX_P" name="IX_P"></a>P</p> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Palmer, Bertha Honoré, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>; <a href="#Page_367">367</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>at Paris Expos., <a href="#Page_608">608</a>;</li> + <li>at Columb. Expos., <a href="#Page_609">609</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Palmer, Fanny Purdy. <a href="#Page_711">711</a>; <a href="#Page_917">917</a>; <a href="#Page_918">918</a>.</li> +<li>Palmer, U. S. Sen. Thomas W., <a href="#Page_12">12</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>rep. in favor of wom. suff., <a href="#Page_47">47</a>;</li> + <li>Senate sp. in favor, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>; <a href="#Page_127">127</a>; <a href="#Page_164">164</a>; <a href="#Page_366">366</a>; <a href="#Page_554">554</a>;</li> + <li>in Mich., <a href="#Page_755">755</a>; <a href="#Page_756">756</a>;</li> + <li>ad. Mich. suff. conv., <a href="#Page_758">758</a>, <a href="#Page_762">762</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Pardee, Lillie, <a href="#Page_948">948-9</a>.</li> +<li>Parker, Frances Stuart, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>.</li> +<li>Parker, Margaret E. (Eng.), for Int'l. Council, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>; <a href="#Page_840">840</a>.</li> +<li>Parker, Theodore, <a href="#Page_720">720</a>.</li> +<li>Parkes, Sir Henry, Premier N. S. W., bill for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1029">1029</a>; <a href="#Page_1030">1030</a>.</li> +<li>Parkman, Francis, <a href="#Page_413">413</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>opp. wom. suff., <a href="#Page_721">721</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Parnell, Delia Stewart, in N. Y., <a href="#Page_840">840</a>.</li> +<li>Parrott, Lieut.-Gov. (Iowa), <a href="#Page_279">279</a>.</li> +<li>Passmore, Elizabeth B., <a href="#Page_366">366</a>; <a href="#Page_900">900</a>.</li> +<li>Patterson, Katherine A. G. (Mrs. Thomas M.), <a href="#Page_515">515</a> et al.</li> +<li>Patterson, U. S. Sen. Thomas M., <a href="#Page_522">522</a>; <a href="#Page_525">525</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>wom. suff. in Col., <a href="#Page_1088">1088</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Patton, Abby Hutchinson, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>.</li> +<li>Patton, St. Supt. Pub. Instruct. Grace Espy (Col.), <a href="#Page_293">293</a>.</li> +<li>Paul, A. Emmagene, wom. in street-cleaning dept., <a href="#Page_364">364</a>; <a href="#Page_608">608</a>.</li> +<li>Payne, U. S. Sen. Henry B., <a href="#Page_1002">1002</a>.</li> +<li>Peavy, St. Supt. Pub. Instruct. Antoinette J. (Col.), <a href="#Page_521">521</a>.</li> +<li>Peelle, Stanton J., M. C., <a href="#Page_426">426</a>.</li> +<li>Peet, Mrs. B. Sturtevant, <a href="#Page_484">484</a>.</li> +<li>Peffer, U. S. Sen. William A., <a href="#Page_231">231</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in fav. of wom. suff., <a href="#Page_267">267</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Pellew, George, <a href="#Page_713">713</a>.</li> +<li>Penn, Hannah, acting Gov. of Penn., <a href="#Page_903">903</a>.</li> +<li>Pennsylvania, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_LXI">Chap. LXI</a>.</li> +<li>Pepys, Samuel, why new gown for wife, <a href="#Page_424">424</a>.</li> +<li>Perkins, U. S. Sen. George C., <a href="#Page_480">480</a>; <a href="#Page_495">495</a>.</li> +<li>Perkins, Sarah M., <a href="#Page_70">70</a>; <a href="#Page_150">150</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in N. J., <a href="#Page_820">820</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Pettigrew, U. S. Sen. Richard F., <a href="#Page_554">554</a>; <a href="#Page_559">559</a>.</li> +<li>Peabody, Elizabeth, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>.</li> +<li>Pearson, Mrs. (Eng.), <a href="#Page_117">117</a>.</li> +<li>Pence, Lafayette, M. C., <a href="#Page_224">224</a>.</li> +<li>Phelps, Eliz. Stuart (See <a href="#Ward2">Ward</a>).</li> +<li>Philbrook, Mary, contest to practice law in N. J., <a href="#Page_833">833</a>.</li> +<li>Philleo, Prudence Crandall, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>.</li> +<li>Phillips, Elizabeth McClintock, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>.</li> +<li>Phillips, Wendell, notifies Miss Anthony of legacy, V; <a href="#Page_15">15</a>; <a href="#Page_19">19</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>memorial res., <a href="#Page_25">25</a>; <a href="#Page_207">207</a>; <a href="#Page_227">227</a>; <a href="#Page_345">345</a>; <a href="#Page_354">354</a>;</li> + <li>expediency, <a href="#Page_381">381</a>; <a href="#Page_410">410</a>;</li> + <li>mem. serv. of Mass, ass'n., <a href="#Page_702">702</a>; <a href="#Page_708">708</a>;</li> + <li>petit. for wom. suff. in '53, <a href="#Page_720">720</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_721">721</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Phillips, Mrs. Wendell, trib. to, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>.</li> +<li>Pickler, Alice M. A. (Mrs. J. A.), <a href="#Page_173">173</a>; <a href="#Page_183">183</a>; <a href="#Page_235">235</a>; <a href="#Page_423">423</a>; <a href="#Page_544">544</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>writes S. D. chap., <a href="#Page_552">552</a>; <a href="#Page_554">554</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Pickler, Major J. A., M. C., <a href="#Page_75">75</a>; <a href="#Page_163">163</a>; <a href="#Page_174">174</a>; <a href="#Page_183">183</a>; <a href="#Page_189">189</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>on wom. suff. bill in S. D., <a href="#Page_414">414</a>; <a href="#Page_423">423</a>;</li> + <li>efforts for wom. suff. in S. D., <a href="#Page_543">543</a>; <a href="#Page_554">554</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Pierce, Gov. Gilbert A., <a href="#Page_74">74</a>; <a href="#Page_414">414</a>; <a href="#Page_543">543</a>.</li> +<li>Pike, Martha E., writes Wash. chap., <a href="#Page_967">967</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work in Wash., <a href="#Page_976">976</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Pillsbury, Mayor George A., <a href="#Page_411">411</a>.</li> +<li>Pillsbury, Parker, <a href="#Page_276">276</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>conv. mem. res., <a href="#Page_344">344</a>;</li> + <li>Mrs. Stanton's trib., <a href="#Page_345">345</a>;</li> + <li>wom. suff. in N. H., <a href="#Page_815">815</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Pingree, Gov. Hazen S. (Mich.), <a href="#Page_765">765</a>.</li> +<li>Platt, U. S. Sen. Orville H., on wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1003">1003</a>.</li> +<li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1139" id="Page_1139">[Pg 1139]</a></span>Platt, U. S. Sen. Thomas C., favors wom. suff., <a href="#Page_864">864</a>.</li> +<li>Plumb, U. S. Sen. Preston B., for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_111">111</a>.</li> +<li>Poland, Luke P., M. C., report against wom. suff., <a href="#Page_50">50</a>; <a href="#Page_958">958</a>.</li> +<li>Pond, Cora Scott, <a href="#Page_425">425</a>; <a href="#Page_427">427</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work in Mass., <a href="#Page_706">706</a> et al.;</li> + <li>in R. I., <a href="#Page_910">910</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Porter, Maria G., <a href="#Page_275">275</a>.</li> +<li>Post, Amalia B., <a href="#Page_295">295</a>; <a href="#Page_942">942</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work in Wy., <a href="#Page_994">994</a>; <a href="#Page_1004">1004</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Post, Amy, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>; <a href="#Page_299">299</a>.</li> +<li>Potter, Bishop Henry M., signs suff. petit., <a href="#Page_850">850</a>.</li> +<li>Powderly, Terence V., <a href="#Page_164">164</a>; <a href="#Page_184">184</a>.</li> +<li>Powell, Aaron M., in N. J., <a href="#Page_820">820</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>mem. res., <a href="#Page_826">826</a>; <a href="#Page_828">828</a>; <a href="#Page_843">843</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Preston, Dr. Ann, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>founds Wom. Hosp. in Phila., <a href="#Page_905">905</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Price, Prof. Ellen H. E., <a href="#Page_318">318</a>; <a href="#Page_564">564</a>.</li> +<li>Pruyn, Mrs. John V. L., organizes anti-suff. soc. <a href="#Page_850">850</a>.</li> +<li>Pugh, Sarah, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>; <a href="#Page_294">294</a>.</li> +<li>Purvis, Robert. <a href="#Page_23">23</a>; <a href="#Page_136">136</a>; <a href="#Page_163">163</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>trib. of Mrs. Stanton, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>;</li> + <li>in Penn., <a href="#Page_900">900</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Putnam, Rev. Helen G., <a href="#Page_555">555</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<p class="index"><a id="IX_Q" name="IX_Q"></a>Q</p> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Quarles, Sup. Judge Ralph, decis. on wom. suff. in Idaho, <a href="#Page_1089">1089</a>.</li> +<li>Queensland, names for, <a href="#Page_1032">1032</a>.</li> +<li>Quincy, St. Rep. Josiah, in Mass. Legis., <a href="#Page_723">723</a>.</li> +<li>Quinton, Amelia Stone, <a href="#Page_1054">1054</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<p class="index"><a id="IX_R" name="IX_R"></a>R</p> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Rainsford, Rev. W. S., <a href="#Page_850">850</a>.</li> +<li>Ralph, Julian, <a href="#Page_363">363</a>.</li> +<li>Ramabai, Pundita, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>; <a href="#Page_321">321</a>.</li> +<li>Ranney, A. A., M. C., rep. in favor of wom. suff., <a href="#Page_84">84</a>.</li> +<li>Rastall, Fannie H., <a href="#Page_613">613</a>; <a href="#Page_641">641</a>.</li> +<li>Reagan, U. S. Sen. John H., sp. against wom. suff., <a href="#Page_31">31</a>; <a href="#Page_1000">1000</a>.</li> +<li>Reed, Charles Wesley, <a href="#Page_488">488</a>.</li> +<li>Reed, Kitty, <a href="#Page_285">285</a>.</li> +<li>Reed, Speaker Thomas B., rep. in favor of wom. suff., <a href="#Page_52">52</a>; <a href="#Page_164">164</a>; <a href="#Page_710">710</a>.</li> +<li>Reel, Estelle, wom. suff. in Wy., <a href="#Page_301">301</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Nat'l. Supt. Indian Sch., <a href="#Page_1010">1010</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Renkes, Flora Beadle, <a href="#Page_338">338</a>.</li> +<li>Rhode Island, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_LXII">Chap. LXII</a>.</li> +<li>Rhodes, Margaret Olive, writes Ok. chap., work in Ty., <a href="#Page_886">886</a> et al.</li> +<li>Rhone, Leonard, <a href="#Page_228">228</a>.</li> +<li>Rich, Gov. John T. (Mich.), signs munic. suff. bill, <a href="#Page_764">764</a>.</li> +<li>Richards, Gov. De Forest (Wy.), advocates wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1008">1008</a>.</li> +<li>Richards, Emily S., <a href="#Page_262">262</a>; <a href="#Page_400">400</a>; <a href="#Page_593">593</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>assists on Utah chap., work in Utah, <a href="#Page_936">936</a> et al.; <a href="#Page_950">950</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Richards, Gov. and Mrs. William A. (Wy.), <a href="#Page_1005">1005</a>.</li> +<li>Richer, Leon (France), <a href="#Page_23">23</a>.</li> +<li>Richey, Clara M., writes Iowa chap., <a href="#Page_628">628</a>; <a href="#Page_632">632</a>.</li> +<li>Ricker, Marilla M., in Calif., <a href="#Page_478">478</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in N. H., <a href="#Page_816">816</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Riddle, Judge Albert G., sp. at conv. of '89, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>trib. to Francis Minor and B. F. Butler, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Ripley, Dr. Martha G., <a href="#Page_417">417</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work in Minn., <a href="#Page_772">772</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Ritchie, Anne Thackeray (Eng.), <a href="#Page_1015">1015</a>.</li> +<li>Roach, U. S. Sen. W. N., <a href="#Page_546">546</a>.</li> +<li>Roberts, Brigham H. (Utah), opp. wom. suff., <a href="#Page_946">946</a>.</li> +<li>Robertson, J. M. (Eng.), <a href="#Page_719">719</a>.</li> +<li>Robinson, Emily, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>.</li> +<li>Robinson, Gov. George D. (Mass.), opp. wom. suff., <a href="#Page_712">712</a>.</li> +<li>Robinson, Harriet H., <a href="#Page_26">26</a>; <a href="#Page_721">721</a>; <a href="#Page_750">750</a>.</li> +<li>Robinson, Lelia J., LL. B., <a href="#Page_454">454</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>legis. work in Mass., <a href="#Page_722">722</a>; <a href="#Page_748">748</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Rockefeller, John D., signs suff. petit., <a href="#Page_850">850</a>.</li> +<li>Roe, St. Rep. Alfred S., <a href="#Page_715">715</a>; <a href="#Page_732">732</a>.</li> +<li>Rogers, Caroline Gilkey, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>before U. S. Sen. com., <a href="#Page_38">38</a>; <a href="#Page_57">57</a>; <a href="#Page_118">118</a>;</li> + <li>work in N. Y., <a href="#Page_839">839</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Rogers, Gov. John R. (Wash.), <a href="#Page_973">973</a>.</li> +<li>Rollit, Sir Albert, M. P., work for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1016">1016</a>.</li> +<li>Roosevelt, President Theodore, recom. wom. suff. to N. Y. Legis., <a href="#Page_861">861</a>; <a href="#Page_1075">1075</a>.</li> +<li>Root, Martha Snyder, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>; <a href="#Page_173">173</a>; <a href="#Page_183">183</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work in Mich., <a href="#Page_756">756</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Root, Melvin A., <a href="#Page_183">183</a>; <a href="#Page_337">337</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work in Mich., <a href="#Page_756">756</a> et al.; <a href="#Page_757">757</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Rose, Ernestine L., <a href="#Page_23">23</a>; <a href="#Page_70">70</a>; <a href="#Page_203">203</a>; <a href="#Page_227">227</a>; <a href="#Page_294">294</a>.</li> +<li>Ross, Hon. John, <a href="#Page_224">224</a>.</li> +<li>Routt, Eliza F. (Mrs. John L.), <a href="#Page_224">224</a>; <a href="#Page_515">515</a>; <a href="#Page_519">519</a>.</li> +<li>Routt, Gov. John L., <a href="#Page_212">212</a>; <a href="#Page_224">224</a>.</li> +<li>Russell, Sarah A. (Mrs. Daniel L.), writes N. C. chap., <a href="#Page_874">874</a>.</li> +<li>Russell, Thomas, <a href="#Page_382">382</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>opp. wom. suff. in Mass. Legis., <a href="#Page_733">733</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Rutherford, Annie O. (Canada), <a href="#Page_342">342</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<p class="index"><a id="IX_S" name="IX_S"></a>S</p> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Sadler, Gov. Reinhold (Nev.), recom. wom. suff. amdt., <a href="#Page_813">813</a>.</li> +<li>Sage, Russell, signs suff. petit., <a href="#Page_850">850</a>.</li> +<li>Salisbury, Marquis of, Premier of England, for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1020">1020</a>.</li> +<li>Sanborn, Frank B., <a href="#Page_722">722</a>.</li> +<li>Sanders, U. S. Sen. Wilbur F., <a href="#Page_1001">1001</a>.</li> +<li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1140" id="Page_1140">[Pg 1140]</a></span>Sargent, U. S. Sen. Aaron A., <a href="#Page_23">23</a>; <a href="#Page_366">366</a>.</li> +<li>Sargent, Ellen Clark (Mrs. Aaron A.), <a href="#Page_287">287</a>; <a href="#Page_366">366</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>assists on Calif. chap., <a href="#Page_478">478</a>; <a href="#Page_481">481</a>; <a href="#Page_482">482</a>;</li> + <li>in Calif. camp'n., <a href="#Page_487">487</a>;</li> + <li>test case for suff., <a href="#Page_504">504</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Sargent, Dr. Elizabeth C., <a href="#Page_135">135</a>; <a href="#Page_366">366</a>; <a href="#Page_487">487</a>.</li> +<li>Sargent, George C., <a href="#Page_504">504</a>.</li> +<li>Sartoris, Nellie Grant, <a href="#Page_262">262</a>.</li> +<li>Sather, Jane Krom, donat. to Cal. Univers., <a href="#Page_507">507</a>.</li> +<li>Saunders, Charles R., sec'y. anti-suff. ass'n., <a href="#Page_735">735</a>; <a href="#Page_737">737</a>.</li> +<li><a name="Saunders" id="Saunders"></a>Saunders, Jessie Cassidy, <a href="#Page_288">288</a>; <a href="#Page_369">369</a>.</li> +<li>Savage, Rev. Minot J., <a href="#Page_703">703</a>.</li> +<li>Sawyer, U. S. Sen. Philetus, for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_987">987</a>.</li> +<li>Saxon, Elizabeth Lyle, sp. at conv. of '93, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>; <a href="#Page_201">201</a>; <a href="#Page_243">243</a>; <a href="#Page_583">583</a>; <a href="#Page_640">640</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work in La., <a href="#Page_678">678</a>;</li> + <li>in Neb., <a href="#Page_802">802</a>;</li> + <li>in Tenn., <a href="#Page_926">926</a>;</li> + <li>in Utah, <a href="#Page_940">940</a>;</li> + <li>in Wash., <a href="#Page_970">970</a>;</li> + <li>in Wis., <a href="#Page_989">989</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Sayers, Gov. Joseph D. (Texas), <a href="#Page_934">934</a>.</li> +<li>Scatcherd, Alice (Eng.), <a href="#Page_124">124</a>; <a href="#Page_135">135</a>; <a href="#Page_140">140</a>; <a href="#Page_705">705</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in N. Y., <a href="#Page_841">841</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Schenck, Elizabeth T., <a href="#Page_61">61</a>.</li> +<li>Schofield, Martha, <a href="#Page_923">923</a>.</li> +<li>Schreiner, Olive, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>; <a href="#Page_398">398</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>petit. for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1015">1015</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Scott, Francis M., opp. wom. suff., <a href="#Page_851">851</a>.</li> +<li>Scott, Mrs. Francis M., organizes anti-suff. soc., <a href="#Page_850">850</a>.</li> +<li>Scully, Rev. Father Thomas, <a href="#Page_717">717</a>; <a href="#Page_740">740</a>.</li> +<li>Seddon, Hon. H. J., Premier N. Z., for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1027">1027</a>.</li> +<li>Seelye, L. Clark, pres. Smith Coll., opp. wom. suff., <a href="#Page_722">722</a>.</li> +<li>Segur, Rosa L., <a href="#Page_219">219</a>.</li> +<li>Selborne, Earl of, for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1016">1016</a>.</li> +<li>Semple, Gov. Eugene (Wash.), signs wom. suff. bill, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>; <a href="#Page_968">968</a>.</li> +<li>Severance, Caroline M., <a href="#Page_501">501</a>.</li> +<li>Severance, Sarah M., <a href="#Page_484">484</a>; <a href="#Page_490">490</a>.</li> +<li>Sewall, Harriet Winslow, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>.</li> +<li>Sewall, May Wright, call for conv. of '84, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>sp. at same, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>; <a href="#Page_27">27</a>;</li> + <li>equality of sexes, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>; <a href="#Page_71">71</a>;</li> + <li>sp. at conv. of '86, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>;</li> + <li>before House com., <a href="#Page_81">81</a>; <a href="#Page_117">117</a>;</li> + <li>ex. com. rep., <a href="#Page_122">122</a>;</li> + <li>arranges for Int'l. Council, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>;</li> + <li>call for same, <a href="#Page_126">126</a>;</li> + <li>permanent Council, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>;</li> + <li>wom. in camp'n. of '88, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Anthony's birthday, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>; <a href="#Page_173">173</a>; <a href="#Page_175">175</a>;</li> + <li>World's Fair rep. and wom. suff., <a href="#Page_232">232</a>; <a href="#Page_259">259</a>; <a href="#Page_293">293</a>;</li> + <li>sp. before Senate com. of '98, education and wom. suff., <a href="#Page_307">307</a>;</li> + <li>at conv. of '99, true civilization, peace conf., <a href="#Page_336">336</a>; <a href="#Page_337">337</a>;</li> + <li>at conv. of 1900, <a href="#Page_364">364</a>; <a href="#Page_367">367</a>; <a href="#Page_387">387</a>;</li> + <li>greetings from Int'l. Council of Wom. on Miss Anthony's birthday, <a href="#Page_397">397</a>;</li> + <li>at World's Fair Wom. Cong., <a href="#Page_609">609</a>; <a href="#Page_610">610</a>;</li> + <li>work in Ind., <a href="#Page_615">615</a>; <a href="#Page_616">616</a>; <a href="#Page_617">617</a>;</li> + <li>work for club-house in Indpls., <a href="#Page_627">627</a>;</li> + <li>at Cotton Centennial, <a href="#Page_679">679</a>;</li> + <li>at Adams, <a href="#Page_718">718</a>;</li> + <li>in Mich., <a href="#Page_759">759</a>;</li> + <li>in Omaha, <a href="#Page_939">939</a>;</li> + <li>in Wis., <a href="#Page_986">986</a>;</li> + <li>pres. Int'l. Council, <a href="#Page_1045">1045</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Sewall, Judge Samuel E., <a href="#Page_146">146</a>; <a href="#Page_227">227</a>; <a href="#Page_721">721</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work in Mass, for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_722">722</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Sewall, Theodore Lovett, mem. service, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>.</li> +<li>Seymour, Mary F., <a href="#Page_127">127</a>; <a href="#Page_227">227</a>.</li> +<li>Shafer, Helen A., pres. Wellesley Coll., <a href="#Page_726">726</a>.</li> +<li>Shafroth, John F., M. C., on wom. suff. in Col., <a href="#Page_267">267</a>; <a href="#Page_303">303</a>; <a href="#Page_524">524</a>.</li> +<li>Shafroth, Virginia Morrison (Mrs. John F.), trib. and gift on Miss Anthony's birthday, <a href="#Page_400">400</a>.</li> +<li>Shattuck, Harriette Robinson, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>at conv. of '84, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>;</li> + <li>before U. S. Sen. com., <a href="#Page_36">36</a>; <a href="#Page_57">57</a>; <a href="#Page_59">59</a>; <a href="#Page_72">72</a>; <a href="#Page_76">76</a>; <a href="#Page_115">115</a>; <a href="#Page_149">149</a>; <a href="#Page_721">721</a>; <a href="#Page_750">750</a>;</li> + <li>in N. Y., <a href="#Page_840">840</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Shaw, Rev. Anna Howard, sermon on Heavenly Vision, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>; <a href="#Page_149">149</a>; <a href="#Page_156">156</a>; <a href="#Page_163">163</a>; <a href="#Page_170">170</a>; <a href="#Page_173">173</a>; <a href="#Page_174">174</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>on S. D. camp'n., <a href="#Page_182">182</a>; <a href="#Page_185">185</a>; <a href="#Page_186">186</a>; <a href="#Page_188">188</a>; <a href="#Page_189">189</a>;</li> + <li>before U. S. Sen. com., <a href="#Page_199">199</a>;</li> + <li>trib. to Mrs. R. W. Emerson and Rev. Anna Oliver, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>; <a href="#Page_215">215</a>; <a href="#Page_219">219</a>; <a href="#Page_223">223</a>;</li> + <li>on wom. behind throne, <a href="#Page_228">228</a>;</li> + <li>sermon at conv. of '94, <a href="#Page_229">229</a>; <a href="#Page_233">233</a>; <a href="#Page_235">235</a>; <a href="#Page_239">239</a>;</li> + <li>logic and emotion of wom., <a href="#Page_243">243</a>;</li> + <li>sermon at conv. of '95, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>;</li> + <li>rep. of trip to Pacific Coast, <a href="#Page_253">253</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Anthony's comment on, <a href="#Page_254">254</a>;</li> + <li>trib. to Mrs. Dietrick, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>; <a href="#Page_263">263</a>;</li> + <li>on Pres. Eliot, <a href="#Page_266">266</a>; <a href="#Page_267">267</a>;</li> + <li>on Miss Anthony in Calif., <a href="#Page_274">274</a>;</li> + <li>no millennium till wom. vote, <a href="#Page_278">278</a>; <a href="#Page_279">279</a>; <a href="#Page_282">282</a>; <a href="#Page_288">288</a>; <a href="#Page_304">304</a>; <a href="#Page_305">305</a>;</li> + <li>at conv. of '99, pioneer women, men are women's product, <a href="#Page_336">336</a>; <a href="#Page_337">337</a>; <a href="#Page_339">339</a>;</li> + <li>closes conv. of '99, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Anthony and her right bower, <a href="#Page_351">351</a>;</li> + <li>rep. as delegate to Int'l. Council of '99, <a href="#Page_352">352</a>; <a href="#Page_354">354</a>;</li> + <li>sermon at conv. of 1900, <a href="#Page_361">361</a>; <a href="#Page_373">373</a>;</li> + <li>closes hearing before House com. of 1900, <a href="#Page_380">380</a>;</li> + <li>birthday present and response, <a href="#Page_391">391</a>;</li> + <li>trib. on Miss Anthony's 80th birthday, <a href="#Page_402">402</a>; <a href="#Page_417">417</a>; <a href="#Page_425">425</a>; <a href="#Page_427">427</a>; <a href="#Page_431">431</a>;</li> + <li>at Nat'l. Popu. conv. in '92, <a href="#Page_437">437</a>; <a href="#Page_449">449</a>;</li> + <li>at Calif. Wom. Cong., <a href="#Page_480">480</a>; <a href="#Page_482">482</a>; <a href="#Page_486">486</a>;</li> + <li>in Calif, camp'n., <a href="#Page_487">487</a>; <a href="#Page_490">490</a>;</li> + <li>visits Denver, <a href="#Page_530">530</a>;</li> + <li>in S. D. camp'n., <a href="#Page_555">555</a>;</li> + <li>in Del., <a href="#Page_564">564</a>;</li> + <li>in Ills., <a href="#Page_599">599</a>;</li> + <li>in Ind., <a href="#Page_616">616</a>;</li> + <li>in Ia., <a href="#Page_632">632</a>; <a href="#Page_640">640</a>;</li> + <li>tour of Kas., <a href="#Page_641">641</a>; <a href="#Page_642">642</a>;</li> + <li>in Kas. camp'n., <a href="#Page_643">643</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_644">644</a>; <a href="#Page_645">645</a>; <a href="#Page_646">646</a>;</li> + <li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1141" id="Page_1141">[Pg 1141]</a></span>in Ky., <a href="#Page_666">666</a>;</li> + <li>in Maine, <a href="#Page_689">689</a>;</li> + <li>in Md., <a href="#Page_696">696</a>;</li> + <li>in Mass., <a href="#Page_703">703</a> et al.;</li> + <li>in Mich., <a href="#Page_756">756</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_757">757</a>;</li> + <li>in Ann Arbor, <a href="#Page_758">758</a>; <a href="#Page_759">759</a>; <a href="#Page_760">760</a>;</li> + <li>before Mich. Legis., <a href="#Page_764">764</a>;</li> + <li>in Minn., <a href="#Page_773">773</a>;</li> + <li>in Mo., <a href="#Page_790">790</a>; <a href="#Page_791">791</a>;</li> + <li>in Neb., <a href="#Page_803">803</a>;</li> + <li>in N. J., <a href="#Page_825">825</a>;</li> + <li>in Nev., <a href="#Page_810">810</a>;</li> + <li>in N. Y., <a href="#Page_841">841</a>;</li> + <li>debates wom. suff. with Dr. Buckley, <a href="#Page_842">842</a>;</li> + <li>in N. Y. camp'n, <a href="#Page_849">849</a>;</li> + <li>in Ohio, <a href="#Page_879">879-80</a>;</li> + <li>in Ore., <a href="#Page_893">893</a>;</li> + <li>in Penn., <a href="#Page_899">899</a>;</li> + <li>in Utah, <a href="#Page_947">947</a>;</li> + <li>in Vt., <a href="#Page_957">957</a>;</li> + <li>in W. Va., <a href="#Page_981">981</a>;</li> + <li>in Wis., <a href="#Page_986">986</a>;</li> + <li>visits Wy., <a href="#Page_1005">1005</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Shaw, Helen Adelaide, <a href="#Page_361">361</a>; <a href="#Page_719">719</a> et al.</li> +<li>Shaw, Pauline Agassiz (Mrs. Quincy A.), gives $1,000 to pub. Vol. IV, Hist. of Wom. Suff., VII.</li> +<li>Shaw, Gov. Leslie M. (Iowa), <a href="#Page_636">636</a>.</li> +<li>Sheehan, Lieut.-Gov. William F. (N. Y.), opp. wom. suff., <a href="#Page_854">854</a>; <a href="#Page_855">855</a>; <a href="#Page_857">857</a>.</li> +<li>Sheldon, Ellen H., <a href="#Page_27">27</a>; <a href="#Page_126">126</a>.</li> +<li>Sherman, U. S. Sen. John, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>.</li> +<li>Shippen, Rev. Rush R., <a href="#Page_71">71</a>; <a href="#Page_117">117</a>.</li> +<li>Shinn, Harriet A., <a href="#Page_228">228</a>.</li> +<li>Shortridge, Charles M., <a href="#Page_487">487</a>.</li> +<li>Shortridge, Hon. Samuel, <a href="#Page_480">480</a>.</li> +<li>Sidgwick, Mrs. Henry, principal Newnham Coll. (Eng.), petit. for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1015">1015</a>.</li> +<li>Simmons, Anna R., <a href="#Page_558">558</a>; <a href="#Page_791">791</a>.</li> +<li>Simpson, Jerry, M. C., <a href="#Page_231">231</a>.</li> +<li>Simpson, Bishop Matthew, for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_24">24</a>; <a href="#Page_61">61</a>; <a href="#Page_410">410</a>.</li> +<li>Skidmore, Marian, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>.</li> +<li>Sloss, Judge M. C. (Calif.), decis. on wom. suff., <a href="#Page_504">504</a>.</li> +<li>Smith, Alice, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>.</li> +<li>Smith, Mrs. Clinton, <a href="#Page_575">575</a>.</li> +<li>Smith, Elizabeth Oakes, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>.</li> +<li>Smith, Gerrit, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>; <a href="#Page_227">227</a>.</li> +<li>Smith, Hannah Whitall, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>.</li> +<li>Smith, Dr. Julia Holmes, at Nat'l. Dem. conv. of '96, <a href="#Page_439">439</a>; <a href="#Page_606">606</a>; <a href="#Page_610">610</a>.</li> +<li>Smith, Rev. Samuel G., <a href="#Page_361">361</a>.</li> +<li>Smith, Sara Winthrop, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>; <a href="#Page_184">184</a>; <a href="#Page_201">201</a>; <a href="#Page_218">218</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>wom. suff. under Const'n., <a href="#Page_234">234</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Smith, Mrs. William Alden, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>.</li> +<li>Snow, Eliza R., <a href="#Page_1052">1052</a>.</li> +<li>Solomon, Hannah G., <a href="#Page_1053">1053</a>.</li> +<li>Somerset, Lady Henry, <a href="#Page_710">710</a>; <a href="#Page_714">714</a>; <a href="#Page_718">718</a>.</li> +<li>South Carolina, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_LXIII">Chap. LXIII</a>.</li> +<li>Southwick, Sarah Hussey, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>.</li> +<li>Southwick, Thankful, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>.</li> +<li>Southworth, Louisa, nat'l. enrollment, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>; <a href="#Page_219">219</a>; <a href="#Page_240">240</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>donat. for hdqrs. <a href="#Page_250">250</a>; <a href="#Page_257">257</a>; <a href="#Page_286">286</a>;</li> + <li>work in Ohio, <a href="#Page_878">878</a> et al.;</li> + <li>for W. C. T. U., <a href="#Page_879">879</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Spaulding, Bishop, for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_366">366</a>.</li> +<li>Spence, Catherine (Australia), <a href="#Page_221">221</a>; <a href="#Page_224">224</a>; <a href="#Page_730">730</a>.</li> +<li>Spencer, Rev. Anna Garlin, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>sp. at conv. of '91, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>;</li> + <li>sp. before Senate com. of '98, moral develop. and wom. suff., <a href="#Page_308">308</a>;</li> + <li>sp. at conv. of '99, wom. in our new possessions, <a href="#Page_328">328</a>;</li> + <li>in Boston, <a href="#Page_707">707</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_712">712</a>, in N. Y., <a href="#Page_855">855</a>;</li> + <li>writes R. I. chap., <a href="#Page_907">907</a>;</li> + <li>work in R. I., <a href="#Page_908">908</a> et al.; <a href="#Page_920">920</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Sperry, Mary S. (Mrs. Austin), work in Cal., <a href="#Page_486">486</a> et al.</li> +<li>Spinner, U. S. Treasurer F. E., <a href="#Page_123">123</a>.</li> +<li>Spofford, Ainsworth R., <a href="#Page_715">715</a>.</li> +<li>Spofford, Charles W., <a href="#Page_15">15</a>; <a href="#Page_188">188</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>hospitality to Miss Anthony, <a href="#Page_366">366</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Spofford, Jane H. (Mrs. Charles W.), <a href="#Page_15">15</a>; <a href="#Page_27">27</a>; <a href="#Page_126">126</a>; <a href="#Page_174">174</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_188">188</a>;</li> + <li>hospitality to Miss Anthony, <a href="#Page_366">366</a>; <a href="#Page_571">571</a>;</li> + <li>in Maine, <a href="#Page_690">690</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Spreckles, Claus, community property case, <a href="#Page_502">502</a>.</li> +<li>Springer, William M., M. C., opp. wom. suff., <a href="#Page_998">998</a>.</li> +<li>Squire, Gov. Watson C. (Wash.), testimony for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_155">155</a>; <a href="#Page_968">968</a>.</li> +<li>St. John, Gov. John P. (Kas.), for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_648">648</a>.</li> +<li>Stafford, St. Rep. Wendell Phillips, <a href="#Page_713">713</a>; <a href="#Page_959">959</a>.</li> +<li>Stanford, Jane Lathrop (Mrs. Leland), <a href="#Page_356">356</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>endows univers., <a href="#Page_507">507</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Stanford, U. S. Sen. Leland, trib. to, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>founds univers., <a href="#Page_507">507</a>; <a href="#Page_554">554</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Stanton, Elizabeth Cady, ten yrs. work on Hist. of Wom. Suff., III; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>sells rights in Hist. to Miss Anthony, VI;</li> + <li>mental vigor at <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, VII;</li> + <li>tries to prevent "male" in Nat'l. Consti., <a href="#Page_2">2</a>;</li> + <li>organizes Nat'l. Ass'n., <a href="#Page_14">14</a>;</li> + <li>calls conv. of '84, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>; <a href="#Page_21">21</a>; <a href="#Page_27">27</a>;</li> + <li>self-gov't. best means of self-development, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>;</li> + <li>sp. at conv. of '85, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>;</li> + <li>rights of wom. in church, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>;</li> + <li>power of relig. over wom., <a href="#Page_60">60</a>; <a href="#Page_70">70</a>;</li> + <li>res. on wom. suff. and church, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>; <a href="#Page_112">112</a>;</li> + <li>ridicules rep. of Brown and Cockrell, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>;</li> + <li>part in Int'l. Council of Wom., <a href="#Page_124">124</a>;</li> + <li>sp. at same, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>; <a href="#Page_136">136</a>; <a href="#Page_137">137</a>;</li> + <li>woman's constit'l. right to vote, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>;</li> + <li>objects to thanking men for justice, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>; <a href="#Page_150">150</a>;</li> + <li>prophecy fulfilled, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>;</li> + <li>before U. S. Sen. com. of '90, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>;</li> + <li>questioned by com., <a href="#Page_161">161</a>; <a href="#Page_163">163</a>;</li> + <li>friendship for Miss Anthony, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>;</li> + <li>great. sp. at conv. of '90, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>; <a href="#Page_169">169</a>; <a href="#Page_174">174</a>;</li> + <li>degradation of disfranchm't, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>;</li> + <li>last appearance at nat'l. conv., <a href="#Page_186">186</a>;</li> + <li>Solitude of Self, <a href="#Page_189">189</a>; <a href="#Page_205">205</a>;</li> + <li>trib. to dead, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>; <a href="#Page_236">236</a>;</li> + <li>80th birthday, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>;</li> + <li>Woman's Bible, <a href="#Page_263">263</a>;</li> + <li>Miss Anthony defends her, <a href="#Page_264">264</a>;</li> + <li>House com. in '96, <a href="#Page_268">268</a>; <a href="#Page_288">288</a>;</li> + <li>sp. at conv. of '98, our defeats and our triumphs, <a href="#Page_291">291</a>; <a href="#Page_299">299</a>; <a href="#Page_304">304</a>;</li> + <li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1142" id="Page_1142">[Pg 1142]</a></span>before Senate com. of '98, history of ballot, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>;</li> + <li>wom. are pariahs and fight their battles alone, <a href="#Page_337">337</a>; <a href="#Page_342">342</a>;</li> + <li>trib. to Pillsbury and Purvis, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>; <a href="#Page_353">353</a>; <a href="#Page_359">359</a>;</li> + <li>appeal to House com. of 1900, <a href="#Page_376">376</a>;</li> + <li>long in office, <a href="#Page_387">387</a>; <a href="#Page_402">402</a>; <a href="#Page_404">404</a>; <a href="#Page_415">415</a>;</li> + <li>first app. at polit. conv., <a href="#Page_435">435</a>; <a href="#Page_443">443</a>; <a href="#Page_480">480</a>; <a href="#Page_517">517</a>;</li> + <li>woman's work at Centennial, <a href="#Page_526">526</a>; <a href="#Page_715">715</a>;</li> + <li>in Minn., <a href="#Page_772">772</a>;</li> + <li>in Mo., <a href="#Page_790">790</a>;</li> + <li>in Neb., <a href="#Page_802">802</a>;</li> + <li>pioneer work in N. Y., <a href="#Page_839">839</a>; <a href="#Page_844">844</a>; <a href="#Page_846">846</a>; <a href="#Page_849">849</a>;</li> + <li>early legis. work in N. Y., <a href="#Page_852">852</a>;</li> + <li>work for equal guardianship, <a href="#Page_857">857</a>;</li> + <li>in Utah, <a href="#Page_936">936</a>;</li> + <li>welcomes Utah wom., <a href="#Page_937">937</a>;</li> + <li>in Wis., <a href="#Page_985">985</a>;</li> + <li>ad. on Wy., <a href="#Page_1004">1004</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Stanton, Marguerite Berry (Mrs. Theodore), <a href="#Page_27">27</a>.</li> +<li>Stanton, Theodore, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>; <a href="#Page_26">26</a>.</li> +<li>Starrett, Helen Ekin, trib. to Lucy Stone, <a href="#Page_407">407</a>.</li> +<li>Stearns, Judge J. B., <a href="#Page_774">774</a>.</li> +<li>Stearns, Sarah Burger, in Calif., <a href="#Page_501">501</a>; <a href="#Page_630">630</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work in Minn., <a href="#Page_774">774</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Stebbins, Catharine A. F., <a href="#Page_299">299</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work in Mich., <a href="#Page_760">760</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Stebbins, Giles B., in Mich., <a href="#Page_760">760</a>.</li> +<li>Stetson, Charlotte Perkins, at conv. of '96, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>; <a href="#Page_263">263</a>;</li> + <li>ballot and motherhood, <a href="#Page_266">266</a>;</li> + <li>sp. at conv. of '97, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>; <a href="#Page_479">479</a>; <a href="#Page_647">647</a>; <a href="#Page_648">648</a>;</li> + <li>in Boston, <a href="#Page_717">717</a>;</li> + <li>in Penn., <a href="#Page_899">899</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Steunenberg, Gov. Frank, on wom. suff. in Idaho, <a href="#Page_594">594</a>.</li> +<li>Stevens, Lillian M. N., <a href="#Page_438">438</a>; <a href="#Page_1048">1048</a>.</li> +<li>Stevenson, J. O., <a href="#Page_629">629</a>.</li> +<li>Stevenson, Katherine Lente, <a href="#Page_711">711</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in R. I., <a href="#Page_910">910</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Stevenson, Dr. Sarah Hackett, <a href="#Page_610">610</a>.</li> +<li>Stewart, John W., M. C., rep. against wom. suff., <a href="#Page_82">82</a>.</li> +<li>Stockham, Dr. Alice B., <a href="#Page_61">61</a>.</li> +<li>Stoddard, Helen M., writes Tex. chap., <a href="#Page_931">931</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work for Girls' Indus. Sch., <a href="#Page_934">934</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Stone, Lucinda Hinsdale, on Dr. Stone's early belief in wom. suff., <a href="#Page_299">299</a>; <a href="#Page_771">771</a>.</li> +<li>Stone, Lucy, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>; <a href="#Page_136">136</a>; <a href="#Page_164">164</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>letter to conv. of '90, <a href="#Page_169">169</a>; <a href="#Page_174">174</a>;</li> + <li>at Nat'l Council of '91, <a href="#Page_178">178</a>; <a href="#Page_186">186</a>; <a href="#Page_187">187</a>; <a href="#Page_189">189</a>;</li> + <li>before U. S. Sen. Com., <a href="#Page_191">191</a>;</li> + <li>conv. of '93, her last message, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>; <a href="#Page_221">221</a>;</li> + <li>mem. service, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>; <a href="#Page_227">227</a>; <a href="#Page_236">236</a>; <a href="#Page_294">294</a>; <a href="#Page_320">320</a>; <a href="#Page_357">357</a>; <a href="#Page_387">387</a>;</li> + <li>acc't of conv. of Amer. Ass'n. of '84, <a href="#Page_406">406</a>;</li> + <li>influence on Kas. laws, <a href="#Page_407">407</a>;</li> + <li>rep. as ch. ex. com. of Amer. Ass'n., '84, <a href="#Page_408">408</a>; <a href="#Page_411">411</a>;</li> + <li>sp. at conv. of '85, <a href="#Page_415">415</a>;</li> + <li>acc't. of Amer. conv. of '86, <a href="#Page_417">417</a>; <a href="#Page_418">418</a>; <a href="#Page_423">423</a>;</li> + <li>at Legislatures, <a href="#Page_424">424</a>;</li> + <li>rep. ch. ex. com., '87, <a href="#Page_425">425</a>;</li> + <li>on union of two ass'ns., <a href="#Page_426">426</a>;</li> + <li>spks. at bazar in '87, <a href="#Page_427">427</a>;</li> + <li>acc't of Amer. conv. '88, <a href="#Page_430">430</a>;</li> + <li>appeal to Constit'l. Convs., <a href="#Page_432">432</a>;</li> + <li>work for Ariz., <a href="#Page_470">470</a>; <a href="#Page_509">509</a>; <a href="#Page_513">513</a>; <a href="#Page_514">514</a>; <a href="#Page_517">517</a>; <a href="#Page_546">546</a>; <a href="#Page_553">553</a>;</li> + <li>in Ills., <a href="#Page_598">598</a>;</li> + <li>in Ind., <a href="#Page_614">614</a>;</li> + <li>in Iowa, <a href="#Page_628">628</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_629">629</a>;</li> + <li>in Kas., <a href="#Page_638">638</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_640">640</a>;</li> + <li>in Maine, <a href="#Page_689">689</a>;</li> + <li>in Baltimore, <a href="#Page_695">695</a>; <a href="#Page_702">702</a>;</li> + <li>work in Mass., <a href="#Page_703">703</a> et al.;</li> + <li>last pub. ad., <a href="#Page_711">711</a>;</li> + <li>death and funeral, <a href="#Page_712">712</a>;</li> + <li>on Boston Tea Party, <a href="#Page_713">713</a>; <a href="#Page_714">714</a>;</li> + <li>first wom. suff. petit., yrs. in office, <a href="#Page_720">720</a>;</li> + <li>legis. work in Mass., <a href="#Page_721">721</a>;</li> + <li>for equal guardianship, <a href="#Page_744">744</a>;</li> + <li>in Mich., <a href="#Page_755">755</a>; <a href="#Page_762">762</a>;</li> + <li>in Minn., <a href="#Page_772">772</a>;</li> + <li>in N. J., <a href="#Page_820">820</a>;</li> + <li>mem. serv. in N. J., <a href="#Page_821">821</a>;</li> + <li>in R. I., <a href="#Page_907">907</a>;</li> + <li>in Vt., <a href="#Page_957">957</a>;</li> + <li>on admis. of Wy., <a href="#Page_1004">1004</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Strong, Lieut. Gov. John (Mich.), favors wom. suff., <a href="#Page_763">763</a>.</li> +<li>Stout, Sir Robert, Premier N. Z., for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1026">1026</a>.</li> +<li>Stowe, Harriet Beecher, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>.</li> +<li>Sullivan, Sup. Judge Isaac N. (Ida.), decis. on wom. suff. amdt., <a href="#Page_593">593</a>.</li> +<li>Sulzer, William, M. C., <a href="#Page_856">856</a>.</li> +<li>Sweet, Ada C., <a href="#Page_71">71</a>.</li> +<li>Swift, Mary Wood (Mrs. John F.), work in Calif., <a href="#Page_482">482</a> et al.; <a href="#Page_501">501</a>.</li> +<li>Swisshelm, Jane Gray, <a href="#Page_410">410</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<p class="index"><a id="IX_T" name="IX_T"></a>T</p> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Taft, Hon. Alphonso, <a href="#Page_428">428</a>.</li> +<li>Taft, Judge W. H., <a href="#Page_348">348</a>.</li> +<li>Talbot, Gov. Thomas (Mass.), <a href="#Page_718">718</a>.</li> +<li>Taney, Chief Justice Roger B., <a href="#Page_4">4</a>.</li> +<li>Tanner, Gov. John R. (Ills.), <a href="#Page_602">602</a>; <a href="#Page_607">607</a>.</li> +<li>Taylor, Alberta C., <a href="#Page_238">238</a>; <a href="#Page_465">465</a>.</li> +<li>Taylor, Ezra B., M. C., rep. in favor wom. suff., <a href="#Page_52">52</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>; <a href="#Page_218">218</a>; <a href="#Page_366">366</a>;</li> + <li>assists in O., <a href="#Page_877">877</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Taylor, Peter A., M. P., <a href="#Page_22">22</a>; <a href="#Page_353">353</a>.</li> +<li>Taylor, Mrs. Peter A., <a href="#Page_22">22</a>.</li> +<li>Telford, Mary Jewett, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>; <a href="#Page_516">516</a>.</li> +<li>Teller, U. S. Sen. Henry M., <a href="#Page_235">235</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>sp. at conv. of '98, <a href="#Page_303">303</a>; <a href="#Page_433">433</a>; <a href="#Page_524">524</a>;</li> + <li>approves wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1086">1086</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Tennessee, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_LXIV">Chap. LXIV</a>.</li> +<li>Terrell, Mary Church, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>sp. at conv. of 1900, <a href="#Page_358">358</a>; <a href="#Page_572">572</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Texas, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_LXV">Chap. LXV</a>.</li> +<li>Thayer, Gov. John M., wom. suff. in Wy., <a href="#Page_1090">1090</a>.</li> +<li>Thomann, Gallus, <a href="#Page_448">448</a>.</li> +<li>Thomas, Gov. Charles S., <a href="#Page_441">441</a>; <a href="#Page_516">516</a>; <a href="#Page_531">531</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>wom. suff. in Col., <a href="#Page_1087">1087</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Thomas, Dean M. Carey, pres. Bryn Mawr Coll., <a href="#Page_426">426</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>helps secure Wom. Med. Coll. of Johns Hopkins, <a href="#Page_700">700</a>;</li> + <li>trustee Cornell Univ. <a href="#Page_871">871</a>; <a href="#Page_906">906</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1143" id="Page_1143">[Pg 1143]</a></span>Thomas, M. Louise, <a href="#Page_175">175</a>.</li> +<li>Thomas, Mary Bentley, <a href="#Page_239">239</a>; <a href="#Page_263">263</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>writes Md. chap., <a href="#Page_695">695</a>; <a href="#Page_696">696</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Thomas, Dr. Mary F., <a href="#Page_75">75</a>; <a href="#Page_146">146</a>; <a href="#Page_406">406</a>; <a href="#Page_407">407</a>; <a href="#Page_410">410</a>; <a href="#Page_411">411</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>letter to Amer. conv. of '85, <a href="#Page_413">413</a>;</li> + <li>70th birthday, <a href="#Page_422">422</a>; <a href="#Page_425">425</a>; <a href="#Page_426">426</a>; <a href="#Page_431">431</a>; <a href="#Page_614">614</a>; <a href="#Page_616">616</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Thomasson, John P., M. P., <a href="#Page_22">22</a>.</li> +<li>Thomasson, Mrs. John P., <a href="#Page_22">22</a>.</li> +<li>Thompson, Elizabeth, donation to pub. Hist. of Wom. Suff., V.</li> +<li>Thompson, Ellen Powell, rep. on Congress'l work, <a href="#Page_287">287</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>trib. and gift to Miss Anthony on birthday, <a href="#Page_399">399</a>;</li> + <li>work in D. C., <a href="#Page_568">568</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Thompson, Col. John, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>.</li> +<li>Thompson, Martha J., <a href="#Page_367">367</a>; <a href="#Page_774">774</a>.</li> +<li>Thomson (Archbishop of York) Mrs., petit. for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1015">1015</a>.</li> +<li>Thomson, M. Adeline, <a href="#Page_260">260</a>; <a href="#Page_900">900</a>.</li> +<li>Thorpe, Dr. Juliet, <a href="#Page_430">430</a>.</li> +<li>Thurston, Sarah A., <a href="#Page_417">417</a>; <a href="#Page_639">639</a> et al.</li> +<li>Tillinghast, Elizabeth Sheldon, <a href="#Page_377">377</a>.</li> +<li>Tillman, U. S. Sen. Benj. R., <a href="#Page_925">925</a>.</li> +<li>Tod, Isabella M. S. (Ireland), <a href="#Page_23">23</a>; <a href="#Page_1020">1020</a>.</li> +<li>Todd, Mabel Loomis, <a href="#Page_363">363</a>.</li> +<li>Tomlinson, William P., <a href="#Page_417">417</a>.</li> +<li>Townsend, Justine V. R., <a href="#Page_1065">1065</a>.</li> +<li>Trimble, Dr. John, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>.</li> +<li>Trygg, Alli (Finland), <a href="#Page_705">705</a>.</li> +<li>Tubman, Harriet, <a href="#Page_718">718</a>; <a href="#Page_844">844</a>.</li> +<li>Tupper, Rev. Mila (Maynard), <a href="#Page_185">185</a>; <a href="#Page_201">201</a>; <a href="#Page_497">497</a>.</li> +<li>Turner, Sup. Judge George (Wash.), <a href="#Page_1098">1098</a>.</li> +<li>Turner, Sir George, Premier Victoria, bill for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1031">1031</a>.</li> +<li>Tyler, Louise M., <a href="#Page_509">509</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>work in R. I., <a href="#Page_909">909</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +</ul> + +<p class="index"><a id="IX_U" name="IX_U"></a>U</p> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Uhl, Asst. Sec. of State Edwin F., <a href="#Page_572">572</a>.</li> +<li><a name="Unwin" id="Unwin"></a>Unwin, Jane Cobden (Eng.), <a href="#Page_21">21</a>; <a href="#Page_711">711</a>.</li> +<li>Upton, Harriet Taylor, work in Cong., <a href="#Page_218">218</a>; <a href="#Page_233">233</a>; <a href="#Page_250">250</a>; <a href="#Page_257">257</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>sp. at conv. of '97, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>;</li> + <li>tells of financial help of Miss Anthony, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>;</li> + <li>rep. '98 <a href="#Page_289">289</a>; <a href="#Page_337">337</a>;</li> + <li>wom. on sch. bds., <a href="#Page_338">338</a>;</li> + <li>treas. rep., 1900, <a href="#Page_365">365</a>;</li> + <li>secures Congress'l. rep., <a href="#Page_366">366</a>; <a href="#Page_443">443</a>; <a href="#Page_616">616</a>;</li> + <li>writes Ohio chap., <a href="#Page_877">877</a>;</li> + <li>work in O., <a href="#Page_879">879</a> et al.;</li> + <li>work on sch. bd., <a href="#Page_884">884</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Utah, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_LXVI">Chap. LXVI</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<p class="index"><a id="IX_V" name="IX_V"></a>V</p> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Vance, U. S. Sen. Zebulon B., <a href="#Page_157">157</a>; <a href="#Page_158">158</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>questions Mrs. Stanton, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>;</li> + <li>rep. against wom. suff., <a href="#Page_201">201</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Van Cleve, Charlotte O., <a href="#Page_414">414</a>.</li> +<li>Vermont, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_LXVII">Chap. LXVII</a>.</li> +<li>Vest, U. S. Sen. George G., <a href="#Page_93">93</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>sp. against wom. suff., <a href="#Page_105">105</a>;</li> + <li>spks. against wom. suff. in Wy., <a href="#Page_1000">1000</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Victoria (Aus.), names for, <a href="#Page_1021">1021</a>.</li> +<li>Victoria, Queen, compared to Amer. women, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>; <a href="#Page_162">162</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>rec. Int'l. Council, <a href="#Page_354">354</a>;</li> + <li>trib. to, <a href="#Page_1021">1021</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Villard, Oswald Garrison, <a href="#Page_739">739</a>.</li> +<li>Virginia, names for,<a href="#CHAPTER_LXVIII"> Chap. LXVIII</a>.</li> +<li>Vogel, Sir Julius, Treasurer N. Z., bill for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1025">1025</a>.</li> +<li>Voorhees, Gov. Foster M. (N. J.), <a href="#Page_828">828</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<p class="index"><a id="IX_W" name="IX_W"></a>W</p> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Wait, Anna C., <a href="#Page_18">18</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>welcomes conv. to Kas. in '86, <a href="#Page_418">418</a>;</li> + <li>assists on Kas. chap., <a href="#Page_638">638</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Waite, Catharine V., <a href="#Page_609">609</a>.</li> +<li>Waite, Hon. Charles B., <a href="#Page_762">762</a>.</li> +<li>Waite, Gov. Davis H., on wom. suff. in Col., <a href="#Page_232">232</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>signs wom. suff. bill, <a href="#Page_513">513</a>; <a href="#Page_520">520</a>; <a href="#Page_533">533</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Waite, Dr. Lucy, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>.</li> +<li>Waite, Chief Justice Morrison R., U. S. has no voters, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1076">1076</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Wall, Sarah, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>.</li> +<li>Wallace, Catherine P., writes N. M. chap., work in Australia and New Zeal., <a href="#Page_835">835</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in N. M., <a href="#Page_836">836</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Wallace, Zerelda G., <a href="#Page_23">23</a>; <a href="#Page_71">71</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>wom. suff. necessity for Gov't., <a href="#Page_119">119</a>; <a href="#Page_136">136</a>; <a href="#Page_150">150</a>;</li> + <li>sp. on a whole humanity, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>; <a href="#Page_430">430</a>;</li> + <li>in Ills., <a href="#Page_599">599</a>; <a href="#Page_614">614</a>; <a href="#Page_615">615</a>;</li> + <li>legis. work in Ind., <a href="#Page_618">618</a>;</li> + <li>in Kas., <a href="#Page_640">640</a>, <a href="#Page_650">650</a>;</li> + <li>in Ky., <a href="#Page_665">665</a>;</li> + <li>in Boston, <a href="#Page_706">706</a>;</li> + <li>in R. I., <a href="#Page_910">910</a>;</li> + <li>in Vt., <a href="#Page_957">957</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Walworth, Rev. Clarence A., opp. wom. suff., <a href="#Page_851">851</a>.</li> +<li>Ward, Eliza T., <a href="#Page_174">174</a>.</li> +<li><a name="Ward2" id="Ward2"></a>Ward, Elizabeth Stuart Phelps, <a href="#Page_412">412</a>; <a href="#Page_735">735</a>.</li> +<li>Ward, Prof. Lester F., <a href="#Page_308">308</a>.</li> +<li><a name="Ward" id="Ward"></a>Ward, Lydia A. Coonley, poem on Miss Anthony's eightieth birthday, <a href="#Page_401">401</a>; <a href="#Page_610">610</a>; <a href="#Page_612">612</a>.</li> +<li>Warren, U. S. Sen. Francis E., rep. in favor of wom. suff., <a href="#Page_201">201</a>; <a href="#Page_433">433</a>; <a href="#Page_710">710</a>; <a href="#Page_1005">1005</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>testimony for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1006">1006</a>;</li> + <li>wom. suff. in Wy., <a href="#Page_1090">1090</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Warren, Helen M. (Mrs. Francis E.), trib. and gift on Miss Anthony's birthday, <a href="#Page_400">400</a>.</li> +<li>Washburn, Gov. Wm. B. (Mass.), <a href="#Page_718">718</a>.</li> +<li>Washington, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_LXIX">Chap. LXIX</a>.</li> +<li>Washington, Booker T., <a href="#Page_469">469</a>; <a href="#Page_906">906</a>.</li> +<li>Washington, Mrs. Booker T., <a href="#Page_1051">1051</a>.</li> +<li>Washington, Joseph E., M. C., opp. wom. suff., <a href="#Page_999">999</a>.</li> +<li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1144" id="Page_1144">[Pg 1144]</a></span>Wattles, Esther, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>.</li> +<li>Wattles, John O., <a href="#Page_300">300</a>.</li> +<li>Wattles, Susan E., <a href="#Page_294">294</a>.</li> +<li>Waugh, Alice, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>.</li> +<li>Way, Mary Heald, <a href="#Page_564">564</a>.</li> +<li>Webb, Alfred, M. P., <a href="#Page_717">717</a>.</li> +<li>Webster, Prof. Helen, <a href="#Page_733">733</a>.</li> +<li>Welch, Minerva C. (Mrs. A. L.), <a href="#Page_327">327</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>wom. suff. in Col., <a href="#Page_338">338</a>; <a href="#Page_523">523</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Weld, Angelina Grimké, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>.</li> +<li>Weld, Theodore D., <a href="#Page_259">259</a>; <a href="#Page_702">702</a>; <a href="#Page_709">709</a>.</li> +<li>Wells, Amos R., collects wom. suff. testimony, <a href="#Page_1085">1085</a>.</li> +<li>Wells, Emmeline B., <a href="#Page_262">262</a>; <a href="#Page_279">279</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>on wom. suff. in Utah, at conv. of '97, <a href="#Page_283">283</a>;</li> + <li>writes Utah chap., work in Utah, <a href="#Page_936">936</a> et al.; <a href="#Page_949">949</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Wells, Gov. Heber M., <a href="#Page_949">949</a>; <a href="#Page_951">951</a>; <a href="#Page_952">952</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>wom. suff. in Utah, <a href="#Page_1089">1089</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Wells, Kate Gannett, <a href="#Page_413">413</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>opp. wom. suff., <a href="#Page_704">704</a>; <a href="#Page_721">721</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Wellstood, Jessie M. (Scot.), <a href="#Page_19">19</a>.</li> +<li>Wendte, Rev. C. W., <a href="#Page_479">479</a>; <a href="#Page_701">701</a> et al.</li> +<li>West, Gov. Caleb (Utah), <a href="#Page_947">947</a>.</li> +<li>West Virginia, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_LXX">Chap. LXX</a>.</li> +<li>Wheeler, Vice-President William A., for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1075">1075</a>.</li> +<li>Whelan, Carrie A., assists on Calif. chapter, <a href="#Page_478">478</a>; <a href="#Page_489">489</a>.</li> +<li>Whipple, Rev. A. B., <a href="#Page_718">718</a>.</li> +<li>Whipple, Charles K., <a href="#Page_708">708</a>.</li> +<li>White, Armenia S., <a href="#Page_75">75</a>.</li> +<li>White, John D., M. C., rep. in favor wom. suff., <a href="#Page_12">12</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>sp. for same, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>White, U. S. Sen. Stephen M., <a href="#Page_495">495</a>.</li> +<li>Whiting, John L., <a href="#Page_205">205</a>; <a href="#Page_702">702</a>.</li> +<li>Whitman, Sarah Helen, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>.</li> +<li>Whitney, Adeline D. T., opp. wom. suff., <a href="#Page_108">108</a>; <a href="#Page_157">157</a>; <a href="#Page_726">726</a>.</li> +<li>Whitney, Sarah Ware, <a href="#Page_629">629</a>.</li> +<li>Whitney, Victoria C., <a href="#Page_263">263</a>.</li> +<li>Whittier, John Greenleaf, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>; <a href="#Page_203">203</a>; <a href="#Page_205">205</a>; <a href="#Page_703">703</a>.</li> +<li>Whittle, Dr. Ewing (Eng.), <a href="#Page_23">23</a>; <a href="#Page_124">124</a>.</li> +<li>Widdrington, Mrs. Percy (Eng.), in N. J., <a href="#Page_826">826</a>.</li> +<li>Wigham, Eliza (Scot), <a href="#Page_19">19</a>; <a href="#Page_1020">1020</a>.</li> +<li>Wilbour, Charlotte B., <a href="#Page_23">23</a>.</li> +<li>Wilbur, Julia A., <a href="#Page_27">27</a>; <a href="#Page_260">260</a>.</li> +<li>Wilbur, Sarah, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>.</li> +<li>Willard, Emma, <a href="#Page_355">355</a>.</li> +<li>Willard, Frances E., <a href="#Page_110">110</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>at Int'l. Council, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>;</li> + <li>sp. before U. S. Senate Com., <a href="#Page_141">141</a>; <a href="#Page_164">164</a>; <a href="#Page_175">175</a>; <a href="#Page_183">183</a>;</li> + <li>in Denver, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>;</li> + <li>death, <a href="#Page_304">304</a>; <a href="#Page_438">438</a>; <a href="#Page_517">517</a>; <a href="#Page_610">610</a>; <a href="#Page_612">612</a>; <a href="#Page_641">641</a>;</li> + <li>in Boston, <a href="#Page_705">705</a>; <a href="#Page_710">710</a>; <a href="#Page_714">714</a>;</li> + <li>in Mont., <a href="#Page_796">796</a>;</li> + <li>in N. C., <a href="#Page_874">874</a>; <a href="#Page_886">886</a>;</li> + <li>work in W. C. T. U., <a href="#Page_1047">1047</a>; <a href="#Page_1048">1048</a>;</li> + <li>estab. dept. franchise, <a href="#Page_1071">1071</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Willcox, Albert O., <a href="#Page_295">295</a>.</li> +<li>Willcox, Hon. Hamilton, <a href="#Page_706">706</a>; <a href="#Page_856">856</a>.</li> +<li>Williams, Mary H., <a href="#Page_212">212</a>.</li> +<li>Williamson, Frances A., <a href="#Page_263">263</a>; <a href="#Page_483">483</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>writes Nev. chap., <a href="#Page_810">810</a>;</li> + <li>work in Nev., <a href="#Page_811">811</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Williamson, M. Laura, <a href="#Page_811">811</a>.</li> +<li>Wilson, Edgar, M. C., <a href="#Page_590">590</a>.</li> +<li>Wilson, Vice-President Henry, for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1075">1075</a>.</li> +<li>Windeyer, Miss (Australia), <a href="#Page_224">224</a>.</li> +<li>Winship, Dr. A. E., <a href="#Page_741">741</a>.</li> +<li>Winslow, Dr. Caroline B., <a href="#Page_275">275</a>; <a href="#Page_295">295</a>; <a href="#Page_574">574</a>.</li> +<li>Wisconsin, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_LXXI">Chap. LXXI</a>.</li> +<li>Wolcott, U. S. Sen. Edward O., <a href="#Page_156">156</a>; <a href="#Page_235">235</a>; <a href="#Page_525">525</a>.</li> +<li>Wolcott, Lieut.-Gov. Roger (Mass.), <a href="#Page_713">713</a>.</li> +<li>Wolf, John B., <a href="#Page_59">59</a>.</li> +<li>Wolf, Simon, <a href="#Page_231">231</a>.</li> +<li>Wollstonecraft, Mary, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>.</li> +<li>Wood, Col. S. N., <a href="#Page_407">407</a>; <a href="#Page_653">653</a>.</li> +<li>Wood, Mrs. S. N., <a href="#Page_418">418</a>.</li> +<li>Woodall, William, M. P., work for wom. suff., <a href="#Page_1015">1015</a>.</li> +<li>Woodbridge, Mary A., <a href="#Page_641">641</a>.</li> +<li>Woodbury, Charles J., wom. suff. in Wash., <a href="#Page_1096">1096</a>.</li> +<li>Woods, Dr. Frances, <a href="#Page_592">592</a>; <a href="#Page_632">632</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>in O., <a href="#Page_880">880</a>;</li> + <li>same, <a href="#Page_893">893</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Woods, Mell C., <a href="#Page_279">279</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>on wom. suff. in Ida., <a href="#Page_283">283</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Wright, Hon. Carroll D., sp. on Indust. Emancip. of Wom., <a href="#Page_213">213</a>.</li> +<li>Wright, Frances, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>; <a href="#Page_294">294</a>.</li> +<li>Wright, St. Rep. Harriet G. R. (Col.), <a href="#Page_523">523</a>; <a href="#Page_524">524</a>.</li> +<li>Wright, Martha C., <a href="#Page_288">288</a>; <a href="#Page_298">298</a>; <a href="#Page_842">842</a>.</li> +<li>Wright, Phoebe C., <a href="#Page_235">235</a>.</li> +<li>Wyndham, George, M. P., <a href="#Page_1020">1020</a>.</li> +<li>Wyoming, names for, <a href="#CHAPTER_LXXII">Chap. LXXII</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<p class="index"><a id="IX_Y" name="IX_Y"></a>Y</p> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Yarbrough, Jasper, case of, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>.</li> +<li>Yates, Elizabeth Upham, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>sp. at conv. of '95, <a href="#Page_228">228</a>; <a href="#Page_242">242</a>; <a href="#Page_247">247</a>; <a href="#Page_263">263</a>;</li> + <li>in Calif, campn., <a href="#Page_487">487</a>; <a href="#Page_490">490</a>; <a href="#Page_536">536</a>; <a href="#Page_558">558</a>; <a href="#Page_696">696</a>;</li> + <li>in Boston, <a href="#Page_707">707</a>;</li> + <li>in Mass., <a href="#Page_714">714</a>; <a href="#Page_718">718</a>;</li> + <li>in Miss., <a href="#Page_783">783</a>;</li> + <li>in N. J., <a href="#Page_822">822</a>;</li> + <li>in N. C., <a href="#Page_874">874</a>;</li> + <li>in Penn., <a href="#Page_899">899</a>;</li> + <li>in S. C., <a href="#Page_922">922</a>;</li> + <li>in Va., <a href="#Page_964">964</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Yates, Gov. Richard (Ills.), <a href="#Page_603">603</a>.</li> +<li>Young, Virginia Durant, <a href="#Page_222">222</a>; <a href="#Page_224">224</a>; <a href="#Page_235">235</a>; <a href="#Page_263">263</a>; <a href="#Page_293">293</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>wom. suff. in South, <a href="#Page_362">362</a>; <a href="#Page_583">583</a>;</li> + <li>writes S. C. chap., work in S. C., <a href="#Page_922">922</a> et al.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Young, Zina D. H., <a href="#Page_939">939</a>; <a href="#Page_1052">1052</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<p class="index"><a id="IX_Z" name="IX_Z"></a>Z</p> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Zelophehad, daughters of, <a href="#Page_372">372</a>.</li> +</ul> + +</div> + + +<hr class="full" /> + + +<div class="trans-note"> +<a name="END" id="END"></a> +<p class="heading">Transcriber's Notes</p> + +<p>The transcriber made changes as below +indicated to the text to correct obvious errors:</p> + +<pre class="note"> + 1. p. xxvi posession --> possession + 2. p. 23 Parlimentary --> Parliamentary + 3. p. 33 acomplished --> accomplished + 4. p. 74 Disfranchisement:t: --> Disfranchisement: + 5. p. 175 preceeding --> preceding + 6. p. 250 Senaca Falls; --> Senaca Falls, + 7. p. 356 "the bottoms,'" --> "The bottoms," + 8. p. 360 they want.'" --> they want." + 9. p. 402 unforgetable --> unforgettable + 10. p. 531 Ptolomaic --> Ptolemaic + 11. p. 643 plaform --> platform + 12. p. 709 Northen --> Northern + 13. p. 834 in $86.21 --> is $86.21 + 14. p. 893 mantained --> maintained + 15. p. 896 disabilites -->disabilities + 16. p. 900 Committe --> Committee + 17. p. 974 classess -->classes (Footnote #460) + 18. p. 1020 conspicious --> conspicuous + 19. p. 1030 ocupying --> occupying + 20. p. 1081 Wald --> Waldo + 21. p. 1088 to higher plane. --> to a higher plane. + 22. p. 1091 encouragment -->encouragement + 23. p. 1094 Atorney --> Attorney + 24. p. 1096 'Whatever may be --> "Whatever may be + +</pre> + +</div> + +<hr class="full" /> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The History of Woman Suffrage, Volume +IV, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HIST OF WOMAN SUFFRAGE, VOL 4 *** + +***** This file should be named 29870-h.htm or 29870-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/9/8/7/29870/ + +Produced by Richard J. Shiffer and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/29870-h/images/gs01.jpg b/29870-h/images/gs01.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..fa8e413 --- /dev/null +++ b/29870-h/images/gs01.jpg diff --git a/29870-h/images/gs02.jpg b/29870-h/images/gs02.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..229a0b2 --- /dev/null +++ b/29870-h/images/gs02.jpg diff --git a/29870-h/images/gs03.jpg b/29870-h/images/gs03.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c74713e --- /dev/null +++ b/29870-h/images/gs03.jpg diff --git a/29870-h/images/gs04.jpg b/29870-h/images/gs04.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..29dbd30 --- /dev/null +++ b/29870-h/images/gs04.jpg diff --git a/29870-h/images/gs05.jpg b/29870-h/images/gs05.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5dfa641 --- /dev/null +++ b/29870-h/images/gs05.jpg diff --git a/29870-h/images/gs06.jpg b/29870-h/images/gs06.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a56ad49 --- /dev/null +++ b/29870-h/images/gs06.jpg diff --git a/29870-h/images/gs07.jpg b/29870-h/images/gs07.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..38034f3 --- /dev/null +++ b/29870-h/images/gs07.jpg diff --git a/29870-h/images/gs08.jpg b/29870-h/images/gs08.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3492264 --- /dev/null +++ b/29870-h/images/gs08.jpg diff --git a/29870-h/images/gs09.jpg b/29870-h/images/gs09.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7ba6775 --- /dev/null +++ b/29870-h/images/gs09.jpg diff --git a/29870-h/images/gs10.jpg b/29870-h/images/gs10.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1f59135 --- /dev/null +++ b/29870-h/images/gs10.jpg diff --git a/29870-h/images/gs11.jpg b/29870-h/images/gs11.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..07638be --- /dev/null +++ b/29870-h/images/gs11.jpg |
